Capitol Hill People’s Fair: Denver Live Music Weekend Pick June 1-2

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May 312013
 

It seems to be the season for great, FREE live music in Denver. Last weekend it was the Denver Day of Rock; this weekend, it’s yet another of Denver’s finest traditions: the annual Capitol Hill People’s Fair, which takes place June 1-2.

Every year round about this time, the Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods (effectively Denver’s largest HOA) takes over Civic Center Park in downtown Denver, in the shadow of the state capitol, with what could arguably be considered the best block party ever. Hundreds of exhibits from local artists and crafters (including a juried art competition), great local fare…and five stages featuring some of Denver’s finest local performers. All of it FREE. There’s no better place this weekend to take in some great Denver music than at the People’s Fair, which is why it is my pick for this weekend.

Here are just a few of the great artists who will be performing around Civic Center Park this weekend:

Olivia Rudeen
Monroe Monroe
Vices I Admire
Wendy Woo
Coles Whalen
The Foot.
Left Foot Green
P-Nuckle
Buckner Funken Jazz
Green River Vibe
Something Underground
Tequila Mockingbird
Demon Funkies
PJ Zahn
Lionized

….aaand many others!

The Capitol Hill People’s Fair Kicks off at 10:00 AM both Saturday and Sunday, with music going on throughout both days. The weather looks to be awesome, so come on out and enjoy! For information about the People’s Fair, click here; for a full lineup of acts and start times, click here.

ONE MORE PICK…AS IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU…

If two days of great live outdoor music is not enough for you, you can head over to the Hi-Dive (7 S. Broadway) Saturday night after the fair closes to catch Nate Rateliff and the Night Sweats, who are releasing a 7″ vinyl record with a special show there. DJ Jason Heller will open the show. Tickets are $10 plus service charge, available from the Hi-Dive. “Formal attire is encouraged.” Doors at 9:00 PM; show starts at 10:00. Ages 21+. (Word to the wise: this concert is likely to sell out, so get tickets early.)

Happy weekend!

Denver Day of Rock & More: Denver Live Music Weekend Picks May 24-25

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May 242013
 

It’s Memorial Day weekend! What are you doing to enjoy the holiday weekend? If you’re in Denver and live music is your bag, here are a few suggestions for where you might find some good gigs.

FRIDAY, MAY 24

Local indie band Land Lines will headline a show at the Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway in Denver. Also appearing are The Seven Hats and Esme Patterson. Tickets are $6 each, available from the Hi-Dive. Service charge may apply. Doors at 9:00 PM; show starts at 10:00. Ages 21+.

Singer-songwriter Joe Pug is making a stop in Denver at Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall, 71 E. Yale in Denver. Opening the show are Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer. Tickets are $20 each, available from Swallow Hill; discount available for Swallow Hill members. Show starts at 8:00, and is all-ages.

SATURDAY, MAY 25

The annual Denver Day of Rock, a FREE outdoor music festival benefitting Concerts for Kids, takes place on multiple stages along the Sixteenth Street Mall area of downtown Denver, featuring both national and local acts. This year’s lineup includes country singer Lee Brice, along with Fishbone, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Take to the Oars, My Body Sings Electric, Wendy Woo, Desert Noises and many others. This event is free and open to all ages. Music starts at 2:30 PM and lasts into the evening. For all the details, see the Denver Day of Rock website. (You can also catch a more detailed preview of the event here.)

Have a happy and safe weekend!

Five Points Jazz Festival & More: Denver Live Music Weekend Picks May 17-18

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May 162013
 

You want to know where to catch great live music in Denver this weekend? That’s good–because that’s what we’re about. So let’s get right to this weekend’s picks.

FRIDAY, MAY 17

Blues/R&B act The James Hunter Six will be making a stop at Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. in Boulder. Opening the show is Denver’s own Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. Tickets are $20-$35, available from Boulder Theater. Service charges may apply. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. This is an all-ages show!

Country/rock act The Patti Fiasco are headlining at The Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut St. in Denver. Also performing are Mosey West and The Parlor Pickers. Tickets are $5 each, available from The Walnut Room; service charge may apply. Doors at 8:00 PM. Ages 21+.

SATURDAY, MAY 18

Alternative singer-songwriter Kate Nash is performing at the Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax in Denver. Opening act is Dresses. Tickets are $15 advance, $18 day of show, available from Bluebird Theater. Service charge may apply. Doors at 8:00 PM; show starts at 9:00. Ages 16+.

The Five Points Jazz Festival will take place on Saturday on several stages in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. Numerous local musicians and bands will be featured, including Hazel Miller, Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, Blues Man Willie Houston, Buckner Funken Jazz, and many others. This event is free! Click here for more details and a full lineup of events. Music starts at 11:00 AM and goes until 8:00 PM.

