We are standing at the threshold of May, and it looks like it’s going to be a rainy one. Great news, ‘cause we could use it! This week, we are leaning into the concept of grit. The kind that helps a woman defend her family with a wooden signpost in 1925, and the kind required to sew your own pair of boots from scratch in a Bellvue treehouse. This issue is about the things we make with our own two hands.

Let’s dig in!

– Megan

If you think your afternoon was stressful, imagine riding through the brush near Hudson, CO and finding yourself surrounded by 140 rattlesnakes. In October 1925, that was the reality for Katherine McHale Slaughterback. Known to history as "Rattlesnake Kate," she was traveling with her three-year-old son when they stumbled into a massive migration of the sun-seeking vipers.

Kate didn't panic; she got to work. She fired her .22 Remington rifle until she ran out of lead, then grabbed a wooden "No Hunting" signpost and clubbed the remaining snakes to protect her boy and her horse. Two hours later, 140 snakes were dead, and a Northern Colorado legend was born.

Kate was a trained taxidermist, and she wasn't about to let that much leather go to waste. Over the next year, she tanned the skins and fashioned a one-of-a-kind, flapper-style dress using roughly 50 of the hides. She even made matching shoes and a necklace from the rattles. Too cool, Kate.

Three weeks before she passed away in 1969, she donated the dress to the Greeley History Museum, where it remains a climate-controlled marvel of frontier determination today. Kate was a nurse, a farmer, and a woman who truly understood the anatomy of Colorado grit and resilience.

The dress is worth seeing in person. So, make a Saturday of it and check it out at the 👉 Greeley History Museum.

Annabel Reader came up through contemporary dance and costume design, while Dan Huling studied sculpture and printmaking at CSU. Together they’ve built contraptions for New Belgium Brewing, performed for Cirque du Soleil, and run their own creative companies. In 2017, a single workshop at a shoe school in New Zealand sent them in a new direction. A year later, Colorado Shoe School opened in Bellvue.

It makes complete sense, once you know the backstory.

The studio — which they describe as “basically a treehouse,” just north of Horsetooth Reservoir — has been running hands-on shoemaking workshops since 2018, and the range is wider than you’d expect:

Classes stay small, usually four to six people, and beginners are genuinely welcome at every level. Their materials philosophy runs deep: they work primarily with leather diverted from the waste stream — old jackets, chaps, and upholstery. They’ll happily help you turn your own heirloom or eyesore into something you’ll actually wear; one student even made shoes from an old billboard, while another used plastic bags.

Gift certificates are available if you know someone who needs an excellent excuse to head up the road to Bellvue.

👉 Go build something:

There is a specific kind of power in a song written in a place where the sun only hits the ground for an hour a day. Since 2009, the non-profit Blues Behind Bars has been touring Colorado prisons, performing for inmates, and more importantly, collaborating with them to write original music.

This Saturday, May 2, they are bringing those stories to the North College stage at Chipper's Lanes. It’s an evening of classic American blues and original tracks born from behind the wire — aimed at building bridges through art and life enrichment.

👉 Reserve your spot

The stack of documents lands on the table and suddenly the house you love feels like a liability. The clauses, the contingencies, the counteroffers. It's a lot to deal with, even when everything goes smoothly.

Amilyn Stange has been inside that paperwork longer than most agents have been in real estate. Before she even showed a house, she spent years as a banker and a paralegal for real estate and estate planning attorneys. The fine print isn't intimidating to her, it’s the foundation of her journey into real estate. She works across all of NOCO — from Erie to Wellington, Estes to the plains — and her job is to make sure you understand exactly what you're signing, and why.

Every contribution keeps us out in the field, digging into local history, and showing up for the towns we cover. We're grateful for every bit of support. Thanks for being part of this.

— Megan & David

👉 MAKE A CONTRIBUTION

From Berthoud to the Wyoming state line, Fort Morgan to Estes, each week we pull together a list of the top events happening all over Northern Colorado.

