We as a culture are constantly on the move, and guidebooks or websites aren’t always something we have access to. Apps that help to facilitate our adventures in the great outdoors can be the difference between going and staying home, because they provide helpful information and a more user-friendly interface than old school maps. The problem is that there are hundreds of outdoor apps on the market: so which ones are really worth it? We’ve compiled some pros and cons of five of the most popular outdoor apps to help you be in the know. 1. AllTrails With a catalogue of over 50,000 trails in both... Read More

Hearing the right song at the right moment can be life-changing. It can put the love of your life into hyper-focus, pull you back from the abyss, and give you the confidence to stand up to someone twice your size. The right song can feel like it was written just for you, yet millions of people can relate to it. Those kinds of songs are not easy to create, much less perform in a way that feels heartfelt. Elton John has been in the business of creating precisely those kinds of songs for decades. Fine, maybe his stuff isn’t necessarily for you, but whether you like his music or not is almost irrelevant.... Read More

This weekend will be wrapping up the 10th Annual Hemp History Week, which is the largest campaign about hemp in the U.S. Taking place this year June 3-9, the campaign is supported by grassroots organizers, leaders in the industry, farmers, and advocates from all over the United States. Hemp History Week even has several celebrity endorsers who believe in the cause. These celebrities include people like Ziggy Marley, Jason Mraz, and Alicia Silverstone, but also celebrity doctors like Andrew Weil, M.D. Andrew Weil is an American physician and author, often described as a guru of holistic health and... Read More

Abend Gallery has announced the latest iteration of one of its most popular recurring exhibitions, the 5×5 Project. It started four years ago with a simple idea: a mini show, with small scale paintings done on unframed 5×5 inch panels. Over the years, the idea blossomed into a showcase of epic proportions, with an ever-expanding collection of works. This year’s event features more than 75 participating artists and encompasses a dizzying array of genres, subjects, and techniques. It’s also a big year for debuts at Abend as they welcome 20 new artists. The 5×5 Project invites... Read More

It’s almost summer, a time for outdoor activities including sleeping in the great outdoors.  Camping helps us refresh our mind and soul. There’s nothing better than seeing the wilderness wake up as the sun lights up the sky! Camping requires some preparation to keep you warm, safe, and healthy. If you are planning a camping trip this year, keep in mind these essential health and safety tips.   Assess your fitness level.  If you are planning a particularly strenuous trip, make sure you are fit enough to withstand the strain of the journey. You may want to consider working with a fitness... Read More

I spend a lot of my time doing things by myself. I would like to play a team sport like soccer, but I don’t have enough social skills to handle that, and so I run marathons instead. Sometimes this singularity bothers me more than others. Mostly, I’m OK with it. It provides connections I would not otherwise make. When you venture out alone and decline the Succubus of your cell phone, the world offers you unexpected opportunities. Such was the case when I found myself without a biking buddy one Wednesday night and so I pedaled myself down to the Denver Cruiser bicycle ride all by myself.  A... Read More

As a fan I spent many seasons in the South Stands cheering on the Denver Broncos.  Donning a tattered Steve Atwater and holding a local microbrew, I bled orange and blue.  Through the good years with John Elway, Peyton Manning, and Von Miller.  And the bad of Josh McDaniels, Rahim Moore, and Paxton Lynch. Throughout it all, I trusted the Broncos. My cup was half full, filled with the positive expectations of seasons to come. But I don’t see it.  I would love to believe that the issues of the last few seasons were primarily coaching and quarterback play, but that seems too simple.  That our... Read More

In our own ways, we all have power. From petitions, to marches, to your own creativity, everyone has the power to push the needle in a positive direction. Film has a power that’s mighty, and one of my favorite things is championing a film, getting absolutely blissed-out, and transforming into a cinematic evangelist. The right film can open eyes, change a life, and make the unbearable a little easier to bear. But what if you had the power to prevent a great film from becoming a train wreck? Office Space and Clue are some of the most beloved comedies ever made. They were also disasters at the box... Read More

Earlier this week, the Federal Appeals Court reinstated the complaint and declined to dismiss the Federal Cannabis Lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed by several cannabis patients and advocates challenging the federal scheduling of cannabis. According to a comment by their legal representation Michael Hiller, “This case represents the first time in history that a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the CSA has survived dismissal.” This is amazing news for those advocating for the de-scheduling of cannabis. This means the court put the federal government on notice to make a decision for... Read More

Every year when I get my pass for the Westword Music Showcase, I have to take a deep breath and mentally prepare myself for the musical free-for-all I’m committing to. It’s a barrage of bands with a lineup that could easily last a weekend, unceremoniously crammed into a ten-hour window. The Showcase started in 1995 as a way to put Denver bands on the map, and for the last 25 years it’s been doing just that. The whole event is set up like a scavenger hunt for your favorite bands. Saturday June 29th, the Showcase hits the Golden Triangle with two giant outdoor stages and participating venues... Read More