![]() ![]() During the Pennsylvanian Period, water, wind, and ice began to erode these mountains, and eastward-flowing rivers deposited their sediment in large alluvial fans, called the Fountain Formation. Three hundred million years ago, the predecessor to today’s range stood thirty or forty miles west of the current Front Range of the Rockies. “Before the Rocky Mountains rose west of present-day Denver, Colorado, the massive red sedimentary formations that give Red Rocks Park its name formed from the ancestral Rocky Mountains. Luckily the natural acoustics have strong convincing power all their own and the music lovers who believed in the project were steadfast, precise and financially successful, socially successful or both. ![]() Imagine convincing multiple layers of bureaucrats of the value of transforming a rocky hillside into a sonic masterpiece. Besides the labor, the funding of construction must have been a juggernaut as well. Given the imprecise nature of dynamite, it was lucky they were able to destroy only designated areas and not accidentally blow up a mountain. Some demolition involving dynamite would be a necessary part of this project. They relied on hundreds of individuals to move or remove tons of dirt and rocks. They did not have electricity or heavy machinery. The visionaries who dreamed and initiated the project were courageous innovators indeed. Local and federal governments needed to work together and many bureaucratic and other less predictable hurdles needed to be surmounted. Get tickets to celebrate a birthday or just because it’s Tuesday an evening singing under the stars is a Colorado night done right.Photo courtesy of the Denver Library Photo ArchivesĬonstructing an amphitheater from a mountain is no small task. Big-time musicians often choose Red Rocks to film their next video, record a live album, or debut a new song.Īny final notes? Summer in Denver isn’t complete without at least a trip or two up to Red Rocks, and the event calendar offers something for everyone. What really makes this place stand out? The acclaimed acoustics of Red Rocks-to say nothing of the scenery-makes it a bucket list venue for many artists and many music fans. Traffic leaving the venue can take up to an hour to subside, though, so if the little ones join you, it’s best to leave before the last song. Come dressed for the weather shows are held rain or shine.Ĭan we bring the whole family? Locals know that it’s a rite of passage to bring kids to Red Rocks, so you’ll often see babies in headphones and young kids dancing at age-appropriate shows. ![]() Space gets tight in the general admission sections as people jockey for a spot, but none of that matters once everyone stands up to dance. Large TV screens and clear sightlines make the stage visible to all, and it’s easy to stash bags and coats under the long rows of bench seats. ![]() How are the seats? A steep pitch and impressive views mean that there’s hardly a bad seat at Red Rocks, although windy nights can diminish the sound quality up top. The venue’s eclectic lineup is also accompanied by “Film on the Rocks,” weekly screenings of popular movies that begin at dusk. The Red Rocks concert calendar kicks off in early spring and runs through late fall, featuring everything from country music to the Colorado Symphony. This is Colorado at its best: casual, authentic, and outdoorsy. Start with tailgating in the dusty parking lots, then head up the stairs-oh so many stairs-for pitch-perfect music under the stars. Bright red sandstone rocks jut out from either side of the stage to create a natural amphitheater, and concert goers are treated to views of downtown Denver and the surrounding foothills. Give us the big picture: What’s this place like? There’s a reason Red Rocks is considered one of the most beautiful music venues in the country. ![]()
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