Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole. 

LONGMONT, Colo. — July 5, 2026 — Five years ago, Nepali Jatra was born from a spark of hope: a small gathering at the Longmont Museum to share the heart of Nepal with a few neighbors. We prepared for a modest group; instead, nearly 450 people flooded the room, overflowing with a level of love and trust that changed our trajectory forever.

What began in an auditorium quickly became a movement. The walls couldn’t hold the growing energy, and for the past two years, Nepali Jatra has taken to the streets of Downtown Longmont, transforming the city into a vibrant hub of Nepali culture, food, and music.

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, Nepali Jatra marks its 5th Anniversary with a landmark Special Edition: Inclusive Communities. This year, the festival also stands in tribute to the 250th Anniversary of the United States and the 150th for Colorado, celebrating the diverse roots that make our community thrive.

In a powerhouse partnership, Nepali Jatra is joining forces with the Longmont Multicultural Action Committee (LMAC) and the Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley BeLove Community initiative. Together, we are building a “Beloved Community” where relationships, understanding, and true belonging are the foundation.

With over 20 multicultural groups representing Nepal, Tibet, India, Vietnam, Mexico, and Native American communities, the streets will come alive with:

• The World Stage: Live performances and music that bridge the gap from the Rockies to the Himalayas.
• The Belove Table: Free food samples from across the globe, offered as a gift of hospitality.
• A Living Rainbow: We invite everyone to bring their vibes and wear their traditional ethnic or cultural attire. Let’s celebrate the roots that make us beautiful.

“Nepali Jatra grew because the community chose to embrace it,” said Sunanda Dangol, Executive Director of Nepali Jatra Initiatives. “This year, we are opening our arms wider than ever. It is still rooted in Nepali pride, but it is also a declaration that every culture matters. You are seen, you are heard, and you belong here.”

Event Details

• What: Nepali Jatra & Inclusive Communities Revival
• When: Saturday, July 11, 2026 | 5:00–8:00 PM
• Where: 4th Ave & Kimbark St, Downtown Longmont
• Cost: Free and open to all
• Information/ Inquiries: Sunanda Dangol 720-745-9267

More about the BeLove Community initiative: stvrainhabitat.org/belovedlongmont

###

The post Nepali Jatra & Inclusive Communities Revival in Downtown Longmont appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Where We Roam: A Show For Public Lands Opening Reception, Jul. 3:

The NoBo Art District opens a new exhibition, Where We Roam: A Show For Public Lands, with a reception on Friday, Jul. 3 at 6 PM. The exhibition, curated by Robin van Wageningen, features 20 Coloradan landscape artists whose work advocates for the connection, memories, and recreation fostered by shared public lands. Where We Roam: A Show For Public Lands will be on display at the Bus Stop Gallery from Jul. 3-25.

Where We Roam: A Show For Public Lands Opening Reception | Jul. 3 • Bus Stop Gallery, Boulder

Canyon Collective’s Psychedelic Hoedown with River Spell, Jul. 3:

Canyon Collective’s coming to Ned General for a special Jul. 3rd hoedown, celebrating the struggle against injustice that came before independence. This unforgettable night will feature live funk and psychedelic tunes from Canyon Collective and River Spell, a special dinner menu, and vendors, all wrapped up in the spirit of anti-imperialism.

Canyon Collective’s Psychedelic Hoedown with River Spell | Jul. 3 • Ned General, Nederland

City of Louisville: Fourth of July Fireworks, Jul. 4th 

Bring your friends and family to Coal Creek Golf Course in Louisville on Jul. 4th for the ultimate 4th of July celebration. Enjoy live music, delicious food, and epic fireworks behind the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Parking fills up fast, so make sure to get there early! Hope to see you there from 6 to 10!

City of Louisville: Fourth of July Fireworks| Jul. 4th • Coal Creek Golf Course, Louisville

Street Faire: North Mississippi Allstars, Jul. 10

Enjoy contemporary blues and rock sensation North Mississippi Allstars at the Jul. 10th Louisville Street Faire. The four-time GRAMMY-nominated quartet is hitting the road after releasing their latest album, Still Shakin’. Front Street will come to life like never before as the “Allstars” bring their Mississippi charm and improvisation. All the while, friends and family will twirl in the soft fading light of Louisville’s historic downtown.

Photo via Instagram

Street Faire: North Mississippi Allstars | Jul. 10 • Front Street, Louisville

Gimme Gimme Disco, Jul. 11th

Time to prove you are truly the Dancing Queen at this ABBA and classic disco dance party in Denver! Put on your sequined flare jumpsuit and best dancing shoes for a night of the Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Cher, and other 70s/80s classics that’ll have you dancing like no one is watching. Bring a friend or have the best solo experience, and be sure not to miss this traveling disco party.

Gimme Gimme Disco | Jul. 11 • Marquis Theater, Denver

Yellow Scene’s 2026 Summer Support Drive is underway with a goal of 1,000 Sustaining Supporters by summer’s end.

For 26 years, we have remained fiercely independent, free from sponsored content and outside editorial influence.

Reader-driven support keeps local journalism unbossed, unbought, and our journalists fed. Become a sustaining supporter for $8/month and get Yellow Scene delivered to your home.

Join the Summer Support Drive and keep local journalism strong.

The post Scene Stealers: Week of July 1st appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Media contact: Nick Dobreff, 303.308.2477, ndobreff@coloradosymphony.org

Partnership continues shared commitment to music education, artistic excellence, and nurturing Colorado’s next generation of musicians.

Jun. 29, 2026 – Denver, CO – The Colorado Symphony and the Denver Young Artists Orchestra (DYAO) today announced the renewal of their longstanding strategic alliance, extending the partnership through June 30, 2028. Effective July 1, 2026, the renewed agreement reaffirms both organizations’ shared commitment to providing exceptional educational and artistic opportunities for young musicians throughout Colorado.

Established in 2018, the alliance formalized a relationship that dates back nearly five decades. Founded in 1977 with the support of the Denver Symphony — now the Colorado Symphony — DYAO has become one of the nation’s leading youth orchestra programs, serving hundreds of young musicians from across the Rocky Mountain region.

“At the Colorado Symphony, we believe music has a unique power to inspire, connect, and bring people together across generations and communities,” said Colorado Symphony President & CEO Daniel Wachter. “Our renewed alliance with the Denver Young Artists Orchestra reflects our commitment to that vision by investing in young musicians, expanding access to meaningful artistic experiences, and strengthening the future of symphonic music in Colorado. Together, we are not only nurturing the next generation of artists and audiences, but also advancing our mission to inspire and unite humanity through live symphonic music.”

The renewed agreement preserves the programmatic collaboration that has defined the alliance since its inception. Key initiatives include the annual Side-by-Side Concert featuring Colorado Symphony musicians performing alongside DYAO students, sectional coaching opportunities with Colorado Symphony musicians, complimentary student tickets to select Colorado Symphony performances, and the Colorado Symphony’s continued provision of ticketing services for DYAO performances at Boettcher Concert Hall. DYAO will also continue its role as an Artistic Affiliate of the Colorado Symphony.

“Renewing our Alliance partnership with the Colorado Symphony is an investment in the young artists who call DYAO home,” said Michael Williams, Executive Director of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. “From sectional coaching to the annual Side-by-Side concert, our students learn in real time alongside extraordinary CSA musicians, and that mentorship leaves a mark that lasts far beyond any single rehearsal or performance. That is the power of community in music education, and we are thrilled to carry this work forward together.”

The renewed agreement also reflects the natural evolution of both organizations, with several structural updates designed to support their continued growth while maintaining each organization’s independent operations and governance.

DYAO has appointed Michael Williams as its permanent Executive Director, effective July 1, 2026, following his service in the role on an interim basis. Williams has worked closely with Colorado Symphony leadership throughout the alliance and will continue to guide the collaboration between the two organizations.

As part of the renewed agreement, DYAO will also independently engage its own Music Director beginning with the 2026/27 season.

“The Colorado Symphony is proud to continue our alliance with the Denver Young Artists Orchestra,” said Colorado Symphony Chief Artistic Officer Tony Pierce. “Over the past eight years, this partnership has created inspiring opportunities for young musicians to learn directly from professional artists, perform on Colorado’s premier stages, and deepen their connection to the symphonic art form. Together, we are helping to ensure a vibrant future for music in our community.”

The relationship between the Colorado Symphony and DYAO has strengthened through years of artistic collaboration, including annual Side-by-Side performances and mentorship opportunities. DYAO alumni have gone on to perform with the Colorado Symphony — including current CSA musicians Larisa Fesmire, Marsha Holmes, Paul Naslund, and John Hilton — as well as other leading orchestras throughout the country, including the Atlanta Symphony, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and Metropolitan Opera.

Founded in 1977, Denver Young Artists Orchestra provides rigorous orchestral training, performance opportunities, and after-school programs for more than 300 students ages seven to twenty-three from over 100 schools across Colorado. Through its orchestras, and educational programs, DYAO inspires and prepares young musicians to pursue excellence both on and off the stage.

DYAO continues to transform young musicians by giving them the inspiration, support, and skills to be tomorrow’s great musicians. This is accomplished through peer monitoring within and between ensembles, yearly concerto and composition competitions, and educational assistance through regular coaching sessions with professional musicians, including members of the Colorado Symphony.

For more information about the Colorado Symphony, visit coloradosymphony.org or call 303.623.7876. For more information on the Denver Young Artists Orchestra, visit dyao.org.

TICKETS:

Tickets to Colorado Symphony events are available online at coloradosymphony.org/tickets, by phone at 303.623.7876, and in person at the Boettcher Concert Hall Box Office, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1000 14th Street. The Box Office is open Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, noon – 5 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance.

ABOUT THE DENVER YOUNG ARTISTS ORCHESTRA: 

Founded in 1977 with the support of the Denver Symphony Orchestra, the award-winning Denver Young Artists Orchestra has been the premier option for aspiring young musicians in the Front Range for over 45 years. Now operating as an educational affiliate to the Colorado Symphony, the organization’s four orchestras, educational workshops, and after-school Tune Up violin classes train over 300 students, ages seven to twenty-three, from more than 100 schools across Colorado.

DYAO performs throughout the Denver metro with large-scale, collaborative, and outreach performances. Members of the orchestras graduate into conservatories and universities across the country, including Brown University, The Eastman School of Music, Harvard University, The Juilliard School, Stanford University, and Yale University. Alumni who continued on to professional music careers are found in many major orchestras across the country, including the Atlanta Symphony, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, and Metropolitan Opera. To learn more, visit dyao.org.

ABOUT THE COLORADO SYMPHONY: 

One of the leading orchestras in the United States, the Colorado Symphony Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization performing more than 150 concerts annually at Boettcher Concert Hall in downtown Denver and across Colorado. Led by Peter Oundjian as its Music Director as of the 2025/26 season, the Colorado Symphony is home to eighty full-time musicians representing more than a dozen nations and regularly welcomes the world’s most celebrated artists from across musical genres. The orchestra celebrated its Centennial during the 2023/24 concert season and now serves more than 340,000 people each year through live performances at Boettcher Concert Hall, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, and other venues throughout Colorado’s Front Range.

Boettcher Concert Hall, which opened in 1978, was the first in-the-round symphonic venue built in the United States. In November 2025, voters passed the Vibrant Denver Bond, which allocates $20 million to a future renovation of the concert hall. Guided by a vision to inspire and unite humanity through live symphonic music, the Colorado Symphony is a living heartbeat of the state — expressing its beauty, creativity, vitality, and inclusive spirit.

Through unmatched artistry and bold innovation, the Symphony inspires Colorado and audiences everywhere while expanding access, fostering education, and creating lasting memories through meaningful personal connections. Recognized as an incubator of innovation, creativity, and excellence, the Colorado Symphony listens to and learns from its diverse communities, musicians, and staff; composes and creates with curiosity and versatility; and leads with empathy, collaboration, and responsible stewardship. The Symphony continually expands its reach through in-person and virtual education programs, community partnerships, and programming that celebrates achievement, honors diverse voices, and infuses joy on and off the stage. The Colorado Symphony partners with leading musical artists, cultural organizations, corporations, foundations, educators, sports teams, and individuals to connect people, uplift communities, and inspire everyone to feel part of something greater.

###

The post Colorado Symphony And Denver Young Artists Orchestra Renew Strategic Alliance Through 2028 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

LAVENDER FESTIVAL RETURNS TO DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS CHATFIELD FARMS

Weekend-long festival includes food, music, art and children’s activities

Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19

More than 2,000 blooming lavender plants set the scene for Lavender Festival at Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms location in Littleton. The two-day summer event invites visitors to stroll through fragrant rows of lavender while enjoying food, beverages, artisan booths, live music and children’s activities. This year’s event is Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Advance tickets are required.

Admission includes:

• Access to the 1.5-acre lavender garden that features 19 different varieties.
• Dye garden tours with information about dye plants, weaving and spinning demonstrations
• Artists presenting and creating during the festival
• Hands-on paint-by-numbers style murals
• Entertainment by local Colorado bands performing in our newly opened Market Square bandstand.
• Barrel train rides, lawn games and kids craft area
• Access to Chatfield Farms’ historic homestead, trails and curated gardens

Other things to know:

• Tickets are $7 – $17, children 2 and under are free and must be purchased in advance.
• Gardens members save $4 on tickets.
• Group pricing is not available for special events.
• The last entry is at 4 p.m. The event ends at 5 p.m.
• The event is rain or shine; in the case of severe weather, guests will be asked to temporarily seek indoor shelter or go to their vehicles.

What to Eat and Drink

Food and beverages are available for purchase from a variety of vendors and include vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options (available while supplies last and upon request). Breckenridge Brewery and Stem Ciders offerings made with lavender grown at Chatfield Farms will be available along with other fan favorite options.

Live Performances

Saturday’s Lineup:

• 9:30-11 a.m.: South Bandstand, Moon Honey (Country, Americana meets Pop)
• 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: North Bandstand, Lucky Catch (Classic Rock, Motown)
• 1:30-3 p.m.: South Bandstand, Denver Dolls (Swing)
• 3:30-5 p.m.: North Bandstand, Chris Daniels and the Kings (Blues with Horns)

Sunday’s Lineup:

• 9:30-11 a.m.: South Bandstand, Gio B (Jazz, Rock)
• 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: North Bandstand, Before The Sun (Bluegrass/Folk)
• 1:30-3 p.m.: South Bandstand,Denver Dolls (Swing)
• 3:30-5 p.m.: North Bandstand, Biff Gore Band (Acoustic Soul)

PRESS CONTACT: Courtney Meihls, 720-457-4261, courtney.meihls@botanicgardens.org

The post Lavender Festival Returns to Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Louisville Street Faire: The Petty Nicks Experience, Jun. 19

Louisville’s Front Street comes back to life on Jun. 19 as the Petty Nicks Experience steals the stage. Paying homage to the works of Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks, this Colorado band breathes reimagined life into two of rock’n’roll’s most beloved acts. From the rockin’ highs of “American Girl” to the mellow tune of “Landslide”, this group promises a fun show for all ages.

Louisville Street Faire: The Petty Nicks Experience | Jun. 19 • Front Street, Louisville

Juneteenth Music Festival, Jun. 20

Denver’s largest and longest-running Juneteenth celebration holds its 15th year of music, culture, community, and resilience on Jun. 20th, with celebrations Jun. 19th through the 21st in Denver. Grammy-nominated artist SiR will take the main stage, along with other R&B, soul, and hip-hop artists, to bring the energy to this festival. Festival-goers can browse countless vendors featuring local businesses, food, art, and resources for the Denver community.

Juneteenth Music Festival | Jun. 20 • Five Points, Denver

1940s Ball, Jun. 20

In the 18th annual celebration of the 1940s Ball, attendees can compete for the title of Best Dressed, wander through a WWII base camp, meet historical figures, and dance underneath the stars to live musical performances, including from the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. Take a trip back in time for one unforgettable night as the historic Boulder Airport’s hangar transforms into a living historical snapshot.

1940s Ball | Jun. 20 • Boulder Airport, Boulder

Flatirons Sound Music Festival, Jun. 21

Join your friends and family in Chautauqua Park for Boulder’s free annual music festival. Enjoy music, food, craft beer, and plenty of bands against the backdrop of the Flatirons. From 1-8 PM, Neal Francis, Lindsay Lou, Armchair Boogie, Blessing Bled Chimanga, and Pick & Howl perform. Experience Funk, Blues and Americana in one of Boulder’s most beautiful parks. This is more than just a concert; it’s a celebration of community and a place for everyone to come together.

Flatirons Sound Music Festival | Jun. 21 • Chautauqua Park, Boulder

13 Fires, Jun. 24-26

The Executive Committee of African American Cultural Events honors Juneteenth with 13 Fires, an original play by Boulder local Curtis K. Rogers. 13 Fires chronicles the powerful rise and systematic dismantling of Indianapolis’ Indiana Avenue, a Black cultural hub once home to infamous jazz clubs, lucrative Black-owned businesses, and icons like Madam C.J. Walker. The cast will take the Dairy Arts stage Jun. 24-26, with each show starting at 6 PM. Tickets start at $17.25 and are available on The Dairy Arts Center website.

13 Fires | Jun. 24-26 • The Dairy Arts Center, Boulder

Ziua Iei, Jun. 27

Boulder Public Library will be celebrating Ziua Iei (Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse) through a rich display of traditions that have been passed down for generations. This celebration paints a beautifully rich picture of Romanian culture through vibrant showcases of traditional music, dance, folk art, clothing, film, and more.

Ziua Iei | Jun. 27 • Canyon Theater, Boulder

Yellow Scene’s 2026 Summer Support Drive is underway with a goal of 1,000 Sustaining Supporters by summer’s end.

