Friday, June 28, 2013

Sid King Sign at The Collection

 
Photo by Satya Wimbish
Check out the Sid King's sign at the Collection Art Gallery this Saturday! Also check out the night opening for the neon art exhibit at The Collection Art Gallery on July 20th starting at 7pm. The Collection is located at 9801 East Colfax across the street from the Aurora Fox Theater.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Aurora Arts Festival This Saturday!!

Come PLAY in the Aurora Arts and Cultural District! Each Summer the Aurora Cultural Arts District puts on an arts focused event for the City of Aurora and neighboring communities. This year the event will be held this Saturday, June 29th from Noon-5pm.
 
This year’s theme is PLAY! The district welcomes its neighbors to get to know the art district right in their own backyard. Hosted in Fletcher Plaza (9898 E. Colfax) this event is geared towards kids and families and will focus on the PLAYful environment that art creates. “Our goal is to engage the neighborhood and introduce them to what the art district can offer and the events we support,” says new Managing Director, Tracy Weil.
 
Festival goers can expect all sorts of art focused activities during the festival, including the following:
  • Over 50 Local artist demonstrations and booths, PLAY with Interactive art & craft activities for kids and families, sponsored by DAVA (Downtown Aurora Visual Arts), ACAD Artists, The Athena Project & Trash as Art.
  • DAVA Mural Scavenger Hunt!
  • Live painting, chalk and mural artists!
  • Appearances by characters from The Hobbit, courtesy of the Aurora Fox.
  • Original Aurora Renewal will be debuting their new “Masking Tape Masterpieces” series where you can make your own master piece using colored masking tape.
  • Special mini PLAYS and performances hosted by the Ignite Theatre and the Vintage Theater.
  • PLAY through dance, with FREE Dance Classes at Kim Robards Dance and a brilliant performance at 4pm, “Aurora”
  • Local Food & Beverages trucks and vendors, including Dry Dock Brewery Beer Garden
  • PLAY on Bounce houses and other children’s play equipment
  • Live Music PLAYed by Local Musicians on the Fletcher Plaza stage including music by the Aurora Symphony, Banyan Tree, Gora Gora Orkestar and more!
  • PLAYful Gallery Tour: District Galleries and Creative businesses will be open, giving the public opportunities to view the current exhibitions in the district. Locations include The Collection, The Blue Chair Garden, DAVA, 1400 Dallas and Red Delicious Press.
 
The Aurora Culture Arts District (ACAD) is an independent non-profit organization leading local creative businesses, individuals, and the local business community and area residents, partnering with the City of Aurora and other entities in efforts to enhance the district as a destination through cultural and educational experiences.
 
For more information please visit our web site at auroraculture.org

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Phillip Phillips Coming To The Fillmore Auditorium

Bud Light Presents 50/50/1
PHILLIP PHILLIPS
Fillmore Auditorium
August 1

Live Nation is pleased to announce the BUD LIGHT PRESENTS 50/50/1 featuring PHILLIP PHILLIPS will perform at The Fillmore Auditorium on Thursday, August 1. Show time is 8:00 PM. Doors open at 7:00 PM

In just 50 days, Bud Light Music First’s summer-long celebration of music will culminate with “50/50/1,” a never-before-seen music event featuring one concert in every state on a single day including Phillip Phillips at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver. The unique structure of 50/50/1 brings a stage to each state to create the first truly national music festival. Additionally, Bud Light will live stream select performances on the Bud Light Music First Myspace hub.

“As America’s favorite beer, Bud Light has the unique ability to make music history by uniting every music fan nationwide with a one-day concert event, 50/50/1,” said Rob McCarthy, vice president of Bud Light. “Even if fans aren’t able to attend a 50/50/1 show in-person, we will be live streaming some of the performances and aggregating social conversations on the Bud Light Music First Myspace hub. No matter where you are or what type of music you enjoy, there’s an opportunity for everyone to be part of the 50/50/1 experience.”
 
