Dairy Arts Center

Creative Connections: 60s Folk Sing-Along and Screening of Oh Brother Where Art Thou
2026-05-21 12:00 - 15:15 (America/Denver) | Boedecker Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Join us for an afternoon of music, memories, and movie fun – Sing Along with songs by Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and more. We’ll start with a live guitarist leading a folk revival-themed sing-along, followed by a private screening of O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) on the big screen.
This free event is part of the Dairy Arts Center’s Creative Connections Series, designed to bring older adults together through shared arts experiences that inspire joy and connection.
Schedule:
12:00–12:50 PM – Folk Revival Sing-Along (Dairy Lobby)
1:00–3:00 PM – O Brother, Where Art Thou? Screening (Boedecker Theater)
In partnership with Circle of Care Project
Mobilizing the Arts and Culture to Enrich the Lives of Older Adults

Viva Theater: Silent Sky | May 22 - June 7, 2026
2026-05-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Carsen Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Silent Sky is the true story of Henrietta Leavitt and her team of female astronomers at the Harvard Observatory during the early years of the 20th century. Though unrecognized in her time by the male-dominated world of science, Henrietta changed the way we see the universe.
This beautiful and luminous play is written by Lauren Gunderson, one of the most produced playwrights in the country. Silent Sky is filled with humor, math, music, and the profound mysteries of the stars.
People needing special or ADA seating: please call the box office when purchasing a ticket to request accommodation.

Optimistic Personality Disorder | May 28-29
2026-05-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Grace Gamm Theatre, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
If a TED Talk and a tequila shot had a baby, it would be this show!
What do you get when you mix a stand-up comic, a master storyteller, and a woman who’s been through some things?
Optimistic Personality Disorder is a hilariously healing one-woman comedy show that blends live comedy, theatrical storytelling, and real-life wisdom into a night you’ll never forget. It’s the kind of live performance that proves laughter really is the best therapy (no co-pay required).
From cringe-worthy parenting moments to wildly inappropriate dating stories, Merit Kahn turns 50 years of life into a comedy cocktail of real talk, raw emotion, and razor-sharp wit. This is feel-good, funny-as-hell stand-up meets theater- a smart, relatable comedy night perfect for anyone who’s survived… well, anything.
You’ll laugh. You might cry. You’ll definitely leave feeling better about your own life.
It’s part stand-up, part theater, part TED Talk… all heart.
Grab your girlfriends, your grown-up kids, your main squeeze, or come solo and meet your new favorite people. Whether you’re looking for a memorable girls night out, a unique live comedy experience, or just something uplifting and fun to do, this is the show.
SPECIAL EVENT:
After the show, Merit Kahn, Colorado-based playwright, producer, and performer triple threat, will host an open “Ask Anything” session. Curious about the show? Her creative process? Her life choices? Nothing’s off-limits in this bonus behind-the-scenes moment.

Vitality [The Company]: VERVE
2026-05-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
VERVE is a dynamic professional dance show that celebrates the power of movement through a fusion of diverse dance styles. Rooted in versatility and driven by raw energy, VERVE showcases the athleticism, artistry, and innovation of elite dancers performing at their peak. The show blurs genre boundaries to create a bold new language of expression.
Each performance within VERVE is a visceral journey—highlighting explosive technique, emotional depth, and rhythmic precision. Through a carefully crafted narrative arc and cutting-edge choreography, the production invites audiences into a world where discipline meets improvisation and tradition merges with the avant-garde.
This is not just a dance show—it’s a statement of passion, power, and relentless creativity. With high-octane ensemble pieces, intimate solos, and collaborative duets, VERVE redefines what it means to move, perform, and connect.

Danse Etoile Ballet: Les Contes de la Mere L'Oye | June 5 - 6, 2026
2026-06-05 19:30 - 20:45 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Danse Etoile Ballet’s season finale is Les Contes de ma mère l’Oye, Tales of Mother Goose, as originally told by Charles Perrault. These classic French fairy tales, including “Sleeping Beauty,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Cinderella,” “Puss in Boots,” and “Tom Thumb,” evoke the dreamlike world of childhood through the captivating choreography of Marie-Jose Payannet and a blend of classic and contemporary music. We invite you to encounter these fairytales woven in the enchantment of imaginary landscapes.

