Tag Archives: Boulder Opera

Ticket Give Away: Magic Flute by the Boulder Opera

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Screen Shot 2013-11-13 at 7.50.37 PMBoulder Opera is back this holiday season with a family-friendly one-hour version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. There are six opportunities to see this exciting production: Broomfield Auditorium on December 8th at 11am and 2pm or the Nomad Theatre in Boulder on Friday, December 13th at 10:30am and 4pm or Sunday, December 15th at 12pm and 3pm. For more information and to purchase tickets click here. Want to win a pair of tickets? Head to the bottom of the page to learn how to win or see Boulder Families on Facebook.

Mozart’s famous German singspiel, or opera-play, “The Magic Flute,” tells a charming, fantastic story that includes a bird seller, a dragon, a captured princess, a prince who wants to rescue her, an evil Queen of the Night, a priest and, of course, a magic flute. The plot is intricate but engaging and the music is beautiful and memorable. You won’t be able to stop humming Papageno’s theme song! Lasting approximately an hour with a question and answer period after the show, The Magic Flute is the perfect introductory opera for children who love stories, singing, and acting. Professional singers and a live chamber orchestra bring an authentic and exciting opera experience to children and parents alike.

The dialogue will be in English and main characters Papagena and Monostatos will narrate the story while inviting lots of audience participation. There is even a chance to dress as a dragon! The performance is probably most appropriate for children ages 3 and older.

Want a chance to win tickets? Here’s how you do it…

We will pick a winner out of all those who comment here and like Boulder Families on Facebook by midnight on November 18, 2013.

Boulder Family Events: June 28 to July 4, 2013

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Friday, June 28

Saturday, June 29

  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, do some artwork, get some lunch. There is always so much going on at the market! 8:00am to 2:00pm.
  • FREE Day at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits or stop by during the Farmer’s Market for a fun kids craft.
  • Twenty Ninth Street Live! Live musical performances Saturday nights throughout the summer. Food trucks, drinks, music. All outside at the Twenty Ninth Street Mall. 7:00 to 10:00pm. 

Sunday, June 30

Monday, July 1

Tuesday, July 2

Wednesday, July 3

  • Bands on the Bricks. Get down and enjoy great live music playing on the Pearl Street Mall. Check out the line up here. Free. 7:00 to 9:00pm [libations starting at 5:30pm]
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, buy some veggies, get some dinner, listen to live music and even have a beer. There is always so much going on at the market and it’s not as crowded as Saturdays, so it’s great for families! 4:00 to 8:00pm.
  • FREE Night at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits. 4 to 8pm.
  • TEBO Train on Pearl Street Mall. Free. 10:00am to 11:15am. More details in the June 10 listing.
  • Kids Eat FREE tonight at Wahoo’s!

Thursday, July 4–Happy 4th of July!

Boulder Family Events: June 21 to June 27, 2013

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Friday, June 21

  • Noon Tunes on Pearl Street Mall. Head down to Pearl Street for some free, grooving good tunes. Let the kids play in the pop fountain and dance the afternoon away. Noon to 1:30pm.
  • Friday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Come listen to stories. Free. 10:15am.
  • Wanda & The Wave Children’s Theatrical Performance. A giant wave looms over the home of Wanda. “Drip-drop!” she scolds the wave, as she goes about daily life with her dog Bones, not realizing that the wave is a companion who loves her.  A stranger muses on the possibilities of the wave, awakening Wanda’s curiosity as to what lies beyond. Told through puppetry, “Wanda & The Wave” is a whimsical tale about
    appreciating the world around us. The audience will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the puppets and performers. 7:00pm.

Saturday, June 22

Sunday, June 23

  • Ballet in the Park with the Boulder Ballet. The ninth-annual outdoor concert series, free to the public! This family-friendly repertoire concert features excerpts from the season along with new works, in classical and contemporary styles. Come early with a picnic, enjoy a beautiful summer evening with the ballet, and then marvel at the spontaneous dancing by children from the audience after the show! Performance length is approximately one hour. Boulder’s Central Park Bandshell, Downtown. Free. 7:00pm.
  • Charlotte’s Web performed by the Now or Never Theater brings this classic tale to life with puppets, shadows and storytelling performed by Betsy Tobin and Margarita Blush. Children and adults will love this touching story enacted with puppets and magical shadow imagery of the webs that Charlotte weaves for her friend, Wilbur.
    at the Boulder Public Library. Free. 2:00 to 3:00pm at the Main Boulder Library Canyon Theater.
  • Wanda & The Wave Children’s Theatrical Performance. See description on 6/21. Showtimes: 3:00pm