BONUS EVENT: Holly Williams at Soiled Dove Underground May 19. Check out my preview on Examiner.com!

Happy weekend!

Tellerpalooza 2013 & More: Denver Live Music Weekend Picks May 10-11

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May 102013
 

Looks like the rain in Denver this week is giving way to a warm, sunny weekend. If you’re looking to blow off some steam with some great live music, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few suggestions among the many great shows going on in Denver this weekend.

FRIDAY, MAY 10

Local rock acts Places and Foxfield Four are co-headlining a show at the Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer in Denver. Also performing are Rachel and the Kings and Attic Attack. Tickets are $10, available from Soda Jerk Presents. Doors at 7:00 PM. This is an all-ages show!

SATURDAY, MAY 11

Local rock act Vetta Star is headlining a show at Herman’s Hideaway, 1578 S. Broadway in Denver. Also performing are Storm Circus, Will Kilduff & Friends, Medic and Hillary Hand. Tickets are $4 advance, $8 day of show, available from Herman’s Hideaway. Service charge may apply. Doors at 7:00 PM; music starts at 7:30. Ages 21+.

The Northwest Denver Folk Festival is happening Saturday at The Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. in Denver. Featured acts include the Haunted Windchimes, Ark Life, Joe Sampson, Chimney Choir, Patrick Dethlefs & Martin Gilmore, and many others. Tickets are $13, available from The Oriental Theater; service charge may apply. Music starts at 2:00 PM and goes all evening. This is an all-ages event.

BONUS PICK: TELLERPALOOZA 2013

The tenth annual Tellerpalooza–a popular fundraising benefit featuring some of Denver’s top music acts to raise funds for Teller Elementary School–will take place Saturday, May 11 at the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California Street in Denver. This year’s lineup includes John Common, Fierce Bad Rabbit, Rachel and the Kings, Eldren, The Foot. and Greg Tobo–and of course, performances from the various bands of Teller Elementary. Tickets are $20 at the door; performances start at 4:00 PM and go until midnight. This all-ages event is a great opportunity to support a great school while enjoying some of Denver’s finest local music. For details and a complete lineup, visit the Tellerpalooza website.

Have a great weekend!

Introducing Medic: Passion and Promise

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May 062013
 

It took me awhile to get around to this band from Denver, but I can tell indie-rock act Medic is going to be staying in my head for some time to come.

As I listen to this band, there are two words that come to mind: passion and promise. The passion part is because there is a solid sense of conviction in the way they play and sing. They believe what they are doing wholeheartedly, so I believe them, too. There is an emotion in their sound that reminds me a lot of Mae, with perhaps a bit more pop/rock sensibility. But the passion is unmistakable.

As to the promise part–well, you just have to listen to them to know what I’m talking about. These guys are going someplace.

So far, the only music available from Medic is a five-song EP, Grace and Gravity, which can be purchased from their Bandcamp site or from iTunes. But those five songs will leave you wanting more. Check out the video below for their single “Everything We Have” and see what you think.

Rob Drabkin, The Outfit & More: Denver Live Music Picks May 3-4

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May 032013
 

Rob Drabkin. (Photo: Lucia de Giovanni)

Happy Cinco de Mayo weekend! Denver is home to one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations, and the weekend’s live shows are sharing in the festivities. If you need help deciding on some great live music here this weekend, here are just a few suggestions among the many.

FRIDAY, MAY 3

Local folk act Glowing House is playing at The Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut Street in Denver. Also appearing are Montana Tapwater, Vanessa Spear and Olivia Rudeen. Tickets are $11, available from The Walnut Room. Service charge may apply. Doors at 7:00 PM. Ages 21+.

Denver rock act Pull the Alarm is having an EP release show at the Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. in downtown Denver. Opening acts include We Were Cosmonauts and Common Anomaly. Tickets are $5, available from Soda Jerk Presents. Doors at 8:00 PM. Ages 21+.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

Denver singer-songwriter Rob Drabkin is headlining a show at the Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St. in Boulder. Also performing are Dechen Hawk and Dave Tamkin. Tickets are $9 advance, $12 day of show, available from Fox Theatre. $2 surcharge for under 21; service charge may also apply. Doors at 8:30 PM; show starts at 9:00. Ages 12+.

Local rock acts The Outfit and The Wales are co-headlining at Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. in Denver. Opening the show is Bloodhound. Tickets are $8 advance, $10 day of show, available from Larimer Lounge. Doors at 9:00 PM; show starts at 10:00. Ages 16+.

Have a great weekend!