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August 27, 2020
DENVER, COLORADO
A publication of
VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 42
B-Side Music Fridays spin in virtual format State cracks
down on large events, not protests
Rooftop concert series highlights local musicians BY CLARKE READER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Ask anyone what they’re missing most this summer, and the responses will be as varied as the residents of the city. But there’s one answer that’s bound to pop up over and over — live music. Sarah Baie, director of programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, understands that feeling, especially since B-Side Music Fridays, the museum’s summer rooftop concert series, has become a favorite for local musicians and audiences alike. “Ask fans of live music and they’ll say the biggest sacrifice is not being able to gather in the same space,” she said. “We’ve been working on how to fund new opportunities to build creative spaces in virtual spaces, and one of the things we want to bring to light is the rich depth of the music scene. And who better to do that with than Colorado Public Radio, which has a similar goal? It’s a dream come true.” Together the MCA and CPR’s Indie 102.3 — an independent radio SEE MUSIC, P6
Conservatives see ‘clear double standard’ in protest policy BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
comments to the board ahead of its decision. For months, residents have aired such concerns as fear of having former prisoners as neighbors. People who share housing have pushed for their arrangements to be legitimized. The proposed zoning code change includes increasing the number of adults who aren’t related who can
Colorado officials in recent weeks took enforcement action against events that threatened to overrun the state’s limits on crowd sizes, but the crackdown called attention to the lack of similar enforcement regarding racial-justice protests around metro Denver in recent months. The office of Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued a ceaseand-desist letter in late July to Live Entertainment, the company behind a planned July 26 rodeo in Weld County and at least one other event that have drawn as many as thousands. The office proactively sent cease-and-desist orders to an organizer, Adixion Music, as well as a venue, Imperial Horse Racing Facility, to stop such events in the future, according to a governor’s office news release. Gov. Jared Polis called such gatherings “dangerous superspreader events” at an Aug. 4 news conference, referring to large crowds’ ability to spread coronavirus. “People who put themselves at risk aren’t just putting themselves at risk — they’re putting their family, their neighborhood and community at risk, and we cannot stand for that,” Polis said at the news conference.
SEE COUNCIL, P4
SEE STATE, P4
Adiel Mitchell performs on July 10 for B-Side Music Fridays, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver’s summer rooftop concert series. This year, through a partnership between the museum and Colorado Public Radio’s Indie 102.3, the concert series is being presented virtually. COURTESY OF KENDALL SMITH/COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO
Overhaul of group-living rules moves to Denver council Concerns aired about having former prisoners as neighbors BY DONNA BRYSON DENVERITE
Denver City Council will consider an overhaul of zoning rules that
increases the number of people who can share a home. After an eight-hour meeting Aug. 19 that included a public comment period for which 74 people signed up to speak, the Denver Planning Board voted eight in favor (with one member not voting) to forward the proposal to City Council for review. City Council is expected to take it up in October. Hundreds of people sent written