Monday, June 24

Tuesday, June 25

  • GrandRabbits’ Play Day. Join this great toy store for unique crafts and activities each week. Free. 11:00am.
  • TEBO Train on Pearl Street Mall. Free. 10:00am to 11:15am.
  • PJ Storytime at the George Reynolds Branch library. Wear your PJ’s and bring a teddy bear for this fun filled storytime. 10:15am.
  • Teen Summer Film Festival presents Lincoln. For middle- and high schooled- aged youth only! Pizza in the Teen Art Gallery at 5:00. Movie in the Boulder Creek Room at 5:30.Lincoln, directed by Steven Spielberg. As the Civil War continues to rage, America’s president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield and as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.
    Seating in chairs or on floor instead of theater seats—bring pillows and blankets for comfort!

Wednesday, June 26

  • Summer Reading Crafts at the George Reynolds Branch Library. Open to all. 3:00pm.
  • Bands on the Bricks. Get down and enjoy great live music playing on the Pearl Street Mall. Check out the line up here. Free. 7:00 to 9:00pm [libations starting at 5:30pm]
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, buy some veggies, get some dinner, listen to live music and even have a beer. There is always so much going on at the market and it’s not as crowded as Saturdays, so it’s great for families! 4:00 to 8:00pm.
  • FREE Night at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits. 4 to 8pm.
  • TEBO Train on Pearl Street Mall. Free. 10:00am to 11:15am. More details in the June 10 listing.
  • Kids Eat FREE tonight at Wahoo’s!

Thursday, June 27

  • History Hunters at the Boulder Public Library. Enjoy the musical quest as the History Hunter sets out to search through the world’s history, discovering stories of remarkable people who have made a difference along the way. Filled with amazing songs, festive dances, and a cast of wonderful characters. 11:00am Canyon Theater at the Main Boulder Library.
  • LEGO Club at the George Reynolds Branch Library. Do you like LEGOs? Do you like stories? Then you’ll love LEGO club at the George Reynolds Branch Library! Join us the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month for storytime and LEGOextravaganza. If you’re a great LEGO builder, or a first timer, this is the place for you. Open to anyone interested, no need to sign up.
  • TEBO Train on Pearl Street Mall. Free. 10:00am to 11:15am. More details in the June 10 listing.

Boulder Family Events: June 14 to June 20, 2013

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Friday, June 14

Saturday, June 15

  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, do some artwork, get some lunch. There is always so much going on at the market! 8:00am to 2:00pm.
  • FREE Day at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits or stop by during the Farmer’s Market for a fun kids craft.
  • Hellen Olson: The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids at the George Reynolds Branch Library. Great for the whole family whether you are veteran campers or just want to start getting your family out. 11:00am to Noon.
  • Louisville Public Library Kickoff Event for All Summer Reading: Digging in the Dirt. All ages are welcome to participate in this hands-on program presented by Dr. Cathy Regan of the University of Colorado Museum. Much of what is done at the Museum starts with digging in the dirt. Explore and share some of the techniques and collections: Archaeology—Dig up ancient southwestern potsherds to discover how much insight we gain into people’s lives from a single broken piece of pottery. Paleontology—Search for real fossils in material dug up by ants in Wyoming. Animal adaptations for living in the dirt. Look at real museum specimens up close to learn about what it takes to excavate and live underground. 10:00am to Noon. 

Sunday, June 16 — Happy Father’s Day! 

  • Ballet in the Park with the Boulder Ballet. The ninth-annual outdoor concert series, free to the public! This family-friendly repertoire concert features excerpts from the season along with new works, in classical and contemporary styles. Come early with a picnic, enjoy a beautiful summer evening with the ballet, and then marvel at the spontaneous dancing by children from the audience after the show! Performance length is approximately one hour. Broomfield Amphitheater.
  • Charlotte’s Web performed by the Now or Never Theater brings this classic tale to life with puppets, shadows and storytelling performed by Betsy Tobin and Margarita Blush. Children and adults will love this touching story enacted with puppets and magical shadow imagery of the webs that Charlotte weaves for her friend, Wilbur.
    at the Boulder Public Library. Free. 2:00 to 3:00pm at the Main Boulder Library Canyon Theater.

