1. Stan Kroenke

Owner, Kroenke Sports Enterprises (Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Crush, Colorado Mammoth, Pepsi Center, Paramount Theatre, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Altitude Sports & Entertainment, TicketHorse)

• Last year's ranking: 6

• Why he ranks: Dick's Sporting Goods Park has already hosted the MLS All-Star Game (with David Beckham in attendance) and Colorado Rapids games. The June concert by Kenny Chesney figures to be the first of many out there. His Pepsi Center hosts the Democratic National Convention next year, not to mention pro sports of all kinds and every major indoor concert. TicketHorse, his new ticket agency, handles some of his events and could allow him to be one of the biggest names in the nation to break with Ticketmaster.

• Next challenge: Keep filling those venues and increasingly use TicketHorse. The buzz suggests he and Phil Anschutz will form a closer, more formal working relationship.

2. Randy Weeks

President & CEO, Denver Center for the Performing Arts; executive director, Denver Center Attractions

• Last year's ranking: 8

• Why he ranks: Things are going swimmingly for Weeks, with all eyes turned toward Denver during the pre-Broadway, nearly sold-out run of The Little Mermaid. Garnering the tryout was a first for Denver, but not the only innovations on his shift. Weeks and Kent Thompson have initiated collaborations between Denver Center Attractions and Denver Center Theatre Company, using the former's New York contacts and subscriber base and the latter's talent to stage homegrown musicals. And with Spamalot and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on the horizon, he's in the midst of the best Attractions seasons in years.

• Next challenge: Find a better collaboration. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the first Attractions-DCTC combo, was an artistic thud. The upcoming Irving Berlin's White Christmas, sounds like another uninspiring jukebox musical.

3. Phil Anschutz

Owner, Regal Entertainment, Anschutz Entertainment Group, Walden Media, Bristol Bay Productions, AEG Live

• Last year's ranking: 2

• Why he ranks: Anschutz hired Chuck Morris, Brent Fedrizzi and Don Strasburg away from Live Nation, giving the rival a serious challenge booking concerts in Denver. Although Morris was sidelined for months because of a noncompete clause, Fedrizzi and Strasburg got the business launched. And that doesn't begin to address Anschutz's vast music, movie, sports and other holdings worldwide, with new buildings opened by The Eagles in Los Angeles and the O2 entertainment district with Bon Jovi in London.

• Next challenge: Now that Anschutz has a concert promotion outfit in Denver, can a new concert venue be far behind?

4. Wende Curtis

President, CEO, Comedy Works Inc.

• Last year's ranking: 17

• Why she ranks: In October she'll open a 16,000-square-foot club in the Tech Center with a 400-seat theater, martini lounge and restaurant equipped with a kosher kitchen for weddings and other events. The Larimer Square hub remains a hot spot and launching pad for rising stars such as Last Comic Standing winner Josh Blue, and Ben Kronberg, who performed at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. Curtis' entertainment division, which books big names into bigger venues, is bringing the hit musical Tina and Tony's Wedding here in November.

• Next challenge: Transferring her comedy club success to the bar and restaurant business.

5. Fred Hamilton, Lewis Sharp

Director and board of trustees president, respectively, Denver Art Museum

• Last year's ranking: 4

• Why they rank: The biggest art event in a generation here attracted more than 35,000 people to a joyful 35-hour opening weekend marathon for the Daniel Libeskind-designed addition last October. Not all the press was complimentary for the new building, but it put the worldwide spotlight on Denver. However, museum officials then spent months battling a leaky roof and saw attendance clobbered by unrelenting storms. The result: buyouts offered to 30 employees after visitor projections of 1 million for the first year of operation became unrealistic (now they're saying 600,000).

• Next challenge: Make sure the blockbuster-exhibit-in-waiting, "Artisans and Kings: Selected Treasures From the Louvre," is a hit. Also: find money to reconfigure the original Gio Ponti building.

6. George Sparks

President and CEO, Denver Museum of Nature & Science

• Last year's ranking: 3

• Why he ranks: The museum couldn't match the blockbuster Body Worlds 2, which drew 687,000 during 2006. Still, the busy museum chief isn't sitting still: He's raising money for new projects that will attract visitors on a more permanent basis, including a new health sciences hall and a science education center with classrooms and labs. Sparks also has plans for a $7 million renovation of the main gallery to ensure the institution can continue to host big exhibits.

