I believe the term refreshment was born on warm day, uttered from the lips of a man who just gulped the first swig of a cold pint of beer. The carbonation swelled and burst, like music in perfect timing with the hops, a percussive symphony on his taste-buds and he thought, perfect. He searched for a word, a measure of his overwhelming joy. He felt reborn, but in the sensory respect. The word, like poetry unraveled from his mouth: refreshment.

This was the day man first loved beer, at least, that’s how I picture the definition forming.

The truth is that the term refreshment came about sometime in the mid 15th century. It was used to describe food and drink, non-alcoholic drink, to be precise.

How short-sighted of our ancestors to exclude beer from the definition.

The good news is that somewhere along the line, the non-alcoholic rule got tossed and now we are free to refer to anything as “refreshing.” The extremely good news is that as a humble dweller of Denver, you have access to some of the most tasty brews the world has to offer. To celebrate this fact, every month of the year the Mellow Mushroom of Downtown will be featuring a new “Brewery of the Month.” On May 1st, members of the Odell Brewing Team will be at Mellow Mushroom Downtown (Tabor Center) doing beer tastings from 5-7, giveaways and 3$ Odell beers. 4$ pints will be available for the rest of the month of May. As an added bouns, Odell will be featuring a special batch for the occasion, an Oatmeal Coffee Amber. When it is time for June, you need not despair, for a new brewery will be featured. So if beer is something you find as refreshing as a great deal, cruise down to the Mellow Mushroom on May 1st and enjoy some,

Cheers!

“Denver’s Next Improv Star: Season 3” kicked off with lightning, and hurricanes, and monsoons, to name a few.

Everyone was feeling a little bit under the weather for the first half of “Denver’s Next Improv Star.” No, they weren’t feeling ill, they were literally instructed to let the weather affect their characters and their scene in a theatrical fashion. The caveat? They were disallowed from mentioning the weather phenomenon directly.

Daniel Horsey was the guest judge on opening night, last Saturday, and is a professional mime and owner of 3 story stage—which teaches social responsibility through story and improvisation—Daniel was looking for great investment in improvised environments and a sense of social justice throughout the scenes.

The Cast of "Denver's Next Improv Star"

Contestants had to deal with everything from a hurricane to a drought, and many possible variants in between. One group was facing a heat wave so severe, they were without water. When the farm wife (Natalie Kilkenny) continually spilled the only remaining water down the front of her shirt, her frustrated husband (Nick Trotter) spit into the glass and handed it to her to drink, which she comically did.

All of the first challenge scenes were exceptional, from an adventurous trip through hail, to a depression era scene, fittingly set in contemporary times, where an effeminate man, or manly woman (Jon Jon Lannen) laid a big kiss on her/his tuxedo-shoe wearing wife (Kate Noonan). The judges appreciated the realism, and combination of two related and disparate worlds.

The first half ended with Natalie Kilkenny winning immunity and tickets to Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret. Which left Jon Jon Lannen, Jerry-Benson Montgomery, and Natalie safe from elimination from the show.

Going into the second half the groups were split into two groups, and instructed to play freeze tag with long invested scenes. The first group jumped in with gusto. So much gusto, that they were asked to stop and let the scenes play out longer.

A number of short punchy scenes were played out, usually involving a one-two hit and a joke. A line that really stood out was “Stop pulling those dead fish out of the ocean!” and an absurdly satisfying scene commenced where it was decided that dead fish should stay in the ocean, because that’s where they want to be.

The second group, played out longer more involved scenes, closer to what the judges were requesting, but with so many people on stage playing a game of freeze-tag really requires some deference in order to let scenes develop; deference is hard to maintain when there is only so much time to get on stage.

In the end Maggie Whittum was crowned victorious, and won a year’s subscription to 5280 magazine, and is now one step closer to the SkyVenture Colorado indoor skydiving adventure catered by Jason’s Deli.

“Denver’s Next Improv Star: Season 3”
Plays Saturday Nights at 8:00 P.M.
At Bovine Metropolis Theater
Price: $16, Eligible for Limited Groupon Reservations

Grow a Moustache to help kick Cancer’s butt… of course I’m in.  Magnum would do the same thing.

Cancer sucks. It doesn’t matter what kind of cancer… they all just suck. It is a terrible disease that touches all of us.

The American Cancer Society’s 2011 report indicates that 1 in 3 women will develop cancer and 1 in 2 men will develop cancer. That’s right men, flip a coin and there is a heads or tails chance that you will develop cancer in your lifetime.

This has got to stop.

So that is why when I learned it was Movember I had to get involved. Movember is… (From their website)

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.

Once registered at www.movember.com, men start Movember 1st clean shaven. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

So please spread the word and for those who have enjoyed my writing here at The Urban Brain, or those who haven’t and just want to do a good thing, please donate here.

Keep your eyes peeled for my fugly face trying to grow a moustache around Denver and spread the word about this great cause… in fact after you are done donating please facebook, tweet, or do whatever magic you can to share this post and news of Mike’s Amazing Moustache Movember Movement.

