Tourism

Personal

There is a kind of comfort that can be found in places that stay the same as you change. They hold memories better. They are the sort of places that hold you in the palm of their hand, and you visit again and again to trace the constant curves of the lines etched into the skin. San Francisco is one of these places. It may have been a major U.S economic and cultural center for over a century, but everything there is just build on the ruins of something else, and time heals all wounds.

The city is ancient by Californian standards, and set in its ways. If you walk west down Jefferson street through Fisherman’s Wharf with your high school friends, doing the things that people are supposed to do, because that’s what high school friends do, you pass Boudin’s Bakery Café, which has been there since 1849, but you also pass an In-n-Out. Most likely, unless you want to wait in a line and spend too much money- you won’t eat at either. If you keep walking you can visit Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Marketplace, and you can walk out on Municipal Pier and look at the Golden Gate Bridge. You might not see it if it’s foggy, but that’s the true San Francisco experience. If you really like walking and want to hit all the hot spots, you can keep walking, you can see Fort Mason, and remember that San Francisco is really one big colonizer settlement on indigenous (Ramaytush) land, and then you can walk more, and pass a Safeway that does happen to be open at 3 a.m., if that was something you were needing to know. Go further any you will come across the Palace of Fine Arts, which you can wander about in, watch various birds in ponds, and wonder about its purpose. Most likely at this point you will come to no satisfactory conclusion; however you should also note that you can visit here at any day at any time and it will always look pretty much the same, though at night it may be dark.

Now if you want to you could keep walking and go through the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, but quite frankly that’s a lot of walking and I’ve never done that, so I won’t talk about it. You could also walk (again, long), or uber, or drive (if you can park) up to Twin Peaks to see the city from above. It’ll probably be very windy, and it might be too foggy to see far, you may find yourself huddling in a little concave in the side of the mountain, and if it is night it will most likely be dark, but it’s always fun to stand on top of a tall thing and look down. After that, you might be hungry, so you can head down Market Street, or literally any other street, and get something to eat that is most likely fusion something and over-priced but also good.

If you prefer to do a little less sight-seeing and a little more aimless wandering (particularly if you happen to start this journey near the bus station) you can wander around near Oracle Park and Mission Bay in the very early morning when it’s foggy and no one is around. It should be noted that is an unusual state for San Francisco, and it’s far more likely you end up visiting a busy farmers market in the Tenderloin, and then leaving the Tenderloin because there isn’t much else to do except watch people do heroin. For a bit of juxtaposition, you can then visit Lower Nob Hill (or almost any other shopping area), and wander past very wealthy people and through fancy department stores that sell exactly the same thing as every other department store, except these ones happen to be in San Francisco, which makes them Cool.

If it’s getting late in the day, and you are getting kind of tired, you can wander through SF MOMA, and then grab Ben and Jerry’s, carrots, and hummus from a Target nearby and sit on a bench at the top of Yerba Buena Park and watch the reflection of the evening sun on the San Francisco skyline from below. You can do this several times a year all through high school, whenever the dusty goings on of sprawling flat capital cities starts to wear on the soul a little, and a 6 am bus ticket is only 10 dollars. It’s a tame little adventure. The next day, people ask you what you did with your weekend. You tell them you went to San Francisco. They don’t ask what you did- you did San Francisco things. What more is there to say?

There’s nothing quite like San Francisco to remind you that the more things change, the more things stay the same. It’s always different, every time I go, under construction, or renovation, or hazy with the dust kicked up by a million feet that are only passing through, and yours and mine are among them. But it’s always that way. So you can wander the streets aimlessly, when you are younger, and older, and older still, and you can stand in the places where everyone does, and see the same things that everyone sees, but through your own eyes- which maybe makes it special. Then maybe later, you come back, and go to the same places and look at the same things, and they look a little different, but then again so do you, though they don’t look so different that you can’t remember what it was like to look at them back then. These things don’t remember you, and soon they might sink into the sea, or rather the sea will rise to cover them, and it won’t be anything at all but swirling eddies you can see from some new coast, where you look out and remember the harsh ocean wind that scoured sand against your sun burnt skin on Ocean Beach that one day you were much younger than you will be then, and went to San Francisco for the day, and splurged on a clipper card, and took the train to the beach, drank ice coffee in an over-crowded café, and spent too long in the sun.

