| FIRST FRIDAYS | AUG/SEPT EVENTS | HOPE FOR YOUTH PARTY | RUNNING OF THE GAYS! | PAST EVENTS |
FIRST FRIDAYS
Join us every First Friday in the ArtsDistrict on Santa Fe for a youth performance at a local gallery!
Short poetry sets will be at approximately 7:15 and 7:45 pm.
Contact Event Coordinator Nick Orf
Check each month for specifics.
September 3 :: FIRST FRIDAY (details to be announced)
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 11 :: HOPE FOR YOUTH CELEBRATION
On Saturday, September 11th from 6:30 to 10 pm, come to Chez 4001 for a celebration to benefit the youth of Art from Ashes!
[download the invitation here]
The party for art will be held at Chez 4001 in the Highlands Neighborhood of Denver (must RSVP for actual address :: requested minimum donation $45). Organized by a collection of friends who are celebrating their birthdays in support of Art from Ashes :: all (tax-deductible) donations will go straight to Art from Ashes youth programs.
Have a great time and celebrate the arts with poetry, music, wine and microbrews with guest speakers and performers:
Chris Ransick :: Denver Poet Laureate & author of Asleep Beneath the Hill of Dreams
Lucifury :: Spoken Word Artist, ranked 5th in the world
Chance Two Crow :: Spoken Word & Hip-Hop Artist, and Youth Representative on the AfA Board of Directors
Evan Sitchler :: Acoustic Guitar and Ukulele
Nick Orf :: Performance Poet & MC
6:30 to 7 Appetizers by Bay Window Catering
with Fine Wine and Microbrews
7 to 7:30 Poetic Inspiration
(Informal after-party till midnight)
Dress for a Night on the Town!
Email Reid or call the office at 303.837.1550 for more information
You can either CLICK HERE to donate through GivingFirst.org (include Hope for Youth in the notes section and you'll automatically be registered)
OR CLICK HERE to Register and donate via PayPal or by check
Upon registration and receipt of your donation, we'll send the exact location of the event. Thank you!
SEPTEMBER 26 :: RUNNING OF THE GAYS!
A 3-block marathon in heels to fund creative programs for LGBTQ youth
On Sunday Sept. 26 at 11 am, join Denver's gay community, Art from Ashes, Ed Gillespie of G3 & Noelle Benjamin of Salon Noelle in the first Denver Running of the Gays to support creative programs for youth. Runners have agreed to raise $250 each in sponsorships to run 3 blocks down 17th Avenue in heels! Art from Ashes supplies the t-shirts, runners supply the heels, Steuben's and Hamburger Mary's supply the specials, and JR's supplies the party!
SIGN UP HERE to BE A RUNNER!
CLICK HERE to SPONSOR A RUNNER!
Download the flyer to print as a pdf here
Runners can download information here:
PREVIOUS EVENTS
AUGUST 26 :: DYLAN THOMAS SOCIETY DINNER
The Dylan Thomas Society, founded in 2010 by Mark Bell (download bio)—an attorney with Jacobs Chase Law Firm—was established in memory of his mother for donors who want to give with purpose. The Society is a separate fund with benefits such as poetry gifts, banquets and luncheons, the obligatory pub crawls (hey, we're talking Dylan Thomas!), and special youth performances for members. Membership in the society is for community-minded givers who are committed to donating a minimum of $1,000 a year or $100 a month through GivingFirst.org.
Our first private event of the Dylan Thomas Society was held at Strings Restaurant, 1700 Humboldt St. in Denver (download the invitation here) At the dinner, members were given the opportunity to invest in our youth programs, after a delicious meal, cocktails, a youth performance, and an invitation to work with Art from Ashes from our sponsor Mark Bell. You may contact Mark at 303.870.4809 or mbell@JCFKK.com for more information, or you can become a member by making a contribution at GivingFirst.org below, which also allows donors to make monthly comtributions through automatic withdrawals.
APRIL 30 :: SECOND ANNUAL SLAMPHOENIX! POETRY AND CREATIVE ARTS CELEBRATION
Each year we come together to celebrate the spoken word and the power of intentional creation. This annual event, held in honor of National Poetry Month, is a collaboration of artists and Denver Slam Poets, with special performances by the Art from Ashes Youth Poets. This year we also featured our new Casting Shadows theater program. With hands-on interactive workshops and activity booths, there was a little something for everyone from poetry to graffiti and other creative activities in between. CLICK HERE to download the Slam Phoenix flyer.