Phillip Phillips
The same day that Leesburg, GA bred Phillip Phillips claimed his victory in American Idol's season 11 finale, the 22-year-old songwriter/guitarist released "Home," a debut single that showcases his rich, raspy vocals and masterful guitar skills- and marked the biggest opening sales week for an Idol winner's coronation song. The track has since gone triple platinum and was used as the soundtrack for the 2012 US Olympics

Phillip Phillips released his debut album The World From The Side Of The Moon (19 Entertainment/Interscope Records) in November where is debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart and has already reached gold status. His debut single “Home” topped the charts and Phillip will release his second single “Gone Gone Gone” this month.

Phillips first began making music when he was 14, thanks largely to his older sister’s boyfriend (and now husband), Ben Neil, who taught him how to play guitar. Phillips kept on studying guitar on his own (“mostly by playing along to the karaoke machine”) and soon found himself mastering riffs from classic-rock tracks like Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train.”

Several years later, Phillips formed an acoustic band with his sister and brother-in-law and added singing to his repertoire. After graduating high school, Phillips began studying industrial systems technology at Albany Technical College in Georgia and continued playing music with his brother-in-law. With encouragement from his family and friends, Phillips took a break from working in his family’s pawn shop and auditioned for American Idol in summer 2011—and soon found himself tearing through powerful, full-throated performances of songs by artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Otis Redding, and Wilson Pickett on the Idol stage.

TICKETS WENT ON SALE SATURDAY, JUNE 15 @ 10:00 AM at the Fillmore Auditorium Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or call 800 – 745 - 3000 Tickets are 25.00 GA ADV and $30.00 GA DOS plus applicable service charges. The Fillmore box office is open Monday - Friday from 12:00 Noon - 6:00pm & Saturdays from 10:00am - 2:00pm. On days of Fillmore shows, the box office is open from 12:00 Noon – 9:00pm.

THE FILLMORE AUDITORIUM IS LOCATED AT 1510 CLARKSON ST. AT COLFAX. CONNECT WITH US ON THE WEB www.livenation.com / www.facebook.com/LiveNationCO / www.twitter.com/livenationco

All Bud Light 50/50/1 concert attendees must be 21 years of age or older

Monday, June 24, 2013

Bikram Yoga Mile High


by THE COLFAX ROVER
  
     So, you want to sweat profusely and do yoga at the same time in a 105 degree heated room with deep jungle humidity? You better like heat if you're interested in taking a class at the Mile High Bikram Yoga/College of India (Denver's ONLY Certified Bikram Yoga School), a relatively new business started by David Hebert (a professional skydiver, aerial photograph + contractor) and Samantha Trang Phung (a massage/natural health therapist with a BA in Business Administration from Georgia State University).
     In a remodeled storefront at 5019 East Colfax Avenue, you'll find a roomy studio carpeted in tweedy beige with brown stripes. Beginners and experts both gather in these classes with their yoga mats, towels, water bottles (which items can be rented so newcomers don't have to invest in anything right away), and loose clothing. Classes are, according to one student, "very welcoming and integrated in every way: age, race, economics, gender, etc. They're aerobic, strenuous, lovely, friendly and peaceful." The simple decor of the establishment has been inspired by the stark wood decor of a Swedish sauna with walls painted in gradations of yellow to deep gold earth tones.

     Try one week of unlimited yoga for $20 as a new student (90 minutes classes), and visit their website for further information on times and prices.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Raise The Roof Party 2013

Photo by Jonny Barber
     The Denver Film Society is sponsoring three free neighborhood block parties on June 20, July 11 and August 15 from 6-10pm. on the roof of the Sie FilmCenter, which is next to Tattered Cover and Twist & Shout. Returning for a second summer season, the RAISE THE ROOF neighborhood celebrations feature free live music and entertainment along with local food, drinks and one of the best views of Denver’s skyline and the Rocky Mountains as seen from the roof of the Sie FilmCenter.

