Oceania

Ryan McPhun of the Ruby Suns on being totally obsessed with Nirvana as a 'tweenager

The Ruby Suns is the brain child of Ryan McPhun, whose New Zealander ancestry lead him to the land of his father before he joined his first actual band. Before that, he had played along to Nirvana in his parents' garage. That experience, coupled with what he learned as a member of the Brunettes and ... More >>

Four top wine trends for 2013

Welcome to 2013 and the next year of your wine-drinking life. Over the past twelve months we saw a slew of clever new wine concepts worth trying, and a whole lotta wine-related WTFs to studiously avoid. All the while we watched and waited, eyes peeled for signs of the wine-related developments that ... More >>

Smashing Pumpkins at 1STBANK, 10/16/12

SMASHING PUMPKINS @ 1STBANK CENTER | 10/16/12 "So, for those of you who are insiders into our multifaceted world, you know that we're playing our album first tonight, Oceania," Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan told the crowd at 1STBANK Center on Tuesday night. "And then, if I'm in the mood.. ... More >>

Ken Kodys wins the 42Below Cocktail World Cup

Bartender Ken Kodys left Colorado on September 3 for the 42Below Cocktail World Cup in New Zealand with one mission... to bring a third title back home. The bartending competition is our craft's version of the Olympics, in which 21 of the world's best bartenders representing six countries (and one a ... More >>

Four fall-worthy red wines to fall in love with

What makes a red wine fall -- or should we say, fall in love -- worthy? Given the record-setting quantities of rosé we consumed over the past few months, you might assume that getting us to loosen our death grip on pink wines would equal a Herculean feat.

Ken Kodys goes for the gold in the Cocktail World Cup

Ken Kodys is a beast -- and I mean that in the most complimentary way. No, I'm not referring to his size, although he is a large man at 6'6". I mean that creatively he is a beast, and a stone-cold killer in cocktail competitions. Ken is also one of the most energetic bartenders I have ever met. He h ... More >>

Readers debate: Does gun control cause crime to rise?

Sam Levin's interview with Denver mayor Michael Hancock, who said he won't use the Aurora theater shooting to push for gun control, led a number of readers to discuss whether bans and prohibitions make us safer or less at risk. Below is a conversation in which both parties use facts and figures to b ... More >>

It's a Kick

Four essential terms every wine lover needs to know, demystified

Wine -- just like every sport, art form, hobby or leisure pursuit -- has a language all its own. And while someone just learning to cook would likely realize that the intimidating task of understanding what terms like "sauté" or "chiffonade" mean is simply another step in that process, why is it th ... More >>

Weekend's best nightlife: DJ Ishe, Donald Glaude, DJ Raw Sugar, Tim Green and more

See Also: - Mile High Soul Club keeps the Meadowlark sweaty with classic Motown and soul - Denver's Ten Best Dance Clubs - Grizzly Rock grand opening this Saturday Denver always brags about its dance music scene, and with good reason. We have the best producers in the country working around the clo ... More >>

Ruban Nielson of Unknown Mortal Orchestra: "My musical career is like one big ticky tour"

Unknown Mortal Orchestra (due Friday, March 16 at the Gothic Theatre) is based on Portland, Oregon. The band's frontman, Ruban Nielson, however, spent nearly a decade in punk band the Mint Chicks while based out of Auckland, New Zealand. After a few records on the legendary Flying Nun label, Nielson ... More >>

Around the World in 80 Sips at Mile High Station

​What can you expect from an event called Around the World in 80 Sips? Wine, of course, from all around the globe, including vintages from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, France, New Zealand, Spain and the United States. Tonight's event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. (starting at 6 p.m. for VIPs) ... More >>

Pendulum, August 10 at Beta

Empire of the Sun

Thursday, July 14, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 303-830-8497.

Four zesty New Zealand sauvignon blancs to sip while you wait for summer

​While the arrival of summer is mere weeks away, it's been too damned cold here to think about any of the best springtime wines, never mind all the fantastic rosé that's piling up on liquor and wine shop shelves around town. But while it's still chilly outside, in our hearts and minds we're a ... More >>

Global Dance Festival expands to three days

​It just keeps growing: Last year, the annual Global Dance Festival expanded from one rave-tastic night at Red Rocks to two -- and the Triad Dragons have just announced a third GDF night at the premier outdoor concert venue in the country. Headlining will be Australia's Empire of the Sun, an e ... More >>

Stallion semen: better than Red Bull?

A Flickr PhotoSaddle up​Need a quick pick-me-up? Skip the Red Bull; how about a shot of stallion semen instead?

Tonight: Elderton Wines Australian Wine Dinner at Pesce Fresco

​Pesce Fresco, 6600 South Quebec Street in Englewood, will host the Elderton Wines Australian Wine Dinner, featuring five courses paired with wines from the Barossa Valley of Australia. The meal starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $45; for more information, call 303-290-9705 or go to www.pescefresco ... More >>

Today in Stoke: Nature Valley Ski Big Air Challenge at Denver Big Air

​The 100-foot launch tower erected in Civic Center Park for the Denver Big Air competition will see its first official action today at 5 p.m. (doors open at 3:30 p.m.) for the Nature Valley Ski Big Air challenge, a Battle of the Brands format that will pit the ski teams from Icelantic, Line Sk ... More >>

Pinot Posse wines spark Old World vs. New World debate

​Last week's post featuring the wines of the Pinot Posse sparked much debate over the respective merits and flaws of modern, new world-style pinot noir. At one end of the table, we had the new world wine lovers, who revel in bottles bursting with ripe, mouthwateringly juicy fruit, and (though ... More >>

Crocodiles

Saturday, January 22, Larimer Lounge, 303-291-1007.

