4/20 In Denver: The Rise Of A New Entertainment Holiday

As Denver musician Wes Watkins spring shows booked for Another Black gospel band, a date in the calendar had priority.



"I decided I had to play 4/20," Watkins, the stoner holiday known as 4/20 or April 20 said. "We played last 4/20 at 11 hours, and it was a relaxed and silly show because everyone was so tired and stoned.

"This 4/20 we are playing a show at the brunch Larimer Lounge because it is Easter . And as Easter, 4/20 is a date that speaks for itself. "
Especially in Denver with nearly four months of legal recreational marijuana sales under its belt, 4/20 - 16:20 equivalent calendar times marijuana smokers would historically toke up - do not speak for themselves. And speaking in a language of music festivals, shows unusually early Red Rocks sold a month in advance and thematic concerts sponsored by the largest companies of marijuana in the state.

April 20th is now a holiday full entertainment in Colorado with developers and entrepreneurs looking to capture a slice of the mass audiences in the same way you would on Halloween or New Year's Eve - and music fans are winners with an amazing variety of music across the city.

" We live in the sculpture park , shows at Red Rocks and if you look at any of the clubs oriented music and even dance clubs that have a theme for your nights this weekend ," said Brian Kitts, spokesman Arts & Venues Denver , the division of the city managed venues like the Denver Performing Arts Complex and Red Rocks. “4/20 has become another form of music market.”

How in -the-know is Denver 4 /20 with national trends? Current High Times magazine cover Kushmore Mount offers a picture of Mount Rushmore style of Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill frontman B- Real, Method Man & Redman - "four groomsmen weed culture," said editor in chief Chris Simunek magazine.

The four MCs are playing unrelated 4.20 shows in Colorado this year, and Snoop and Method & Red are each doubling with two shows in one day.

And do not stop there.

In the last week, rappers Ice Cube and Too $ hort , comedians Cheech and Chong and Andy Haynes and actor who played McLovin in "Superbad" (Christopher Mintz- Plasse ) have played shows in Denver 4.20 . The list of remaining to be played this weekend is better than any line of the New Year's Eve in the recent history of Colorado reads:

That list includes Snoop, Wiz Khalifa , Wyclef Jean , Slightly Stoopid , Matisyahu , Mac Miller, Karl Denson Tiny Universe , Talib Kweli , Leftover Salmon, BoB , Method & Red, Julian Marley , Paper Diamond, Nappy Roots , Collie Buddz and Pato Banton .



“Culture Weed "

It's a lot of hip- hop, but rap and weed music culture will have long walked hand in hand.

“The hip- hop community is where you are seeing 4/20 thrive more because it has been part of the culture of weeds for a long time," said Robert Castro, founder and editor of the music blog based in Colorado Ultra5280. 

“The weekend around 4/20 has become a center, and (4 /20) really started picking up steam in Colorado two or three years ago, and that all dispensaries were taking root.”

A very local example 4/20 ' s growing presence : At least four brand new music festivals will take care of the parks and clubs in Denver this weekend - from Daze Festival on the Green at 64, Dabroots to Waldos Music Festival - that debuted this year in hopes of capturing an audience and potentially return next year.

Another example: In 2013, Red Rocks was the venue for the first time 4/20 concert with Cypress Hill and Slightly Stoopid. They called it “Hotbox at Red Rocks, “co-opting a term popular stoner to lock in an enclosed space, and the show was sold out.

This year the mountain amphitheater host two sold-out shows, on April 19 and 20 - not to mention annual Easter Sunrise Service on the morning of day 20.

"There is an underlying theme going on (in those concerts) , but for us it is another couple of concerts ," said Tad Bowman, local director Red Rocks' . "I am very happy that we have a show on Saturday night, Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday morning and another show on Sunday night - . Regardless of the subject of the shows ' "

Holiday Arts 2013: Roundup Of Dances, Plays, Concerts

STEVE TANNER / BERKELEY Repertory Theatre Andrew Durand stars as the warrior Tristan Kneehigh Theatre Company of “Tristan and Isolde”, coming to Berkeley Rep.

