Copy Cats

Why are so many fun things illegal? Are authorities just enemies of good times and public play, or is there something inherently pleasurable about pushing against prohibition? Or, as unruly teen Ren McCormack questioned in 1984's Footloose, "You really can't dance here, man? I can't believe that."

But while Kevin Bacon's sweaty style of "boppin'" might be aboveboard in Denver, promoters Doug Bohm and Adam Zimerli know that great dance parties almost always strut the legal line. Illicit inspiration comes in the form of Illegal Fun 101, an audiovisual celebration of copyright infringement and illegal culture taking over tonight at Bender's Tavern, 314 East 13th Avenue.

The concept of the mash-up is the key principle: DJs Musa, Deft and Soup will electronically mate old and new songs for bastardized results, and a version of 1971's Vanishing Point, "mixed, chopped and screwed" by Zimerli and Bohm, will play alongside visual enhancements by AVJ Gabe and Sucka VJ. Local indie boutiques will coalesce for a "smash fashion" show, while graffiti-style shenanigans by members of the EHF Collective, RTD crew and other street artists fill in the background. Sounds like fun. Doors open at 9 p.m.; cover is $10. For more info, go to www.myspace.com/illegalfun.
Sat., July 14, 9 p.m.