For 26 years, we have remained fiercely independent, free from sponsored content and outside editorial influence.

Reader-driven support keeps local journalism unbossed, unbought, and our journalists fed. Become a sustaining supporter for $8/month and get Yellow Scene delivered to your home.

Join the Summer Support Drive and keep local journalism strong.

The post Scene Stealers: Week of June 17th appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Where will you find your new favorite summer song? 

A year ago all anyone who loved music wanted to do was attend a concert on the Era’s Tour. One of the defining factors of that tour was the community that developed in, and around, each show. For seasoned concert-goers this wasn’t an entirely new experience, the surprise (and joy) was perhaps in the scale. That’s because there are dozens of opportunities, in every city, to recreate similar (albeit smaller) musical communities at local festivals large and small each summer.

The communal experience of gathering with family, neighbors, and friends you haven’t met yet to listen to someone who maybe lives just a couple of streets away share their artistry is a particular summer treat. Residents in the area are especially fortunate because of the number and range of opportunities to see live music. Yes there are larger venues that afford you the opportunity to see national or up-and-coming acts but we also have a host of festivals and local venues, from straight concert stages to brewery back rooms and library spaces, where the primary driver for a performer is not how much they will make but how much they can play. 

There are places like church socials and the “____” festival that takes place in the open area of town. In those spaces you’ll find musicians with talent, power, poise, and professionalism that’s often equal to any “big-time” performer. If they don’t have the name recognition yet, who cares. What they lack in top-line billing they more than make up for in the infectious way that they utilize their talents.

The region’s diverse population, driven in part by our university connections, means that the range of music you will hear in the summer months runs the gamut from traditional classical to avant garde. On nearly every weekend in the summer there’s a musician playing the type of music that you built your record collection around. This means there are also numerous low-investment opportunities to “try out” something new. Going into a concert blind, being unaware as to what you will hear, is not a negative thing. Live music takes on a dimension that even the best recording equipment can’t capture so experiencing it for the first time, as it plays in communion with even just one other audience member, can give you the experience, and even understanding, of a music, performer or culture that you otherwise would not have ever had.

This low-impact exposure that some concerts and festivals provide also gives you an easy way to expose the younger members of your family to different styles of music. The hope is that they will love the music on their own or maybe the excitement of hearing a live performance surrounded by others in the community will be an extra push towards putting the music in the plus column for them. 

Free and festive

One great opportunity to do that is at the Colorado Music Festival which will hold a free family concert on July 12. In addition to one of national treasure John William’s non-filmic pieces you’ll experience the musical story of Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev. It promises to be not only entertaining but an easy entry point into a music genre that some people have trouble connecting with.

You can experience a different genre of music at the Flatiron Sounds Music Fest on June 21. In addition to free performances from Armchair Boogie, Lindsay Lou, and Blessing Bed Chimanga you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy local food vendors. Plus an artisan market gives this the full festival feel.

One of the best examples of the confluence of music and community will be found in late summer at the Boulder Roots Music Festival. Held up and down Pearl Street, this year’s incarnation will showcase over 800 performers in twenty venues across three days. It’s an incredible mix of artists all in one compact place. If there is a downside to this festival it’s that it is a ticketed event.

A sampling of international sounds

If you’re looking for music with a stronger international flavor, the Mountain View United Methodist Church in Boulder will host Adjei Abankwah. He will be sharing the music of Ghana as part of the Cultural Caravan festival on June 6. While at the Lafayette Public Library Zivanai Masango will entertain with melodies on the Zimbabwean marimba. That event, which takes place on June 6 with a second show on June 13 in Erie, highlights another bonus of more hyper-focused local concerts – opportunities to interact more directly with the performer and their instrument. Over in Longmont on July 11,  you can sample the music of Nepal at the Nepali Jatra.

A new way to listen

There is something different about listening to a song sitting in a lawn chair in a parking lot or on a blanket spread across the green grass of the park you usually only come to with the dog for exercise. Even if you’ve heard the song a dozen times before, in that summer setting it just has a different sound. Not bad, but different. More tangible. It’s not just something felt by the audience but those on the other side of the instruments as well.

Musician Peter Frasier said “There is something powerful about playing for your community, especially at a festival or celebration. It’s an opportunity to, in probably the truest sense, do what we all really love to do and that’s to change the way that a person feels.”

“Music can have this really amazing effect on people,” Fraiser continued. “And when we’re out playing and you see people, of all ages really, just…connect with the music, especially when maybe they’re walking in the background going to do something else and they just stop and then wander over and join us…we really are connecting, if just for a brief moment, together as a true community.”

Yellow Scene’s 2026 Summer Support Drive is underway with a goal of 1,000 Sustaining Supporters by summer’s end.

For 26 years, we have remained fiercely independent, free from sponsored content and outside editorial influence.

Reader-driven support keeps local journalism unbossed, unbought, and our journalists fed. Become a sustaining supporter for $8/month and get Yellow Scene delivered to your home.

Join the Summer Support Drive and keep local journalism strong.

The post Music Festivals Create a Pure Sense of Community appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Curb Surfer with Liquid Chicken, HopeBound & Short Bus, May 15

This Friday, Fox Theatre hosts Curb Surfer, an exciting four-man rock band from right here in Boulder. Their show provides audiences with a high-intensity music experience filled with local Colorado flair. Liquid Chicken, HopeBound, and Short Bus all bring their unique rock-n-roll vibes to the show, making sure to keep viewers constantly entertained. To witness one of Boulder’s most unique summer shows, book your tickets for the Fox Theatre this Friday.

Curb Surfer with Liquid Chicken, HopeBound & Short Bus | May 15 | Fox Theatre, Boulder

All Your Friends, HQ Denver, May 16

LCD Soundsystem, MGMT, and Crystal Castles are the post-punk revival of this house party. HQ Denver has the indie classics of the early 2010s that romanticized synths and high-energy to keep us dancing long into the night. DJ Eli dedicates a vinyl set to the nostalgia of these bands at All Your Friends (the title to perhaps one of the greatest songs to come out of this era) and all of its basement-floor classics.

All Your Friends | May 16 | HQ Denver, Denver

Plays With Fire 2026, May 16 and 17

The Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company brings its “Plays With Fire” event back for 2026 with two staged readings of comedies. The first is a ten-minute comedy, “Bonnet” by John Patrick Shanley, followed by a 70-minute memoir comedy, “The Wheelchair on My Face” by Sonya Kelly. This event will be shown in Denver on Saturday and in Boulder on Thursday and Sunday. Attendees will also have the chance to hear about BETC’s upcoming season from two of its directors.

Plays With Fire 2026 | May 16 and 17 | The Savoy Denver, Denver, and The Dairy Arts Center, Boulder

The Props, Skiimo, and Silver and Gold @ Lion’s Lair, May 18

Looking to make your Monday night a little louder? Head to Lion’s Lair on May 18 for a stacked lineup featuring The Props, Skiimo, and Silver and Gold. The show runs from 7 to 10 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. It is the perfect event to help you ease into the week with some live music. Whether you’re already familiar with the bands or just looking for a reason to get out, this 21+ show is a solid excuse to spend your Monday at one of Denver’s staple music spots.

The Props, Skiimo, and Silver and Gold | May 18 | Lion’s Lair, Denver

Boulder Creek Festival Returns Memorial Day Weekend, May 22–25

Downtown Boulder transforms into a four-day community celebration along the creek, with 30+ bands across three stages, 200+ artisan vendors, food trucks, and family programming — all free to attend. Kick things off Friday evening, then settle in for a full weekend of live music, local makers, and picnic-friendly afternoons in the sun. The Creekside Beer Fest offers ticketed tastings from 20+ Colorado breweries.

Boulder Creek Festival | May 22-25 | Boulder Creek, Boulder

Bloom and Glow, May 23

Come down to Brunner Farm House in Broomfield from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to connect with local vendors and your community on building healthy self-care habits. With features like a build-your-own-bouquet bar, wellness and self-care workshops, and chances to pamper yourself, this is a wonderful day out for friends looking to relax and build new self-care routines just in time for summer! All proceeds from this event also go to the Broomfield Council on the Arts and Humanities, which funds spaces for local artists to shine and grow year-round throughout the community. Show your support and spoil yourself a little!

Bloom and Glow | May 23 | Brunner Farmhouse, Broomfield

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter — and get our print edition delivered to your home each month.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. For 25 years, we’ve told the truth — your support helps us keep doing it for the next four and beyond. Administrations come and go. Our team stays ready to lead, no matter who’s in charge.

The post Scene Stealers: Week of May 15th appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Stella’s Cucina is a stunner — one of the best things to happen to Boulder since the legalization of cannabis. Speaking of the beloved botanical: when Stella Spanu and her husband, Jason Fibel, first envisioned Stella’s Cucina, their goal was to create something the world had never seen — a safe, sophisticated space where guests could enjoy marijuana alongside exquisite Italian cuisine.

The concept began with a marriage of art and science. Spanu, who grew up between Manhattan and Rome, comes from a family deeply rooted in the art world and the restaurant scene of Sardinia. Fibel, whose background lies in plant science, fell in love with food through Spanu’s lifelong passion for Italian gastronomy.

In 2019, the visionary duo purchased the building that formerly housed Walnut Brewery and enlisted architect Miguel Quismondo to design an Art Deco–inspired interior. Together, they outfitted the restaurant with a hospital-grade filtration system, sleek leather booths with built-in outlets for smoking devices, and even a subtle cannabis-leaf stenciled wall — among other thoughtful touches. However, when the city of Boulder opted out of legislation permitting cannabis consumption in hospitality venues, Spanu and Fibel pivoted to full-scale Italian in 2023.

Upon entering, Stella’s Cucina feels like a luxe speakeasy. The discreet entrance opens to an experience that’s impossible to forget. “A lot of heart and passion went into this place,” said Fibel, noting how every detail was designed to transport guests far beyond Boulder. In addition to superb sound and lighting, a regal navy-and-gold color palette, gleaming central bar, and softly curved interiors harmoniously create an atmosphere that is as immersive as it is elegant. “This is not just a place to get dinner,” Fibel explained. “It’s an experience.”

The hyper-seasonal Italian menu showcases handmade pastas, vibrant salads, gorgeous vegetables, perfectly executed proteins, and decadent desserts — each a crave-worthy work of art. Insalata a la Mano is a refined interpretation of a classic Caesar, featuring romaine hearts, white anchovy, three-year-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, house-made cesare foam, and golden croutons. Pasta highlights include Spaghetti al Pomodoro — house-made spaghetti tossed with Stella’s family recipe pomodoro, garlic-infused olive oil, and fresh basil — and Fusilloni al Ragù d’Agnello, with Colorado lamb, white ragù, fried artichokes, and mint. For those seeking something heartier, the Brasato al Barolo is a melt-in-your-mouth revelation: red wine–braised short rib with caramelized baby fennel, smoked potato purée, and a silky demi-glace.

While cannabis remains off the menu, Stella’s invites guests to get a little weird with its inventive bar program. Sip a glass from the robust wine list, a revitalizing non-alcoholic bubbly, or a signature cocktail like the Mia Marmellata — a blend of apricot and sage purée, dark rye whiskey, apricot liqueur, Amaro Nonino, and lemon. Craving a twist on a classic? Try the Negroni Giallo, featuring thyme-infused Marconi gin, Suze, Contratto vermouth, Tosti Vermouth Riserva, and yellow Chartreuse.

Zero-proof cocktails receive special attention as well. The Phony Spumoni channels the essence of the beloved dessert with Giffard Aperitif, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, lime, and Fever Tree soda water. For something crisp and invigorating, the Cetriolo Spritz combines cucumber, basil, lemon, Fever Tree tonic, and Thompson & Scott ‘Noughty’ N/A sparkling chardonnay.

Although Stella’s never became the cannabis-centric concept originally imagined, Spanu and Fibel have created something equally remarkable — a sanctuary for the senses. Live music fills the space five nights a week, from sultry jazz to vibrant DJ sets. On Fridays and Saturdays, Stella’s transforms into a chic late-night lounge, complete with a state-of-the-art sound system and a limited menu of late-night fare.

If the promise of fabulous food, exceptional drinks, and a stunning atmosphere isn’t enough to draw you in, Stella’s Cucina has also earned a coveted place in the Michelin Guide.

“There is nothing we want more than to be a part of this community in Boulder for many years to come,” says Fibel.

Like Journalism Like this? Consider becoming a Sustaining Supporter, and we can cover even more.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. For 25 years, we’ve told the truth — your support helps us keep doing it for the next four and beyond. Administrations come and go. Our team stays, ready to lead no matter who’s in charge.

Plus you get the hard copy delivered to your home—reading is good.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 25 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post Stella’s Cucina | Off Menu appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Music

Tedeschi Trucks Band @ Red Rocks Amphitheater

For two nights, the Tedeschi Trucks Band will bring their unique blend of rock and blues to Morrison, Colorado. The twelve-member band is fronted by a married power couple, multiple Grammy winner Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, a generational member of the Allman Brothers Band. Their show is sure to have songs from the most recent album, “I am the Moon” as well as their most popular numbers. Tickets start at $145 for one night and $460 for two nights and are available through AXS.

Rayland Baxter and Langhorne Slim @ The Fox Theater

Rayland Baxter, an indie musician whose music leans more towards alternative country, is touring in celebration of his most recent album, “If I Were a Butterfly.” The album was created while baxter lived alone in an abandoned rubberband factory, honing in on his connectedness with the natural world. Also performing is Longhorn Slim, a musician whose music spans a range from folk to country to blues. Langhorne’s music can be heard in major movie soundtracks, as well as in dive bars. Tickets start at $46 through Z2 Entertainment.

Red Wanting Blue @ Roots Music Hall

Deemed Midwest Rock Heroes, Red Wanting Blue have been performing over the past two decades, moving up from the indie rock scene to playing on NPR and Letterman. The band is touring in honor of their most recent studio album, “The Wanting.” Labeled as powerful and authentic, reviewers have likened the lead singer to an early Phil Collins. The band states this is their most collaborative album to date, making it a one-of-a-kind show. Tickets start at $29 through Eventbrite.

Rhiannon Giddens and The Olde Time Revue @ Chautauqua Amphitheater

Rhiannon Giddens has made a beautiful career out of studying and playing historical folk-inspired music. Not only does Giddens have two well-deserved Grammy wins, but she has also received a MacArthur Genius Grant, a Pulitzer Prize, and has composed music for the main stage of ballet, opera, and television. Her music is most well-known for her groups The Carolina Chocolate Drops and Our Native Daughters. Tickets start at $56 through Z2 Entertainment.

Theater

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival @ the University of Colorado

The yearly event at the University of Colorado, the theater festival, has taken over the campus every year since 1958. The festival works to keep the spirit of Shakespeare alive through artistry and education. All plays are performed outside, under the night sky. This year, the plays shown will be The Tempest, Richard II, and Doctor Faustus. Tickets start at $26 through CU Presents.

The Body’s Still Warm: Online Dating for Divorced, Desperate, and Everybody Else @ The Dairy Arts Center

A comedic play about a 62-year-old woman who is entering the online dating world. A feel good, and laugh-out-loud performance, the play follows the hero through her struggles of dating as she comes to find friendship and community in the world around her. Tickets start at $11.50 through The Dairy Arts Center.

You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown @ The Arts Hub

A family-friendly classic, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is playing three nights, hosted by The Arts Hub. The play follows the classic adventures of the Peanuts gang, as Charlie Brown works his way through friendship with the help of his pal Snoopy. Tickets are available through The Art Hub in Lafayette.

Oklahoma Dinner Theater @ Jesters Dinner Theater and Performing Arts

The classic musical, Oklahoma, is set to end its weekly run. With a weekend performances, you can enjoy dinner and a show while taking in the old-timey performances of a farm girl falling in love. The show is hosted by the Longmont Theater Company.

The post Scene Stealers | June-July 2025 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Two-Day Summer Festival Celebrates Thirty Years of Wonder, Impact, and Collaboration!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 7th, 2025

WESTMINSTER, CO-

WHAT:
Get ready for the ultimate bug party! Butterfly Pavilion proudly presents Insectival: 30^th Anniversary Bug Bash an epic, weekend-long festival honoring the incredible world of invertebrates, animals without backbones, from butterflies and bees to spiders, scorpions, and millipedes. Insectival invites families, bug lovers, and curious minds of all ages to experience live music, immersive exhibits, educational workshops, a marketplace, firsthand animal encounters, and spine-tingling fun.

Festival-goers can enjoy:

Entertainment & Festival Fun
• Live music and entertainment.
• Face painting, photo booth, family games, and crafts.
• Local food vendors and a buzzing beer garden.

Animal Encounters & Interactive Experiences
• Animal meet-and-greets featuring tarantulas, beetles, and more.
• Butterfly releases and cockroach racing.
• Animal feedings and garden tours.

Learning & Conservation Exploration
• Educational talks with experts.
• Conservation and educational booths.

WHEN:

Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13

11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Butterfly Pavilion
6252 W. 104th Avenue, Westminster, CO

Ticket Prices: $22.45 Adult, $18.45 Child, $20.45 Senior, $5.00 Member   

WHY IT MATTERS:
Invertebrates — animals without backbones — make up more than 97% of all animal species and are essential to life on Earth. From pollinating crops to cleaning waterways, these tiny heroes support entire ecosystems — yet they’re disappearing at alarming rates due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.

For 30 years, Butterfly Pavilion has led the charge to protect invertebrates across Colorado and around the globe, through conservation science, public education, and groundbreaking research. Insectival: 30^th Anniversary Bug Bash is more than a celebration — it’s a movement, inviting the community to honor three decades of impact and join the fight for our planet’s smallest, mightiest animals.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Quermann
Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
Butterfly Pavilion
jquermann@butterflies.org | 703-477-0668

Come for the bugs. Stay for the impact.
Celebrate 30 years of saving the small but mighty!