Colorado Public Radio’s OpenAir helped develop the music lineup, which includes:

· June 20 – Dragondeer, Varlet, and comedian Jodee Champion.
· July 11 – The Blue Rider , Esme Patterson, and comedian Adam Cayton-Holland,
· Aug 15 – Ark Life, Shady Elders, and comedian Jordan Doll

     The CulturePlex rooftop will open at 6pm, with music beginning at 7pm. Attendees will be given a buy–one get-one movie ticket on the evening of the party to return for a film on a future day at the Sie FilmCenter. Restaurants from the Colfax corridor with be selling food and sweets. Local comedian and co-creator of Mile High Sci-Fi, Harrison Rains, will emcee all three events.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Colfax Artist David Uhl Meets The Pope


Uhl Studios is excited to announce the release of David Uhl’s latest masterpiece, “Chance Encounter”. This stunning piece was commissioned by Harley-Davidson Europe for a special project with The Vatican during The Motor Company’s 110th celebration in Rome. David’s depiction of a Vatican official curiously inspecting a 1948 Harley-Davidson FL “Panhead” will adorn 50,000 Vatican postcards and Fine Art prints are now available in three sizes.

Last Sunday, 35,000 bikers who descended on Rome to celebrate Harley-Davidson’s 110th anniversary were blessed by Pope Francis during the Mass on St. Peter’s Square. 800 lucky winners were allowed to park their bikes on the road leading to St. Peter’s Square. David personally presented the new painting to Pope Francis!


Monday, June 17, 2013

Grieving Mom Issues Billboard Plea

A Denver, Colorado mother is hoping a billboard will help find the hit-and-run driver that killed her children.

Metro Denver Crime Stoppers have unveiled a billboard on the corner of Colfax Avenue and Fillmore Street hoping to make sure people do not forget about the incident.

The billboard is to keep Zama Bee - the mother of two children killed during a hit-and-run crash on March 22 at the corner of East 14th Avenue and Yosemite Street - at the top of everyone's minds in hopes the driver during the wreck will be brought to justice.

The new campaign is called "Somebody Knows Something."

Metro Denver Crime Stoppers has received a generous/sizable donation for this "Special Award" which will allow the organization to reward up to $20,000 for information which leads to an arrest and conviction.
Bee and her 8-year-old son Zamay Khan and her 6-year-old Azat Khan were walking home from school when police say a Cadillac SUV hit them and did not stop. Police do not have any leads to go on, and that is why the campaign is so important.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Athena Project Presents a Remount Production


Back By Popular Demand!

Athena Project is a professional group of artists dedicated to supporting and expanding women’s artistic contributions to the Denver stage and the wider community.

Athena Project envisions a world in which women’s voices are powerfully expressed and fully integrated into the creative life of every community. Athena Project’s mission is to empower women and strengthen the Denver community through developing and showcasing women’s and girls’ artistic contributions, while inviting new audiences into the creative process. Visit our website for more information www.athenaprojectfestival.org.

Adrienne Martin-Fullwood
Featuring the original cast and starring Russell Costen and Adrienne Martin-Fullwood, Tell Martha Not to Moan by Clinnesha D. Sibley is about the 40th Commemoration of the Detroit Riot. A series of memories unfold in a family home in Detroit, 2007, and takes us on a unique and personal journey with a devoted but desolate elderly couple. With compelling dialogue and complex relationships, Tell Martha Not to Moan is a glimpse into the changing world as viewed from an African American home and was the 1st World Premiere of Athena Project’s 2013 Arts Festival. It will be playing at the Fox Studio Theater July 5-21, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for Students/Seniors/Military Discount, and $18 for groups of 8 or more. You may purchase tickets online at www.athenaprojectfestival.org or contact the box office at 303-739-1970.

Founder & Executive Producer Angela Astle says, "We just can't leave the Patterson’s alone. Our 3 week run during the Athena Project Arts Festival 2013 was an overwhelming success. Many audience members wanted to bring friends and family back to see the show. So we've decided to remount it, exactly as it was before, at The Fox. In addition, as our annual fundraiser, we decided to do what we know how to do best. Put on a play."

