2 westword.com WESTWORD FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 1, 2023 | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | W ® 7 THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX Even as he moves back into private life, George Stern votes to keep Colorado’s election system as good as gold. BY HELEN THORPE 12 FINDING HUMANITY Firehouse Theater Company mounts a production of Tiny Beautiful Things. BY TONI TRESCA 15 UPPER CRUST The ten best places for pizza in Denver. BY MOLLY MARTIN 19 MORE THAN MUSIC A new recording studio honoring a late musician brings music opportunities to Gypsum. BY JUSTIN CRIADO 4 News 12 Culture 15 Cafe 19 Music CONCERTS/CLUBS ................................... 22 30 Marijuana TOKE OF THE TOWN ................................ 30 ASK A STONER ......................................... 32 STRAIN GANG .......................................... 34 VOLUME 46 NUMBER 26 FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 1, 2023 E D I T O R I A L Editor Patricia Calhoun Editorial Operations Manager Jane R. 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Periodicals postage paid in Denver. Domestic subscriptions may be purchased for $50 yearly. Postmaster: Send address changes to Westword, P.O. Box 5970, Denver CO 80217. Mailing address: P.O. Box 5970, Denver, CO 80217 Street address: 1278 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203 For retail or classifi ed advertising, call: 303-296-7744 For general information, call: 303-296-7744 For Editorial, email: [email protected] “GET THE MESSAGE?,” CONOR MCCORMICK-CAVANAGH, FEBRUARY 16 C O N S T R U C T I O N Z O N E I’ve always wondered how they choose the messages on the airport train. Finally, truth in advertising! Thanks for the update, Westword. Jose Vigil Denver For how many years are we supposed to be patient? Troy Dority Denver That airport will always be under con- struction. AJ Williams Denver “FOR THE AGES,” TONY WHITE, FEBRUARY 16 A F T E R T H E T H I N M A N Met my wife here, New Year’s Eve 2006. We stopped in after our wedding in 2011 and had some drinks. I guess we should probably bring the kids in and say hi to Steph and Eric. Robert Aucoin Denver Hey! I am all for what Tony White is trying to do with his piece on Thin Man. Great joint, it really is, and there are dozens of bars deserv- ing of a visit in Denver. Maybe I’ll check out a new (to me, anyway) establishment. However, I plowed snow last week in a Nuggets toque that is a decade older than that joint. Twenty-one is not an Old Standard in Den- ver. For that matter, it is not old for any standard. Mattie Bicknell Denver “A SNITCH IN TIME,” CONOR MCCORMICK-CAVANAGH, FEBRUARY 9 T H E I N F O R M A N T As we stumble about the calculated encum- brances strategically laid out before us — by money and pious lobbyists — in our struggle for social justice, an exposé like this is para- mount, as most, if not all efforts, experience some degree of sabotage by the opposition. The ‘informant’ or the ‘infi ltrator’ can also include individuals working independently who are driven sanctimoniously for the cause of the opposing side. Also, you may fi nd money to be part of the motivation, yet there is a degree of loyal patriotism that also motivates. Once inside, the infi ltrator is almost entirely undetectable, as the pious colonial capitalists are prolifi c in the language of preservation, be- cause the same expressions used in the quest for social justice are used for the preservation and proliferation of plutocratic colonial capitalism. The imperative thing to contemplate is this line in the article: “Placing informants within organizations that are engaging in protected free speech activities has a corrosive effect that can lead to suspicion and the eventual failure of certain movements.” This must be on the mind of everyone involved in any com- munity engagement! Just as important, if not even more signifi cant, is the sense of paranoia that ensues after experiencing such a collec- tive and personal violation. This consequence can not be understated, as it essentially rots the very core value and commitment of indi- vidual and collaborative activism. Being labeled a snitch can never be un- done; you cannot defend against such ac- cusations. Declaring “No, I am not” does nothing to stifl e the accusation! Even if the truth is revealed, there will always be doubt within the community — yet you will fi nd folks who use the label, and accusation, as a way to instill doubt and intentionally discredit someone simply for the accuser’s personal gratifi cation and/or advancement. And, of course, to suppress any advancement in the effort to address social grievances. Therein lies the quandary. From parent- teacher associations to water, air and land defenders, social justice efforts must be ever vigilant for the saboteur, as they could very well be the one driving the narrative. There may be tells, but for the most part, the venom- ous snake in the grass is entirely camoufl aged until it is too late to recuperate from the poison it injects into the effort. This is the nature of the beast. So we must prepare to manage the inevitable. Being aware, planning for and remaining in solidarity, we can advance de- spite the wretched interlopers. Keep in mind: To them it is self-aggrandizing, business as usual — but to us, this is our very livelihood. JD Ruybal Windsor ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY EVAN SEMÓN LETTERS T O T H E E D I T O R YOU CAN COMMENT ON ANY STORY AT WESTWORD.COM; SEND LETTERS TO [email protected] Don’t miss a word! The stories in this print edition are just a fraction of the pieces we publish every week on westword.com. 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