Multimedia

Probably the thing we’d like to do most in 2020 is to get out and walk. The epidemic has stopped us from going out and slowing down our own lives, allowing us to spend more time with our families. But while spending time with our families we still want to see the outside world. As the saying goes, it is better to read a thousand books than to travel a thousand miles. The outbreak in the United States is still ongoing. China has an epidemic relatively under control. After National Day, I also had time to go out with friends for a walk around the city.

 

Multimedia

To meet this week’s prompt, I have created a Prezi presentation about visiting Stavanger, Norway. The pictures without image or source credits belong to my family – they’re pictures my parents took when we lived there. I hope you enjoy!

https://prezi.com/view/XvJh0aUpRn5dXwLru0xM/

Travelogue

In 2017, I was given the opportunity to study classical singing with professors at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, in Rochester, New York. As a high schooler, getting one-on-one time with esteemed faculty from this famous university was very hard to come by, extremely exciting… and incredibly nerve wracking.

The program was a three hour’s plane ride away from my home in New Mexico. I’d be living with a roommate in a college dorm for a month. That would be the longest time I’d lived alone that far from my parents.

When my parents and I got into an Uber to head to campus, I remember looking out the window, surprised to see how small the city was. When I thought of  ‘music’ and ‘New York’ put together, my mind went straight to bustling streets, skyscrapers, glitz, glamour and energy at every corner. But Rochester is in the Northern part of the state. Hours away from New York City.

The slightly unkempt streets of mid-town were lined with wall-to-wall faded pastel wood condos. I remember seeing two kids shooting hoops in their front yard and running into each other, seemingly because there was always less space to run around in than they’d hoped. The shopper’s buildings were short, flat roofed, made of brick or stone. I could tell when they were newly refurbished almost immediately, because there wasn’t paint chipping off the seams of each cemented rock.

All of this was in extreme contrast to Eastman campus.

The main auditorium at Eastman School of Music is made of glass, with a domed ceiling that towers over everything else on the block. When I walked up the stairs to the stage, the bamboo floors were freshly polished. I could see the grand piano’s reflection at my feet. A red velvet curtain cascaded down from the ceiling. I was in awe that I’d be performing here in a month.

For the first five days or so, I attended my classes quickly and quietly, did my homework in the lobby, and then would go back to my room and text friends back at home until dark. Sometimes until 3am since that was only midnight for them. I didn’t see my roommate much. She would spend a lot of the day out exploring. She’d sometimes invite me along, but I wasn’t really interested in exploring the city that kept me up at night with the sounds of sirens in the distance.

Then one night after rehearsal, a few girls invited me to go to grab pastries with them. I had been pretty recluse up to that point, so I was surprised they even knew my name. However, music theory homework was looking pretty daunting for that weekend, so I decided I was happy to have the distraction.

They took me about 3 blocks east of campus, and turned into a little blue door in the middle of the plaza. The sign hanging over it read “Java Café”. A bronze bell rang over our heads as it hit against the door frame. I was immediately greeted with a classic, vintage coffee bar. Hand-drawn chalkboard menu, copper espresso machine, tiered scone tray and all. The walls were painted cobalt blue, adorned with abstract paintings and distorted, modernist photos. The music was ambient and smooth. Almost as soothing as the smell of fresh cinnamon coffee cake, hot from the oven, being panned into the display case.

Walking around the corner I saw a mahogany staircase leading into a basement, coated in scarlet light. It was a bit steep, so I clung to the gothic black metal railing. The ambient music from above faded away as I descended, gradually being replaced in my ear by the sound of reggae. At the bottom, immediately to my right is a line of three pool tables, a bar at the far end. I immediately ask a hand for balls and cues, challenging one of my friends to a two out of three.

I went back upstairs and ordered an Aztec mocha (a mocha with a dash of red chili powder; a New Mexican staple, that apparently is also found in Rochester.) They served it to me downstairs, where I was already beating my friend at pool. Decisively.