Here is a partial summary of Bay Area dances, plays and concerts for the holiday season.

DANCE

NUTCRACKER’

San Francisco Ballet: December 11 to 29; War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco; $ 25 - $ 220;

Ballet San Jose: December 13 to 26; San Jose Center for the Performing Arts; $ 20 - $ 105; 

Oakland Ballet: With Oakland East Bay Symphony; December 21 to 24; Paramount Theatre, Oakland ; $ 20 - $ 59; 

Dance Project | SF : " Nutcracker Sweets " is a 50 minute version designed for families with young children; December 7 to 24 ; Southside Theater at Fort Mason Center, San Francisco ; $ 18 - $ 28; 

Valley Dance Theatre: Livermore Amador Symphony Sides; December 14 to 22; Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $ 18 - $ 34; 

Berkeley Ballet Theater: Dec. 13 to 15 and 20 to 22 December; Julia Morgan Theatre, Berkeley; $ 8 - $ 30; 

Black Diamond Ballet Theatre: December 7 to 8; Pittsburg Creative Arts Building; $ 15 - $ 20; 

San Jose Dance Theatre: In collaboration with Los Gatos Ballet ; December 6 to 8 ; San Jose Center for the Performing Arts; $ 22 - $ 55; 

Contra Costa Ballet: A production of one-hour narrated addressed the crowd of family; Nov. 29 - Dec. 1; Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek; $ 23 - $ 33;

The Jewish Nutcracker: Katy Alaniz Rous work ' ballet fits in a history of Judaism; December 6 to 8; Creativity Children's Museum, San Francisco; $ 18 - $ 28;

Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker: 15:00 December 14; Flint Center; $ 28 - $ 88; 

Pacific Academy of Ballet: Six performances Nov. 29 - Dec. 1; Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts; $ 26 - $ 30;

Ballet West: 19:00 December 6, 1 and 7 pm Dec. 7; Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts; $ 25 - $ 30; 
Soo Dance Company: 18:30 December 15; Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek; $ 22;

Piñata Nutcracker: Presented by Dance Company Mexico; 2 and 7 pm Nov. 30; San Leandro Performing Arts Center; $ 10 - $ 20.

Alameda Civic Ballet 2 pm Dec. 21 to 22; Kofman Theatre Alameda; $ 18 - $ 25;

OTHER DANCE

Smuin Ballet: “Christmas Ballet " company includes more than two dozen short works , ranging from sassy whimsical to classical ; 22 during november - december 28 at locations around the Bay Area ; $ 24 - $ 74;

“Velveteen Rabbit”: the annual adjustment of ODC fairytale classic children; 29 during november - december 15; Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco; $ 20 - $ 75.

Carolina Lugo: The East Bay Flemish artist presents a holiday show; December 1 to 29; Pena Pachamama, San Francisco; $ 15 (no dinner), $ 39.50 (dinner); 

" HOLIDAY " : A mixture of Mexican music , dance and pageantry presented by the Ballet Folklorico Costa de Oro ; 19:30 December 3 ; Bankhead Theater, Livermore ; $ 15 - $ 55;; 3 and 7 pm 14 December 3 pm in December 15; San Leandro Performing Arts Center ; $ 20 ;.

A Holiday International: Presented by Arete Dance Center; 8 pm Dec. 20; $ 27; 
Christmas Party: A night of flamenco dance, music and singalong carols (in Spanish); 7 pm Dec. 29; Rhythmix Cultural Works, Alameda; $ 10 - $ 20; 
THEATRE / Comedy / PERFORMANCE

“CAROLS”

American Conservatory Theater: Starring the acclaimed actor Bay Area James Carpenter; December 6 to 28, American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco; $ 30 - $ 140; 

Center Repertory Company: 12 to 22 December; Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek; $ 27 - $ 41; 

Northside Theatre Company: December 5 to 29; Olinder Theatre, San Jose; $ 17 - $ 22; 

