It's Time to Unplug at the Analog Salon

Denver native Susan Abbott has always appreciated local institutions that keep communities informed and united. With over 25 years of experience in media development consulting across five continents, Abbott knows the true impact of connecting with your neighbors amidst turbulent times.

After reading about the loneliness epidemic and its major toll on individuals, Abbott knew she wanted to do something, no matter the scale. So she created Analog Salon, a monthly listening party where music, storytelling and community connection come together as one major force.

"It's a great way of getting to know Colorado and to connect more with people," says Abbott. "Everyone has a story to tell, and a story told through music is really quite fun."

Located at the Posner Center for International Development in the Five Points neighborhood, Analog Salon allows Denver's curious and creative population to "unplug" from the world and be immersed in music that tells stories about someone's lived experiences. From '90s rock to tracks from films, the possibilities are endless at this one-of-a-kind event.

In partnership with Cross Pollinate, Posner Center, Wax Trax Records, CoCreate PBC and FM Boutique, Abbott is gearing up to host the second Analog Salon event on Thursday, July 10 that will be broken up into three phases. Abbott wants guests to fully immerse themselves in each hour and connect with others.

"We really recognize the importance of community building and strengthening of our communities," says Abbott. "We want to do what we can really to contribute something positive, because we're living through some really difficult times."

As guests arrive at the Posner Center, they will be welcomed with drinks, light snacks, music and conversations. Mad Lemon, Ratio Beerworks and Seed and Spirit Distilling are providing free drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

The "Social Mixer & DJ Sets" portion will open up the first hour of the event, with "Storytelling Through Music" followed by the "Chill Vibes & Idea Exchange" hour, with an "Analog Marketplace" for guests to shop locally wrapping up the night.

Abbott enjoys witnessing the "connections that get made organically." she says. "People were trading all these things that they brought with them and [made] plans to get together, collaborate and do things after the event. That's what we want to see; we want to bring people and their ideas together and see what connections can be made."

At the Analog Salon debut last month, Abbott hosted DJ Ty Smith, or TSYM, former basketball player Paul Shirley and creative Nico Tobón. Not only did community members say they enjoyed Analog Salon, but local artists, musicians and professionals wanted to be a part of the next event.

After deciding who would be featured in the next installment, Abbott and partners of Analog Salon made their final selections: Denver-based creative Molly McGrath, known as DJ Julie Oubliette, actor and screenwriter Stephen Hibbert and DJ blake britton. "We put all of our ideas on the table and work together to source speakers and ideas," says Abbott. "We're [also] open if the public wants to pitch someone who they think would be a great storyteller."

As July's speaker, Hibbert is anticipating a "fun night" at Analog Salon. Born in the United Kingdom, Hibbert moved to Southern California with his family, where he was forty minutes away from the home of media: Hollywood.

When he was eleven, Hibbert watched reruns of the 1960s sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show and was fascinated with Van Dyke's job as head writer of a fictional TV variety show. Now, with credits in The Cat in the Hat, Pulp Fiction and True Jackson VP, Hibbert has over three decades of experience under his belt.

"Yes, it's true. I did play The Gimp in Pulp [Fiction]. Someone had to do it," Hibbert says. "I was also fortunate to be cast in a bunch of TV shows over the years."

After an amicable divorce from his wife, Hibbert traveled back and forth between California and Colorado, visiting his three kids. Ultimately, he decided to leave Los Angeles and move to Colorado to be closer to his children.

Even though he still worked on projects with friends in New York and L.A., Hibbert became involved with Chaos Bloom Theater on South Broadway and became close with the staff at Wax Trax, some of the many "creative, talented and clever people" in Denver.

"I think events like [Analog Salon] are a great way for them to not only enjoy a night of local entertainment, but also an opportunity to meet like-minded people," says Hibbert. "Start exchanging ideas, projects they want to do and starting up some great collaborations."

As Abbott finalizes logistics surrounding the July 10 event, she wonders what aspects of art and culture people will gravitate towards. Wwhat motivates locals to be a part of a community like Analog Salon?

Although Abbott created Analog Salon as a space for people where people could unplug, she is concerned that we as a society have to make time to wind down from our daily routines. "People are "always online," she says, noting that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we forgot how to make connections in person.

"We're not going to solve all the problems in the world," says Abbott. "But, through our own little ways, we know that creating safe spaces for people just to get to know each other, not through their phone, will provide an opening for people to start meeting in real life again."

Analog Salon, 21+, 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 10, 1021 33rd Street; tickets are $17.66.