Bodies of Culture BIPOC Open Mic:
Join us for BOC’s monthly BIPOC Open Mic on Thursday, January 8th! Your favorite host, Melissa Ivey, takes over the Manos stage, featuring a talented lineup of up-and-coming artists, including BOC Mentorship alumni. See below for this month’s featured artist!
Sign-ups onsite start at 6:30, but you can sign up early with this link.
January’s Featured Artist
Jon Romero is a Native of Denver, Colorado. Born in the Heart of the West-
side in April of 1954. Jon is 71 years old and has studied Music for 64 years. Jon performs live with his band "Jon Romero and The Taco Cats," formerly known as "Jon Romero y Amanecer." Jon's band has performed throughout the Southwest United States for 28 years. Jon Romero was Inducted into The Chicano Music Hall of Fame in 2023 at Su Teatro in Denver, Colorado. Jon's
music can be heard on KUVO Jazz89.3fm since 1997 to the Present. Jon is considered a MultiMedia Artist! He is a Music and Art Teacher. He is a Mentor. He is an Actor in Movies, Short Films and Live Theatrical Plays. He performs Music as a Solo Artist and with his band. He is a Member/Ar- tist/Teacher for The Chicano Humanities and Arts Council. He is a Member/ Artist/Teacher for The Art Contained Del Sol Studio and Gallery. Jon is currently the sole proprietor of Dragonfly Endeavers LLC. Jon Paints Native
American Themed Art and Creates Jewelry that his Auntie Dorothy Brave
Eagle taught him how to make.
Jon's Motto - "The Teacher is The Student and The Student is The Teacher."
About Bodies of Culture:
A program of Levitt Pavilion Denver, Bodies of Culture is committed to investing in and supporting BIPOC youth in the greater Denver area to participate in music through initiatives that celebrate cultural identity and self-expression, understand the healing power of music, and empowered musical self-discovery and exploration.
The Bodies of Culture board is composed of musicians of color throughout Colorado across a spectrum of genres. The board combines decades of shared musical pedigree with experiences steeped in advocacy and social change. As the The board progresses, they hope to recruit new members and engage a diverse group of emerging leaders.
Hosted by: Melissa Ivey
Your Host, Melissa Ivey, also known fondly as Uncle Mel, and recognized as the Musical Doula, is a seasoned event host in Denver, with over 20 years of experience in creating dynamic and inclusive spaces for artistic expression.
With a deep-rooted commitment to amplifying diverse voices within the community, Melissa has dedicated herself to curate a distintive event that has thrived for over 3 years. This gatheringshowcases a fusion of poetry, music, original perofrmances, and dance, provideing a platform for creativity and authentic connection, centering Black, Indigenous and Artists of Color, and our accomplices. In partnership with Manos Sagrados, Uncle Mel cultivates a welcoming environment for the BIPOC Open Mic Series, supported by Bodies of Culture and the Levitt Pavilion of Denver.