20 NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | It’s My Swamp! BY TONI TRESCA If you want to get on the dance fl oor and let loose to Shrek’s powerful roars, then don’t miss the Shrek Rave, which takes over Cer- vantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom on Friday, No- vember 10. The Shrek-themed extravaganza promises a romp in a swamp with vibrant music and fantastical costumes, all inspired by the beloved ogre and his whimsical universe, where donkeys talk and princesses have at- titude. In the words of the organizers, the rave is not just a party — it’s a community of enthusiasts coming together to share their devotion and revel in the magic that is Shrek. “The thing that excites me the most is the passion that the patrons bring to these events,” says Evan Marks, talent buyer for Cervantes’. “The costumes are absolutely amazing. People really go all out! My favorite moment from one of the past Shrek Raves was when all the people in the building dressed as Lord Farquaad — there must have been 25 of them — found each other and started dancing together. Everyone in the building went absolutely nuts.” If you happen to have missed out on the joys of Shrek, the 2001 DreamWorks fi lm follows the meanest, greenest fairy-tale character to ever grace the silver screen. Based on a charac- ter by cartoonist William Steig, he’s a grumpy yet oddly endearing ogre who just wants to be left alone in his cozy swamp in the land of Far Far Away, but fate (and a bunch of annoying fairy-tale creatures) has other plans. Forced into a quest to rescue Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a dragon, Shrek fi nds himself accompanied by the over-enthusiastic, wise- cracking Donkey and going to war against the dastardly, short king, Lord Farquaad. Shrek has spawned multiple sequels, a Broadway musical, an abundance of internet memes and, most recently, an international se- ries of raves. It all started in March 2022, when Los Angeles-based content creator Ka5sh planned a Shrek-themed party in L.A. to raise money for his sister, who was shot and robbed in North Carolina. The rave made $10,000 in total, and videos from the event went viral on TikTok. Following the Shrek Rave’s initial success, the organizers began touring it around the world, including multiple stops in Denver. “I was not at that particular Shrek Rave [in March 2022], but I did hear about it very shortly after, when this incredible concept was capti- vating the nation,” Marks recalls. “As a talent buyer at Cervantes’, it was my pleasure — and my job — to reach out and work with the good folks on the Shrek Rave team to get Denver in the mix. We announced our fi rst Shrek Rave show in August of 2022, and it sold out within fi ve days. We quickly added another show the night before, and they both sold out very far in advance. Both shows played off in November 2022, and they were incredible successes.” At the heart of the Shrek Rave experience are the wondrous DJs who will be spinning the most swamp-worthy sets throughout the night. “Attendees should be prepared for a night full of upbeat electronic music with lots of Shrek references and visuals mixed in there,” Marks says. “From house and techno to dubstep, this party has it all.” One of the highlights of the Shrek Rave is the opportunity to dress up as your favorite Shrek character. Whether you fancy yourself as the witty Donkey, the feisty Princess Fiona or even the cunning Lord Farquaad, the options are as diverse as the Shrek universe itself. Just remember, creativity knows no bounds at this party, so go all out with those gumdrop buttons and classic Farquaad hair — the more outrageous, the better. When asked what costumes have been his favorites, Marks says, “This is a really tough one, because there are so many great options. Some of the best costumes I’ve seen at these events include the Gingerbread Man, Three Blind Mice and, of course, Donkey!” The Shrek Rave is not just for die-hard Shrek fans; it’s for anyone who loves to have a good time and be a part of something truly unique. And because this is the third time the Shrek Rave team has brought the whimsy of Far Far Away to Denver, Cervantes’ knows the party’s vibe is fi t for the green king of memes himself. According to the organizers, the event aims to create an experience where fans can come together, celebrate their favorite characters and dance like no one is watching. And make some interesting memories: “The visuals are especially entertaining,” says Marks. “My favorite one I have seen was Shrek dancing through a Papa John’s store holding pizzas.” Shrek Rave, 9 p.m. Friday, November 10, Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton Street, $22-$32, cervantesmasterpiece.com. MUSIC This is the third Shrek Rave at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom. AJ HAWKINS AT LIFETAP MEDIA FRIDAY JUNE 23 GHOST REVUE THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9 KITCHEN DWELLERS FRIDAY & SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10-11 HOBO JOHNSON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12 CHASE SHAKUR MONDAY NOVEMBER 13 MEGA64 THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16 WOOD BELLY SATURDAY NOVEMBER 18 SQUEAKY FEET WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22 DISCLOSURE VS FRED AGAIN THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30 UNDERGROUND SPRINGHOUSE & YAM YAM FRIDAY DECEMBER 1 MACHINEDRUM & HOLLY SATURDAY DECEMBER 2 THE NORTH 41 THURSDAY DECEMBER 7 PICKIN’ ON THE DEAD FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 JUNO WHAT?! FT. 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CARMACK FRIDAY NOVEMBER 10 SHREK RAVE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 11 THE EXPENDABLES & BUMPIN UGLIES SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12 TWO GIRLS ONE GHOST TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14 PERSEPHONE: AN UNDERWORLD CABARET WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 15 LIL SKIES THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16 SHIFT FT. ABELATION & SHANGHAI DOOM FRIDAY & SATURDAY NOVEMBER 17-18 FLAMINGOSIS SUNDAY NOVEMBER 19 PERSEPHONE: AN UNDERWORLD CABARET SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25 DUAL VENUE SECRET SPECIAL GUEST CROWNTHEFOUNDATION BENEFIT SHOW THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30 SHIFT FT. SUMTHIN SUMTHIN & FLY FRIDAY & SATURDAY DECEMBER 1-2 BROKE MOUNTAIN BLUEGRASS BAND FT ANDERS BECK, TRAVIS BOOK, ANDY THORN, JON STICKLEY & ROBIN DAVIS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6 YUSSEF DAYES THURSDAY DECEMBER 7 SHIFT FT. CUT CHEMIST (45S SET) FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 COUCH SATURDAY DECEMBER 9 DMVU & TOADFACE THURSDAY DECEMBER 14 SHIFT FT. KUMARION & SUPERAVE. FRIDAY DECEMBER 15 LIVING LEGENDS & BROTHER ALI SATURDAY DECEMBER 16 YOI TOKI A FUTURE FUNK / VAPORWAVE PARTY SATURDAY DECEMBER 23 WEBBIE CHRISTMAS CONCERT FRIDAY & SATURDAY DECEMBER 29-30 DUAL VENUE CIRCLES AROUND THE SUN SATURDAY DECEMBER 31 MARK FARINA & DOC MARTIN FRIDAY & SATURDAY JANUARY 5-6 DANIEL DANATO’S COSMIC COUNTRY & TROUBLE NO MORE THURSDAY JANUARY 11 VICTOR WOOTEN & THE WOOTEN BROTHERS SOLD OUT! SOLD OUT!