Mollie McGee's Spring Market @ Pedersen Toyota Center (Loveland) — Saturday May 2 & Sunday May 3, 10am both days — One of NOCO's favorite seasonal markets, two days running. Go early, go often. 👉 Shop the spring

Spring Used Book Sale @ McKee Building (Loveland) — Friday May 1 (3–7pm), Saturday (10am-4pm) & Sunday May 3 Fill-A-Bag Day (11am–3pm) — Browse the stacks Friday, then come back Sunday and load up for a flat rate. Two chances, one great book haul. 👉 Browse the stacks

PJ Moon Live on the Rooftop @ Bogey's Sport Bar (Estes Park) — Saturday May 2 & Sunday May 3, 2–4pm both days — Rooftop music, mountain views, the weekend's best two-hour window. 👉 Climb up

Art Week Fort Collins @ Downtown Fort Collins — Friday May 1 through Sunday May 3 — Fort Collins goes full art for a long weekend. Murals, galleries, installations, and events across downtown. 👉 See what's up

The Odyssey @ The Lincoln Center — Magnolia Theatre (Fort Collins) — Friday, May 1 — 7pm · Saturday, May 2 — 7pm · Sunday, May 3 — 1pm — Debut Theatre Company brings Homer's epic to life with 16 young actors, puppets of all sizes, cyclops, sirens, and the whole mythological crew. Fast, imaginative, and genuinely family-friendly. 👉 Get tickets

Erica Rhodes @ The Comedy Fort (Fort Collins) — Friday, May 1 — 6pm & 8:30pm · Saturday, May 2 — 6pm & 8:30pm — Fresh off a 2024 run on America's Got Talent, Rhodes has appeared on Modern Family, Veep, and Late Night with Stephen Colbert. Her Dry Bar special has over 2 million YouTube views. Four shows across two nights. 👉 Get tickets

Tiffany-Style Stained Glass Sun Catcher @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — 6:30–9:30pm — Cut glass, bend lead, make light. 👉 Catch some sun

KRFC 88.9 FM Community Open House @ KRFC Studios (Fort Collins) — 4–6pm — Fort Collins' beloved community radio station opens its doors. Come see how the magic happens. 👉 Tune in in person

Singles Social @ The Neighbor (Fort Collins) — 6–9pm — No apps, no algorithms. Just people in a room. 👉 Show up

The Positive Spin: Vinyl Record Night @ Mobb Mountain Distillers (Fort Collins) — 6–10pm — Good records, good spirits, no playlists. 👉 Let it spin

Phoneboy @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — 6:30pm — Blending their signature infectious energy with a more refined, introspective‬ ‭sound. 👉 Find out

Open Rehearsal: Rhythms of Diversity and Energy @ The Lincoln Center (Fort Collins) — 7–8:15pm — Sit in on the Fort Collins Symphony before Saturday's big show. Free and open to all. 👉 Pull up a chair

Complete Works of William Shakespeare @ CSU School of the Arts (Fort Collins) — 7:30–9:30pm — All 37 plays. Two hours. Three actors. Chaos. 👉 Watch it unravel

Alex Thoele Acoustic @ The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern (Estes Park) — 5–8pm — Drive up. Settle in. Let the mountain do the rest. 👉 Head up the hill

Local Bluegrass Pick @ Twin Owls Steakhouse at Taharaa (Estes Park) — 6:30–9pm — Rotating pickers, mountain views, dinner worth staying for. 👉 Tap your boots

Thursday Trivia Night @ High Brau Taphouse (Greeley) — 6:30–9pm — Bring your brain, bring a friend, bring both. 👉 Prove it

Lemonade Day Kickoff Party @ Cornerstone Cafe (Berthoud) — 5:30–7pm — Young entrepreneurs pick up their aprons, get their business licenses, and kick off Lemonade Day 2026 with pizza and cupcakes. 👉 Get the details

Line Dancing & Country Swing @ Bruce's Bar (Severance) — 7–8pm — The last Thursday of the month means boots on the floor at one of NOCO's most beloved honky-tonks. 👉 Show up and two-step

HPEC Spring Garden Party @ High Plains Environmental Center (Loveland) — 4–6pm — Plants, people, and the start of the growing season. 👉 Dig in

Friday Happy Hour @ MeadKrieger (Loveland) — 3–6pm — Mead, good company, early start to the weekend. 👉 Start early

