On The Inside at
BLACK & READ

7821 Wadsworth Blvd.
www.blackandread.com

Conventional wisdom holds that a truly eclectic record store must be within the boundaries of some major metropolitan burg. Black & Read, located in Arvada, proves the exception to that rule. Part vinyl haven, part comic and gaming store, part used book nook, and part CD swapping bazaar, Black & Read caters to many tastes while maintaining an atmosphere so non-corporate, you'll feel guilty even holding a Starbucks cup within its walls.

The journey is long and desolate for the downtown dweller: through the Mousetrap, up past the irrigated hills of Wadsworth Blvd., and a quick turn before 80th into a shopping center bigger than Capitol Hill. In a twist of irony, this amazing resource for gaming and music hobbyists is located smack next door to a Hobby Lobby-- the wall separating the two shops must be under extreme tension, as role playing fanatics and potpourri lovers unwitting gaze at each other with only a few feet of solid surface between them. Still, Black & Read is proof that culture can live, even thrive, in the suburbs.

The book store section has the typical nonsensical (yet somehow logical) layout. One section of shelf headers reads, in order, "Lovecraft, Mushrooms, Drugs, Culture, Random Selection." A fitting chain of thought if ever one graced a bookshelf. Though vinyl occupies most of the floor space on the music side (and the website-- www.blackandread.com -- promises the store can order just about any vinyl you need), there is still a well-stocked and surprising gold mine of used CDs on the inner wall. A small outcropping of new CDs is there, too, if you can find it. The best part of the music selection is the way it enforces good taste through creative pricing: the tremendously overlooked Shivaree CD runs $6 while Britney Spears will set you back $8. In new CDs, many underground gems lurk for less than $15 ... some even as low as $12. Halleluiah, praise the Lord!

Old board games from the '60s and beyond can be had for a few bucks. The gaming selection, while not the best in town, certainly caters to the serious enthusiast, especially if you're into fantasy LARPs. Movies and DVDs are also on sale-- Black & Read stocks a small but fittingly obscure collection of both.

The real treat, however, is simply finding a store where genre selection outnumbers mainstream media by a factor of ten. If you're the type who enjoys browsing to discover your own tastes, not accepting whatever MTV offers up, this store is for you.

--Chris J. Magyar

Fashion Clip

The Bridge Urban Men's Wear is closing its doors after a successful year due to a loss of lease problem. The store is located at 10th and Broadway across from The Gart Sports Castle. They are closing their doors for good and, lucky for you, the bargains abound.

Italian designers pack walls of The Bridge, with sought out men's clothing labels such as Zingaro, Wilke Rodriquez, and Autumn Cashmere. "Everything must go," said owner Corey Kemp. "Guys need to get here early while we still have their sizes in stock."

The store has specialized in "bridging" the gap between career wear and casual wear, and has all the transitional goods on sale. The first week of June, everything will be 20 percent off, and will go down an additional 10 percent each week following until the last day of the month.

Did somebody say shoes? The Bridge also has nearly the entire line of Carlos Morandi shoes up to 50 percent off retail prices-- and we're not talking about your father's old-fashioned brown loafers here. It will also have its entire line of Gino Franco watches at unbeatable prices as well.

"We have huge discounts on everything in the store, including designer suits, shoes, and watches," Kemp said. It's like Christmas in June, and will be over the last day of the month. Write down the names and sizes of every man on your gift buying list (isn't Father's Day this month?) and stock up on the bargains while you can.

And Kemp? I don't think we've seen the last of her in the fashion scene. "There is always another opportunity knocking on my door, and I am looking straight ahead."

--Kity Ironton

Local Arts

When it's not raining, Denver is warmer than, well, need I say it? Here are a few ideas for cool artsy things to do in Denver when you're hot.

1. Take a dip in a cool pool, or at least smell the chlorine. Check out the expansive tile mural that graces Denver University's El Pomar Natatorium, inside the Ritchie Center. Created by local artist and DU prof Maynard Tischler and New Mexico artist Ken McDonald, it depicts several seascape views, from a roiling, churning surface to the water's calm depths. It is as beautiful as it is huge. The entire mosaic is comprised of three panels and measures 270 feet long (the length of a football field), 14 feet high, and is made of 16,000 individual tiles. The Ritchie Center allows visitors, and you can get an excellent elevated view of the mural from a walkway, but you have to be a member to use the pool (get info at www.recreation.du.edu).

2. Stroll through a cool sculpture garden. Luckily we have several options here in town, what with Artyard and Museum of Outdoor Arts, but one sculpture garden you might not be familiar with is part of Charles Kristen Galleries at 32nd and Osceola. Gallery owner Kristen Larsen has spent the last month sprucing up the garden and it's ready for summer! Enjoy the happy combination of fine art and colorful foliage-- and maybe take a piece home for your own yard. Charles Kristen is open Tuesday to Friday, 10:30 am to 5 pm, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm; phone 303-433-5592.

3. Take a cool class. SPACE Gallery at 2026 Larimer offers life drawing classes Monday evenings from 7 to 9 pm Artists (and aspiring artists) may sign up for a 10-week course or just drop in as space is available. SPACE's Michael Burnett is excited about the cross-section of people, representing a range of ages and abilities, the classes have attracted. The gallery is cool and spacious and hey, what better way to show your stuff off to a gallery owner? Call 303-308-0330 for information.

4. Learn a cool trick. I mean an artist trick. Every time I visit Patrick at Meininger, my favorite art supply store guru, I learn something. He always has an idea on how to make a neater corner or straighten a leaning frame. And he's never too busy to ask about my art.

5. Sip a cool cocktail. Think this isn't an art? Then you haven't yet found one of Denver's funky hip sipping lounges. Try Dazzle at 930 Lincoln or the Blue Room at B-52 Billiards (1920 Market). The décor alone will cool you way down, daddy-o. And that, my friends, is the key to summer survival.