Monday, June 17

Tuesday, June 18

Wednesday, June 19

  • Summer Reading Crafts at the George Reynolds Branch Library. Open to all. 3:00pm.
  • Bands on the Bricks. Get down and enjoy great live music playing on the Pearl Street Mall. Check out the line up here. Free. 7:00 to 9:00pm [libations starting at 5:30pm]
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, buy some veggies, get some dinner, listen to live music and even have a beer. There is always so much going on at the market and it’s not as crowded as Saturdays, so it’s great for families! 4:00 to 8:00pm.
  • FREE Night at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits. 4 to 8pm.
  • TEBO Train on Pearl Street Mall. Free. 10:00am to 11:15am. More details in the June 10 listing.
  • Kids Eat FREE tonight at Wahoo’s!

Thursday, June 20

Boulder Family Events: June 7 to June 14, 2013

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Friday, June 7

Saturday, June 8

  • Longmont Museum FREE Day. Enjoy a free day at this great museum. Today kicks off their Build! LEGO exhibit and interactive events. 10:00am to 2:00pm. 
  • Snow White performed by Theater-Hikes Colorado. Audience and actors take a moderate hike amidst the scenic backdrop of Boulder Open Space while scenes from “Snow White” are performed along the way. There are additional performances, but in the past this has sold out, so get your tickets! SOLD OUT!
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, do some artwork, get some lunch. There is always so much going on at the market! 8:00am to 2:00pm.
  • FREE Day at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits or stop by during the Farmer’s Market for a fun kids craft.
  • Eldorado Canyon Junior Rangers. Resource-based nature programs for kids 6 to 12 years. The program is free with a parking pass or annual pass. 10:00 to 11:15am. More details: 303.494.3943.
  • Dig In To The World of Henry Cole at the George Reynolds Branch Library. Join children’s author/illustrator, Henry Cole for this interactive presentation filled with laughter as he brings the art of writing and illustrating for children to life. His vibrant animal illustrations, his love for nature and his imagination will inspire everyone who attends. Free. 11:00 to Noon.

Sunday, June 9

  • Boulder Jewish Festival on Pearl Street. Entertainment, food and fine arts come together to celebrate. This is a family-friendly, fun annual event. Definitely worth checking out!
  • Snow White performed by Theater-Hikes Colorado. Audience and actors take a moderate hike amidst the scenic backdrop of Boulder Open Space while scenes from “Snow White” are performed along the way. There are additional performances, but in the past this has sold out, so get your tickets!

Monday, June 10

Tuesday, June 11

Wednesday, June 12

  • Bands on the Bricks. Tonight is the first in a series of great live music playing on the Pearl Street Mall. Check out the line up here. Free. 7:00 to 9:00pm. 
  • Now or Never Theater Presents Charlotte’s Web. Adapted from the book by E. B. White by Betsy Tobin of the Now Or Never Theatre: puppets, shadows and storytelling performed by Betsy Tobin and Margarita Blush. Fern’s mother, the storyteller, evokes life in the barn as she tells the story of Wilbur the pig’s unlikely survival and his lasting friendship with a spider and her offspring. Children and adults will love this touching story enacted with puppets and magical shadow imagery of the webs that Charlotte weaves for her friend, Wilbur. Free. Meadows Branch Library. 1:00 to 2:00pm.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, buy some veggies, get some dinner, listen to live music and even have a beer. There is always so much going on at the market and it’s not as crowded as Saturdays, so it’s great for families! 4:00 to 8:00pm.
  • FREE Night at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits. 4 to 8pm.
  • TEBO Train on Pearl Street Mall. Free. 10:00am to 11:15am. More details in the June 10 listing.
  • Kids Eat FREE tonight at Wahoo’s!

Thursday, June 13

Boulder Family Events: May 31 to June 6, 2013

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Friday, May 31

Saturday, June 1

  • FREE Day at the Denver Art Museum. 
  • Snow White performed by Theater-Hikes Colorado. Audience and actors take a moderate hike amidst the scenic backdrop of Boulder Open Space while scenes from “Snow White” are performed along the way. There are additional performances, but in the past this has sold out, so get your tickets!
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, do some artwork, get some lunch. There is always so much going on at the market! 8:00am to 2:00pm.
  • FREE Day at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits or stop by during the Farmer’s Market for a fun kids craft.