Off the Page Exhibition Opening Reception
2026-08-14 17:00 - 20:00 | Dairy Arts Center, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
On View Aug 14 – Nov 1 | Opening Reception: Aug 14, 5 – 8
This group exhibition explores how contemporary artists engage with the written word, literature, media, and storytelling, examining language as both subject and material. Through practices spanning photography, sculpture, installation, and mixed media, the exhibition asks: What does the word mean today, and how are artists using language as a creative tool, a source of inspiration, or a physical presence within their work?
The exhibition considers the power of words to shape identity, transmit knowledge, and build community, while also reflecting on the evolving role of language in a media-saturated world. It highlights the importance of literature, freedom of expression, and storytelling as vital forces that connect people across generations, cultures, and backgrounds.
Accompanying the exhibition is a rich slate of educational and public programming, developed in partnership with local libraries, the school district, and the University of Colorado. Programming will include author talks, workshops, and collaborative initiatives with nonprofit organizations focused on literacy and reading, creating multiple entry points for audiences of all ages to engage with language, ideas, and creative expression.
Participating artists: Mariel Reed, Nathan Storey Freeman, Bug, Josh Hughes, Dagny Chika, Dawn Siebel, Leona Lazar, Sarah Tenney, Samuel Austin, Lisa Berley, Jacqueline Moulton, Austin Baskett, and Russell Schnell.

BENISE 25 Years of Passion!
2026-08-28 19:30 - 21:00 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Emmy Award Winning Spanish Guitar and Dance Spectacular.
It’s one hot night as Benise, “The Prince of Spanish Guitar,” celebrates 25 years of fiery Spanish guitar and dance.
Armed with his Spanish guitar and a stage full of musicians and elaborately choreographed dancers, Benise takes the audience on a musical journey through Spanish Flamenco, Cuban Salsa, Brazilian Samba, Parisian Waltz, exotic drumming, and more!
Benise (pronounced Buh-nes-say) shattered the mold of Spanish guitar by combining world music and dance – the only show of its kind!
The 25th Anniversary tour establishes Benise’s Emmy Award winning show as one of the longest running Latin-themed theatrical productions touring the world.
For Benise, music has always been a journey. From his humble beginnings as a street performer, to being featured on the #1 rated show in the USA – Dancing With The Stars. Guitarist and creative force behind the event, Benise, comments “I wanted to push the boundaries of Nuevo Flamenco/Spanish guitar while combining the elements of dance and theater. This show is a celebration of all the shows we’ve done over the last 25 years.”

The Human Animal Exhibition Opening Reception
2026-11-13 17:00 - 20:00 | Dairy Arts Center, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
Nov 13 – Jan 31 | Opening Reception: Nov 13, 5 – 8
This exhibition explores how conceptual artists use imagery of animals, creatures, and “the other” to reflect on human nature and the breadth of human experience. Through large-scale installations and sweeping conceptual works, the exhibition examines the symbolic power of the nonhuman as a mirror through which social, political, and psychological realities are revealed.
Focusing on the figure of the animal—and the idea of the “human as other”—the exhibition interrogates themes of aggression, dominance, fear, and control, questioning the often false or ironic divide drawn between humanity and the natural world. What we project onto animals and imagined creatures frequently exposes our own instincts, anxieties, and contradictions, revealing how closely intertwined human behavior is with the forces we claim to stand apart from.
Serving as a launching point for dialogue around American legacy, the exhibition opens space for conversation on politics, history, and contemporary cultural and social issues. By situating animal imagery within broader conceptual frameworks, the works challenge viewers to reconsider narratives of power, violence, and belonging, and to reflect on what it means to be human in relation to the world we inhabit.
Participating artists: Jessica Teckermeyer, Michael Brohman, Tricia Waddel, Xan McKenna, Bailey Anderson, Creative Nations
