I am a wanderlust bohemian and a traveling erotic-noir performer. I’m also a nightlife producer and sensual erotic movement instructor. My fields of interest include Burlesque, BDSM, Theater, Pole Dance, and Spoken Word. If it touches the erotic healing arts, I’m all for it. As a “Traveling Showgirl,” I’m sharing a mini travel series, “Burlesque Adventures: Denver, Colorado” as I prepare an itinerary for an erotic bleisure vacation that includes performing in 3 burlesque shows. (It’s my first time performing burlesque in Colorado.)
- Check out part one 14 Fascinating Speakeasy Bars in Denver”
- Check out part two, “16 Dazzling Burlesque Experiences in Denver”
- Check out part three, “22 Provocative and Kinky Rendezvous in Denver
- Check out part four, “Where to Take Pole Dance, Yoga or Salsa in Denver”
GEEKY & QUIRKY EXCURSIONS IN DENVER, COLORADO
I am a self proclaimed GEEK. In fact, I think we all are. We simply have different levels of “geekery” coupled with our idiosyncrasies. Whenever I travel I love finding a local bookstore, a Jewish museum and a library, if possible. If time allows a good museum exhibit is great too or a tour of some eccentric local place that I would not have considered. Between the Old Map place on my list and the Ice Cores, as well as some intentional BLACK HISTORY of Colorado, here’s a list of the geeky things I want to explore when in Denver.
1. Black American West Museum and Heritage Center
- Website: bawmhc.org
- About:The Museum began with Paul Stewart, who as a child playing cowboys and Indians, always played an Indian because he was told, “There is no such thing as a Black Cowboy.” The mission of the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center is to promote an understanding of the role that African Americans played in the settlement and growth of the western United States through its collections, programs and exhibits. The Jane Taylor Reenactor Guild definitely stood out to me. I’d never even heard of such a thing. I wonder if they ever have “parlor girls” during the reenactments. That would be such a fun life goal as a theatrical burlesque dancer. If you’re into “The Harder They Fall,” I feel like this would be a great experience for you.
*The Black American West Museum is currently closed due to interior restoration of the building and the revitalization of our exhibit space.
2. Blair Caldwell African American Research Library
- Website: DenverLibrary.org
- About: A Missing Piece of History. Denver Former Mayor Wellington E. Webb and First Lady Wilma J. Webb had a shared vision. They envisioned a research library and museum to preserve and showcase the many contributions of African Americans to Colorado and the West. Much of that history was in private hands — those of political leaders, community organizations, churches and individuals. Other history was unwritten, still in the heads and hearts of those who had lived it. In 1999, during his third term as Mayor of Denver, Mayor and Mrs. Webb saw the urgent need to collect this legacy in one place before it was lost forever. They proposed construction of an African American Research Library as part of the Denver Public Library system. “There’s so much history, and we need to capture that for young people,” he said. “So much of it is in boxes, in basements, or in our heads.” And so the journey of gathering that history began.
*The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library closed for renovations on May 28, 2022 with plans to reopen in early 2023. The archives and book collection are available in the 1st floor Special Collections Reading Room at the Central Library.
3. Distortions Monster World
- Website: DistortionsMonsterworld.com
- About: Immerse yourself in another world, a monster of a museum. Let the sets, sights, and sounds take you away to a supernatural world where giants roam, kings rule, we’ve made contact with alien life, and you never know what’s around the corner – life-sized ghouls, zombies, snarling gargoyles, creatures of the night, and more!
4. History Colorado Center
- Website: HistoryColorado.org
- About: Artifacts, stories, and art intermingle to tell the tale of Colorado and the American West. The museum is designed for multi-generational audiences and consists of over fifteen exhibits spanning four floors, capturing the spirit of Colorado.
5. Meow Wolf – Convergence Station
- Website: MeowWolf.com/Visit/Denver
- About: Meow Wolf’s third permanent exhibition Convergence Station is open in Denver, CO. Discover immersive psychedelic, mind-bending art, and an underlying rich narrative as you take a journey of discovery into a surreal, science-fictional epic.
6. Mizel Museum
- Website: MizelMuseum.org
- About: The Mizel Museum is Denver’s only museum that addresses today’s social justice issues through the lens of Jewish history and values. The Mizel Museum is dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding, combating racism and promoting social justice. We achieve our mission through educational programming, events and exhibits that connect universal Jewish values to the larger world.
7. Molly Brown House Museum
- Website: MollyBrown.org
- About: As more and more historic properties were demolished in the 1960s, a group of preservation-minded Denver citizens joined efforts in 1970 to rescue the home of Titanic survivor Margaret Tobin Brown. The group was incorporated as Historic Denver, Inc. and began major restoration efforts in order to return the home’s interior and exterior to its early 20th century grandeur.
8. Old Map Gallery
- Website: OldMapGallery.com
- About: In the 1980s, The Old Map Gallery was founded in Denver, Colorado by Paul F. Mahoney. Follow the historical journey of discovery and understanding, through maps, charts and every significant data visualization we can find.
9. IRL Underground
- Website: IRLArt.com
- About: IRL Underground is a physical and digital art gallery, private members club, crypto art speakeasy and community event space located in Denver Colorado. Walk through a door under the Osaka Ramen sign on 26th and Walnut in Five Points, down a set of stairs and to the right, and you’ll find an industrial, unfinished basement space washed in the glow of neon light and lined with “framed” digital art and abstract “sculptures”
10. Tattered Covered Bookstore
- Website: TatteredCover.com
- About: Tattered Covered is the largest indie bookstore in Colorado. It’s locally-owned, with seven stores in the metro-Denver area, and four small commuter stores. Established as a small storefront in 1971
11. National Ice Core Lab – NSF Ice Core Facility (NSF-ICF)
- Website: IceCores.org
- About: This is the place where scientists keep miles of very valuable ice from Antarctica and Greenland from melting. The National Ice Core Laboratory is the repository for samples of ice sheets collected in Greenland and Antarctica—miles of ice that contains information about the planet’s past and, in particular, the history of its climate. All tours must be scheduled several months in advance. (FUCK!)
Which of these quirky excursions appeals to you the most? Should I go to the museum or to view a historic map?
As mentioned, I’m traveling to Denver, Colorado as part of my burlesque tour to perform in three shows. (SlutChurch, Do Both and Conspiracy Circus). In addition to being meticulous about how I pack my burlesque tour bag using my travel checklist, I’m also researching and preplanning my bleisure trip to have the most blissful and curious adventure. My googling and polling has led to a mini travel series, “Burlesque Adventures – Denver, Colorado.” Upcoming articles include Active Experiences, Geeky Experiences, along with some Special Mentions. If you enjoy sensual, erotic, and subversive travel, I hope you enjoy my curated lists and suggested itineraries!