Watch Us Move! Slice's New Home!

If you are coming to Denver by the Slice, here, thank you! But, you are just in time for our move to a new improved location. Among other things, the new site takes less time to type in to your browser!

It is still a bit of a work-in-process. The ads are just test spots for now. Some listings don't exist yet. But, all the content is there with a lot more to come. The features, news and coverage will be expanding at approximately the speed of the Purveyor's learning curve. Thank you for your support!

Visit now at http://www.denverbytheslice.com/. More great news and views of living in Downtown Denver. See you there!

Street Watch: Hot Times in the Old Town

This third weekend in July just doesn't have much going for it. At least, not in the way of street closures. Besides the on-going mess of 15th Street between Little Raven and Boulder Street, there are just a couple of traffic disrupters you may want to know about.

Lawrence between Speer and 17th, then 17th to Broadway, will be closed late Saturday night for the Moonlight Bicycle Classic at the Civic Center. There is a special promotion with BCycle Denver for this event, so if you can't sleep, head over to the rack at Union Station, grab a bike and go for a ride. You may want to check the details first, which you can do here.

And, across the way in Highlands, the annual Mt. Carmel Church Bazaar closes Navajo evenings between 35th and 36th Avenues. A healthy walk over to food and games, and on the way back, your pockets will be much lighter...unless you win a ham.

Next Wednesday, the 21st, Larimer Street through the Square will be closed for a large dinner gala. Warm al fresco.

We survived the James Taylor/Carole King and Paul McCartney concerts this week. (Footnote: Paul McCartney was actually declared an Historic District before LoDo.) And, the Rockies are not back in town until July 27. So visit the galleries! Or watch the Tour de France. Stay cool this weekend...and be careful crossing the streets!

Street Gang Caught on Television Tampering with Fence!

Here is a video link where you can see a street gang putting their special touches on the construction fence on 16th Street near Union Station. See it here.

Then go see for yourself how much fun this is! Yarn Bombing!

Vive la France! Bon la Fete Nationale!

At the very least, have a glass of French Wine today. It's Bastille Day, one of the world's great celebrations of freedom!

Le quatorze juillet has, in one way or another, been celebrated since the first anniversary of the 1789 storming of the Bastille, key to the formation of the First Republic. It is known to us as a symbol of the French Revolution which would eventually result in the democratic republic of France today.

Denver by the Slice was lucky enough to be in Paris one year on Bastille Day. The streets rumbled with the military parade down the Champs from the Arc to Place Concorde. By now the French use "helper armies" to fill the ranks, but the spectacle remains.

And, at the end of the day, fireworks over the city. It is a glorious time to be in Paris, one of any. But, even though our visit was several years ago, we have never  since seen a fireworks display to match. So big, so long, so musical, so Paris. And, then, with no hope of getting a taxi back to the hotel, a long walk through the Paris night...with about a million of our closest friends!

And, since (probably if you are reading this) you are not in Paris, you can still take a vicarious French tour by watching the outstanding photography in the television coverage of the Tour de France bicycle race, for the rest of July. Tune in and take off. It is a beautiful country!

Art Worth Getting Up and Going to See Tonight!

This is "1.26", Janet Echelman's monumental temporary sculpture commemorating the inaugural Biennial of the Americas, July 7-31. Quoting from the release from the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs:

"1.26 engages with issues of temporality and interconnectedness surrounding the 1.26-microsecond shortening of the day that resulted from the February 2010 Chile earthquake's redistribution of the earth's mass. A large netted aerial sculpture - inspired by a NOAA simulation of the ensuing tsunami - will float above the traffic, suspended over 14th Street between the Civic Center's Greek Theatre and the Denver Art Museum."

Drive or bike or walk there. Park. Get out and walk around and look at this from different angles. It is stunning. And, its only there...in the air...until the end of the month!

Fireworks Fizzle on New Xcel Building

We had great hopes for how the Coors Field Fireworks would reflect off the new Xcel office buidling at 18th and Larimer last weekend. Watching the fireworks from a rooftop deck just a few blocks from the field, the reflections off the towers of Downtown just add to the show.

But, this new buidling with its blue hue in the daytime turned into a black hole. No light. No reflections. All that for a rate increase!

Later, Denver by the Slice had to walk the local dog. A woman came wobbling down Wynkoop, wearing an American Flag. She said, "I'm a mess. Do you have your cellphone with you?" Unsure just who she was asking, the dog and I looked at each other. Neither one of us had gone out that night with our phone. Lesson noted. Woman wobbled away on down Wynkoop.

Street Watch: LoDo Streets Open, Huston Street Closing!

The only real Street news this weekend should be Rockies closer Huston Street. How about those Rocks!?

