All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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The last session of the 2025 Dancing Under the Stars season brought swing dancing back to Cottonwood Square. Even better, due to the need to make up for a mid-season rain cancellation, it stretched the season into the fall for the first time, with cooler temperatures and an earlier sunset. Dancers appreciated the opportunity. Many of them actively seek out opportunities for swing dancing, look forward to a community night out, or relish how the series gives them the chance to experience a dance...
Cowboy boots, flannel shirts, and plenty of denim filled Cottonwood Square on Friday, Sept. 12, as Niwotians came out to enjoy Dancing Under the Stars Country Western Night. It was as if Denver's Grizzly Rose dancehall came to town, as approximately 100 people filled the area near Niwot Tavern and WiNot Coffee. Those who didn't brave the dance floor lined the perimeter, watching the fun. Said event organizer Catherine McHale, "This is only the second time we've done country; the first time was...
Lindy Hop returned to Dancing Under the Stars in Cottonwood Square on Friday, Sept. 5, with Boulder Swing Dance instructors Lorne and Becky leading the way. The pair broke the steps down with care, running through twenty minutes of practice without music before adding in the band's rhythm. Dancers switched partners often, working on the signature rock step and forward-back motion that gives the Lindy Hop its bounce. "Lindy Hop is a dance of efficiency," Lorne explained. "When the music gets...
Friday summer evenings in Niwot means Dancing Under the Stars. The stars themselves were obscured by clouds, though the event was lit by the golden glow of white lights strung overhead in Cottonwood Square shopping center in Niwot. The real stars were on the dance floor moving to the disco beat. Tom Masterson, a particle physicist at the University of Colorado, started Dancing Under the Stars in 1982 in Boulder. For years, it was held at CU's UMC Terrace. "But the University wanted to charge a...
Dancing Under the Stars kept Cottonwood Square moving on Friday, Aug. 22, with a night dedicated to the Lindy Hop. The lesson, led by Boulder Swing Dance, drew an eager crowd despite the storm clouds that passed through earlier in the day. Instead of dampening the evening, the afternoon rain cooled the air, making for one of the most comfortable nights of the summer. Dancers were introduced to the Lindy Hop's signature triple step, a move that can be tough to master. Those who picked up the...
Cottonwood Square buzzed to life under cloudy but warm weather as dancers took the floor for Dancing Under the Stars on Friday, Aug. 15. The temperate climate attracted over 200 dancers under the bright lights outside Niwot Tavern, and the mood throughout the night was loud, jovial, and brimming with community life. This week's Dancing Under the Stars was led by Snowhawk Productions, a dance power couple made up of Joseph Snowhawk and his wife, Kasia. The pair of dance instructors and producers...
After a string of 95-plus degree days, Cottonwood Square finally caught a break. Clouds drifted in on the evening of Friday, Aug. 8, cooling the air and making a perfect summer evening for Dancing Under the Stars. The comfortable weather brought out a large crowd of dancers and onlookers. Boulder Swing Dance opened the evening with an inviting swing lesson that welcomed both beginners and those looking to brush up on their skills. Instructors broke down the basics, demonstrating how to connect...
Dancing Under the Stars brought a lively taste of Cuban salsa to Cottonwood Square and the Niwot community on Friday, Aug. 1, with an evening dedicated to Rueda de Casino dance. The community-focused style of dance features a caller who directs a circle of partners through synchronized movement, and instructor Nathan Hook of Boulder Rueda was the perfect guide for the evening. Hook, who teaches weekly at The Avalon Ballroom in Boulder, broke down the basics with an easygoing style that made the...
Dancing Under the Stars brought a graceful change of pace to Cottonwood Square on Friday evening, July 25, as dancers gathered for a night dedicated to the waltz. Leading the lesson was event organizer Tom Masterson, whose easygoing style and deep knowledge of the dance made it accessible for everyone in attendance. Masterson, who began teaching after graduate school while living in Europe, has spent decades sharing his passion for dancing with others. At Dancing Under the Stars he guided...
After a two-week hiatus, Cottonwood Square came alive once again on Friday, July 18, as dancers gathered for an energetic installment of Dancing Under the Stars. Led by the always-charismatic Joseph Snowhawk, the night featured a lively salsa lesson and a chance for the crowd to connect through the movement. The evening kicked off with partner dancing, where Snowhawk broke down the core elements of salsa, including quick footwork, hip movement, and smooth turns. Participants found themselves lau...
