A toast to Bull & Bush
Saturday. The Bull & Bush Brewery will celebrate its 55th anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 8, a milestone that makes it one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in Colorado. Founded in 1971, the brewpub is known for its classic English-style fare (with a few Colorado twists), and its award-winning beers. The festivities include beer releases, anniversary whiskey selections, brunch with DJ High Deaf and an evening concert by DeVotchKa.
“For 55 years, Bull & Bush Brewery has been more than a restaurant or brewery — a hub where friendships are made, milestones are celebrated, and traditions are passed from one generation to the next,” said co-owner Erik Peterson in a statement. The Bull & Bush is at 4700 Cherry Creek Drive South. Go to for more information. — Jonathan Shikes
Mimesis = reality
Tuesday-Aug. 16. Amid much larger events such as the Denver Film Festival or January’s Sundance Film Festival debut, sits Boulder’s artist-friendly Mimesis Documentary Festival. The event, with screenings at the Dairy Arts Center and Seidel City, Tuesday, Aug. 11-Sunday, Aug. 16, returns for its 7th year with another bevy of screenings that celebrate the experimental, boundary-pushing and poignant.
The event unites “six days of screenings, workshops, and conversations with some of the most dynamic voices in documentary media,” according to organizers. Titles include “To Use a Mountain” (opening night) and “Off Country” (closing night), with a focus on history, social justice and conservation, plus filmmaker Q&As and performances on tap. (There’s even an audio hike at Rocky Flats.)
Tickets are $12 per screening. At-home screenings are also available. Visit for more.
Nature Library blooms
Saturday. Anythink Libraries in Thornton is opening a unique new location, known as the Anythink Nature Library, on Saturday, Aug. 8, and as one might say, this isn’t your grandparents’ library. As visitors can see at the free, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. community celebration, the 33,000-square-foot building is located on 15 acres just next to the 140-acre Aylor Open Lands, and features “interactive nature labs and gardens to a one-mile trail loop, (a) café, sunroom and hands-on experiences that invite visitors of all ages to explore the outdoors in new ways,” leaders wrote.
The opening event includes free live performances, storytimes, guided nature walks, interactive art experiences, family-friendly activities, refreshments and “plenty of opportunities to experience Colorado’s newest cultural destination.” 6811 E. 136th Ave. in Thornton. Visit for more information. — John Wenzel
Telluride Jazz Festival
Friday-Saturday. There’s no shortage of high-country music fests this weekend, including the new Eagle River Jamboree (Aug. 8-9 at Eagle County Fairgrounds; ) and the 36th Rocky Mountain Folks Festival (Aug. 7-9 in Lyons; ). But the oldest is Telluride Jazz Festival, which since 1977 has brought diverse jazz, soul, funk and jam bands to the gorgeous ski town for a weekend of expansive concerts.
This year that includes Disco Biscuits and their discrete “Powered Down” acoustic set; Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble performing The Grateful Dead’s “Blues for Allah”; Lettuce celebrating the 100th birthday of Miles Davis; and many more. Single-day passes for the all-ages event are $164.46, while a two-day pass costs $281.54. Kids 11 and under are free. Telluride Town Park, 500 E. Colorado Ave. in Telluride. Visit for more details. — John Wenzel
