Viajer@s in History and Art
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 20, Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway. Free
This community celebration is co-led by youth who will present on human rights, equity and migrant heritage through spoken word and visual art. With the goal of sparking dialogue across generations, organizers hope to “promote a culture of peace, compassion, and youth leadership through creative expression.”
The Science of Ice Cream
3:30-4:15 p.m. Friday, June 20, WOW! Children’s Museum, 110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette. $12 ($10 for members)
Your kiddo will never complain about science class again after this sweet lesson in chemistry. Learn the art of liquids and solids (and turning liquids into solids) as you make ice cream alongside your little one. Hopefully they’ll be willing to share the finished result of your joint experiment.
Paris Is Burning
7-9 p.m. Friday, June 20, Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road. $15 ($12 for members)
Pride realness hits the runway during Longmont Museum’s special screening of the seminal LGBTQ+ documentary, Paris Is Burning. Exploring Harlem's vibrant '80s drag ball scene through the lens of its predominantly Black and Latinx communities, the groundbreaking film by director Jennie Livingston remains a tentpole of queer cinema.
Summer Solstice Q&A and Solar Telescope Viewing
Noon to 1:30 p.m., Friday, June 20, Meadows Library, 4800 Baseline Road, Boulder. Free
Stare at the sun (safely) without burning your corneas on the longest day of the year with the help of Fiske Planetarium astronomer Anna Pesci. Learn all about our solar system’s light giver during a presentation, followed by a viewing session of the sun through a solar telescope.
Bluegrass CiderJam
5-7 p.m. Friday, June 20, St. Vrain Cidery, 350 Terry St., Suite 130 (down alleyway), Longmont. Free
Grab your fiddle or your banjo (or just your toe-tappin’ shoes) and pick on down to St. Vrain Cidery for a monthly laid-back bluegrass jam with a side of cider. The jam is open “for all levels and all lovers of playing and listening,” so don’t be shy.
Cool Grasses of Heil Valley Ranch
10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 21, Heil Valley Ranch, 1188 Geer Canyon Road, Boulder. Free
Big trees and beautiful flowers get all the love in the flora world. But real ones know grasses are where the action’s at. Join naturalists on a 1.5-mile hike to learn about the native grass species of the foothills, how they bounce back from wildfire and how managing them can be used to prevent the next big blaze. Registration required: bit.ly/HeilValleyGrasses
Summer Vibes Bike Rally and Run Festival
7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21, Bohn Park, 199 2nd Ave., Lyons. Free (prices vary for participants)
What’s more Colorado-coded than a trail running, gravel biking, live music camp-out bash in the mountains? Add in a beer relay and you’ve got yourself a certified summer vibe fest. This annual festival features an all-day lineup of adventure races and competitions with an afterparty at La Mariposa. Visit summervibesrally.com for entry fees and camping information.
Motus Playback Theater: Immigrant Heritage Edition
7-9 p.m. Saturday, June 21, Dairy Arts Center, Carsen Theater, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. $15+
“Whether your family journeyed here recently or long ago, we all carry stories of movement, resilience, and change.” That’s the message of this night of improvisational theater celebrating immigrant heritage. The cast will bring your stories and memories to life through storytelling, movement and music. Don’t want to share a story? That’s OK, too: “Your presence builds community.”
Hidden Stories of Waneka Lake
9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21, Waneka Lake Park, 1600 Caria Drive, Lafayette. Free
Take your morning stroll with a side of history at this 1.2-mile guided walk with volunteers from Lafayette History Museum and Lafayette Open Space. You’ll learn about Waneka Lake’s storied past “of pioneers and power plants, wildlife and waterways, farming, families, and much more.” Ages 10 and up are welcome and registration is required: bit.ly/WanekaLakeStoriesBW
Ho’omau (Perpetuate)
6-8 p.m. Saturday, June 21, Vance Brand Auditorium, 600 E. Mountain View Ave., Longmont. $40+
Hawaiian culture takes center stage at this concert honoring the legacy of Kumu Hula Randy Kaulana Chang. Showcasing four decades of the legendary musician’s teaching career, the two-hour show will feature hula and songs performed by his son, Joshua Kamuela Chang, alongside musicians Tinifuloa Grey and Anthony Stanley.
Barnyard Critter Day
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 22, Agricultural Heritage Center, 8348 Ute Hwy., Longmont. Free
Join your animal comrades on the farm for this hands-on day of fun. Learn about the vital role our four-legged friends play at the barnyard through demonstrations of sheep herding and shearing, calf roping, butter churning and more. From chickens to cows to hogs, there’s plenty of critters running about, so leave your pets at home to keep the peace.
Summer Kids Film Series: Flow
10 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, June 24, Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road. $3 ($6 with popcorn and juice box)
A courageous cat teams up with a motley crew of critters to survive a catastrophic flood in this Academy Award-winning animated feature by Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis, screening next Tuesday at the Longmont Museum as part of their Summer Kids Film Series. You and your littles are sure to love this singular, spellbinding movie BW film critic Michael J. Casey calls a “beautiful … story of community.”
Crochet Water Balloon Fight
1-2 p.m. Thursday, June 26, George F. Reynolds Library, 3595 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder. Free
A summer pastime goes sustainable with crocheted water balloons handcrafted by community volunteers. Wading pools, freezer pops and water play are the perfect way to help your little one beat the heat and burn some energy while you watch from the shaded sidelines.