Actually, one short segment of 21st between Broadway and California will be closed for a World Cup Final event suspiciously close to the British Bulldog. That's on Sunday.

And, Biennial events consume both the Skate Park and City of Cuernavaca Park, north of Commons Park, for the weekend. You'll have a chance to visit the All Nations Skate Jam or the Indigenous Village. Check the Biennial website here for more information on this month long celebration of the Americas.

But, after perusing our lists and sources over and over for street closures, or assorted wierd events, Denver by the Slice will just relish one of the best weekends of the year for sports.

World Cup Final, Netherlands versus Spain. All European. All Spain.

And, the Tour de France enters the Alps this weekend. Over two full weeks of racing to go in what is arguably the most difficult sporting event in the world. Anything can happen. And, the scenery is beautiful. Watch it on VS, Comcast Channel 73. (And, please, do not take that as an outright endorsement of Comcast. Just telling you where it is.)

And, the Rockies. Heading to the All Star break with three games against the Padres. Coincidentally, the friars have a 3-game lead on the Rockies, so these are very, very big games. Expect big crowds and bad driving. Huston Street closing!

When Badgers Fly...Updated!

15,000 Wisconsinites bothered to bestow the name of "Buddy" on their flying badger. (See this link to our former post)

Beats "Bella" and certainly beats "Cookie". Frontier won't disclose the actual vote totals, though, so we are left to wonder if this was on the up-and-up. Denver by the Slice would like to hear if flying with a badger is, or is not, an improvement. All planes should have animals on them. Don't you think? Buses, too. But, not driving.

Outstanding Art All Around Us!

One of the great benefits of Denver's Biennial of the Americas, opening tonight, is the springboard it provides for galleries and artists to show off some great works and shows. And, the opening parties were a work of art themselves!

Here in our own neighborhood, the Museum of Contemporary Art opened a gallery wide new show titled "Energy Effects": Art and Artifacts in the Landscape of Glorius Excess. Phenomenal works by various artists, including a working replica of a particle accelerator, by Jim Sanborn.

Across Delgany, Capsule has an ambitious exhibit all month called Objectophilia, curated by Lauri Lynnxe Murphy. That show also takes the first floor of the new building across 15th, next to the Light Rail tracks. Lots of talented artists including Bill Amundson and Phil Bender. In the middle of it all, the landing pad of a '68 Chevy Nova, looking like it could be just a bad suburban driver visiting Downtown on a Friday night. But, it is actually a collaborative work of the MCA and DOCA, inspired by a photograph by Gonzalo Lebrija.

And, new shows at Robischon (Wazee between 17th and 18th) and Plus+ Gallery (25th and Larimer). All month, good exhibits worth multiple visits. And, the Biennial is going on, too!

Street Watch: Fourth of July Fallout Alert!

This weekend has a shortage of Downtown street closures...and an abundance of Downtown fireworks. The only closings found by Denver by the Slice are around the Civic Center. Saturday, look for closures on 14th Street and Bannock for Saturday night's Independence Eve Concert with the CSO in the Greek Theater. Some marches, some anthems, some American classics and the obligatory 1812 Overture, still by Tchaikovsky. Followed by fireworks.

On Sunday afternoon, look for 14th to close at Stout for the Civic Center-based 30th National Veterans' Wheelchair Games Parade.

And, our beloved Rockies will fill the stands for the game, then the sky BOTH Friday and Saturday night after playing the Giants. Lots of good places to watch. And, the Rockies' fireworks look especially good reflecting off the downtown buildings. We're looking forward to see how they look bouncing off the new Xcel headquarters at 18th and Larimer. The closer you are, the louder they are!

There you are. Baseball, fireworks, 4th of July and the 1812 Overture. 'Bout as American as you can get!

Last Day for an Old Friend

Triage is closing today. You know Triage, David Scott's fine little clothing store for men and women that he has run for 29 years in Writer Square. Triage is closing today and it is a shame.

David came to this tough decision a few weeks ago when faced with an outlandish rent increase from the new Square owners. You know the ones. They recently spent a bunch to take away the interior of Writer Square, one of Denver's first truly mixed-use developments. Now, with trees and plantings mowed down, the whole square suffers a bit of tackiness and clutter. With many empty spaces.

A lot of those empty spaces came in the office tower. That translated to lost professional customers for Triage. Any retailer will also tell you how important the surrounding stores are to bring the right people to an area. The new owners of Writer Square have put two new tenants near David - Sprint and Subway. Hardly the right types for the quality he so well nurtured in his collections and service.

David Scott is from a big family in Oakley, Kansas and he has run marathons all over the world. This 29-year marathon of Triage has come to the finish line. But, we suspect our good friend will find another race to run successfully. Stay tuned!