After accepting defeat, the four of us went back upstairs and sat on the wood barstools in the breakfast nook. I ordered another mocha, iced this time. There were street performers playing the bongos and singing for a modest, but very engaged impromptu audience out in the plaza. They were only illuminated by the dim cream lights strung between lamp posts at either end of the lawn. Watching intently from the window, I sipped at my mocha and spiced dark chocolate filled every crevasse of my mouth. Its rich, decadent taste seemed to melt all my apprehension away. I fell into a daze, and the sounds of the room started to fade into the background. I hadn’t felt this relaxed in weeks.

I might have remained like that for the whole evening, but I was snapped back to reality by a young man greeting us at our table. He introduced himself as a free-lance artist trying to make a name for himself. As we invited him to sit down, he pulled a small black folder out of his saddle bag and opened it to reveal four charcoal sketches. Portraits of each of us.

I took the aged piece of paper he’d drawn me on delicately from his charcoal blackened hands. I had a half smile on my face, eyes closed, taking a sip from my mocha. It looked like it belonged in a kooky Art Deco frame, posted on the wall with the rest of the art in this place. It almost seemed wrong to take the drawing out the door; it felt like I’d be ripping it from its home.

He asked us if we’d like to make a donation, and of course I accepted. I was captivated by the unique, quirky, animated style behind the piece. I found myself glancing at it and smiling for the rest of the night. I don’t think the frame I bought for it does it justice, but it is still hanging in my room to this day.

For the rest of that trip I couldn’t stop exploring the city. I visited the Java Café more times that I want to admit. (Let’s just say, by the end I’d reached first name basis with a few employees.) I started going to more concerts and sight singing parties with friends (these are where a bunch of singers come together to since a piece no one there has ever seen before. It doesn’t always sound great, but it sure is fun!) I contacted home less and less as I got more wrapped up in the city.

On the last weekend of the trip, I introduced everyone to a small underground karaoke bar I’d found one night, and we all surprised each other with songs to sing. I was given Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns and Roses. Whenever I hear it I’m reminded of that trip, and the people I got to know over that month. A lot of them lived abroad, and I haven’t seen them in person since. But we’ll always have Rochester, Java, and Eastman School of Music.

Travelogue

A mom, dad, and toddler in a stroller posing and smiling in front of the pyramid of the Louvre museum
My mom, dad, and I at the Louvre, Labor Day weekend of 2002

In 2002 when I was 14 months old, my parents and I went to Germany to endure 2 weeks’ worth of hospital appointments when they were trying to diagnose me with what we now know as Spinal Muscular Atrophy. As a much-needed break, my parents decided we would spend Labor Day weekend in Paris, because why not?

I only know this based on stories they’ve told me, but the gist is that it was chaos from the beginning. Apparently, my dad booked the reservation at a hotel with an address of something like 1234 Paris St, Paris… spoiler alert: Paris St, Paris doesn’t actually exist and neither did that hotel. So, my poor parents were stuck walking around the streets of Paris with me, until they found an available hotel room.

The stroller they were borrowing from a friend fell apart within the first day we were there, so my parents had to take turns carrying me around the city. They set aside an entire day to visit the beautiful Louvre, but I guess I didn’t appreciate art back then, because I proceeded to scream at the top of my lungs while my parents rushed past the Mona Lisa and Venus di Milo to get me out of there.

Now, I’m 19 years old and I have regrets about how I spent my time abroad. Being physically disabled leads to some challenges in travelling across the country, and I can’t even imagine trying to go across seas. But now, with COVID-19, no one is travelling, and that has encouraged museums to go virtual – including the Louvre. So, I have taken full advantage of these resources being free at the moment, and decided to take a day to go “visit” some beautiful art.

***

I started my grand adventure with a simple Google search of “French cafes near me,” after all, I needed to get the full experience. I quickly found that La Belle Rosette was only a ten-minute walk from my dorm room, and I was off! I enjoyed their quaint little area that wasn’t too big, but I imagine it is nice and intimate when you can dine-in. I ordered the Rosaletta panini lunch combo, and my friend got the Mona Lisa panini combo – needless to say, we felt very French.

