music

How To… Find EDM Shows in Denver

/ DenverSpeax

We’ve been into EDM (electronic dance music) of various forms since middle school, and thought that attending shows kind of died along with our high school days. What’s funny is that we have a ton of friends who, like us, had all been told that EDM was a phase, and when we got older we totally wouldn’t care for it any longer. Ha.

SO NOT TRUE! 

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Image found on google images.

Denver draws amazing musical acts period, but finding EDM shows can be a little tricky. So, how do you locate these fantastic EDM shows in Denver and the surrounding areas? Let us help you!  Continue reading →

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Black Shirt Brewing – Chasing Perfection

/ DenverSpeax / 1 Comment
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Click for Black Shirt Brewing Website. Source: BSB Facebook

Here at Denverspeax, we have always been drawn to people who are passionate. We recently had the opportunity to interview one of the most passionate breweries in town: Black Shirt Brewing (BSB). Our first visit to Black Shirt Brewing was on the Slow Roll Pub Crawl a few weeks back. We really enjoyed the beer and vibe in the short time we spent there, and wanted to experience more. We were given the opportunity to sit down and explore the mind of Chad Miller CEO and co-founder of Black Shirt Brewing.  Continue reading →

Gociety – Get Outside with Awesome People

/ DenverSpeax

 

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Gociety hooks you up with people of same outdoor interests – what a great platform to motivate more Coloradans to get outside and mingle with like-minded, awesome people! Check out Gociety on Facebook by clicking on their logo above – Photo Credit: Gociety Facebook Page, April 2014

Gociety is a site we’ve been watching for a while, and for good reason; their concept is fresh and new, and provides a GREAT service to the Colorado community. With Gociety, you can meet people from all over Colorado getting outside and doing what they love!

For example, we are avid bikers and appreciate meeting new people to bike all over Denver with – Gociety is a platform that will help us out with this.

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Road biking lets us exercise and see new parts of town; on Gociety, I can meet new people that love to do the same. Click on the picture above to check out the Gociety Facebook Page. Photo Credit: DenverSpeax Archive, 2013

Creating a Gociety profile is super easy – we just made one! By visiting Gociety, you can join via Facebook profile, OR email. Fill out  info about how you get down in the great outdoors of Colorado, and BOOM! – you have a Discovery Feed outlining multiple outdoor activities in areas all over Colorado. From Cat Skiing to to Fly Fishing to multiple runs and triathlons, there is a TON to do – and what better way to find it than one, organized Discovery Feed via your personal Gociety profile. Search options on the right-hand side make it easy to limit the feed to your interests only.

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Get outside and hike Mount Evans! Photo Credit: DenverSpeax Archive, 2013

 

With an easy-to-use platform, it’s no wonder more and more Coloradans are catching on to Gociety‘s awesome idea. We can’t wait to sign up for a few events (aka, Gocieties) and meet new, awesome people that love getting outside. We’ll be sure to give you an update as well as an inside look of our experience. Stay tuned!

For the meantime, go check Gociety out on the web or on Facebook and see what they’re all about for yourself.

OneSpark 2014 – CitySpeax Project Promo Video

/ DenverSpeax

Thanks to all of our friends and family that have made this trip to OneSpark in Jacksonville tomorrow possible. Watch our brand expansion project’s video – CitySpeax – your city, your love.

Also, please please PLEASE vote for our project to get NOTICED and FUNDED here. “Bookmark” it, and help us rise through the ranks of popularity. Thanks again for your support!

The Oriental Opry – From Coffeehouse to The Big House

/ DenverSpeax

Genuine. Organic.  Vintage. Authentic.

These are just a few words that hit the nail on the head when discussing the Oriental Opry, an event held at The Oriental Theater the second Tuesday of each month. Two Sundays ago, I met with Jane Manly and Joe Kellogg, the master-minds behind this great event that aims to strengthen the community through musicianship. After witnessing two captivating Oprys, I had to get the behind-the-scenes-scoop!

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Jane Manly and Joe Kellogg, organizers of The Oriental Opry. Credit: Kirsten Ebey, Feb 2014

So how did The Opry start? The event actually stems from weekly jam sessions out of musician and friend, Rick Franz’s, garage. Jam sessions grouped with (Jane Manly and her friend, Vince Leclair’s,) suggestion of the band Dirt Simple taking the big stage at the Oriental Theater, and BOOM! The Oriental Opry was born last June 2013.

