The History of Five Points Showcased This Weekend at Doors Open Denver

Each year for the previous 13 years, the Denver Architectural Foundation has introduced Doors Open Denver (DOD), a weekend of admiration for urban design and architecture in town.  This year nearly 70 websites will have free entry for the general public.  The complete collection of sites can be found on the DOD site, including everything from churches, both the Governor’s mansion, theatres and masonic temples.

At the past couple of years, cultural activities and arts are added, although in earlier times this party has focused on design. DOD is all about talking and enjoying architecture an individual would like and go over a piece of artwork, so the pairing is really a no-brainer. This season, the art and cultural activities are occurring in Five Points to be able to showcase that area ’s heritage.

About that choice, Pauline Herrera Serianni, the executive manager of the Denver Architecture Foundation stated, “over the years, Five Points has been home to a diverse community with a passion for artwork, music and urban design that is exceptional. This season, the Denver Architecture Foundation partnered with RedLine to honor rsquo & this neighborhood;s cultural legacy by sparking a range of Five Points places demonstrating the ethnic richness of the region. ”

Architecture is an art, despite the fact that it is often overlooked as a means to a end. With the rapid expansion of buildings in Denver that deficiency historic or architectural significance, it’s imperative that people appreciate.  The five complimentary arts and culture activities (and one that costs $5) this season provide a balanced menu to automatically taste-test the legacy of Five Points — and we’ve outlined them below. 

Jazz at the Rossonian

Photo from Brittany Werges

After: September 22 – 23, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Where: Rossonian, 2650 Welton St., Denver

The Lowdown: Just in April this year, the historical Rossonian declared its aims to re-open after decades of efforts that never came to fruition. The 106-year-old building not merely holds great value to Five Points, but in addition, it carries weight in Denver’s background and has been a registered historical landmark. For DOD this year, this gem of a building will host nearly all the art and cultural events, possibly appropriately four distinct jazz performances. On Saturday love sounds out of The Gayle Leali Jazz & Blues Quartet at noon and Lorraine Ellis and her Trio at 2 p.m. On Sunday imbibe in Spherio at noon and Joe Smith and The Spicy Pickles at 2 p.m.. Since the Rossonian has sponsored some of Jazz’s artists — like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald — appreciating jazz is crucial.

READ: The Black History of Cervantes’ and the Five Points Jazz Scene

Taste of Five Points

Rosenberg’s Bagels. Photo from Rachelle Foos

After: September 22 – 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Where: Historic Puritan Pie Factory (Rocky Mountain Land Library), 2612 Champa St., Denver

Cost: Free entry

The Lowdown: Along with all the legacy of Jazz, Five Points also holds a distinctive culinary background. This weekend, even glimpses of that background will be showcased within the older Puritan Pie Factory together with neighborhood restaurants and bakeries offering dishes that are $5. The Puritan Pie Factory was built in 1911 with deeper cellars compared to pie factories to be able to adapt ice and frozen beers that helped them create pies. Decades later, the factory became related to the activities of Beat Generation author Neal Cassady and his older brother Jack, who conducted an illegal alcohol across the street in the factory and also used the smell of cherries to mask his crimes. You can revel in that background and taste dishes from Rosenberg’s Bagels, Whittier Café, Genna Rae’s Wings, The Humble Pie Store, The Rolling Pin Bakeshop, Purple Door Coffee, Curtis Park Delicatessan and Welton Street Café.

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

Photo courtesy of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance on Facebook

After: September 22 – 23, 11 a.m. and one p.m.

Where: Rossonian, 2650 Welton St., Denver

The Lowdown: Celebrate the area ’s African American history with viewing performances from one of Denver’s premier dance companies, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. Cleo Parker Robinson is an enormously influential man in Five Points and, even more widely, Colorado, who has not only choreographed a dance ensemble for more than 40 years, but has since received recognition and innumerable awards both locally and nationally. The performances will represent Five Points’ unique traditions and will occur at the Rossonian, enabling viewers to immerse themselves. If you’ve never seen a dance display by the associates of Cleo Parker Robinson’so ensemble, this is one.

Black Actors Guild Historical Reenactments

Photo from Nick Alumbaugh, courtesy of Black Actor’s Guild

After: September 22 – 23, 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Where: Rossonian, 2650 Welton St., Denver

The Lowdown: Founded in 2009, the Black Actor’s Guild represents Five Points with regular events and shows throughout Denver. This season for DODthey’ve made a series of reenactments to showcase their area history. The cast is really well-known because of their comedy and ease on stage, therefore that their reenactments should be one for the books. Think of it as a history lesson with a spin.

If These Walls Could Talk: Architecture Stories using Sam Pike

Photo courtesy of Sam Pike on Facebook

After: September 22, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Where: Blair Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton St., Denver

The Lowdown: Local filmmaker and storyteller Sam Pike would like to know your answers to questions such as, “What’s favorite building in Five Points? An unforgettable narrative is held in its walls by which building? Which building needs its narrative told before it’s forgotten? ” Visit his pop-up narrative booth at the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library on Saturday and offer him your personal insights so he can provide a voice to the personality of the neighborhood, as opposed to simply the history. Though it was built in the early 2000s the library is, obviously, historical. The historical nature of the library rests in what it holds inside its doors — a trove of information about how African Americans helped form Colorado and the West.

Factors of Interest together using Imin Yeh

This Rossonian hotel in Five Points. Photo from Kyle Cooper.

After: September 22 – 23, many times

Where: Various sites in Five Points

The Lowdown: Do you want a little more action to your artwork and culture experience? Then grab an official DOD map and then visit with the other five Five Points activations to complete a scavenger hunt made by artist Imin Yeh. At every end, you ’ ll should locate the postage in order to complete the assignment, and match it to the place on the map. The stamps are made by Yeh and a couple of neighborhood Denver artists.

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For a full collection of all DOD open websites, visit here.

For a full collection of all DOD guided insider’so tours, go here. 

Read more: 303magazine.com