May First Friday Supper Club @ Taste Local (Loveland) — 5–7:30pm — Local food, local people, the best kind of Friday evening. 👉 Pull up a seat

Live Music: Duey Weibel @ Downtown Loveland District — 6–8pm — Street-level live music in downtown Loveland. 👉 Come listen

Hot Process Shampoo & Vinegar Rinse Creations @ The Artisan Shop & Studio (Loveland) — 6:30pm — Make your own hair care from scratch. Practical, satisfying, zero plastic. 👉 Lather up

Ball and Chain League @ Sweetheart Bowling (Loveland) — 6:30–9:30pm — Married. Bowling. Competitive. This checks out. 👉 Roll together

Hillbilly Demons @ Tom Davis Saloon (Loveland) — 7pm — Honky-tonk energy at Loveland's favorite saloon. 👉 Boot up

Rondell Sheridan @ Rialto Theater (Loveland) — 7:30pm — Stand-up comedy at one of NOCO's best stages. 👉 Get your laughs

Mountain Glow Candle Bar Experience @ Rocky Mountain Olive Oil (Fort Collins) — 1–4pm — Pour your own candle in one of Old Town's best-smelling shops. 👉 Set the mood

Row School @ St. Peter's Fly Shop (Fort Collins) — 8am–4pm — Learn to read water and row a drift boat. A full day well spent. 👉 Get on the water

Poudre River Irregulars Traditional Jazz @ Avogadro's Number (Fort Collins) — 4–7pm — Old-school jazz on Avo's patio. This is what Friday afternoons are for. 👉 Pull up a chair

Taste of Asia: Sushi & Sake @ Farm Fusion (Fort Collins) — 5–7:30pm — Japanese technique, local kitchen, excellent Friday excuse. 👉 Chopsticks up

First Friday Art Walk @ Downtown Fort Collins — 6–9pm — Galleries open, people out, Old Town at its best. 👉 Walk through it

Possibilities: Michael Safran Solo Exhibition @ Cornerstone Gallery (Fort Collins) — 5–9pm — New work from a local artist worth knowing. 👉 See it opening night

Spring S.O.A.P. Troupe Show @ Fort Collins Senior Center — 1:30-3:00pm and 6:30-8:00pm — Improv comedy from Fort Collins' beloved senior troupe. Always a good time. 👉 Come laugh

Benjamin Tod & the Inline Six @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre (Bellvue) — 6pm (doors at 8) — Americana at one of Colorado's most legendary outdoor venues. Season opener energy. 👉 Catch the show

Langhorne Slim with Laney Jones & Graveyard Choir @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — 8pm — Folk-rock royalty with a full bill worth arriving early for. 👉 Get there

Billy Currington @ Blue Arena (Loveland) — 7:30pm — Country radio staple, live at the Ranch. 👉 Two-step your Friday

First Friday Art Groove @ Estes Arts District (Estes Park) — 5–8pm — Galleries, artists, and mountain-town First Friday energy. 👉 Wander through

Friday Live Music: David & Hannah @ Snowy Peaks Winery (Estes Park) — 4:30–6:30pm — Mountain wine, live duo, golden hour. 👉 Sip and stay

Live Jazz: Max Wagner & Stu MacAskie @ Earthwood Collections (Estes Park) — 5–7pm — Jazz in a gallery full of beautiful things. 👉 Listen close

Jon Pickett (Chain Station) Acoustic @ The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern (Estes Park) — 5–8pm — A regular in the best room in the mountains. 👉 Head up the hill

James Davis Live @ Twin Owls Steakhouse (Estes Park) — 5:30–8:30pm — Dinner and live music under the Rockies. 👉 Book the table

Xtreme Bar Bingo @ Bogey's Sport Bar (Estes Park) — 8–9:30pm — Mountain bingo with a little extra. 👉 Call it

A Great Frontier Odyssey: Sketching the American West @ Greeley History Museum — 10am–4pm — Historic illustrations of the West, drawn from the field. Worth the look. 👉 See the sketches

Our History, Our Voice: Mexican American History Project @ Greeley History Museum — 10am–4pm — Community-documented history from the people who lived it. 👉 Hear it directly

