Today
American Stories by Women — “Cabildo,” by Amy Beach and “Proving Up,” by Missy Mazzoli: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Imig Music Theatre, 1020 18th St., Boulder. Experience two unique chamber operas created by powerful American female composers. Amy Beach’s “Cabildo” tells the supernatural story of notorious pirate Pierre Laffite’s escape from a New Orleans prison during the War of 1812. Missy Mazzoli’s “Proving Up,” based on a short story by Karen Russell, is a surreal and haunting commentary on the American dream as experienced by a fictional family of 1860s homesteaders. Sung in English. Great repertoire, lavish scenery, amazing voices and outstanding value — these are the hallmarks of the CU Boulder College of Music Eklund Opera Program. Director Leigh Holman and music director Nicholas Carthy bring audiences the best of classical and contemporary opera in these fascinating productions. $23-$35, calendar.colorado.edu.
Karen Finch at BOCO Cider: 6 p.m. Thursday, BOCO Cider, 1501 Lee Hill Drive, Unit 14, Boulder. People love Karen Finch for her strong soulful blues vocals, steel resonator playing and Janis Joplin attitude. She’ll be solo at BOCO Cider performing originals and her own take on covers. Finch has been a featured artist at many of the singer-songwriter showcases in the area and is an active member of the Mile High Blues Society. Free, 720-938-7285, bococider.com.
“Fracking the System — Colorado’s Oil and Gas Wars” documentary screening: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Community United Church-Christ, 2650 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder. “Fracking the System” is a political thriller documentary from the front lines of climate justice activism, exposing the harms of fracking. $5-$10, eventbrite.com.
“The Didion Files” book signing: 7 p.m. Thursday, Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl St., Boulder. Sara Davidson will speak about and sign her new book “The Didion Files: Fifty Years of Friendship with Joan Didion”. $5, boulderbookstore.net.
CU Boulder Philharmonia Orchestra performance: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Grusin Music Hall (C112), Imig Music Building, 1020 18th St., Boulder. The CU Boulder Philharmonia Orchestra season finale features soloist Michael Thornton, performing Eric Ewazen’s Concerto for Horn and String Orchestra and Romance for Horn by James H. Morris. The program will also include Franz Schubert’s rousing Symphony No. 2 in B flat major. Free, 303-492-8008, cupresents.org.
Chuck Sitero and Dylan Kober at The Velvet Elk Lounge: 8 p.m. Thursday, The Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder. Chuck Sitero & Dylan Kober, two of the founding members of the Colorado Front Range bluegrass band High Lonesome, are bringing listeners two hours of musical bliss mixed with song stories and humor. When performing as a duo, the show leans more towards Americana, bluegrass, folk and acoustic classic rock covers with some soothing original songs. There will also be a fun music and sports trivia portion of this show for those that would like to join in. Free, 303-993-8743.
Upcoming
Senior fish-off: 6:30 a.m. Friday, Wally Toevs Pond at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat, 3893 N. 75th St., Boulder. The trout have fattened up and are biting. Prizes will be awarded for heaviest rainbow trout, most experienced (oldest) angler, best fishing hat and first to catch the limit. Don’t miss the fish fry after prizes. Free, 303-678-6219, boco.org.
Lauren Frihauf at BOCO Cider: 6 p.m. Friday, BOCO Cider, 1501 Lee Hill Drive, Unit 14, Boulder. Lauren Frihauf is a rising star talent has been recognized on NPR Music’s 2022 Tiny Desk ‘Top Shelf’ and Season 19 of NBC’s “The Voice,” where she made waves on Teams Gwen and Legend. Listeners frequently compare her with Joni Mitchell, Amy Winehouse and Madison Cunningham. Free, 720-938-7285, bococider.com.
Middle School Ensembles concert: 7 p.m. Friday, Nevin Platt Middle School, 6096 Baseline Road, Boulder. The 2024 Middle School Ensembles program presents its closing concert. MSE is an inclusive, collaborative experience for middle school music students, high school musicians considering a career in music teaching and music education majors at CU Boulder’s College of Music. This program provides a supplemental musical experience to school-based music programs for sixth to eighth grade students across all socioeconomic backgrounds in the Boulder Valley School District and other districts, fostering opportunities for future music educators. This concert will feature the MSE string orchestra, MSE silver band and MSE gold band. Free, 303-492-8008, cupresents.org.