• Next challenge: Helping convince Denver voters to support nearly $50 million in museum improvements through a bond issue.

7. Jack Finlaw

Director, Denver Theatres and Arenas

• Last year's ranking: 5

• Why he ranks: Finlaw remains a vigorous arts promoter through nonstop efforts to maintain and improve city-owned performing facilities. He's leading the charge to secure the millions needed for a Boettcher Concert Hall renovation and completion of the vacant performance space adjoining the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Finlaw seems up to the tough task, tireless and (thus far) successful in convincing city officials that Denver's cultural worth can be measured by the quality of its theaters.

Next challenge: Winning voter approval of the Boettcher referendum - and, if it fails, to pick up the pieces and carry on.

8. Kent Thompson

Artistic director, Denver Center Theatre Company

• Last year's ranking: 7

• Why he ranks: Thompson has breathed fresh air into Denver Center Theatre Co. by bringing in new artists, new works and new audiences. The world premiere of 1001 reached younger audiences thanks to a live DJ and clever marketing. The New Play Summit continues to expand; commissions keep going out to rising and established playwrights. The Women's Voices Fund has surpassed its $500,000 goal. Last season saw the highest ticket income in the theater's history.

• Next challenge: Not all of those stretches were artistic successes and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum brought in New York actors less talented than those available at home. Thompson needs to balance worldliness and adventure with comfort and quality.

9. Joyce Meskis

Owner, Tattered Cover Book stores

• Last year's ranking: 10

• Why she ranks: Meskis has not only survived the move of her beloved Cherry Creek bookstore to the Colfax Avenue location, but reports indicate that the store is thriving and attracting new loyalists from the surrounding neighborhood. With three locations, the Tattered Cover has managed to retain its national reputation in a difficult selling environment and its status as a hub for important authors on book tours. It takes more than book learning to be this business savvy.

• Next challenge: Remaining viable in a digital age. As publishers weigh the sale of books on their own Web sites and print-on-demand technology makes it possible for a machine to spit out a book in short order, bookstores may soon become the middleman that is all-too-easy to eliminate.

10. City Park Jazz

Tom Quinn, president; Bob Nelson, vice president; Lynn Sibbet, treasurer; Susan Klann, secretary

• Not ranked last year

• Why they rank: The first two weeks of the 20-year-old series were marred by gangs, including a fistfight on June 11. City and police officials quickly huddled and sent more officers to provide security and it's been trouble-free since. That's a good thing, because the 10-week run can draw as many as 60,000 concert-goers total to this musical melting pot. Even better: City Park Jazz is an all-volunteer event, which makes it an event for the people by the people.

• Next challenge: Keep momentum going next year with great music in a safe environment.

11. Donna Dewey, Monty Miranda

Partner, Dewey-Obenchain Films Inc., and director, Skills Like This

• Last year's ranking: 20

• Why they rank: The Oscar-winning producer and longtime commercial director might just be the first local filmmakers to get national distribution for a Denver-based film. Their quirky comedy Skills Like This has drawn buzz since winning the audience prize at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March; screenings at this week's Edinburgh International Film Festival in Scotland are sold out. Cinetic Media, which sold Napoleon Dynamite and Little Miss Sunshine, is representing the film. Dewey (producer) and Miranda (director) have entertained some offers, but mum's the word until a deal's in place.

• Next challenge: Closing a distribution deal to get Skills in theaters across the country.

12. Anthony Garcia

Artistic director, El Centro Su Teatro

• Not ranked last year

• Why he ranks: This year marked Garcia's 35th year with the organization. The anniversary party was held at the future home of Su Teatro on South Santa Fe Drive, where the organization is putting together a capital campaign for a $3.5 million, 41,000-square-foot complex. Last spring, the City Council approved a $1.5 million loan for the project expected to open by 2009. The group isn't resting on its laurels until then. The upcoming season includes a return of TV and film actor Jesse Borrego in Drive My Coche; a musical piece directed by Zoot Suit composer Daniel Valdez, and a Christmas collaboration with San Antonio folk singer Tish Hinojosa.

