Entertaining options through the winter months

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An image from Warren Miller\'s Flow State

3rd Annual 1940s White Christmas Ball

This December, the White Christmas Ball will return to impart a little bit of that ’40s charm on its guests.

From the big band music of The Hot Tomatoes to a pinup hair and make-up tutorial, the ball, which takes place at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, is packed with details that aim to transport guests into a wintry scene from decades past.

When guests aren’t experiencing the ’40s through WWII artifacts or reliving the swing era, they can dive into the Christmas spirit through re-enactments of the movie White Christmas or take part in a Christ mas tradition with some open-fire chestnut roasting with Santa while glass blowers create custom tree ornaments.

The ball will take place on Dec. 7. Tickets to the event are $40 if purchased in advance, or $45 at the door. Proceeds from ticket sales are used to support the Wounded Warriors Project, the Spirit of Flight Center Colorado, the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, and future balls. Visit www.1940sball.com for more information.

Boulder Symphony

Boulder Symphony’s 2012-2013 season has been titled “The Symphonic Universe,” and is described as an exploration of the “creation of the divine in a journey through space, culture and time.”

This winter, the symphony will explore the season in a performance called “Nature’s Realm” set to captivate audiences on Nov. 30 at First Presbyterian Church in Boulder. The show is put on in collaboration with the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras and will feature compositions by Jean Sibelius and Austin Wintory. The performance will feature Rebekah Durham on violin and Patrick Sutton on guitar.

Just a few short weeks later, Boulder Symphony will present audiences with a holiday selection it is calling “Glory of Christmas.” This musical celebration of the holiday is in collaboration with First Presbyterian Church Choirs and will feature Arcangelo Corelli’s Christmas Concert.

Tickets can be purchased at www.bouldersymphony.org.

Boulder Philharmonic

Nothing quite says “Christmas” like Tchaikovsky’s classic tale of a little girl and her nutcracker doll.

This November, the Boulder Philharmonic will revisit its annual partnership with Boulder Ballet and Boulder Children’s Chorale to bring that little taste of the holiday season to Macky Auditorium.

The production combines classic style, special effects, new characters and circus arts to draw the focus of The Nutcracker from its titular character to his counterpart, Clara.

The Boulder production is one of only two in the area to offer a show complete with 80 dancers, a live orchestra and scenery that will transform the already grand setting of Macky Auditorium into a festive scene. The show’s short run will take place from Nov. 23 through Nov. 25. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bouldernutcracker.org.

Boulder Chamber Orchestra | Photo by Keith Bobo

Boulder Chamber Orchestra

The Boulder Chamber Orchestra’s 2012-2013 schedule features several winter performances, with a couple of holiday-themed performances in the mix.

The orchestra will kick off in November with the presentation of “Basilisk & Ankh,” a performance featuring Jennifer Lane, mezzo soprano, and Jennifer Kampani, soprano. That show will take place at the First Congregational Church of Boulder on Nov. 16.

On Nov. 28, the Boulder Chamber Orchestra will present “A Musical Soirée with Aldo Ragone.” Ragone, a pianist, will be featured in this mini-chamber concert, for which a location had yet to be determined as of press time.

Finally, the orchestra draws on the holidays for inspiration with “The Gift of Music,” a special holiday concert that will include music by Handel, Vivaldi and more. The performance will feature flutist Cobus du Toit and will take place at the Broomfield Auditorium on Dec. 14 and at the First Congregational Church of Boulder on Dec. 15. 

In a show that promises to end 2012 with elegance and flair, the orchestra will perform a special New Year’s Eve selection in traditional European style. The performance will feature Johann Strauss’ waltzes and polkas as well as other traditional music heard around the world.

Tickets to any of these events can be purchased at www.boulderchamberorchestra.org.

Backcountry Bash

This year will mark the Colorado Mountain Club’s 20th annual Backcountry Bash, a fundraiser that celebrates the organization’s work conserving “wintry backcountry” for recreation through education.

This year’s event is hosted by professional backcountry skier Donny Roth. Chipotle Mexican Grill will provide the all-important sustenance, while Avery Brewing Company will supply the drinks.

In addition to the traditional silent auction, this year’s live auction will feature hut stays and more.

The event will wrap up with a special screening of four films featured in the Winter Wildlands Alliance’s Backcountry Film Fest, Skiing the Void, Trust, Further and Alaska Wilderness Ski Classic.

Tickets to this year’s Backcountry Bash can be purchased online or ahead of time for $35 or at the door for $40. Call 303-279-3080 for more information.

Boulder International Film Festival

Though the late-winter month of February might represent the beginning of the lengthy departure of Colorado’s chilly season, it is also the time when one of its biggest events rolls into town.

The Boulder International Film Festival is set to hit the Boulder Theater, among other local venues, on President’s Day weekend.

Actor Martin Sheen at the Boulder International Film Festival | Photo by Ashley Meek

Boulder offers a cozy setting for independent filmmakers to show off their films, rub elbows with some of Hollywood’s elite and attend VIP galas and parties, all while enjoying the scenery, provisions and atmosphere of Boulder.

Though the list of participants is not quite firmed up, the Boulder International Film Festival has yet to disappoint. Past participants have earned Oscar nods, and the festival itself has been voted one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals” by Movie-Maker magazine.

For more information, visit www.biff1.com.

Warren Miller Films

In his 63rd annual feature film, Warren Miller wants to introduce “the ultimate winter.”

Flow State, hosted by former Olympic skier Jonny Moseley, showcases the best winter athletes as they take on some serious challenges around the world, like a history-making ride on 70-year-old 10th Mountain Division ski equipment.

Flow State is defined as the place “where the mountain meets the mind,” a spot that “exists anywhere crisp winter air shocks your lungs and sunlight refracts off snowflakes, allowing you to emerge from this state improved.”

Miller’s newest film will make its way to the Boulder Theater on Nov. 7. The film will show there through Nov. 11, and then move on to Denver’s Paramount Theatre from Nov. 15 through Nov. 18. Guests will not only have the opportunity to experience the “flow state,” but will also get the chance to win prizes and interact with some of the world’s top athletes.

Tickets can be bought online at www.skinet.com/warrenmiller.

Respond: letters@boulderweekly.com