Denver Bands Unite to Save Aztlan Theatre

Tim Wenger | September 1, 2014 | 0 Comments

by Shonika Proctor

In true Colorado spirit a group of Denver bands and music lovers in collaboration with local music talent agency + broker Tangaroo Entertainment (owned by Steph Bailey), have joined together to raise awareness and money and help revive the historic Aztlan Theater. They will host a charity benefit concert “Save the Aztlan: A benefit to restore Denver’s musical heritage” on the evening of Saturday, September, 20, 2014 (doors at 5:30’ish pm, suggested donation $10). Confirmed bands include: Concrete Effect, KUNUNDRUM, Thousand Frames, Aloris, Logan St. Throwdown , Buck25, NDAAZ,Orcinus and AdrienneO.

The history behind the Aztlan Theatre

Located in the thriving and popular Santa Fe Arts District of Denver, the historic theatre was founded in 1927. Originally named the Santa Fe (movie) theater, Tim Correa (the current owner), purchased the building in1973. A long time community and political activist dating back to the 1960’s, he changed the name of the theater to Aztlan which means ‘Freedom’. To him he believed it also served as the ‘promised land’ where he felt that different people with shared cultural, artistic and music interests could come together and openly and freely congregate.

Correa worked at University of Colorado in the scholarships department in the 1970’s. He worked each year to recruit 300 minority students and students in need to help them go to college with tuition and books pre-paid in full. He said that the University was located at 18th & Arapahoe. Many students thought that he was joking but indeed he was quite serious and those students went on to become doctors, lawyers and productive citizens who actively contributed to their respective community.

I love and enjoy working to bring all types of people together. The Aztlan has hosted musicians from every genre – including both local and national acts. Each show is special here, but some of the more memorable shows were Run DMC, The Offspring and AFI. The Red Hot Chili Peppers performed here in 1987. And Slayer played here twice and packed the place to capacity. – Tim Correa, Owner, Aztlan Theatre