• Next challenge: That $1.5 million loan is great, but fundraisers still need $2 million more.

13. Lannie Garrett

Singer, club owner

• Not ranked last year

• Why she ranks: Her Clocktower Cabaret beneath the D&F Tower remains one of the hottest venues in town, with Garrett selling out the elegant venue with her own performances and a variety of eclectic cabaret bookings. The Tonight show even made a stop there when previewing what Denver might have to offer visitors for the Democratic National Convention.

• Next challenge: She can't single-handedly carry the creative load at her club indefinitely; her outside bookings need to grow and continue to draw.

14. The Fray

Rock band

• Last year's ranking: 11

• Why they rank: Album sales continue to grow, the concert tour keeps going, but one thing remains the same: Each show is always sold out. The local band's three-night run at Red Rocks not only put the exclamation point on its success, but the band was smart enough to have a variety of local up-and-comers opening the shows. With its stunning success, the Fray is very much in control of where it goes next.

• Next challenge: The second album is always a terrifying prospect, but new material on the road sounds pretty good.

15. Cydney Payton

Director-curator, Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver

• Last year's ranking: 9

• Why she ranks: The 11-year-old museum grown from a grass-roots effort soon will have a new home - and Payton is largely the reason why. Architect David Adjaye's sleek gray glass cube is set to open Oct. 28 with seven installations and a surprise or two. But money is still an issue, since the museum has raised about $12.5 million of the $15.9 million needed for the 27,000-square- foot facility at 15th and Delgany streets (plus $3 million more for an endowment).

• Next challenge: Finding major gifts to wrap up the project and give the museum a secure foundation for the years ahead.

16. Chip Walton

Artistic director, Curious Theatre Company

• Last year's ranking: 15

• Why he ranks: The company Walton founded with a team of designers enters its 10th season boasting a solid audience base and a national reputation, including work with the National New Play Network. Walton has developed alliances with Pulitzer playwrights Suzan-Lori Parks and Paula Vogel, plus a devoted team of local artists, and continues to take chances with world premieres.

• Next challenge: Three world premieres out of five shows last season was an impressive risk, but one that didn't pay off with a critical or commercial smash. Walton has to look to new sources of material without scaring off his audience.

17. Donald Rossa

Owner, Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge

• Last year's ranking: 19

• Why he ranks: Without Dazzle, Denver has no place to look for its downbeat. The seven- night-a-week lineup of solid local and touring jazz musicians at this outpost on Lincoln Street continues to, well, dazzle the competition. Vocalist Rene Marie, alto saxophonist Richie Cole and trumpeter Ron Miles are just some of the quality players you can expect to see any given night.

• Next challenge: Keep the beat at the club and consider booking even bigger names.

18. Nerf and Alf

DJs, music programmers, KTCL Area 93.3

• Not ranked last year

• Why they rank: Along with help from DJ Bailey and others, Nerf and Alf helped propel The Fray's explosive growth locally and nationally by highlighting their music during the band's early days. Now they're focused on other local bands, including Single File and Meese, both of which have shots at the big time.

• Next challenge: Finding a hit here or there is one thing; finding another Fray is another.

19. Dean Sobel

Director, Clyfford Still Museum

• Last year's ranking: 18

• Why he ranks: Three years after the city acquired the estate of Clyfford Still, an architect is working on a design for a single-artist museum for the famed, reclusive Abstract Expressionist painter. Brad Cloepfil of Portland, Ore.-based Allied Works Architecture will design the building. Sobel wisely decided to drum up interest, and introduce Still to those not familiar with his work, by putting some of the major trove on view at the Denver Art Museum.

• Next challenge: Unveil a building design this fall, raise more money and give the Still more of a public face. After all, the collection belongs to the city and people are curious.

20. Francois Safieddine

Nightclub owner

• Not ranked last year

• Why he ranks: Safieddine's LoDo club Monarck was a second home to the cast of MTV's The Real World Denver, shining a big spotlight on the lounge and luring fans of the show as a result. In September the club king will open an intimate, boutique-style club called 24 Karat above the established hot spot. He also owns five-year-old Mynt and six-year-old 5 Degrees, which includes Amuse by Michel, a restaurant formed with high-profile chef Michel Wahaltere.

