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 […]

Botanical Restaurants & Shops in Denver

Little Shop of Horrors has the entire city of Denver in a botanical frame of mind. Not to worry – there are certainly spots around town with plants that aren’t interested in your blood. Whether you’re looking for a coffee shop, bookstore, restaurant, or bar, these local businesses have got you covered for foliage and […]

Colorado’s Real-Life Survival Stories

Real life survivor Margaret “Molly Brown” and Life of Pi’s fictional survivors Pi and Richard Parker (a Bengal tiger) have two things in common — both were adrift at sea following shipwrecks and both were, ultimately, destined for Colorado. DCPA Broadway’s engagement of Life of Pi (March 18-30, 2025) recounts the extraordinary story of a […]

Denver’s Raconteurs

Turn off the tv and turn on the tell-a-vision! Opalanga Pugh – Griot and Urban Storyteller – 1952-2010 Yann Martel, author of the book Life of Pi says the story can be distilled down to three ideas:: Life is a story. You can choose your story. A story with God is the better story. Telling […]

Celebrating Colorado Culture’s “Unsung Heroes”

Last March, the Denver Theatre District (DTD) solicited nominations for a first-of-its-kind art project to highlight the many individuals behind the scenes who make our arts community thrive. In collaboration with renowned artist Jann Haworth, DTD has created a group portrait entitled “Catalysts” featuring more than 34 stenciled portraits representing individuals who contribute to the […]

Three Religions in Life of Pi

Hinduism, Catholicism, and Islam are three of the world’s most populous and ancient religions. They are frequently seen as being at odds with one another, and wars have been fought for more than a millennium among them. Oppression and persecution by religious majorities still take place, but the play Life of Pi offers another possibility, […]

Booker Prize Reading List

The Booker Prize is the “leading literary award in the English-speaking world,” or more succinctly, it is a prize that transforms the winner’s career. Each year, a panel of judges reads hundreds of books in literary fiction, selecting a number to longlist based on literary excellence. Being longlisted for the Booker Prize alone garners a […]

Women Who Have Shaped Denver

In celebration of Women’s History Month The Denver metro area has blossomed into a vibrant cosmopolitan center with a diverse economy, high educational attainment, and a thriving cultural scene. Its cities regularly appear on lists of best places to live in the US. Its population is well informed and engaged. In honor of Women’s History […]

Women in Pop Culture Politics

As the saying goes, “If you can see it, you can be it.” In popular culture, women have been portrayed as presidents, cabinet members, and corporate executives, and those portrayals have had an influence, even if they have not yet led to the top American prize. The founding of the film industry coincided with the […]