Wahoo!! The 2011 / 2012 Ski Season has officially started. It’s time to pull out those rock skis (remember to save your fat boys for the pow pow) and embrace one of the best reasons to live in Colorado. Our Rocky Mountain backyard is truly a gift.. so go enjoy it.

A Basin is open in what the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting to be a big SNOW year. I dang sure hope so. This year I’m gonna remember all the reasons I moved here and introduce our new puppy Chewie to all the mountains have to offer.

See you on the slopes!

You had to know I’d remember to mention one of my favorite Halloween events… the Denver Zombie Crawl. It’s my annual tradition and this year I’ve got company so lookout. The Denver Zombie Crawl is a fest of gore and guts, fun and laughter, and outright bizzaro creativity as Denverites come in costume as their favorite version of the undead. I’ve done the Zombie Marathoner (got to even get a run in), mostly took photos last year, and this year I’m back to brainstorming up a costume. I even think I still have a pint of fake blood (bwa ha ha).

Here are the details from their website eyeheartbrains.com.

Welcome to the 2011 Zombie Crawl

On Saturday October 22, 2011 at 2:00pm, Denver will be holding the largest Zombie gathering in history at Skyline Park.

Remember, this is an ALL AGES and FREE event. Everyone is welcome. We do however ask that you bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Food Bank of the Rockies

Not sure what this is all about. Check out my photos from Denver Zombie Crawl 2010.

We love to be scared.  There is a reasons why people enjoy scary movies, curling up with a Stephen King novel, and the classic Halloween Haunted House.  Every year I make it a point to take in at least one (sometimes more) of these seasonal thrill rides.  I also make it a point to invite some friends.

So this explains how I and three friends found ourselves on the doorstep of Screamworks 13th Floor Haunted House this past Tuesday night.  The four of us were somewhat anxious.  It turns out that my friends who accepted my invitation had spent a Loooooong time on the haunted house bench.  Two hadn’t been to a haunted house in more than 10 years, one for closer to 20.  They might have even been a little intimidated…. but we were going in.

The problem with writing a review of a on a Haunted House is that I don’t want to spoil the surprises.  So bear with me as I share what I can.  First and foremost…  YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY CHECK THIS OUT!

The 13th Floor Haunted House was a fun filled thrill ride.  The four of us laughed, jumped, and took in the entire experience like kids.  In fact we nicknamed our Halloween outing as High School Date night because we followed it up with Pizza at Marco’s (not far away) and Beer (Okay, maybe in High School we weren’t old enough to drink beer but I’m guessing you still did).

This Haunted House is big.. in fact it ends up being two haunted houses because the first half has one theme and the second half is the actual 13th Floor theme.  There were optical illusions that made you cling to a wall or railing, great costumes, monsters, creepy people and more.  Don’t worry.. the rules are that the scary people are not allowed to touch you and you can’t touch them.  The only thing to worry about is that you embarrass yourself with a yelp or scream.

So we went, enjoyed, and then laughed all night about what a fun time we had.  I don’t know about you but I still search out fun experiences especially those you can only enjoy for a brief time and don’t want to miss out on.  This is one of those experiences.

So go… and the sooner the better.  As we get closer to Halloween the lines get longer, these Haunted Houses are famous here in Denver for consistently delivering a thrill.

And one parting note… don’t even bother thinking of a safe place in the pack to hide.  Sometimes they surprise the person in the lead, sometimes a door opens in the middle, and folks do sneak up behind you… just laugh and take turns being the trailblazer.

Have fun, enjoy, and remember it’s fun to be a kid again.

I love Improv.  It’s about saying “Yes” to others, accepting their gifts, and getting out of your head and letting the fun happen.

Those who read this blog know that that in the past I pursued my love of comedy and improv here in Denver at the Bovine Metropolis and then at Second City in both Los Angeles and Chicago.  I had stopped going to Bovine a couple years ago when there were not enough students to sponsor a level 3 class and because I had fallen in love with the Comedy Writing program at Second City.  Thus began my year of crazy flights to Chicago to study at their famous Second City Training Center.

But soon flights got more expensive and I wanted to stay local to care for my senior pup.  Improv stopped… and I missed it.

But then a few months ago I decided to check back in with the local Bovine Metropolis where I started my first Improv classes and was happily surprised to find out that the program was booming.  Classes were now regularly scheduled in the higher levels and I jumped right in.  In fact, this past term I took to the stage for my very first time.

It was a bit terrifying… and altogether amazing!  I’m hooked.

The point of all this… Denver is loving Improv like never before and both students and audience members are showing their love and support for the craft.   Maybe it’s a higher density of downtown residents, maybe it’s the popularity of comedy and the positive press from Second City graduates such as Tina Fey or Steven Colbert.  Whatever it is.. I’m thankful.

Denver Improv has never been hottter and in just a couple weeks the 2011 Denver Improv Festival will share with our great city a series of shows, workshops, and more.  If you want to learn more about doing improv this festival is for you.  If you just want to go and laugh.. this festival is for you.

Here is the schedule…

Wednesday, September 28th

Thomas Jefferson High School Improv, Mixed Nuts and Spontaneous Combustion, Avenue Theater, 7:30 p.m., $10

Please contact the Avenue Theater  (303) 321-5925 directly to purchase your tickets for the Wednesday night show only.