Street Watch: Lull Before the Storm

More heat than street this weekend Downtown. As we said, last week, we'll do our best to bring you any potential interruptions to your mobility caused by special events or street closures through the Downtown neighborhood. Here is this weekend's short list...followed by a special comment on last week.

The only street closures we can officially find: Lawrence between 19th and 20th for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Sakura Square, through Sunday 6/27; and, 14th and 15th partials between Court and Curtis for a 5K Run event, but only Saturday morning until about 10:30. And, as we mentioned previously, 15th Street from Little Raven west is a total mess.

The Rockies have left town for a few days after nearly sweeping the red Sox in three very entertaining games. All sold out. It should be relatively easy to get around. The annual "Heat Festival" seems a week early.

Last weekend, even Denver by the Slice was surprised by the closing of Wynkoop Street between 15th and the creek. Saturday, a law firm which offices on the street, invited 400 of its best friends for a party, with a band and lots of balloons. But, they failed to notify the neighborhood of the event...and  they totally blocked  the access to Manny's Bridge and the bike paths from Wynkoop. Unnecessary. The City requires that affected residents sign off on such events. That's why the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association is so diligent about getting all the resident buildings and businesses to sign off for their events, like the upcoming "No Garage Garage Sale" on August 28th at the same location.

Last week's event was "permitted" but not correctly so. It has been noted.

What also bothered Denver by the Slice was the release of several hundred helium balloons from the party. Seems the kids were having a good time watching them float off (often in bunches of several dozen) towards Eastern Colorado and Western Nebraska where they litter the landscape and present a real hazard to wildlife. They may add a lot to a party, but balloons don't look so good wrapped around a goose's neck. They should know better. The party people. Not the geese.

Invasion of Red Sox Nation!

The mall is jammed! The shuttles are jammed! The ballpark is jammed! Even the hotels are jammed! With the rare invasion of Red Sox fans, and closet Red Sox Fans already here, it feels like a playoff.

For the businesses downtown, the words of SNL's Garrett Morris: "Beisbol bin bery, bery good to me!"

One new arrival, with suitcase, was wearing shorts that exposed a large graphic vertically arranged spelling of "B-O-S-T-O-N" tattoo on his leg. If found, we will know where to return him.

Salvation in the Form of Good Coffee Coming Back Downtown!

We wrote about the closing of Peet's in January here at the slice. Now, we can happily report that Peet's is coming back. A new space is announced in the Sheraton Hotel, on the Mall, between Court and Tremont.

This is, perhaps, the best news of the day. Peet's is back. Except we don't know when it will open. But the Slice will find out and let you know, too. You won't have to take a bus ride to Cherry Creek for great coffee!

Civic Center Eats! Every Tuesday this Summer!

Like the Steuben's Truck (pictured), Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs, Denver Cupcakes and Moe's Barbeque? See them and more every Tuesday between 11 and 2:30 at the Civic Center. Good food, good shopping, good causes and live music. This is a great mid-day break for people Downtown. Or, if you like, an excuse to ride the Mall Shuttle. Spotted: Boston Red Sox fans!

Coming Soon to a Street Near You!

Denver by the Slice is starting a regular feature to alert residents and fans of Downtown Denver to upcoming events and street closure issues. How many times have you gotten up on Saturday morning to find you were imprisoned on your block by a parade, march, run or massive walk that closed the streets? Worse...how about cheerleaders under your window?

Well, we hope to help you know in advance of something coming up Downtown.

The largest event of the weekend is the Pridefest at the Civic Center through Sunday, June 20. This is a very colorful event that includes lots of music and a couple of parades along East Colfax Saturday and Sunday. Pride abounds!

On the other side of Downtown, Saturday, June 19, the Highland Street Fair will occupy West 32nd Avenue between Lowell and Perry.

Next weekend, June 25-27, is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Sakura Square, around 19th and Lawrence. And, don't forget to dodge the bikers Wednesday, June 23 on Bike to Work Day. They can be as tricky as cars, especially when they ride while texting or talking.

Street construction-wise, many projects are on-going, but it appears they are starting in earnest on the re-alignment of Larimer between 15th and 17th. It's not easy making a street narrower. Wewatta, behind Union Station remains under siege, and 15th Street from Little Raven west is a mess. Especially near 15th and Little Raven as a demolition project is well under way at the Northwest corner.

And, finally, look for sell-out Rockies crowds Tuesday through Thursday evenings when they host the Boston Red Sox for the first time since the short 2007 World Series. Red Sox Nation is a scary thing...especially driving!

Gelato Returns to Downtown, and Not a Moment Too Soon!

