Mother’s Day is on the horizon (May 8), and the Front Range is filled with events to show the mamas in your life how much you care.
The Mother Necklace by Blackbird and the Snow is an antique-plated, 14-karat solid gold necklace with two rose-cut diamonds, set in hand-carved “gypsy star” settings on an 18-inch gold chain. Marie-Juliette Bird, a Boulder-based creative, is the maker behind the jewelry. (Marie-Juliette Bird/Courtesy photo)
From traditional brunches to crafting sessions, there are plenty of offerings sure to make the day a bit more special. Forgo logging on to Amazon, and get mom something she’ll truly treasure.
Local makers have goods that will hit differently than an Edible Arrangement or pre-packaged lotion kits.
While a homemade coupon book — with offers of free backrubs and nights off of dishwashing duty — may have gone over fine when you were in elementary school, now it’s time to truly step it up.
And with so many local options to celebrate mothers and gifts made by Colorado creatives, impressing mom is easier than ever.
Happenings
Boulder
Listen to Your Mother: This live stage show gives the holiday a microphone, as local writers weigh in on motherhood. Audiences can expect a varied show that spotlights perspectives about being a mother, having a mother or not having a mother. Both humorous and emotional, the unique production is a must-see. 7:30 p.m. May 7; Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St.; $25; z2ent.com/boulder-theater-venue.
Clay Family Class: The instructor will lead the class in a Mother’s Day clay project. Learn new clay skills, and build a cookie plate you will be able to use for years to come; 11:30-1 p.m. May 8; Boulder Pottery Lab; 1010 Aurora Ave., Boulder; $30, all materials included; eventbrite.com.
Moksha Chocolate and a floral arrangement from Petals Boulder. (Moksha Chocolate/Courtesy photo)
Moksha Chocolate and Petals Boulder Mother’s Day Sale: Enjoy this tasting event collaboration from Boulder’s bean-to-bar artisanal chocolate company and a purveyor of gorgeous locally grown flowers. Purchase new offerings from Moksha, like the Vegan White Chocolate Cheesecake bar that features passion fruit. There are also options to pair a variety of boxed chocolates with spring florals; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 7; Moksha Factory, 2746 47th St., Boulder; free; mokshachocolate.com.
Community Plant Sale: Who doesn’t like blooms of cosmos and lavender? This sale goes on for three weekends in a row and is a great place to score mom some new green flora and to pick up a variety or herbs and produce. It also makes for a fun day exploring vegetation together; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. May 7-8 (additional days: May 14-15 and May 21-22); Hawthorn Farm; 1630 Hawthorn Ave., Boulder; free; growinggardens.org.
Vintage Ballroom Tea Dance: Venture back to the ragtime era and try your hand at the waltz, tango, foxtrot, one-step, blues, two-step, Charleston, early swing, maxixe and half-and-half. Live music is often provided by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra with vocalist Susan Rogers, or Susan Rogers’ Exuberant Quartet and occasionally other great local bands; 2-5 p.m. May 8; The Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Road, Boulder; $10-$20; boulderdance.org.
Mother’s Day Open Mic: Perhaps mom wants to dip her toe into slam poetry or belt out a tune. Maybe you want to serenade her with an original? This singer-songwriter-focused event always delivers plenty of entertainment; 5:45- 8:15 p.m. May 8, Wild Provisions Beer Project, 2209 Central Ave., Boulder; free; wildprovisionsbeer.com.
A sampling of Moksha Chocolate, Boulder’s bean-to-bar company. (Moksha Chocolate/Courtesy photo)
Hawaiian Hula Class: Maybe you can’t take mom on a tropical vacation this year, but that’s no reason to not embrace tropical vibes. This class, taught by Miriam Paisner, who studied hula and chant in Hawaii, is open to teens, adults and seniors, men and women. Enjoy a night of chanting and graceful movement; 5-6 p.m. May 8; Boulder Ballet Studio 3 at Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, $20 for drop-ins; hulamaunakomohana.weebly.com.
Mother’s Day Brunch at Frank’s Chophouse: Treat the moms in your life to fabulous food specials crafted for the special day. Moms enjoy a complimentary mimosa or glass of house wine; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. May 8, Frank’s Chophouse, 921 Walnut St., Boulder; frankschophouseboulder.com.
Womb Celebration: Join Veronica, a visiting teacher from Chicago, and Cassi, resident teacher at Yoga Pearl, for a two-hour womb celebration and co-regulation. Open to all bodies and levels of experience. Participants can expect movement, meditation, journaling prompts and experiential anatomy of the pelvic bowl and pelvic floor; noon- 2 p.m. May 8; Yoga Pearl, 900 Pearl St., Boulder; $35-$60; clients.mindbodyonline.com.
Mother’s Day Kriya Yoga Class: Celebrate mothers and motherhood at this class that provides a gorgeous view of the foothills; 9-11 a.m. May 8; Parkside Park, 2444 Kalmia Ave., Boulder; $35; facebook.com/events/2780838032212438.
Afternoon Tea at Dushanbe: At one of the most visually stunning eateries in Boulder, patrons can pick from a vast selection of tea, savor flaky pastries and dishes bursting with international flavor. Reservations for Mother’s Day Brunch are now open; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. May 8, Dushanbe Tea House; 1770 13th St, Boulder; boulderteahouse.com.