Clinnesha D. Sibley is a published poet and award-winning playwright from McComb, Mississippi. Her plays have been presented for the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s Voices at the River Playwriting Residency, NYCPlaywrights Play of the Month Series, D.C. Black Theatre Festival, TheatreSquared’s Arkansas New Play Festival, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and Penumbra Theatre’s highly acclaimed Word(s)PLAY! Program. In 2009, she received the Key Woman Educator in Drama Award from the Iota Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society. In 2011,her play, Tell Martha Not to Moan, received the Holland New Voices Award at the Great Plains Theatre Conference, was a semifinalist in the 2012 Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. Her short play, Bound by Blood, is published in Black Magnolias Literary Journal 6.2. Clinnesha is an Assistant Professor of Drama at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Tell Martha Not to Moan
A series of memories unfold in a family home in Detroit, 2007

July 5 - 21

Thurs/Fri/Sat at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m.

$22 adults, $20 Students/Seniors/Military. Group Discount available

Tickets 303-739-1970 or online at www.athenaprojectfestival.org

Saturday, June 15, 2013

John Fogerty coming to The Fillmore Auditorium


JOHN FOGERTY’S NEW ALBUM ‘WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE’
ENTERS BILLBOARD TOP 200 ALBUMS CHART AT #3,
MARKING THE HIGHEST CHART DEBUT EVER IN HIS ENTIRE CAREER
FROM CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL THROUGH TODAY

Live Nation is pleased to announce that JOHN FOGERTY will perform at The Fillmore Auditorium on Tuesday, October 15.   Show time is 8:00 PM. Doors open at 7:00 PM

JOHN FOGERTY’s new album WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE has entered the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart at #3, selling 51,319 copies in its first week. This marks the Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s highest-debuting album of his career (including Creedence Clearwater Revival releases).  In addition, this is Fogerty’s highest charting record since 1985's Centerfield hit #1. One of rock’s most important artists and a national treasure who’s sold over 100 million albums, FOGERTY has also announced preliminary tour dates for the fall (see dates below).

Produced by FOGERTY, WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE is generating widespread praise and has received Rolling Stone magazine’s highest rating--a rare 5 stars--in a lead review in the current issue:

A celebration of FOGERTY’s iconic songbook, the album is a collection of 14 songs: 12 classics and deep tracks (Creedence Clearwater Revival and solo material) from his remarkable canon of hits recorded in collaboration with today’s biggest superstars from the country, pop and rock worlds, plus two brand new solo songs including the new single and video “Mystic Highway.” WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE was released by Vanguard Records on May 28, FOGERTY’s birthday, when he performed a sold-out, intimate one-night-only album release and birthday bash concert at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles that was broadcast live on AXS TV and also simulcast on legendary radio station KLOS (95.5fm in Los Angeles).

On the concert front, JOHN FOGERTY will be rockin’ all over the world in 2013 and 2014. The preliminary tour dates are below, with more to come soon.  In addition, FOGERTY has two festival sit-ins with Widespread Panic and Zac Brown Band.

WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE marks the singer, songwriter and guitarist’s ninth studio solo album since disbanding Creedence Clearwater Revival.  Mixed by Bob Clearmountain, it was recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville except for "Proud Mary" which was recorded in New Orleans with Allen Toussaint and the Rebirth Brass BandFOGERTY recorded “Fortunate Son” with Foo Fighters at their 606 studio using "the" legendary Neve recording console featured in the #1 iTunes documentary Sound City.

Early Critical Praise for WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE:

“The result is some of the best new music Fogerty has made since, well, Creedence. His singing is strong and engaged, even scalding when he goes up against Kid Rock in ‘Born on the Bayou,’ and the current state of Fogerty’s guitar playing is summed up in his shootout with country picker Brad Paisley in ‘Hot Rod Heart.’… “Looking back at these songs, in this company, has brought out a fire and nerve in Fogerty.  He sounds as renewed in these performances as the riffs and stories.” 
--David Fricke, ROLLING STONE June 6, 2013 (five star review)

