The annual used to be an insider moment for the city’s creative class, a day for workshops and socializing for folks whose businesses fall somewhere between art, technology and wherever. Designers networked with programmers who scouted social media consultants who scored the Web addresses of musicians, writers, architects and fashion designers.
But along the way, the event morphed into something much larger. The creative class — competitive as it can be — began using the time to show off new ideas to one another, and the city as a whole. This year Create Denver is a weekend-long, mini-festival of interactive attractions open to everyone.
Interactive as in drink beer and sing karaoke.
The creatives will still mingle on Saturday at the Colorado Convention Center, but tonight the rest of us can join them watching new, short-form video works projected on the big, outdoor screen at 14th and Champa streets, a program called “SightLine,” put together by the and .
Or play video games on the giant screen at “KacheOut,” where competitors will use hands-free, infrared controllers to fight it out over a program based on the old Breakout and Arkanoid games.
Or take their turns at karaoke in front of a giant LED monitor that changes shapes and colors based on the pitch and tempo of the song and the singer’s own energy.
“The performers themselves make a visual art piece along the mall for all to see,” said Karla Rodriguez of the , which is partnering on the event. Rodriguez (whose own special song is Iron Maiden’s “Run to the Hills”) will host “InStereo,” along with local personality Magic Cyclops.
There’s also some high-tech shopping opportunities, showcasing local products and, on Sunday, 65 open studios in the District. Oh yeah, and the beer. Wynkoop Brewery is releasing Catalyst Ale, fermented with the “house” yeast from six different local breweries. Pubs around town are serving it.
And to make it all easy, , the public bike program, is offering a special pass for $10, valid through Sunday, and Create Denver has its own mobile app to help manage schedules.
The insider part remains the anchor, and for $10 creative types get a day of good advice and the chance to hang out with one another. That takes place Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Here’s a slightly more official schedule of public events:
TONIGHT:
6-8 : “SideShop.” A store stocked with locally designed products about to be launched. Shoppers can also purchase items from the store window 24/7 via QR codes. Legwork Studio will transform the space into an interactive environment where customers can alter the space’s visual architecture. 1600 Glenarm Place, Suite 110.
7-8 : “KacheOut.” Let the giant video games begin. 14th and Champa streets.
8-9 : “SightLine.” Preview this summer’s line up of public video art. 14th and Champa streets.
9-10 : “InStereo” Sing your best song and make some video art. 16th and Champa streets.
SUNDAY:
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Open Studio tour in the RiNo Art District.
4 p.m.-6 p.m. After-party at Ironton Studios, 3636 Chestnut Place.
The public events are free. More info at denvergov.org/createdenver. Register for a bike at denverbcycle.com.
Ray Mark Rinaldi: 303-954-1540 or rrinaldi@denverpost.com
