4 DECEMBER 28-JANUARY 3, 2023 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | W ® 7 PEOPLE TO WATCH IN 2024 JR Payne and other prime candidates to make news next year. 12 THE TEN BIGGEST CULTURE STORIES 15 THE TEN BIGGEST FOOD STORIES 17 THE TEN BIGGEST MUSIC STORIES 26 THE TEN BIGGEST POT STORIES 12 Culture 15 Cafe 17 Music CONCERTS/CLUBS ................................... 22 26 Marijuana ASK A STONER ......................................... 28 STRAIN GANG .......................................... 30 VOLUME 47 NUMBER 18 DECEMBER 28-JANUARY 3, 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] “ANOTHER DOME RUN,” HANNAH METZGER, DECEMBER 21 D O M E O N T H E R A N G E Thanks to Hannah Metzger for her insight- ful look at the Colorado Legislature. I hope certain lawmakers see the error of their ways; we don’t want to lose valuable voices there. Lilith Raskin Denver The toxicity at the Colorado Capitol is systemic. The “toxic workplace” environ- ment goes beyond the walls of governmental institutions; it’s as old as the U.S.-molded government itself. What is different today is that some who had been harmed by the toxicant have now been allowed “in” (some- what) and are struggling for a voice, a place at the table. Remember affi rmative action? Not so long ago there was a time when only the likes of Clarence Thomas were allowed in. People tried to address the “toxic work- place” environment for the marginalized from the outside. Now privatization and money as speech have found...a new way out? Or is it a new way in? The mold that is the U.S. is spreading, growing and surviving off of a system that preys on the marginal- ized. Laypeople today, just as in yesteryear, going to work or school, going for a walk, talking to neighbors and/or even family members have proven to be caustic. The thing is, juggling a life rife with controversy, confl ict and offensive com- ments is and has been a daily occurrence for many. Today, depravity is once again at the forefront, as no one wants to offend or approach the bullies. A form of jingoism towards the nation’s own people is and has been at play. Even true science is being ig- nored, manipulated and weaponized simply to maintain the stay. Legislative resignation numbers being high, the struggle for better must be ad- vanced. Today it truly is a matter of life or death. From wealth and health disparities including environmental debauchery, a new system must be fought for! The old mold needs to be broken. The bullies of the old guard must be confronted, charged and expelled! We are all well aware that we are heading “down” a broken path. History repeating? Yes, as the manage- rial class, just like the oppressors, prefers to remain in comfort. J.D. Ruybal Windsor “DROPPING THE BALL,” MICHAEL ROBERTS, DECEMBER 14 F A N N I N G T H E F L A M E S Athletes seem to die young, metaphorically, but KKFN just went on and on and on. That being said, Bonneville International has killed more budding radio careers than gravity has killed pilots. Mattie Bicknell Denver I’ve listened to 104.3 The Fan for years, and I was very happy when D-Mac was fi red. As far as the Broncos are concerned, he constantly made alarming predictions, most of which were not true. He constantly pissed off me and my friends, ranging from ages 45 to 75. Maybe he had good ratings among a different demographic. Also, on at least two different occasions, he actually alluded to the size of certain men’s penises, one a football coach and another a running back. What a piece of work, as they say. Randolph Allen Colorado “EAT HERE,” MOLLY MARTIN, DECEMBER 7 Y O U R N A M E ’ S O N T H E L I S T Considering that Casa Bonita has controlled access to their restaurant, they probably shouldn’t be considered for your “Eat Here” list. It’s not like anyone can just go and eat there. Peter Horton Denver Why am I not on the list? I went to Casa Bonita when I was ten. It was Taco Bell tacos. Went running around in Black Bart’s cave. And now mother fucktards won’t let us in. Jan Fredrickson Denver ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPH OF JR PAYNE 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. 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! DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/GETTY IMAGES