The front of the cafe, La Belle Rosette
La Belle Rosette, taken on October 6th 2020

We carried our treats back to campus and ate outside the Beans café and enjoyed our delicious sandwiches. Then, the real adventure began. I easily found the Louvre’s website, and within a few clicks I had found their virtual galleries.

The galleries’ online experiences were all unique, some went full-on like a Google Earth street view, and some were simple panoramas that you could slide through. A lot of the pieces had zoom-in options and captions of what the name was, who created it, and brief descriptions of what the medium was and/or what they were symbolizing. The only unfortunate thing was that those captions were all in French for most pieces, so I would recommend having a translator at the ready.

A screenshot of "The Body in Movement" virtual Louvre gallery
A screenshot of the exhibit “The Body in Movement,” taken on October 11th 2020

You can view the art and filter search results by the room the art is in, or by the exhibit it is included in. I went by exhibit, since I didn’t have any art in mind, and I wanted to experience as much as possible.

There was an exhibit appropriately titled, “Founding Myths: From Hercules to Darth Vader,” that I instantly clicked to view more in-depth. It included sculptures and paintings depicting the Greek and Roman heroes and monsters, and more modern concepts. I couldn’t identify what in the exhibit had to do with Darth Vader or the Star Wars saga but I assumed they may have been mentioned in French or on a sign that was too small to view. I enjoyed the artwork nonetheless. There were even interactive pieces, which I found odd and exciting coming from this prestigious museum. The “What, Where, Who?” light game was really intriguing, as it invited guests to press buttons that controlled different lights to convey the power that color and shadow has on art. Unfortunately, that wasn’t part of the virtual experience, but there was a button explaining the concept.

As I clicked out of that section, I realized something; I apparently had seen the Mona Lisa when I was 14 months old, and I have no memory of it… I should look it up! Sounds simple, it’s bound to be in one of these exhibit links and I’ll be able to tell people, “Yeah, I’ve seen the Mona Lisa… virtually.”

I followed through the list of available virtual exhibits, including the “Remains of the Louvre’s Moat,” saw the Great Sphinx of Tanis and some animal mummies, glanced at some sculptures of Greek deities…

But there was no di Vinci!

I started overthinking it (as I’m prone to do) and convinced myself that maybe they exclude di Vinci’s work from the virtual tours, keeping them as a “hidden” gem only available in-person. Bummed, I started clicking random French buttons thinking I’d find the online giftshop so I could daydream about buying a t-shirt, and then I saw it. Clear as day, in an 8-point font at most, was a link titled, “Mona Lisa Beyond the Glass.” Huzzah! This whole “trip” was worth it!

I was soon enveloped in a 5-minute long video of the curators of the di Vinci exhibit explaining how they have created an exhibit exclusively for the Mona Lisa to be viewed on a virtual reality headset. They explained that every visitor wants to have their moment with the beautiful piece, but due to crowds, people only get an average of 30 seconds in front of her. So, they created a VR-experience that allows you to see the individual layers di Vinci had to use to create the depth and details. There’s even an app anyone can download on their smartphones (for free) that gives you the same exposure to the art. I didn’t install the app since the video was immersive, and instead I downloaded the free exhibit booklet, and learned that it took di Vinci from 1503-1519 to finish the masterpiece.

As a little treat, I perused the online giftshop, oohing and ahhing at all the pretty replicas that could be purchased at a range of €3.00 to €2,500! I considered purchasing a small notebook as a souvenir for this “once in a lifetime” experience, but after calculating shipping, I realized my small notebook was going to cost more than a new hardback novel from Barnes and Noble. So, I decided to simply bookmark the page to look back at and proceed to ooh and ahh at it.

My first and second visits to the Louvre were vastly different – for starters there were far less tears this time around! And even though this recent “trip” was quite unconventional to most, it was probably the best I am going to get, and I enjoyed it! Lately, a lot of people have been talking about what the “new normal” of the world is going to be, and I hope virtual tours are something that sticks around. Not only is it more physically accessible, but it allows people with economic issues to still experience the beauties of the world in an immersive way. After all, isn’t art one thing that everyone should have access to?

