Hello, Bucket Listers! It’s Saint Patrick’s Day weekend. Enjoy the downtown parade on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and the 75 degree weather on Monday. This week’s theme is culture, with stories about what is next after the Mercury Cafe closes, a Month of Photography exhibit, the Gen Z Film Festival and an American dream story that began with Ethiopian food. But before all that, a reminder to please take our annual survey. We need your feedback to make Bucket List the best possible experience for you. Plus, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card.
The Mercury Cafe Closes; Pearl Divers Moves In
After 50 years, the Mercury Cafe is closing—but it’s not the end of the story. Taking over the space is The Pearl, a sapphic-centered, trans-inclusive bar and venue led by the team behind Pearl Divers and Sapphic Collective. The new owners say they’ll preserve the Merc’s legacy while bringing fresh energy with vegan eats, late-night coffee, dancing and underground music. Longtime fans can expect to see the venue’s iconic astrology murals and poetry slams stay, alongside new drag shows and queer parties. Cassis Tingley’s story for us details the venue’s legacy and the new owner’s plans to revitalize it.
Capturing Culture: Sylvia Montero & Tony Ortega on Art & Community
Two longtime Denver artists and partners, Sylvia Montero and Tony Ortega, are showcasing their work together in “Café con Leche,” a vibrant exhibition exploring life in Latin America. As part of Denver’s Month of Photography, our Myra Kirk delves into their show at Convivio Café. It celebrates travel, culture and identity while also sparking discussions about AI, accessibility and the changing art market. With artists struggling to keep up with rising costs, they share insights on adapting to an evolving industry and keeping creative expression alive.
Gen-Z Film Festival Aims to Bridge Generational Gap
Rocky Mountain PBS is rethinking how news connects with younger audiences, and their Gen-Z Film Festival is part of the plan. Partnering with the Youth Documentary Academy, the festival showcases films tackling mental health, social justice, and identity. Creators like Kareem Hopper hope their stories will inspire conversations across generations and push media outlets to better engage with young people. Ryland Scholes’ story for us this week explores how Gen-Z is reshaping storytelling one film at a time.
Ethiopian Eats: How Konjo is Changing Denver’s Food Scene
For more than a decade, Konjo Ethiopian Food has been bringing the bold flavors of Ethiopia to Denver. What started as a catering business grew into a food truck, and now, a thriving fast-casual restaurant in Edgewater Public Market. Our Daniel Montoya explains how owners Fetien Gebre-Michael and Yoseph Assefa draw from their immigrant backgrounds to share their culture—offering vegan options, authentic spices and plans to expand into retail and hopefully airport locations. Read how they built their brand and where they’re heading next in our story.
Stuff We Noticed
Southwest Drops Free Bags Policy. The well-known airline is ending its free checked bags policy, a move that has long set it apart from other airlines. Starting May 28, passengers will have to pay unless they have elite status, a Southwest credit card or a business-class ticket. The decision follows financial struggles and pressure from investors to boost revenue, but it’s already sparking backlash from longtime Southwest customers.
Colorado Ranks #1 for Pet-Friendly Rentals. Good news for pet owners: Colorado tops the list of most pet-friendly rental markets in the United States! 75.2% of rental properties allow pets, making it easier to find a home for you and your furry friend. Texas and North Carolina follow close behind, while Hawaii and Alaska rank as the least pet-friendly states.
Help Name Denver Zoo’s Baby Giraffe! Denver Zoo’s newest addition—a baby reticulated giraffe—needs a name, and you can help decide! For a $5 donation, you can vote on three options: Dagg, Kujali or Thorn. The calf, born to BB and Jasiri, is part of a conservation effort to help save the endangered species.
That’s it for this week, Bucket Listers. Thanks so much for reading and your support of community journalism. We do this work in partnership with you. Please tell your friends and neighbors about us and ask them to subscribe on our website for our free weekly newsletters. And if you like the work we’re doing, please contribute to keep us going. Have a great weekend and a good St. Patty’s Day. If you celebrate, be Irish responsibly.
Warmest Regards,
Toni Tresca
Editor/Bucket List Community News
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