Art from Ashes organizes this event, not only in celebration of National Poetry month, but to celebrate its relationship with the community and with organizations serving young people. Our host this year was Cole Arts and Science Academy located at 3240 Humboldt in Denver.
Our main sponsor, Jacobs Chase, a firm with 11 attorneys including Art from Ashes board member Mark Bell, named 2010 Super Lawyers*.
*Super Lawyers magazine names attorneys in each state who received the highest point totals, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research.
MAY 16 :: GO FOR THE GOLD COLFAX MARATHONMARCH 7 :: POWER IN THE CITY: Public Voice through the Art of Spoken Word and Graffiti
A night celebrating urban arts, community, and the power of self expression organized by students from DU's Denver Urban Issues and Policy course as the final class assignment. In collaboration with Your Name in Graffiti and Art from Ashes, the theme was the power of public voice through the urban art forms of spoken word and graffiti. The event was held at the Mercury Café and featured five youth poets.
Sponsored by: The Puksta Foundation and DU’s Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning (CCESL)
MARCH 5 :: FIRST FRIDAY
The March First Friday youth performance was held at Museo on 9th and Inca and featured five Art from Ashes youth poet!
Click here to buy prints of Laurie Maves' recent painting of the AfA event "Out From the Ashes" :: Pictured are (from left) Spoken Word Poet and AfA Facilitator Lucifury, Youth Poet Natalia, Executive Director Catherine O'Neill Thorn, Guest Poet LINK (Joshua Abeyta), Youth Poet and AfA Board Member Chance Two Crow, Youth Poet Keizuan, Director of Operations Marie Verrett, and [above] Jonny 5, emcee.
A reflection of renewal—from sacrifice to redemption—at Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church
The Art from Ashes youth poets performed for the community in an presentation emceed by Jonny 5 of 
Click here to watch the video.
FEBRUARY 5 :: FIRST FRIDAY
The February First Friday youth performance featured a special reading at Artwork Network in honor of former AfA youth poet Rinu, who died suddenly the week before. More information will be posted here in the upcoming week, including an article about Rinu and the event by Tina Griego of The Denver Post.
WE ARE THE WORD! 2010 NEW YEAR CONCERT, JAN. 9
at ANDREWS ON LINCOLN
Thanks to Andrews on Lincoln for donating space and income from our first benefit concert of 2010! And many, many thanks to the wonderful musicians who supported our work with performances: DJ Cyn, More Cowbell, Jonny 5 of the Flobots, Paradox, UmConscious, Oakhurst and Vices I Admire
APPRECIATION/BENEFIT PARTY AT THE APPALOOSA GRILL, DEC. 16
Art from Ashes held a party to thank all of our donors, friends, volunteers, board members, vendors and people in the community who have to graciously supported our work with youth over the past six years. Our appreciation/benefit was held at one of the finest bars and restaurants in downtown Denver, where more than 70 people celebrated our success and had a chance to meet some of the youth poets with whom we've worked this past year.
download the flyer • View photos
FIRST FRIDAY on DEC. 4
Our last youth performance opportunity is Dec 4, 2009 for First Friday at Museo de las Americas at 861 Santa Fe Dr., Denver CO 80204
[map]
National Assoc. for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, NOV. 16
Art from Ashes youth poets from the workshops at Urban Peak performed at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth conference at the Denver Marriott.
TRANSCEND 2009, NOV. 14
"A colorful collaborative event to celebrate diversity in our collective communities and elevate our inner artist."
The first of an annual celebration of art, that featured 25 artists, music, authors and the Art from Ashes youth poets!
SUNDAY ON STAGE, NOV. 8
Denver Arts Week/Sunday on Stage in Boettcher Hall at DPAC. A reading of poetry by Denver Poet Laureate Chris Ransick, Pikes Peak Poet Laureate Aaron Anstett, and 8 youth poets chosen for the Poetry in Motion project (youth poems on 800 RTD buses), including Art from Ashes youth poet Dominic Perez.
FIRST FRIDAY on NOV. 6
Art from Ashes youth poets performed at Abecedarian Gallery, 910 Santa Fe Dr. Unit #101
FIRST PLYMOUTH CHURCH :: OCT. 17
ARGUSFEST AT MERCURY CAFE :: Sat., Aug. 22
ArgusFest featured performances by AfA youth poets in celebration of 8 years of raising awarness of human rights, social justice, media, and environmental issues.