Elizabeth Wilhelm and Valentino Petrusich cheers with tea cups at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse in 2017. (Paul Aiken / Daily Camera file photo)
Mother’s Day Brunch at Hotel Boulderado: Enjoy delicious cuisine from a number of options within this historic landmark: Hotel Boulderado Mother’s Day Buffet, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 8, $35-$75; Spruce Farm & Fish, Mother’s Day Brunch, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. May 8, Mother’s Day Dinner 3-10 p.m. May 8 (regular menus available); The Corner Bar, Mother’s Day Brunch, 11 a.m. -3 p.m. May 8 (regular menus available); hotelboulderado.com.
An Evening with Nellie McKay: Take in the vocal stylings of this singer-songwriter who delivers an intriguing mix of jazz vocals and cabaret pop; 7 p.m. May 8, eTown Hall, 1535 Spruce St., Boulder; $25; etown.org.
Erie
Mother’s Day Celebration at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary: Spend the day with animal mothers and learn about their stories of survival. There will also be crafts to make and bites to enjoy courtesy of Best One Yet; 2 p.m. May 8; Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary, 3470 County Road 7, Erie; $30 for mother and child, $10 per additional child; luvinarms.org.
Khadija Aldouri makes friends with one of the horses at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary on March 24, in Erie. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
Lafayette
Mother’s Day Outing on Coal Creek: Led by naturalist Martin Ogle, this jaunt around an idyllic natural area will be both soothing and informative. Learn about the history of Coal Creek while enjoying a perfect spring day; 1-2:30 p.m., May 8, Coal Creek Road Trailhead, Lafayette; lafayetteco.gov/calendar.
Longmont
Boulder Potters Guild Spring Show & Sale: There’s nothing quite like gifting mom a hand-made item. This annual show and sale offers an amazing selection of pieces from local creatives. In addition to ceramics and sculptures, shoppers can purchase jewelry, hand-painted silk scarves and embossed note cards; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 8 (additional dates: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 5, 10 a.m.-8 p.m May 6 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 7); free; boulderpottersguild.org.
Mother’s Day Poppy Trays and Tulip Trays: Pick which Board & Brush workshop you want to participate in and leave with a one-of-a-kind item made with love; 1-2 p.m. May 8; Wibby Brewing, 209 Emery St., Longmont; $40 for the tray and $20 for the Tulip Trio. Pre-registration required; boardandbrush.com.
An assortment of pieces by members of the Boulder Potters’ Guild displayed in 2019. (Boulder Potters’ Guild/Courtesy photo)
“Guys and Dolls” at Jesters Dinner Theatre: A matinee of musical theater is sure to make for a memorable Mother’s Day. Take in this oddball romantic comedy that has been a crowd-pleaser since the 1950s, 2 p.m. May 8; Jesters Dinner Theatre, 224 Main St., Longmont; $28-$48; jesterstheatre.com.
Free Beer for Moms at Left Hand: Take your mom or mom friends to the taproom where mom’s first beer will be on the house; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. May 8, Left Hand Brewing Company, 1265 Boston Ave., Longmont; lefthandbrewing.com.
Lyons
Mother’s Day Blooms and Brushes Class: Why get mom a store-bought bouquet, when you can make her one? Local wedding florist, Kelly, of Lilac and Sage Studio will show participants how to arrange like a pro. Artist Amanda Faubus will then teach students to create an abstract painting, mirroring the colors of their floral arrangement. Light snacks will be provided; 4-6:30 p.m. May 7; The Lyons Farmette, 4121 Ute Highway, Lyons; $140; eventbrite.com.
Local Gift Ideas
Firefly Handmade Spring Market: This Saturday and Sunday, peruse a selection of handmade goods from over 80 creatives. From jewelry and candles to Colorado-made bourbon and plant-based linen, the gift possibilities are vast; Twenty Ninth Street Mall, 1710 29th St., Boulder; free; fireflyhandmade.com/spring-market.
Fancy Star Earrings by Blackbird and the Snow are 14-carat rose gold stars set with rare rhodolite garnet cabochons and finished with hand milgrain detailing. Marie-Juliette Bird, a Boulder-based creative, is the maker behind the jewelry.
Blackbird and the Snow: These designs, made by Marie-Juliette Bird, of Boulder, have been featured on the pages of Elle, Vogue and W magazines. Her celestial creations, handmade from unique stone cuts, spotlight the beauty and wonder of nature. From winged beings to dainty moons and stars, her work adds to any ensemble. blackbirdandthesnow.com.
A Florae: In addition to decorative items for the home, accessories and clothing, this boutique also offers bouquets — works of natural art — that go way beyond the typical arrangements found at the supermarket or floral delivery chains; 464 Main St., Longmont; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; aflorae.com.
Dana Birke Designs: Based in Boulder, this jewelry company in the foothills, uses high-quality gems and gleaming metals to create unique pieces that can be worn every day or on special occasions. Delicate and colorful, the handmade pieces are sure to elevate a look. danabirkedesigns.com.
Crowned Jewel Necklace by Dana Birke Designs. The small jewelry studio, located in the foothills of Boulder, creates handmade jewelry for everyday wear. (Kirsten Boyer/Courtesy photo)
Moon Bath: This skincare company — founded and run by Dakota Hills and Sierra Brashear — gives everybody a reason to celebrate self-care. Bath and shower time is no longer just a step in the daily routine, but a joyful ritual. Shop an array of botanical bath teas, sacred smoke aromatherapy, skin-loving face masks and much more; moonbath.com.
Laurie Algar: If looking for mosaics sure to jazz up any interior, these are the ones. From pieces that feature Frida Kahlo to ones that feature the work of Gustav Klimt, these intricate works will resonate with anyone who loves color and whimsy; fantasiamosaics.com.
Jaguar Gems: Laura Wallace, based in Longmont, creates exquisite jewelry using a variety of pearls and other natural materials; etsy.com/shop/JaguarJems.
