2 westword.com WESTWORD JULY 20-26, 2023 | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | W ® 7 SUCKER BET The world’s greatest showman left his mark on Denver. But should P. T. Barnum be canceled? BY ALAN PRENDERGAST 10 THE NEW WAY Spectra Art Space’s new immersive experience is not to be missed. BY EMILY FERGUSON 13 SNACK TIME This immersive exhibit pays homage to the Japanese konbini. BY GIL ASAKAWA 15 MORE THAN MUSIC The Punk Rock Saves Lives Festival raises mental health awareness with punk bands. BY JUSTIN CRIADO 4 News 10 Culture 13 Cafe 15 Music CONCERTS/CLUBS ................................... 18 24 Marijuana TOKE OF THE TOWN ................................ 24 ASK A STONER ......................................... 26 STRAIN GANG .......................................... 28 VOLUME 46 NUMBER 47 JULY 20-26, 2023 E D I T O R I A L Editor Patricia Calhoun Editorial Operations Manager Jane R. Le News Editor Chris Perez Culture Editor Emily Ferguson Food and Drink Editor Molly Martin Cannabis Editor Thomas Mitchell Social Media Editor Katrina Leibee Staff Writers Catie Cheshire, Bennito L. 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Peri- odicals postage paid in Denver. Domestic subscriptions may be purchased for $100/year or $50/six months. 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] “HOW DENVER CAN GET ITS MOJO BACK, 2023 EDITION,” PATRICIA CALHOUN, JULY 13 T R U T H D E C A Y Thank you for Patricia Calhoun’s suggestions for Mayor Mike Johnston in the last issue. As they say, the rumors of Denver’s demise are greatly exaggerated. I’ve been downtown a lot this summer, and the city always seems packed. Just wish Denver would get those streets fi xed and put back some parking! I’d go downtown more. Jay Frankel Denver I didn’t know we lost our “mojo.” We don’t have earthquakes, extreme heat and tornadoes, at least to the extent that other places do; the state is beautiful, especially Boulder, Ridgway and Estes Park. I don’t think we are losing population. Of course, the pandemic led to social disruption and workforce problems, but it is over. Morgan Bays Boulder Who cares? I hope we become hated so everyone will quit moving here. The end. Andrea Cox Denver I like your list, but a big issue you left out is CDOT’s abandonment of highway cleanup in and around Denver. It’s a mess and seems at this point to be a permanent state of affairs. Take a look at South Santa Fe or I-25 through central Denver. It’s starting to look dystopian. Mark Bethel Denver Now that Michael Hancock is leaving offi ce, it’s time to look at term limits. Twelve years is too much time to serve as mayor in any city. Orie Thompson Denver Mayor Johnston should be tackling the housing crisis — both for our unhoused people and those who can’t afford rent or a new home — but considering his largest donors consisted of out-of-state billionaires such as former NYC mayor and failed presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg; LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman; hedge-fund managers Steve Mandel and John Arnold; Kent Thiry, the former CEO of Denver-based dialysis giant DaVita; venture capitalist Art Reimers; and private equity CEO Eric Resnick, I have zero hope of that. I’m so pissed Denverites are still so apa- thetic about local elections, where it matters the most — progressive Lisa Calderón, who would have fought for the working class, came so close to making the runoff election. I just don’t want to hear any f@$&ing complain- ing when there’s an increase in cops and the housing crisis stays the same or gets worse. Colleen Luckett Denver Lived here since 1972, so I appreciate light rail that more people could use, and the wonder- ful smorgasbord of restaurants, sports venues and music. In ’72, the streets literally rolled up at 8 p.m., and the big event of the year was the Stock Show, when the wealthy ranchers came to town. You don’t know how good you’ve got it. Janis Houston Denver Hard to see while you’re there, but people really are more civilized in Denver. I think it’s because they’re generally happier. Tommy Valentine Huntsville, Alabama If I have to pick just one thing I love about Denver, it’s watching the skies in all seasons and every type of storm as it rolls in over the mountains. Seeing from any high point of the city which part of the metro area is having a storm. Watching the sky light up with light- ning. And seeing the skies with the beautiful and colorful sunrises/moonrises and sunsets. Nichole Thomas Denver Excellent letter by Tom Morris in the July 6 issue. Some of the same words I have spoken to myself. I moved downtown to Sunset Park on Larimer to this VOA senior/disabled building twelve years ago. I had a view of the mountains! No longer a view, but of only buildings. So I moon through my window hoping to hear a complaint. No one home at Xcel? Well, my opinion is not well heard. Darn bike lanes. Darn scooters! Darn, now I’m swarting! Thanks. Steven Meyer Denver ON THE COVER LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/WESTWORD PHOTO ILLUSTRATION 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. For a cheat sheet on all that content, subscribe to our daily newsletter at westword.com/profi le. You can also follow @ denverwestword on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. And it’s all free! ART BY GETTY IMAGES/WESTWORD PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