Welcome, Amore Gelato, on the Mall between Welton and Glenarm. Bruce Koeller spent two years bringing this business to life in what was a sunglass store. Thank him! If there is anything we don't need more of Downtown, besides Starbucks, that would be sunglass stores. We have Gelato now, and we are happy.

Gelato is more dense than ice cream which is full of air, and gelato has about half the fat and less sugar. Gelato originated in Italy, of course, and it is ubiquitous there. We had gelato in Larimer Square for a while with Gelazzi, but that business melted away. There is gelato around Downtown (Little Man, Red Trolley), but it is always best if close by. And, close by is important for gelato because it is typically made fresh in small batches. Bruce makes his in the kitchen upstairs from his shop.

The traditional flavors are all good. The pistachio is solid. The sorbettos light and great for summer. During the Democratic National Convention a couple of years ago, the most asked question on the mall was "Where can I get some ice cream or gelato?" Now we know. Tip: try the original Honey Sunflower Gelato, Bruce's culinary invention. And, a personal favorite that will conjure up memories of the Good Humor truck driving down your street...Dreamsicle! Take some home.
(Photo: Copyright Diane Huntress)

LoDo Lights Gaining an International Reputation!

"Current 3" by Virginia Folkestad

First one, now three international electronic magazines are running illustrated articles about our very own LoDo Lights, the light art installation on Manny's Bridge. That, of course, is the pedestrian bridge over Cherry Creek at the end of Wynkoop Street. The lights are interactive and have been pleasing passers-by since March 6, 2009. Originally meant to be a temporary installation, the artist, city and neighborhood association agreed to keep it on.

Now, the buzz is getting around the world! You can see the Enlighter Magazine article following this link. Lots of pictures and information about what goes into public light art. And, lots of other neat light art projects from all over the world. Enlighter is an Australian based publication focusing on lighting, lighting design and lighting architecture. Since their article appeared, similar publications from Greece and the United States have picked up on the story as well.

Diane Huntress managed this initial LoDo Lights project. The title is "Current 3". The artist is Virginia Folkestad. The funding came from the neighborhood and with the assistance of the City of Denver Office of Cultural Affairs. Lights on and well worth your re-visit. Remember to stand back and watch the bridge "breathe" when it thinks no one is looking!

     Photo Copyright Diane Huntress

7th Year of Mixed Taste Begins Friday at MCA!

Denver by the Slice was in the audience of 12 people at the very first Mixed Taste Tag Team Lecture in 2004. That was at The Lab in Belmar. Created by Adam Lerner, now the Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver, 15th and Delgany in LoDo. We can all be glad that he brought this series with him to our neighborhood!

Mixed Taste pairs two 30-minute lectures from experts on entirely diverse subjects. And, then the question and answer session opens up to both subjects at the same time. And, it can get pretty wild. This season starts with "The Birth of the Cocktail" and "Irrational Engineering." Next Friday, June 25, look for "The Alpaca" and "Nuclear Missiles."

Ciro Najle will handle the engineering session this week. Jake Adam York, the Cocktail. York is a popular lecturer in this series, and rightfully so. Over the years he has waxed poetically on jazz, barbeque, single malt scotch, American whisky, Southern Food...and poetry, among others. These programs, for the next 10 weeks on Friday's at 6:30 usually sell out. But, you can still check ticket availability at the MCA website.

About 250 people attend the programs now. And, you can purchase adult beverages before and after. If you are lucky, often, the programs contain lecture materials such as free subject samples. When the series began, Adam gave away everything to get people there. Now, it is a pleasure to get in!

By the way, the subjects for that very first Mixed Taste in 2004: "Surreal Cinema" and "Brunello Wines." Perfect combination. Lakewood didn't know what had hit them!

Weekend Assignment: Pick Your Table!

So it might be rainy out this weekend, but you can still think about your favorite Downtown patio table. Denver by the Slice wants to know what you like. We have some favorites and you probably do, too.

For instance, just about any of the high tables on the Wynkoop Brewery's Wynkoop porch provide a perfest perch for Friday evening people watching. Not to mention good beer. Rumor has it that in about a week you may see a gorilla driving a horse delivering beer from that spot.

The corner outside table at Dixon's patio often contains LoDo residents, sometimes with their dog. It's a great view on either the Mall or Wazee.

On Rockies game nights, the elevated bar spots outside The Keg at 19th and Wynkoop put you close to the action. And, just about any table on the patio at Crepes 'N Crepes works as a good spot to see friends, share some wine and practice your French.

And, for a distinctive view of LoDo, the Cafe on the top floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art has some wonderful outside tables, coffee, lunch, adult beverages and late hours on Friday's.

What places do you like? Send your comments to our email, or just post them here. The reward is your enjoyment! Bon Weekend!