Flick Pick

Until the untimely death of singer/guitarist D. Boon at the end of 1985, the Minutemen were one of the most exciting and creative bands of their era. The documentary We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen — which kicks off a four-part film series called Our Band Could Be…

Going, Going, Gone

Mary Mackey closed her groundbreaking gallery space at the corner of 25th Avenue and Eliot Street nearly ten years ago, but she never left the building: As an artist-turned-gallerist returning to her creative roots, she continued to rent studio space in the old red-brick commercial building, along with a variant…

Leader of the Pack

The first time I read The Call of the Wild, by Jack London, I was twelve and on a family visit with friends in New Mexico. The book, an elegant old hardback volume that had belonged to their then-grown son, was on the bookshelf in the room where I stayed,…

Moon Over Boulder

The Moondance International Film Festival has returned to its roots. Founded in 2000, the fest moved to Hollywood during its 2006/2007 run — but let’s face it, the Los Angeles area has nothing on Boulder, where fest films will screen at Chautauqua Park (900 Baseline Road) and the Boulder Shambhala…

Blogs and Beers

Serious blogging is a world unto itself. There’s the main story, of course, but each story is also punctuated with links and pictures and videos. Enough! For an easily distracted flake with a compulsion to finish reading and listening to everything he starts, there is nothing more maddening. And these…

Music for the Masses

Need to get out of town over Labor Day weekend? Look no further than our neighbor to the north: The city of Cheyenne is hosting two (count ’em) festivals this weekend, featuring the best of the West’s musicians, storytellers, poets, vendors and artisans. The Americana Music Festival (which comprises both…

Mahalo Mercury

What started as a kitschy birthday party for swing dancer extraordinaire Tiffiny Wine has morphed into an end-of-summer standard at the Mercury Cafe, where Wine and Dan Newsome hold court over the dance floor. Not only have the two been the orchestrating force of the swing scene there, but they…

Sweet Taste of Victory

Didn’t get those tickets you wanted to the Obama speech? Don’t fret. The Shoppe has the perfect alternative to braving the crowds at Invesco: taking part in the Yes We Can! parties organized by MoveOn.org. Stop by the Shoppe tonight at 8 p.m. to watch the speech and partake in…

Drowning Convention

Sure, having the Democratic National Convention in Denver caused some excitement, but the real party happens this weekend at the only DNC for drinkers: the Drunkard National Convention, sponsored by Modern Drunkard magazine. The debauchery begins today at 3 Kings Tavern, 60 South Broadway, with a meet-and-greet at noon and…

Two Wheels on a Mission

Seeking a way to celebrate the Democratic National Convention, Tai Beldock decided to throw a viewing party. Her business — the Erico Motorsports dealership in a 20,000-square-foot 1930s warehouse north of Coors Field — seemed like the perfect venue from which to watch Obama speak on a big-screen TV. To…

Craft On

The word “crafts” has a negative association with macrame plant-hangers and other kitschy handmade crap, but these days, crafting is enjoying something of a renaissance. The DIY spirit of the punk and indie music scenes has been injected into this once moribund activity, resulting in something new: crafts that are…

A Day At the Park(s)

Joggers love crushed granite. Maybe that’s why the Aetna Park to Park 10 Miler is so popular: Its ten-mile course connects four city parks, three of which are known for their miles of runner-friendly, crushed-granite paths. Another reason to love this race is that it provides a Labor Day bookend…

Hop on the Plains Train

I’m always regretting the outings I’ve blown off for no good reason, especially those opportunities for the otherworldly experiences one can have on a single tank of gas. This summer, for instance, I never did travel the back roads of Our Journey, a day-long self-guided tour of small towns on…

Alpacas In

It’s rare to find an animal that can be both a smart, gentle companion and your source of wool for the winter, but that’s the alpaca for you. Already cuter and more intelligent than their friend the llama, alpacas are a hard breed to beat — at least they were…

Sheepish Fun

Not every dog show is a collection of prancing, pampered purebreds being guided around a circle. Starting today and running through September 7, you can catch a different kind of dog showing off in the 22nd annual Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials. Forget the ribbons and shampoo — these dogs…

Secondhand Sartorialism: Holly-Kai

The Democratic National Convention is finally here and the city, as so succinctly stated by my friend Holly-Kai, is “a-buzzin” with energy. I met up with Holly on Sunday after attending the After 5 Jazz and Blues Fest in Five Points, where African-American and African vendors from as far spread…

For this designer, fashion is in the bag.

Bag on this. Dana Miller was turning more heads than any other vendor at the Green Frontier Fest Sunday. The co-owner of BaggyShirts – who sells reusable bags made from recycled clothing – made a statement with disposable plastic grocery bags. She was a trooper, despite the hotter-than-expected temperature, spending…

Talking Shop at the DNC

Shoppers are the same, wherever they come from, so whether you’re here as a DNC delegate, ready to paint the town red, white and blue, or a local citizen looking for deals and Obama swag out the wazoo, now’s the time. And though it’s fair to expect independent retailers all…

Save big at Equillibrium Clothing

Former Westword Fashion Mastermind winner Deb Henrikson is having a big 40% off sale at her shop, Equillibrium, located at 238 Santa Fe Drive. Deb’s unique street wear styles focus on sustainablity and socially aware fashion for both guys and girls. Equillibrium is open from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday…

Shear Genius faces its final cut next week

OMG DID YOU SEE SHEAR GENIUS THIS WEEK? Walk into any salon and that’s what you will hear. Not as hooked on it as every stylist in Denver? Well, get it together! What Project Runway did for Fashion, Shear Genius is doing for hairstyling. The show is almost at its…

Belleview fall fashion preview tonight at 24K

Stop by 24K tonight, August 21, at 9 p.m. for a fall preview of the latest looks from local clothing line Belleview. Models will be mingling with the crowd to show off the fashions, and from 10 p.m. to midnight you can enjoy complimentary drinks from Rubi Rey cocktails. DJ…

Big Sale at Frolik boutique tonight

Get a head start on your weekend shopping at Frolik’s Third Thursday Celebration sale tonight, Thursday, August 21. From 5 to 8 p.m. the Highland shop, located at 3715 West 32nd Avenue, will feature a $15 and a $25 clothing rack, and if you mention the email they send out,…