First Friday Art Walk @ Downtown Greeley — 5–8pm — Galleries open, downtown alive. 👉 Walk it

Country Swing Dance Lessons @ 1535 8th Ave (Greeley) — 6:30–8:30pm — Two-step your Friday into shape. 👉 Learn the swing

Student Night @ Greeley Climbing Collective — 5–9pm — Discounted climbing, good community, better grip strength. 👉 Chalk up

UNC Bear Fest @ Downtown Greeley — Times vary — UNC's annual community celebration. 👉 Join the fest

Cinco de Mayo @ 8th Street Plaza (Greeley) — 4–10pm — Greeley's big Cinco celebration. Food, music, community. 👉 Show up

Jay Roemer & Jarett Mason @ City Star Brewing (Berthoud) — 6–8:30pm — Steamboat Springs' premier acoustic Americana and bluegrass troubadour, guitar and harmonica in hand, playing original songs that stick. 👉 Come listen

WhipKey Music @ Mighty River Brewing (Windsor) — 6-9pm — Live music at Windsor's favorite taproom to close out the week. 👉 Check it out

2026 Mural Grant Tour & Kickoff @ Art & Heritage Center (Windsor) — 4–5pm — A walking tour of Windsor's mural grant projects, followed by a reception with light refreshments. Free and open to all. 👉 Come see the walls

Laugh! for a Cause @ Grace Place (Berthoud) — 5:30–7:30pm — Stand-up comedian Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald headlines this fundraiser for Pearl Promise, supporting single-parent families in NOCO. Tickets from $75. 👉 Get tickets

HPEC Monthly Bird Banding & Bird Walk @ High Plains Environmental Center (Loveland) — 9–11am — Watch scientists band birds up close. One of NOCO's most underrated Saturday mornings. 👉 Show up early

Volunteer: Saturday Morning Garden Club @ High Plains Environmental Center (Loveland) — 9am–12pm — Hands in the dirt, good company, better morning. 👉 Dig in

Gold Rush in Leadville @ Loveland Museum — 10am–4pm — Colorado's most legendary boom town, brought to life in Loveland. 👉 Strike it

Marshmallow Making for Kids @ Orion's Apothecary (Loveland) — 10:30–11:30am — Homemade marshmallows, real ingredients, very happy kids. 👉 Get sweet

Zero Proof Showcase @ The Love Shack (Loveland) — 12–6pm — Six hours of craft mocktail culture done right. 👉 Sip something real

Beginner Crochet Basics @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — 12–1:30pm — Hook, yarn, and a skill you'll actually use. 👉 Get hooked

Spore Swap & Chat @ Orion's Apothecary (Loveland) — 2–4pm — Mushroom people, swapping cultures and knowledge. NOCO's fungal community is real and thriving. 👉 Bring your spores

Kentucky Derby Party @ 477 Distilling (Loveland) — 2–6pm — Hats, horses, and something strong in your hand. 👉 Place your bet

Run for the Hops: Derby Day @ Grimm Brothers Brewhouse (Loveland) — 2–6pm — Watch the race with a craft beer in hand. Very NOCO. 👉 Post up

NoCo Ballroom One-Year Anniversary @ NoCo Ballroom (Loveland) — 1–10pm — A full day celebrating a year of dancing in NOCO. 👉 Hit the floor

Hand Build Clay Hanging Wall Vases @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — 1:30–3:30pm — Make something for your wall from a lump of clay. 👉 Build it

Dori Jo Duo Live @ Loveland Aleworks — 6–8pm — Live music, local beer, Saturday evening done right. 👉 Pull up a stool

Dominick Antonelli Live @ MeadKrieger (Loveland) — 6:30–8:30pm — Mead and live music. The combo holds. 👉 Stay a while

Big Brew Day @ Brew Fort (Fort Collins) — 10am–4pm — National homebrewing day, NOCO style. Watch, learn, taste. 👉 Raise a homebrew

Riverside Colorado Open House & Live music by Centennial State Millennials @ Riverside Colorado (Fort Collins) — 10am–5pm Join us at Riverside for our Open House of your favorite Poudre Canyon Vacation spot. 👉 Come see