Select the orange show  link below to purchase tickets and view additional information about the show.

Thursday, September 29

SuperBaby, The RiP and A.C.E, 7:30 p.m., Bovine Metropolis Theater, $8

Friday, September 30

Monkey’s Uncle, Grandma Hates Technology and SansScript Players, 7:00 p.m., Bovine Metropolis Theater, $12

Hit and Run: Musical Improv and Wilson and Facklis, 9:00 p.m., Bovine Metropolis Theater, $16

Left Right TIM, Governor Jack and Preposterous, 11:30 p.m., Bovine Metropolis Theater, $8

Saturday, October 1

The Wigs, Manshow and Dishwater Blondes, 7:00 p.m., Bovine Metropolis Theater, $12

Makeshift Shakespeare and Cackowski and Dassie, 9:00 p.m., Bovine Metropolis Theater, $16

Outside By My Fence Right Now, Toy Soup and Saul, 11:45 p.m., Impulse Theater, $5

Sunday, October 2: After the workshops wrap up, there will be a party at the Voodoo Comedy Playhouse (http://voodcomedy.com)!!  We will have more details coming soon!

Then we got an unexpected treat. Through the window we noticed an expansive display of color and Fireworks across the Denver sky over Elitch Gardens. At first we thought Invesco Field was having a display but as it turns out… we were about to learn about a summer treat for all our upcoming dinners home.

Elitch Gardens has resumed their nightly fireworks show. From a little digging into the google universe I learned that Elitch Gardens had originally planned nightly fireworks but they were ceased due to neighbor complaints. This summer of 2011 they have returned with less ballistic fireworks (quieter) to entertain their evening customers. The beautiful display is now going on regularly and the residents of Riverfront Park, Lodo and LoHi can enjoy this from their balcony or garden view throughout the summer months.

Elitch Gardens is certainly adding some color. I was impressed that the Ferris Wheel and skydrop tower were lit all winter and now we get a little summer treat. Although I have to say it might be hard not to take it for granted if we see it every night.

So I’m just sharing so you can plan your own special evening, perhaps a blanket and a bottle of wine, errr… water in Commons Park one night and enjoy the view.

Thanks for the light show! Ali and are making it a special part of our nights at home. Of course some closer to the event might not like it so much so let’s hear your thoughts on the new summer fireworks show.

Oh yeah… it is definitely Summer Time!

Time to kick back by the pool, take cruiser bike rides at night.. and listen to live music.

This coming weekend May 13th and 14th is the FIRST Inaugural LoHi Music Festival located at the Highland Tap and Burger Lot (just up from 32nd and Tejon).

Here’s the musical scoopage..

FUNKIN’ FRIDAY

DOORS: 4PM

THE MACPODZ 5PM-5:55PM

BOP SKIZZUM 6:25PM- 7:35PM

JUNO WHAT?! 8PM-10PM

LOHI FAMILY APPRECIATION DAY (FREE)

DOORS: 9:30AM

YO MAMAS & PAPAS 10AM-10:40AM

DAKAR 11:10AM-11:50AM

JADEN CARLSON BAND 12:20PM-1:10PM

WILD IVORIES(DUELING PIANOS) 1:40PM-2:20PM

BROKEN TONGUES 2:50PM-4PM

REGGAE SATURDAY

DOOR: 4:30PM

CAS HALEY BAND 5PM-5:55PM

THRIVE! 6:25PM-7:35PM

SOJA 8PM-10PM

One of the most enjoyable thing about writing a Denver blog is sharing any new or exciting events happening around the great city of Denver.  Some events are about the arts, some are just about fun.

But this event, that was recently highlighted in the Denver Post article Smash Putt is killer* fun (*waiver required) offers BOTH!

This is no ordinary putt putt.

Smash Putt is intended to push the barriers of creativity just as an art piece… one where you never know what the obstacles for your putting shot might be. It operates as an exhibit and will be here in Denver just through February 6th. Described as a mix of art, geek inspired technology, and pure imagination some shots are dang near impossible… but more than entertaining enough for you to enjoy trying.

I haven’t been yet but this is no my to do list before the Smash Putt experience exits Denver.

Here is an excerpt from the Denver Post Article about how Smash Putt was inspired…

Franklin-Ross dreamed up Smash Putt on a road trip a few years ago when an ex-girlfriend introduced him to her nontraditional mini-golf rules. On his way back to Seattle, he drew up a basic business plan for “the show,” as he calls it, while sitting in the cafe at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver — and he knew at that point that he would one day bring his collective’s creation back to Colorado.

“I realized that there was a lot of potential for mini golf, and that there was a lot of potential for the group of artists I work with in Seattle to express themselves in situational art and robotics and electronics via mini golf,” he said.

SMASH PUTT.

Miniature golf apocalypse. 2762 Walnut St. 6 p.m. to late on Fridays-Sundays through Feb. 6. Special family matinees: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 29 and Feb. 5; All-ages show: 7 p.m.-midnight Feb. 3. Tickets: $10-$15 at smashputt.com

You can also visit their YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/smashputt