16 LIVE Turns Downtown Denver’s 16th Street Into an Outdoor Dance Floor
After a jam-packed weekend of local music, 16 LIVE keeps the party going – bringing Denver’s dance and DJ culture to downtown with free parties on 16th Street
August through October, Thursday nights in Downtown Denver will belong to the DJs.
Great public spaces come alive because of the people who gather there. That’s the idea behind 16 LIVE, a new free music series from the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP), Denver Arts & Venues (DAV), and Youth on Record (YOR), via YOR’s Live Events and Workforce Program, Get Loud Presents.
Inspired by successful downtown activation programs and Denver’s vibrant music community, 16 LIVE brings together local DJs and dancers, residents, and visitors to celebrate Denver’s creative culture, public art and its most famous, walkable downtown street, 16th.
The series will activate Glenarm Plaza at 16th with high-energy DJ performances, community dance instruction, silent disco dance battles and crowd-driven competitions featuring some of Denver’s most exciting DJs and creative collectives.
Attendees can also take full advantage of Downtown’s experimental city-designated consumption areas, allowing them to bring beverages from local businesses into the dance party.
Downtown Denver Finds Its Beat
“16th Street has served as an exciting destination for events, art, and culture this summer, and we could not be more excited to strengthen that even further through 16 LIVE,” says Kourtny Garrett, President & CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership.
“We’re proud to partner with Youth on Record and Denver Arts & Venues to offer this fun, unique program that gives people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to connect through music, dance and art with one of downtown’s most iconic public spaces as the backdrop.”
The series takes place beneath “Quaking Gold,” a striking installation in Denver Arts & Venues’ Skynets Over Downtown public art series. The kinetic sculpture features nearly 17,000 shimmering ribbons inspired by Colorado’s iconic fall aspen groves, providing a dynamic backdrop for music, movement and community gathering in the heart of downtown.
“16 LIVE is the perfect complement to Skynets Over Downtown, a piece of art literally designed to move with the community,” says DAV Executive Director Gretchen Hollrah. “Working with Youth on Record and the Downtown Denver Partnership is an ideal collaboration to celebrate the arts, downtown and one another.”
Dance Battles, Silent Discos and Surprise Performances
Each event will feature a rotating lineup of DJs and special guests competing in a friendly dance battle format where the audience helps determine the winners.
Silent disco headsets will be provided free of charge and reserved for attendees who RSVP in advance, while supplies last. Guests can also expect themed music nights, surprise performances, featured artists and interactive experiences designed to keep the energy high all season long.
“My favorite moments in Denver are summer and early fall evenings when people are outside, music is playing, and the streets are full of energy. There’s nothing quite like seeing people of all ages gathering together, discovering new artists, dancing with friends, and enjoying the city,” says Jami Duffy, Executive Director of Youth on Record.
Young Denverites Help Bring 16 LIVE to Life
As the creative producer and event manager for the series, Get Loud/Youth on Record will oversee programming, production coordination, artist engagement, and on-site event operations. The series also aligns with YOR’s mission to create pathways for young adults pursuing careers in Colorado’s growing music, entertainment, and live events industries.
“One of the things I love about this project is that young Denverites are helping bring it to life,” Duffy says.
“Through Youth on Record’s workforce program, emerging event producers, artists, and content creators are part of the team designing, activating, and producing 16 LIVE. That’s important to us. If we’re talking about the future of Denver’s creative community, young Denverites should have a hand in creating it.”
The Downtown Denver Partnership will provide district management, permitting support, and public realm services for the series, while Denver Arts & Venues supports the activation as part of broader efforts to foster arts, culture, and community experiences throughout downtown.
Event Details
16 Live will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on August 20, August 27, September 3, September 17, October 1 and October 15.
All events are free and open to the public, with featured DJs and activations to be announced in the coming weeks.
About Get Loud Presents
Get Loud Presents is Youth on Record’s live events training program, preparing young creatives for careers across event production, venue operations, hospitality, artist relations, and the broader entertainment industry. Learn more about Youth on Record at youthonrecord.org.
About Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building an economically vibrant, inclusive, and resilient center city through leadership, advocacy, and activation initiatives that enhance Downtown Denver’s vitality and appeal.
About Denver Arts & Venues
Denver Arts & Venues’ mission is to enrich Denver’s quality of life and economic vitality through the advancement of arts, culture and entertainment opportunities for all. Denver Arts & Venues operates Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center, Denver Coliseum, Theatre at Loretto Heights and McNichols Civic Center Building, using proceeds from events at these venues to run and maintain these facilities and to provide access to art for all through free and low-cost community events, grants for artists and arts organizations, public art and art education. Using Good Times, For Good. For more information, visit ArtsandVenues.com
Editor’s note: To learn more, contact Katie Bates at katie@youthonrecord.org or (314)898-6041. To RSVP, click here.