Black History Month is here and there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate Black culture from theater shows to book clubs, concerts and brunch. There are all sorts of events and gatherings across town for Denverites to immerse themselves in.
If supporting Black-owned businesses, artists, creatives, and thinkers across the city is a priority, we've put together this list of events and spaces where you can do this.
Is something missing that should be on this list? Email us at [email protected].
New Normal: A Celebration of People of Color
What: The Voices of Light, Chamber Choir-in-Residence at the Festival of Faith and the Arts in Denver, is hosting a concert showcasing music of BIPOC artists.
When: Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 4, 3:30 p.m.
Where: First Baptist Church of Denver, 1373 Grant St. Denver, CO. 80203 (Feb. 3)
Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave. Denver, CO. 80246 (Feb. 4)
Tickets: Start at $15
Soleful: A Closing Celebration for the Dirty South at MCA Denver
What: To celebrate the closing of the current exhibition, The Dirty South: Contemporary Art, Material Culture, and the Sonic Impulse. The party will be in collaboration with THE DROP 104.7, a Colorado commercial free radio station for R&B and Hip Hop. Event will include light refreshments.
When: Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m.
Where: MCA Denver, 1485 Delgany St. Denver, CO. 80202
Tickets: $20 general admission, $15 MCA Denver Member
Well-Read Black Girl Book Club
What: This book club is dedicated to Black women writers and Black women readers, and its goal is to introduce a cohort of diverse writers to future generations.
When: Last Tuesday of each month, 6-8:30 p.m.
Where: Shop at MATTER, 2134 Market St., Denver, CO 80205
Tickets: To receive an invitation, contact [email protected]
Urban Sanctuary, a yoga + wellness studio in Five Points
What: To start 2023, Urban Sanctuary is offering 3 in-person or virtual classes for $23. This is a Black-owned yoga studio that first opened its doors in the historical Five Points neighborhood in 2016.
Where: 2745 Welton St. Denver, CO. 80205
Tickets: $23
Black History Month at Harkins
What: Harkins is honoring and celebrating films created by Black filmmakers and historic moments in Black history. Starting Saturday, February 4 until Wednesday, February 15, see four major films honoring Black cinema for $5 with proceeds benefiting the Equal Justice Initiative.
When: Feb. 4 and Feb. 8
- "Till" - PG-13 (2022)
- "42" - PG-13 (2013)
Feb. 11 and Feb. 15
- "Get Out" - R (2017)
- "Malcolm X" - PG-13 (1992)
Where: Harkins Northfield 18, 8300 Northfield Blvd., Denver, CO. 80238
Tickets: $5 Tickets
Black History Month Brunch Party
What: Support local, Black-owned businesses across the city with music by DJ Squizzy Taylor, food and drinks from Smoke in the City, and other vendors.
When: Feb. 11, 1-5 p.m.
Where: 3444 Walnut St. Denver, CO. 80205
Tickets: $15
Black History Tomorrow Poetry Slam - Kerrie Joy with Slam Nuba
What: Join Kerri Joy and Slam Nuba for a Poetry Slam/open mic at the Denver Art Museum. February 14 is a Free Day at the DAM, so no charge to attend the slam!
When: Feb. 14, 6-7 p.m.
Where: Denver Art Museum, Martin Building, Sturm Pavilion, 100 W. 14th Ave., Denver, CO. 80204
Tickets: Free
Celebrating Black Love, People, and Culture
What: Join the Black Community Initiatives team at the University of Denver as they honor the love, people, and cultures across the African Diaspora. The event will include a "Black Love" photo booth, quick activities, and dessert.
When: Feb. 14, 11:00-1:00 p.m.
Where: Community Commons, 2055 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO. 80210
Tickets: Free
Off The Cuff at Meadowlark
What: Off The Cuff is a live performance show hosted by Enmanuel Alexander, also known as Name Backwards, dedicated to creating a space for BIPOC musicians, vocalists, instrumentalists, rappers, dancers, artists, poets and creatives to express themselves backed by a professional band.
When: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 9:30 p.m. to close
Where: Meadowlark Bar, 2701 Larimer St.
Tickets: Free, 21+
A Love Letter to Black Liberation
What: Yonnas Abraham, a Black musical artist in Denver, is hosting a live performance for his new LP, FÉVEN, which will be visually curated and filmed by Blake Jackson, a multidisciplinary creative. The show will be held at Industrial Arts Denver, a Black-owned space that doubles as a venue and metal shop.
When: Feb. 17
Where: Industrial Arts Denver, 2165 S. Raritan St.
Tickets: $20
Cuff'd In Cabaret - a Live Dating Game Show hosted by Shanel Hughes & Uccchh
What: Shanel Hughes and Uche Ohaya are Denver creatives who host a live game show that includes one dater and three contenders at center stage. The show includes built in games, comedy, and drag performances in between rounds.