Travelogue

The entrance to Greenwich Common featuring an arch with the words "Greenwich Common."
The spot of refreshment and relaxation in Greenwich. Taken August 20.

It was a warm August day on the East Coast, the noon sun was high in the sky, and the windows were down as I was scouring for a parking spot.

My boyfriend and dad were taking the day to golf in New York, so I took the car to get away and explore Greenwich, CT. I am not much of a golfer and I had an upcoming online exam, so I figured I would use my time to be productive with school and then after explore Greenwich, a town I had been dying to visit.

Luckily, I did end up finding a parking spot on Greenwich Ave., but this was soon the least of my worries. I had a loose plan held in my mind for how the day would go. I would park, walk around to see what stores and restaurants were open, sit down at one to take my exam, and then enjoy the remainder of the day shopping on the bustling road lined with shops from Tory Burch to Zara to local boutiques.

If only it were that simple.

I got out of the car, backpack on my shoulders, sunglasses on my face, ready to conquer this test and then stroll down the block. Immediately, I spotted a Starbucks right across from my parking spot and marched on over, thinking it was convenient enough. With the pandemic still being very present, I decided to peer around and see what I was working with. To my dismay, the Starbucks had no inside seating open, and they also did not have a patio. It was time for a plan B.

I wandered up and down a few blocks, not seeing any other coffee shops. I got back to the area of the Starbucks and saw a few tables set up in the street for outdoor dining. They were not attached to any specific business, and there was a table open. I snagged this table and pulled out my laptop. The placement of this seating area was just close enough to the Starbucks for me to connect to their free Wifi. Score!

I logged into the Wifi network and opened my Canvas page to then be notified by my laptop that it has 10% battery left. Are you kidding me?

There is no way that will last me long enough to get through an entire exam. Sweating from sitting in the sun and irritated from the morning’s mishaps, I decided to just walk around and try to enjoy the day.

I brought my backpack to my car while noticing my two hours were up on the meter. I got in the scorching hot black Jeep and opted to move my car to a different part of the shopping district. I found street parking on a side street one over from the main street with all the shops and begrudgingly began to window shop. I had planned on getting my schoolwork done so that I had no stress and could lollygag around Greenwich, but I was now just annoyed and had the weight of the work on me.

I happened to stumble upon a few tables and chairs on the sidewalk and looked up to see a cafe. How glorious! I peeked inside the windows and saw they have indoor seating as well! Oh joy! I scurried back to my car, grabbed my backpack and scuttled on back to the cafe of my salvation.

I walked inside and saw many two-top tables, bar seating, and a cozy nook of leather chairs. I ordered a coffee and a muffin at the counter and chose the cozy nook WITH AN OUTLET!

I happily plugged my laptop in and checked the time to see it is 1:30pm. I still have time to take this test and walk around afterwards. “Iced latte for Sophia,” is called from the bar and as I grabbed my afternoon pick me up from the counter I overheard the cashier tell a customer, “Oh yes I am sorry the Wifi is actually down today.”

Whaaatt!?

I went back to my nook, clicked on Wifi options, and saw that the cafe network will not connect. Eating my blueberry muffin and fed up with technology, I accepted defeat.

Left with no other option, I closed my laptop for the last time that day and decided to explore the city I traveled to.

I thanked the baristas and walked out of my once called salvation cafe. I brought my backpack to the car, threw it in the trunk, and only took my wallet and sunglasses with me for my next task, which is to try to have a good time exploring Greenwich.

With the knowledge that I won’t get the school work done, I moved on and immersed myself in seeing the beauty of the town. I shopped around and then went for a walk around the gorgeous neighborhood in the middle of Greenwich, CT.

Brick building with classic windows and a big tree with the sun shining through.
I totally loved the classic buildings and the simplistic charm. Taken August 20.