The Dancing Under the Stars event scheduled for Friday, July 11, was cancelled because of thunderstorms and hail in the area. Dance lessons will return on Friday, July 18, with a salsa lesson led by Joseph Snowhawk of Snowhawk Productions from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Social dancing will follow, with music selected by Snowhawk, continuing until 9:30 p.m....
Swing dancing returned to Cottonwood Square on Friday, June 27 with another impressive turnout for the second Dancing Under the Stars event of the season. Dancers of all ages and experience levels gathered to enjoy a warm summer evening, eager to learn new steps and catch up with friends on the floor. Lorne and Kathryn from Boulder Swing Dance led the instruction portion of the evening with a friendly and accessible lesson that catered to all experience levels. As couples rotated during the...
Dancing Under the Stars launched its 2025 season on Friday, June 20, bringing music, movement, and community back to Cottonwood Square. After a 100-degree day, the evening cooled slightly, making for a nice setting for the dancers, as long as they had some water nearby. "Welcome to our launch," announced Catherine McHale, one of the event's organizers. She welcomed new and returning attendees and highlighted a new addition to the sponsor lineup: Snowhawk Productions, which also served as both...
Dancing Under the Stars is back for another season of music, dance, and community. Starting Friday, June 20, Cottonwood Square will come alive with energy and rhythm as the outdoor dance series kicks off for the summer. Held every Friday night through September 19, the event promises a lively atmosphere where people of all skill levels can enjoy dancing under the Colorado sky. The season opens with a salsa night, led by Joseph Snowhawk. A fun, beginner-friendly lesson will kick off at 7 p.m., of...
For the final time this year, Niwot's Cottonwood Square was transformed into a scene from the 1950s as the 2024 season of Dancing Under the Stars came to a close. Swing enthusiasts, newcomers, and long-time attendees gathered under twinkling lights for a night of Lindy Hop and laughter. The event, which has been a staple in Niwot all summer, delivered one last memorable evening on Friday, Sept. 20 as attendees danced the night away. Lorne Fultonberg, from Boulder Swing Dance, led the Lindy Hop...
The penultimate Dancing Under the Stars swung into action Friday, Sept. 13, in Cottonwood Square. Despite Niwot High School homecoming festivities happening at the same time, the event brought together a large crowd of dancers from all over Boulder County who whirled under the stars and glittering string lights. Dancing Under the Stars organizer Catherine McHale said at the beginning of the evening, "It's going to be a good party tonight since it is the last salsa night of the season. It's...
On Friday, Sept. 6, Cottonwood Square transformed into a lively celebration of country dance as Dancing Under the Stars hosted its first-ever country dance night. The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter and the clinking of cowboy boots, as twinkling lights shone overhead casting a soft glow on the crowd below. The blend of cowboy hats, denim, pearl snap shirts, and lively country tunes gave the night an authentic feel. Participants were treated to an array of country dance styles,...
The penultimate salsa dance evening of the Dancing Under the Stars season brought a large, enthusiastic crowd to Cottonwood Square on Friday, Aug. 30. With perfect weather and a gorgeous sunset as the backdrop, the night was a memorable one for the dancers. Marcela Lay, the evening's instructor, introduced new moves that challenged and delighted participants, adding to their growing repertoire of salsa steps. Her teaching style was both engaging and accessible, ensuring that newcomers and vetera...
On Friday, Aug. 23, Dancing Under the Stars featured a lively blend of waltz, folk, and contra dancing, bringing a fresh dynamic to Niwot's beloved event. The evening was accompanied by live music from keyboardist Teri Rasmusson and fiddler Royston Hunget, whose harmonious tunes set the perfect mood for the traditional dances. Earlier in the season, Rasmusson, a Niwot resident, performed with violinist Julia Hays on July 12. Adding to the energy was Tina Fields, who called the dances and guided...
Once again, the parking lot in front of Cottonwood Square's WiNot Coffee Company and The Little Shop became a Friday night outdoor ballroom during Niwot's Dancing Under the Stars. On Aug. 16, nearly 175 participants and spectators enjoyed the return of Swing Dance Night, with the event's usual introductory lesson, followed by open dance for the rest of the night. Catherine McHale and Tom Masterson organized the evening, as they do every Friday. "We have salsa, swing dancing, and country...
