Mario’s Double Daughters Salotto (1632 Market St., 303-623-3505) rolls out the full dog-and-pony show every Thursday night. Actually, make that simply the Dog Show, a weekly event featuring down-tempo indie rock brought to you by Matthew Brown and Jaime Jennings of Fancy Tiger, a hip little indie boutique and music store on South Broadway. The duo also DJ on Radio 1190 during their weekly Sunday night indie dance show, “Substance.”
Each week they’ll look for the “best in breed” or the “best in show” among their quirky selection of indie subgenres; math-pop, French lounge, down disco, psyche rock, shoegazer, lo-fi and more.
“They have great taste in music,” said John Skogstad, co-owner of the Double Daughters. “They’ll blend a ’70s Rolling Stones song into some downtempo electronica. It’s always really interesting, and just a little further from the norm.”
Naturally, the Dog Show’s musical eccentricity tends to attract an equally eccentric crowd. “The crowd is similar to the hipster crowd that hits the bars on South Broadway like Sputnik or Hi-Dive, but a little more mature,” Skogstad said. “It gets going around 10 p.m., and it’s usually a lot of design and artsy-oriented people.”
In addition to the obscure musical selections, the similarly unusual drink specials should encourage Dog Show participants to sit, stay and fetch a few creative cocktails. Look for deals like $3 Hazed and Infused drafts, $3.50 Sammy Gin 5 shots (a secret house blend including gin and orange juice), $5.50 glasses of 2004 Holly’s Blend Australian white wine, or $6 Seven Samarai martinis (Charbay green tea vodka and raspberry vodka).
First Friday after-party
Every first Friday of the month, Denver’s arts districts fill up with gallery hoppers who happily bop around town to sip wine, nibble cheese and view the latest creative efforts on display. Many galleries stay open late into the evening. It’s a great monthly event, except for one problem. “Late” for an art gallery – say, 10 p.m. – is far too early for the average party hound to call it a night. Art in the City, a new monthly art party, offers a perfect solution: The series is an arts and cultural soiree that coincides with the First Friday art walks and serves as an artsy after-party for the First Friday revelers. Last week, the second event in the new series drew an enthusiastic response.
“The great thing about the last event was that people got so involved,” said Eric Trujillo, director of the Art in the City series. “They were asking the featured artist about his work, and got really engaged in the short films. One of the big things we’re hoping for is that people continue to engage in emerging artists after they do the art walks.”
Held primarily at the Walnut Foundry events center (3002 Walnut St., 303-394-3672), the parties will include a featured artist, a musical guest, and an additional artist or performing arts troupe. Last week’s bash featured visual art by artist Mike Mclung, five independent short films, and music by the Yo! Flaco Jazz Project. The $10 door charge includes one free drink, after which a low-cost cash bar is available with $3 Stella Artois, martinis, and wine. “We’re not doing this to make money,” Trujillo said. “We just want to showcase Denver’s eclectic mix of culture and art.”
Next month, the October 6 event at the Walnut Foundry will include a sculpture artist and dance performances; November’s bash will move to the Walker Fine Arts gallery for a special engagement and opening before returning to the Walnut Foundry throughout most of 2007. The events run from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the first Friday of each month; a portion of the proceeds will benefit Culture Haus, the social extension of the Denver Art Museum.
Kat Valentine writes about nightlife Fridays in 7Days. Reach her at kat@kingproduction.com or call 303-954-1568.