From the store-lined streets to the towering houses, I was in awe of expensive charm. I had never seen anything quite like it. I strolled the residential blocks and popped into a few stores, including Aritzia and Restoration Hardware. Luckily all the shops were open and welcomed customers in as long as they wore a mask due to Coronavirus precautions. I did not end up buying anything, but I tried to capture the day by taking a few photos. I always like to look back on trips and the memories are able to shine through pictures. Then I sat in the Greenwich Common, a miniature park shaded by trees, with benches for tourists to relax on and for employees to take their lunch break near.

Finally able to take a breath, I was reminded of my love of travel and the ability to experience new places. I felt a ping of sadness reflecting on the time wasted trying to be productive when in a new and breathtaking place.

I realized I was not meant to be on my computer for two hours taking an exam (that is not due for another week, might I add). I was meant to enjoy the world around me and focus on my surroundings in a new place.

Greenwich was beautiful, filled with classic architecture, an array of shops, custom homes, warm weather, and the ocean just a mile away.

As I drove back to New York to pick up the boys from golfing, I smile about my hectic yet fulfilling day.

Hydrangeas I saw on my walk around the neighborhood.
Hydrangeas are at a peak at this time in August, especially on the East Coast. I spotted these on my walk around the neighborhood. Taken August 20.
Listicle

For many University of Denver students, one of the largest draws to the campus is, without fail, the spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains. With mountains lining the Western sky, Denver is celebrated for its stunning sunsets.

The trick is finding that perfect spot to catch that mountain view, but with an ever-changing campus and several locations to choose from, it can be easy to find yourself frustrated with your options. Fortunately, current DU seniors have scoured the area for nearly four years, providing you with the five best places to enjoy everything a University of Denver sunset has to offer.

Sunset over Denvers Washington Park LakeImage taken at Washington Park Centennial Halls from Pinterest.com/AshStrick5280

5. Washington Park

Located a mile North of the University of Denver campus, Washington park provides spectators with an opportunity to experience beauty in an adventure off campus. With mountains and trees filling in the backdrop, the magical look is complete with a clear lake reflecting the world within. If you come in the spring and summer months, you may even see birds landing in the lake, adding to the sense of wilderness that one may find for a moment in the midst of a city scape.

Sunset over Rocky Mountains from Centennial HallsImage taken from the 10th floor of Centennial Halls by Alex Koon

4. Centennial Halls 10thFloor

For many first-year students, making the decision to live in one residence hall or another can be a headache. However, living in Centennial Halls (or befriending someone who does) sure comes with its benefits. Any resident may venture up to the 10thfloor lobby to witness the spectacular view of both the mountains and the city skyline. With a collection of shorter buildings in Denver, a 10-story residence hall is a treat for any site seeker.

Sunset over University of Denver CampusImage taken from the 5th floor of the SIE Complex from DU.edu

3. The SIE Complex 5thFloor

The SIE Complex is accessible to all DU community members, providing anyone with the opportunity to venture up to the striking 5thfloor. The modern building provides comfortable couches and billowing windows to watch the night sky creep in. In addition to the classic mountain view, sunset lovers also witness the picturesque view of the University of Denver campus from above, adding to the beauty of the sunset sky.

Pink sunset from Denver's Kunming ParkImage taken at Kunming Park by Alex Koon

2. Kunming Park

Most any warm Denver night, Kunming Park is filled with picnic blankets and photographers alike, all hoping to enjoy a near perfect view of the gorgeous mountain sky. Just West of the DU Campus, Kunming Park sits atop a small hill, creating the perfect opportunity for mountains to peak above the bustling neighborhood, an almost rare site from the ground in the University area.

Sunset from Evans Parking GarageImage taken from the Evans Parking Garage by Alex Koon

1. The Evans Parking Garage

Located on the Southeast corner of Evans and High street, the Evans Parking Garage is accessible for anyone to venture to the top. The steep incline combined with the open air provides a perfect 360 view of all that Denver has to offer. With mountains to the West, downtown to the North, and DU Campus to the East, it seems as though this entire sliver of the world is dazzled with color. At the top of the Evans Parking Garage, you are guaranteed to find beauty in any direction.