A variety show, The Oriental Opry aims to provide a variety of acts, currently consisting mostly of folk, blue grass, jazz and blues music. Coming up, Jane, the producer and organizer, is working on integrating other community acts, including magic and performances by kids in the community.

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Shots from the first Oriental Opry that DenverSpeax attended in January 2014 – we were instantly hooked! Credit: Kirsten Ebey, Jan 2014

What makes The Oriental Opry so unique and special is that it’s “all about putting local musicians on the stage to create community; it’s about bringing people together”, Joe said best. Musicians reinforce this sense of community and camaraderie  by collaborating with each other on stage- many times without sheet music, simply supporting their fellow musicians. The musicians, Jane, and Joe rely heavily on word-of-mouth advertising for the Oriental Opry each month. No one participates in this event for the money – performers trust Jane’s producing skills and Joe as the MC, while musicians and viewers alike understand the mission behind The Oriental Opry.

Jane and Joe have created a supportive environment allowing musicians an opportunity to make the move from playing at the coffee house to performing in the big house. “The Oriental Opry allows musicians that are isolated to come together and collaborate”, explained the two, continuously stressing the importance of the community the event creates. Additionally, they described the amazing support they receive for the event from Oriental Theater owners Scott LaBarbera and Andy Bercaw. Lots of love toward them as well as Lara Moore for all of their assistance and belief in this fantastic event.

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Jeffrey Dallet and band at the February 12th, 2014 Oriental Opry event. See more photos by clicking on pic and visiting our Facebook page! Credit: Steve Mercer, Feb 2014.

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Nearly There jamming at the Opry! Credit: Steve Mercer, Feb 2014

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Come check out the talented musicians at the Oriental Opry – check them out by clicking on the pic above to be brought to their Facebook page. Credit: Kirsten Ebey, Feb 2014

Once you experience this show, it will be easy to understand and feel a necessity to share in the mission; it’s not just another event – it’s a great time with some of the most talented musicians DenverSpeax has ever heard. They have a knack for entertainment, allowing you to forget to check the time on your watch and how many likes you got on your Facebook selfie that evening. The sounds are creative and captivating, all while giving you a sense of inclusion into The Opry’s community.

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Check out The Oriental Opry every 2nd Tuesday of every month at The Oriental Theater. March 11th, 2014, is the next Oriental Opry – don’t miss it!

For information on playing in the Oriental Opry, please contact Jane Manly for additional information via the Oriental Opry’s Facebook Page.

The Oriental Theater: A Tennyson Staple

/ DenverSpeax / 3 Comments

Here’s a place we feel doesn’t get nearly enough credit for the incredible acts and fantastic shows put on: The Oriental Theater.

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The Oriental Opry, Jan 14th, 2014. Top: the Oriental Theater’s marquee. Bottom: Friends jamming at the Oriental Opry. Credit: Kirsten Ebey, Jan 2014

Located at 44th and Tennyson in Denver, CO, sits this intimate venue, boasting performances by such greats as Leon Russell. The charming, vintage environment enhances the experience – the murals, grand stage, lush curtains, and statuesque balcony come together to form a bold statement about the place – it’s a staple within the community.

Our first visit to the Oriental Theater was to experience the Oriental Opry – a night chocked full of groups of friends performing various blues, bluegrass, and jazz tunes, both original and recreated. Because of the close-knit community and camaraderie of the musicians that grace the stage at the Oriental Theater, we immediately felt at home.

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Mike & Moses playing a slow, jazz number. Credit: Kirsten Ebey, Jan 2014

The Oriental Theater also hosts other events aside from live music; comics grace the presence of the stage, as well as this past Superbowl 48 game! Upcoming, Oriental Theater will host Masters of the Brewniverse this Thursday, February 13th. 15 breweries will provide unlimited tastings and participate in a beer pageant (yes, a pageant). $25 scores you unlimited craft brew samples and admission to watch the competition. Even COOLER – 100% of the profits go toward the Mile High United Way.

For more great events, check out the schedule here on the Oriental Theater’s official website. Ticket prices are extremely reasonable, the staff are kind and knowledgable, and the experience surely memorable.

We will see you all at Masters of the Brewniverse this Thursday!

