Dessa @ The Bluebird Theater

w/ SiMS, Kitty Crimes
3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO, 80206
Friday, July 26 (16 and over)
Doors: 8:00 p.m. – Show Starts: 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15
* Dessa will also be performing at The Aggie Theater in Fort Collins on Friday, July 25. Tickets are $12; this show is for those 16 and older.

On her official bio, Dessa is “oft–described as ‘Mos Def plus Dorothy Parker’ for [her] wit and flow…[she] proves she has truly coalesced as an artist, transcending the restrictions of genre to reveal an astonishing multi-platform voice.” She’s a hard working woman with some of the most tenacious flows and stunning performances coming out of the Doomtree camp. Show early for local Kitty Crimes and Dessa's fellow label artist SiMS.

The Unity Tour 2013 @ Red Rocks Amphitheater

w/ 311, Cypress Hill, G. Love & Special Sauce
18300 W. Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO, 80401
Monday, July 29
Doors: 6:00 p.m. – Show Starts: 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $68.95+ (Ticketmaster)

We’re stretching the weekend an extra night, big deal. Mondays can be fun too, especially if you’re a fan of any one of these bands on the menu. Aside from the old-school sonic relaxation of some of the world’s greatest hits, the Amendment-64s may be tranquilized enough that the whole “unity” aspect of a large crowd might be realized. Read our interview with guitarist Tim Mahoney to get some words in your face about 311 before you go.

Mickey Avalon @ The Gothic Theater

w/ Cobraconda, Mike Disco
3263 S. Broadway, Englewood, CO, 80113
Friday, July 26 (All Ages)
Doors: 8:00 p.m. – Show Starts: 9:00 p.m
Tickets: $25

Mickey Avalon is probably best known for his surprisingly popular hit “Jane Fonda.” Since then, he’s been on the grind putting out the same type of grimy hip-hop that put rap on the map back in the 80s. Since we’re all a little more desensitized now from the “Say No To Drugs” era, it’s not near as shocking, though still fun. Round out the night’s formula with Denver’s own filth-hop group Cobraconda and get ready to cash in those Planned Parenthood holiday gift cards.

The Rouge @ Hi-Dive

w/ Tesla Rossa
7 S. Broadway, Denver, CO, 80223
Saturday, July 27 (21 and over)
Doors: 8:30 p.m. – Show Starts: 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10

The Rouge was a Denver mainstay some years back before signing to Atlantic Records and relocating to Nashville. Though it’s been a long and arduous journey to get an album out on the contract, it was all for the better – as the players in The Rouge stood solid ground on its own individuality through industry “Pressure,” (a related single on their forthcoming album). Though the band works out of state, The Rouge still claim Colorado as home and will no doubt bring something special to the Hi-Dive for the showing.

BLKHRTS Mixtape Release Show @ The Marquis Theatre

w/ Widowers, The Reminders, boyhollow
2009 Larimer St., Denver, CO, 80205
Saturday, July 27 (All Ages)
Doors: 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15 (Includes a copy of the “Death, Romance and the Color BLK” mixtape)

Even before its beginning in 2010, the three members of BLKHRTS solidified a place in Denver’s scene. Yonnas Abraham of The Pirate Signal, King F.O.E. and Karma Tha Voice, all were front-runners in the local industry. With that kind of pull, a combining of forces made sense. It also paid off. They recently signed with Dave Sitek’s (TV on the Radio) Federal Prism label and are giving away copies of the first product from the signing. Pick up next month’s issue of The Rooster Magazine to get the full story behind the deal.