Monday, November 29, 2010

Visiting Artist Robert Pruitt Discusses Black Identity

By: Andrew Salazar

(View a slide show of photos taken at the lecture here)

Visiting artist Robert Pruitt displayed his work to a large crowd at the Visual Arts Complex on the CU Boulder campus this past Wednesday, discussing how his pieces aim to restructure the image of African-American identity.

Pruitt’s pieces have a distinct and consistent feel to them, and it is fairly easy to recognize one. His drawings are often done on a brown background, allowing him to color people more naturally, without having to force a dark color onto a white background. “I want to avoid using art material,” said Pruitt. “I try to find paper that fits the color of people.” In addition, there is also usually a slight surprise when viewing the colors and objects of his figures. People are dressed in bright colors and patterns, to a point where there is cosmic or supernatural theme. “I grew up reading comic books,” said Pruitt. “I pull from comics and sci-fi a lot. Often with this work, I try to reflect a cosmic, 'other' space."

His figures are often presented in surprising scenarios as well. In one particular piece, Pruitt presents an African woman harvesting electronics onto a bag on her back. In another, two black youths are dressed in robes adorned with the logo for the Russian space program. “I don’t want to contribute to the BET view of black images,” said Pruitt.

Pruitt has been involved with some protesting, and understands that his message may make him to appear an activist. However, he rejected this claim at his lecture. “[The work] looks leftist-radical, but I don’t identify with that,” said Pruitt. “If you really respect what activists do, this is not the work. I don’t sleep and breath the protest work like they do.”

I asked Pruitt how he felt his work functioned in a mostly white town like Boulder, as opposed to more racially diverse areas. “I’m mainly interested in creating elbowroom for black identity. But it’s too hard to try and picture how your work functions in different areas,” said Pruitt. “I just want to get the job done.”

For more information on artist Robert Pruitt and his work, visit www.robert-pruitt.com.

Contact Boulder4Free staff writer Andrew Salazar at: Andrew.Salazar@colorado.edu

Buffs' Club Hockey Prevails Against Northern Colorado

Conor Williams had a hat trick – the first since the 2008 season -- and the Buffs men’s club hockey team received two goals apiece from Scot Seale and Charlie Coleman as the Buffs routed Northern Colorado’s men’s club hockey team 10-3 on Friday night at the Colorado Recreation Center.

The game was never even close as the Buffs were able to create an almost insurmountable lead right out of the gate scoring in the first minute of the contest.

The Buffs then scored four goals in three minutes to start the second period and the rout was really on.

Buff’s goalie Kevin Litisnky was terrific, stopping 38 of the 41 shots on goal that he saw.

Defense in between the blue lines also played a huge role in the Buff’s route. The Buff’s defenders were aggressive all game delivering multiple checks and knocking Northern Colorado’s forward out of their alignment for much of the contest.

After going 0-10 on power plays in its previous game against Colorado State, Colorado scored only one goal off of power plays in this game going 1-6. Northern Colorado also added a power play goal going 1-7 on the evening.

The Buffs are now 6-4-1 on the season, while Northern Colorado dropped to 4-7 on the campaign. Colorado will look to continue their winning ways when they travel to Utah State for a game Thursday, November 18.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Gretchen Troop Band Review

By: Joe Kovack
Playing at the Blues/Greens restaurant, the Gretchen Troop Band brought its usual flare for sensual blues music Thursday night. A trained singer from New York City, Gretchen Troop moved to the Denver area in 2008. Since then, she has gained a following of blues enthusiasts that pack the house wherever she plays.

A regular for the Blues/Greens restaurant and music venue, Gretchen and her troop stormed the stage as the house music began to fade. Cheers from the crowd exemplified the love for this local blues band. As she began to sing, it was made clear why so many flocked to her shows. Singing with authority and passion, Troop’s vocals lead the charge while her band accompanied her with the proper grooves and rhythms that befit a true blues band.

Playing for nearly an hour before stopping for a set break, fans in the bar were screaming her name while hooting and hollering for more music. She politely smiled and assured that the band would be back after a brief intermission. Returning from the break, the band was renewed with energy, which showed as Troop bellowed her lyrics with the fervor of the great blues singers of our time. Mixing in a few classic cover songs, her set-list was mostly her own music, showing the crowd the she could write music as well as sing.