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Break Science at The Ogden Theatre in Denver, Colorado

/ DenverSpeax

Another great group making their way to Denver, Colorado, on Saturday, March 8th – Break Science. Featuring the sounds and rhythm of New York, Break Science beautifully blends electronic with hip/hop and rap, collaborating with the likes of Redman on their latest album “Seven Bridges”.

The show caters to 16+ for $17.00 presage and $22.00 at the door. Check out The Ogden on Facebook to stay up to date on who’s visiting Denver, and what shows to mark in your calendar.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. at the Bluebird Theater in Denver, Colorado

/ DenverSpeax

Detroit natives Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. will be hitting the Bluebird Theater stage Saturday, March 8th, 2014. Tickets are only $15 in advance and $17 at the door, catering to ages 16+.

We’re suckers for happy-fun-sunshine, toe-tappin’, positive vibe music, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. definitely delivers on all counts. The fact that they never really planned to make it big, as well as choosing a band name that seeks out musically open-minded individuals only adds to the cool factor of this band.

Before or after the show, hit up Goosetown Tavern across the street and get some great grub! Maybe a pint to wash it down with as well.

Hope to see you at the show!

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Colfax Ave’s Goosetown Tavern

/ DenverSpeax / 1 Comment
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Watching the game at Goosetown Tavern. Click on the picture to visit their Facebook page! Make sure you like ’em! Credit: Kirsten Ebey, Jan 2014

Last Friday, we stopped into Goosetown Tavern, located in our neighborhood on Colfax. A few of the Denverspeax crew directed us here because of the relaxed atmosphere, great staff, and delicious food. We sat at the bar, watched the New Orleans Saints pound the Philadelphia Eagles, and devoured the most delicious nachos in the universe. Oh, you think I’m joking?

Seriously.

Best. Damn. Nachos. Ever.

But we’ll get to that- let’s talk about the place for a second. Like I mentioned, it’s located on Colfax, between York and Colorado Blvd. Finding parking can be like a scavenger hunt, but because the Cleaners / Laundromat located next door was closed, we decided we more than likely wouldn’t be towed if we parked in their parking lot. Across the street from Goosetown Tavern on Colfax, there’s metered parking, and better luck down the side-streets as well. This will definitely be a location we ride our bikes to once the snow clears up! Goosetown is open 7 days per week, 11 am – 2 am for your visiting pleasure.

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Nice view from in front of the bar. Click on the picture above to be redirected to their website! Credit: Kirsten Ebey, Jan 2014

In addition to a creative, daily Happy Hour, each day having a naming convention inclusive of some fantastic punk band, Goosetown also provides an eclectic menu, trivia night, and random events / parties. Sitting right across the street from the Bluebird Theater, Goosetown is a perfect place to catch a drink and meet up with friends before and after the show. Another plus: pool tables!

Everyone we came into contact with at Goosetown was friendly; it was super easy to hold a conversation with the guys and gals that worked there. We all chatted about football, traveling, music… Not for a second did anyone put off that “I’m cooler than you” vibe. You know the one I’m talking about, right? Everyone’s felt it before. Nope – not at this place!

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Try out the Southern Pork Nachos at Goosetown – click on the picture to see the menu. Credit: Steve Mercer, Jan 2014

Now, let’s get to the food. If you haven’t checked out Goosetown’s menu, please do – there are so many interesting dishes; some of which utilizing home-made sausage! From Potato Cheese Pierogis to Southern Pork Nachos, there are so many good choices that it makes it difficult to order just one thing. We opted for the Southern Pork Nachos, consisting of shredded, barbeque pork atop tri-colored tortilla chips. Add shredded, cheddarjack cheese, fresh jalapeños, and ‘slaw and you’ve got yourself mouth-watering, deliciously-crafted Southern Pork Nachos. Two of us wiped out an order in under 10 minutes, and needed another.

Make sure you visit Goosetown Tavern, a local establishment providing much love to the city of Denver. Great for watching a football game, meeting before/after a show at the Bluebird, or to relax and shoot some pool. Hope to see you there, Denver!

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Hilarious in a Bad Way – The Book of Mormon

/ DenverSpeax

Another fantastic product of Colorado – The Book of Mormon, created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker – the guys who brought you South Park. I kicked myself for not seeing the most recent show here in Denver, but will definitely be ready when the tour returns in 2015! Check out this fantastic review from Bucket List Publications. Make sure you stop by their blog and show ’em some love.