Rockstar Aaron stands out in a Denver club crowd. He’d stand out in New York, too.
With his towering, multicolored mohawk and elaborate face paint, the DJ looks like Ziggy Stardust’s punk-damaged son. But he wouldn’t mind if other night-lifers followed his sparkly lead.
“Denver is a very laid-back, cargo-shorts sort of a town, but I love it when I see people dressed up glam in nightclubs,” says Aaron. “A dash of glitter goes a long way.”
Glitter-faced or not, dance-loving Denverites are invited to Rockstar Aaron‘s latest adventure, Distortion Disko, an eclectic dance party that kicks off Wednesday at the Hi-Dive (7 S. Broadway; 720-570-4500).
Distortion Disko replaces the Hi-Dive’s dearly departed Off the Wall party, a popular ’80s night that fell off the map a while back.
“I think a lot of people miss that night, including myself,” Aaron says.
He hopes to recapture the same sweaty vibes, but he makes it clear that Distortion Disko is not another irony-soaked night of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet.
“I wanted to do something a little different,” he says. “This night is going to be more dance-focused.”
To that end, he’s pulling out the big guns. Scissor Sisters, Justice and Peaches will get thrown in with jams from James Brown — whatever it takes to get feet on the floor.
One thing Disko dancers probably won’t hear is the latest Snoop Dogg single.
“Right now, nightclubs across the country are oversaturated with hip-hop,” says Aaron. “I am avoiding (it).”
For those who can live without a Timba- land track for an evening, Distortion Disko promises to be a new weeknight steam valve. Get rid of those work clothes and consider the glitter.
Distortion Disko. Wednesday nights at the Hi-Dive. $3 cover charge after 10 p.m.Buddha’s birthday.
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 10 years.
The Funky Buddha (776 Lincoln St.; 303- 832-5075), that comforting mainstay of Regas Christou‘s SoCo empire, celebrates its ninth anniversary next week, starting Tuesday.
Bartenders and DJs from throughout the Buddha’s history will make guest appearances through the week, and of course there will be drink specials aplenty. It varies by night, but the specials are for either Effen or Stoli, so vodka fans will be especially pleased. Others might discover they have a taste for it.
The party runs through Jan. 26.
A perfect combo.
Ask a Canadian: The mixture of hockey and beer is a national treasure. Not for the players, of course, but for everyone else, the oversize-jersey-clad and the proud.
The Walnut Room (3101 Walnut St.; 303-292-1700) is offering even more incentive to mix these fine gifts from the north at its Avalanche Watch-and-Win on Tuesday afternoons.
With every purchase of Coors, Coors Light or Blue Moon, hockey fans are entered to win tickets to an Avalanche home game.
The seats are sweet, too: the third row in a floor section. There’s no cover to get in, just a desire to kick back. The party starts when the puck drops every Tuesday.
Shows to see.
Tonight there’s a wealth: Tone Loc at the Martini Ranch (1317 14th St.; 303-534-6100). Advance tickets are $10 at .
Hip-hoppers Kidz in the Hall play Vinyl (1082 Broadway; 303-860-8469). Soulful DJ-and-production team Groove Junkies hit The Shelter (1037 Broadway; 303-534-0222).
Saturday, check out UK dance DJ Lee Coombs at Vinyl.
Kathleen St. John: kstjohn@gmail.com or 303-954-1568