As the show ended, the couples on the dance floor clapped and cheered and the whole bar seemed to be one big extended family for the band. While there may not have been more than 100 people at the show, everyone there was a fan of the blues and Gretchen Troop. And it became clear why they call this restaurant, Boulder’s Home of the Blues.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Alpine Styles Art Show

by Gwen Cameron

Last Thursday, November 18, the American Alpine Club hosted opening of Alpine Styles, an exhibition entirely dedicated to climbing and mountaineering artwork. Featured artists were Jaime Givens, who also organized the event, Keith Svihovec, Emilie Lee, Mike Tea and Renan Ozturk. The show included work that has appeared in Climbing and Alpinist Magazines and Mountain Gazette, as well as personal projects shown to the public for the first time. While the event was free--including admission, food and drink--a two-dollar donation was suggested for beer and wine. The show will be up until January 31.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Pearl Street Stampede

By Sara Morrey

The football season, and therefore the Pearl Street Stampede, is wrapping up for the year.

Friday, Nov. 19, the night before the Buffs’ last home game for 2010, the traditional pep rally will begin outside the Boulder County Courthouse (14th Street and Pearl Street) and end in the parking lot of the Daily Camera (11th Street and Pearl Street).

Partaking is free of charge. The CU football team, cheerleaders and Golden Buffalo Marching Band will all be present.

The tradition starts, for the last time this year, at 7 p.m.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Kangen water and health

By Sara Morrey
Living well past 100 years old is a possibility for all of us, say proponents of what is known as Kangen water.

One such proponent is Anita Lopez, founder of Anita Yoga. Lopez is a local licensed yoga instructor who also educates the community on the benefits of this unique water.

She invited the public into her home to learn about the benefits of the water that she and others say can significantly change lives. These “Health & Hydration Seminars” were held Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 13 - Nov. 17.

Kangen water, Kangen meaning “return to origin” in Japanese, has a high alkalinity and low acidity. According to Kangen.net, there are four important characteristics of this water.
1: The water is anti-oxidizing. It is ionized and contains active hydrogen. Kangen water therefore neutralizes harmful free radicals and diminishes the effects of aging.
2:The water detoxifies. Due to the faster circulation of the water, it aids in digestive health, helps to get rid of toxins and acidic waste and detoxifies the colon.
3: Kangen water is alkaline water. The pH level is healthier than it is in water from the faucet. It’s a pH level of 8.5 to 9.5 that works to counteract the acidity of the food we ingest.
4: Kangen water is hydrating. The water molecules are micro-clustered and hexagonal. They therefore aid in efficient nutrient absorption.

The water is obtained through a machine that converts regular tap water into a contaminant-free and chemical-free liquid. Lopez says the detoxification the water provides to the system has been proven to lengthen one’s lifespan.

Although the seminars she hosted at her home have now ended, Anita says she can get anyone Kangen water, no matter where they are.

“Where ever you are, I will find you a place to get some Kangen water to try. Experience the difference! FIND ME ALSO @ anitayoga.com,” Lopez says on a Kangen Health Performance blog.

Seeing as Kangen water machines can run up to over $4,000, Lopez may be a valuable resource to those seeking access to this H20.

The Pineapple Crackers bring their warm sound to the Draft House

by Kelsi Cooke

Nothing says “Boulder” quite like reggae does and the Pineapple Crackers from Colorado will be bringing their tropical island sounds to the Draft House this Wednesday night. Comprised of Pineapple Benson Broyles and his two crackers Ray Pellegrini and Danny Odom, the group will be playing in support of their new album Take a Ride.

According to the group’s MySpace music page, “The unique sound of Pineapple Crackers comes from the deep roots in Hawaiian reggae music and island culture. Pair this with rock, jazz, and funk, and you have a sound that you won't soon forget.”

Wednesday may be a chilly day in Boulder, but the warm sounds of Pineapple Crackers are sure to warm the Draft House. They play on Wednesday, November 16 from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Jet Edison Bring Its Eclectic Sound to Conor O'Neil’s

By: Joe Kovack

Jet Edison is a band on the rise.

Grooving along the Front Range, the Boulder-based band has gained a following playing its eclectic style of rock-infused music around the Boulder and Denver areas for the last few years. Forming in 2007 when bass player Adam Mason and guitar player Max Kabat met as freshmen at CU-Boulder, the two’s instant rapport led to the genre-defying band they are today.