RACE FOR A CAUSE :: July 18
Taylor Jones participated in Race for a Cause in Aurora. The money donated to support her race was given to Art from Ashes, her chosen nonprofit. Thanks, Taylor!
SLAMPhoenix! :: Thursday, April 30
:: Our April Poetry & Spoken Word Festival in honor of national Poetry Month was held at Denver Big Picture high school at 35th and Franklin.
We had booths with art projects and poetry writing prompts as well as guest performances and performance poets Bianca Mikahn and Lady Speech providing tips on performing spoken word.
FIRST FRIDAY on April 3
was a blast, as usual! We joined Denver Poet Laureate Chris Ransick and DOCA for Poets on Corners!
HERMAN'S HIDEAWAY BENEFIT CONCERT :: Sat., March 21
Top bands team with youth poets in fundraiser
Several of Denver’s hottest bands will join forces with a group of young poets to benefit Art from Ashes in a March 21 concert at Herman’s Hideaway. Vonnegut, Dead Ringer, Arms Raised, Electric Ordinary, Station X, Novus Folium and The Paradox are among the groups that will perform that night. Artist Laurie Maves will be performing "live art" on stage during the sets and her artwork will be auctioned off at the event to raise funds for our work.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Art from Ashes, a Denver nonprofit that empowers struggling youth through poetry and other therapeutic workshops that facilitate expression, connection and transformation. What makes this concert unique is that some of the bands will premier songs they have written that were inspired by youth poets who have participated in the Art from Ashes Phoenix Rising poetry program.
Find out more information about the bands on their MySpace pages:
Vonnegut
Dead Ringer
With Arms Raised
Electric Ordinary
The Paradox
Station X
Novus Folium
SATURDAY, NOV 15, 2008: PeaceJam Slam at Denver Center for International Studies
Art from Ashes provided two workshops at the PeaceJam "Global Call to Action" event featuring Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nomalizo Tutu. The event also featured youth poets on stage before an audience of youth and adult sponsors. Thanks to a grant from Colorado Humanities, the poems of several youth from Denver Children's Home were read as part of the performance.*
:: Check out the slideshow ::
(If anyone would like copies of the photos sent to them, please contact us with your request at info@artfromashes.org)
*Colorado Humanities, a program of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Flobots.org, and sponsors and donors of Art from Ashes are funding 24 workshops at Denver Children's Home through Dec. 10.
NOV 7, 2008: FIRST FRIDAY
Our young poets performed at various art galleries along Santa Fe
WEDNESDAY, OCT 22, 2008: Volunteer Appreciation Retro Bowling Party!
FRIDAY, OCT 17, 2008: Workshops, Poetry and Music at the Arapahoe Community College Writers' Studio!
Colorado Humanities, a program of the National Endowment for the Humanities, sponsored an events at ACC which featured our youth poets from Denver Children's Home. The event also included an Art from Ashes workshop on writing from the creative right-brain; music by Coyote Poets of the Universe; guest poet and slam champion Bianca Mikahn; and a bake sale run by our young friends at Columbine High School. All proceeds benefited Art from Ashes and our work with youth.
:: Check out the slideshow ::
(If anyone would like copies of the photos sent to them, please contact us with your request at info@artfromashes.org)
SATURDAY, SEPT 27, 2008: SkyDive4Free
Our celebrity jumpers, ALICE 105.9's executive producer Mikey Goldenberg, BJ, Howie & Jennifer Morning Show host Jennifer Wilde, and Denver Poet Laureate Chris Ransick, and our own team of volunteers jumped out of "a perfectly good plane" to raise money for AfA! Click below to watch the video or a slideshow of the jumpers.
:: ALICE 105.9 video
CLICK HERE to read about it!
Oh, and by the way, we're doing it again with the 2009 skydiving team on Saturday, September 19th, 2009. I hope you can join us next year, everyone is invited, just let us know via email.
:: Slideshow ::
JUNE 6, 2008: First Friday
Art from Ashes six young poets performed at the corner of 9th and Santa Fe with Coyote Poets of the Universe, a combination band and spoken word performance group.
MAY 2, 2008: First Friday
Art from Ashes five young poets performed at the corner of 9th and Inca with Coyote Poets of the Universe, a combination band and spoken word performance group.
