Study break: Five ways to get creative in Boulder

By Natalie Proulx in Entertainment, Front Page, Water Cooler on Nov 30, 2011 6:14 / comments

If you’re stuck in a studying rut, your brain might just be lacking a little inspiration. Get your creative juices flowing again with the fun opportunities Boulder has for you to express yourself, no matter what you’re into. Who knows? Maybe it’ll give you a new idea for that final project.

Been studying too much? Take a break with five ways to get creative in Boulder. (CU Independent/Amy Leder)

1. Paint your own pottery

Painting your own pottery is easy and an unusual way to have fun. Get together with a group of friends and chat it up while you decorate pieces like mugs, plates, piggy banks or other things. You get to choose your own ceramic piece to paint, and then the studio will glaze and fire it for you. A few days later, you can pick it up and take it home. Prices vary by piece, and there is usually an additional studio fee that includes the price of paints, brushes, clear glaze and firing. Not to mention, painted pottery makes a wonderful holiday gift! Check out Color Me Mine on Pearl Street.

2. Strum a little

If your fingers are itching to pick up a guitar or banjo, check out Pick Night every Thursday at Abo’s Pizza, where you can jam bluegrass-style with your friends. Gather a group of fellow musicians, bring your own instrument and let the fun begin.

3. Read your poetry

Sometimes it’s easier to read your poetry to a bunch of strangers than to your friends or classmates. Luckily, Boulder is home to dozens of coffee houses that host open poetry readings. This is a great way to make yourself heard and get inspired. Innisfree Poetry Bookstore and Café on the Hill each have open readings every Tuesday night. The Laughing Goat Coffee House on Pearl Street holds poetry readings on Monday nights.

4. Blow some glass

If you’re looking for a very different way to get creative, High on the Hill has its own glass blowing studio inside the shop. They offer pipe-making classes for $100, with discounts if you bring a friend. If you’ve got some extra cash, learn the art of glass blowing right here in town.

5. Play a tune

Warm up your voice and start writing some songs. Boulder has loads of places for you to share them with others. Open mic nights are popular for up-and-coming musicians, as well as those who play just for fun. Catacombs has an open mic night hosted by Tommy and the Tangerines every Thursday. Conor O’Neills also hosts an open mic event complete with drink specials on Tuesdays.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Natalie Proulx at Natalie.proulx@colorado.edu.