For the past three months, Metropolitan State College's Social Action Through Art class has been studying urban arts, including graffiti and hip-hop culture. "We even had some breakdance instructors come in," remembers student Nicole Aragon. "It was quite the experience. It was a lot of fun, but I don't have rhythm to save my life."
Still, the exercise hasn't been all academic. This weekend, as part of the class mission to "encourage mutual understanding between communities that might not normally interrelate with each other," students will take what they've learned off the streets and share it with a wider audience. And there's a lot to say about hip-hop, the topic that teacher Linda Airsman chose for this year's study.
"We're trying to bring it more to the forefront, to open people's eyes," Aragon says. "We have gone through the history of graffiti and the history of hip-hop, how it came out of jazz and how it's evolved from the '70s in the Bronx. Now there are all different kinds of hip-hop, including funny and gangster."
The students have organized two events to celebrate not just hip-hop, but youth culture in general. Today from 5:30 to 10 p.m., the class is inviting the entire city to Get Moved by the Experience, a community showcase and dialogue on urban arts at the Art Students League of Denver (200 Grant Street). Admission is free, and classmates hope the discussion will be equally free-ranging.
Tomorrow, Experience the Movement when the urban-arts lineup gets more expansive -- and slightly more expensive, with a $10 suggested donation going to Denver youth organizations. The evening, which gets under way at 6 p.m. at 2162 Market Street, includes both an exhibit and performances of urban art forms.
Finding the artists and performers provided another lesson in alternative forms of communication. "A lot of people in the class have friends and got the word out," Aragon explains. "We passed out fliers and went on the Internet, just trying to get people to be excited about it and come together."
It all comes together now, with a message that society overlooks at its own peril. "To ignore the expression of our young people is to ignore them," the students warn. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail [email protected]. -- Patricia Calhoun
Mobilizing Merry
SUN, 12/5
If your Christmas tree leans a little to the left, Breakdown Book Collective's Holiday Bazaar has enough guerrilla goods and clever contraband to stuff your stockings full. "This isn't your Midwestern grandma's holiday craft bazaar -- even if she is cool," notes Breakdown's Courtney Kallas. "This is the perfect spot to pick up some revolutionary, anti-capitalist gifts."
Although the two-year-old community-supported collective will be packed with radical reads, Zapatista- grown coffee, handcrafted clothing and homebrew, Kallas says the anti-establishment expo is not just another moneymaking market. "When you buy something at the Holiday Bazaar, it will be much more than an economic exchange; it will be an opportunity to build community and educate yourself in the endless possibilities of doing things yourself."
The bizarre bazaar begins today at 3 p.m. at Breakdown, 1409 Ogden Street. Call 303-832-7952 or visit www.breakdowncollective.org. -- Kity Ironton
CHAC Mercado Shines
FRI, 12/3
The Chicano Humanities and Arts Council's acronym is CHAC, the name of the Mayan rain god, which, explains the co-op's Jerry Vigil, reflects the council's aim to "bring new, fresh life to the Chicano and Denver communities through the arts." That's part of the inspiration behind this year's Luminarias de la Guadalupe & Christmas Mercado (Lights of Guadalupe & Christmas Store), a holiday market of artwork and gifts created by CHAC artists. The sale begins tonight and runs through December 18 at CHAC, 772 Santa Fe Drive.
Also on the roster are book readings and signings by local authors and artists Tony Ortega and George Rivera (2 p.m. December 4); Ruben Archuleta (6 p.m. December 10); and Geraldina Lawson and Lucy Tellez (2 p.m. December 11). The majority of the Mercado's proceeds will be used to fund CHAC's community education and outreach projects. For information, go to www.chacweb.org. -- Caroline Bankoff
Kindest Cuts
Thirteenth Avenue Action Squad is stylin'
SUN, 12/5
The Thirteenth Avenue Action Squad is giving Denver a style makeover. Starting at 11 a.m. today, the Moxie Hair Company (200 East 13th Avenue) will snip, shear and chop for charity. Shaggy patrons can drop by any time before 6 p.m. for a complimentary haircut -- whether it's a trim or a full-on transformation -- in exchange for donating cash, clothes, toys or books to Cerebral Palsy of Colorado's children's programs.
"The owner, Felipe Perez, wanted the junior stylists and apprentice stylists to do something for the community," explains apprentice Aja Edelstein, who organized the event. "We wanted to do something for children, and we thought about Children's Hospital. But so many people do Children's Hospital that they are very well funded. A lot of the families Cerebral Palsy of Colorado works with are destitute financially, and so for the holidays, they ask for things like laundry detergent and shampoo. I thought that was so sad: They live in America and can't afford laundry soap."
After getting glammed, the newly shorn can head up the block for a day of personal pampering or holiday shopping. T.S. Board Shops, iMi Jimi, Soul Haus and Penn Street Perk are offering 10-percent discounts to those who made a donation.
"Eventually we would like other shops and salons to get involved so it becomes a big thing in the city," Edelstein says.
One razor cut at a time.
For information, call 303-832-6694. -- Amy Haimerl
Hearty Art
Teller gets a boost
FRI, 12/3
This First Friday, take a detour up East Colfax Avenue. Though not exactly a gallery row like those of Santa Fe Drive, the Golden Triangle or Tennyson Street, the shops and neighbors along Colfax between St. Paul and Cook streets have organized an art walk featuring some budding artists near and dear to them: the kids of Teller Elementary School.
The students have been working diligently on Latin American-themed artwork, and each child in the K-5 school will have one of his or her pieces hanging in a business along the strip, including ArmAzem, Spirit Ways, ism gallery, the Goosetown Tavern, GoodFriends Restaurant, Twisted Witz, Hwy. 40, Red Door Resale, Yoga Source, Cafe Star, Mezcal, Hair Spray, Barb's Flower Market, Atomic Cowboy and Tiger Kim's. But while you can look, you can't touch: The artwork isn't for sale. However, donation boxes will be set out to support Teller teacher Marla Tomber's art classes.
The festivities begin at 5 p.m. tonight and go until 8, with official proclamations from Denver City Council colleagues Elbra Wedgeworth and Jeanne Robb at 6.
The student artwork hangs through Saturday; for more information, contact Craig Thomas at ism gallery, 303-322-6460. -- Amy Haimerl
