122 APRIL 6-12, 2023 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | and Max Cavalera’s Soulfly. Those acts alone give HQ more than enough heavy- metal cred, but the space also regularly books local bands and events, including drag and burlesque shows. That type of diversity and welcoming attitude is pretty metal, too. Horns, HQ! Best DIY Venue Seventh Circle Music Collective 2935 West 7th Avenue 7thcirclemusiccollective.org DIY isn’t dead in Denver, and the proof is at Seventh Circle Music Collective, which sits in a small house and garage in west Den- ver. Here you’ll fi nd an art gallery, a record store, and a multi-purpose art and music space that welcomes a variety of genres, including shoegaze, indie, punk, rock, am- bient, metal and more. The entire place is run by volunteers — music enthusiasts and creatives who are passionate about keeping Denver’s wild and weird spirit alive while nurturing a community for those who prefer to indulge their interests in more alternative settings. Best Blues Club The Rusty Bucket Bar & Grill 3355 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood 303-980-6200 the-rusty-bucket.com If you’re looking to rock out to some chug- ging blues or heavy rock and roll in a no- frills, intimate dive bar, then the Rusty Bucket is your kind of place. There’s no cover charge at this Lakewood neighbor- hood joint — though patrons are asked to buy food or drink while enjoying the music. But that’s not a bad thing, consid- ering that all of the options are cheap and tasty — especially the fried pickles. The Rusty Bucket hosts its Big Blues Jam ev- ery Wednesday night from 7 to 10 p.m., and after one visit, it’s sure to be your new weekly tradition. Best Blues Night at a Venue Nissi’s 1455 Coal Creek Drive, Lafayette 720-535-7113 nissis.com Nissi’s is known to offer rock, jazz, swing, Latin, R&B, funk and more, along with the occasional comedian. But you’ll also fi nd high-quality blues at its weekly Bourbon, Blues & Grooves night, free Wednesday evenings that showcase regional and na- tional bands covering or playing original blues, including Mojomama, the Tone- shakers and Reckless and Blue. Nissi’s has also been known to host some of our most beloved local blues bands, including the Delta Sonics (recipient of many past Best Blues Band awards) and Eef and the Blues Express. While you’re enjoying a set on the club’s stage, which has plenty of space in front to shake your groove thing, take ad- vantage of $1 off any bourbon or whiskey drink — the bartenders are skilled, so try the Manhattan — and nosh on a few of the savvy small plates. Best Dance Club Beacon 2854 Larimer Street be.thebeacon.co The Beacon has become one of the most desirable hot spots in RiNo since Mario Nocifera and Robert Champion opened it in December 2021, and it’s easy to see why. The space is brimming with immer- sive installations from local artists, includ- ing John Speaker, Aleesha Anderson and Sidney Connell; even the ceiling above the dance fl oor is a work of art, with a mas- sive cloud-like installation hanging over the packed crowds that gather there. The Beacon emphasizes supporting local musi- cians, too, and has become a destination for people who want to dance and let loose, and perhaps even stumble upon secret sets from famous DJs. With a Burning Man at- mosphere and all-around good vibes, you’ll fi nd yourself coming back for more. Best Place to Dance Like No One’s Watching Your Mom’s House 608 East 13th Avenue 720-821-1128 yourmomshousedenver.com You know how they say not to worry about what other people think of you, because chances are they’re not? That goes double at Your Mom’s House, a small laid-back club in Cap Hill with a bit of a stoner vibe that puts on a variety of shows each week — local and regional cover bands, DJs, open jams, fl ow artists, you name it — that are always eminently danceable on the fl oor made from squares of LED lights. Find a couple of cubes to stake out and strut your stuff, but don’t worry: No one cares about your style (or lack thereof). In fact, it’s highly likely that your fellow dancers are far too busy channeling their party favors of choice, mesmerized by the ever- changing lights rotating to the beat. Feel free to let loose — just hang on tight to that PBR tallboy. Best Venue for After-Hours Shows Knew Conscious 2350 Lawrence Street 303-993-3226 knewconscious.com A nonprofi t artist collective, Knew Con- scious is a members-only club where you can see new talent in Denver perform alongside live painters in an intimate setting. And one of the side perks of the private club is that because it’s open late, big-name artists often stop by after play- ing sets at Mission Ballroom or Red Rocks to keep the party going. That happened in February with none other than members of Billy Strings’s entourage, who played Knew Conscious for hours after their 1ST- BANK Center show let out. Clearly, that $12 monthly membership is well worth it. Best EDM Club The Black Box 314 East 13th Avenue blackboxdenver.co The Black Box has been one of Denver’s most consistent purveyors of EDM since it opened in 2016. Music and Venues continued from page 118 continued on page 124 FOR MORE INFO & TICKETS MERCURYCAFE.COM WED 4/5 WEST COAST SWING 7PM - 11PM PSYCHEDELIC CLUB 7PM - 9PM OPEN MIC MUSICIANS 9PM-12AM THU 4/6 THUNDERVIEW CEO DINNER SERIES 6-8:30PM PSYCHEDELIC PROFESSIONALS 7-9PM DAVID BRUSSELS 8-10PM MON 4/3 ZOUK DANCE 7PM-11:30PM TUE 4/4 BEGINNER LINDY HOP CLASS 6PM-7PM INTERMEDIATE LINDY HOP 7PM-8PM LINDY HOP SOCIAL DANCE 8PM-11PM FRI 4/7 GABE JAZZ TRIO 6PM-9PM POETRY OPEN MIC 10:30PM-1AM SAT 4/8 GET FREE / BRING DOWN THE WALLS FILM SCREENING 6-9PM HOUSE SOCIAL DANCE PARTY 9PM-1:30AM NICOLAS SEQUEIRA 6:30-10PM SUN 4/2 CELEBRATION OF LIFE MADDIE KRAMER 1-4PM SWING DANCE/SHIMI 5:30PM - 8PM JAM B4 THE SLAM 6PM-8PM OPEN MIC POETRY 8PM-12AM
