SK8 ART Benefit Show Honors Three Local Families

This holiday season, artists and skaters are coming together at the SK8 Art Benefit Show to support the children of three recently deceased community figures.

The three local figures at the heart of the event — Amanda Massey, Tommy Borrero and Johnny Crow — are survived by five adventurous children, each doing their best to grow up despite their loss. Massey was a server at Mezcal and an avid local music fan, Tommy Borrero was a Goosetown Tavern doorman and longtime DJ, and Johnny Crow was a well-known musician and member of Reno Divorce, as well as a skater. Each contributed to the local music, skate or art scenes and service industry in unique and lasting ways before their untimely deaths. In the spirit of what these three individuals were passionate about, a surviving mutual friend is combining all of their favorite things — skateboarding, art, fashion and live music —  to support the kids they loved most.

As their families and memories live on, the Denver community has an opportunity to show appreciation and tangible support on Sunday, December 22, at HQ during an afternoon of live music, skateboard art, fashion and fundraising.
The event's organizer, Robert Crawford, is a service industry professional who now works at Mission Ballroom and Levitt Pavilion. Crawford worked with all three of the deceased and even taught Crow how to skateboard in his youth. He officiated two of the funerals and continues to build relationships with the trio's surviving children. The passion that Crow and Crawford shared for skateboarding now lives on in Crow's children, whom Crawford recently started giving skateboard lessons. During a recent lesson, Crow's son was quick to ask Crawford about his late father.

"He said, 'You knew my dad? What was his name?' He didn't quite believe me, and I realized he might not remember what happened at the services and who his dad's friends were," explains Crawford. This realization manifested into plans to show these kids some of the best pieces of who their parents were and what they loved. Once Crawford had the blessing from surviving adult family members, he began reaching out to artists and friends about holding an event.

"I've always had this aim to get these families together so people can share stories and the legacy that their parents left behind on the Denver community and celebrate that going forward," he says, "so the kids could see this side of their parents through us."
Time spent with the late parents working at Mezcal or Goosetown Tavern helped Crawford develop relationships that continue today. As life threw difficulties and joy at Massey, Borrero and Crow in unique ways, Crawford was a supportive friend and co-worker. Although the service industry has many ups and downs, friendships and community run deep within the Denver food scene.

"It's a real bonding situation. I've made so many lifelong friends," emphasizes Crawford. Ultimately, the SK8 Art Benefit is a celebration of three lives that were deeply intertwined with the local community and the ways they can be remembered.

Thanks to donations from Equilibrium Clothing, 303 Boards, the Oriental Theater and Levitt Pavilion, there will be decorated skateboards and a snowboard that can be won in a raffle, while clothes and gift certificates from Chain Reaction Records, Black Sky, Black & Read, Levitt Pavilion, HQ and more will be part of the not-so-silent auction. All proceeds will go to the families of Massey, Borrero and Crow.

Hosted by HQ, the all-ages event will include a local music showcase with the Temper Tantrums, a Three Amigos Vinyl DJ set and a secret, special-guest performance. A runway show by Equilibrium Clothing will highlight clothes that attendees can bid on and give some of the beneficiaries an opportunity to walk the runway. 

Despite the heavy feelings of grief and loss shared within the community, Crawford is excited to spread joy and art through this event.

"It's going to be rowdy," says Crawford. "The mourning part is really in the past, so it's just celebrating, and there's going to be lots of friends."

SK8 ART Benefit Show, Sunday, December 22, 2 to 6 p.m. HQ, 60 South Broadway. This is a free event.