Things To Do In DEMver

Fans of the funny pages probably noticed “Doonesbury” author Garry Trudeau recently poking fun at the Republican Party’s perceived lack of big-name entertainment supporters as both major parties prepare for their nominating conventions.

The Democratic National Convention likely won’t be facing a shortage of star wattage as AEG Live Rocky Mountain’s Chuck Morris is assisting convention organizers in lining up entertainment for the confab that hits Denver August 25-28. And the “official” entertainment is far from the only politically tinged game in town that week.

Morris told Pollstar he is merely helping out with entertainment and can’t speak for the DNC, but confirmed that Willie Nelson is doing at least one private event the night before his Red Rocks Amphitheatre gig with Jerry Jeff Walker and Jakob Dylan.

Dave Matthews Band and Kanye West are reportedly also doing private events for delegates during DNC. Neither was confirmed at press time, but their schedules at least don’t conflict with it.

Given Morris’ relationship with the Eagles and the band’s support of Democratic candidates and causes, it was no surprise the band had been hotly rumored to be performing during the DNC. While that scenario has been shot down by sources in Denver, Bruce Springsteen’s name has surfaced and remained “an open question mark” at press time.

One need not be a delegate to see some top performers in the Mile High City during the convention week, nor be a Democratic Party supporter. City Park expects up to 20,000 people during the week for a series of concerts and protest.

Rage Against The Machine, which announced it will play the Target Center during the GOP’s August confab in Minneapolis, is co-hosting the free “Tent State Music Festival To End The War” at the Denver Coliseum August 27.

Scheduled to appear with RATM are Flobots, The Coup, State Radio and MC5’s Wayne Kramer. Free tickets are available by lottery at Cuernavaca Park beginning August 24 for the show. The show starts at 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, Jesse Morreale, formerly of Denver’s Nobody In Particular Presents and now running M, Inc., is teaming with The Creative Coalition to bring a delegation of entertainment industry figures to both party conventions.

The delegations are led by co-chairs Tim Daly, Kerry Washington, Tom Fontana and Sue Kramer and include Quentin Tarantino, Spike Lee, Susan Sarandon, Annette Bening, Ellen Burstyn, Dana Delany and Barry Levinson.

Morreale’s restaurants – Mezcal, Tambien, La Rumba and Rockbar – will host issue-oriented luncheons, receptions and dinners during the week.