It's Hammer Time on Colfax!!

MC Hammer Brings the Jams to A Taste of Colorado

Multi-award winning hip-hop artist MC Hammer will perform on the Main Stage at the 30th annual A Taste of Colorado on Sun., Sept. 1, at 7:30 p.m. The concert is presented by Jammin’ 101.5. The four-day, free admission, food, music, and entertainment Festival will take place Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30  through Sept. 2, in Downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park.

MC Hammer

MC Hammer is often considered a pioneer of pop/rap. His first album, “Feel My Power,” was released in 1987 and sold two million copies. His album, “Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ’Em,” featured the popular single “U Can’t Touch This,” which sampled Rick James’ “Super Freak.” The track reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with the album gaining #1 placement for 21 weeks - the first rap recording to receive the honor on pop charts. “Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ’Em” went on to become the first hip-hop album to earn diamond status, selling more than 18 million units to date.

Hammer went on to release “Too Legit to Quit” in 1991, which reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. After recording two additional albums and releasing his greatest hits, he began to focus his musical talents in a spiritual way with the albums “Family Affair” in 1998 and “Active Duty” in 2001. To date, Hammer has sold more than 50 million records worldwide and won three Grammy Awards for Best Rhythm and Blues Song (1990), Best Rap Solo (1990) and Best Music Video: Long Form (1990).  
  
In addition to the Main Stage, four other entertainment stages located throughout the Festival will serve up a continuous menu of music featuring rock, country, jazz, blues, and ethnic music and dance groups.

More than 50 of Colorado’s favorite food establishments will be selling a wide variety of small portions to full meals, ensuring that there will be something for every palate. The Fine Dining area will host some of Denver’s finest restaurants. The Albert Bartlett Culinary Showcase features local and nationally-renowned chef demonstrations creating simple, yet elegant meals.

Festivalgoers can shop in more than 280 Marketplace booths for original arts and crafts, home and gift items, furniture, jewelry, imports, and more. Fine Art in the Park will display original works in a variety of mediums created by artists from around the country. Shoppers also can explore the Home & Lifestyles area, which features a variety of exhibitors displaying products and services such as window installation, kitchen remodeling, cookware, basement refinishing, and salons and spas.

There will be plenty of music, magic, clowns, and puppets on the Comfort Dental KidzStage, and the KidZone features play equipment and hands-on craft activities. Kids and adults also can enjoy carnival rides and games Saturday through Monday.

In the Festival of Mountain and Plain area, families can learn about the state’s pioneer past, nature, and the environment. Featured artisans will demonstrate Navajo weaving and culture, spinning, rug braiding, lace crocheting, felting, and quilting, along with the popular blacksmith demonstration. At the Raptor Education Foundation (REF) exhibit, children can learn about birds, their environment, and their interactions with humans.

Sponsors of this year’s Festival are: 9NEWS, Aggreko, LLC, Albert Bartlett, All Copy Products, American Medical Response, APLMED Academy, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Blue Moon, Bluegreen Vacations, Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Mobile Tour, Coast 2 Coast Communications, Colorado HealthOP, Colorado Lottery, Colorado Native, Comfort Dental, Coors Banquet, Costco Wholesale, Courtyard by Marriott Denver Downtown, Cutarelli Vision, The Denver Post, Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc.,  Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que, Ford Experience Tour, Grand Lodge on Peak 7, LBA Realty, Levinson Eye Clinic, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Nature’s Path, Peach Street Distillery, PEPSI, Residence Inn Denver City Center, Roundhouse Spirits, Sturgeon Electric, SVEDKA Vodka, and TownePlace Suites Denver Downtown.

Festival hours are Friday, Aug. 30, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 31, and Sunday, Sept. 1, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Monday, Sept. 2, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Festival of Mountain and Plain … A Taste of Colorado is a community celebration that is produced by and benefits Downtown Denver Events, Inc., the Downtown Denver Partnership family’s community events nonprofit organization. The Festival is an opportunity for people throughout the region to come together to experience and appreciate our diverse cultural traditions, and to learn more about our state’s Western heritage. The Festival highlights visual and performing arts in addition to featuring educational programs and culinary demonstrations.
  
Visit www.ATasteofColorado.com, www.facebook.com/ATasteofColorado, www.twitter.com/ATasteofCO, or call (303) 295-6330 for more information.