New Darlins Taping Denver Loft Sessions Show – You’re Invited! COMBO members (and songwriting contest winners) the New Darlins are taping a DENVER LOFT SESSIONS show on Saturday, March 7th. Come and be part of the studio audience. Gary Dean Smith, singer/songwriter and guitar player for the band met David DiManna at a COMBO meeting where David was the featured guest speaker.
The taping will take place from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Denver City & County Building, 1437 Bannock Street, Denver, and the show will eventually be shown on Comcast Channel 8 for Denver.
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“Denver Loft Sessions” Bring City into the Music Biz
Your municipal government is getting into the music business, jamming to a livelier beat than the usual City Council meeting.
Who knew the folks at Channel 8 were aspiring rock-folk-jazz impresarios?
Starting this month, Denver Channel 8, headquartered in the basement of the City & County Building, will produce two series attuned to a younger audience.
“Denver Loft Sessions” features half-hour intimate performances by local artists, shot at the City & County Building studio.
Unsigned musicians without agents and without track records are the focus. They’ll be paid not in cash but in free studio time, social-media links and shiny, high-definition DVDs of their 25-minute performances.
“The’re drooling at that,” producer David DiManna said.
The “Loft Sessions” are shot in an intimate studio space in what used to be juvenile traffic court. Exposed-brick walls give the feel of an urban warehouse; the backdrop suggests the view onto Civic Center park.
The Red Rocks concerts are shot at the city-owned venue, featuring first-timers playing the Rocks. The opening show features Vicci Martinez, a previous contender on NBC’s “The Voice.”
Judging by previews, the camera work is slick, the brief introductions are inviting, the quality of both shows is first-rate.
This isn’t the first time a local channel has undertaken a local music series — see “Sounds on 29th” on Channel 12 and recall the long-ago “TeleTunes,” also on Channel 12. But it’s a first for city government. If all goes well, there’s room for a 25-person audience in the “Loft Sessions” studio.
The producers are looking for sponsors (they can’t run blatant commercials but, like PBS, can have slightly less obvious underwriting sponsors). They wouldn’t be averse to working with a cable/satellite company to distribute the series more widely.
Your tax dollars at work! (Actually, it’s very cheaply produced, “in the hundreds of dollars,” with existing staff and equipment. The goal is to be “self-sustaining.”)
Currently Channel 8 is able to boast that it draws more viewers than CSPAN, according to program director Alan DeLollis. Nielsen figures aren’t available for the noncommercial channel, but that translates to some 80,000 “regular viewers,” DeLollis said.
If Channel 8 can make some money and use these shows to draw millennials, who — after all, will be running the city someday — it will be a win-win.
By Joanne Ostrow
Denver Post Television Critic
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830, jostrow@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ostrowdp
http://www.denverpost.com/television/ci_25071098/city-enters-music-biz-denver-loft-sessions
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DENVER OPEN MEDIA’S MUSIC SESSIONS PRESENTS THE FIRST FRIDAY WITH ‘IRIE STILL’
On the first Friday of each month, DOM hosts a community event with local performance groups, musical acts and nonprofit partners. These events are broadcast live on Comcast Channel 57 in Denver as well as streamed on DOM’s website. Events are cablecast and streamed live in Denver Open Media’s Studio A.
Join DOM for this month’s Open Music Sessions on Friday, March 6, featuring a live musical performance by Irie Still, a Colorado-based band founded in 1995. Its style, steeped first and foremost in the danceable beats of reggae, incorporate elements of hip-hop, soca, dancehall, calypso, ska, afrobeat and tribal rhythms with conscious lyrics.
When: Friday, March 6
Time: Doors at 7 pm; Live Show 8 – 10 pm
Where: Denver Open Media Studios, 700 Kalamath Street, Denver, CO
Cost: Free!
Food by Illegal Pete’s
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DRUMMERS ROUND TABLE ON MARCH 9th in COLORADO SPRINGS
From Josh Birkhimer on Facebook, 2/12/15: Hey Drummers! Come join us for the next meeting of the Drummers Round Table. This group meets once a month at Lucci Music in Colorado Springs, and is free and open to the public. Come and share your love of the drums! Monday, March 9th at 6:00 p.m. Lucci’s Music is located at 7830 North Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, 719-266-0275.
Josh said to let you all know that this event is FREE and open to ALL AGES and skill levels. You don’t even have to bring a drum! What a great way to meet other drummers, musicians and the people you need to know in the world of music!
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SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH – THE ORIENTAL OPRY RIDES AGAIN
Join us on Tuesday, March 10th at Denver’s Oriental Theater for an evening of fabulous music by astounding Colorado musicians. Served up Opry style – an eclectic evening of music and comedy. Bring your dancing shoes, have a cocktail and be ready for lots of fun.
The Oriental Theater is located at 44th & Tennyson. Door charge of $5 for a fun evening!
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ELVIS MONROE TO APPEAR AT THE STAMPEDE NIGHTCLUB ON FRIDAY, MARCH 27th
Long-time friend and supporter of COMBO FundGo Promotions has announced that they will be presenting “Elvis Monroe” at the Stampede Nightclub on March 27th. The band is made up of former members of Emerson Drive, Matchbox 20, Lifehouse, and Savage Garden. For more info on the band, go to http://ww
When: Friday, March 27th
Where: Stampede Nightclub, 2430 South Havana Street, Aurora CO 80014; 303-696-7686
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 each
Ages: 18 and up
Elvis Monroe is a Los Angeles based Americana Pop/Rock band, Comprised of an All-Star lineup with member’s from some of the worlds most successful acts. Bryan Hopkins, Daniel Sprieward, Ryan Macmillan and Ben Carey complete this line up. Elvis Monroe celebrated their new album with a release party and special performance at Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas. The band continued to perform on a regular basis at the Red Rock Resort for many months.
Comprised of an all-star lineup from some of the world’s most successful acts, Elvis Monroe features an eclectic mix of classic and modern flavors, coupled with an organic live show reminiscent of storytellers. Produced by Grammy Award-nominated producer Jay Ruston and featuring the musical talents of Bryan Hopkins, Matthew Nelson, Ryan MacMillan and Ben Carey, the band was forged on friendships and the songs speak their stories.
http://www.facebook.com/ElvisMonroe01
http://www.reverbnation.com/ElvisMonroe
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