"Fogerty and Foo Fighters muscle their way through the strafing guitar riffs of ‘Fortunate Son,’ he and Urban anticipate the joys of an impending weekend in ‘Almost Saturday Night.’ He meets the Zac Brown Band halfway between his own classic swamp rock and their Southern boogie groove for a bouncy revision of ‘Bad Moon Rising,’ and delves into the latent spirituality of the stately title track with Miranda Lambert, for which Fogerty delegated guitar solo duties to Rage Against the Machine/the Nightwatchman guitarist Tom Morello."
--Randy Lewis, LOS ANGELES TIMES, May 28, 2013

“…listening to the songs on John Fogerty's Wrote a Song For Everyone will be like reacquainting with old friends, their wisdom and vitality still exhilarating after all these years…the results rock. Highlights include a thunderous performance of ‘Fortunate Son’ featuring the Foo Fighters and Fogerty sound-alike Dave Grohl; the 1997 obscurity ‘Hot Rod Heart,’ with Brad Paisley revving up his guitar; and a rollicking ‘Proud Mary,’ reclaimed from marching band songbooks everywhere by Jennifer Hudson, Allen Toussaint and the Rebirth Brass Band.  Fogerty himself remains a mighty singer, and shows he hasn't lost his knack as a songwriter either. Two new tunes fit right in, which is impressive given such distinguished company.”
--Steven Wine, ASSOCIATED PRESS, May 28, 2013


About John Fogerty:
John Fogerty--singer, songwriter and guitarist--has sold over 100 million records, earning 18 Gold Albums and 10 Platinum Albums. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, won the Grammy Award for his album Blue Moon Swamp in 1997 and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. He is also a BMI Icon Award Winner.  In addition, Fogerty and his #1 phenomenal recording “Centerfield” were honored during the 2010 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies--the first time the National Baseball Hall of Fame has immortalized a musician or song as part of the annual ceremonies.  He’s also called the “Father of the Flannel Shirt.”
               
TICKETS GO ON SALE SATURDAY, JUNE 15 @ 10:00 AM
at the Fillmore Auditorium Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or call 800 – 745 - 3000

Tickets are $49.50 GA plus applicable service charges.

The Fillmore box office is open Monday - Friday from 12:00 Noon - 6:00pm & Saturdays from 10:00am - 2:00pm.  On days of Fillmore shows, the box office is open from 12:00 Noon – 9:00pm. 
The box office accepts cash, MasterCard, Visa and American Express – No checks!  Service charges may apply. 

THE FILLMORE AUDITORIUM IS LOCATED AT 1510 CLARKSON ST. AT COLFAX.                             
CONNECT WITH US ON THE WEB
www.livenation.com  / www.facebook.com/LiveNationCO  /   www.twitter.com/livenationco 
 Ages 16+

Friday, June 14, 2013

Scene on Colfax: Mike Peters

Mike Peters of The Alarm/ Big Country and co-founder of Love Hope Strength was at their Denver office (4956 Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO, 80220) today. Catch him tonight at Marquis Theatre and tomorrow at Vail Rocks 2013! Too cool!!!

R.I.P. Guitarist Johnny Smith

The man who wrote the surf guitar anthem "Walk, Don't Run" has died. Guitarist Johnny Smith died Tuesday night at his Colorado home of natural causes. He would have been 91 years old on June 25. Here is a flyer from one of his gigs at the Bandbox on Colfax Avenue back in the day. R.I.P. Johnny!


Thursday, June 13, 2013

New B-Cycle Stations on Colfax

There are two new B-cycle stations on Colfax! One at Steele (north side) and one at Gaylord (south side).

B-Cycle at Colfax & Steele
B-Cycle at Colfax & Steele
B-cycle at Colfax & Gaylord
B-Cycle at Colfax & Gaylord



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Aurora Arts Festival coming June 29th


Mark your calendar! The Aurora Arts Festival, Saturday June 29th from Noon-5! Kids art activities, live music, food trucks, beer garden, live theater and free dance classes! Come PLAY in the Aurora Cultural Arts District!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Aurora Fox Children’s Theatre presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Aurora, CO – The Aurora Fox Little Foxes Children’s Theatre presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
(adapted by Richard R. George based on the book by Roald Dahl). Performance dates are June 11 – June 27, 2013. (Tues/Weds/Thurs/Fri at 10:00 a.m. & Mon/Weds/Sat at 1:00 p.m.). Tickets are $7 for general
admission and $5.00 for groups of 10 or more. Seating is limited, so advance reservations are strongly
suggested. Call 303‐739‐1970 to make reservations.

