First published in Boulder Beat

I appreciate getting reminders.

If the doctor’s office didn’t call me once a year, I would have no way of knowing how unhealthy I am. I for sure wouldn’t remember your birthday if we weren’t Facebook friends.
A lot of celebrations that happen once a year are reminders. It’s not that Women’s history is only important in March, but it’s an intentional time to focus our attention. Boulder Arts Week, coming up next week, is in many ways a reminder of the incredible cultural offerings that happen in the other 51 weeks of the year.
I am fortunate to be able to claim a rich and rewarding history working in and around the arts for many years. I worked as a lighting designer for dance, a stage manager for theater, a rigger in the circus, a sound engineer for rock and roll, and pretty much everything else you could do in the performing arts. I also ran multiple art galleries, as well as co-founded and co-produced, with my wife Abra, First Friday Santa Cruz, a visual arts event attended by thousands of people each month.

I have seen art change people’s lives and change entire cities.

Supporting and experiencing art live is more important than ever. We have taken a hit as a community, not only through COVID and the King Soopers shooting and the Marshall Fire but from the slow, social change that every community experiences. We communicate less in person, and with fewer people than we used to. Much of our social infrastructure has been
quietly eroded and replaced with virtual infrastructure, which, while needed, is not a replacement for human interaction.

Let Boulder Arts Week be your reminder of the importance of human connection and the value that comes from being moved by a painting, by hearing a concert, or laughing at a play. Make a date with those friends that you’ve missed and go experience what Boulder creatives have to offer.

These are the events I’m excited about. There are dozens more at boulderartsweek.org. I hope you discover something new — or perhaps, rediscover something forgotten.

Open Wall at BMoCA
Community Exhibition and sale
4-6 p.m. Friday, March 25
BMoCA (1750 13th Street)

Galactic Liquid Immersive Display
Conceptual series of images depicting the galaxy using water drop images
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday, March 25
R Gallery + Wine Bar (2027 Broadway)

Student Banner Program
42 lamp pole banners, designed by students from area schools, will be displayed
All-day Friday, March 25
Pearl Street Mall

4×4 Squared: A Dance Experiment
The entire dance will be performed on and around two 4’ x 4’ platforms
7-7:50 p.m. Friday, March 25
NoBo Gallery at Bus Stop Apartments (4895 N. Broadway)

Tipping Point at Dairy Arts
A DIY performance (and journey through the cosmos) about sustainability
7:30 p.m. Friday, March 25
Dairy Arts Center, Grace Gamm Theater (2590 Walnut Street)