Tag Archive for: Black History Month

Trailblazing Black Women Musicians in Colorado

From the archives: this article was originally published on March 9, 2023 THE WIZ strikes a chord with Colorado’s musical roots. Fun fact: Denver once served as a mecca for Jazz musicians and singers, including Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. Other trailblazing Black women performed in the Mile High City. Here’s a brief overview of […]

Black-Owned Restaurants Within 3 Miles of the Arts Complex

Please note: Restaurant hours, locations, and menus are subject change, so please visit the restaurant website or call in advance of visiting. There is no shortage of restaurant roundups that feature Black-owned businesses, but this one is intended to get you to the show on time! These local establishments are all within three miles of […]

Black Musicians Impact Local Music Scene

From the archive: this article was originally published on September 12, 2023 THE WIZ is coming to the Buell Theatre this April. The groundbreaking musical influenced a variety of genres of music and musicians of all ages. We’re fortunate to have Black musicians, based here in Colorado, who have been influential and entertaining, creating their […]

11 Black-Owned Colorado Businesses You Should Visit

This season like many others, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts offers a rich sampling of productions written by or starring Black artists, including the upcoming THE WIZ and The Hot Wing King. To celebrate local Black entrepreneurs and creators, here are 11 Black-owned Colorado businesses you should know and support. THE BETTER MATTRESS […]

Diverse Cultural Organizations Empowering the Community

A sense of real belonging at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts is created through spaces that are shaped with the unique needs of diverse communities in mind. The work of creating spaces and implementing practices that support equity, diversity, inclusion, and access is fundamental to a thriving theatre community and to the DCPA’s […]

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees on DCPA Stages

The Denver Center stages are no stranger to iconic setlists. The tunes of many famous singers  have graced the Arts Complex, including performances from some celebrities themselves. In 2023 and 2024 alone, the music of five different Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees will play on the DCPA stages. RUTH BROWN Inducted to the […]

50 Years of Hip Hop Influenced 10 Years of The Hip Hop Nutcracker

The Hip Hop Nutcracker was created in 2013 by director/choreographer Jennifer Weber and writer Mike Fitelson. Mike adapted the original (George) Balanchine ballet to a contemporary New York City setting. At the time, Jennifer was working on a dance piece set to Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and was talking to Mike who ran the United […]

6 Local Black-Owned Salons & Barbershops

Dig Ruth Brown’s hairstyle in Miss Rhythm — The Legend of Ruth Brown, Tina’s changing styles in TINA — The Tina Turner Musical or namesake of the diner in Clyde’s? Check out these local Black and African-American-owned salons and barbershops and turn that on-stage inspiration into your own masterpiece. THE HAIR & IMAGE STUDIO (T.H.I.S.) […]

Tina Turner’s Pursuit of Freedom

The prolific novelist, Toni Morrison, wrote in her book Beloved, “Freeing yourself was one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” Though Morrison was writing about enslaved people escaping from a plantation, her words aptly describe rock ’n’ roll legend Tina Turner’s life journey. During her life, Tina never shied away from sharing […]

14 Spectacular Facts About The Queen of Rock and Roll: Tina Turner

Before her death on May 24, 2023, Tina Turner lived an extraordinary life as a performer with music that still strikes chords with fans new and old around the world. Here are 14 unique facts about the legendary queen of rock and roll. 1. Inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Twice Turner […]