Welcome back, folks! I hope you all had a fun and relaxing winter break and are ready to jump back in. There is a ton of free stuff for you to enjoy this week. I am Sarah Ellsworth: IPHY major, Boulder native, and event connoisseur, writing to you from the comfort of beautiful CU-Boulder on all of your weekly opportunities for community involvement, educational whatnot and supreme fun. As always, have a fantastic week!
Wednesday, Jan. 18
Spring Kickoff Week at the Rec Center.
All week long workout classes, skating and climbing are free at the Rec Center to help welcome you to a new and healthy semester and get your New Year's resolutions off on the right foot. Grab the bull by the horns and don’t miss the opportunity to add some free variety to your workout routine. Kickoff Week
CU Museum of Natural History open house. The CU Natural History Museum is always free and open seven days a week, but this week they are inviting you to a special open house to come and check out some of their fantastic and fascinating exhibits. Of special note is the Ancient Life in Boulder exhibit, which can help connect you and your town to ancient history, which often feels far off. Bring a friend and add to your college education. Open house
CU Housing Fair. If you’re looking for housing for next year, now is the time to begin shopping, and the annual CU Housing Fair is a useful place to start. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom, there will be tons of landlords and property managers present to introduce you to some local places to live and answer questions. There will also be free pizza and prizes around noon. CU Housing Fair
Free bowling and billiards. Roll on by The Connection for free bowling and billiards games today from 3 to 6pm to help ring in the New Year and start with a stress-free week. A little recreation and friendly competition could be just what you need to kick off a successful semester so bring your friends! There will also be free food. Free bowling and billiards
Pay Your Tuition. Seriously, just get it done! You do not want to rack up those late fees.
Tickets for Laverne Cox event available. Don't miss out on seeing Laverne Cox, the Emmy-nominated actress best known for her role in the Netflix series Orange is The New Black. She will speak at CU Boulder’s Macky Auditorium on Wednesday, Jan. 25. Ticket information
Chili cook-off. Second only to an 18th-century style duel, a chili cook-off is the most gentlemanly way to settle a dispute, assert your dominance or show your awesomeness to the world at large. If you’re in it to win it, then register online; inform your hosts, The Herd, of your ingredient and equipment needs; and then come to the British and Irish Studies Room in Norlin at 4 p.m. to strut your stuff. There will be prizes for the winning chili chef and lots of chili to eat! Chili cook-off
Thursday, Jan. 19
UMC Winterfest. If it ends in ‘fest’ it’s probably good. That’s certainly true of Winterfest, which is hosted by the entire UMC from 7 to 11 p.m. It is a massive celebration of the winter and spring to come, and features tons of free food, games and a mechanical bull (which you should definitely ride). Everyone will be there having a good time and making merry so don’t miss out. UMC Winterfest
Saturday, Jan. 21
Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana. Flamenco is the high energy, emotionally expressive dance form native to Spain, and if you’ve never seen it performed live, I highly recommend it. From 7:30 to 10 p.m. you will be transported to Andalucía, land of color and passion, in CU Boulder’s own Macky Auditorium. Tickets are $20. Flamenco
Rocker’s Rumble XI. There’s nothing like a breakdance battle to really spice up your week. Watch the pros from the CU Breakdancing Club show you how it’s done in the Glenn Miller Ballroom today from noon to 9 p.m. If you want to compete, you can sign up online. If like me you just want to spectate, admission is free. There will be DJs and prizes to be won for competitors. Rocker's Rumble