Fusing rock with jazz, blues and funk with the styling of a jam-band, it’s easy to see how the guys have found success in an area where jam festivals and eclectic bands permeate the music scene. With no two shows exactly the same, Jet Edison makes sure that its music is never stale while keeping true to its sound.

Playing Conor O’Neil’s Thursday November 18 from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., the band will be bringing its signature sound to downtown Boulder for two and a half hours of shake-your-booty music...for free.

Local book club explores Indian themes Thursday

By Vignesh Ramachandran

BOULDER – Among countless free events through the Boulder Public Library system is a monthly book discussion group that analyzes works from contemporary Indian authors.

“The Great Indian Novel” discussion group meets each month in the Arapahoe Room, at the Boulder Public Library’s Main Branch (1001 Arapahoe Avenue).

Founder and organizer of the group, Jyotsna Raj, said in an e-mail that regular participants oftentimes suggest books for the group.

“One participant suggested the book ‘Freedom at Midnight’ and I was happy to include it,” Raj said.

This month’s selection is “Freedom at Midnight” by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. The group will meet this Thursday, Nov. 18 at 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to discuss this book.

“…It is a very readable book about the history of the freedom movement in India, and India's emergence as a free and democratic country after centuries of colonial rule,” Raj said.

Raj said the book group goes beyond simply discussing the literary merits of each novel.

“…Most of our discussions include the social realities described in the book, and the history of the period in which the book is set,” she said.

She said auditing a class at CU that studied the work of Indian authors, and attending other book discussion groups showed her there is an interest in this genre.

“So I thought that starting a book group focusing on the work of Indian writers writing in
English would find an audience, and indeed we have!” Raj said. “I think that learning more about India, its culture and history, is definitely important for the people in this book group.”

If this group piques the interest of any bookworms, Raj said it is open to everyone.

“Anyone who wishes to participate is welcome - you just need to show up, having read the book,” she said.

For more information and for a list of future months’ book discussion selections visit http://events.boulderlibrary.org.

New CU Art Museum boasts several galleries, all for free

by Grant Henderson

Need a distraction from the everyday? Want to view some off-the-wall (and sometimes off-putting) displays? Like to see what the Masters of Fine Arts are doing for their theses?

The CU Art Museum held a grand reopening on Sept. 24 in its new building at 1085 18th St. The building is new enough not to appear on Google Maps.

Sam Blair, the Museum Liaison said, “We have between 6 and 7,000 pieces of art in our permanent collection here at the museum, some of them in these two galleries. They switch once a year. A few of the pieces will stay but most will go into storage and other ones will come down.”

The art displays start before you walk in the front doors. A public display, called Appositio was created by Kristen Jones and Andrew Ginzel. As a handout from the museum itself states, “Appositio explores the perception and time through the juxtaposition of related elements.” Consisting of a cable running north-south between two columns, the public work towers above the Visual Arts Complex (VAC) Corridor.

Inside the museum proper, there are multiple exhibits offered for viewing. The first you will experience is a collection from artist Peter Wegner. Titled “Wall-to-Wall-to-Wall,” the collection consists of 18 pieces scattered throughout the museum grounds, including in areas that are off-limits save by guided tour. The project will last until Dec. 10.

archiTECHtonica “explore[s] the relationship of technology to architecture and the utopic/dystopic legacy of architectural modernism across the globe.” This exhibition consists of the work of ten artists across all manner of medium. There are even a few interactive pieces. There is what looks like a gravel path leading to a wall of rust-colored panels. Contrary to popular belief, you are supposed to walk on the gravel. This display will last until Dec. 18

MFA Dance Concert on Thursday and Friday

by Grant Henderson

The Museum of Fine Arts presents a fusion of dance and theater on Nov. 18 and 19 in the ATLAS Black Box theater. “Una” is the work of one Katie Key, an MFA dance student.

"We tell the story of a young woman named 'Una' as she grows up, journeying through three worlds, each with their own challenges," said Key on the official website.

According to the dance production website, Key is not only a student, but she teaches various dance styles and has performed professionally in Chicago and New York.

The shows start at 6:30pm both nights with an encore at 8:30pm on the 19. Admission is free but seating is limited, so reservations are suggested.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Colorado Vs. Northern Colorado Club Hockey Preview

By: Ryan Severance


Following a tough loss to Colorado State last Friday the CU Men’s Hockey team looks to rebound with a better performance against Northern Colorado on Friday night at the Colorado Recreation Center.

