In Boulder, we don’t do Earth Day. We do Earth Week.
Last year, the Boulder City Council decided a single day dedicated to Mama Earth just wasn’t cutting it, so they officially declared an annual, citywide Earth Week. But really, anyone who’s accidentally thrown a recyclable into the trash can at Whole Foods and then been hung up and publicly flogged knows that in the Boulder bubble, every day is Earth Day.
Elsewhere, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd this year. But you can begin partying early 7 p.m. on April 18 at the Boulder Theater with the eighth-annual Recycled Runway fashion show. The challenge here: Young designers show what kinds of fashion designs they can make out of recycled materials, i.e. trash, i.e. “trashion.” It’s billed as “Project Runway” meets EcoCycle.
This show would disappoint Oscar the Grouch, though, because the creations end up shockingly stunning. They’re far from junk. Imagine a delicate pattern made out of discarded musical sheet music or a colorful weave made out of balloons.
Recycled Runway designers are tweenagers and teens who have participated in a workshop organized by Boulder’s Common Threads Creative Lab.
Side note: If you don’t have Common Threads on your shopping list, add it yesterday. This hip boutique offers great consigned clothes as well as sewing and craft classes, so you can make an entire day out of this store.
Recycled Runway always sells out, so snag your tickets quickly. The event raises money for Attention Homes, which helps youth and young adults in crisis, so it’s not only entertaining, inspiring, creative and promoting recycling, but it’s also for a double good cause.
Looking for more ways to celebrate Earth Day/Week/Year/Eternity in Boulder? Add these to your itinerary:
Learn about climate change and skiing.
On Friday, April 14, a panel of speakers will be talking about the effect of climate change on the ski and snow industry. The event, “She’s Pro Snow,” runs from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Coffin Auditorium (Room 100) in the Atlas Building on the University of Colorado campus. It’s presented by the SheJumps at CU Club, which aims to increase the participation of women in outdoor activities.
Walk the labyrinth.
A unique way to spend an evening is walking through the meditation labyrinth at the First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce St. No need to be a member of the church; the labyrinth is open to the public 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday night. If you’ve never done a meditation labyrinth, they’re surprisingly tranquil. You walk through the winding pathway at your own pace, as a metaphor for our journey through life. Stop or sit by candlelight at any point for as long as you want. This beautiful labyrinth was hand-painted.
Watch a free nature film.
On Monday, April 17, watch the film, “Seed: The Untold Story,” about seeds nearing extinction and the people trying to preserve them. Catch the film 6 p.m. at the Boulder George Reynolds Library, 3595 Table Mesa Drive. “Seed” is free and brought to the public by the Boulder Rights of Nature.
