The thirty best concerts of 2012

While 2012 will be remembered as the year that Red Rocks hosted the most shows in its history, it’s also going to go down as one of the best years for concerts in Colorado in general. As we reflected on all the incredible shows we took in this past year,…

Mountain Standard opens in Vail, near sibling Sweet Basil

While restaurateurs in Denver are scrambling to open new spots before the end of the year — and the end of all that holiday business — the founders of 35-year-old Sweet Basil in Vail just opened Mountain Standard today. Mountain Standard — which is around the corner from Sweet Basil…

The five best concerts this week: 12/17-12/21

With the exception of the almighty Clutch (pictured above), the entirety of this week’s enticing options are all homegrown, including the Foodchain’s first headlining show at the Bluebird with 9th Wonder behind the decks and a slate of Mile High heavyweights; OneRepublic’s second annual Denver Acoustic Christmas; Born in the…

Photos: Winter runway fashion from the Mona Lucero Design Boutique

As the weather gets colder, Denver’s winter fashion is only getting cooler. As proof, look no further than the Mona Lucero Design Boutique, which hosted a fall fashion show and art sale this weekend with more than a dozen runway looks ranging from all covered-up to barely covered. Westword’s Lucas…

Photos: The styles of Frost: Fashion Denver’s Holiday Market

For eight years, one local holiday tradition has taken winter fashion far beyond the ugly Christmas sweater craze. On Sunday, Frost: Fashion Denver’s Holiday Market brought together 31 designers and dozens of looks during its annual spotlight on the city’s scene. Roving Westword photographer Christopher Morgan was on hand to…

Photos: Scenes from the first ever Denver Beer Festivus

The first Denver Beer Festivus filled the renovated McNichols Building on Saturday with a real craft-beer festival for the rest of us. With its focus firmly on Denver, the event featured more than twenty local brewers and their drafts. For more photos, visit our full slide show. See also: -…

The ten best concerts this weekend: Dec. 14-16

It feels like we say this every week, and we probably do, but we’re continually astounded by how good we have it here music-wise. If you haven’t noticed, this time of year, the number of touring acts decreases dramatically, generally in line with the music industry itself, which pretty much…

Bin 1884 Cheese Bar is open in the Empty Bottle

The owners of the Empty Bottle wine shop have finally popped the cork for Bin 1884 Cheese Bar, a casual eatery they opened in the shop at 1886 South Pearl Street that offers soups, sandwiches and antipasta plates. Here’s a look at Bin 1884: See also: -Bin 1884 Cheese Bar…

Photos: Tuaca Cinnaster gets in the Denver swim at Dive Inn

Colorado is one of the top two markets for Tuaca, and judging from the local launch of Tuaca Cinnaster at the Dive Inn last night, this cinnamon-laced extension of the brand is going to be hot in more ways than one. Westword photographer Elyse Mitchell brought back these photos from…

The twenty best hip-hop shows of 2012

As much of a stronghold as our town is for EDM, Denver is also a hotbed of hip-hop. Although we’ve always held true to the assertion, and such a declaration would seem perfectly reasonable to even casual observers, the point was never driven home more definitively than when we took…

Photos: Pablo’s Coffee now pouring on Penn

The second location of Pablo’s Coffee just opened in the former home of Penn Street Perk at 1300 Pennsylvania Street. Westword’s Elyse Mitchell stopped by the shop for a look at the renovated space. Keep reading for her photos: See also: -Pablo’s Coffee will open a second location this fall…

Photos: Artists make statements with materials at RedLine

Michael Paglia visited RedLine for this week’s review, taking in a group show from artists who also use studio space at the gallery. The show features many different types of work, ranging from paintings to installations, from about two dozen artists. Continue reading for photos from the exhibit…

Win tickets to the opening of Les Miserables!

Update: Congratulations to superiorforchange and pogomojoho! You’ve each won two tickets to the film. Check your email for details on how to claim them. Original post: One of the year’s biggest Christmas movies might also be one of its biggest tear-jerkers. And then there’s that cast: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman…

Kevin Burke fills Catherine’s Cup with holiday cheer

To celebrate the luckiest day of the year — 12/12/12 — Ron Abuelo rums asked a dozen mixologists across the country to a create a signature cocktail as a toast to the holiday season. Kevin Burke of Colt & Gray, who won our Best Bartender award in the Best of…

Denver brought the ugly for the 2012 Christmas Ugly Sweater Run

Warning: these photos are graphic. You may need to look away and take deep breaths. Denver brought out the worst of its eye-searing Christmas cardigans on Saturday at City Park for the 2012 Ugly Sweater Run, which included contests for everything from best mustache to ugliest sweater, hot-chocolate aid stations…

The 1940s White Christmas Ball turned back the clock in Denver

Denver rewound the clock by seventy years on Saturday night at the 1940s White Christmas Ball, which took place, appropriately, inside the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. See also: – Photos: The 1940s White Christmas Ball slide show – Reader: 1940s WWII Era Ball is worth every…

The ten best concerts this week: December 10-14

We’re blessed to live here, you know. If you haven’t already come to this conclusion on your own from feeling the ever-present sunshine and observing the wondrous sunset paintings we’re treated to each evening, all you have to do is take a look at the brimming concert calendar. Whereas the…