Cleo Mirza

Cleo Mirza is a real-life Daria Morgendorffer who worships at the altar of Missy Elliott. She left the East Coast to live vicariously through Colorado’s drag performers, and only returns for the pizza. Cleo has been a contributing writer for Westword since 2019, covering music, arts and cannabis. She loves white wine, medical marijuana, and her possessed Chihuahua, Rudy.

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Kaitlyn Williams Stands Up for Pop Music

By Cleo MirzaAugust 7, 2019

Denver-based singer-songwriter Kaitlyn Williams talks pop music, touring, and her debut album Sunset ahead of her Orpheus Music Festival appearance.

303 Synth City Cranks up the Volume on Denver’s Synthwave Scene

By Cleo MirzaAugust 2, 2019

Denver-based synthwave band TetraKroma gets ready to headline a new synthwave night called 303 Synth City at the Walnut Room.

Denver Teacher Launches Campaign to Become First Transgender Astronaut

By Cleo MirzaJuly 20, 2019

Sam Long wants to be the first transgender astronaut.

The Five Best Films at the CinemaQ Festival

By Cleo MirzaJuly 15, 2019

The Denver Film Society is hosting CinemaQ, an LGBTQ film festival featuring sixteen full-length and seven short films. We’ve picked our Top 5 CinemaQ events to attend.

AMZY’s Singer Proposed to His Boyfriend During a Show

By Cleo MirzaJuly 15, 2019

Brennan Johnson, lead singer of the Denver-based band AMZY, proposed to his boyfriend during a Pride month concert.

Why This Decades-Old Skincare Line is Now Farming Hemp

By Cleo MirzaJuly 10, 2019

Her skincare line, over thirty years old, just started incorporating CBD.

Fort Collins CBD Company Focuses on Helping Veterans

By Cleo MirzaJuly 2, 2019

Puffin Hemp wants to put its money where its mouth is.

CBD Has Another Demographic: Animals

By Cleo MirzaJune 29, 2019

Help your cannimal friends.

Fifteen Ways to Celebrate Denver Pride 2019

By Cleo MirzaJune 12, 2019

Fifteen can’t-miss events happening during Denver Pride 2019.

Helicopter Copter’s Wind Chimes Give Voice to the Homeless in Dry Gulch Park

By Cleo MirzaJune 10, 2019

Denver artist Helicopter Copter’s new sound installation in Dry Gulch Park uses wind chimes to give homeless people a voice.

Denver Celebrates Drag Queen Yvie Oddly’s Win on <i>RuPaul’s Drag Race</i>

Denver Celebrates Drag Queen Yvie Oddly’s Win on RuPaul’s Drag Race

By Cleo MirzaJune 4, 2019

Yvie Oddly, a Denver drag queen who got her start at Denver’s Tracks Nightclub, was crowned the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race , making her America’s Next Drag Superstar.

CU Boulder Study and Wana Athletes Counter Stereotypes About Lazy Stoners

By Cleo MirzaMay 28, 2019

Cannabis could aid and encourage exercise…or at least remove an excuse or two.

Roadkill Meets Foliage at Denver’s New Oddity Shop, the Terrorium

By Cleo MirzaMay 16, 2019

The Terrorium Shop, a new oddity shop in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood, offers one-of-a-kind art pieces that combine living foliage with taxidermy and bones.

Ayn Rand-Inspired EDM Artist Bear Grillz Talks to Fans About Depression

By Cleo MirzaMay 14, 2019

Denver-based DJ Bear Grillz releases his debut album Demons ahead of co-headlining Red Rocks during Global Dub Festival.

Rainbow Militia Brings the Circus to Low-Income Neighborhoods

By Cleo MirzaApril 26, 2019

Denver-based circus company Rainbow Militia launches its “Zabiti 10x the Impact” tour of Denver’s low-income neighborhoods. The free shows will feature collaborations with local artists, musicians, and performers, as well as local businesses and nonprofits.