Sunday, June 2

  • Circle Boulder By Bicycle Fun Ride presented by Community Cycles. Kick off Boulder Walk & Bike Month in style. This non-competitive ride follows the city’s bikeways, beginning and ending at Scott Carpenter Park and is open to all ages. Riders can register for free and start the ride for the approximately 26-mile or 16-mile  rides. Participants that need extra time, for either ride, can register earlier. Participants will loop around Boulder using a linking network of paths, neighborhood streets and unpaved trails. A free, post-ride party will take place at Scott Carpenter Park, where the ride began. The free party starts at 5 p.m. and will include refreshments.
  • Snow White performed by Theater-Hikes Colorado. Audience and actors take a moderate hike amidst the scenic backdrop of Boulder Open Space while scenes from “Snow White” are performed along the way. There are additional performances, but in the past this has sold out, so get your tickets!

Monday, June 3

Tuesday, June 4

Wednesday, June 5

  • West End 3k/1.5k Kids Run. This local favorite kicks off the Downtown Boulder Race Series, taking runners through the vibrant West End district of Pearl Street. The race will include a special 1.5K distance just for the kids. Click here to REGISTER.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, buy some veggies, get some dinner, listen to live music and even have a beer. There is always so much going on at the market and it’s not as crowded as Saturdays, so it’s great for families! 4:00 to 8:00pm.
  • FREE Night at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits. 4 to 8pm.
  • Kids Eat FREE tonight at Wahoo’s!

Thursday, June 6

Boulder Family Events: May 24 to 30, 2013

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Climbing in Boulder Canyon with the kids last weekend was great!

Friday, May 24

Saturday, May 25

  • Boulder Creek Festival. This is a fun event for families. There are kids rides, lots of food, kids activities, nonprofits, and lots of great people watching. To get more details on the Kids Place, Teen Fest, and other features of this fun weekend event click here.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, do some artwork, get some lunch. There is always so much going on at the market! 8:00am to 2:00pm.
  • FREE Day at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits or stop by during the Farmer’s Market for a fun kids craft.

Sunday, May 26

  • Boulder Creek Festival. This is a fun event for families. There are kids rides, lots of food, kids activities, nonprofits, and lots of great people watching. To get more details on the Kids Place, Teen Place, and other features of this fun weekend event click here. 

Monday, May 27

  • Boulder Creek Festival. This is a fun event for families. There are kids rides, lots of food, kids activities, nonprofits, and lots of great people watching. To get more details on the Kids Place, Teen Place, and other features of this fun weekend event click here.
  • Bolder Boulder. This is a fun event to run or watch. The link gives you info on the route. There is entertainment all along the way.

Tuesday, May 28

  • Storytime Creekwalk: Clean Up Crew. Meet at the Main Boulder Library for stories and activities including an outdoor explore along Boulder Creek.
  • GrandRabbits’ Play Day. Join this great toy store for unique crafts and activities each week. Free. 11:00am.
  • Musical Story Hour at Chautauqua. Join Boulder Public Library’s Youth Services Staff for a fun story hour full of music, play and dance!  The chosen books will be full of rhythm and song inviting all children and their caregivers to sing along.  The presenters will incorporate movement to help youth feel the groove and joy of books, music and song! The hours are designed for ages 3 to 7 but all ages are welcome. Cost $1. 10:00am

Wednesday, May 29

  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, buy some veggies, get some dinner, listen to live music and even have a beer. There is always so much going on at the market and it’s not as crowded as Saturdays, so it’s great for families! 4:00 to 8:00pm.
  • FREE Night at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits. 4 to 8pm.

Boulder Family Events: May 17 to 19, 2013

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Photo credit: Kai Wember-Brown

What is your family up to this weekend? Share your plans or other fun things going on around town here [comment here] or on our Facebook Page. 

Friday, May 17

Saturday, May 18

Sunday, May 19

  • Magicians of the Mountain Parks Come meet some of the astonishing magicians who live in our wild backyard – the rabbit, the skunk, the weasel and more. Magician Paul Norton and Naturalist Lynne Sullivan will reveal the amazing survival strategies of our wild neighbors. Join us at the Sunrise Amphitheater on Flagstaff Mountain for this stationary nature magic show. 11:00am.

Boulder Family Events: May 10 to 13, 2013

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What is your family up to this weekend? Share your plans or other fun things going on around town here [comment here] or on our Facebook Page. 

