A Golden Era For Creativity in Colorado

City Hall was packed this weekend for Westword's Artopia, which featured highlights from the Denver art, fashion and music scene. On four stages throughout the venue, musicians ranging from the Reminders to members of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. The event showcased the collaboration between artists, both within Denver and outside...

By Kiernan Maletsky

February 23, 2015

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City Hall was packed this weekend for Westword's Artopia, which featured highlights from the Denver art, fashion and music scene. On four stages throughout the venue, musicians ranging from the Reminders to members of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

The event showcased the collaboration between artists, both within Denver and outside it. Wheelchair Sports Camp, fronted by MC Kalyn Heffernan, played with a lineup including jazz trumpeter Josh Trinidad and two members of Rubedo. Upstairs in the Cue Room, painter Thomas Evans displayed artwork that played samples when touched.

Evans's paintings inspired a performance by DJ Cavem Moetavation and Atlanta-born soul artist Cody ChesnuTT, who are working on a song together. ChesnuTT was spending time in Denver for the first time (other than brief stops for shows), and he was amazed with the city and its creative scene. "I've met beautiful people," he says. "Everyone has been very human and genuine."

The Reminders, from Colorado Springs, capped Artopia with a characteristically spirited set for a crowd of artists, models, social activists and Denverites young and old. These are fine times to live in Colorado, snow and all.

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