Other Theatre

Brian Copeland " The Jeweler " : The holiday show writer / artist ' s recounts his attempts to buy her mother the perfect Christmas gifts ; through December 28 ; Marsh , San Francisco ; $ 15 - $ 100;

"Coney Island Christmas” : New musical centers on a Jewish girl who becomes like Jesus in Christmas parade their school ; presented by City Lights Theater Company; 21 during november - december 22; City Lights Theater ; $ 25 - $ 30; 

“Tristan and Isolde”: A dark romantic fairy tale presented by Kneehigh Theatre Company of London; November 22 - January 6; Berkeley Repertory Theatre; $ 14.50 - $ 99; 

Great Fair Dickens : annual extravaganza tour Cow Palace in Victorian London at Christmas time , with street scenes , over 700 costumed characters , music, food and grog, and - of course - plenty of shopping opportunities ; 23 during november - december 23; Cow Palace, San Francisco ; $ 12 - $ 25; 

"The Book of Mormon”: Off -color musical comedy from the creators of "South Park”; 26 November - enero 19; Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco; $ 90 - $ 260; 

“The Snow Queen”: Based on the Hans Christian Andersen fable; 27 during november - december 22; San Jose Repertory Theatre; $ 34 - $ 79.

" ! Snoopy " : Musical based on Charles Schulz 's beloved comic strip "Peanuts ," presented by 42nd Street Moon ; 27 during november - december 15; Eureka Theatre, San Francisco ; $ 25 - $ 75; 

"It's a Wonderful Life Radio Play”: Presented by San Jose Stage Company; 27 during november - december 22; $ 17.50 - $ 40;

“A Grand Night for Singing” With songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein, presented by Diablo Theatre Company; 29 November - 7 December; Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek; $ 47 - $ 49;

"Little Women”: Adapted from the novel by Louisa May Alcott; presented by Theatreworks ; December 4 - Jan 4 ; Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto; $ 28 - $ 55; 

“Amazing feats of Edward Gant of Solitude”: dark comedy presented by Shotgun Players; 05 Dec - enero 12; Ashby Stage, Berkeley; $ 8 - $ 35; 

“Irving Berlin's White Christmas”: December 6 to 15; Children presented by Musical Theatre of San Jose; $ 30;

Holiday Shorts: A night of improv comedy by creatures of East Bay company Impulse; 19:30 December 5 to 6; Firehouse Arts Center, Pleasanton; $ 2 - $ 10; 

"Every Christmas Story Ever Told ( and more)" : Parody Holiday presented by Town Hall Theatre Company; December 5 to 21 ; Town Hall Theatre , Lafayette ; $ 20 - $ 32; 

"Cinderella”: The acclaimed annual holiday show by African - American Shakespeare Company; December 7 to 22 ; Buriel Clay Theatre, San Francisco ; $ 12.50 - $ 37.50 ;
Killing My Lobster Winter Follies : Presented by the improv troupe of San Francisco , with carols by the Foundation Boneless Children; December 12 to 15 ; Z Space, San Francisco ; $ 20 ; 

" A Sweet Noel" : Bay Area cabaret singer Craig Jessup stars in this musical revue with songs by Noel Coward, Stephen Sondheim, the Gershwins , Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart and more; December 17 to 22; Aurora Theatre , Berkeley; $ 32 - $ 50; 

“The Greatest Gift “annual holiday show for the company of young actors Forum Fantasy Ensemble; 10 performances December 19 to 22; Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek; $ 14; 

"Dad, we've been wrong” : A night of improv comedy Ready or Not Improv ; 20:15 December 21 ; Lesher Center for the Arts , Walnut Creek ; $ 15 ;

Kung Pao Kosher Comedy : Back to the 21 years, with Gary Gulman , Adrianne Tolsch , Koletkar Samson , Lisa Geduldig ; is from San Francisco and Marin Food Banks and Jewish Home San Francisco ; December 24 to 26 ; New Asia Restaurant, San Francisco ; $ 44 - $ 64 ( with and without dinner) ; 