The post Butterfly Pavilion’s Insectival: 30th Anniversary Bug Bash appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Photo courtesy of Jay Strausser, Telluride Bluegrass Festival

This June, as folk fans and bluegrass pickers gather for the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, there’s something unmistakable in the sound. It’s not just the music, it’s the feeling of legacy — a rhythm passed down like heirlooms, something more lived-in than performed. But while some festivals in Colorado are holding fast to their identities, others have slipped quietly off the calendar. As the state’s cultural map keeps shifting, its music festivals offer a window into how Colorado holds on to its soul — and where it’s letting go.

In a state known for hosting everything from intimate songwriter circles to multi-day, laser-lit electronic blowouts, the idea of a “Colorado music festival” is hard to pin down. But if you ask the people who build their summers around these events — or the artists trying to break into their lineups — you’ll start to see a story of community, tradition, and connection no matter the genre.

What makes these festivals more than just lineups and stages is their roots in people’s lives. They’re traditions, destinations, escapes, and in many cases, the emotional cornerstones of Colorado summers.

Decades ago, Telluride was a sleepy mining town with a population barely scraping a thousand. Then, in 1974, a group of dreamers brought fiddles, banjos, and guitars to its Town Park, and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival was born. Today, under the careful curation of Planet Bluegrass, Telluride remains a pilgrimage site for “Festivarians” who time their lives around the summer solstice to sit in the sun, dance barefoot in the grass, and welcome another season with music.

Photo Courtesy of Anthony G Verkuilen, Telluride Bluegrass Festival

“Our overarching goal is to always be improving the festival, as many things have changed in the world since its inception,” Grace Barret, a Planet Bluegrass marketing director, shared. “We do everything we can to embrace long-held Festivarian traditions while being open to feedback. Many of our attendees have had this tradition since before I was alive.”

But the landscape isn’t what it was in the ’70s. “When Telluride Bluegrass started, there were very few other music festivals in the country,” Barret added. “Now, people have more options than ever. The influx has changed everything.”

That explosion of options has been a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s allowed boutique festivals like the Bluebird Music Festival in Boulder to find loyal audiences, with its intimate singer-songwriter showcases feeling almost like private performances. On the other, not every festival could survive the swelling tide.

Photo Courtesy of Lauren Hartmann, Bluebird Music Festival

Take Sonic Bloom, once a fixture for electronic and experimental music in Colorado. After years of unpredictable weather, shifting locations, and a fiercely competitive festival market, Sonic Bloom has all but disappeared, joining the fate of Vertex, an ambitious multi-genre festival launched in 2016 that collapsed after just one year. Organizers blamed logistical challenges and low ticket sales, but festival insiders pointed to a larger truth: in a state packed with summer distractions, even the best ideas can get lost.

But for those who went, Sonic Bloom wasn’t just a festival — it was a revelation. “My wife and I went to Sonic Bloom on its tenth anniversary,” said Colorado resident Casey Kirkpatrick. “Ever since, we say: ‘I wish every Saturday was a Sonic Bloom Saturday.’ We met some of the most giving and nice people in that desert.”

Every year, the Sonic Bloom Orchestra took the stage — a one-time-only ensemble of improvisational musicians who blurred every line between genre and tradition. “Its whole point was to continually break the barriers of what defined ‘electronic music,'” Kirkpatrick said. “I hope to whatever heaven is there that I can go back one more time, and even if I do, I will still feel like that.”

Photo by Bradford Watkins via Facebook

Held near the Spanish Peaks, where the mountains rise like a myth from the high desert floor, Sonic Bloom thrived on contrast — between landscape and sound, solitude and community. “Its specialty was showing how electronic music could be a fully breathing live experience,” Kirkpatrick said. “Sure, you had DJs, but you also had people that worked with live loopers, instrumentalists, full bands.”

While Sonic Bloom may be gone for now, it left behind something real. It proved that festivals don’t have to fit inside a box — that electronic music could feel raw, intimate, or even spiritual under the Colorado sky. It’s the kind of memory that sticks with people, not just because of the music, but because of how it made them feel. And while some festivals like Bloom have faded, others have found their footing by going in a different direction entirely — leaning into tradition, precision, and a different kind of awe.

Still, the success stories are worth savoring. Bravo! Vail, launched in 1987, has carved out an entirely different niche, presenting world-class orchestral music under the soft hush of Vail Valley evenings. Where Telluride echoes with mandolins and harmonies, Bravo! Vail lets strings swell and timpani rumble, drawing a different kind of audience.

Meanwhile, Planet Bluegrass has expanded its empire with events like RockyGrass and the Folks Festival, keeping the spirit of collaboration alive. RockyGrass, in particular, remains a crown jewel — and this year, the appearance of bluegrass giants such as The Infamous Stringdusters promises to anchor the festival’s roots even deeper. For Jeremy Garrett, a founding member of the Grammy-winning band, it’s more than just another gig.

“RockyGrass is one of the coolest festivals in the country,” Garrett said. “I personally have been playing this festival since I was a teenager, and the Stringdusters have done this show several times. It’s held at an amazing festival grounds in Lyons, Colorado, along the St. Vrain River. The camping is excellent, and there’s even a school of music the week prior to the festival so that people can study almost any bluegrass instrument that they want along with even learning how to build an instrument. […] The lineup is always stellar and closer to something that you would see at a huge festival, but Rocky Grass keeps it down home, close-knit, and has a small festival feel.”

Photo Courtesy of Planet Bluegrass, RockyGrass Festival

It’s that balance between legacy and intimacy that seems to secure RockyGrass’ place in the future of live music.

“Bluegrass audiences have grown a lot over the years,” Garrett shared. “There’s something special about the roots music vibe of bluegrass in particular that draws people in. With a little practice, anyone can join a bluegrass jam circle, and that can be around a campfire or next to the river and there’s no need for electricity. People are captivated by the song and the history in the music.”

From legends like Tony Rice and Hot Rize to new-school innovators, RockyGrass has remained grounded in community. “It’s like playing for your friends,” Garrett said. “In fact, I probably know most of the crowd personally. A lot of people have been coming to the event for many years in a row, and it is a sought-after hot ticket. All of that, yet the energy feels fresh and intense.”

Photo Courtesy of Planet Bluegrass, Telluride Bluegrass Festival

“We put a lot of effort into our family area and activities for kids,” Planet Bluegrass added in regards to their festivals. “It’s not just an oasis for adults. Those wild festival babies grow up and do the same with their children.”

If there’s a secret to longevity, it might be exactly that: not clinging to nostalgia, but weaving it into something sturdy enough for the next generation to climb.

Of course, not every young Coloradan is packing a mandolin. Denver’s rise as the “Bass Capital” has shifted the energy dramatically, especially among younger crowds. EDM shows now flood the city, filling spaces from underground warehouses to legendary venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

“The rave community in Colorado is way more inclusive and accessible than the traditional festival scene,” said Ava Candelaria, a CU student who regularly attends EDM shows. “There’s this really respectful, established culture here that draws people in. It feels more about freedom and self-expression.”

Compared to something like the Outside Festival or even Bluebird, she says, “The atmosphere is totally different. Festivals like Outside tend to attract a laid-back, maybe older crowd. Raves are more intense, expressive — it’s about the whole experience, not just the artist.”

But not all EDM festivals have found firm footing. Some, like Global Dance Festival, have faced critiques of poor planning and underwhelming lineups. “It makes me want to explore more festivals around the country,” Candelaria admitted.

This growing divide between the grassroots, often acoustic-centered festival traditions and the newer, high-energy electronic scene reflects deeper shifts in how Colorado’s younger residents view community, accessibility, and artistry. Still, both worlds continue to coexist, if sometimes uneasily, painting a fuller picture of Colorado’s musical identity.

Photo Courtesy of Planet Bluegrass

Despite the challenges, optimism threads through the state’s festival organizers. Planet Bluegrass, for instance, is venturing into new territory this year with “Camp Alderwild,” a two-night electronic show set in Telluride Town Park — a surprising, but perhaps strategic, move.

“Planet Bluegrass has made a commitment to doing things right, both for our attendees and for everyone living in Telluride,” they said. “Even if it takes longer or is harder, we will do everything in our power to provide the best possible experience. Our relationship with the local community is integral to our long-term success.”

That relationship, built over decades of trust, may be exactly why Planet Bluegrass survives while others fold. It’s not just about the music; it’s about the land, the people, and the messy, complicated dance between tradition and change.

“It’s such a joy to play in the state of Colorado,” Garrett said. “Backstage, the vibes are always good and everyone is there to make you feel comfortable and at home and wish you the best performance you could possibly have.”

For now, Colorado’s music festivals remain what they’ve quietly become: a meeting place for restless spirits, from the bass-heads dancing until sunrise in Denver warehouses to the folk lovers chasing the last light in mountain valleys. Their form keeps shifting, but the pull stays the same. As long as there are songs worth sharing and ears willing to listen, Colorado festivals will keep finding new ways to belong.

Photo Courtesy of Planet Bluegrass, Folks Festival

Like journalism like this? Support the local press that’s been telling the truth for 25 years. Become a sustaining member and get our monthly print edition at home. We’ve weathered 9/11, floods, fires, economic crashes—and some deeply chaotic years. With your support, we’ll keep going. Because democracy still depends on journalism.

The post The Past, Present, and Future of Colorado’s Music Festivals appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

As a transplant to Colorado who grew up in Rhode Island, I’ve always been fascinated by the Centennial State’s love of Rhode Island’s greatest export of the past few decades, indie rock band Deer Tick. Shortly after moving to Colorado, a new friend of mine wanted to put together a group trip to catch this band she was really into called Deer Tick, and at the time, I knew the band name was familiar, but I couldn’t quite remember why. It took me a few days of her talking about them to remember that I went to high school with members of the band.

I don’t remember frontman John McCauley’s brief time at my high school, LaSalle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island, before he left for another school, but I distinctly remember bassist Christopher Ryan. The bassist was in the band for the school’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” in which I was part of the cast. We both took AP Music Theory together, my senior (his junior) year of high school, which has the ominous distinction of being the place I was in when I first heard about the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. And, of course, Ryan was the bassist in the best band in the whole school, a little indie rock duo that could never keep a drummer called Ophelia.

“Thank you for saying that,” said Ryan as we recently sat down, partially to reminisce but also to talk about Deer Tick’s upcoming co-headlining tour with Drive-By Truckers that makes stops in four different cities in Colorado, including Boulder at the Boulder Theater on June 21. “I still have a box of [Ophelia] CDs in my closet at my mom’s house. I should send you one.”

That high school is responsible for the first meeting between Ryan and McCauley, but it seemed the two were destined to continue to run into each other afterwards as part of the local music scene. “I kind of knew him there. He was there for a year; he was a year below me. I think you were a year ahead of me, right? Yeah, he was a year below me. He was only there for a year, but I knew him independently from the music scene, from like teenager open mic days at [local music venue] AS220 and stuff like that.”

The first official show for a band that had adapted the name Deer Tick happened in December of 2004, meaning that the band passed their 20-year milestone in December of last year. But to Ryan, it hardly feels like that much time has passed. “No, especially thinking how long it’s been since I’ve seen you, that doesn’t feel two decades,” Ryan said, chuckling. “No, I don’t feel that old. In spite of being about to turn 40, it doesn’t feel like all these things have happened.”

If Colorado has a fascination with Deer Tick, it feels like the fascination is mutual, as the band seems to really enjoy the reaction they get from crowds when playing in Colorado. “We’ve done tours of just Colorado,” Ryan explained, “like we fly into Denver, play a week in Colorado, and then fly out. It’s a big music state.”

As for the pairing of Deer Tick with Drive-By Truckers, that seems to be something that has been a long time coming. “We’ve known of each other forever,” Ryan explained. “One of our earliest tours was with Jason Isbell, who used to be with the Drive-By Truckers. That was in 2009, and then we just did another tour with him last summer. But I’ve known who they are forever. I hope that they’ve known who we are. But it’s something that just makes sense, and grows up organically. Like, ‘Oh, you guys should tour together.’ ‘Okay, let’s do that.’ And it’s something that’s been talked about for years, but this is the first time we can actually make it happen.”

As we were talking, the band was working on the next Deer Tick album, with hopes that they’ll have it out relatively soon. “By the time we’re on tour and we come to Colorado, I’m guessing we’ll either be waiting for the songs to be mastered, if we’ve picked the record. We’re gonna have over an hour’s worth of material, and we’ll have to whittle it down to a record’s worth of songs.” As for a release date, that remains too early to tell, but Colorado will soon have even more material from the Rhode Island band that we can all fall in love with again.

Like journalism like this? Support the local press that’s been telling the truth for 25 years. Become a sustaining member and get our monthly print edition at home. We’ve weathered 9/11, floods, fires, economic crashes—and some deeply chaotic years. With your support, we’ll keep going. Because democracy still depends on journalism.

The post Deer Tick and Colorado Share a Mutual Love for Each Other | Spotlight appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Many — well, at least some — people of Longmont, Lafayette, Firestone, Erie, and other smaller towns in the North Central Colorado Urban Area know their identity is more significant than the shadow of Denver and Boulder. Any city or town has a valuable character. The crucial essence of community is the need for local community engagement to build connective bridges. Appreciating local culture fosters connectivity and empathy. That is a lesson to heal the wounds of division and recognize that people are not as different as they seem. Deep down, most of the population wants the same things. We want love. We want security. We believe our ideas are right and just. We need community. Live music fulfills these needs. Stern natives and wide-eyed tourists alike appreciate and understand that spectacular attractions are everywhere, and are not limited to Colorado’s most famous locations, such as Denver, Boulder, or Vail. Successful art, art showcases, and visionary curation inspire and enlighten. This article reviews some of Northern Colorado’s optimal musical event hosts.

Nissi’s Entertainment

Located at the edge before West Boulder Road becomes East Boulder Road, on the southern side of U.S. Route 287, Nissi’s is 20 minutes from Denver and just outside Boulder, Colorado. In Longmont, Nissi’s Entertainment lineup typically covers bands. The main attraction is music; the gourmet scratch menu food contains devoted-serial portions. Nissi’s is the heart of Lafayette, a quaint and comfortable suburban area with expansive plains surrounding. Maintaining its unique cultural intrigue, its rejuvenated fatigue is far enough from Denver’s capital city hustle and bustle.

Nissi’s is a let-your-guard-down haven for bedroom dance lovers, finessing enthusiasts, and casual enjoyers. When people are out of their comfort zone, they grow. That is the need for live music. The venue is relaxing, obviously prioritizing fun.

Nissi’s features dark lighting and strobe projections. Depending on the night, the mysterious mixture of lavender, green, red, burgundy, and brightness, or darkness lack thereof, fills the walls. That is aesthetic ecstasy innovating the systems at the core of living — the function of culture. On an average evening, people reward monotonous daily routines with survival, openness, and embracing through the dancefloor’s entrance — expressions expanding and reflecting self-actualizing musical enlightenment manifested into the molding movement takeover of physical form. The honest intention of creation and performance is what matters at the end. Nissi’s is a service.

Muse Performance Space

At 164 E Boulder R in Lafayette, “The Muse” Performance Space shares a building with Snow-Hut and Russell Auto Services. The building does not appear glamorous; with its unassuming brown brick façade, the joint appears to be a typical office space. However, inside is an unpretentious, cozy, cool jazz hipster sanctuary-as-art-gallery. The Muse is a non-profit; music is the priority.

Fans know and love The Muse for its diverse musical styles, including laid-back jazz, rock, and singer-songwriter elements. They can kick back where lounge furniture would fit, but general admission standing floor and fold-up chair seating suffices. Enjoy a drink, and appreciate the inspiration that is well worth the money. The Muse is a noteworthy, busy listening party with a transforming weekly lineup.

Dog House Music Studios and Lafayette Music Fest

Kenny and Liz Vasko founded Dog House Music Studios after his mother died of cancer. Kenny quit his accounting job to pursue his musical ambitions. Liz power-houses the marketing operations. The company is lovable. While writing this article, Dog House Music earned 5 stars with 117 Google Reviews.

Dog House is a supreme one-stop Willy Wonka factory for musical artists and their audience. Dog House offers 23 recording studios, marketing support for musicians such as custom branding kits, live shows and music promotion, and live music. Their valiant hearts support individualistic creative principle.

Vasko co-founded the Lafayette Music Fest, a one-day festival that showcases local bands throughout Lafayette. The festival is an inspiring transit system thoroughfare of the area’s independent music scene, platforming performers and venues. This scene entity is just as captivating as any artistic happenings in the Denver and Boulder metro areas. The festival’s curation makes the Lafayette music scene special.

Lafayette has plenty of personality. What would our culture be without music and art to bring light and joy into our world? Everyone needs imagination.

Bricks on Main

Bricks on Main is one of the more popular downtown Longmont locations. Not only a music venue, the business earned its fans for regional community business artisan retail, and an outdoor market. All these attractions make Bricks on Main a prime location for tourists and locals seeking fun and leisure downtown. Patrons can enjoy great food and drinks with a cozy, welcoming, and home-style feel.

Every Tuesday at 6 p.m., Bricks on Main hosts an open mic. Wednesday evenings at 6 are usually for karaoke. The Refit Dance Class meets once a week, either on Wednesdays or Sundays at 12:30 pm. Expect live shows every other night of the week (except Mondays). The venue features a mix of blues, jazz, and rock, with musicians from diverse backgrounds.

Bricks on Main proudly presents everything from stripped-down singer-songwriter jams to full-band performances. In a world where social media and international affairs dominate much of the narrative, Bricks on Main has a grassroots culture. It gives musicians and businesses bright happiness for their patrons, engaging audience participation. Bricks on Main relates to all these venues for the heroic act of championing local creatives.