 About the Show: The mysterious Willy Wonka is opening his Chocolate Factory for just one day and only five children will be let inside! When Charlie Bucket discovers his lucky golden ticket to take the factory tour, he is swept into a fantastic adventure discovering sweets beyond his wildest imagination! All of your favorite Roald Dahl characters come to life onstage including Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde, Veruca Salt, TV Mike, Grandpa George, Grandma Georgina, Willy Wonka and Charlie himself!

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Colfax History: East 70 Drive-In

The old East 70 Drive-In Theatre once located at 12800 E. Colfax in Aurora was torn down sometime during the mid '90's. The new Springhill Suites Hotel now occupies part of the site, across from the new Children's Hospital in Aurora.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Tracy Weil interviewed about Aurora Cultural Arts District


Learn more about the Aurora Cultural Arts District (ACAD) and their future plans in this interview with their new, dynamic managing director, Tracy Weil!

Friday, June 7, 2013

MarchFourth Marching Band at the Bluebird Tonight!!


Drink & Be Rosy Wine Tasting This Weekend

MOD LIVIN’ AND FAIRFAX WINE & SPIRITS PRESENT:
DRINK & BE ROSY

An Evening Tasting of Over 20 Rosé Wines to Benefit The Andre Center


Mod Livin' Modern Furniture (www.modlivin.com), the Denver-based purveyor of modern and mid-century modern home furnishings and accessories, announced their first-time event with  Fairfax Wine & Spirits https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fairfax-Wine-and-Spirits-at-Marczyk/246370695386150, Drink & Be Rosy, an evening tasting of over 20 varieties of rosĂ© and wonderful giveaways to benefit Denver's Andre Center.  
When: Saturday, June 8th, from 6:30PM to 8:30PM
Where: Mod Livin', 5327 E. Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
What: Over 20 rosés to taste. Fairfax Wine & Spirits is one of Denver top sellers of rosé wines.
How much: Free! A $25 donation is suggested for the Andre Center.
Other: Andre Center for Breast Cancer Education and Navigation was recognized in 2012 by Open Media Foundation in Denver and selected for their Independent Voice Web Award.  In 2007 and 2008 the founder Sandra Walters was nationally recognized by Yoplait/Susan G Komen/Self Magazine as well as Nursing Spectrum Magazine for the Andre Center's grass roots community outreach efforts." Go to www.andrecenter.com to learn more. The evening will also include giveaways from Solera Restaurant, MCA Denver, Marczyk, and Mod Livin'.

