DJ Krush has been in a reflective mood lately.
The Japanese producer/turntablist has been offering up his unique blend of hip-hop and downtempo electronica for well over a decade, and released a three-DVD set of music, videos and documentaries called “History of DJ Krush/Suimou Tsunenimasu” just last month.
“I wanted to show people the footprint of DJ Krush through my history,” he said. “It just came out in the U.S., but for my Japanese fans, the majority of the reaction has been ‘Wow, we didn’t know how much you’ve done overseas.”‘
The title phrase of the disc, “Suimou Tsunenimasu,” translates to “There is no end to training” and is a key concept to DJ Krush’s philosophy as an artist.
“For me, keeping in training is about how seriously I can face myself,” he said. “It’s not about training with other people, but about fighting myself. I want to keep going without looking back, moving forward and leaving new footsteps behind me.”
Krush’s U.S. tour will bring him to Denver this Saturday at the Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. So what can fans expect to see?
“Normally, I don’t play my own music, but for this show I want to showcase my history so I’ll be doing a medley of my music.”
Catch his set at 9 p.m. Saturday, $20, 16+, Ticketmaster.
Chillin’ black tie Dave Hieb has been throwing his Chillin’ parties for Denver’s stylish lounge set for years, and the annual Chillin’ Black Tie bash is always a highlight. But this weekend, the sixth annual event will move to a different venue to offer a bigger, bolder black-tie bash.
“I’m a venue snob,” Hieb says. “This year the Chillin’ Black Tie is at the Cable Center, which is super-cool, but nobody has been there. I’ve been there before for business events, but not for a party.”
The building at 2000 Buchtel Blvd. offers room for 600 revelers to strut their dressed-up stuff. A four-story atrium will house the main event, with a VIP level on the second-floor mezzanine, and a VVIP room in the third-level “sky room.”
“It overlooks everything,” said Hieb. “It’s like being on a big ship.”
Entertainment includes a live break dancing exhibition by Affiliated Dance, with DJ Amen behind the decks spinning his signature mash-ups.
“He’s a pretty popular DJ around town,” Hieb said. “I’ve heard him at Sutra, Jet and at Bill Ward’s new place, Pi.”
Hieb may be leaving the music choices to someone else, but he’s on top of the visuals for this event. His “ChillinTime Digital Experience” will take over the 99-screen Jumbotron in the atrium of the Cable Center.
“It’s basically a movie we create for the party,” he said. “We use a combo of still photos from past parties with clips from black-and- white movies from the Frank Sinatra era. And then our sponsor, Skyy Vodka, has these artsy noir-type movies, and we add in live video feeds of the break dancers and the partiers.”
Tickets are $60 for general admission, $90 for VIP, or $1,000 for a VIP table for eight. Proceeds benefit the When I Grow Up Foundation; visit for tickets and details.
Afroblu anniversary Afroblu, a monthly after-hours dance party, celebrates the one- year mark on Saturday. The underground celebration has grown in the past year, gaining fans with its mix of music, art and culture. Look for live body painting, plus Afrobeat, deep house and global soul music from a slew of hipster Denver DJs, including Mu$a, Aztec and Segue. Guest DJs include Julius the Mad Thinker and Adam Gibbons.
The party starts at 10 p.m. Saturday and runs through 5 a.m. on Sunday. $15, 21+, Orange Cat Studios, 2625 Larimer St.
Kat Valentine: 303-954-1568 or kat@kingproductions.com