Non-profit — Northglenn Arts and Humanities Foundation

Northglenn Arts, the city’s cultural services division, is made possible through Northglenn Arts & Humanities Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization formed in 1990. It provides community-enriching creative expression opportunities and performances throughout Northglenn, including the Parsons Theatre, Festival Lawn, city parks, and schools.

Northglenn Arts engages the city. Musical non-profits financially support the integrity and esteem of Colorado’s creative culture. Accessible art is essential in a critically competent, educated, and liberated world. Championing less-experienced artists or performers to grow facilitates pride in significant Colorado artistry. Artistic access nurtures an ecosystem of ecstatic self-actualization, self-awareness, social awareness, and insight.

Without those masters of perspective, imagination, and attitude expressing and sharing their inventions, our communities would be bleaker, darker, and ignorant. When a society loses art, it has failed. Art is the final frontier of faith.

Honorable Mentions

In downtown Longmont, “The Speakeasy” at 301 Main St is a distinct aesthetic portal into a vintage pastiche of the 1920s and early 1930s.

The Louisville Underground has an appropriate name. The venue is located at “The Corner,” 640 Main Street, Louisville, CO, and has an off-the-radar feel. Soon, it switches from comedy and musical acts on Fridays and Saturdays, such as silent discos and bands.

In Longmont, @ 350 Terry St Suite #120, Abbott and Wallace is an intriguing distillery with a rustic atmosphere. They regularly have bands and musical acts perform on Friday and Saturday @ 6 p.m.

In Longmont @ 1265 Boston A, Left Hand Brewing Co. makes some of the finest beer in Colorado and hosts live music frequently.

In Longmont @ 1640 S Sunset St, Oskar Blues is a brilliantly eccentric hub famous for its fantastic food and beverages. It also showcases monthly music.

@  2025 Ionosphere St, The Longmont Social is a tap room and kava bar with a cultured vibe, with various activities, including axe throwing, VR games, and live music!

Thanks to all who understand this urgency. Whether for profit or non-profit, everyone must make a living. Musicians and artists need local venues to get their big break or take a break from touring to ride the relevancy wave near their home base. The populace needs these venues. Showing appreciation is an important service for the great inspirational and emotionally fulfilling fruit they grow for our communities. The arts are the foundation of a joyous world. Lovely music and art teach purpose: The highest form of reasonable meaning, and the fortitude to stay alive. Community organization is surviving and thriving in the East-of-Boulder Area, Colorado music scene.

Like journalism like this? Support the local press that’s been telling the truth for 25 years. Become a sustaining member and get our monthly print edition at home. We’ve weathered 9/11, floods, fires, economic crashes—and some deeply chaotic years. With your support, we’ll keep going. Because democracy still depends on journalism.

The post Appealing East Boulder County Summer Venues appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

ERIE, CO – Art lovers, mark your calendars! The Erie Art Festival – Spring Edition is back and more vibrant than ever. On Saturday, June 7th, from 10 AM to 3 PM, the grounds at 3280 County Road 5 will transform into a bustling celebration of creativity, community, and summer spirit — and best of all, admission is free!

 Over 80 Local Artists
Discover a wide array of handmade goods crafted by more than 80 talented local artists. From fine art to jewelry, ceramics, textiles, and more — there’s something for everyone.

 Live Music All Day

Get ready to groove! A full lineup of live performances will keep the festival vibe flowing from start to finish.

 Food Trucks Galore
Refuel with your favorite eats from a delicious variety of local food trucks.

 Family-Friendly Fun
Kids can bounce the day away in the bounce house, while adults and teens compete in classic yard games like cornhole.

This free, family-friendly event is the perfect way to kick off the summer while supporting local creatives and connecting with neighbors. Vendor booths are completely full, a testament to the overwhelming community support and the festival’s growing popularity.

The post Erie Art Festival – Spring Edition Returns June 7th with 80+ Artists, Live Music, and Family Fun appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Shelvis and the Roustabouts @ Nissi’s, May 1st, 2025

Don’t miss out, daddio, because Denver’s own Shelvis and the Roustabouts are coming to shake, rattle, and roll Lafayette with their trademark brand of rockabilly and Americana. Voted Denver’s Best Band in 2019 by the readers of 5280 Magazine, this retro powerhouse hits like a force of nature. Whether they’re playing the hits of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, or Johnny Cash, or belting out one of their original tunes like “2:00 am at the Breakfast Kings,” it’s hard to resist the band’s infectious energy. As the band’s devoted fans will all tell you, this is more than just a simple rock show, it’s a full-on rockabilly experience that you won’t want to miss. If you don’t catch Shelvis and the Roustabouts on May 1 at Nissi’s, you ain’t nothing but a hound dog. Tickets start at $20 from Nissi’s.

Nada Surf @ The Fox Theater, April 29th, 2025

For some, Nada Surf is a beloved one-hit wonder for their hit ‘90s grunge tune with sprechgesang vocals, “Popular.” What some don’t know is that, after the popularity of “Popular” faded, Nada Surf clawed their way into a cherished spot in the indie rock underground with their 2002 cult classic album “Let Go,” which set the tone for the rest of their career as darlings of the indie scene. Albums like “The Weight is a Gift,” “Lucky,” and “The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy” demonstrate the melodic power of indie pop in ways that few could imitate. Coming off the critical acclaim of their 10th album, “Moon Mirror,” which landed a spot on Rolling Stone’s “50 Best Indie Rock Albums of 2024,” Nada Surf are ready to show off their gorgeous melodies for a Boulder crowd. So don’t miss Nada Surf on April 29 at The Fox Theater. All the popular kids are doing it. Tickets start at $25 from Z2.

Sarah and the Safe Word @ The Pearl, April 28th, 2025

Known for putting on a show that perfectly suits the kind of person who is equally at home at a pop-punk show or a Broadway musical, the queer, dark cabaret act Sarah and the Safe Word puts on an unforgettable show every time they take the stage. It’s been over two years since the release of their last full length album, the excellent “The Book of Broken Glass,” but 2024 saw them release the non-album singles “Pornstar Martini” and “Invert the Jenny” to hold over their rabid fan base in their wait for the next powerhouse album. Come join the celebration of queer joy and gothic weirdness when Sarah and the Safe Word takes over the newly redubbed Pearl in Denver, formerly known as The Mercury Cafe. Tickets start at $15 from Tixr.

Delta Sonics @ Bricks on Main, May 9th, 2025

Denver’s own Delta Sonics have been racking up the accolades for their unique blend of blues with swing, delta, New Orleans R&B, and classic rock ‘n’ roll. They were awarded “best blues band in Denver” in the Westword Music Showcase every year from 2011 through 2016. They were named “Favorite Blues Band” and “Favorite Blues Duo” by Colorado Blues Society in 2023 and 2024, and their member, Al Chesis, was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Colorado Blues Society in 2022. There’s no question that they’re a blues powerhouse right in Colorado’s own backyard, and they’ll be tearing the roof down in Longmont with a swinging show at Bricks on Main on May 9. Learn more at Bricks on Main.

Matt and Madeline Shugert @ Muse Performance Space

Originally hailing from Crested Butte, Colorado, Matt and Madeline Shugert weave together a unique tapestry of acoustic folk, bluegrass, and jazz, and they find some really creative things to do with it. Their 2020 album The Aim Was Song is a collection of 10 tracks that are each inspired by a different poem from beloved New England poet Robert Frost and turned into lush soundscapes with intricate layers of percussion and stunning vocal harmonies. It’s a performance not to be missed when they take over Muse Performance Space on April 27. Tickets start at $10 for students and $20 for adults at Muse Performance Space.

The post Scene Stealers | April 2025 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Mocoso roughly translates as “snot-nosed brat.” A machete, of course, is a long-bladed knife used as both an agricultural tool and a weapon. So what is a Mocochete? The term came from a joke that came up when the early lineup of Denver-based Chicano funk band Los Mocochetes — which then featured guitarist/vocalist Elias Garcia, multi-instrumentalist Joshua Randy Abeyta, and multi-instrumentalist Diego Florez-Arroyo — took a trip to work on Garcia’s grandfather’s land and discovered that Garcia and Abeyta were distant relatives whose grandfathers migrated to the U.S. together.

“If you’ve ever been in New Mexico in the springtime if you have any allergies, then you know you’re going to have a hard time,” explained the band’s percussionist and vocalist Jozer Guerrero, who wasn’t in the band yet when this story but who seemed much more talkative about it than his bandmates. “And that’s where that joke came from. These guys are walking around Walmart, [which is] like the mall of that county, and they’re walking around with Kleenex and machetes. And what are you going to do with the machete mocoso? And that’s how mocochete was born.”

Guerrero’s might be a name you recognize from his acting work, or from the Denver poetry slam scene, or maybe even from his TED Talk, “You are not the father” / “Mi Abuelita.” “My initial interest was always music, but I never had access to music lessons,” he explained. Strangely enough, it was his connection to the poetry scene that connected him with the members of Los Mocochetes, with Abeyta working for a poetry-based non-profit at the time Guerrero met him and Guerrero mentoring Florez-Arroyo in the Denver Minor Disturbance youth poetry project. But it was all his work on stages, both as an actor and a poet, that helped prepare Guerrero to take on his dream of being in a band. “The poetry was the first step into lyricism. But ultimately that was my dream since I was a kid, is being in a band. Being on stage as an actor helped me thrive as a poet, and then the poetry gave me confidence.”

Having been together for over ten years now, the band has been releasing recordings, like February’s double-single “Huaraches”/ “The Sun Will Shine,” which have been a long time coming. In the case of this particular single, both songs are more than a decade old and have been fan favorites at their live shows for years. “We’ve been pretty behind on recordings,” Guerrero explained. “I think that’s a big part of who we are. We’re out on the streets. We’re out here performing.”

While Los Mocochetes have developed a reputation for their exhilarating live performances, they’re equally well known for their advocacy and activism. Some of their most recent shows have included a benefit to support unjustly detained immigrant’s rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra and a benefit for immigrant mutual aid nonprofit Sanctuary for All. Their lyrics are often political, such as their song “¡Que Viva Revolución!” which has been noted for its anti-Trump lyrics. “It’s hard to sit down and write a song about how my life is happy when people are in danger,” proclaimed Abeyta.

“A lot of our communities are being targeted,” said Garcia, “and this is a chance for us to stand in front of the changing current right now. This is a place where we can talk about politics and talk about our message with our community and our friends and put that into something that can become more than just a recording; it’s a piece of history.”

For Abeyta, the music is as much about education as entertainment. Speaking about Guerrero’s song “Cuarenta y Tres,” which is about the disappearance of students at Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College in Mexico, Abeyta said, “When Jozer brought the idea of that song to the group, I didn’t even know about that. And so even me, who has listened to Rage Against the Machine since I was growing up and knows about Mumia and Leonard Peltier, and all these people who are political prisoners or victims of a political agenda, there’s still so much more to learn. I feel like you as a journalist and us as musicians, we’re all doing the same thing, just with different paint brushes.”

With the band hoping to release their debut full-length by the end of this year, there will soon be a way to bring even more of the band’s educational entertainment, that piece of history, directly to your speakers or headphones.

The post Los Mocochetes on Music as Education and Activism | Spotlight appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

“When I came up in bluegrass, it was only white dudes,” explains Chuck Sitero, founding member of Lyons, Colorado-based bluegrass outfit High Lonesome. “It was nobody that was gay, it was nobody that was Black, it was nobody that was anything else. And we’ve come forward, and now I’m afraid, honestly, that it’s going to go back to the way it was, which is not very interesting when you go to a convention, and it’s just 5,000 white dudes in suits singing about shit that was relevant 100 years ago.”

Started in Atlanta, Georgia, by Sitero with a different group of musicians, Sitero relocated to Colorado and created a new iteration of High Lonesome, one where he could play the type of bluegrass music that he wanted to play. “I had a very traditional band back home,” he explains while wearing his Atlanta Braves baseball cap, a nod towards his time in Georgia, “because the musicians there are, I wouldn’t call them narrow-minded, but they’re not exposed to what we’re exposed to here in Colorado. This scene has cultivated itself into a very open-minded bluegrass. Bluegrass here means something different than in the South. And I like it here because I’m able to play this kind of music here, and I just couldn’t do it down there in Atlanta. There just [weren’t] the musicians. If I brought these songs to them, they’d be like, ‘What are you talking about?’”

After tinkering with the lineup a bit, Sitero has finally settled on a group of musicians he considers a “cohesive unit” who have been playing together for about a year now, although Sitero has been playing with guitarist Dylan Kober for about three years now. And with every big gig the band gets, they find themselves even more excited for the future. “I never thought I would ever play eTown,” says Sitero, reflecting on the band’s recent performance at one of Boulder’s most beloved venues. “I never thought I would ever do any of these things. And we’re just, we’re getting a lot of big gigs, and they’re just getting bigger and bigger.”

Following the recent release of the band’s self-titled debut album back in November, the band sees themselves booking bigger and more interesting shows. Upcoming shows for High Lonesome include TheBigWonderful in Winter Park on April 5, a performance at one of the band’s favorite venues, Swallow Hill in Denver on April 19, and a stop off at the Gold Hill Inn in Gold Hill on May 30. “We don’t really choose any shows that we don’t want to do anymore,” Sitero explains in a way that sounds proud without being braggy. “We’ve been putting in the work the last four years. We’ve played all the little places, and we really just can’t even fit our fan base into a small place right now, so we’re just being really selective about [choosing shows] unless we get out of the front range.”

So, what is the appeal of High Lonesome that’s causing them to become a bigger and bigger name in the Colorado music scene? Besides their carefully crafted melodies in their unique cocktail of modern bluegrass, Sitero sees the band as escapism in an increasingly scary world. “We basically play for world peace over here,” says Sitero. “Our music is out there to entertain people and take people’s minds off of the current things that are happening with the United States and the world.” And, with no shortage of things in this world to be horrified about, maybe the gentle guitar pickings of High Lonesome are just what we need. 

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter (and get our printed copy monthly at home.)

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post Chuck Sitero of High Lonesome is Playing for World Peace | Spotlight appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Boogie Machine: The Super 70s Disco Dynamo @ Nissi’s

When the world tried to declare disco to be dead, the members of Boogie Machine responded back defiantly: “I Will Survive”! Led by career musician Jerry Bergeson, this nostalgic group of retro music lovers (who also perform elsewhere as ‘80s tribute band Ronnie Raygun and the Big ‘80s) are ready to take you on a journey through all the biggest disco hits of the ‘70s from Kool & The Gang to K.C. & The Sunshine Band to Donna Summer, The Bee Gees, and Earth, Wind and Fire. The time machine launches on April 4 at Nissi’s. Tickets start at only $15 from Nissi’s.

Franz Ferdinand @ Boulder Theater

For many, Scottish post-punk revival band Franz Ferdinand may have seemed like a flash in the pan with their eponymous 2004 debut album that dazzled the critics and the indie-rock faithful at the time. While it may have been a few years since you’ve heard the band’s name, they’ve been going strong ever since, and they’re riding high off the rave reviews for their new album, The Human Fear, that came out in January. Whether you’re a die-hard devotee or just remember hearing “Take Me Out” a lot of times in your dorm building, Franz Ferdinand’s legendary live show promises not to disappoint. Take yourself out to see them on April 1 at Boulder Theater. Tickets start at $39.50 from Z2.

Restless Road @ The Grizzly Rose

Country boy band Restless Road was formed when three different singers tried out as individuals for the third season of Fox’s singing competition The X Factor and producer and judge Simon Cowell realized that the three singers might work better together competing as a group than they would be as individual singers. The rest, as they say, is history, with the band still playing off the success of their 2023 debut album, Last Rodeo. Despite the title of their album, Restless Road shows no signs of slowing down, and there seem to be a lot more rodeos on the horizon for this trio. Catch your first rodeo with Restless Road on March 28 at The Grizzly Rose. Tickets start at $20 from The Grizzly Rose.

Modern Jazz & Soul Fest @ Roots Music Project

Jazz and soul are too often viewed mistakenly as artifacts from the past, which largely ignores the vibrant modern jazz scene that’s full of some really remarkable artists taking the genre to the next level. Roots Music Project understands that better than most, as evidenced by the outstanding lineup for their inaugural edition of the Modern Jazz & Soul Fest. At the top of the bill is two-time Grammy winner Derrick Hodge whose blend of jazz with hip-hop adds new dimensions to both genres. Add to that the likes of Gabriel Mervine, Wellington Bullings, Dandu, and more, and the first year of the festival is off to a great start. Find your modern soul at the festival on April 11 and 12. Tickets start at about $38 from Roots Music Project.

Many Mountains @ St. Vrain Cidery

Longmont’s own genre-bending folk rock duo Many Mountains make a local appearance in their hometown for a very special show. The duo, made up of Katie Rose Nelson and Dustin Moran, have been perfecting their unique sound since 2013, blending the contrasting vocals of both songwriters to create something truly dynamic. Having shared stages with the likes of Gin Blossoms, Dylan LeBlanc. You can find them at St. Vrain Cidery on the 28th of March.

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter (and get our printed copy monthly at home.)

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post Scene Stealers | March 2025 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

On February 23rd, Dervish, one of Ireland’s biggest traditional bands, will take to the Boulder Theater stage with a catalogue of iconic traditional songs. A group that’s been together for about 45 years, the band is based in Sligo, which has been known to inspire artists like W.B. Yeats with its Atlantic swells, and luscious mountains.

