New Venue. Who Dis?

AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, one of the world's leading producers and promoters of live entertainment, announced today The Mission Ballroom, a scalable, state-of-the art concert venue scheduled to open in summer 2019. The 60,000 square-foot ballroom will anchor North Wynkoop, a new 14-acre mixed use project by Denver-developers Westfield Company, located at the north-end of the RiNo neighborhood between 40th and 43rd Streets along Brighton Blvd.

Chuck Morris, CEO of AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, said of the new venue, “Our entire AEG Presents Rocky Mountain team spent the last 11 years searching for the perfect location and the right design to build one of the finest venues this town has ever seen. With features including a moving stage that provides The Mission flexible capacity from 2200 to 3950 guests, unrivaled sight lines and state-of-the-art sound and lights, The Mission will bring Colorado the most cutting-edge concert experience in the world.” 
 
AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, the leading promoter in Denver, CO who operate the Bluebird Theater, Gothic Theatre, Ogden Theatre, 1STBANK Center and Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, as well as book the majority of the shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, bring decades of experience to the development and design of The Mission Ballroom.  The Mission features tiered rows that provide unobscured views at every level, sight lines from every vantage point and a large dance floor that allows standing or seating. Full-service bars conveniently placed around the venue maximize flow, efficiency and patron experience.

“We blended the ballroom experience on the floor with a tiered-riser configuration similar to Red Rocks. Beyond offering incredible sight lines, this design creates the finest sonic experience that Colorado concertgoers expect and deserve,” said Don Strasburg, co-president for AEG Presents Rocky Mountains. 

AEG Presents Rocky Mountains sought the perfect location for this unique venue and ultimately ended up partnering with Westfield Company on its North Wynkoop development in Denver’s transformative RiNo neighborhood and arts district.  Encompassing three city blocks from 40th to 43rd streets along Brighton Boulevard, North Wynkoop is a five-minute walk to the 38th and Blake A Line Station (one train stop to Union Station and 30 minutes to Denver International Airport) and just minutes from the intersection of Denver’s largest vehicular arteries of I-25 and I-70. 

“We’re so excited with the vision that Westfield Company has for North Wynkoop. The Brighton Boulevard corridor and the entire River North area is exploding with vibrancy.  This location is a perfect fit for The Mission Ballroom with parking, easy access to light rail, and only a stone’s throw from downtown, it is the right place for us to be.” said, Brent Fedrizzi, co-president and COO of AEG Presents Rocky Mountains. 

Westfield and its development team; which includes leasing agents Newmark Grubb Knight Frank and Legend Partners; architect Works Progress Architecture; general contractor M.A. Mortenson; and financing provided by FirstBank, Guaranty Bank and Trust and Citywide Banks; will transform North Wynkoop into an arts and entertainment hub attracting creatives across all industries. In addition to The Mission Ballroom, a 90,000 square foot office and retail building is under construction as well as the renovation of 80,000 square feet of 1950’s-vintage warehouse buildings transforming them into synergistic restaurants, bars and retail.  Future phases of North Wynkoop include market rate and affordable housing, a hotel, as well as the potential for an additional one million square feet of residential and commercial uses. 

“We are fortunate to have the opportunity of working with AEG Presents on this innovative concept,” said Kevin McClintock, senior partner for Westfield. “The talents and experience of their team are unparalleled, and their dedication to the highest-quality musical experience aligns with our own long-term vision for North Wynkoop. The Mission Ballroom is the ideal anchor and will serve as the heartbeat for our project.”

The Mission Ballroom is not only a premiere concert facility, but also serves as a unique special event space for corporate meetings and other functions, award shows, galas, weddings, receptions, launch parties, trade shows, private events, and more.  
 
In addition to its incredible access to rail, parking options for the site will include an underground garage as well as nearby parking options. The Mission Ballroom will also offer a shared-ride pick-up and drop-off area and an abundance of bike parking.