303 Boards Skate Lessons for Kids


Thursday, June 6, 2013

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

New "Saison de Colfax" Beer

Wynkoop Brewing Company has just released a special beer brewed in conjunction with James & Tina Pachorek and their Cheeky Monk Belgian Beer Cafés in Denver.
     The result of nine months of discussions and three months of experimentation, Saison de Colfax is now on tap at the Denver-area Cheeky Monk locations (534 East Colfax Avenue in central Denver and 14694 Orchard Pkwy, suite #700 in Westminster, CO), and the company’s sister bar, Royal Hilltop in Aurora, CO.
     It’s also on tap at Wynkoop Brewing Company.
Saison de Colfax features the wondrous gifts one expects to find in a saison: vibrant tropical, candy and pepper-spice aromas and flavors in a refreshing Belgian beer.
     But these typical saison gifts arrive with a tan head and a very subtle chocolate/cocoa note, in an almost opaque beer with a deep brownish-black color.
     “I really enjoy dark Belgian beers,” says James Pachorek. “So when Wynkoop offered to brew a beer for us while we work on our new brewery, that’s what I wanted to make. We wanted something unexpected to keep people on their toes, that pushes the limits of what a ‘dark’ beer could be.”
     To create the beer, the Pachoreks and marketing director Dona Dalton met with Wynkoop head brewer Andy Brown and Marty Jones to brainstorm target flavors for the finished beer.
After collectively deciding on a dark saison style, Brown fermented growlers of a dark wort with six different saison yeast strains. For further research, each of the wort/yeast combinations was fermented at two different temperatures, to gauge the impact of temperature on the yeast’s character.
     The group decided on a French style of saison yeast. To get a richly colored beer that didn’t taste “dark,” Brown used a roasted wheat malt to provide the beer’s dark hue. The beer was also made with two-row malt, flaked oats and specialty malts.
     To accentuate the beer’s yeast character and further brighten up Saison de Colfax, Wynkoop used Saphir and Sorachi Ace hops in the beer.
     “The goal,” Brown says, “was to create a saison that, if you drank it with your eyes closed, you wouldn’t think it was a dark beer.”
     “I think people will find it surprisingly refreshing,” Pachorek says, “and they’ll find that it’s okay to have something dark when it’s above 70 degrees!”
     Equally appealing for Pachorek is that the project enabled him to get a fresh, local beer made with his input while he and his staff build their Lost Highway Brewing Company. (The brewery is scheduled to open in August.)
     The project has other merits for Pachorek. “It connects two local Colorado beer outfits and shows what we can do together,” he says. “Plus it was really fun to get our hands in the process and create something fun and original with our friends.”
     The beer’s name refers to Colfax Avenue, the 26-mile “longest main street in America,” on which the Denver Cheeky Monk location is located. The company’s Lost Highway brewery name also pays tribute to Colfax Avenue (and one of Hank Williams’ best songs).
     Colfax Avenue stretches from Golden,Colorado, east through the Denver metro area and out to the eastern plains of Colorado.
     “Colfax Avenue,” Marty Jones says, “is home to the state capitol, great neighborhoods and Colorado landmarks, and the seedier, scruffier parts of the Denver metro area. The beer’s name is a nod to the dark side of Colfax and the edge and allure that comes with it, and the ever-improving and surprisingly welcoming parts of Colfax, too.”
     For more information on the Cheeky Monk contact Dona Dalton at 303.579.1433 or ddalton@thecheekymonk.com. Or go to www.thecheekymonk.com.
     For details on the beer, photos, samples and other info contact Marty Jones at 303-860-7448 (home office), 720-289-9345 (cell) or marty@wynkoop.com or martysjones@att.net .

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Civic Center EATS

Most Tues. & Thurs., June - Sept. 2013

Denver's favorite summer lunch tradition returns! Delicious food, fresh air, gorgeous views, live music and a great cause... The eighth-annual Civic Center EATS Outdoor Café will return on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 4 through September 26, 2013 (excluding July 4, August 29 and September 3).

An incredible venue in which to experience Denver's growing gourmet food truck scene, a portion of the proceeds benefit the Civic Center Conservancy, the nonprofit dedicated to restoring, enhancing and activating Denver’s historic Civic Center Park. Civic Center EATS provides an opportunity for downtown employees, residents, and visitors to experience the beauty of Civic Center, enjoy a delicious outdoor lunch, listen to live music and connect with the community. Shaded tables and an on-site ATM are provided.

Civic Center EATS is presented by the Civic Center Conservancy and produced by Hobnob Events with support from our generous community sponsors: BP America, Denver Community Credit Union, Pioneer Natural Resources, Denver Parks and Recreation; The Denver Post Community; Noble Energy, Sherman & Howard, SM Energy, Southwest Airlines, Building Restoration Specialties, Inc.; Callahan Capital Partners, Hogan Lovells, JE Dunn Construction, and Frequent Pass

Monday, June 3, 2013

Everything Recycled Art Market

Lakewood's INSPIRE programming kicks off this week, and 40 West Arts is pleased to highlight the Recycled Art Market.