Dervish formed in 1989 when the four original members met at a pub. Liam Kelly, Shane Mitchell, Martin McGinley, and Brian McDonagh created a group that was then known as the Boys of Sligo. Shortly thereafter, they added Cathy Jordan and Michael Holmes to the team and changed their name to Dervish — “a person who’s excited about music. It comes from the warring Dervishes. Brian saw a documentary and there was a group of poor but spiritual people who became enraptured by music,” said lead singer, Cathy Jordan.

Even now, the description aptly paints an image of the group. “The music unites us, and I supposed the friendship keeps us together,” explained Jordan. “Basically we’ve been fighting the good fight for a long time. This will be maybe our 30th year going to America,” said Jordan, “I suppose we’re all united by the love of the music. We sit and play together when we’re off the road as well when we’re on the road.”

Once described by BBC as, “an icon of Irish music,” Dervish’s success has brought the group all around the globe. But it’s still humbling to go home and play at a local pub. Although music lovers come from miles away to hear Dervish’s sets, at the pub, “We’re part of the furniture,” Jordan laughs, “And that’s good because it keeps you grounded and approachable.”

But the pub experience is also vital to the honing of the musical craft. It’s there, at home, where Dervish tests new material, and determines what to develop for an on-stage audience. While the pub is casual and laid-back, the stage performances are,  far more honed in. And perfected,” said Jordan.

After decades of perfecting their craft, Dervish continues to release new music and new arrangements. Most recently, the group released “Passage West” – a single that features the Indigo Girls. 

Jordan added, “We’re in the process of finishing one album and another.” One album will be the “Great Irish Songbook II.” Volume two is more contemporary, featuring songs that were written in the last 75 years, as opposed to hundreds of years ago. The second album may be available for shows as early as March.

When asked when the albums will be released, Jordan said, “It’s a secret. Even to ourselves.”

The musical sets that the group will play on tour are 90% traditional. “But at the same time, there is a lot of writing within that. You know the intros and the arrangements and the harmonies. The instrumental breaks. All of that is new. And sometimes it’s easier to start from scratch with something rather than try and work within a model that’s already there. So there is a lot of creativity involved in it,” said Jordan.

Unlike the laid-back shows that Dervish plays at home, Boulder Theater goers can expect a buttoned-up show with predominantly traditional songs, and a handful of originals mixed into the set.

Jordan noted that she released new music last year, as well. The Crankie Island album features 32 songs to match Ireland’s 32 counties. Compiling the songs and recording the album took three years, and countless collaborations. But she’s most excited for upcoming shows in Dublin and in Glasgow where they’re expecting 1,000 audience members and a number of musical collaborators. 

The post Dervish Takes the Stage with Traditional Irish Music | Spotlight appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Creativity is infectious. A simple stroll through a gallery or the attendance of a concert often has artists scrambling for their chosen media, eager to create something unique. This is the innate feeling that Jonathan Hanst, the Founder and Director of Kaleidoscope — a Lafayette-based non-profit that serves as a creative space for artists — identified when he decided to found the company. Now Kaleidoscope is a gallery, a radio station, a studio space, and a destination for an intimate music setting. An artist showcase is the next evolution of the creative space.

Beginning on March 15th, Kaleidoscope will host a recurring artist showcase that’s small and intimate, and features three artists. Mike Lamitola — a local artist, friend to Hanst, and host — will be among the artists for the upcoming showcase. He recalls, “[The idea] was born out of Jonathan and I having all these creative conversations. We just inspire each other when we hang out in the gallery.” Lamitola admits that the duo has been talking about the concept for years. This time, the stars aligned.

“There’s nothing like these songwriter showcases, intimate. Where 40 people can sit in a room and be a part of the story. And it’s time to bring that into Lafayette,” says Lamitola.

Kaleidoscope, itself, opened in 2022, after a challenging slog through the Pandemic’s supply chain disruption. Today, four full-time artists rent creative space. Two additional rooms function as a creative retreat room that doubles as an AirBnb, and a radio room, which allows creative people to host live shows.

Hanst explains that, “Kaleidoscope was not for me.”

Fostering a creativity community and supporting local artists is the reason for Kaleidoscope’s existence, “I wanted playmates or people that are on the same path as me,” he smiles. An artist and musician himself, Hanst knew that the surrounding areas of Boulder and Denver had something akin to the concept of Kaleidoscope. Yet Lafayette was still lacking. Establishing a workspace seemed to be the next step in Hanst’s own creative journey.

“I’ve always been a creative person. Ten years ago, I started fiddling around with image and photo manipulation because I wanted to play with it. I never considered myself a visually creative person,” he says. He quickly identified that the artistic process is as important as the art itself,”When I’m in the process of creating something, I’m in a zone. Time becomes elastic. I think that experience itself has a lot of value.” As his understanding of art grew, he realized that the separation between fine and performance art were arbitrary.

Lamitola agrees that the concept of how we experience creativity should change, “Well I feel like my entire life, I’ve always heard music and the arts. They’re always separate. That is a human made delineation. They’re all the arts. Bringing music and the arts into the community. That’s why I love what Jonathan has done with Kaleidoscope – it’s just about creativity.“

Hanst adds that he doesn’t generally go to the studio to directly collaborate with others but that, “It’s about being around other people that get it.” The resulting ‘creative sanctuary,’ as he describes it contributes to a healthier artistic community in old town Lafayette.

The upcoming artist showcase also identified Hanst and Lamitola’s desire to add more people to the community. “We kindof need to be developing a super squad. Who wants to join the team,” says Hanst. One immediate need could be a filmmaker or videographer.

At the end of the day, “We want to grow this community around the creative scene and make people feel like they’re part of something,” says Lamitola. 

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter (and get our printed copy monthly at home.)
Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post Kaleidoscope’s New Artist Showcase | Spotlight appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Howlin Goatz, Wendy Woo, and The Ghost Towners @ The Fox Theater

With Howlin Goatz bluesy Americana, Wendy Woo’s echoing power pop stylings, and The Ghost Towners’ country-rock dynamic, this unique showcase of local Colorado talent offers up diverse sounds with a consistent rock ‘n’ roll energy. And you know that this all ages show is going to be a party because the show falls on Wendy Woo’s birthday and she plans to celebrate in style. Join the festivities at Fox Theater on January 23. Tickets are on sale for $15 from Fox Theater.

Yachty Got Back @ Nissi’s

The Ultimate Yacht Rock experience comes ashore in Lafayette as Yachty Got Back takes over Nissi’s. With three female and one male vocalists, a talented four-piece horn section, and an expanded rhythm section, Yachty pays tribute to the best in ‘70s and ‘80s soft rock classics. All aboard for this campy extravaganza on January 31 with tickets starting at $15 a piece from Nissi’s.

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists with Spells @ The Oriental Theater

Long-standing indie punk darlings Ted Leo and the Pharmacists make a stop in Denver as they tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their renowned fourth album Shake the Sheets. The record, which was released in 2004 on now-defunct powerhouse pop-punk label Lookout! Records, Shake the Sheets cemented the reputation of a band that was already rapidly on the rise in the early 2000s. Sharing the stage will be local Denver-based band Spells who describe their style of garage rock as “vacation rock.” This stop on the nostalgic tour takes place on January 25 and tickets start at $29.50 from The Oriental Theater.

Global Roots Ensemble @ The Muse Performance Space

Send your soul on a trip around the world when world music collective Global Roots Ensemble brings their musical cornucopia of modal jazz, Indian ragas, Delta blues, and folk to Lafayette. Having played everywhere from jazz clubs in Denver to music festivals in India, the seasoned band brings their talents home to spark your imagination and feed your musical heart. Happening on January 12, tickets are $25 from The Muse Performance Space, but they do run $10 for kids and students.

SocialFuse, Half Zen, Britt and the Boys, Grey Matter Circus “Live on the Lanes” @ 100 Nickel

Rock out while you knock the bowling pins out with this evening of guitar-driven alt-rock bands based in Colorado. Rescheduled from November 8, the show promises to be worth all the wait as Denver-by-way-of-Littleton band SocialFuse’s unique blending of powerful pop melodies and edgy rock guitars will soothe the savage soul of any die-hard rock fan. Grab your bowling ball on January 31. Tickets run $13 at 100 Nickel but keep in mind that signing up to bowl costs extra. Any tickets you may have purchased for the cancelled November date will be honored as well.

Paizley Park: A Tribute to Prince @ The Louisville Underground

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to pay tribute to the late rock legend Prince. Sadly, Prince died at all too young an age in 2016, leaving a gaping hole in the music world. While nobody could ever truly replace Prince, Philip Lamar and his band Paizley Park are keeping the spirit of The Artist alive with Lamar’s spot-on takes on Prince’s vocal style. This loving tribute takes place on February 1 and tickets start at $17.50 from The Louisville Underground.

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter (and get our printed copy monthly at home.)
Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post Scene Stealers | Jan 2025 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Image by Amanda Tipton Photography

The Nutcracker by the Boulder Philharmonic and Boulder Ballet @ Macky Auditorium

No holiday would be complete without a performance of Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet that follows a young girl named Clara and her magical Nutcracker who whisks her away to the Land of Sweets. Get swept up in the memories of your childhood with the unforgettable score of this holiday classic. This joint production of the Boulder Philharmonic and the Boulder Ballet is limited to only two nights, November 30 and December 1. Tickets start at $29 and are available from Boulder Phil.

Melvin Seals & JGB @ Boulder Theater

Jam-band legend Melvin Seals had one of the longest tenures in the famous Jerry Garcia Band, joining the band in 1980 and remaining a member until Garcia’s death in 1995. Now the bandleader of a reinvented modern incarnation of the rotating band, Melvin Seals & JGB mix R&B with gospel, funk, rock, and jazz in a unique cocktail that only one of the founders of the jam-band style could have mixed up. Playing December 13 at the Boulder Theater, tickets start at $35.

Cody Qualls: Christmas in Colorado @ Muse Performance Space

Having made a name for himself as a member of renowned Boulder a cappella group Face, Louisville-based singer Cody Qualls has been a rising star as a solo artist, having performed across the US, Central America, Europe, Russia, The Caribbean, and Australia. Performing hits from his holiday EP The Inquiry as well as covers from the likes of Josh Groban, Prince, Andrea Bocelli, Bruce Springsteen and more, this promises to be an unforgettable holiday show. Tickets for this December 8th show are available on the Muse Performance Space website and start at $30.

Decibel Metal & Beer Fest @ Summit Music Hall

Get ready, metalheads, for a weekend of devastatingly heavy and hard metal with plenty of beer to go with it. Presented by Decibel Magazine, the festival on December 6-7 is being headlined by California death metal legends Autopsy and features heavy hitters all the way down the bill from YOB to Cirith Ungol to Pallbearer to Chicago deathgrind outfit Earthburner who are coming hot off the release of their new album “Permanent Dawn” earlier this month. Tickets start at $53 for single-day tickets and $116 for three-day passes from the Decibel Magazine website.

The Adventures of Pinnocchio by Boulder Opera @ eTown Hall

An opera by English composer Jonathan Dove with a libretto by Alasdair Middleton based on the famous 1883 Italian nursery tale novel of the same name, “The Adventures of Pinocchio” brings to live the familiar story of the little wooden puppet Pinnocchio who dreams of being turned into a real flesh and blood boy. Conducted by Mario Barbosa, the opera is a true all-ages event with a story that will appeal to children and a sophistication that the adult crowd will appreciate. With performances on December 14 and 15, tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children and students from the Boulder Opera Company.

Cass Clayton Band Presents Christmas of Soul @ Nissi’s

Recently voted Favorite Female Vocalist of 2024 in the Colorado Blues Society Members’ Choice Awards, Cass Clayton and her band are set to perform some non-traditional Christmas songs at Nissi’s at a special show on December 19. With a band made up of members of The Jauntee, 40 Oz. to Freedom, Taylor Scott Band, and others, it promises to be a rockin’, bluesy good holiday time. Tickets are $15 ahead of the show if you buy from Nissi’s website and $20 at the door on the day of the show.

The post Scene Stealers | Nov-Dec 2024 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Synth rock is a genre that generally blends electronic music with rock, resulting in sounds akin to Snaggletooth’s dub-step-style tracks or 1980s Depeche Mode’s vintage electronic sound. Boulder-based Private Society Band has its own take on synth rock, which takes both classic elements from the genre as well as somewhat unconventional ones like the use of violin. We sat down with Marshall Hayes, the band’s bassist and latest addition, to dive into the group’s artistic journey.

Private Society began when brothers Peter and Rawley Gunnels envisioned the group. The duo quickly added Autumn Pepper on violin, who has a background in classical music and is now Rawley’s wife. Joshua Thomas is a self-taught drummer who joined the group after Pepper. Marshall Hayes was the final element. The group started playing together in 2023 and recording in 2024.

Synth indie music first emerged in the 1960s. Today, Denver’s music scene has a variety of local bands that adopt this genre as their own, including groups like Retrofette, Colorado Modular Synth Society, and the Seven Circle Music Collective. One of the newest synth indie bands to the scene, Private Society brings its own twist to the table.

After a few months of work last year, Private Society released its first single “Seven Seas,” in December of 2023. The single  is an upbeat track with pop and punk elements and heavy synth sounds. On August 11th of this year, the band released its second single, “Principle of Pain,” a slightly slower song with a style similar to the Cure and the Killers – inspirations that the band expects to instill into its first full album.

The band’s first two singles were an exercise in creativity and culture. Matching a growing trend among independent artists, Private Society decided to produce and record its most recent single on their own.

Hayes explained, “We recorded the drums at a space that Rawley owns. And then we built it up from there. It was the first thing we did that was all done by us.” Pleased with the results of their efforts, the band agreed that they would continue exploring self-production. The whole process made the group more confident and excited about the recording process.

The band expects to take the momentum it found during the recording of “Principle of Pain,” and funnel it into its next projects. “We are working on an EP. That’s going to be comprised of a waterfall release of singles. That’ll probably be coming out next summer as we record pieces and put it together,” said Hayes. Waterfall releases are a relatively common practice amongst new artists and bands since they help the group to generate buzz, and operate at a more leisurely creative pace. This strategy often increases play counts, which is another reason why it’s a popular practice amongst artists.

Despite being a relatively new group, all of the band’s members are life-long artists, which adds clear depth and composition to the band’s singles. Hayes, himself, has released several EPs throughout his life beginning with heavy metal-style music. He explained, “I think I made my first EP when I was like 15. Then I got into indie rock.” At the time, Hayes was playing in Chicago. He started to shift towards folk music, which brought him to Denver where he found his current band mates on Craigslist. Other artists in the group find inspiration in varied places. Peter Gunnels, for example, finds a lot of inspiration in 80s synth indie rock artists. His guitar sounds are often rhythmic. Rawley Gunnels hammers hard on the synth sounds. And Thomas brings a lot of country influence to songwriting as well.

While the recording process has been exciting for all the band mates, Hayes said that he is most excited about, “Playing out, playing live. I like playing music with these folks. And I’m really excited to play live and bring that energy and cultivate it. I see myself very much as a performer. And I think all of these people in this band are also really great performers. And that for me is the sauce.”

The band will be playing shows in metro Denver over the coming months. New show bookings can be found on the Private Society Band website. The group’s next single will be out in January. 

The post Boulder-Based Private Society Band | Spotlight appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The 502s wrapped up their 2024 Americas tour – but we are still thinking about their stop at Boulder Theater

The 502s, deemed “the happiest band on earth” by fans, played a contagiously enthusiastic, energetic show at the Boulder Theater this summer. The 6-piece indie folk band used every inch of the stage, literally dancing to the beat of their own drums with a crowd matching the same energy.

The band released their sixth album, “The 502s,” in April of this past year. The release of this past album expanded their discography to include more than 50 songs, allowing the band to take a different “on-the-fly” performance approach.

“We have adapted our set list to have a list of songs that are upbeat and a list that are more mellow tempo. Lately, we have been playing based on the vibe of the room,” said Ed Isola (lead on vocals and banjo).

The band did not play the same set twice throughout their Americas/Canada tour this year, which wrapped up in September. The band is now on its fifth  European tour and will close out the year in Australia.

This artist-audience connection extends beyond reading the energy at shows. The band fosters its relationship with fans through an active email and Discord, an instant messaging and VoIP social platform.

“We have always put ourselves on equal footing with anyone who listens to our music or supports us in any way. We love connecting with fans and have done a lot of live-chat stuff. We are still figuring out how to use Discord to connect and the plan is to continue doing that and whatever makes people happy, ” Matthew Tonner (keyboard).

As for future plans, the band is “in it for the long game.”

“It is beautiful because every year, every tour, there is always something new – it is not something I could have understood years ago. It is more than counting blessings. Every year has gotten better. Being in it for the long game – and one could say six to seven years could be considered the long game – but for us, it is beyond that,” said Joe Capati (saxophone).

“The long game is most reflected in how we have approached our recordings and videos. Something that impressed me from the beginning is that there has to be a reason for us to put something out into the world. Everyone is 110% in it,” added Tonner.

The band recently announced the release of The 502s Live, 2024, available on a limited edition vinyl, and plans to record a new album in February or March 2025. 

Read more about the 502’s, view their tour schedule, and join their discord through their website.502 Band members: Ed Isola on lead vocals and banjo, Joe Capati on saxophone, Matthew Tonner on keyboard, Graci Phillips on guitar, Nicholas Dallas on bass, and Sean Froelich on drums.

The post An Interview with the “Happiest Band on Earth” – The 502s appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Joshua Radin & Ron Pope @ Boulder Theater

Iconic indie folk/pop artist, Joshua Radin is coming to town with Ron Pope on November 2nd. In the past, this artist has described his music as a conglomeration of his journal entries, making it personal and captivating. Tickets start at $46. Visit AXS for more information.

