“We want the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse to offer people the opportunity to explore tea in all its different forms and ways that it’s embraced around the world,” says Sarah Martinelli, who operates the exotic venue for the City of Boulder. “The teahouse is such a big, vibrant, visible tourist and local attraction in Boulder that we feel a responsibility to continue to offer education and unique experiences to people.”

Hence the annual Rocky Mountain Tea Festival, which Martinelli organizes and which will fill the Dushanbe Teahouse with activities today and tomorrow. In addition to a tea bazaar, there will be workshops on cooking with tea, blending tea and reading tea leaves; cultural information about tea in India, Taiwan and Japan; a dinner tonight featuring food cooked and paired with tea; and a children’s tea party tomorrow.

“The festival is designed to offer a lot of different approaches to tea,” adds Martinelli, “so whatever people happen to be interested in, they should find something for them.”

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is at 1770 13th Street in Boulder; admission to the tea bazaar is free, and workshops are $15. For more details, visit rockymtnteafestival.com.
Sat., Aug. 2, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., Aug. 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 2014