The second sex of sushi chefs

For women, mastering this difficult profession is only part of the story

Women’s hands are too warm, the argument goes, to handle the ingredients. They’d damage the raw fish. The perfume or makeup or lotion on women’s hands would ruin the salmon and tuna. Of course, these are animals that live in some of the filthiest ecosystems this side of the Death Star’s trash compactor.

Read more

More stories to tell

To help save the world, underground rapper Brother Ali will keep speaking — and keep listening

As he prepares to release his third major album, Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color, Brother Ali says he’s looking for ways to change society, too.

Read more

The fascination of film

Documentary on Iraqi children captures wonder of cinema

In a world where the Adam Sandler fiasco Jack and Jill makes $68 million at the box office, it’s easy to forget that movies are pretty much magic. But that’s the dominant theme of a new documentary coming to Boedecker Theater Dec. 26 to Dec. 31: the magical sense of childlike wonder that cinema can evoke.

Read more

Holi-dealing

If you’re shopping for gifts on a budget, you should know it differs from shopping for yourself: Ramen is generally not a much-appreciated present, and a card that says “Just wear the same clothes another year” in lieu of a gift doesn’t fly. But a lot of the old tricks can still serve you well.

Read more

Boulder Christmas ball offers music, nostalgia

Jazz, big band featured in Saturday event

In his latest film, Midnight in Paris — now entering its 1 billionth month in local theaters—Woody Allen explores the lure and danger of nostalgia. Those who came out of the film wishing they could travel to the past have a chance this weekend: Boulder Elks Lodge will host its second annual 1940s-themed Big Band Christmas Ball Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.

Read more

Boulder all-stars

Danny Shafer’s new project involves many regulars of the Boulder scene

Artists work their whole lives to develop and maintain an identity. It’s important externally — it helps form a following. It’s important internally — gotta know what you want to produce before you produce it.

Read more

Local performance artist honored

Versatile CU professor awarded $50,000 grant

It’s unclear exactly what stood out in Michelle Ellsworth’s repertoire. There’s a lot to choose from. United States Artists (USA) calls Ellsworth a “dancer, choreographer, video maker, writer, cartoonist and web designer,” to which one could add professor and co-director of CU Boulder’s theater and dance program.

Read more

Boulder dancer, professor receives $50,000 grant

Artist’s performance websites recognized by national association

Considering how many hats she wears, it’s unclear exactly what stood out in Michelle Ellsworth’s repertoire. But something caught the attention of United States Artists (USA), a nonprofit that has selected the Boulder artist to receive a $50,000 unrestricted grant.

Read more

Legendary ski family hopes to start a movement

Warren Miller's son turns attention to athletes with disabilities in new film

Stories about people overcoming obstacles are uplifting and inspirational and all that. A new film on people with disabilities aims higher: It’s designed to start a movement.

Read more

Crooning for confidence

Chelsey Flaherty on the daunting self-doubt in creative process

When a new minister makes a statement moralizing about the evils of homosexuality, what’s the first thing people say? If your friends are as cynical as mine: He’s gotta be gay. That kind of jaded cynicism — expecting a public persona to be the exact opposite of someone’s personal life — is tiresome and simplistic, of course. But it’s pretty much spot-on in the case of Chelsey Flaherty.

Read more