Of The Trees @ Red Rocks

Enjoy two days of electronic music at Red Rocks with Denver-based artist, Of The Trees on November the 9th and 10th. Best known for up-beat soundscapes and creative beats, Of The Trees creator, Tyler Coombs takes listeners through a series of sensory journeys. Doors open at 5:00 pm on both days, with the show beginning at 5:30 pm. Single-day tickets start at $80. Two day passes run $172.50. Book tickets at Red Rocks.

Modest Mouse @ Mission Ballroom

Washington-born band, Modest Mouse, is coming to Mission Ballroom on November 11th to share some of its best-known tunes. $1 from each purchased ticket will be donated to charity. Doors open at 7:00 pm, and the show starts at 8:00pm. Tickets can be purchased for people aged 16 and up, and they start at $68.92. Visit Mission Ballroom.

Béla Fleck Plays Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue @ Colorado Symphony Orchestra  

Banjo master Béla Fleck will sit in the spotlight with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra to play George Gershwing’s Rhapsody in Blue on November 16th and 17th at 7:30 pm and 1:00 pm respectively. The classic work turned 100-years-old this year, which is one reason why Fleck aims to explore this particular tune. Tickets can be purchased at Colorado Symphony. They start at $12.80 a piece.

Fiddler on the Roof @ Jesters Dinner Theatre

Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of a milkman, and his five daughters in a pre-revolutionary Russian town. The musical navigates traditional values and anti-semitism amidst a changing climate. The show runs on weekends now until December 1st. Tickets start at $32 for the show. Visit Jesters Theatre.

The post Scene Stealers | Oct-Nov 2024 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Boulder local Christopher Morse is making ripples through the local music scene with his new single, “Nobody Else.” The tune brings elements of pop and folk music to the table, with a slightly upbeat vibe and the thematic tension of desire. A topic that nearly everyone finds relatable, Morse describes the depths of love and what it drives humanity to do. He’ll be showing off the tune on Friday, Oct. 25 and Black and Blues Music and Brews in Loveland and Saturday, Dec. 7 at The Tavern at Red Feather Lakes.

Morse’s musical inspirations come out of a lifelong journey through music. He grew up on the East Coast, with two classical musicians for parents. By the time he made it to middle school, he was already in a music-centric school, surrounded by students with an affinity for sound. As he got older, he attended the American Boychoir School and toured the country, making stops at iconic destinations like Carnegie Hall. “That was a sort of first deep dive into performing at a really high level,” he said.

As Morse evolved, so did his music tastes and inspirations: “I’ve always loved pop music. Growing up in my house, it was all classical music all the time. So it wasn’t until middle school when I started hearing more current [music].”

Now, his music reflects many of those pop elements, but it folds other genres into the mix, too. “Maybe song structure and chord wise I held onto the more folk elements. As I’ve grown as an artist, I’ve come to love the Nashville sound that’s country adjacent. It’s almost country but not quite. I love the sound lyrically and melodically. So I’ve tried to emulate that as well.” He also hopes to connect with listeners of all ages, from kids to people in the later stages of life.

Morse was a vocalist for as long as he can remember, but he didn’t pick up the guitar to accompany his vocals until John Mayer’s first album came out in 2001. “Room for Squares” was one of his greatest early inspirations, and it drove him to diversify his musical skills. Now he often accompanies himself with guitar.

“From there, I started learning songs and in college, I started playing coffee houses and stuff and gradually started playing my own songs,” he reflected.

His latest creative endeavor, “Nobody Else,” is the first release of four. “They’ll be spaced out about a month apart,” said Morse. While he explained he’d love to release a full album, “As an independent artist, it’s so much easier to do it in small chunks just because of the timing and the cost involved.” Like many lesser-known musicians, Morse’s current struggle revolves around the expenses associated with releasing a full album.

Still, he continues to play local shows regularly: “I play all over Colorado — up to Fort Collins and down into the Springs. Roots Music Project, here in Boulder, has sort of been like a second home for me. That’s a great venue. I book and host the songcraft and songwriters series.” Morse has also been working to scale his dreams and reach new listeners by touring in new locations. This year, he traveled nearly 1,000 miles and included portions of the Midwest on a tour. Since moving to Colorado, he’s even made his Nashville debut by playing at the Music Row Freak Show, which is best known for adopting new artists and providing them with a place to fully express themselves. And Morse is just getting started.

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter (and get our printed copy monthly at home.)
Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post Boulder Musician, Christopher Morse, Releases First of Four New Singles | Spotlight appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases

Littleton, CO — The Symphony of the Rockies is thrilled to announce its inaugural concert under its new name, following a celebrated 70-year legacy as the Arapahoe Philharmonic. Our season opener, “Beethoven, Brahms, & Brittany,” promises an unforgettable evening of classical music, blending timeless masterpieces with contemporary innovation. Join us on October 26th, 2024, at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, where acclaimed pianist Lorraine Min will perform Brahms’ profound Piano Concerto No. 1, under the baton of our charismatic conductor, Devin Patrick Hughes.

The program features three captivating works, Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1, a towering work of deep emotional resonance and technical brilliance, brought to life by the celebrated Lorraine Min, praised by The Globe and Mail for her “breathtaking” interpretations. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1, a landmark piece that launched Beethoven’s symphonic legacy, marking the dawn of the Romantic era in music and finally, Brittany Green‘s “In the Beginning,” a contemporary exploration of creation and emergence, offering a fresh and evocative experience for modern audiences.

“We are honored to begin this new chapter as the Symphony of the Rockies with a program that so perfectly represents our mission – to celebrate the great traditions of classical music while embracing bold, new voices,” said Devin Patrick Hughes, conductor. “This concert brings together the timeless genius of Beethoven and Brahms with the thrilling originality of Brittany Green, creating a truly dynamic and unforgettable evening.”

Lorraine Min, a highly sought-after concert pianist, is known for her virtuosic skill and emotional depth. She has dazzled audiences worldwide, and her performance of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 is sure to be a highlight of the evening. “Lorraine’s ability to convey both the power and poetry of Brahms’ music is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Bess Scully, Executive Director. “She brings a passion and grace that will resonate deeply with our audience.” Critics have echoed similar praise: “Lorraine Min commands the stage with a presence that captivates from the very first note.” (Calgary Herald).

Opening the evening is Brittany Green’s “In the Beginning,” a piece that explores creation and the origins of existence through bold and evocative musical language. Green’s work has been hailed as “a powerful expression of contemporary thought,” and “a composer who bridges the intellectual and the visceral in her music” (The New York Times).

“With this program, we are offering something for everyone – from the great masters of classical music to the innovative voices of today,” said Scully. “It’s the perfect introduction to what we believe will be one of our most exciting seasons yet as the Symphony of the Rockies.”

Tickets for “Beethoven, Brahms & Brittany” are now on sale. The Symphony of the Rockies is proud to offer discounted pricing for students, children, and seniors. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to experience an evening of musical brilliance in one of Denver’s premier concert halls.

Event Details:
Date: October 26th, 2024, 7:30 PM
Venue: Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Gates Concert Hall
Tickets: Available at here | Discounts for students, children, and seniors.

About the Symphony of the Rockies
Founded in 1953 as the Arapahoe Philharmonic, the Symphony of the Rockies has a rich history of presenting exceptional orchestral performances. Under the visionary leadership of Music Director Devin Patrick Hughes, the Symphony of the Rockies continues to inspire and engage audiences with a commitment to artistic excellence and innovative programming.

The post Symphony of the Rockies Presents Season Opener: “Beethoven, Brahms, & Brittany” Featuring Pianist Lorraine Min appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

For decades, the City of Lafayette has been a haven for musicians of all styles and backgrounds, from Latin and jazz to hard rock and soul. The Lafayette Music Fest offers up the chance to see some of Colorado’s best acts share our community’s collective stages for one special day.We welcome you to be part of the magic that is the Lafayette music scene.

Lafayette Music Fest is put on by Rock for the People, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Lafayette, CO with the mission of building an inclusive live music community by offering free and low-cost rehearsals and recording to musicians from historically underrepresented groups. Because there’s nothing more fun than playing in a band, and your life will be better for it!

WHAT’S NEW

MORE STAGES
Expanding on the success of the first two years of the event, the 2024 Lafayette Music Fest now includes nine stages on the South Side of Old Town Lafayette, all within a 15 minute walking distance.

Nissi’s
Bounce Empire
The Arts HUB
Muse Performance Space
Tier Two Live at Coal Creek Bowling
The End Lafayette
Otis Craft Collective
Sanitias Brewing (School of Rock Stage)
The District Courtyard Center for Musical Arts

MORE MUSIC
This year’s lineup includes nearly 150 musicians, including Gasoline Lollipops, Future Joy, The Reminders, Wash Park Band, Card Catalog, Mariachi Las Dahlias, and Guerrilla Fanfare, from 10AM until late!

Our two community stages at The District will be rocking for even longer this year, thanks to our friends at School of Rock and the Center for Musical Arts. OTIS Coffee will be serving up the area’s best singer-songwriters starting at 10AM, and Bounce Empire will be hosting the biggest beats late into the night.

MORE BOUNCING
Each wristband now includes a free pass to Bounce Empire, the nation’s largest indoor inflatable amusement experience.*

MORE LAFAYETTE
This year’s festivities are supported by a number of local organizations, including Arts! Lafayette, as well as the City of Lafayette’s Arts & Cultural Resources department, and Old Town Lafayette. In fact, many of the city’s official and unofficial arts organizations are coming together to create the best October 5th in Lafayette history! We hope you’ll join us.

MORE INFO
To learn more about the event, go to our website at www.lafayettemusicfest.com .
For press inquiries or partner information, email us at info@lafayettemusicfest.com .
—-
ABOUT ROCK FOR THE PEOPLE
Rock for the People creates diversity and equity in our local music industry from performers and artists to audio engineers and venues. Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable music community by removing barriers for musicians, performers, audio engineers, and local music fans from historically underrepresented groups. Learn more
at www.rockforthepeople.org .Rock for the People is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

The post 2024 Lafayette Music Fest Expands to Nine Stage and Releases Lineup appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Boulder-based musician Duncan Coker released his first album in February of this year. Since then, he’s turned his one-man show into the Duncan Coker Band and begun touring around Colorado. We caught up with Coker to learn more about his inspirations, musical past, and where we might catch them live.

Coker was 15 when he got his first guitar, but his attraction to music came at an even younger age, “As a kid, my mom had a really cool vinyl record collection. Vinyl is kind of coming back. But back then, that’s [how you listened to music],” said Coker. He went on to list bands like The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel as some artists he’d play on vinyl.

As his interest in music grew, he started playing in a garage band, “We did covers in highschool,” he reflected. Over the years, Coker has drawn inspiration from artists like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and Graham Parsons. He grew up in South Carolina and New Jersey, where he absorbed the sounds around him.

“Then midlife kind of happens. Years go by,” he said. Coker’s life as a family man took precedence over music for many years. It wasn’t until he moved to Boulder that he began immersing himself in sound again. “I got exposed to a really welcoming community. There’s a lot of bluegrass here, which is great, but there are also other singer-songwriter circles,” he said.

In addition to finding a musical community, he began exploring educational opportunities at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons. “They have a song school that’s kind of famous. You’re really immersed in music and songwriting and get involved with a local songwriting circle here. All of that kind of got me to where I am now.”

Coker recorded the entire album in 2023, which is atypical for many small artists due to the sheer cost. Price ranges for single song productions can run anywhere from $500 to $5000 each, while a full length album can cost $10,000. This is one reason why many artists develop home recording studios and produce their records on their own. Fortunately, Coker found a supportive producer and recorded each song individually at Broadway Music Studios in Boulder before realizing he had enough content to release a full-length record.

Getting started was the easy part for Coker. He already had a vision. “I wanted to take [my songs] and bring them to life with a full band, including a rhythm section, and steel guitar.” All in all, the process took him about 10 months. Then, Coker decided that the next organic step would be to release the album.

The result is an Americana-style album with a “red dirt” sound. The red dirt sound originated in Oklahoma in the 80s. It blended Americana sounds with folk, country, rock, honky-tonk, and bluegrass, creating a conglomeration of sounds with roots in America’s South. Coker’s own take on the music style is largely upbeat. It seems to follow major chord progressions, and it often incorporates the steel guitar.

While much of Coker’s journey has been a solo one, Coker has always enjoyed working with other people and performing. But it wasn’t until he had an album release party in April this year that he started looking for a band. Eventually, he landed on a band of musicians that he really liked. “So, we just kept going,” he said. “Now we’re gigging in Denver, Boulder, and Longmont. It’s been really fun. I hope to record some more singles with this band in October for release early next year.”

The Duncan Coker Band will be touring locally over the next few months, but the show Coker is most excited about right now will be at Roots Music Project on November 16th.

The post Duncan Coker | Spotlight appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Beginning at the end

In addition to crediting his wife Liz for much of their collective success, Kenny Vasko often talked about musicians as human beings. Adaptability and accommodation are key components to the success of their record studio, Dog House Music Studio. One could argue that’s why Dog House has solidified itself as a mainstay in Lafayette, with the performance space “The End” serving as a musical nest for about seventy patrons to enjoy live shows. The Vaskos love to give back. From open mics to “Women’s Jam,” The End allows Lafayette to celebrate the art of music and the people who make it. This love comes from a genuine place that carried them through a very tough time in their lives.

The ordinary world

The first stage of the hero’s journey is meant to set up a point of contrast. The “known” or “ordinary world” is a simple and traditional life grounded in real world expectations such as in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” where Frodo loves hanging around, reading, and eating under hills and trees while playing pranks. These ideals are comparable to a small town or suburb where life is meant to be seen as quaint, easy, and expected. Then, within a way too short of time, he’s called to meet elves, dwarves, and men to fight orcs, trolls, and balrogs — things he’d only ever heard of in stories.

Kenny Vasko’s story started on this same spoke of the hero’s journey cycle:

“Let’s go down memory lane here. Like everyone else that went to college, I was in a band. I was the frontman. I was the high energy low talent guy that would get the crowd going. It was awesome. It was friendships I still have. Then I graduated and I got my first paycheck from a tax software company and was like, ‘Oh great! I can let these dreams die.’”

Becoming a Certified Public Accountant was a surprising fit as Vasko is an extroverted person in an introverted industry. But Vasko was a facilitator. “I’d start to make a name for myself in that way. I wasn’t the person working on a spreadsheet until three in the morning. But, I would be on the phone making sure the client was happy with what we were doing. It was good for me career wise, but I did feel like a square peg in a round hole from an emotional standpoint.”

The call

In the cycle of storytelling, there is something that pulls the protagonist away from the known world. Sadly, for Vasko, the call came with an unexpected tragedy:

“My wife and I got married in 2016, and about a week after we got back from our honeymoon, my mother found out that she had cancer. We didn’t know how long she had to live… like a month after I got married, my wife agreed to move to a small town as opposed to the Denver-Boulder-metropolitan area. And, that experience really changed us both professionally. My wife was an urban planner. She has a master’s degree. It’s something that she’s always wanted to do and after the experience of loss when my mother did pass away just a few months later, it really did drive home the point that tomorrow is not promised today.”

When they went back to work they both decided that it didn’t feel right, so they quit their jobs at the same time. Vasko took on the tax books of friends and family to keep afloat financially. He unexpectedly found himself with over one hundred clients and in desperate need of an office. “We were looking through different websites of real estate for lease or whatever then we saw this building for sale, it comes with a music studio.” Vasko likened this discovery to accepting the invitation to peruse the dessert menu. “Yeah, we’ll take a look at the menu.”

What the Vasko family discovered when digging into the details was this was a space rented by about 70 or so musicians. However, once they started to get a vision of what the place could be, they were informed that it was set to be demolished. Initially, they had accepted defeat. But, “Then we took a good long look in the mirror and thought, ‘let’s try and save it. What did we have to lose?’”

With a little finagling, they convinced the initial buyer, who had the rights site unseen, to come and look at the space so he would have a clear understanding of what he would be taking away from the community. “He flew in from Hawaii and within a couple weeks was like, ‘Oh man. I made a mistake. Do you want it?’” From there it was off to the banks in a mad dash search of a loan. That chapter of the story ended on 525 Courtney Way, Lafayette, and they’ve been adding pages to this day.

Crossing the threshold, assembling a crew 

Along with the studio came an inheritance of a mad scientist’s lab. “When we bought it, it looked like a guitar center threw up in it. It was the old owner’s old projects. A lot of stuff that might have worked in the seventies or eighties that no longer worked.” Since then they have renovated a whole wing, got a liquor license, put a music venue in the back, and now serve about six hundred musicians a year.

It wasn’t done by the Vaskos alone. Much like the Fellowship from “Lord of the Rings” or the Straw Hat Pirates from “One Piece,” they knew they’d need a crew. “My wife and I were the first employees. And, after about a month of working seven days a week, we were like ‘this is not sustainable.’” Which set them out on a quest to find a crew. Vasko made sure to shout out his lead engineer and part owner, John Remington, first. “He has an amazing bedside manner with musicians. He understands their motivations and their challenges. He runs the recording studio.” Krista, the studio manager, showed the Vaskos that music fans can make the best employees despite any blank spaces on a resume. “We found that music supporters can be better catered to be employees at spaces like this as opposed to musicians. Krista has a customer service background. All the soft skills she possesses cannot be taught. She manages the studio on a day-to-day basis. Then also does sound checks and audio engineering.”

Kenny Vasko lamented that for a time he had leaned on unpaid internships to help with the workload, but has since found a way to make the internship a paid position. “They were all unpaid for college credit. And, we started feeling really guilty about it, to be honest. Now we just got a seed donation to do paid internships which is somewhat unheard of in the music industry. We established a non-profit called “Rock for the People.” The non-profit’s mission is to create those paid opportunities or marketing tools that people need to succeed in the music industry from historically underrepresented communities. For instance, less than five percent of audio engineers are women — and even less than that are women of color — so my wife and I feel like we have a mission to make sure that the future of music isn’t all old white straight dudes.”

