Dawes’ Album: Good Luck with Whatever – A Timeless and Authentic Musical Journey

Taylor Goldsmith, the lead singer of the folk-rock band Dawes, is passionate about creating authentic and timeless music that resonates with his fans. However, in a world where success is often measured by chart-topping hits and commercial popularity, Taylor and his bandmates have taken a different approach, focusing on building a legacy of albums and shows that will stand the test of time. The band’s “Good Luck with Whatever” album is a testament to this philosophy.

Programs for youth..everywhere

Youth on Record (YOR) recognizes that education alone can not solve systemic injustice, nor can it alone liberate youth. Art is a powerful tool, but it also cannot bear the sole responsibility of creating more equitable communities. Still, education and art, when integrated under the right framework, are powerful tools for liberation and equity.

The Lilac Hour in Fort Collins

Zoe Berman grew up in Simsbury, Conn., but calls Denver home. Zoe is a singer-songwriter who plays a mix of soul, jazz, and Americana music. Zoe wrote her new release, “Lilac Hour,” on a bike ride through the foothills (over by Reservoir Ridge) when she lived in Fort Collins.

This song will ultimately be part of a seven-song EP released in 2021 entitled “Freezing Heat,” a project Zoe is working on at Third & James Studios in Denver.

Liz Lawrence

Liz Lawrence, a talented designer based in Colorado Springs, channels her passion into her brand, Lizigns. With a focus on graphic and fashion design, Liz creates wearable art by repurposing thrifted finds. Overcoming challenges as a Black female designer, she emphasizes the importance of authenticity in her work. Liz recently launched Been Thrifty Vintage Mystery Boxes, curating personalized thrifted items. Committed to supporting the Black community, she advocates for genuine connections and inclusive opportunities. Discover her designs and unique approach to creativity at Lizigns.

Start Where You Stand, Support The Cultural Enrichment Center

Jamal Skinner, founder and Executive Director of FoCo Cultural Enrichment Center asks, “Initially, I challenge the community. 170,000 people are living in this community. Probably point zero-zero-2% of that are Black teenagers. So my idea is, can we find 1% of 170,000 people who are willing to contribute $5 a month?”

Little Zurich: An Open-Air Holiday Market in Fort Collins

The Little Zurich is an ethereal open air holiday market with warm fires roaring, and hundreds of twinkling lights adorning the four Swiss wooden vendor huts built by the owner, Todd Simmons and local legend Phil Benstein, with support from volunteers/regulars of the Wolverine Farm Letterpress & Publick House. Little Zurich is every Thursday-Saturday 4 pm-8 pm and Sundays from 12 pm-4 pm from now through the end of the year.

Stand like an Oak with Compassion and Strength

“Music can be a great equalizer…. bringing folks together across the boundaries of country, language, ideals, religions, rage, gender, politics, and everything else that can separate us. I believe, and have felt in the music that I love, a deepening of my own spirit when in musical spaces. A certain levity as well. Some could call it spiritual. Others may call it celebratory. Either way, art calls us into a very sacred space… outside of our heads and our to do lists. From that space, so many things can be built and reimagined. We need artists at the table of policy and design and education. Artists bring the charisma and magnetism that the world is drawn to. Without that, where is the intrigue?”

Snakes & Saints: What We Decide to Carry and Hold Onto

“We live in a world of snakes and saints. It’s hard to tell the difference these days” sings Treva Blomquist on a brand new song called “Strong”. The singer-songwriter hails from Nashville TN and just released an album called Snakes & Saints. “Navigating life in this world is not easy,” says Treva. “At the end of the day, the only thing I have control over is my own actions. Who will I choose to be? What are the ideas I will let carry and guide me? Will my voice and actions match my heart? I hope so.”

Make Believe at the Drive-in

“​Make Believe ​ is whatever your wildest imagination can dream up. It’s an unwavering commitment to that dream in order to make it reality,” said TGR co-founder Steve Jones. “Ultimately, it has been in the works for 25 years. Realizing all-time conditions in almost every location this past season, ​Make Believe ​showcases some of the most progressive athletes and riding on the planet. We are pumped to kick off winter with innovative worldwide screenings at locations such as Drive Ins, Outdoor Pop-up Theaters, private screenings, and more.”

The Juice, The Sauce, and The Love.

Love’s title track, The Juice (feat. Marcus King), is the quintessential part of the entire album. This is the most critical part of the work G. Love and Special Sauce is doing right now. “That song is a protest song about where we’re at right now, about the Trump administration, and his Presidency and kind of how I feel it needs to go.” The Juice is a rallying cry, offering some support to activists, and a call to politicians for change. “Juice is supporting people trying to get [Trump] him out of there and encouraging more people to vote, encouraging people with progressive agendas and liberal values. You know. Giving them some energy.”

Find your pathway with a pilot at FoCo StartUp/ArtUp week

Emily Satterlee is Founder of ItyDity, a one-of-a-kind Songboard™ technology. Emily is adding to her technology portfolio, by Co-Founding Pathway Pilot, with the first launch at Fort Collins Startup Week kick-off in a keynote. Attendees can download the Pathway Pilot beta to curate a relevant, unique, conference schedule.

The Lil Smokies on the road, longing for home in the desert

The snow is falling in Colorado. The wind is blowing. The mountain roads are horrendous at times as The Lil Smokies trek through promoting their third Studio Album Tornillo. Andy Dunnigan (vox and dobro) and I share a moment over a coffee and joke about the weather that forced the band an extra stop on i70. Dunnigan was in Frisco and happy for the daylight and the open pass so Fort Collins can share an evening with them at Washington’s Thursday, February 13.