Come discover how green your art collection can be at the first annual Recycled Art Show in Denver on June 8th and 9th. Over 25 recycled artists from the region will be there. The Recycled Art movement has been really taking off in recent years, and offers infinite expressions and remarkable creativity to repurpose old into new and beautiful.

The Everything Recycled Art Market will be held at 7175 W. 16th Avenue, just a block from Colfax, at Teller. $5 admission. There will also be food vendors there. Saturday June 8th, 10am to 6pm. Sunday June 9th, 10am to 4pm.

The "Trash Fashion" show will be held at the 40 West Arts Gallery/EDGE theater stage at 1560 Teller at 1pm on Saturday, June 8th. All ages welcome and awards will be given by age group. $5 admission.

www.EverythingRecycledArtMarket.com

In addition to this art market, there will be an art exhibit at 40 West Gallery 1560 Teller and a range of other activities june 7-11 in the West Colfax Corridor.

http://www.40westarts.org/Inspire.html


Sunday, June 2, 2013

East Colfax Commercial Space for Lease

826 Sq. Foot Commercial Space for lease at 5345 E. Colfax Avenue. July 1st availability. Call Dave Lloyd at (303) 489-3916.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

New Irish Pub, Ice Cream Parlor on East Colfax

$1.2 Million Investment; 28 New Jobs in Growing Elm District

Denver, Co—Four long-time area residents are creating new neighborhood hot spots on Colfax and Filbert Court, across the street from Marczyk Fine Foods.

It all started when Park Hill investor John Bachman scooped up the 20,000 square foot site with two buildings shortly after the holidays.

“There’s a real demand for neighborhood services around Colfax, and I’d been looking for a building to renovate,” he says. “I wanted to work with locally owned businesses and there was a lot of interest right away.”  

That’s when Andrew Cudden (Park Hill) and Glen Eastwood (West City Park), saw the first “for lease” sign and knew it would be home to their long-planned Irish pub. Cudden owns Emerald Isle Painting, a successful 15 year-old business, and Eastwood managed the popular Fado’s Irish Pub in LoDo. The new 3,000-square-foot Abbey Tavern will open late this fall with a full bar, fresh grill menu and outdoor patio.

“This will be a welcoming, family-friendly neighborhood pub,” says Cudden. “We know the neighborhood and look forward to serving folks.” 

Next, Bachman marketed a former 1,500-square-foot check cashing business and Park Hill resident Chris O’Sullivan pounced. O’Sullivan and his brother Nick own Brother’s BBQ and they plan to open an old fashioned ice cream parlor in the space in early 2014.

“I drove by that spot for 12 years thinking about an ice cream shop, and suddenly it all fell into place,” O’Sullivan says.

Nuggs Ice Cream will feature homemade ice cream, floats, sundaes, banana splits, pints for sale—all from local Colorado ingredients. O’Sullivan is making sure that everyone is welcome, with bicycle racks, dog hooks and an outdoor patio.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with this development,” says Hilarie Portell, executive director of the Fax Partnership. “All of these owners have a vested interest in Colfax and creating authentic neighborhood gathering places. This was the number one thing people wanted when surveyed last year.”

The new businesses also strengthen the mix in the Elm District, a growing neighborhood hub near Elm Street and Colfax. The area now includes the Cork House, Amsterdam Coffee Lounge, Pangaea Salon, Sol Vida Dance, Marczyk’s Fine Foods, Fairfax Wines, The Elm Restaurant, Jet Asian Grill and the Africana CafĂ©.

Collectively, the new owners are investing approximately $1.2 million in property acquisition and renovations. They’ll create 28 new jobs. In the past several years, Elm District property and business owners have invested approximately $8.75 million in other improvements.

The Fax Partnership is a non-profit organization that connects people, place, and new investment to revitalize Colfax Avenue from Colorado Boulevard to Yosemite Street. The Partnership works closely with the City of Denver on business attraction and retention, district marketing, redevelopment, crime prevention and neighborhood outreach.   For more information and to register for The Fax Partnership’s monthly e-newsletter, visit www.thefaxdenver.com.