Stupid ad of the week: Sky TV's maniacal mower lady

Mower rampage!​While most television commercials pander to humanity's desire for love, affection and acceptance, some ads go straight for our most primal instinct -- that is, to employ a lawn mower for transportation to wonderful far-off climes in search of our 'happy place,' while carelessly ... More >>

Scratching the Surface: Antiserum, December 4 at Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom

Diocletian

Tuesday, December 7, Blast-O-Mat, www.myspace.com/blastomat.

Tame Impala

Saturday, December 4, Bluebird Theater, 303-830-8497.

U.S. gov gets tough on cigarette labels, but not really

Halloween, fun!​When it comes to advertising that is geared to deter someone from something, the most effective -- and most often chosen -- tactic is to use images that scare the shit out of any would-be buyers or doers. This is often seen in political ads and AIDS awareness ads, and now it is ... More >>

Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill strips down on South University

​Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill has moved into the former home of University Sports Grill at 2442 South University Boulevard, near the University of Denver campus. This is the latest link in a Texas-based chain that got its start in 2001, when founder Doug Guller was on a much-needed vacation in ... More >>

Five stellar New Zealand reds under $20

​New Zealand produces some damn fine wines, and it's high time you started drinking them. Surely by now you've consumed more than your fair share of Australian red wines, right? Plenty of big, fleshy shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot, each of which bears the telltale signs of an Aussie s ... More >>

Next year's Great American Beer Festival will welcome U.S. territories

​The organizers of the Great American Beer Festival will make two changes for next year's big show, which will mark the thirtieth anniversary of world's largest commercial beer extravaganza. For starters, GABF -- which drew 49,000 attendees and 3,523 different beers -- will return to a later ... More >>

The Shoe Must Go On

Pavement's Bob Nastanovich on reunion tours, the Fall and dealing with inner-band conflicts

Tarina Westlund​Pavement is among the most influential rock bands of the '90s, despite not quite becoming a household name, and you can hear the band's influence in virtually all underground rock since then, from the slightly off-center rhythms, the jagged but melodic guitar riffs and the fasc ... More >>

ROCK IT OUT

Updating the soundtrack to On the Beach

​If you haven't seen the 1959 film On The Beach, you might want to tune out now before we spoil anything. It's a post-apocalyptic emotion-drain that chronicles the last days of humanity in a painstakingly slow manner -- which is to say it's a bit slow in the hips but fast in the brain. Anyw ... More >>

"Chill in my Vein" will chill your brain, possibly fatally

​The Internet is full of amateur musicians with big aspirations. The talented ones can be truly inspiring and occasionally even rise to superstardom (hello, Justin Bieber!). The less-talented ... well, they are awesome in their own, special way and the very best/worst of them become famous in ... More >>

Tonight: South of the Equator white wine tasting

​As the northern hemisphere tilts toward the sun during this season, the increased heat and humidity (what there is of it in Colorado, anyway) tends to drive oenophiles away from the full-bodied reds and toward the lighter, crisper whites. South of the equator, it's wintertime, but that's no r ... More >>

Astronautalis on over-the-top comparisons, hip-hop's progression and fans "getting it"

​Andy Bothwell, aka. Astronautalis, has oft times been labeled as the Tom Waits or Hunter S. Thompson of underground hip-hop. Like many others in his position, he began honing his skills in high school, battling on corners while climbing rank amongst industry-friendly peers. His unhurried and ... More >>

DJ Nutmeg returns to Denver and resumes Lawnchair Lounge residency

​Speaking of getting back after it: If you haven't heard yet, DJ Nutmeg -- crowned Best DJ by us in 2004, who picked up stakes and moved to Hawaii the following year -- is back in town, and duder has wasted no time getting back into the, uh, mix. Tonight at the, ahem, Mix Music Lounge (see w ... More >>

Nice Nice

Sunday, May 23, hi-dive, 720-570-4500.

Yo, mates! Australian Noosa Yoghurt is now available in a store near you

​ Boulder-based Noosa Yoghurt (Don't forget that "h" -- It's an Australian thing.), formerly just available for home delivery via Morning Fresh Dairy in Bellvue, has been gradually unveiling its Australian-style yogurt (typically denser and sweeter than typical yogurt) across the state and els ... More >>

Swirl Girl: Five perfect spring party wines

​As the weather finally starts to warm up, invitations to springtime parties are sure to arrive in your mailbox (or inbox, as it were). A thoughtful guest will always inquire as to what they might bring as a thank-you for being invited; a lovely bottle of wine is a no-fail option. If you're t ... More >>

Ouch! Pasta Bible calls for "freshly ground black people"

Black pepper, not people.​The Pasta Bible, a new Aussie cookbook published by Penguin Group Australia, has sinned. In a big way. The proofreader made a "silly mistake," explained Bob Sessions, head of the publishing group. The recipe for tagliatelle with sardines and prosciutto was supposed ... More >>

Robbie Rivera at Beta

Missy Higgins

Resource Madness

A local fest showcases native stories.

Aussie Tale

Ten Canoes tells an age-old story.

World Flavor

Drink of the Week

Passionfruit Cosmo

Flick Pick

Oscar Shorts 2005

Tea Time

Finding a good cuppa gets colder in Boulder.