Wheat Ridge is a haven for mid-century modern architecture! Tucked away in the neighborhods that sprang up in the 1950s-60s, these retro gems are highly sought after today! And here's where you can find out more about it...
The 3rd Annual
Denver Modernism Show hits town August 15 - 17, with vendors from across the nation, a full slate of events and entertainment, and a few new surprises. It's all about that Mid-Century style that Coloradoans love so much .... the sleek Danish woods, the colorful molded plastics, the high style of black and chrome art deco.
The show's new larger venue, at the National Western Complex, has allowed the show to expand yet again. The popular Tiki Bar has expanded into a 3-day full-blown Tiki Lounge, complete with music, tiki artwork, tiki vendors, and live hula girls. The show's annual juried art gallery moves to the center of the showroom floor. Newly added is a display of vintage Airstream Trailers! And a mammoth adjoining room will come alive with a mid-century car show on Sunday!
"There is SO much to do at this year's show," says hostess, Dana Cain. "It really will be the best one yet!" Last year's Modernism Show drew nearly 3,000 attendees, and this year, Cain is hoping for more.
L.A.'s legendary "histo-tainer" and retro slide show host, Charles Phoenix, returns - this year with "The United States of Charles Phoenix," a slide show celebrating Americana that routinely sells out in LA's hippest venues. It seems a perfect lead-in for the DNC!
Also timely is the Velvet Elvis performance on Friday night - the eve of Elvis's "deathiversary." Velvet Elvis is widely regarded as one of the best Elvis impersonators in the US, and he will hit the Modernism Show stage flanked by Go-Go girls.
Satellite events have also sprung up around this popular show. East Colfax's popular shop, Mod Livin', is hosting a Sunday evening auction immediately following the show. And Mile Hi Modern Real Estate is organizing a home tour of some of Denver's most stylish modern properties.
The entertainment and side events are really just the icing on the cake, though. The real show here is the show floor itself - where dozens of vendors from across the US will exhibit and sell vintage (and some contemporary) treasures of modern design. Furniture, art, ceramics, glass, electronics and loads more will be offered. And all of it created in the modernist style - which includes deco to Danish and beyond.
General admission tickets for Saturday and Sunday are $5. Kids 12 and under get in free. Friday night's Preview party tickets are $10 each. Vendor lists, show schedules and online ticket sales are all at
www.denvermodernism.com