DENVER SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVALS:
2012 GUIDE
Denver's growing roster of summer music festivals, jam-packed with big-name headliners and the Mile High City's best local bands, are a music-lover's dream come true. You'll also find that tickets are often extremely affordable -- let's just say you're going to get more than enough bang for your buck! Here's a look at some of the biggest and best of the bunch.
Denver Day of Rock
When: May 26
Where: Throughout Downtown Denver
More Info: www.denverdayofrock.com
Downtown Denver will be transformed into a massive free rock concert when 20 bands take to four stages for the second annual Denver Day of Rock. Toto, Fishbone and Toad the Wet Sprocket are headlining, along with dozens of other great acts. The performance areas will be along the 16th Street Mall, Denver's mile-long pedestrian promenade, making it easy to roam from act to act. Food and beer booths will be set up throughout downtown for the event (which benefits Concerts For Kids, a great local charity), with free music rocking the city from 2:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Westword Music Showcase
http://microapp.westword.com/musicshowcase
June 23
On the heels of a sold out show in 2010, Westword Music Showcase is back and bigger than ever. Presented by Coors Light, the 2011 lineup features Girl Talk and over 100 of your favorite local artists on 15 stages. Join Denver's biggest one-day music festival for music, great local vendors, food and libations!
Central City Opera
www.centralcityopera.org
June 30-August 12
Less than an hour from Denver, Colorado, Central City Opera is among Colorado's elite summer music festivals. The second oldest annual professional opera festival in the country, the company continues to make history with three productions each year including one opera favorite, one American work and one lesser-known piece.
Denver Post Underground Music Showcase (UMS)
www.theums.com
July 19-22
It's a block party that rocks. Denver's very own version of Austin's South By Southwest Music Festival takes over the streets of S. Broadway for a multi-night extravaganza of the cream of Denver's underground music scene. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the UMS promises to be bigger, better and more fun than ever in 2012. Stroll from venue to venue, from stage to stage, knowing that you're catching the city's rising stars before the rest of the world hears about them.