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DENVER -- After nearly a decade of planning, blueprinting and building, the hype is growing around the grand opening of Denver’s Mission Ballroom.
“The light bulb went on and we knew this was the place to build it,” said Chuck Morris with AEG Presents.
The brand new concert venue in Denver’s RiNo Arts District will burst onto the scene next Wednesday, Aug. 7 with the Colorado-based band The Lumineers in concert.
The Mission Ballroom is perhaps the capstone to RiNo’s rebirth and highlights Colorado’s explosive growth in a warehouse district that many used to avoid at all costs.
The unrivaled new venue is promising to change the concert experience as we know it.
The venue also features several giant murals from local artists, including an archway mural from the front doors to the largest bar area.
"My style reference is the serape blanket," said Anthony Garcia, the artist of the archway piece. “So far, this is my favorite mural that I’ve done."
The venue is a combination of art and music in one space.
"We wanted to build the best 3,500-plus-seat club this town had ever seen," Morris said.
It’s certainly a unique venue. State-of-the-art features include a million-dollar sound and lighting system as well as a stage that moves.
"The stage, sound, lights, everything moves up,” Morris said. “You can't see behind the stage. So, the venue will look sold out with 2,500, 2,800, 3,100 people.”
Morris also claims there’s no bad seat in the house.
“There are no pillars in this place,” Morris said. “That’s the beauty of designing something from scratch. There are no obstructions of any seats. And look at that view from the furthest seat from the stage. It's pretty amazing how close it is."
Mission Ballroom was built by AEG Presents, along with Works Progress Architecture, Mortenson Construction and Westfield developers. It proudly boasts more bathrooms and bars than any facility its size.
Shows start next week with back-to-back-to-back concert nights throughout the month of August, including The Lumineers, Trey Anastasio, Steve Miller Band and more.
“We have 80 shows already booked between now and the end of the year,” Morris said.
It’s also designed with the bands and their crews in mind.
The equipment run from the loading docks to the stage is less than 100 feet.
“They pull up their semis, and roll their equipment right on the stage," Morris said.
Backstage amenities are impressive, as well, including dressing rooms with showers and full bathrooms.
"Bands are on the road, on their buses, they need a break,” Morris said. “They can also do their laundry here."