BACK IN THE SADDLE

from Boulder Weekly 09.14.2023

Weed Between the Lines

CU Boulder’s International Film Series returns with new program manager

BY MICHAEL J. CASEY

There’s a new sheriff at the CU International Film Series (IFS), and his name is Jason Phelps. If you’ve attended IFS in the past, you’ve probably seen him introducing movies, running the projector, directing the pithy shorts reminding you to turn off your phone, or presenting his directorial debut, the 2017 martial arts comedy The Curse of the Dragon Sword. He’s even hosted an IFSCU Cinema Studies podcast interviewing faculty and filmmakers. In short, Phelps has done it all and then some.

But the one thing Phelps doesn’t want to do is upset the applecart. IFS is known for screening the best in independent, international and classic cinema, and the recently released Fall 2023 calendar promises to continue that tradition. But a closer look also reveals the mark of Phelps’ particular passions: animation and martial arts. In a world of AI-generated content and algorithmic suggestions, personalized curation is like a breath of fresh air.

And with the IFS now in full swing — everything kicked off this past Sunday with a screening of the excellent The Eight Mountains — now is your chance to see some truly wonderful programs that, in some cases, you certainly won’t find anywhere else. Here are three programs you don’t want to miss.

Animation Appreciation Week

Oct. 2-8

When it comes to animation, most people think kiddie and family-friendly flicks — and they’re not wrong. The bulk of hand-drawn, computer-generated and stop-motion movies that hit the multiplex are targeted at a specific demographic. But open up the lens a little and you see a dazzling array of artistry on display, from Don Hertzfeldt’s idiosyncratic squiggly stick figures (It’s Such a Beautiful Day, Oct. 2) to the sleek and futuristic (Ghost in the Shell, Oct. 5) to the strange and psychedelic (Son of White Mare, Oct. 6). And for those with little ones at home, IFS does have one familyfriendly pick: the stop-motion Coraline, Oct. 8, when kids get in free.

Bruce Lee Retrospective

Nov. 29-Dec. 3

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Enter the Dragon (Dec. 2), the crowning achievement of Bruce Lee’s martial arts career on screen and the biggest exposure for his philosophy, Jeet Kune Do. Lee was a force unlike any other, and the ability to watch all five of his movies in close succession is to see a star’s birth and maturity in three short years. Only have time to watch one? Make it The Way of the Dragon (Dec. 1). Lee’s climactic fight with Chuck Norris — yes, that Chuck Norris — in the Roman Colosseum is one of those rare cinematic moments that exist on another plane.

NINE DAYS OF ’90S

Dec. 5-14

A profound yearning for 1990s nostalgia has emerged in recent years, and despite the ’90s being a shit decade for a whole mess of reasons, there is an undeniable draw to some of the era’s artistic achievements. That just so happens to include high-water marks for Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke, Dec. 7), Wong Kar-wai (Chungking Express, Dec. 8), Pedro Almodóvar (All About My Mother, Dec. 9), Edward Yang (A Brighter Summer Day, Dec. 10) and James Cameron (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Dec. 13).

The other four in the program: the hyper-kinetic Run, Lola, Run (Dec. 12), the schlock-tastic Mortal Kombat (Dec. 14) and the movie that has engendered more adoration and vitriol than practically anything released in the past four decades, David Fincher’s Fight Club (Dec. 11).

Based on Chuck Palahniuk’s tale of white affluent male dissatisfaction with the modern world and sporting cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth’s magnificently shadowy and dank cinematography, Fight Club features one of Brad Pitt’s finest performances, a Dust Brothers score that’s still pounding inside Jack’s skull and a conceit that is easy to love, difficult to accept and impossible to dismiss. Other theaters would stay away from it like fire. That’s why we have the International Film Series.

ON SCREEN: 2023 International Film Series. Through Dec. 14, CU BoulderMuenzinger Auditorium, 1905 Colorado Ave. Full schedule: internationalfilmseries.com

2023 LOUISVILLE OKTOBERFEST

3-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 and noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 525 Main St., Louisville. Free

Celebrate the hoppiest holiday in Louisville with beer steins and turkey legs. This all-ages event features jousting, live music and a huge variety of craft beers from around the world. Show up in lederhosen or dirndl for a free beer.

SUMMER MUSIC EVE: BOTTLEROCKET HURRICANE

4-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, Sunflower Farm, 11150 Prospect Road, Longmont. $27

Join Denver-based band Bottlerocket Hurricane for an evening of food, drinks, music, animals, and activities for all ages at Sunflower Farm. With influences including Townes Van Zandt, Harry Nilsson, the Grateful Dead and Gillian Welch, Bottlerocket

Hurricane blends Americana, folk and ’70s rock around lyrics about life, love and community. Passport Food Truck will be on-site to dish out international tapas, with Palo Coffee & Bar nearby to wet your whistle and sate your sweet tooth with non-alcoholic beverages and snow cones.

FALL CLOTHING SWAP, SHOP, CONSIGN!

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, Nude Foods Market, 3233 Walnut St., Boulder. Free

Looking to sustainably revitalize your wardrobe for the upcoming turn of the season? Whether you bring clothes to exchange, or just want to explore The Clothing Cycle’s secondhand collection, you are sure to find the perfect addition to your fall wardrobe during this once-a-year event.

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PEARL STREET STAMPEDE

7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, 1300 Pearl St., Boulder. Free

The Golden Buffalo Marching Band will accompany CU football players, coaches and staff to celebrate a new era of the Buffaloes. Before heading east on Pearl Street, the band will perform in front of the County Courthouse for fans of all ages.

