Each city has its particularities and its charms – those defining traits that undeniably characterize it. Chicago has bean-shaped architecture and pizzas so thick they practically look like a casserole dish. San Francisco has its relentless fog and hills that could double as cardio classes. Boulder has craft beer, bike trails, and an obscenely high concentration of outdoor clothing stores per square mile.

But beyond the beer flights and mountain trails, Boulder’s true charm lies in its stories of the places and people that have shaped its culture. With “The Talk of Our Town” – a new talk show series on eTown Hall – these stories are being brought into the spotlight.

Hosted by local music legend Nick Forster, co-founder of eTown with his wife Helen Forster and member of the Grammy-nominated band Hot Rize, the monthly gathering is part history lesson, part community conversation and a love letter to Boulder. Each event will highlight a specific element of Boulder’s past and feature engaging discussions with the very people who helped shape its culture.

“I’ve been fortunate to live in Boulder for a long time,” Forster said. “I started playing music here in the mid-70s and have seen this city evolve over the years. Recently, a lot of new people have moved to Boulder, and I think if I were in their shoes, it would be important to learn not only the history of my new community, but also its culture and the unique energy that exists there. defines. That’s truly the inspiration behind “The Talk of Our Town”: to invite people in and create an open conversation about the iconic and essential elements that make Boulder, Boulder.

Even for those who have called Boulder home for decades, “The Talk of Our Town” is sure to surprise guests with fascinating insights into the very streets they walk every day. Last month, the series’ inaugural event took a closer look at the history and legacy of the Pearl Street Mall and featured Henry Beer, co-founder of Communication Arts, the design firm that brought the center to life Boulder’s beloved pedestrian mall.

The next installment of the series takes place Tuesday and will spotlight another local expert – longtime concert promoter, artist manager and pillar of the Colorado music scene, Chuck Morris. Morris, in conversation with Forster, will revisit the history of Boulder’s Tulagi Room, the legendary University Hill nightclub that was once the center of Boulder’s music scene.

If you’ve ever wondered how Boulder became a music town, Chuck Morris is one of the reasons.

In the late 1960s, Morris was a graduate student at the University of Colorado at Boulder working on his doctorate in political science when he realized his heart was not in academia.

“I realized I loved music more than politics,” Morris said. “So, in 1968, I took the plunge and dropped out of college to try my hand at the music business, even though at first I had no idea what I was doing.”

Morris’ first big break came at The Sink, where he began managing the beloved bar and booking live bands in the back room.

“One of the first artists I booked was Flash Cadillac, and we didn’t pay them,” Morris said. “Instead, they were playing for all the beer they could drink.” They then appeared in “American Graffiti” and “Happy Days,” and I’ve been friends with them ever since. »

In 1970, Morris took his love of live music to the next level, teaming up with the late owner of The Sink, Herbie Kauvar, to take over Tulagi, the struggling venue at The Hill. Under Morris’ leadership, Tulagi has become one of the most sought-after music venues for emerging artists, and Morris has booked an incredibly impressive lineup of talent.

“When I ran Tulagi, we had incredible artists: blues legends like Muddy Waters, folk icons like John Prine, jazz greats like Eddie Harris, and rock bands like the Doobie Brothers on their first tour.” , Morris said.

Tulagi wasn’t just a venue – rather, it was a melting pot of genres and a launching pad for artists who would go on to become household names.

One unforgettable evening, Morris said, involved a small group called the Eagles. In December 1972, a few months before the iconic band’s debut album, the band stopped in Tulagi to play a set during a severe snowstorm.

“The heating broke and Bernie Leadon played his guitar with gloves on,” Morris said. “It’s crazy to think about it now, but it was such an incredible moment: watching a band that was going to become one of the biggest in the world.”

Forster and Morris agree that Tulagi is more than just a piece of Boulder’s past: It’s a symbol of the funky spirit that has always defined the city.

“The culture of this city is a big part of what makes it special, and it’s under threat as Boulder becomes more expensive,” Forster said. “‘Talk of Our Town’ aims to celebrate what worked, what nourished the DNA of Boulder’s creative economy, and to inspire people to support the creative efforts that are still here and thriving. »

Morris agreed, adding, “Boulder has always been a mecca for music, and Tulagi has played a very important role in that. Being able to revisit her history with Nick is something I’m really looking forward to. Nick and Helen Forster have done so much for this community with eTown, and it’s an honor to be a part of something that celebrates Boulder’s music history.

For newcomers to Boulder, the event is an opportunity to spark their connection to their new home.

“It’s not always easy to know where to tap into and feel connected,” Forster said. “Hearing these stories – learning the history of places like Tulagi – can give you a sense of the color and character that makes Boulder unique. The next time they pass by the Fox or glance at where Tulagi stood, they might think, “Now I know what happened here.” »

Although Tulagi is the focus of this month’s event, Forster sees endless possibilities for future conversations.

“Behind every iconic Boulder event or institution – whether it’s the founding of Naropa, the evolution of KGNU, or even original traditions like FAC at the Millennium Harvest House – there is someone who had an idea and made it happen,” he said. “My goal is to find these people and have them tell their stories. Boulder’s history is rich and it’s important to keep these stories alive.

Whether you’re a longtime Boulderite or a recent arrival, “The Talk of Our Town” is an opportunity to reflect on the stories that make Boulder so special.

“It’s about deepening your connection to this place and feeling more rooted in your community,” Forster said.

“The Talk of Our Town” hits the stage Tuesday at 7 p.m. at eTown Hall, 1535 Spruce St., Boulder. Tickets are $5 to $10 ($5 for those new to Boulder within the last 5 years) and can be purchased at etown.org.

Nick Forster on stage with soul musician Ron Artis II earlier this year at eTown Hall. Forster will continue to bring meaningful dialogue to the stage in eTown’s new talk show series, “The Talk of Our Town.” (Lauren Hartmann/Courtesy photo)

Forster will return to the stage on December 10, bringing his signature interview style to a conversation with Colorado music industry icon Chuck Morris. (Lauren Hartmann/Courtesy photo)

The Tulagi in Boulder is visible in this photo from the 1950s. (Daily Camera File)

Pan Parrish / Courtesy photo

The original Hot Rize lineup performs at the 1984 Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Left to right: Pete Wernick, Nick Forster, Tim O’Brien and Charles Sawtelle. (Pan Parrish / Courtesy photo)

Jeremy Papasso/Daily Camera

Nick Forster, who founded eTown in 1991 with his wife Helen, interviews tennis singer Alaina Moore in the new eTown Hall in 2012. (File photo)

Show legend

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Nick Forster on stage with soul musician Ron Artis II earlier this year at eTown Hall. Forster will continue to bring meaningful dialogue to the stage in eTown’s new talk show series, “The Talk of Our Town.” (Lauren Hartmann/Courtesy photo)

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