Listicle

I am a concert aficionado – I live and breathe for the rush of going to a concert. The feeling when the house lights drop in the amphitheater and then whole crowd goes crazy and the artist takes the stage and you know you’re about to have the best 2-ish hours of your life… Yeah, that’s the good stuff.

I know now with COVID pretty much anything has been cancelled or postponed, concerts included. But that doesn’t have to stop us from getting excited about future events and daydreaming about seeing our favorite artists again! So, in preparation for that glorious future, I have compiled a list of my 4 favorite small music theaters in Denver. These venues hold a plethora of potential – from hosting EDM artists, to small indie bands, to heavy metal, to trendy pop stars – it’s very probable that someone you’re familiar with has been to one of these concert halls.

1 – Ogden Theatre (935 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80218)

Located 15-20 minutes away from the University of Denver campus on East Colfax, sits the small but quaint theatre known as the Ogden. You find parking at either a street meter or a paid lot, and then go stand in line to enter the building. Once you’re inside and past the lobby, it’s a free-for-all to get a good spot for the show. The floor is tiered, getting a little more narrow as you get closer to the stage.

For wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, there is the top tier in the back that offers a great view and safety from the masses. If you want to sit, you can request a chair and sit in the ADA section, or up the stairs there’s balconies that have seating available.

A picture of singer Rachel Platten posing with her left arm up to show she is strong, there are purple lights behind her and a crowd in front of her
Rachel Platten at the Ogden Theatre, from March 25th 2016

2 – Paramount Theatre (1621 Glenarm Pl, Denver, CO 80202)

Sitting pretty, tucked away in the midst of the 16th Street Mall, is our next feature: the Paramount Theatre. With a maximum capacity of 1,870 people, this venue is great for all artists big and small. It offers an intimate and personal vibe, while accommodating everyone.

The wheelchair and limited mobility seating exists, but isn’t amazing. The area that is specifically reserved for ADA is the very back row, which isn’t that great of a view, especially when all the fans stand up and dance. I personally try to get front row seats, because they are removable, and then I obviously have a great view!

Singer Alessia Cara on stage with her left arm extended towards the audience to touch their hands, there is blue lighting behind her
Alessia Cara at the Paramount Theatre, on October 10th 2016

3 – Fillmore Auditorium (1510 N Clarkson St, Denver, CO 80218)

The Fillmore just screams music vibes from the moment you arrive. You spot the big bright sign advertising the night’s show, there’s music already playing (no matter how early you start to stand in line), and once inside it just feels so authentic. The kind of authenticity that the Hard Rock Cafes strive for, but will never reach compared to the Fillmore.

Like the Ogden, the Fillmore’s seating is at a first-come-first-serve basis. It is just one big pit, with side areas for the ADA and for those who prefer to sit. Once the concert starts, the whole building starts to thump along with the bass. But the acoustics are insane, it’s one of the best things I’ve heard.

Band 5 Seconds of Summer on stage, the audience takes up most of the picture, the band is lit by white and blue lights
5 Seconds of Summer at The Fillmore Auditorium, on September 30th 2018

4 – Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre (18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465)

This list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention Red Rocks at least once. Now, technically, this is not in Denver, but from the University of Denver, it’s only about a 30-minute drive. And it’s worth it, I promise.

Located literally inside the stones, the 70 rows of steps and seats face the stage. People say the artists get the best view of the audience and the magnificent landscape, but I always think I have the best view. The front row is not even 3 yards away from the stage, and the stage is a step taller than the ground level.

Wheelchair users and people with mobility issues get the best out of this deal, as the ADA section includes the first few rows or the 70th row at top. So, when I say I’ve got the best seat in the house, I usually mean it, as I am typically front-and-center singing my heart out.

Singer Halsey is posing on stage, her dancer is behind her also posing
Halsey at Red Rocks, on July 31st 2018

A lot of people right now are bummed about sporting events being cancelled and limited in capacity due to social distancing, but at least they still get to enjoy it somehow. With concerts being postponed until further notice, all I can do is stay “in-touch” with my favorites via social media where I am one of millions. At least when I go to concerts, I can tell myself they saw me and that they know of my existence. But until everything sorts itself out, I am an ant in their big world.