The ordeal

The Lafayette Music Festival has grown in notoriety over the years; however, getting support for the event was earned through perseverance and hard work. And, one can’t have a hero’s story without a trial. For the Vaskos, it started with the COVID outbreak in 2020. “We never really hosted a show. We’ve never hosted a ticketed show before. We were only a year and some change into owning the building. It sold out! It was an amazing evening…We were like we can do this.” Then COVID hit.

Not to be deterred, the Vaskos pivoted to live-streaming, something Kenny likened to the portals created by Doctor Strange from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They knew they had to do whatever was in their power to keep the doors open. “You’re doing the long game when doing anything based on partnerships. Most partnerships are a long game, it takes a long time to build trust. We called a lot of people when we wanted to do the festival and they were like ‘That all sounds great. Call us when you’re in year two?”

Then Vaskos followed suit. They called in year two and got more people on board. Then they had people call them for year three. “Now this is the first year that we have gained enough sponsors and partner venues that even if not another ticket is sold, we’ll be able to pay all the artists. But, that took three years of doing a lot of volunteer work.”

Sharing of boons

Dog House Music Studios is one of the largest in the area with a twenty-three studio complex. The space is accommodating enough that when the artist Babyface came through for the former mayor’s inauguration, Doghouse accommodated his multi-faceted needs.

Further, as a studio, the Vaskos make sure that the mission of aiding and helping musicians is at the center of everything they do:

“We’re very hands-on about everything. Musicians are human beings. On one hand, we have younger musicians who are very talented but are trying to find their way to booking shows or getting music recorded we consult with them. We help them do marketing. Get their stuff on Spotify. We also host open mics and songwriters circles… One of our major tenets is that every musician has a different definition of success. Some musicians want to play Red Rocks and that’s a different path [than] some musicians who want to play Tom Petty covers to [their] friends four times a year at [their] favorite bar.”

So much of Kenny Vasko’s message was about stewardship, service, and giving back to the community. “I am nothing without other people. I just want to get that across that like any small business or any independent organization, it truly is the bond that you have with those folks.  That really makes everything shine.”

When I asked Kenny about his final thoughts, he brought up his wife, Liz. He mentioned again how she was with him through the toughest time in his life. She co-captained the ship that would become Doghouse Music and is the star of fostering care for the musical arts. The way he spoke of her was reminiscent of a Buddhist sutra on solitude and companionship, “If you gain a companion, one who is worthy of intertwining their soul with your own then you shall overcome all dangers. Let your heart rejoice and go with them.”

The post The Artists: A Whole Crew in the Dog House appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Think jazz isn’t for you? I’m here to convince you otherwise. Summer may be drawing to an end but that doesn’t mean live music has to stop by any means! With several live performances within the next month, there is a jazz band for all. It’s not all avant-garde freestyle experimental stuff (but you can find that if you like it!) there are plenty of approachable bands with excellent musicianship to check out. Jazz is all about improvisation, playing off of what the other musicians are doing, a swinging rhythm, and incredible musicianship. Whether you’re a novice to the genre or a seasoned pro you’ll find a range of styles from hard bop to easy listening.

Hazel Miller & The Collective

August 24th at Superior Commons Amphitheater

Come catch “One of the tightest and most versatile bands on the scene,” Hazel Miller & The Collective as they blend genres and broaden minds. Not strictly jazz by any means, but they know how to throw down on a standard still. You’ll find blues, soul, rock and roll, plus jazz classics and jazz-influenced playing as the guitars, vocals, and rhythm section belt out a tune. Hazel’s voice fits the style perfectly, powerful and emotive.

Voodoo Lilly

September 7th at the Hotel Boulderado

Looking for an upscale environment in a speakeasy setting? Sip a high-end martini while the bass walks a line under a trumpet flair? This is where you want to be. Not only is the underground — literally — club a fun place to catch a show (they even host comedy here!) Voodoo Lilly is something special to see. With a mixture of jazz sub-genres, there will be a sound for everyone. Gypsy jazz? Check. Swing? POf course. Blues? Why not. Jazz is about expressing yourself any way you can.
RVSP here

CJRO Latin Jazz Ensemble with Marion Powers

September 8, Aurora Fox Arts Center

Keep the upbeat vibe and dancing going with some live Latin jazz with CJRO Latin Jazz Ensemble with Marion Powers when they play at the Aurora Fox. Nothing beats the insane groove great Latin jazz can bring when performed live. Even those who don’t “get” jazz will find themselves smiling, swaying, and clapping along. It’s a gateway drug to the genre with wonderful horn work and infectious drums. Marion Powers brings a powerful performance leading the way.
purchase tickets here

Colorado Brazil Fest: Brazilian Jazz Night Feat. Gabriel Santiago Project

September 19th at Roots Music Project

Eclectic, upbeat, funky — these are all terms commonly used to describe the Gabriel Santiago Project. Plus the venue is phenomenal. Check out our profile on them in this issue if you haven’t already. Better yet, stop by for a show. Nothing would be better than the thriving beats and enticing dance moves that Brazillian Jazz typically brings out in crowds. Rhythm is a big deal as well, you aren’t likely to hear many straight 4/4 beats, but instead a multitude of polyrhythms create a percussionist’s dream. Fantastic guitar work and soaring vocals bring it all together harmoniously. Make sure not to miss it.
purchase tickets here

Wine & Jazz with the Stephen Brooks Quartet 

September 25th at Nissi’s
What pairs better with jazz than wine? Come find out for yourself at Nissis with a performance by the Stephen Brooks Quartet. The website mentions that “The current lineup includes Boulder favorite Mark Diamond on bass, Chris Kroger on piano, Stephen on drums, and Matthew Clement on trumpet and vocals, doing a diverse range of music—from Sinatra to Sting to Bill Withers—but always rooted in the jazz tradition.” That means you’ll get a nice selection of popular jazz standards plus plenty of wine to sit back and enjoy the music with.
free admission

The post Scene Stealers | August 2024 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

“Sundays on West Pearl” Summer Series on August 18 and 25 – art activities for all ages, hosted at THE NEW LOCAL nonprofit (thenew-local.org)

The 502s with Max McNown on August 24 – live at the Boulder Theater  “Great American Road TripThe 502s with Max McNown” (bouldercoloradousa.com)

Summer of Love Concert Series on August 16 and 23 – live music series, including a beer garden, cornhole, and Nopalitos Mexican Restaurant Twenty Ninth Street | Events | Summer of Love Concert Series

“On The Rise” Concert Series on August 24 – series hosted by the Roots Music Project, honoring Boulder’s past, present and future as a center for music and creativity rootsmusicproject.org/calendar

Free Stand up Comedy Show at Finkel & Garf on August 28th – free comedy show hosted by local comedians on the last Wednesday of every month Free Stand up Comedy Show (bouldercoloradousa.com)

Tuesday Trivia – trivia night at Boulder Social (7pm) or Rayback Collective (6:30pm) every Tuesday Tuesday Trivia (bouldercoloradousa.com)

The post Entertainment Picks | August 2024 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Courtesy of Butterfly Pavilion.

Editor’s Note: Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Enjoy live music, a pollinator market, animal interactions, workshops, and more to raise awareness and support for pollinator conservation.

WHAT:

This June, for National Pollinator Month, Butterfly Pavilion is holding its second annual Pollinator Palooza Celebration all month long, culminating in the Pollinator Palooza Festival on Saturday, June 29 from noon – 8:00 p.m.

Full access to this event is included with paid general admission to Butterfly Pavilion, while our members get in for free!

Visitors will experience a hybrid outdoor and indoor pollinator extravaganza featuring all-day, live outdoor entertainment, activities, and more. Food, beverage, and artisan wares will be available for sale.

Courtesy of Butterfly Pavilion.

Throughout the event, attendees can:  

-Enjoy fabulous cultural performances and live music throughout the day.

-Shop at the pollinator market seeking items connected to pollinators.  

-Purchase delectable bites at a variety of food trucks.  

-Take an outdoor garden or Wings of the Tropics rainforest tour.

-Witness butterfly releases in Wings of the Tropics.

-Learn about Butterfly Pavilion’s conservation projects and talk to the experts.  

-Participate in one of many pollinator-themed craft workshops.  

-Have your face painted with a pollinator.

-Cool off with a beer at the beer tent (21+ only).

-And take a photo with Bee-trice the Bee mascot.  

WHY:

Pollinators, such as bees, beetles, butterflies, and flies are critical for our economy, environment, and agriculture. Pollinators help sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce. Almost a third of crops depend on insect pollinators with more than 80% of flowering plants depending on insect pollinators.

Yet, pollinator populations are in decline. Butterfly Pavilion is a leader in pollinator protection and conservation and engages the community with opportunities to get involved with us. The Pollinator Palooza Festival offers a fantastic opportunity to learn about pollinators while having fun. Attendees will discover how they can get involved in pollinator conservation right in their own backyard!

TICKETS:

Non-Members: Festival is included in general admission on June 29.

Members: Free

More information: https://butterflies.org/pollinator-palooza/. 

WHEN:

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Noon – 8 p.m. (Note that on this day Butterfly Pavilion will not open until 12:00 p.m. instead of regular visiting opening at 9:00 a.m.)

On-site interviews with Butterfly Pavilion representatives about the festival and the importance of pollinators will be available upon request.

WHERE:

Butterfly Pavilion

6252 W 104th Ave., Westminster, CO 80020

About Butterfly Pavilion:

Butterfly Pavilion has been part of the Colorado community since 1995 and is the first Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited, stand-alone, non-profit invertebrate zoo in the world. Butterfly Pavilion’s mission is to foster an appreciation of invertebrates by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation.  

Beyond Colorado and the United States, Butterfly Pavilion conservationists are doing important invertebrate conservation projects around the world from Mongolia and Turks and Caicos to Tanzania and Sumatra, Indonesia.

The post Join the Second Annual Pollinator Palooza Festival at Butterfly Pavilion! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

It takes courage to put yourself on a stage in front of a bunch of strangers and play music. Music and identity often intertwine, meaning failures and criticisms shoot straight to the heart. But the passion and drive that motivate artists to persist are the same qualities that support growth. One significant part of the artist’s growth process is making the transition from open mic nights or public events to booking small venues for shows. Colorado offers a mixed bag of venues for small-to-medium-sized artists, and some of them can be tough to navigate from a financial perspective. We sat down with a number of artists in the community as well as a venue to get the scoop on booking your next private gig.

Navigating small venues as a local artist

Dalton LaFever, a Woodland Park-based musician, began playing open mics many years ago but eventually decided it was time to book his own shows. He explained that in Woodland Park and Denver alike, the process can be challenging. “A little bit, but it’s about finding the right venues that will pay the artist and work with them to profit both the venue and the artist. A venue that will help promote is huge,” LaFever told Yellow Scene Magazine.

While it is easy to find a music venue in Metro Denver with a for-profit-based model, this type is often artists’ least favorite option since it puts the financial stress entirely on the artist. “I’ve run into venues like that, and honestly I shy away from those venues that require a certain amount of draw of people. It’s hard enough booking shows let alone have a requirement of people. One can only do so much with advertisement,” said LaFever.

Chris “Wiskey” Churchill , a Denver-based musician, met three of his bandmates at open mics across the region. After the group began to establish itself as “The Electric Whiskey Experiment,” they started booking small shows. Wiskey noted, “We won’t do ticketed events. There are a few venues that operate that way. We simply just don’t play at those. We have a rule that we don’t play unless the venue guarantees us $300 for a three-hour show. I’m sure there are times we could have made more from ticket sales, but — I’m not a promoter.” Wiskey and his group are encountering a reality that many small-to-medium-sized bands are uncomfortable with: the idea of taking on the financial burden of the venue cost by themselves.

Open Mic Host Steve-Koppe at Roots Music Project

Instead, artists like LaFever look for venues with a non-profit model like Swallow Hill Music and Roots Music Project. Anecdotally, some record stores have been known to host shows for which the proceeds are returned to the artist while the record shows profits from in-store sales. However, venues like Roots Music Project take this whole strategy a little bit further by creating a rental space with multiple booking options as well as a number of programs that cater to artist development.

While the market is saturated with for-profit venues, there are other venues that are supportive of the growing music scene. According to Wiskey, “Some are really great and want to have us play often. Unfortunately, they are usually the venues that don’t have a large budget. The venues that pay better are a little difficult to get callbacks on. There are a ton of talented competitors out there. I have found that some venues prefer to book bands they know and have worked with before. Denver is definitely a tough market.” Despite the challenges, Wiskey’s band plays about once a week. The payment varies, but the band has gained traction.

LaFever has also had success with booking the right gigs. When preparing to book a venue, he finds the best strategy is to talk directly with the venue before booking anything. “I always find the best method of communication with the venues whether that be a phone call, Facebook Messenger, email, or setting up a meeting. Based on what the venue might have for capacity or size, I can decide whether to book a band or solo. I will send videos, EPK to the venue, and name a fair price which I believe is the right number for a group or duo solo shows. Hopefully, I get a response back.”

Finding the right venues to book has been a lengthy process for LaFever, but his efforts have contributed to a steady income. “What I started years ago as a solo artist, I [charged] $100 for three hours of music. I’m now up to $200 for a solo artist. When I started with a band, my price range was $300. Now, minimum, I’ll start at $400 for a band, but it’s difficult depending on the venues. Some can only pay so much, and I see it’s better to sometimes make less money to be able to perform.”

Some of his favorite venues to book include 110 Reserve, Crystola Roadhouse, Salad or Bust, Motel SOCO, The Well Hotel & Taproom, and Deuces Wild.

Supporting artists as a non-profit venue

Roots Music Project was established in Boulder to “empower the live music scene in Boulder and beyond. We do that because we believe that live music is a positive force for the community and the world,” said Dave Kennedy, founder and executive director of the organization.

Today, the non-profit owns a 2,700-square-foot warehouse that holds 250 standing guests and 150 seated guests. The venue’s work doesn’t end after providing a creative space for musicians. According to Kennedy, “We have two pillars that we base our mission on. One is the belief that performance opportunities — that gigs are the way to promote the music scene. And secondly, artist development is our other focus. In the artist development world, it’s not about a single artist being a genius. It’s about the scene supporting the artist. If we can support the scene, the artists will arrive.”

One of the big challenges artists in Boulder continually face is affordability. The cost of living paired with the high cost of real estate makes it extremely difficult to retain disposable income to book for-profit venues, let alone find venues that help to promote shows to ensure the bands turn a profit. However, the affordability factor impacts venues too. “It is difficult on the Front Range for artists to find paying gigs. I also have empathy as a venue operator. It’s difficult to turn a profit on a show,” said Kennedy.

As a result, Roots Music Project offers a variety of gig types from open mics to artist features. Kennedy said the key to entering the right gig is to understand your market and determine how many fans might show up to a gig.

Ian Steele, Roots Music Project’s production manager, said the organization is different from others in one key way: “We’re all in the same shoes as the artists that are trying to play. We’re all artists who are trying to book their own gigs. So, we understand both sides of the equation.” The operators of Roots Music Project are not only business people but also musicians.

In addition to offering open mics and small- to medium-sized gigs, Roots Music Project also offers programs to support artist development, potentially leading to artist showcases that feature talented community members for 20 minutes.

When it comes to booking a gig at Roots Music, Kennedy said there are a few ways to go about it. There’s a formal booking application on the website. “The other avenue is to come to an open mic, and Ian sees you. And the bartenders see you, and word starts to spread.” He added, ”Another avenue is to volunteer.”

Steele noted the music market is present and pushing to grow. “It’s the economics that make it so difficult to do something like we’re doing. We’re very fortunate to be able to help so many musicians to go from open mics to small gigs or putting out an album. The opportunities are starting to grow now.”

The post Making the Switch from Open Mics to Booking Venues in Colorado appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

From June 6 through June 16 throughout Boulder County, Cultural Caravan’s third annual June Festival presents free and affordable multicultural music performances of top quality. Some of the area’s most notable musicians perform in indoor and outdoor venues in Boulder, Longmont, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, and Broomfield. Tickets are either free or $5 — always free for kids and students.

Internationally renowned cellist Josh Halpern founded the nonprofit in 2021 in response to the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on local arts organizations and small businesses as well as the professional musicians who rely on them. Cultural Caravan organized new opportunities for performances at local businesses, focusing on paying musicians well and keeping tickets free or inexpensive so that visitors would spend money supporting the host establishments. To date, according to the organization’s website, Cultural Caravan has held more than 80 events, supporting more than 70 artists and 60 local businesses and community organizations while reinvesting hundreds of thousands of dollars locally.

Mintze Wu and ensemble, narrated concert “Death of the Pugilist,” short story by Daniel Mason, at Mountain View United Methodist in Boulder (Saturday, June 8, 7:00 p.m.)

Salomé Songbird, genre-crossing vocal and string trio, at Mountain View United Methodist in Boulder (Friday, June 7, 7:00 p.m.)

Colorado Mambo Orchestra, Cuban music ensemble, at Coal Creek Park in Erie (Thursday, June 6, 6:00–8:00 p.m.)

Kayla Marque, singer-songwriter, at The Read Queen bookstore and café in Lafayette (Friday, June 14, 1:00–2:30 p.m.)

The 2024 June Festival will take place at Mountain View United Methodist at 355 Ponca Place in Boulder on the main stage, and at ten outdoor and indoor “pop-up” venues throughout the county. Styles range among many varieties of classical, folk, pop, afro-fusion, Latin jazz, and more.