Riichi Mahjong Beginners @ Stodgy Brewing (Fort Collins) — 2–5pm — Japanese mahjong, cold beer, patient teachers. Come curious. 👉 Draw a tile

Kentucky Derby Day @ Gordon Creek RV Park & Cabins (Fort Collins) — 12–10pm — All-day Derby energy outside the city. Hats encouraged. 👉 Saddle up

Whiskey Pickles @ Gilded Goat Brewing (Fort Collins) — 6–8pm — 👉 Come listen

Signature Concert 5: Rhythms of Diversity and Energy @ The Lincoln Center (Fort Collins) — 7:30–9:30pm — The Fort Collins Symphony's penultimate concert of the season. Don't miss it. 👉 Take your seat

Colorado Wardens @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — 7pm — Medieval Armored Combat (or Buhurt) is a competitive international sport that features steel medieval weaponry and armor. 👉 Find out

Blues Behind Bars Fundraiser @ 830 N College Ave (Fort Collins) — 8pm — Live blues for a good cause. 👉 Show up and give

NBB Prom 2026: Rom-Com Prom @ New Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins) — 8–11pm — Dress up. Dance. New Belgium does prom and it's exactly as fun as it sounds. 👉 Get your corsage

Matt McCloskey @ The Tavern at Red Feather Lakes (Fort Collins/Foothills) — 7pm — Mountain tavern, live music, the drive is worth it. 👉 Head for the hills

Mother's Market @ Avant Garde Aleworks (Estes Park) — 12–5pm — Local makers, mountain setting, great gift hunting for the week ahead. 👉 Shop the market

14th Annual Hootenanny! @ City Star Brewing (Berthoud) — 12–8:30pm — City Star turns 14 with a full day of live music, food trucks, beer releases, flash tattoos, and the kind of Berthoud Saturday that gets talked about. Four acts on stage all day: Younger Than Dirt, Downright Ornery, Rachel Alena, and Constant Tourists. Nacho Mama's Tacos and Mixed N' Mashed on site all day. 👉 Plan your day

Ten Cent Prophet Trio @ Mash Lab Brewing (Windsor) — 4–7pm — Live music at one of Windsor's best taprooms. Perfect Saturday afternoon window. 👉 Come listen

Reminisce Live @ Mighty River Brewing (Windsor) — 6-9pm 👉 Come listen

152nd Kentucky Derby Watch Party & Dress the Part Contest @ Rigby's Roadhouse (Livermore) — 11am — Hats required, best outfit wins dessert, best hat wins a shot. The 152nd Run for the Roses, watched from one of NOCO's most character-filled roadhouses. 👉 Dress the part

2nd Annual Community Garden Plant Sale @ Pioneer Park Community Garden (Berthoud) — 9am–12pm — Heirloom seeds, fresh herbs, annuals, birdhouses, and more from Berthoud Local's community garden. Bring your questions and your gardening gloves. 👉 Shop the garden

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta @ Downtown Johnstown — 1–5pm — A full afternoon of family-friendly food, cultural celebration, and live entertainment in downtown Johnstown. 👉 Come celebrate

Matt Skinner Band @ Swing Station (Laporte) — 8pm — One of Fort Collins' most beloved live music rooms. 👉 Catch the set

Down & Derby Party @ The Grainhouse (Windsor) — 2pm — NOCO Unify brings Churchill Downs to Northern Colorado for the 152nd Kentucky Derby. All proceeds benefit at-risk youth organizations across Larimer and Weld counties. 21+. 👉 Get tickets

Special Olympics @ Mountain View High School (Loveland) — 8:30am–4pm — Northeast Athletics and Swimming events. Come cheer. 👉 Show up and root

Mosaic Lamp Workshop @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — 11:30am–1:30pm — Cut. Grout. Glow. Take it home. 👉 Make some light

Intro to Mushrooms @ Orion's Apothecary (Loveland) — 1:30–2:15pm — Short, practical, and genuinely useful. 👉 Learn the mycelium

Dot Painting 101 @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — 1:30 — Meditative, colorful, no experience required. 👉 Make your mark