APRIL 4, 2008: First Friday
"Poets on Corners," an event for National Poetry Month organized by Denver Poet Laureate Christopher Ransick and the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs, boasted a variety of well-known local poets standing on street corners as part of the Santa Fe Arts Walk. Art from Ashes youth poets, along with Coyote Poets of the Universe, a combination band and spoken word performance group, performed at the corner of 9th and Inca from 6.30 to 7.30 pm.
MARCH 7, 2008: First Friday
Art from Ashes youth poets not only performed at Artwork Network and at Laughing Bean Café on Santa Fe and 10th, but also on local TV Channel 57!
FEB. 27, 2008: Erin Gruwell Event at the Colorado Convention Center
The Mayor's Office of Education and Children, the Mizel Museum and the Facing History project presented an event featuring speaker Erin Gruwell of Freedom Writers for 5,000 middle school and high school students and educators. The lineup included First Lady Jean Ritter, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Fate and Colorado Hip Hop Elements, and a presentation by Catherine O'Neill Thorn, Art from Ashes Executive Director, and performances by two AfA youth poets: Lorenzo Salazar and Giovanni Lopez.
FEB. 23, 2008: Artopia
Art from Ashes was presented with the MasterMind Award and a check for $4,000 at Artopia presented by Westword. Youth poets Lorenzo Salazar, Chance Two Crow and "Phoenix" read their poems at the event.
FEB. 22, 2008: Denver Press Club Thomas Hornsby Ferril Poetry Contest Reading
The Denver Press Club announced the winners for the first poetry contest in the name of former Colorado Poet Laureate Thomas Hornsby Ferril, and one of the Art from Ashes youth poets, Tripp, was a winner! The Press Club donated proceeds from the reading and from the contest to Art from Ashes, and Denver Poet Laureate Chris Ransick and Mike Henry of Lighthouse Writers were the guest bartenders who donated their tips to Art from Ashes.
DEC. 7, 2007: First Friday Christmas Party
All those who have supported our work in the past, whether volunteers or donors, attended a party and youth poetry performance, featuring Giovanni Lopez and Lorenzo Salazar.
OCT. 26, 2007: Youth Performance and Fundraiser
...and PARTY! We always have a good time at our fundraisers, and this was no exception. Between the comedy team of Wrist Deep, the fantastic Rooster Brothers Band,the youth poets, wine, appetizers and desserts, and our amazing supporters, the event at Crossroads Theater was amazing! Thank you to all of those who weren't able to attend and yet still bought tickets.
SEPT. 21, 2007: FLOBOTS CD release show, featuring Jonny 5, the Dualistics, Nathan & Stephen at the Gothic Theatre.
SEPT. 3, 2007: Poets' Picnic on Labor Day at Washington Park from 5 to 8 pm, sponsored by Access Idiom
AUG. 15, 2007: Presentation and reading at Crossroads Theater's Wednesday night open mic poetry, featuring youth poet Ietef Hotep Vita
AUG. 3, 2007: KGNU Radio Interview [listen]
JULY 13, 2007: Open Dialogue XI: Global Connections to Cultural Democracy
Art from Ashes youth poets performed at the biennial conference of arts organizations and artists from communities of color and their supporters in America, held July 12-15 at the Magnolia Hotel in Denver.
JUNE 16, 2007: Cultural Legacy Booksellers at 3633 W. 32nd Ave. dedicated 10% of total sales on June 16 to Art from Ashes. The Highlands Square Street Festival was held on that day, and Cultural Legacy hosted a reading featuring several authors and our youth poets. Thank you to owners Steve and Celia!
MARCH 11, 2007: Fine Cuisine and Fine Arts at Highland's Garden Café featuring Denver Poet Laureate Chris Ransick
Chris Ransick read from his latest book Lost Songs and Last Chances. Proceeds from the reading were donated to Art From Ashes, as well as a generous donation from the owners.
MARCH 2007 :: Art Show at Nine10Arts
The month-long showing and silent auction at theGallery at Nine10Arts was sponsored by 910Arts Nonprofit. The show featured the beautiful collage artwork of Manivone Nonthaveth, which combines the photography of Manivone and Lewis Lease and the poetry of our youth. There are several pieces left (see below for example :: click on photo to view larger image). Please contact us to own a truly unique work of art for your home or office or to give as a gift for someone who supports art, poetry or youth.
