Ignite Denver #19 took place in a snowstorm in February. The skies opened up once again over Ignite Denver #20 in early June, soaking the street but not the pre-show eats of Biker Jim’s Dogs. A couple of well-placed oversize umbrellas kept the dogs & buyers dry.
The festivities began inside with a full lineup of speakers:
And our wonderful Master of Ceremonies, Kat Atwell, started the evening by telling us what Ignite Denver is about, and her experience as a performer.
Kat really likes these dancers. She is not one of those dancers.
The A Side started with Daniel Stones, delivering a message about raising his children
The one on the right is not one of Dan’s children.
Helene Kwong then entertained with stories about her time in San Francisco as a hot dog vendor.
Your karma ran over my hot dogma.
Joanne Burke Peterson then told us how to delay procrastinating. (See what I did there?)
More monkeys. You’re welcome.
And Elizabeth Boese showed us how to do what you love and love what you do.
We all love Nyan Cat, right?
Gabriel DiCristofaro rounded out the night’s opening by telling us about the reptile brain and black marbles therein.
Stop. Lizard time.
The intermission was graced by the murder ballads & love songs of Charming Disaster, a duo featuring Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris
Charming Disaster – Ellia Bisker & Jeff Morris
Once we returned to our seats, Ravi Raman began the B side by revealing the benefits of quitting your job and traveling the world.
These are not zoo elephants.
Meridith Grundei exhorted us to get out and fucking play!
But not playing like W is playing with this baby.
Jacob Anderson told us what to tell your tech person.
Animals and babies. Noticing a theme?
We were taught the tools for coping in the world by Shelsea Ochoa
Love is all you need. And a few other tools.
The evening’s speakers concluded with Kerstin Caldwell explaining just how fucking brilliant we really are.
I was a musician. Who were you?
The only way we could keep the night rolling after such an engaging group of speakers was to rely on the energy and potency of the parlor rock of Kotorino.
Kotorino
After ten talks (plus Kat!) and two bands, we left the Oriental Theater a little wiser, a little more tipsy (it’s ok, we had designated drivers), and with many songs in our hearts. The rain had cleared and Ignite Denver would sleep until November 5, 2015, when we’ll meet back at the Oriental for Ignite Denver 21.
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All photos ©Sam O'Daniel for Ignite Denver