When: Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Town Hall Collaborative, 525 Santa Fe Dr. Denver, CO. 80204
Tickets: $12-25
Jazz Roots in Five Points
What: The culture of Five Points comes alive during Black history month. Explore the history of music in Five Points and its connection to some of the legendary Jazz musicians and performers.
When: Feb. 18 and 25
Where:
Feb. 18:
Spangalang Brewery
2736 Welton St. Denver, CO. 80205
1-4 p.m.
Live conversations hosted by KUVO
Live Jazz music by Wil Alston Group
Jazz Poets
The Lydian
2590 Welton St. Denver, CO. 80205
4-6 p.m.
Cocktails and live jazz music by Gabriel Mervine Trio
Feb. 25th:
Goed Zuur
2801 Welton St. Denver, CO. 80205
4-6 p.m.
Live swing music by Jeremy Mohney
The Lydian
2590 Welton St. Denver, CO. 80205
4-6 p.m.
Cocktails and live jazz music by Danette Hollowell and The Old Souls
Tickets: Free
Valentine's Dinner and Drag Show hosted by PlayHaus Bakery
What: Enjoy a four-course meal with PlayHaus Bakery, a Black and queer-owned establishment. The dinner is being held in collaboration with Shared Ground, a community center located in Denver's Northside. The event will also include a drag show by Coco Bardot.
When: Feb. 18, 6:00-10:00 p.m.
Where: 3401 W. 29th Ave. Denver, CO. 80211
Tickets: $100
Spotlight: A '90s-themed gathering of local artists, businesses and vendors hosted at Ant Life
What: Organized by Fronzo Dominique, a local Black artist in Denver, Spotlight is a night to engage with a variety of creative talent across the city. The event will be held at The Ant Life, a psychedelic art gallery and venue, and will include food, prizes, and cannabis.
When: Feb. 18, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Where: 2150 Market St. Denver, CO. 80205
Tickets: $20-40
Vibes In the Park: Black History Month Celebration
What: Hosted by Lawrence & Larimer, stop by for an afternoon of cocktails, music, community, and a discussion on Black mental health. The discussion panel will include locals Lesley Pace, Jalisa Williams, Chaz Mykl, Jevon Taylor, and Carolyn Taylor-Harris.
When: Feb. 18, 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Where: 3225 E. Colfax Ave. Denver, CO. 80206
Tickets: $30
Noname Book Club hosted by The Shop At MATTER
What: Noname Book Club highlights one or two books each month written by authors of color. In addition to building community with folks across the country, NNBC also sends their monthly book picks to incarcerated comrades through their Prison Program. Started in 2019 by award-winning, poetic, down-to-earth rapper, Noname.This month's books include "The Stars and Blackness Between Them" by Junauda Petrus and "Of Water And Spirit" by Maildoma Patrice Somé.
When: Feb. 22, 6-8:30 p.m.
Where: Shop at MATTER, 2134 Market St. Denver, CO. 80205
Tickets: Free, RSVP Here
In the Pocket: The Ballad of Bobby Trombone
What: "In the Pocket: The Ballad of Bobby Trombone" is a play that imagines life at the historic Rossonian Hotel, located at the pinnacle of Five Points, Denver's historic Black neighborhood in the 1950s. The former Rossonian Hotel was the beating heart of Five Points and one of the most famous jazz clubs in the West during the Jazz era. The characters in the story offer a glimpse into what it was like as a Black resident of Denver who lived, worked, struggled and thrived in Five Points during the Jazz era.
When: Feb. 9-25
Where: 2700 Arapahoe St. Denver, CO. 80205
Tickets: $28 General Admission
Same Cloth at Dazzle
What: Same Cloth is a Denver-based project led by prolific keyboardist Solomon J. Chapman Sr. and inventive vocalist JoFoKe. Performing original music and creative cover arrangements, Same Cloth's musical vision is intensified and rounded out by Will Gaines on bass, Callum Bair and James Tré on guitar and Matt Campbell on drums. As a unit, Same Cloth combines the diverse traditions of Black American Music to create an energetically eclectic and emotionally elevating live music experience. See them in back-to-back performances for one night.
When: Feb. 25, 6 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Where: Dazzle, 1512 Curtis St. Denver, CO. 80202
Tickets: $25
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble: Inspiring Movement
What: The Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble is having a show, "Inspiring Movement," which will use the universal language of dance to honor the African Diaspora. The show will be held at the Parsons Theatre and will explore the human condition, champion social justice, and celebrate the complexity of life through movement.
When: March 2, 11:00 a.m. and March 3, 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1 East Memorial Parkway, Northglenn, CO. 80233
Tickets: $22-25
The CPRD Ensemble will be on tour outside of Colorado most of the month, and their second company, Cleo II, will be hosting a number of private performances in schools.