Friday, May 10

What is happening today? Some ideas: Family movie night, take a hike on the Annie U. White Trail, Bike at the Valmont Bike Park, Walk along the Bobo Link Trail

Saturday, May 11

  • Kids’ Bike Day at Community Cycles. Free event which includes bike tunes for kids bikes, a bike rodeo, bike safety, and lots of other fun stuff. Every kid who participates gets a prize! No need to register just make your way over. 11:00 to 3:00.
  • FREE Day at the Longmont Museum
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, do some artwork, get some lunch. There is always so much going on at the market! 8:00am to 2:00pm.
  • FREE Day at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits or stop by during the Farmer’s Market for a fun kids craft.
  • Dinosaur Day at Chautauqua Millions of years ago, they stalked the earth! Drop by the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage to see and touch fossils that tell the stories of Boulder’s prehistoric creatures.  Help assemble a life-sized replica of a duck-billed Edmontosaurus skeleton! Feel a real dinosaur track, and a tooth from the awesome T. rex, and visit with naturalists who will show you pictures of what Colorado used to look like in the days of the thunder lizards. (Hint: prepare to be amazed).  Dinosaur costumes and clothing, and lots of questions, are encouraged. Free event. 10:00 to 2:00
  • Boulder Home and Garden Show at 29th Street Mall. Lots of great ideas and products, food trucks, and an Alpaca Petting Zoo. 10:00 to 4:00
  • Best of Mary Sue and Cari Be ready to clap, stomp, sing and enjoy “The Best of Mary Sue & Cari” From buzzing like insects to dancing like fairies, these talented musicians will captivate you with their original kid-centered rhythmic music, relevant to kids and parents alike. Lauded by Downtown Boulder as, “The best kids music in Boulder!” this is a concert you won’t want to miss. Free event. 11:00am at the George Reynolds Branch Library AND 3:00pm at the Meadows Branch Library.

Sunday, May 12 

  • Midsummer’s Night Dream performed by the Boulder Ballet. At the Boulder Theater. 2 shows: 11:00am and 2:00pm. 
  • FREE Day at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
  • Walking Through the Language of the Landscape Shapely mountains, textured meadows, communities of plants – these are the voices of the landscape, patiently waiting for an observer to discern their stories. Join naturalist Lynne Sullivan as we learn to read the language of the landscape for the subtle and significant stories of our beloved wildlands. Meet at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage with water and snacks for this 3 mile moderate hike. Attn: appropriate for teens and up. Free event. 9:00 to Noon.
  • Bach 4 Kids Concert at the Main Boulder Library. The Annual Bach 4 Kids Concert opens with a performance of a movement of Bach’s “Double Violin Concerto” by Boulder Suzuki Strings under the direction of Amy Gesmer-Packman. The Boulder Bach Trio–Benjamin Tomkins-violin, Ysmael Reyes-flute, and Karen Terbeek-cello–follows with a hands-on demonstration of how Bach ornaments his music by “decorating” it with added notes and trills. Kids will create and “decorate” their own melodies, using the aria from Bach’s “Goldberg Variato”.

Monday, May 13

  • Rain, Mud, and Bees! Celebrate moisture, mud and May as naturalist Ellen Orleans reads lively picture books at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage. Your children (or grandchildren!) can join in the fun with pitter-pattering, foot stomping, buzzing, and the color of the week. At 10:30, we’ll take off for a kid-friendly “Signs of Spring” hike. Wear clothes to match the weather and bring a snack if you like. The story portion of this program is wheelchair-accessible. Free event. Geared toward 3 to 6-year-olds. 10:00 to 11:00.

Boulder Families Kid’s Review: Boulder Opera’s Production of La Cenerentola [Cinderella]

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Screen Shot 2013-05-07 at 2.32.01 PMIn April, Annelies was selected as the Boulder Families Reviewer for Boulder Opera’s production of La Cenerentola. A BIG thanks to Annelies for this thoughtful review!

Hi, my name is Annelies and I’m 11 years old. BRAVO! BRAVA!

What Did You Review? I went to go see Cinderella but in Italian. It was actually called La Cenerentola and it was all opera. There was no one speaking with real voices. In opera they sing really fast and really loud.

What Was It About? It was about Cinderella trying to go to the ball and she does get to go and at the end Cinderella gets married to the prince.

What Was Your Favorite Part? My favorite character was the evil sister Clorinda. She could sing the loudest and she was really funny. She came to the audience and walked around and sang really loud and almost sat on a dad.

What Surprised You About This Opera? All the singers had very different opera voices and I thought that they would have the same voice.

Would You Recommend It To A Friend? I would recommend it to a friend if they liked opera or music or funny plays. It was boring in some parts but still good.

Anything Else You Want To Say? There were a lot of kids even a lot of little kids and they could dance in the aisles. There were also good cookies, cupcakes and water for sale.

If you are interested in upcoming events by the Boulder Opera Company, please visit the Boulder Opera’s website.