Getting Off the Street

Anthony Garcia lived in Globeville for 25 years before recently moving on, but as director of the Birdseed Collective, a grassroots group promoting neighborhood unity through the arts, he hasn't left the community behind. And for the last three years, one of his favorite Globeville projects has been Street Kidz...

By Susan Froyd

September 5, 2013

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Anthony Garcia lived in Globeville for 25 years before recently moving on, but as director of the Birdseed Collective, a grassroots group promoting neighborhood unity through the arts, he hasn't left the community behind. And for the last three years, one of his favorite Globeville projects has been Street Kidz Inc., a community-based, privately funded youth center housed at the former site of a city-run center that closed, leaving kids cut off from other centers by urban barriers, with no place to go. Birdseed became involved by providing arts programming, which started out limited to occasional art classes, but has begun to branch out. "We're just trying to get kids in the door," says Garcia. "We want to offer classes in fashion and music for girls — just a lot of smaller programs that give them options other than one art class once a week." That costs money, and in hopes of raising cash for supplies, art materials and teachers, Garcia and partners from Rakun and Unit E are throwing Fashion Smash Exdo, an annual fashion affair on September 21 at the Exdo Event Center.

But tonight, they'll be taking advantage of First Friday crowds in the Art District on Santa Fe by holding a meet-and-greet to raise awareness of Street Kidz. Beginning at 6 p.m. at Rakun, 1147 Santa Fe Drive, there will be free live music, a raffle and vegan grub on the grill, as well as an informal sneak-peek fashion show with many of the designers present. And if you like what you see, you'll be able to take advantage of an $8 Fashion Smash presale ticket deal (after tonight, tickets will be $10 in advance and $15 at the door). Such a bargain. Visit facebook.com/events/444570618983390 for information; Fashion Smash details are forthcoming.
Fri., Sept. 6, 6 p.m., 2013

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Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

Contact: Susan Froyd

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