NINE ITEMS WE URGE YOU TO CONSIDER DOING THROUGH THE REST OF THE SUMMER IN DENVER

1.  Visit Plus Gallery to engage with "You Are Here," one of the most brilliant visual art exhibitions of the year and likely your only chance to view 5 of Canada's brightest talents in one room, at least outside of Canada.


2. Take the opportunity to introduce someone that likes contemporary art to Plus Gallery. We promise it doesn't hurt and that there's fair to good probability they will enjoy the experience. Appointments not only welcome but encouraged!

3. See Bill Amundson's amazing new commission for the Mellow Mushroom restaurant on 16th Street Mall.  Bill executed a 13 and a half foot original drawing that was then blown up to over 40 feet, and colorized by a professional in Atlanta with directions from Bill.  It's mind-blowing and likely the only major commission by a notable artist in a private restaurant in Denver, most certainly on the sixteenth street mall.  The food's pretty good too, and any place with Chimay on tap gets our seal of approval.

Amundson Mural for the Mellow Mushroom

4. Participate in the Biennial of the Americas throughout Denver.  Whether a roundtable discussion or other speaking engagement, a music concert at the McNichols building, or any number of high-caliber visual art exhibitions at places like Redline, PlatteForum, the MCA Denver, or the spaces adjacent to the MCA that are only up for the month, you won't be sorry.  Lets face it, its no easy task to pull off an event of this scope and stature, and the only thing that makes it successful (besides the hard-work of the individuals involved) is participation from the public.  The mountains will always be next door, why not do something different and engage with a world-class event right here in our own back yard? To get the full rundown of events, visit http://www.biennialoftheamericas.org 

5. Speaking of Denver's back yard, take in a night at Red-rocks for the amazing annual series "Film on the Rocks."  There are still a few nights left to witness the big screen presentation in one of the world's most amazing settings.  Considering the weak slate of concerts at Red Rocks this summer, here's a real chance to enjoy the venue on a modest budget.

6. If you are musically inclined, we recommend catching Crystal Castles at the Ogden Theater on August 9th.  Though not officially part of Plus Galleries "Canadian celebration" (though we did ask), this Canadian band should provide one of the most blistering audio events of the season, with Hot Chip and Sinden also on the bill.

7. Visit the Botanic Gardens for the Henry Moore sculpture exhibition.   The only appropriate term for this prestigious exhibition is "Wow!"  Anyone who questions Denver's ability to pull off a major cultural coup needs to get over and see this remarkable group of mammoth works placed in one of the most impressive settings anywhere.

A sample of Moore at the DBG

8. Ride a b-cycle around Denver, it's the best thing to happen to the city and a great way to save both time and energy while building a little leg-muscle.  Sorry if you live in the suburbs, but even those who work or frequent the downtown area will find the new cycle program to be fun and effective for those quick trips during busy parking hours.  And why not just take one out for a tour of the city's fabulous public art collection one day?


9.  Come celebrate Plus Gallery's nine-year anniversary on July 24th.   We never really considered holding a 9-year party, but when we found out that artist Jenny Morgan would be visiting Denver towards the end of the month, along with Tim Pourbaix, we decided it would be a good chance to throw down and celebrate the fact that we are still somehow in business.  The evening will just be a nice, casual celebration featuring a new painting by Morgan, a musical performance by Tim, and whatever shenanigans ensue from there.  The only catch is that you must RSVP to us by July 21st!

Jenny Morgan comes to Denver July 24th