Visit www.northwynkoop.com, www.missionballroom.com and click here for a video featuring more information and comments from Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper.

Project Pabst Music Festival Announces Denver Lineup

Project Pabst Denver makes its triumphant return to the Mile City on May 20th with another stellar lineup. This year the RiNo neighborhood will play host to lineup heavyweights Ice Cube, Phantogram, Danny Brown, Kurt Vile and The Vilotars, STRFKR, NONAME, Twin Peaks, Deep Vally, Summer Cannibals, Flint Eastwood, Divers, Dirty Few, Nuns of Brixton, and many more.

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. MST on Friday, February 17th, at AXS.com. Early-bird tickets are $45.00 plus applicable service charges while supplies last. General-admission advance tickets start at $55.00 plus applicable service charges while supplies last. 21+ with I.D. welcome.

Music | Morrissey | Red Rocks Amphitheater | July 16th | Review and Photos

Morrissey playing to a Red Rocks crowd on Thursday night (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

As the house lights dimmed and the silhouettes of the band appeared Morrisey uttered the opening statement of "Let's take it back to junior prom", and without hesitation into the opening riffs of "Suedehead". The 56 year old former frontman of iconic british pop pioneers The Smiths played to a rather sparse crowd on Thursday night at Red Rocks. Pretty surprising as the the iconic status of one Steven Patrick Morrissey, either the current generation doesn't know who he is or are still upset for the various times he has cancelled appearances.

Moz looking as dapper as ever (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Either way those in attendance got a treat in the form of a two hour set spanning many of the hits we grew up listening to. Flanked by a projection board displaying various images throughout the night, everything from the Queen of England to Bruce Lee fans in attendance got to see Morrissey at his best. Some images left the audience turning away as images of livestock being butchered left the squeamish turning away as he set forth his stance on "Meat is Murder" the crying song for activist of animal rights groups.

"do you know how animals die?
kitchen aromas aren't very homely
it's not "comforting", "cheery" or "kind"
it's sizzling blood and the unholy stench
of MURDER"

Morrissey Photo Slideshow (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

You could definitely hear a stronger emphasis on lyrics pertaining to various social issues, which to be honest is what makes Morrissey who he is. A strict ban on meat products sold throughout this tour only stands to justify his stance on the issue. Although he has set his niche as a solo performer it is without doubt that many of his hits still carry over from The Smiths days including "Stop Me If You've Think You've Heard This One Before", and "What She Said". Both getting a rousing response as he performed them, it was as if all the original members were there with him.

Morrissey left it all on the table, which is why he continues to perform at such a high level. Will we ever see a Smiths reunion? Only time will tell, but when it does happen we will have front row seats to see one of the most iconic frontman and influential bands of the late 80's early 90's.

Sam Herring enjoying a brilliant Future Islands set (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

The opening set by Future Islands was nearly flawless as lead singer Sam Herring pulled out all the dance moves we are used to seeing from a drunk uncle at a wedding. We interviewed these guys back in 2011 (you can read it here). The amount of passion that Herring sings with is truly unmatched by todays frontman standards. Dance numbers accompanied by infectious groves made for one of the best albums of 2014. Translating that into a live setting only made it much more enjoyable.

Future Islands Photo Slideshow (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Music | SHOW ALERT: E-40 | The Gothic Theatre, May 20th

One of hip hop's living legend E-40 will be gracing The Gothic Theatre stage on Wednesday May 20th. We want to send one lucky reader and a guest to check him out. With over 20 plus albums and several guest spots on others the Californian rapper has established himself as one of the true pioneers to the genre. As founding member of rap group The Click he has also released three studio albums. A business savvy individual E-40 has also dabbled with a few restaurant ventures as well as a few energy and alcoholic drinks with his endorsement. 

CHECK OUR FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM for your chance to win a pair of tickets to go see E-40 this Wednesday at The Gothic Theatre