Holiday video game backlog (mostly ‘Pokémon Sword’)
Your mother asked you what you want for Christmas, and usually it’s an easy default to a new vidya game. However, this year you probably have an issue: ALL THE GOOD GAMES ARE OUT AND YOU HAVE TO PLAY THEM OR YOU’LL DIE!
I feel it. I’m there with you.
What you need to try is a dive into the backlog if you still have one. If you don’t, you will soon: Google Stadia, Death Stranding, Pokémon Sword and Shield… lawd!
Just save one of them for the fam to get you. If you don’t, you’ll get food. Preserved food. Which you’ll never eat.
-MM
Peek behind the scenes of the DCPA
I have no idea how many productions I’ve seen at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in my 30-plus years as a metro area resident, but what designers and builders can bring to life on the stage is always amazing.
On Mondays and Saturdays through Monday, Dec. 30, the curious can take part in a 90-minute behind-the-scenes tour, which will provide a look at everything from the center’s costume shops, design studios, Actor’s Alley and more. Tours begin at 10 a.m. at the DCPA, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street in Denver.
Secure a spot at www.denvercenter.org/behind-the-scene-tours.
-CR
Pickin’ on Hip-Hop featuring The Sweet Lillies and special guests at Cervantes’ Other Side
This show takes a modern institution of culture and bastardizes it back to the covered wagon days.
However, if you absolutely have to have mashups in your life (we’re all there at some point) maybe you can find some new mixtape fodder here. This show is also at my personal favorite venue for local music, Cervantes’ Other Side, which you should check out regardless of the show. Ask me someday about my old metal music days, chillin’ at Ethel’s Soul Food in full death makeup.
You can see this show at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21 at Other Side, 2637 Welton St. in Denver. Tickets can be purchased here.
-MM
Coldplay drop ‘Everyday Life’
Look, I know it’s just expected these days that people hate Coldplay for whatever the reason, but I’ve been a fan since Rush of Blood to the Head, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Yes, they can be corny and too sincere by a mile, but we could use some of that in the modern world. And they can still write music that fucking hits when they want to.
It’s been four years since their last full-length, but that streak ends on Nov. 22 with the release of Everyday Life. It’s their first double-album, and is supposedly “experimental,” though who knows that that means.
It’s bound to have at least a couple keepers on it, so presave or whatever here.
-CR
Meow Wolf before the real Meow Wolf
It’s not just art. Don’t call it art. Call it an experience. Call it whatever you want really, but just make sure you have some hallucinogens.
Meow Wolf is bringing the full experience to the National Western Complex, just in time before they fill the place with cow poop in January.
Meow Wolf (and the art scene in general) in Denver really shows how we aren’t just a sleepy little cow town anymore, and this outstanding electric lineup is helping push us further into relevancy.
You can see the experience the Meow Wolf’s Dark Palace from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22 and 23 and 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24 at the National Western Complex, 4665 Humboldt St.
Get tickets here.
-MM
Ira Glass at the Paramount Theatre
The Podfather is coming to Denver soon, and never have we needed his soft voice more.
Host of “This American Life” on public radio among other entities, Glass is bringing his act on tour with a thought-provoking and fun look into the stories and experiences that shaped him. This show is sure to be an experience that any fan of his show won’t want to miss.
You can get tickets for “Seven Things I’ve Learned” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place in Denver, here.
-MM
Watch ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ on Thanksgiving
John Candy, tha gawd. That’s all I need to say.
-CR
Gird thyself for Black Friday
Bro Namath, it’s the big one. I can’t hide that my favorite holiday of the year is Black Friday, and I hope it makes some of you sick that I consider it a holiday. Get up nice and early, head to the mall, suck down PSL’s until you’re more caffeine than water, and get the stockings stuffed!
Just don’t be one of those people that go out on Thanksgiving. Let that holiday be, the retail workers don’t need your bullshit.
You can succumb to mindless materialism starting whenever the hell you want on Friday, Nov. 29.
-MM
Bring your wish list for RSD Black Friday
I’m a firm believer in not participating in Black Friday, mostly because I don’t need to stand outside in the dark to ensure giant corporations have a good quarter. But if you really must go shopping on Black Friday, then why not do it at your favorite record store?
While RSD Black Friday isn’t as big a to-do as spring’s Record Store Day, there are still a bunch of quality releases that will only be available at independent record stores. Just a few artists with exclusive releases include Arcade Fire, Aretha Franklin and Lizzo.
Find the full list and participating stores at www.recordstoreday.com/NewsItem/8703. And if you see a copy of The Hold Steady’s Four on Ten, buy it for me and I’ll totally pay you back.
-CR
The 1975 at the 1STBANK Center
England’s The 1975 has proven themselves to one of the best bands of the decade, with three albums of astounding consistency, quality and insight. Lead vocalist Matt Healy has one of the most thoroughly emotive voices in pop, but what really sets him apart is his songwriting. When he tackles topics like romance, the state of the world, or addiction, he does so with a biting sense of humor and understanding of modern communication.
The group’s fourth album, Notes on a Conditional Form, will be released in February and even though they were already here once this year at Red Rocks, they’re back again, this time at the 1STBANK Center, 11450 Broomfield Lane in Broomfield, at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1.
You should absolutely take the opportunity to see them at a large venue that isn’t the Pepsi Center, so get tickets at www.1stbankcenter.com.
-CR
