Posted inArts, Business, Coloradans, COVID, Culture, Economy, Music, News

Philanthropic angels rescue some Colorado arts groups, but most still struggle under coronavirus

Everyone dreams of an angel, especially arts groups, especially during a pandemic — a generous patron to ease the financial hardships of the coronavirus crisis. So far, the best angel stories come from the Colorado Symphony and Colorado Ballet. An anonymous donor gave the symphony a $2 million gift this month that will keep its […]

Posted inArts, Business, Coloradans, COVID, Culture, Music, News

Coronavirus killed 59,179 arts jobs in Colorado and crippled key economic and cultural engines. Can they be revived?

While it may not feel as urgent as an eviction notice or the fear of food scarcity, the devastation of the arts and culture scene due to the coronavirus pandemic portends long-term ripple effects. The arts in Colorado are a powerful economic driver as well as a defining aspect of our community and fuel for […]

Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Silverman: Hamilton offers us the inspiration we need during the coronavirus

We’ve “seen the lights go out on Broadway” until at least 2021. Live theater is gone. Talk about your tragedies. I love a good play, especially a musical. Hamilton was scheduled to return to Denver’s Buell Theatre this summer. It would have sold out again.  Alexander Hamilton epitomized the American dream. Our first Treasury Secretary, a […]

Posted inArts, Business, COVID, Culture, News

Colorado theater companies are clinging to life and worry coronavirus will mean shows cannot go on

Live from her living room on Saturday night, Denver actor-writer-composer Laura Jo Trexler will perform her original one-woman musical, “Play On! A Musical Romp with Shakespeare’s Women,” streaming in real time through the Aurora Fox’s website and Facebook page.  “We’re trying to keep our art form alive and bring live theatre to the masses by […]

Posted inArts, Business, Coloradans, COVID, Culture

Colorado nonprofit coffers run dry during surge of demand sparked by coronavirus shutdown

Operators fielded seven times more calls than normal to a Colorado 2-1-1 hotline seeking food, rent, utility and child care assistance in the days after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered nonessential businesses to close and residents to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus. With 127,393 Coloradans filing initial unemployment claims over a three-week period […]

Posted inArts, Business, Coloradans, Culture, Technology

The people’s projector: Denver’s D&F Tower converted to artists’ canvas by “Night Lights” installation

“Night Lights Denver,” a vibrant new feature of downtown’s night-life, is alternately playful, beautiful, weird and wonderful. It is undeniably eye-catching. And it’s free. The public art taking over one side of the D&F Tower, an experimental effort of the Denver Theatre District, is funded by outdoor advertising elsewhere in the 16-block district. It’s a […]