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Holy Names University Choir : Winter Concert with works by Bardos , Gershwin , Haydn, Kodaly , Palestrina , Victoria, and others; 19:30 23 November; McLean College Chapel , Oakland ; $ 5 - $ 10; 

San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows of the company have a holiday concert ; 19:30 27 November; Scottish Rite Masonic Center, San Francisco ; $ 30 - $ 65 ( student rush , $ 15 ); 

Concord Sing -Along Messiah: A benefit for San Francisco Rescue Mission; December 1st 7PM ; First Presbyterian Church of Concord ; donations accepted ;

Walnut Creek Concert Band: Holiday show features works by Leonard Bernstein, Manheim Steamroller, and more; 19:30 December 3; Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek; $ 14 - $ 17; 

San Francisco Girls Chorus : Two holiday concerts - "Noel , Noel " with Mykola Leontovych "Carol of the Bells" and other works ; December 6 8PM ; First Congregational Church , Berkeley; "Hark Herald Angels Swing " , with bassist / composer Marcus Shelby and his trio and audience singalong ; 8 pm Dec. 22 ; Davies Symphony Hall; San Francisco ; $ 18 - $ 65; 

Schola Cantorum : The chorus of Silicon Valley with Oxford Street Brass performs a new work by John Cavallaro , Britten Hymn to the Virgin, and traditional carols ; 3PM December 8 ; Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts; $ 20 - $ 30; 

San Francisco Bach Choir : " A Candlelight Christmas " , "O Magnum Mysterium " by William Byrd and other works ; 8PM December 7 , 4 pm Dec. 8 ; Calvary Presbyterian Church, San Francisco ; $ 10 - $ 30;

Ragazzi Boys Chorus: Holiday show " A Joyful Noise " features works by Mozart, Purcell, Handel and Halley ; 5PM December 7 ; First Congregational Church, Palo Alto; December 8th 4PM ; Old First Church , San Francisco ; 4 pm Dec. 15 ; Cunningham Memorial Chapel, Notre Dame de Namur, Belmont University ; $ 10 - $ 30; in

Chanticleer : Annual Christmas show from acclaimed male vocal group , " A rooster Christmas " is a mix of traditional carols , Renaissance songs, Rachmaninoff, a world premiere work by composer Steven Sametz , a medley of African- American spiritual , and more ; performances December 11 to 23 at various venues in the Bay Area ; $ 28 - $ 65; 

Oakland East Bay Symphony: Orchestra’s annual "Break Bread Together" holiday show includes four new works of the gospel, four choirs and soloists from the soul-stirring gospel - and klezmer band Kugelplex . Details: 4 pm Dec. 15; Paramount Theatre, Oakland. $ 15 - $ 50. 

A Festival of Carols: Presented by San Francisco Choral Society; 4 pm Dec. 15 ; First Unitarian Universalist Church , San Francisco ; $ 12 - $ 15; 

American Bach Soloists: Handel's Messiah ; 19:30 11 December; Grace Cathedral, San Francisco ; 19:30 December 15 ; Mondavi Center, Davis; $ 20 - $ 94;

Mountain View Sing -Along Messiah: With Schola Cantorum; 19:30 December 16 ; $ 18 - $ 22; 

San Jose Chamber Orchestra: The orchestra takes a holiday concert Choral Project based in San José; 8 pm Dec. 21; First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto; 7 pm Dec. 22 ; Mission Santa Clara ; $ 20 - $ 30 ( $ 25 - $ 35 at the door ); 

San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and Chorus : 'Twas the Night " holiday concert features soprano Lisa Vroman and audience singalong ; 4 PM 22 December 8 pm December 23 11 am December 24 ; Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco ; $ 15 - $ 75 (half price, age 17 years) ; 

California Symphony: Annual holiday concert “Home for the Holidays” with the Pacific Boychoir , 7:30 pm Dec. 23 ; Lesher Center for the Arts , Walnut Creek ; $ 15 - $ 65; 


Youth Music Holiday Variety Show : With young artists in the area; 2 and 30 November 19:30; Firehouse Arts Center , Pleasanton ; $ 8 - $ 12.