In its last game CU lost 5-2 to what many consider the best club hockey team in the state, CSU. The score wasn’t indicative of how close the game actually was. The game was within one goal much of the time and CSU scored on an empty net in the game’s waning minutes to make the score look worse than it was. CU lost to CSU in another previous match up 6-3.

CU’s leader in points – which combines the number of goals and assists a player accumulates – is Conor Williams with 15. CU has also been getting stellar goalie play from Kevin Litinsky. He has saved 263 of the 292 shots he has faced this season.

The Buffs are 5-4-1 on the season with its biggest win being a 12-1 shellacking of California State University. CU has scored an impressive 50 goals this season against only 31 goals allowed. The Buffs are led by head coach Ken Fikis.

Northern Colorado comes into the game Friday night sporting a 4-5 record and lost to Colorado State on Oct. 16 7-0.

The game gets under way at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, November 12 and is free to the public.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Preview: Tour of NOAA Boulder

by Gwen Cameron


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is a science agency that focuses on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere, including earth systems, paleoclimatology, geophysics and weather. Their mission is to foster “an informed society that uses a comprehensive understanding of the role of the oceans, coasts and atmosphere in the global ecosystem to make the best social and economic decisions.”

Tours of NOAA headquarters are held every Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. and last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. On the tour, you learn about NOAA’s research in Boulder and also about their weather operational centers. Guests will also experience Science on a Sphere, a room-sized teaching tool used to educate people of all ages on Earth Systems sciences. The tour promises to be an intriguing look into one of the most advanced science centers in the country.

NOAA was formed in October of 1970 and is housed at the U.S. Department of Commerce Boulder Labs on Broadway Street, south of Baseline Road.

Call 303-497-4091 to make reservations. All visitors must have a reservation and show a photo ID at the time of the tour.

HSC Diwali 2010 at CU (11/13)

Boulder Farmers’ Market: Still a Great Saturday Morning

by Matt Hemmendinger

Mother Nature’s tardiness is to the the benefit of locavores across Boulder this fall. While the Boulder County Farmers Market was originally scheduled to wrap up on Nov. 6, the Saturday morning fair will continue through Nov. 20.

This is the 24th year the market has been up and running at Boulder’s Central Park. As it has grown, the market has taken over 13th Street between Canyon Blvd. and Arapahoe Blvd. Originally the farmers and artisans gathered in front of the courthouse to exchange goods.

The Farmers Market provides a beautiful morning to slowly browse through a wide variety of crafts, baked goods, meats, cheeses and seasonal produce. For those trying to plan ahead, here is their guide for what is currently in season: Colorado Harvest Calendar

For the less prepared, more adventurous shoppers can peruse the samples of the day’s offerings and slowly decide what shall become that night’s dinner.

Enjoying the music, dancing, children’s games and good people is free of charge. Vendors are slightly negotiable with their prices, but taking home the best produce in town comes with a small fee.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

First Friday Arts: Tributes to a Happy Thursday

by Matt Hemmendinger

Tracy Kosinski’s black and white images of scantily clad cruiser riders lined the walls of prAna’s art space. The images were an appropriate selection for Boulder’s summer-like First Friday of November.

As part of the First Friday art walk, prAna opened their doors and partnered with Avery Brewing Co. to present two local artists’ appreciation of these bicycles common to Boulder.

“As a bike lover I can’t imagine anything more fun,” said attendee Paul Sampson. “I’ve taken part in the Golden cruiser ride and the Boulder ride looks just as fun or even better.”

See more of Tracy’s photography

“I appreciate that prAna makes the effort to put together events for the community,” attendee Lauren Seaton said. “. . . especially outside their specialty of retail clothing and fashion.”

Alongside Kosinski’s photography sat Del Kreiser’s re-purposed artwork.



“The chair is more comfortable than it looks, but the pillow was a little awkward because it forces you to sit in one spot,” Seaton said.

Kreiser works with old bicycles and any other materials he can find to craft unusual chairs and tables.

See Del’s latest creations

prAna wasn’t having all of the fun. Design Within Reach opened their doors to six local artists to raise money for the Boulder County Museum of Contemporary Arts.




For two hours, six painters frantically worked to created extremely different works as many observers looked on in admiration. William Bishop (left) and Clay Hawkley (right) were two of six artists to volunteer their time and skill.

Also participating in the fundraiser were William Stoehr, Amee Hinkley, Colleen Tully and Fernando Palomo.