• Next challenge: With downtown firmly conquered, Safieddine is now considering adding a Cherry Creek haunt to his successful stable of clubs.

21. Douglas Adams, Jeffrey Kahane

President and music director, respectively, Colorado Symphony

• Last year's ranking: 12

• Why they rank: Few American orchestras boast such a likable leadership tandem, but there's also solid professionalism to back it up. It's no surprise the orchestra, which has never enjoyed such stability, also is producing first-rate music. Kahane has won over the musicians and audiences, even though his predecessor, Marin Alsop, was a tough act to follow. He's not shy about adventurous programming, nor does he give lip-service to the classics.

• Next challenge: Adams and the CSO face a battle this fall to earn voter approval for a controversial Boettcher Concert Hall renovation.

22. Perry Lavoisne

President, Live Nation Denver

• Not ranked last year

• Why he ranks: After Phil Anschutz stole Live Nation's local brain trust, longtime and well-respected Detroit promoter Lavoisne was called to fill the void. He has managed to hang on to a good chunk of the concert business, and with longtime Denver promoter Jason Miller transferring to New York, Lavoisne will take full control of one of Live Nation's most profitable markets.

• Next challenge: Only everything. Live Nation's stock is fluctuating wildly, Denver's one of the most competitive markets in the nation, and there's not a limitless supply of bands that can sell tickets.

23. Beatport.com

Denver-based Web site for the downloading of digital dance music

• Not ranked last year

• Why it ranks: Sharing dance music among DJs once was difficult, given all the vinyl involved. The founders of beatport.com, Jonas Tempel and Eloy Lopez, launched a Web site in 2004 where digital versions could be downloaded. Now they boast more than 50 employees (including DY Wyatt Jenkins, above) and 85,000 members in 120 countries. In 2006 they toasted their millionth download and are considered by many the field's top site.

• Next challenge: Keep growing beatport.com.

24. Craig Ferguson

President, Planet Bluegrass

• Last year's ranking: 24

• Why he ranks: Still putting on the biggest and best bluegrass, folk and rock festivals in the state, including the immensely popular Telluride Bluegrass Festival and this weekend's Folks Festival. September will see the launch of a year-round concert series in the new 300-seat Wildflower Pavilion at the Planet Bluegrass Ranch in Lyons.

• Next challenge: The same as any promoter: keep selling tickets while preventing others from raiding his niche.

25. Ginger White

Senior economic-development specialist, Denver Office of Cultural Affairs

• Not ranked last year

• Why she ranks: The city's go-to person for artists seeking a space to create unveiled a Creative Spaces report last fall to a packed house at the Oriental Theater. While the money in the city's revolving arts loan fund ($100,000 a year) isn't huge, the fund has loaned more than $40,000 to half a dozen groups and individuals. The self-proclaimed wonk who can speak art also teamed with the Denver County Cultural Council to contract with the Minneapolis-based Artspace Projects to survey Denver artists about what they need and how others can help.

• Next challenge: Keep raising money from private sources to make a real difference for those getting squeezed out of their studios and rehearsal halls.

How we select the Top 25

Our goal is to list those locally involved with the most significant arts and entertainment events: performers and artists as well as promoters, officers of organizations and donors.

• We define arts and entertainment as visual art, classical music, dance, theater and film, pop music, books, dining and nightclubs.

• The selections were made by the critics, editors and writers of the Features staff of the Rocky Mountain News after a series of meetings that whittled everyone's nominations down to the list you see. The team included: Lisa Bornstein, Mark Brown, Mary Voelz Chandler, Erika Gonzalez, Michael Mehle, Alex Neth, Marc Shulgold and Patti Thorn.

• When it came to final decisions about who made the list, we gave preference to those who have accomplished more in the past year.

• We're confident the list reflects who's making things happen in Denver. But do you think you can do better? Tell us who makes your list of the top 10 movers and shakers in Denver arts at: RockyMountain News.com/drmn/ Spotlight

Back to Top