FROM BRAZIL TO BOULDER, AND BACK AGAIN

FRIDAY» Boulder gets a bad rap for being unaffordable and conformist, and there’s a lot of truth in that. But its posthippie, liberal-arts vibe continues to attract diverse residents, including artists and performers from around the globe. “Africa to the Americas,” curated by Carmen Reina-Nelson, the Guatemalan-born dancer and founder of Grupo Macondo, will celebrate them with a mix of performances from the city’s best Latin and West African musicians and dancers starting at 7 p.m. Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Road in Boulder. Tickets: $17.50-$20.

Party in the Americas.

While the past few days of the Denverhosted Biennial of the Americas Festival may have seemed a bit abstract, focused as it is on policy and discussion, the festival-ending party on Sept. 28 should bring it into focus. The Cósmico Americas event takes over Civic Center park with art, live music, food, cocktails and more offerings that draw from cultures across the Americas. Also be sure to check out (as if you could miss it) “Jaguara,” by artists Leonardo Vilar and Catalina Pulido, a massive, elaborate, Burning Man-style structure that will exhaust your phone’s memory. It’s best seen after sundown, given the cool lighting and projection mapping on the City and County Building. Free and all-ages. 4-10 p.m. at 101 W. 14th Ave.

Reading the leaves at the Botanic Gardens.

FRIDAY» Reading isn’t exactly the most social of activities, but the National Endowment for the Arts will correct that by kicking off its literacypromoting Big Read program with a social event at Denver Botanic Gardens. The free, 5 p.m. party on Sept. 27, organized by Denver’s own Lighthouse

includes performances,