Jellyfish Terrarium Workshop @ Loveland Aleworks — 1–3pm — Build a jellyfish terrarium. Yes, really. No, they're not alive. Still delightful. 👉 Get weird with it

Brush & Brews — Paint Flower Power Sunday @ Big Thompson Brewery (Loveland) — 3–5pm — Paint flowers, drink something cold, call it a Sunday well spent. 👉 Brush up

Shinrin-Yoku: Introduction to Forest Bathing @ Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary (Fort Collins) — 9am–12pm — Slow down, breathe deep, let the trees do the work. 👉 Step into the woods

Brunch, Plant Swap & Compost Class @ Music City Hot Chicken (Fort Collins) — 11am–3pm — Hot chicken, houseplants, and learning to compost. This is Fort Collins. 👉 Swap and sip

Mother's Day Floral Class @ Breckenridge Brewery (Fort Collins) — 12–2pm — Make something beautiful for the week ahead. 👉 Arrange it

Improv Comedy Level 1 @ The Comedy Fort (Fort Collins) — 1–4pm — Learn to say yes, and… 👉 Jump in

Book Birthday Party & Author Reading @ Fort Collins Welcome Center — 1–3pm — For anyone who's ever lost someone and felt like they were doing grief wrong. 👉 Come celebrate

Complete Works of William Shakespeare @ CSU University Theatre (Fort Collins) — 2pm — Final performance. All 37 plays. Two hours. Go. 👉 Catch it closing day

1st Sundays Fireside @ CSU Environmental Learning Center (Fort Collins) — 3–5pm — Nature talk, fireside setting, good way to close a Sunday. 👉 Pull up a chair

Maxline Holiday Market @ Maxline Brewing (Fort Collins) — 12–5pm — Different markets, different makers. 👉 Shop and sip

World Percussion Ensemble Concert @ CSU School of the Arts (Fort Collins) — 6–8pm — Every surface becomes an instrument. Worth the Sunday evening. 👉 Feel the beat

RUNES @ Bas Bleu Theatre (Fort Collins) — 7–9pm — Zikr Dance Ensemble brings movement and mysticism to one of Fort Collins' best small stages. 👉 Witness it

Sunday Funday @ Snowy Peaks Winery (Estes Park) — 4–7pm — Mountain wine and a long afternoon. 👉 Sip it out

Rock Cut Bingo @ Rock Cut Brewing (Estes Park) — 6–8pm — Bingo with better elevation. 👉 Call it

Hadestown @ Monfort Concert Hall (Greeley) — 7pm — confirm showtimes before publishing. Tony Award-winning musical. Worth the drive to Greeley. 👉 Get tickets

Cinco de Mayo @ Downtown Greeley — 12–5pm — The celebration continues into Sunday. Food, music, community. 👉 Show up

Moms Unhinged! @ The Comedy Fort (Fort Collins) — 7pm (doors 6:30pm) — Standup comedy about motherhood, midlife, marriage, divorce, and everything else that gets under your skin. Men are welcome too. Ages 21+. 👉 Get tickets

Bill Huston Live @ City Star Brewing (Berthoud) — 5–7:30pm — A Colorado roots troubadour in the best sense — vivid stories, honest songs, influences running from John Prine to Townes Van Zandt. 👉 Come listen

Sugar Britches @ Swing Station (Laporte) — 4pm — 👉 Come listen

Open Mic @ The Lyric (Fort Collins) — 6pm — Show up. Take the stage. See what Monday's got. 👉 Take the mic

New Material Night @ The Comedy Fort (Fort Collins) — 7pm — Fresh jokes, live crowd, be a good sport. 👉 Laugh at something new

Concert Band Concert: Of the People @ CSU School of the Arts (Fort Collins) — 7:30–9:30pm — CSU's concert band closes out the season. 👉 Sit in

Boardgame Night @ American Legion Post 119 (Estes Park) — 5:30–8pm — Bring a game, make a friend, beat them fairly. 👉 Roll the dice

All Day Happy Hour @ Mighty River Brewing (Windsor) — $1 off all pints, all day. Monday just got better. 👉 Come early, stay late