I love a night on the town at one (or more) of Denver’s chic lounges and big dance clubs, but every now and then a gal needs a break from the regular routine.
My solution for the dance club doldrums is to retreat into the city’s smaller club scenes, where live bands get down on stage and the dance parties involve geek-chic retro themes rather than overly manufactured productions.
In keeping with that philosophy, my hipster-dive-bar schedule this week includes a pajama party, a local band jam session, and a long overdue visit to the Larimer Lounge.
Tonight at the High Street Speakeasy (303-298-9333) is another “Save the Speakeasy” party for this super cool but perpetually struggling den of hedonism (and occasional hauntings) at 3862 High Street. Though it’s a great neighborhood bar, the off-the- beaten-path location is a constant obstacle. Finding it is half the fun; the rest comes from the pajama-party theme, rumored to include games of Twister and Jell-0 wrestling in a kiddie pool.
The local dive scene tour would not be complete without a stop at the Hi-Dive (7 S. Broadway, 720-570-4500). Tuesday, locals Breezy Porticos and the Perry Weissman 3 will perform separately before the two bands swap members. The Bay Area’s Red Pony Clock also will take the stage, but whether they will get into the spirit of the local jam session remains to be seen.
Next Wednesday, it’s off to the Larimer Lounge, (2721 Larimer St., 303-291-1007) one of my occasional hangouts that I haven’t been to for far too long. The Retribution Gospel Choir is an indie rock supergroup of sorts, with Alan Sparhawk (Low, Black Eyed Snakes) joining forces with Mark Kozelek (Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon) for a special fall tour. The two musicians are best known for making bare-bones music back when the grunge explosion was first making waves, but if the Internet buzz is to be believed, this brand-new project will bring a heavy dose of good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll.
Fringe Fest finale
The Boulder International Fringe Festival will sign off with an appropriately theatrical bang at Saturday’s Fringe Finale party. The alternative arts festival has been running since Aug. 17, with theater, dance, visual and performing arts events scheduled at various locations around the Boulder area. It’s only fitting that Saturday night’s wrap party at the Boulder Theater sounds like an alt-art smorgasbord of overlapping multimedia genres blending visual arts, performance art, and music. The party is hosted by the Mariposa Collective, a group of experimental performing artists from the Boulder area.
“We do a big show every year,” said Christy Harris, director of the Mariposa Collective and a scheduled performer at the finale. “But this year we decided to really make a party out of it.”
Dubbed “Mariposa on the Fringe,” the interactive dance party features a red carpet art installation at the entrance, and many different contemporary dance performances – including the highly entertaining and acrobatic Oracle Dance troupe who zoom around from the rafters – along with DJs Jantsen Alalaone and Papyrus on the main stage and DJs Ivy and Footer in the Pulp Lounge. A midnight fashion show by Potential Fashions will round out the artsy offerings.
Boulder International Fringe Festival’s Fringe Finale, 8 p.m. Saturday at the Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St, $15, 21+, 303-786-7030.
Mezcal patio party
Better late than never. Mezcal (3230 E. Colfax) celebrates the waning days of summer with a patio opening party tonight at the East Colfax oasis where the tequila and tamales can be served up al fresco. The casual patio seating is yet another great reason to jet over to the most happening intersection on the ‘fax, where Mezcal, the Goosetown Tavern, Atomic Cowboy, Star Cafe; and the Bluebird Theater make a handy destination for a two-block bar hop.
Kat Valentine writes about night life Fridays in 7Days. Reach her at kat@kingproduction.com or call 303-820-1568.
