John Wenzel

Former owner of The Church Nightclub purchases another Denver church

Former owner of The Church Nightclub Regas Christou is adding to his real estate portfolio with the purchase of 430 Years Church of God in Christ in Five Points

Sundance Film Festival reveals Boulder venues, dates for 2027 debut University of Colorado, eTown and other venues will host film screenings and talks

BREAKING: Now we know exactly when -- and where -- #Sundance2027 Film Festival will flood into Boulder. Libraries, music venues, chain theaters and more.

For @denverpost.com (paywall article)

Kobe Bryant Mural Includes Graffitied Footnote About Eagle, Colorado

Kobe Bryant Mural Includes Graffitied Footnote About Eagle, Colorado

Great piece

Colorado rock queen Tammy Ealom steps outside Dressy Bessy for first time in 30 years Ealom talks going solo, the Denver music scene, and ignoring critics ahead of her Feb. 21 release show.

When I moved to Denver @dressybessy.bsky.social was often the only female band on a bill, or at a fest.

Now trailblazer #TammyEalom is striking out on her own with @thetammyshine.bsky.social, incl. a new album release at the @hidive-denver.bsky.social Saturday.

We went deep for @denverpost.com

If you haven't seen dance that hits like this it's a good reminder that it can be as revolutionary and risky as any other art form. Sometimes more so, given that there are always physical stakes (unlike some art forms)

Ah, media literacy. Not exactly at an all-time high.

DPS promised to expand and diversify its elite public arts school. It hasn’t happened yet. Cost concerns and competing priorities hindered a planned expansion that would have opened the school to more students without auditions.

Denver Public Schools in 2021 spent $30 million to buy neighboring property to allow Denver School of the Arts to grow from 1,100 students to 1,700. Almost 5 years later, the expansion has been scaled back and key initiatives to diversify haven’t come to fruition. // Story via @chalkbeat.org

I haven't read it yet but certainly will before the movie comes out. Everyone I know who's read it loved it too.

Ridley Scott, Jacob Elordi bring Colorado author Peter Heller’s ‘The Dog Stars’ to life The 2012 novel is now a major motion picture that will be released in summer 2026.

Talking with Colo. author Peter Heller, whose book "The Dog Stars" is hitting the big screen Aug. 28.

Get this: it's directed Ridley Scott & stars Jacob Elordi, Guy Pearce, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin and Benedict Wong. Here's what it was like on set, for @denverpost.com (paywall article)

This venue is, as of last month, also getting sued by neighbors for alleged noise ordinance violations. So, uh... yeah.

Denver’s UMS indie music fest is back from the dead, but in a new location The 25-year-old Underground Music Showcase previously took place along South Broadway in the Baker neighborhood.

The owners of Denver’s Underground Music Showcase are reviving the 25-year-old indie music festival this summer with a major new financial partner — and by moving the event from its South Broadway home to RiNo // Story by @johnwenzel.bsky.social

I know I was wondering when they'd hit the Rockies!

My @denverpost.com Critic's Picks for this week also include a great-looking #REM tribute show for "Life's Rich Pageant" from Hollywood and indie rock royalty #MichaelShannon and @jasonnarducy.bsky.social (respectively)

I have been around for this type of "cost cutting" by rich owners in several waves, as have a dwindling amount of my colleagues at The Denver Post and in local news media. In many ways Bezos has even less of an excuse than most owners.

Because journalists are just too rich?

I feel bad for all the people in their 20s taking up smoking because it's come back in popular culture. No moral judgement, just knowing how many of them will never be able to quit and how some of them will get preventable cancer makes me sad. (I quit a few years back and struggle with it every day)

My son is now, and will always be (and has always been), cooler than me. But this really sealed it. I haven't skated regularly since college but going to #303Boards made me lust for my trusty Valterra Jinn

‘Serial sexual predator’ Jay Bianchi sentenced following 2025 convictions The former Grateful Dead-themed bar owner was convicted on five counts in November.

Denver jam-band scene fixture and former Grateful Dead-themed bar owner #JayBianchi was sentenced to more than a decade in prison after his 2025 sex-assault convictions.

More details and comments from the DA, for @denverpost.com

This is righteous. Best thing you'll read today:

My condolences, bud

Frustrated neighbors sue concert venue after years of noise complaints Some neighbors of the 8,000-capacity luxury music venue say nearby concerts are ruining their lives.

The #FordAmphitheater dispute hit a high pitch this week after three-plus years of complaints, testing and overall campaigning. So what's next?

Details for @denverpost.com (paywall article)

New commissioner hired to lead Colorado film office as Sundance looms in 2027 Former film office commissioner Donald Zuckerman was fired in September without explanation

Exclusive: Colorado's newest film commissioner comes to the state from SeriesFest -- but isn't new to major legislative work. Details for @denverpost.com

How is the Colorado Symphony getting to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. A Denver concert celebrates the orchestra’s upcoming New York trip, plus long-range plans to renovate its home venue.

How is the Colorado Symphony getting to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. trib.al/x3996Is

Woke up with this too today. WTF, body of mine?

An AI response told me yesterday that Julia Roberts was in "One Battle After Another." Which may come as a shock to her.

Even as an entertainment journalist and critic, I've had people over the years accuse me of stalking them, doxxing them (not always in so many words) and telling me I should be investigated. For writing reviews and features about fun stuff. For my good-faith, constructive opinions.

Review: Public art can be a waste of time. Three new sculptures downtown are worth yours. The challenge for successful public art is that it needs to stay interesting over the long haul.

A trio of sculptures warrants a second or third — or hundredth — look. The pieces understand Denver and how it developed over the ages, and ask people to consider those things holistically.

No surprises here but that's not a bad thing. I'm a fan of movies that don't make apologies for their subject matter, and there are plenty at the top this year. Don't wait til Oscars rush to see "One Battle" or "Sinners" if you haven't yet.