— richard bach, "adventures of a reluctant messiah"
FEBRUARY 23, 2007: Thomas Hornsby Ferril Birthday Poetry Reading
The Ferril Birthday Celebration at the Denver Press Club, 15th and Glenarm, was sponsored by the Denver Press Club and Lighthouse Writers Workshops, which also had a birthday celebration at Ferril's former home on Feb. 24. One of Colorado's first Poet Laureates Ferril was a long-time member of the Denver Press Club and a celebrated essayist, columnist and editor. One of our youth poets performed along with former Colorado Gov. Dick Lamm and his wife Dottie, Denver Poet Laureate Chris Ransick, Denver Post reporter Mike McPhee, the Rev. Leon Kelly of Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives, poet David J. Rothman, and DPC members Anneliese Rix, Frank Steiger and Catherine O'Neill Thorn.
JANUARY 11-13, 2007: Symposium Benefit at the Boulder Republic
The Dis-Enkultured Poets conducted a Boulder Symposium at the Boulder Republic, which raised $2,000 for our youth programs. The 3-day fundraising event featured workshops and performances that included youth readings by the Art from Ashes youth poets, rock mogul and Naropa poet Steven Taylor, 2006 American Book Award winner Tim Hernandez, Deep Rawk Dave & and the Council of Word, DJ Lazyeyez (Radio 1190), and DJ Chris Nathan (KGNU).
DECEMBER 13, 2006 Holiday Martini Mixer at The Loft Bar & Lounge! Carrie Baumann, owners Jamie and Shane, and bartenders Scott and Johnnie made the evening great fun for the 35 attendees, and our young poets Phoenix, Giovanni, Inetta, Tripp and Leticia spoke to the power of the program and each read two poems written during the workshops.
OCTOBER 15, 2006 Gala at the Oriental Theater with Wendy Woo, spoken word artist Bataan, Chris Ransick, Denver's Poet Laureate, Katy Pivoda and Eddie Davis of the Denver Youth Slam Team, and our famous youth spoken word poets received a strong show of support from the community. CLICK HERE to see photos.
More than 200 people attended our first gala event, which included a wine tasting, an art auction, a "Live Art" date auction, and youth performances, as well as performances by Wendy Woo and Bataan, Christopher Ransick, Katy Pivoda and Eddie Davis. Dr. Ronald Jemal Stephens, Chair of the Department of African and African American Studies at Metropolitan State College of Denver addressed the audience about the importance of community outreach and partnerships that provided direction and growth for young people in difficult circumstances.
CLICK HERE to view the donors and sponsors of the event.
MAY 7, 2006 English Tea Party and Sassy Stuff Spring Shopping Spree
Thanks to the 20 people who attended Miranda's party and who purchased from
Sassy Stuff! Sassy Stuff generously donated a percentage of the proceeds to Art
from Ashes and some of the attendees also made cash donations. Bless you!
APRIL 22, 2006
Youth performance with PoeJazz at the Cool Cat Café
Located at TOSA (1400 Dallas St.) in Aurora
Community members gathered for the opening of the Cool Cat Café, a center
for youth artwork run by The Other Side Arts. Several poets from the Phoenix
Rising workshops at The Spot performed.
APRIL 6, 2006
Youth performance with PoeJazz at the Arapahoe Community College's Writing
Center
Over 100 students and community members gathered in Half Moon theater at
Arapahoe Community College April 6, 2006, to celebrate poetry and jazz by
listening to the young poets from the Phoenix Rising workshops at The Spot and
the PoeJazz of the Lou Malandra Trio. The articulate, unique, and raw poetry of
the poets from Art from Ashes moved many to tears, and the poets received
several standing ovations.
MARCH 18, 2006
A Fundraiser for Art from Ashes: Music, Poetry & Fashion at Beyond Nightclub!
FEBRUARY 28, 2006
Poetry Reading at Curious Coffee
From 7 to 8 pm, five poets from the Art from Ashes adult writing workshops
presented a reading of their work written over the past few sessions. These
transformational poems manifest the beauty and power of the written and spoken
word, and it is the first public reading for these women. Curious Coffee
graciously provided coffee, tea and dessert for the event.
SLIDESHOWS/VIDEOS
:: shine ::
Watch our 4-minute video produced by Rachel Julkowski
:: Low Res (small file)
:: High Res (large file)
or check it out on youtube!
Please contact us if you'd like to be sent a DVD of our video :: info@artfromashes.org
:: Check out the Flobots Rise! video ::
:: Check out the PeaceJam slideshow ::
:: Check out the Arapahoe Community College slideshow ::
:: Check out the SkyDive slideshow ::