The post Cultural Caravan’s June Festival 2024 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Spotlight

LunaFest 2024 was a helluva concert with over 70 bands playing over seven days in Boulder at DV8 Distillery. The event ran from April 21st to 29th, 2024. The pre-party was on April 21st, 2024, and was held at Velvet Elk, with the party being kicked off by DJ Drake and Mr. Gettdowne. The post-party was on April 29th, 2024, and the location was top-secret, which had festival-goers watching for its announcement. The genres run the gamut, but with over 70 bands, how could they not? Headlining acts included: Seckond Chaynce, Spyda JC, Biotechnick, and Float Like a Buffalo.

LunaFest bills itself as an inclusive event welcoming all. Since the founder fled Florida due to the draconian anti-LGBTQIA+ bills passed into law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, we decided to sit down with her to hear her backstory.

Red Tornado: How did you land in Colorado?

Luna Rose Wolf: I sold my house, bought a truck and trailer, sold most of my belongings, and packed the rest in the trailer. Once it was ready to go, I drove for three days straight, sleeping in the back seat of the truck in between semis at truck stops whenever I began to feel worn down.

RT: Did you leave Florida because there were problems?

LRT: Yes. The political environment of Florida has been getting exponentially worse for the LGBTQIA+ community for a while, and Governor DeSantis was directly responsible for the loss of my job, a decline in mental health, and the loss of both my gender-affirming hormones and antidepressants. I was actually in relapse and battling headaches, brain zaps, and more on my journey to Colorado.

RT: How’s your reception been in Colorado?

LRT: I’ve felt much more comfortable in Colorado overall compared to Florida. While there are a few areas in the state that are a little less welcoming, I have become very attached to the Longmont, Lafayette, Erie, and Boulder areas.

RT: What was the inspiration for LunaFest?

LRT: Sometime around April of 2023, I was chatting about throwing a celebration for my second year of hormone replacement therapy in May. Bands offered to perform when they heard the news, and I thought that would be a great idea.

I contacted some friends and found a pool hall that welcomed the event. Within a matter of weeks, 3 bands became 52. Food trucks, vendors, sponsors, and more suddenly became part of what became a festival, and the pool hall had to move its tables to accommodate the event.

Once I moved to Colorado, several bands and fans of the first event asked if I was doing it again, to which I replied, “Maybe, but definitely not in Florida.” To my surprise, many offered to come to Colorado, and thus LunaFest ’24 was born. I decided to run LunaFest ’24 under a Colorado non-profit organization I founded in December 2023. 

RT: You told us about your previous experience in Florida. How is this experience compared?

LRT: From having to pay out of pocket for all of my medicine and medical needs to having them fully covered by the state of Colorado, from having disgusted stares from most guests of every restaurant I entered to having smiles, some curious expressions, and a very rare judgmental gaze, and from sweat and mosquitoes to refreshing air and a rare fruit fly, I do not have a single regret moving away from Florida.

RT: You’re getting a lot of airplay now. How is that feeling?

LRT: It’s extremely validating, and it brings me joy that my efforts to benefit the community are being seen so quickly after only living here for a few months. I am putting just shy of 100 hours a week into the event, so it is wonderful that my dedication has not gone unnoticed.

RT: What do you see or hope the final outcome to be?

LRT: While my primary goal is to bring joy, health, entertainment, and safety to the community via our events, my long-term goal is to open a brick-and-mortar photography studio. I would certainly keep the organization and festivals going as well, since they are not technically a full-time obligation. If the non-profit grows enough to provide highly affordable or free entry, that is certainly a goal of mine, as long as the artists get paid exceptionally well. This will require a large volume of sponsorship, which is something that will take some time to grow.

RT: What is the non-profit for?

LRT: The first festival was inclusive, diverse, and exciting for every demographic, and the feeling of community it delivered sparked a special place in my heart to continue to provide that experience. The organization also provides help to those in need, partners with organizations to train people about the dangers of fentanyl and to stop overdoses, and donates to other benevolent organizations with similar missions.

Learn more about Lunafest2024 at https://lunarluxfest.com; we are sure there will be a band that tickles your fancy. Besides, tickets are incredibly affordable, starting at $30 for a day pass and $120 for a full event pass. Since many of the bands are playing for a cut, making this a sell-out event not only makes for a good time for all but it makes sure the bands get their fair share too. Sponsorships are also available.

The post Spotlight on Luna Wolf, producer, founder, and organizer of LunaFest 2024 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

To call Chris Daniels and the Kings with Freddi Gowdy a Colorado institution might be a bit of an understatement. Daniels has been a fixture in the local music scene since 1984, fronting the most prolific rhythm and blues horn-driven band in the region without missing a step — even when he battled Leukemia back in 2011. After clearing that tough hurdle, Daniels was back on stage, getting audiences on their feet and securing a place in the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2018. We caught up with Chris to talk about his upcoming 40th anniversary with the Kings, what it’s like playing the Colorado scene and some of the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Chris Daniels live on stage.

French Davis: 40 years! What’s your secret? How do you keep it feeling fresh?

Chris Daniels: Every summer touring season is different with new music, so that’s part of it. We also really have fun. I’d say that’s about 99% of it. This is not sit-in-the-dark-and-be-depressed music — there’s nothing wrong with that kind of music — but we play seriously fun horn-band music with some of the best players in the world…and we are having a ball doing it.

FD: What are 2 or 3 gigs that really stand out to you as more special than the rest over the years?

CD: Well Red Rocks. But we did a show backing Garth Brooks, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, and many more; that was a high point too. It was at Fiddler’s Green — a sold-out show in 2017. Then there is Parkpop in Rotterdam where they said there were 450,000 people! I didn’t count ’em. But with all that, some of my favorite shows have been here in Colorado at the Boulder Theater and at Little Bear and City Park Jazz.

FD: Talk a little bit about your Leukemia recovery and how that impacted you as an artist?

CD: Some of what you’d expect. I just have incredible gratitude to the doctors, nurses, family, and friends who saved my life. There are songs that I wrote that came out of that. Most of all becoming aware of how special and lucky I am to do this — I actually will smile on stage about a note I sang or a guitar lick I played, not because it was anything special, but just because I got the chance to do it. That is enough — that’s the miracle. There are complications from the experience too; side-effects that 14 years later are coming to roost. I have a lung condition that is going to kill me. It showed up in 2018. But I walk 4 miles a day trying to keep it a bay. Every day is a gift, and that is real for me. So singing? Damn, that’s great for me!

FD: Do you ever think about “retirement” and what might that look like for you?

CD: Well I’m havin’ a ball, I’m writing, I’m producing, I’m playing and singing on other people’s albums and producing the new one with Kevin Clock at Colorado Sound. I’m still teaching at CU Denver and my granddaughters just came out and we went skiing. And for the past 10 years, I’ve been the MC of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. I’m not sure what retirement would bring into my life? A rocking chair? I like what Clint Eastwood said: “I wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and say ‘Don’t let the old man in.’” 

FD: Was there ever a time in your life when you thought about being something besides a musician? If so, what was it and why, if not, why not?

CD: Oh yeah. My undergraduate degree was in music and journalism, and I worked for the Minneapolis Tribune for a short time. I was an Assistant Professor and taught full-time at CU Denver for 20 years; I was the Executive Director of Swallow Hill Music Association for more than 5 years and the ED of Colorado Music Hall of Fame for 2.5 years and I’m still teaching at CU Denver — but it’s all centered around music in one way or another.

FD: What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the Colorado music scene over the last 40 years? 

CD: YIKES well it’s huge. The Kings started out when there were no horn bands here. We were playing the music of Jack Mack, Tower of Power, Blood, Sweat and Tears, and Little Feat. Now there are “tribute bands” doing entire nights of the Eagles and Prince and The Grateful Dead and Earth Wind & Fire. Nothing wrong with that. It’s just not original, not experimental. It’s safe. And those bands make more money than anybody out here gigging. We had a different concept: original music. It was a hard sell then and it still is. But it’s worth it. Our songs are on the radio from here to Australia to all over Europe. We got signed in Europe to our first record deal before we got signed in the States, and we toured there over 20 times. But I also see great new artists taking our format and blowing up with it nationally. Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats — I love what they do. It’s original, it’s powerful, and the horns are killing it.

FD: What do you wish you’d known when you were starting out that you know now? What advice would you give Chris Daniels of 40 years ago?

CD: Use dynamics more. We started out slammin’ it; it was Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown who taught me dynamics a few years in. And also, write more and get a home studio to start putting out more music. That is about it. We were pretty blessed to make it 40 years, but there’s more I would have liked to do. 

FD: Like what? What else you got cookin’? 

CD: I’m working on a solo project — very minimal/acoustic. The writing that I do is very personal. And also a trio project. I’m hoping that will really get some play.

FD:  If there was one thing you’d like more people to know about you that maybe they don’t know, what would it be?

CD: We have always been in a bit of a Rodney Dangerfield “I can’t get no respect” position in this market. Not in Europe but in the States and Colorado. It’s easy to write off and downplay happy music. A great Dutch DJ who took our records to #1 on his “Countdown Cafe” show called it “music for the happy few.” But if you listen, and I mean really listen, there is something amazing going on. It’s jazz-based. It’s communication — working without a net with the best players in the world — that’s real. We are not playing the same solo from the album every night note-for-note. This is experimental; every night is different. I think I learned that from Sam Bush and from The Dead. I mean Freddi is an amazing soul singer and he will just go off into a whole thing, and we follow. Bones toured with Albert King, Bob toured with Tom Jones, Steve’s played with everybody from James Taylor to Keb Mo, and JT and Doody are world-class players. Are we singing about global warming? No. That’s for others. Will we get you up off your ass, dancing? Hell yes! People have come to me and said, “The first time my wife and I went on a date was to see you play, and we’ve been married now for 20 years, thank you!” So we are pretty damn good at bringing lovers together too. But people don’t always recognize that as important, especially in this time of stress. And you know what’s funny, in WWII they understood the power of music that gave you a release, that got you dancing, that helped life-long lovers find one another. So, in my personal view, we are in that tradition. And that is damn well worthy of some serious 40-year celebration. 

Chris Daniels and the Kings with Freddi Gowdy play their 40th Anniversary show at Boulder Theater on April 4. Doors open at 7 p.m., tickets are $25+, visit BoulderTheater.com for more information. 

The post Spotlight: Chris Daniels appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Super Diamond at Fox Theatre

The self-proclaimed “Surreal Neil” a.k.a Randy Codeiro has been performing Neil Diamond’s greatest hits for decades, making Super Diamond arguably the best-known and most beloved tribute act in the history of popular music. It’s the perfect confluence of spectacle and song — a bejeweled experience that celebrates one of America’s finest troubadours, with all of the schmaltz and panache of the original, yet just enough self-awareness and humor to keep things from being too self-reverential. It’s the perfect date night out concert with your loved one or your own mother — both are guaranteed to enjoy every minute of it. At the Fox Theatre on Feb. 23. Doors open at 7 p.m., tickets are $25+, visit www.FoxTheatre.com for more information. 

Performing Self at Boulder Museum of Contemporary Arts

Currently on exhibition at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Arts, Performing Self is a multidisciplinary show in which seven different artists celebrate their own identities through alter egos and personae. With works ranging from photography to video, paintings and installations, artists Tobias Fike, Noa Fodrie, Laura Lee Shill, Louis Trujillo, Eriko Tsogo and Sherry Wiggins & Luís Filipe Branco reveal their self-portraiture in a very image-conscious culture. This exhibit is on display through April 28 at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. Visit www.bmoca.org for more info.

Snake at Theatre Company of Lafayette

In Snake by local playwright Paul Wells, a documentary crew visits the Everglades only to wind up lost and surrounded by killer pythons. Their hope for a savior comes in the form of a mysterious hermit who lives in among the Everglades trees and has a connection to the pythons. As the reality of their situation sets in, the group of documentarians must work together to survive. At the Theatre Company of Lafayette, February 23 through March 10. Tickets are $25 online at tclstage.org, or 720-503-0024.

Stay Puft at Dairy Center for the Arts

In Chinese mythology the qilin is a being that appears as a harbinger of birth and death, often signaling the passing of a wise sage or the birth of a new leader. In his latest exhibition Stay Puft, artist Chinn Wang explores the transitions into life and death via the qilin while experimenting with visual language and iconography to play with the ideas of mortality. The exhibit is on display through March 30, with an opening reception on Feb. 23 at the Polly Addison Gallery at the Dairy Center for the Arts, Visit www.TheDairy.org for more information.

G-Love and Special Sauce at Fox Theatre

“I think Colorado as a whole has been historically a live-music haven. There’s a lot of young, freewheeling and open-minded people in Colorado, and since we first dropped in ’94 we have been embraced. Boulder in particular was the epicenter for our vibration out there and we played the shit out of the Fox Theater over the years.” That’s how G. Love and Special Sauce frontman Garret Dutton framed his love for our state when we last chatted with him back in 2012 (“Four Questions with Pop Favorite: G. Lov,” January 2, 2012). He’s played countless shows here since, and each one remains as funky and groove-laden as the one before it. Catch them at the Fox Theatre on March 16. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., tickets are $39.50+, visit www.FoxTheatre.com for more information.

Talking With… at Dairy Center for the Arts 

Do you remember 1981? Viva Theater sets out to remind you of all the details from 40+ years ago. The play is titled Talking With… and it features 11 women, each with their own story about what it was like to be a woman in 1981. Described as funny, bittersweet and sometimes savage, the play shines a light on who and what we were in a decade where the USSR collapsed, the Berlin Wall came down and MTV changed the face of the entire music industry. See it March 22–April 7 at the Grace Gamm Theatre in the Dairy Center for the Arts Complex. Visit www.TheDairy.org for more information. 

The post Scene Stealers | February 2024 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Get ready for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve at The Velvet Elk Lounge! Enter 2024 and celebrate the Year of the Dragondeer. With music from Dragondeer, cocktails, passed appetizers, and champagne, this is a CAN’T miss night.

• Music by Dragondeer: Dragondeer is bringing songs from their new album, Across The Waves, blending Psychedelic Blues, Retro Funk, Soul, and Rock-n-Roll.

• Inclusive ticket: Heavy passed appetizers will served at the start of the show

• Free Drinks: Each ticket includes two complimentary drinks to kick off the celebration.

• Specials: Purchase four tickets in one order and enjoy a reserved booth and a complimentary bottle of bubbles. Additionally, tickets purchased on New Year’s at Centro, Jax, West End Tavern, and The Post Chicken and Beer will qualify for an exclusive discounted ticket.

• Champagne Toast: Ring in the New Year with a champagne toast as the ball drops.

• Activities: Take some fantastic photos with our photobooth and bring home some memories! Don’t forget to snag a hangover kit and some hot cocoa or cider on your way out.

Date and Time: December 31, 2023, Doors at 8:00 PM and music at 10:00 PM.

Location: The Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th Street, Boulder, CO 80302

Ticket Information: General Admission: $100, VIP tables: $400, Reservation holders and New Year’s Eve diners at Centro, Jax, West End Tavern, and The Post Chicken and Beer will receive a special $50 ticket price

The post New Years Eve at the Velvet Elk with Dragondeer appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

As September marks Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, the stage is set for an unforgettable experience of music, unity, and shared purpose at the 2023 Live Your Lyrics event. This heartfelt musical gathering aims to break the silence surrounding suicide, promote open conversations, and support those in need while celebrating the power of community and togetherness.

Date: Sunday, September 17, 2023
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Doors open at noon.)
Venue: Nissi’s Entertainment & Events Center, 1455 Coal Creek Dr., Lafayette, Colorado (Thank you Nissi’s for hosting us! You are a true community partner!)

Live Your Lyrics has become a beacon of hope and understanding, all thanks to its founder, Dave Sluiter. Inspired by the personal tragedy of losing his partner to suicide, Dave embarked on a mission to shed light on the importance of suicide prevention. Dave and his band, Lakota Ridge, started an annual suicide awareness event at Dave’s church, which has become Live Your Lyrics.

“The inception of Live Your Lyrics stemmed from a desire to increase awareness and advocate for the prevention of suicide. Dedicated to dismantling societal stigmas surrounding mental health conditions, the primary objective of this event is to instill hope and offer an alternative to individuals who may be contemplating self-harm or suicide,” explained Dave.

The event is a day of joy, music, and camaraderie designed to encourage dialogue about suicide and self-harm. This year all proceeds will be donated to the local organization Mental Health Partners (MHP). LYL is honored to support MHP whose mission is — Healing is our purpose. Help is our promise. Health is our passion. — MHP compassionately provides access to expert mental health and substance use care so people can enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives. MHP’s crisis center provides 24/7/365 walk-in care for those with substance use issues or needing emergent mental health.

Three outstanding local bands will provide the soul-stirring melodies: Funk Knuf, Boulder Big Band, and Lakota Ridge. Each band will perform a captivating two-hour set, generously donating their time and talent to the cause. In addition, LYL offers sharing and connection experiences throughout the day. It’s a day of joy and sharing, and the opportunity to make new friends.

Live Your Lyrics is made possible by the gracious support of sponsors, including Azafran, Crazy Good Marketing, i2i Workforce, Red Rock Roofing, BCER, KPEO Radio, S3 Partners, Clean My Facility, and First United Methodist Church of Lafayette. Their commitment to this cause exemplifies the unity and determination that defines the event.

Tickets are available for $20 (adults), $10 (ages 3-20), and children two years old and under are free.
Tickets can be purchased at https://liveyourlyrics.life/

Live Your Lyrics promises a memorable musical experience and a chance to unite for a crucial cause. Let us stand together, embrace hope, and foster change. Join us at Nissi’s on September 17th to be part of a movement that promotes understanding, compassion, and life.

The post Groove to the Rhythms of Hope: 2023 Live Your Lyrics Event Promotes Suicide Awareness and Prevention Through Music and Unity appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The post Los Mocochetes Cinco De Mayo Show appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.