This year's 4/20 celebration could be the largest cannabis event in the history of the state — which is fitting, since Colorado made history by legalizing marijuana last year. Thousands are expected to show up for the annual rally in Civic Center Park, which will go for two days this weekend, and thousands more have tickets for High Times's sold-out, first-ever Cannabis Cup on American soil. And plenty of folks are now seeking greener pastures in the Centennial State, including comic-strip characters. Earlier this month, famed "Doonesbury" creator Garry Trudeau had longtime character Zonker contemplating moving to Colorado, changing his name to Kevin Colorado Springs and starting his own hemp farm.
See also:
- How marijuana activist Mason Tvert stirs the pot
- Pot critic William Breathes answers your cannabis queries in a special 4/20 edition
Here's a look at the action on this Rocky Mountain High weekend:
Friday, April 19
High Society's Four-Twenty Eve, with the Flobots, Foodchain, Irie Still, Rowdy Shadehouse and DJ Emir, goes down at the Aztlan Theatre, 974 Santa Fe Drive, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The show is 21+, and everyone attending gets a free one-hitter packed all night long by the folks at High Society. Seriously. Tickets are $35 at the door, $24.20 pre-sale at cannapages.com/419.
Boulder-based pipe makers Incredibowl will honor the holidaze with their second annual Extravaganja at HoodLab, 3354 Larimer Street. This year's event features music by DJ Premier and Raekwon from the Wu-Tang Clan performing his 1995 album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx live on stage. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $35; 21+ with ID only. Go to 420extravaganja.com.
High Times pre-party with Hieroglyphics, Archnemesis, Mane Rock and Kruza Kid at Casselman's Bar and Venue, 2620 Walnut Street. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the party is 18+. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Visit holdmyticket.com/event/133612.
Dilated Peoples takes over Cervantes', 2637 Welton Street, with Grynch, Common Market and Abstract Collective, starting at 9 p.m. Go to cervantesmasterpiece.com.
Houston rapper Lil' Flip's 4/20 birthday bash, with Simes Cater and Dank 1, starts at 7: 30 p.m. at the Roxy, 2549 Welton Street; tickets are $20, all ages. For more details, go to theroxydenver.com.
Also in the works is a (likely sold out) Snoop Dogg show sponsored by High Times at the Exdo Events Center, 1399 35th Street, where the Cannabis Cup is being held. Promoters are keeping it hush-hush; no word on tickets or anything else as of press time.
Saturday, April 20:
Slightly Stoopid and Cypress Hill's HotBox Red Rocks has the potential to be the foggiest show in the venue's storied history. It's already sold out, and tickets are in the $100+ range through scalpers. But if you can manage it, doors open at 6 p.m. for the 7:30 show. Visit redrocksonline.com.
Feeling irie? Head over to Casselman's Bar and Venue, 2620 Walnut Street, for some roots, rock and reggae. The Hemp Connoisseur and High Times present reggae legend Barrington Levy, with Squidly Cole, Rastasaurus, Desciples and P-Nuckle. Tickets are $30; doors open at 7 p.m., 18+ with ID. Call 720-242-8923 for more information.
Dank Dispensary presents Sancho's Shakedown Street 420 Celebration. Music from Shakedown Street, Dank City Allstars, with members of The Congress and Chuck Morris of Lotus, FREE, 21+. Sancho's Broken Arrow, 741 East Colfax Avenue, 11 a.m. until last call. Information at 303-832-5288.
Beats and buds are in store at HoodLab (3354 Larimer Street), with Lotus Drops, Shank Aaron, Filthy Disco, Dayquill and Caustic. Tickets are $10; 18+ with ID. Visit cannaval.nightout.com.
Illuzion Glass Galleries' 4/20 party, with live glass blowing by Buck, Adam G. and Ill Glass, graffiti art by Lowbrow, raffles, Jamaican food and beer from Wynkoop. Party starts at 5:30 p.m. and goes all night at Illuzion, 238 Broadway, free, 18+. Call 720-420-0021.
Headed West's tenth annual 4/20 customer appreciation day at Moe's BBQ and Bowling, 3295 South Broadway in Englewood. The shop is holding a bowling tournament with prizes and a raffle for more than $4,000 in glass and accessories, with food and drink specials all day. Pick up a free ticket at Headed West, 4811 South Broadway in Englewood, or call 303-422-2120.
Method Man and Redman are playing two shows on 4/20; the first starts at 4 p.m. as part of a countdown to 4:20, and the second, sold-out show starts at 9:30 — both at Cervantes', 2637 Welton Street. Tickets start at $42; go to cervantesmasterpiece.com.
Legalized It, featuring Black Thought and Immortal Technique, with late-night reggae from Selecta Nikka T and live glass-blowing. Doors open from noon until late night at Club 64, 3704 Downing Street. For more, go to 420bash.com.
Sunday, April 21:
The folks at HoodLab, 3354 Larimer Street, are throwing a Sunday Funday Cannabis Cup after-party for just $10; 8 p.m., 21+ Go to cannaval.nightout.com. — Breathes