RALLY FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE

3:45-4:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, Dalton Trumbo Fountain Court on the CU Boulder campus

Student-organized club Fossil Free CU is hosting a rally to urge the university to divest from fossil fuels. The event will have art, free food, guest speakers and an open mic for participants to talk about their experience with climate justice. Wear orange and gather at the Dalton Trumbo Fountain on the north side of the University Memorial Center (UMC) to support a cleaner future.

AN IN-POWERING FREEDOM MOVEMENT DANCE AND YOGA JOURNEY

10 a.m.-noon, Sunday, Sept. 17, North Boulder Park, 9th Street and Dellwood Avenue. Free

Jill and Jessica Emich of Shine Living Community will lead this rejuvenating yoga experience aimed to not only enhance your physical well-being but also raise funds to benefit The Alzheimer’s Association. Take in the healing power of community and selfcare in a beautiful outdoor setting, all while making a positive impact on a disease that affects more than 5 million Americans.

Help Wanted

Workday, Inc. is accepting resumes for the following positions at various levels in Boulder, CO. Software Engineer/ Software Development Engineer (20637.1222): Analyzes, designs, programs, debugs, and modifies software enhancements and/or new products used in local, networked, or internet-related computer programs. May oversee projects and/or programs, as assigned by management. Salary $103,813 - $316,800 per year, 40 hours per week. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location and recruiters can share more during the hiring process. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, future potential and internal pay parity. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please go to workday.com/en-us/company/careers/ life-atworkday.html Interested candidates send resume to J. Thurston, Inc., 6110 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588. Must reference job # 20637.1222

EVERY WEDNESDAY BOULDER

BLUEGRASS JAM

THU. 9/14 - 8:00PM

ANTONIO LOPEZ BAND & LAURIE DAMERON

SAT. 9/16 - 6:00PM

K9’S, COWBOYS & COCKTAILS FUNDRAISER

MON. 9/18 - 6:30PM

OPEN MIC W/STEVE KOPPE

TUE. 9/19 - 6:30PM

MOJOMAMMA LIVE BROADCAST ON 88.5 KGNU

SAT. 9/23 - 10:00PM GREEN BUDDHA

WED. 9/27- 8:00PM

WAYNE GRAHAM

THU. 9/28 - 8:00PM

THE TONY FURTADO

ACOUSTIC TRIO FEAT. MATT FLINNER

SUN. 10/1 - 8:00PM

BUFFALO WABS & THE PRICE HILL HUSTLE

WED. 10/4 - 8:00PM

SARAH & SHANNON W/ MAIA SHARP

FRI. 10/6 - 8:00PM

BIRDS OF PLAY

THU. 10/12 - 8:00PM

JEREMY GARRETT

FRI. 10/13 - 7:30PM

DELTA SONICS BLUES DANCE PARTY

WED. 10/18 - 8:30PM

BRENDAN ABERNATHY

Purchase Tickets at RMPtix.com RootsMusicProject.org

4747 Pearl Suite V3A

MAPLETON HILL PORCHFEST

12:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, Mapleton Hill, between 4th and 9th streets, Boulder. Free

Say howdy to your neighbor, spread out a blanket and enjoy folk, indie and bluegrass music played from the porches of picturesque homes in Boulder’s Mapleton Hill community. With food trucks nearby to quell hunger, there’s not a better way to spend a late-summer afternoon than under the shade of a silver maple during Porchfest.

SANITAS MAKERS MARKET SERIES!

1-6 p.m. Sept. 17, Sanitas Brewing Co, 3550 Frontier Ave., Suite A, Boulder. Free

Support local artists, creators, musicians and restaurants at this free family-friendly event, every third Sunday. Explore handmade jewelry, knitwear, prints, crafts, and more from local artisans, all while enjoying a variety of food, drink and local music.

Tai Chi In The Park

5:15-6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, Admiral Arleigh A. Burke Park, 490 Mohawk Drive, Boulder. Free

Rocky Mountain Tai Chi instructor Robyn Tighe will lead both new and experienced practitioners through a short-form practice in the park. These silent sessions include a guided warm up followed by a non-instructed practice where attendees are welcome to follow along at their own pace.

10TH ANNUAL CELEBRATING

BIRD MIGRATION

1-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, Waneka Lake Park, 1600 Caria Drive, Lafayette. Free

Grab your binoculars and see birds of prey closer than ever before alongside experts and educators at Waneka Lake. Attendees will learn about migration and marshes from avian aficionados at Nature’s Educators, Feminist Bird Club and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. When you’re not searching for avifauna, you can delight in works by wildlife painters and photographers, and even try your luck at winning prizes in a scavenger hunt.

BOULDER BOOKSTORE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

3-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, Boulder Bookstore,1107 Pearl St., Boulder. Free

Celebrate Boulder’s largest independent bookstore’s golden anniversary with live music, author meet-andgreets, refreshments and more. The 20,000-square-foot Boulder literary institution is home to some 100,000 titles and countless memories — stop by and reminisce.

MUG PAINTING @ OSKAR BLUES

6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, Oskar Blues Brewery Taproom,1640 S. Sunset St., Longmont. $35

Looking to add some flair to your glassware? Coy Ink Studio will provide secondhand mugs, dishwasher-safe markers and drawing inspiration to help you turn your kitchen cabinet into a mini folk-art gallery. A beer included in the cost of the workshop should help get the creative juices flowing.