**DUE TO FORECASTED WEATHER CONDITIONS & FLASH FLOOD WATCH, MELANIN FUNK FEST HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST.**
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO 13TH STREET (BETWEEN CANYON AND ARAPAHOE) FOR A VIBRANT CELEBRATION OF BLACK CULTURE AND COMMUNITY IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN BOULDER.
BOULDER, Colo.- This summer as part of the City of Boulder's "Social Streets'' initiative, the Downtown Boulder Partnership is hosting a series of free, fun events and activities along 13th Street between Arapahoe Avenue and Canyon Boulevard. After a summer of incredible events like Rollerpalooza, Dancing in the Street, Yappy Hour and the Boulder Street Soccer Classic, the fun continues with the Melanin Funk Festival, co-produced by Yvette Rollins (YJR Events), this Friday from 6 - 9 pm.
The event celebrates Black culture and community featuring a variety of vendors including works from local artists, Adderly Grant-Lord and Jayden Taylor. Earth Fragments will also be showcasing handmade jewelry, as well as homemade treats from George's Gourmet Pound Cakes. In addition to the artisan booths, musical performances at the festival will include the incredible Annastezhaa of Ramakhandra, DJ Berry and a special performance by the show-stopping band, The Reminders. Admission to the festival itself is free.
To learn more about Boulder Social Streets and Melanin Funk Festival the public is invited to BoulderSocialStreets.com.
"The City's Boulder Social Streets initiative dovetails beautifully with Downtown Boulder's ongoing work and interest in creating placemaking events and activities that are free to participate in and co-created with members of the community - particularly those whose work and voices may be under-represented in the existing events and activities downtown," said Anna Salim, vice-president of operations and programming for the Downtown Boulder Partnership.
"We are excited about this collaboration with our partners to experiment with transforming our downtown streets for additional community gathering and enjoyment," said Natalie Stiffer, Transportation and Mobility Department director for the City of Boulder.
The city is gathering information from the community at these events, and in other ways, to learn how we can re-imagine our streets. Staff will present recommendations to City Council for the future of this program by the end of 2023.
For more information:
General public: 303-449-3774 | events@downtownboulder.org
Press: Rebecca Cordingley, Marketing & Communications Contractor
303-449-3774 (office)| intern@downtownboulder.org
About Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives
Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives (DBCI) (formerly known as the Downtown Boulder Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created in 2017. The organization's mission is to engage visitors and locals alike through arts, culture, innovation and inclusive, community-driven experiences in downtown Boulder. (DBCIBoulder.org). DBCI, along with the Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District, falls under the umbrella of the parent organization, the Downtown Boulder Partnership.
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