So, if you’re someone who isn’t so sure about this whole “mask thing,” please do it anyways. If not for the benefit and health of you and your community, do it for concerts. And until then, I will be listening to my playlists at full blast, daydreaming about the future.

Listicle

Local businesses are booming here in Denver, especially clothing boutiques. As a fashion lover myself, I have spent my fair share of time visiting the local clothing stores Denver has to offer.

I have compiled a list of my personal favorites, differing in location, style, and price point in hopes to offer a well-rounded shopping experience!

  1. Melrose and Madison
Image taken from instagram.com/melroseandmadison

The first that comes to mind is named Melrose and Madison, which features an expansive space, which is impressive for a boutique. It is on the premium side of shopping because it carries designer brands, which come with a higher price point. I buy my denim from here because they carry the brand names I prefer, like Mother Denim and Agolde. I feel good about supporting a local shop as opposed to a department store. It is located on Old South Pearl Street, a popular place to dine, walk, and shop. Their website is currently down, but their Instagram can be found here. 

2. Pinks Denver

Image taken from https://pinksdenver.godaddysites.com/

The second store I recommend checking out is called Pinks from LA. Trendy styles “straight from L.A.” prompt an appeal to a younger crowd. Many high school and college girls shop here because of this, and because of the reasonable prices, uncommon to see at boutiques. I shop here when I need a dress for an occasion, or just if I want a new top, and I can count on not overspending. They have lots to choose from and are constantly getting in new arrivals! This shop can be found on University Blvd, in between the I-25 exit and Cherry Creek area. Stalk their Instagram here.

3. Patterns and Pops

Image taken from instragram.com/patternsandpops

Next up is this bright shop which claims to have “sweet treats for your closet” featuring bright and unique styles for women of all ages. They carry baby and kids clothes too! They keep prices on the affordable side, without sacrificing quality. Their Instagram is very popular, especially for their try-on parties, which are helpful in seeing the clothes on a person! Patterns & Pops is on a busy block near Downtown Denver, in Lohi.

4. W Boutique

Image taken from instagram.com/wboutiquedenver

W prides themself on “East Coast meets West Coast fashion” with everything under $100. They carry a variety of styles and cater to woman of all ages. For example, I consistently find things I like here, and my mom also picks out stuff she would wear! This local boutique actually boasts two locations in the Denver area, one on Old South Gaylord Street near Wash Park, and the other in Southeast Denver off of Happy Canyon Road, near Cherry Hills. See their Instagram here. 

5. Meraki Moon

Image taken from instagram.com/shopmerakimoon

Lastly, I recommend stopping at this boho-inspired boutique  It is a cozy shop with carefree, yet aesthetically pleasing merchandising. They carry a range of brands, meaning the prices vary. Personally, I remember seeing a few designer brands with a higher price tag, but they also have sales! I scored a brand name tee shirt for $20! Wedged in a strip of local businesses, you can stop by Meraki Moon in the up and coming River North neighborhood in Denver. Check out their Instagram here . 

Review

There are two types of burgers in this world: the expensive burger with complicated garnish and seasoning served at fancy restaurants or the one that helps you eat your feelings away, and then some. Park Burger delivered that very necessary morale booster for my friends in the form of a mouthwatering hamburger. Located just off the University of Denver’s campus on Pearl Street, Park Burger nails the feel of a college restaurant that remains appealing to locals and families alike. Outdoor seating and heightened COVID-19 procedures made for a pleasant and stress-free afternoon lunch. The staff was very friendly, and it was not uncommon to see some friends from school. Our mouths were craving flavor, and Park Burger’s “The Royale” did not disappoint. Filled with bacon, bleu cheese, onions, “The Royale” had a very mature taste for a burger that does not break the bank. Expect to pay $12 for a meal with fries, college students rejoice! The garnish was optional and applied by the customer, which I tend to prefer since I don’t like an abundance of ketchup. The bun was nice and toasted, and the restaurant even boasted a gluten-free option which was quite helpful for one of my friends. I highly recommend giving Park Burger a try!

Walker

Yelp Review