Coming Attractions

Denver turns on bright new night light

Recommended activities for the coming week

Column by Clarke Reader
Posted 11/12/19

One of my favorite things about public art is that it encourages artists to think on a grander scale. But the new Denver Theatre District permanent installation goes a step beyond, as it provides …

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Coming Attractions

Denver turns on bright new night light

Recommended activities for the coming week

Posted

One of my favorite things about public art is that it encourages artists to think on a grander scale. But the new Denver Theatre District permanent installation goes a step beyond, as it provides artists with an unusual canvas - one of the city’s most famous buildings.

That installation is Night Lights Denver, which kicked off on Nov. 7. The projection mapping installation will project work from local and international artists on the Arapahoe Street side of the Daniels & Fisher Tower on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

“In a way we want it to be like the famous Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas, where it just becomes an addition to your night,” said David Ehrlich, Denver Theatre District executive director. “You might be out, walking by and stop and hang out to see the work being projected.”

Night Lights Denver partners include the Downtown Denver Partnership, Orange Barrel Media and the Daniels & Fisher Tower.

Projected images will rotate on a monthly basis, and will start with work created by Hungary’s Limelight, an internationally recognized artist collective, Denver-based artists Joel Swanson and Sofie Birkin, and supporting animation by Vincent Comparetto. The work will begin about 30 minutes after sunset, will run on a loop and restart every 15 minutes until about 8:15 p.m.

To begin with, Night Lights Denver will include art commissions and ambient programming, but the aim is to keep it local and community driven. That’s why Ehrlich and the district thinks of it as “the people’s projector,” with all that implies, including open projector nights, cultural showcases and ways for passersby to control what is projected.

“Since we’ve paid to install the equipment permanently, that’s not a cost artists have to deal with. Which means we can work with artists of all calibers, including going all the way down to high school,” he said. “People love stories, so we’re also reaching out to the written word community to see if they can use it. There’s a lot of potential ideas for ways to use it. We want to ask a lot of crazy, stupid questions and have artists figure it out.”

Like all the projects that The Denver Theatre District — a nonprofit that focuses on a 16-block area of downtown — tackle, the aim is to add some excitement through interactive, immersive and experimental arts and culture events and experiences.

“This is for the people — both artists and people in the community,” Ehrlich said. “Anyone can check it out, and if they come up with an idea, don’t be shy about sharing it.”

For more information, visit www.nightlightsdenver.com.

Go noodle-wild at Ramen-O-Rama!

It’s pretty difficult to say no to a well-made cup of ramen, especially as the temperatures turn colder and the weather harsher. The Japanese dish has gone from common usage in instant noodles to numerous restaurants opening that serve it in both traditional and innovative ways.

Late autumn is a perfect time to celebrate the dish, and that’s just what fans can do at Ramen-O-Rama! Denver’s Ramen Festival, held from 12:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the RiNo Fairgrounds, 3715 Chestnut Place in Denver.

The event allows attendees unlimited sampling of all kinds of ramen from local restaurants and their chefs. The 21-years-old and older event will also feature an all-inclusive open bar, live music, games and more.

Get yourself a bib and go to www.eventbrite.com to buy tickets.

Ari Melber discusses important media practices at JCC

The press and media-at-large has taken a beating in recent years and as we gear up for another presidential election, things are likely to get worse before they get better. And yet this is the time when good media work is more necessary than ever.

Emmy Award-winning journalist, writer and attorney Ari Melber will be lecturing on contemporary news and media in today’s political climate at the Jewish Community Center, 350 South Dahlia St. in Denver, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17.

Melber currently is the Chief Legal Correspondent for MSNBC, covering the Justice Department, Supreme Court, FBI, prominent court cases and national legal issues.

For tickets, visit www.jccdenver.org/ari-melber.

Clarkes Concert of the Week - Wilco at Mission Ballroom

It’s difficult to imagine that the members of Chicago’s Wilco knew just how long a haul they’d be in for when they first formed in 1994. In the ensuing 25 years, the group has blended alt-country and alternative rock and made several classics in the process.

Their newest album, October’s “Ode to Joy” is another solid entry in a remarkably solid discography and finds lead songwriter and singer Jeff Tweedy exploring themes like the search for hope and meaning in life. And most importantly the power of love to make all the hard times worthwhile.

 

 

In support of the album they will be performing at the Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St. in Denver, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19. After so many years of touring, the group is a well-oiled machine, and will undoubtedly put on quite the show.

Get tickets at www.missionballroom.com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.

Clarke Reader, Coming Attractions, Denver, Night Lights Denver, Denver Theatre District, public art, Downtown Denver Partnership, Orange Barrel Media, Daniels & Fisher Tower, music, live music, concerts, Wilco, Mission Ballroom, Ari Melber, JCC, Jewish Community Center, RiNo, RiNo Fairgrounds, food, Ramen-O-Rama! Denver’s Ramen Festival

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