Friday, Aug. 9, Dancing Under the Stars brought a spicy new flavor to the dance floor with Nathan Hook leading a Cuban-style salsa. Making his first appearance as an instructor this season, Hook introduced a fresh salsa style to the event, adding variety and excitement for both regulars and newcomers. Hook took his time with the basic steps, watching all participants closely and offering advice when he felt it was necessary. As in previous weeks, switching partners was encouraged often,...
Dancing Under the Stars brought the community together once again on Friday, Aug. 2, for an evening filled with music, laughter, and swing dancing. Held at Cottonwood Square in Niwot, the night focused on swing dancing, with Lorne Fultonberg and Boulder Swing Dance leading the way. The evening kicked off with a lesson in Lindy Hop, one of the most popular styles of swing dancing. Instructors from Boulder Swing Dance took to the floor, guiding both seasoned dancers and first-timers through many...
The latest Dancing Under the Stars proved that not even rain can stop a community dedicated to dance. On Friday, July 26, the event overcame a temporary downpour to deliver another memorable salsa evening in Cottonwood Square. At the end of Joseph Snowhawk's salsa dance lesson, a Colorado thunderstorm decided to join the dance. Event organizer Tom Masterson joked, "Mother Nature knows when it's Friday in Niwot," referring to other brief rainstorms that have cut in on the event. Some attendees to...
On Friday, July 19 dancers of all skill levels gathered at Dancing Under the Stars to learn how to Lindy Hop under the tutelage of Lorne Fultonberg from Boulder Swing Dance. Fultonberg focused on Lindy Hop, a swing-style dance that originated in Harlem, New York, in the 1920s and '30s. It developed in response to the Black jazz music of the Swing Era. Around 150 people squeezed onto the makeshift dance floor in Cottonwood Square and were introduced to the art form. Toward the end of the dance le...
The third week of Niwot's Dancing Under the Stars brought a touch of elegance to Cottonwood Square on Friday, July 12. The waltz and folk dance evening featured live music by the talented duo of Terri Rasmussen and Julia Haze, setting the tone for a magical night. The evening began again with a dance lesson led by Tom Masterson, one of the event organizers, from 7 to 7:45 p.m. After slowly teaching the basic steps, Masterson lined attendees up for a circle waltz before handing off the mic to...
On Friday July 5, dancers from all over gathered for the first swing dance evening of Dancing Under the Stars this summer. At 7 p.m., dancers moved cautiously towards the makeshift dance floor for dance lessons led by Tom Masterson, one of the event organizers. Participants of all ages and skill levels joined in, learning the basic steps of swing dancing. Masterson let attendees take their time, stepping in when he felt it was necessary. With his swing dance crash course, the dancers were ready...
Dancing Under the Stars opened up its 2024 season on June 28 in Cottonwood Square in front of The Little Shop and WiNot Coffee Company. The event brought together dance enthusiasts and curious newcomers for an evening of dancing. While weather threatened to disrupt the night, a thunderstorm quickly moved through Niwot at the very beginning of the evening, leaving the crowd with a cloud-covered sky and an occasional sprinkle, a much-needed cool-off for those on the dance floor. The night began...
Dancing Under the Stars is back and ready to light up the night on Friday, June 28. The festive tradition, now its fifth year in Niwot, promises an enchanting evening of salsa dancing under the stars in Cottonwood Square from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Originally founded by Tom Masterson in the early 1980s, the event "started at the University of Colorado's Memorial Center and was very popular," said Masterson. "We had over 100 people dancing with us, and it has always been a completely free program,...
As we transition into autumn, one of the most popular events in Niwot is coming to a close – the weekly "Dancing Under the Stars" event. A free dance lesson of varying genres followed by a public dance takes place every Friday during the warm summer evenings from June to the end of September. Originally scheduled to end Sept. 22, a "rain date" has extended the season through Sept. 29 with contra dance. Dancing Under the Stars started out in Boulder at the University of Colorado, but when C...
Dancing Under the Stars, an event that has been thriving in Niwot for four years, is still going strong. Every Friday night in the summer, a stage is set up in the parking lot of Cottonwood Square located at Niwot Road and 79th Street. Free dance lessons begin at 7:00 p.m. until 7:45 p.m., and then the dance floor overflows until 9:30 p.m., well after the stars have started to shine. The DJ plays the genre of the week including salsa, swing, and Cuban salsa and the lessons get everyone ready...
