Denver's Top 25 Movers and Shakers

Saturday, August 18, 2007

1. STAN KROENKE Owner, Kroenke Sports Enterprises

Dick's Sporting Goods Park just hosted the MLS All-Star Game (with David Beckham in attendance). TicketHorse, his ticket agency, is up and running.

2. RANDY WEEKS President and CEO, Denver Center for the Performing Arts

All eyes are on the pre-Broadway, nearly sold- out run of The Little Mermaid that Weeks managed to lure here, a first for Denver.

3. PHIL ANSCHUTZ Owner, Regal Entertainment, Anschutz Entertainment Group

Anschutz hired the top promoters from Live Nation, launching a serious challenge locally in booking concerts. And, oh yeah, he's still in the movie business.

4. WENDE CURTIS President, CEO, Comedy Works Inc.

In October she's looking to get the last laugh in the Tech Center by opening a theater, lounge and restaurant complex.

5. LEWIS SHARP, FRED HAMILTON Director and board of trustees president, respectively, Denver Art Museum

The 35-hour opening weekend for the museum's new addition attracted more than 35,000 people in October.

6. GEORGE SPARKS President and CEO, Denver Museum of Nature & Science

The museum chief's working on new projects ranging from a new health sciences hall and a science education center with classrooms and labs.

7. JACK FINLAW Director, Denver Theatres and Arenas

Leading the charge to secure the millions needed to maintain and improve city performing facilities, including Boettcher Concert Hall.

8. KENT THOMPSON Artistic director, Denver Center Theatre Company

The DCTC is now attracting more new artists, new works and new audiences than ever, and the results can be seen at the ticket office.

9. JOYCE MESKIS Owner, Tattered Cover Book Stores

Meskis has survived the move of her beloved Cherry Creek bookstore to Colfax Avenue, and reports indicate that the store is thriving.

10. CITY PARK JAZZ An all-volunteer event

After violence marred concerts in the 20-year-old series, citizens and the police quickly acted to preserve this civic jewel.

11. DONNA DEWEY, MONTY MIRANDA Partner, Dewey-Obenchain Films Inc., director, "Skills Like This"

The Oscar-winner and longtime commercial director could be the first local filmmaker to get national distribution for a Denver-based film.

12. ANTHONY GARCIA Artistic director, El Centro Su Teatro

Garcia's 35th year with the organization also marked the start of efforts to build it a new $3.5 million, 41,000-square-foot home.

13. LANNIE GARRETT Singer, club owner

The Clocktower Cabaret is one of the city's hottest venues, with Garrett and others attracting crowds to the elegant club.

14. THE FRAY Rock band

Album sales continue to grow, the concerts keep selling out, and the band hasn't forgotten the audience that launched it toward stardom.

15. CYDNEY PAYTON Director-curator, Museum of Contemporary Art/ Denver

The 11-year-old museum grown from a grass-roots effort soon will have a sleek new home - and Payton is largely the reason why.

16. CHIP WALTON Artistic director, Curious Theatre Company

The company Walton founded with a team of designers enters its 10th season, boasting a solid audience base and a national reputation.

17. DONALD ROSSA Owner, Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge

Without Dazzle, Denver has no place to look for its downbeat. The club's lineup of local and touring jazz musicians can't be beat.

18. NERF AND ALF DJs, music programmers, KTCL-FM (93.3) area

Nerf and Alf helped propel The Fray's explosive growth, and now the pair has set its sights on finding the next big thing.

19. DEAN SOBEL Director, Clyfford Still Museum

An architect has been selected to design a museum for the reclusive abstract expressionist painter, and an exhibit shows why it matters.

20. FRANCOIS SAFIEDDINE Nightclub owner

His LoDo club Monarck was a second home to the cast of MTV's The Real World Denver, and a new hot spot is planned to open soon.

21. DOUGLAS ADAMS JEFFREY KAHANE President and music director, respectively, Colorado Symphony

This likable leadership tandem also delivers solid professionalism, which means solid box office performance in challenging times.

22. PERRY LAVOISNE President, Live Nation Denver

The respected Detroit promoter has kept Live Nation in the concert game locally after Phil Anschutz stole its local brain trust.

23. BEATPORT.COM Denver-based Web site for downloading dance music

In 2004 a couple of friends decided to create a Web site that made it easier to find and buy dance music. More than 1 million downloads later, they're world leaders.

24. CRAIG FERGUSON President, Planet Bluegrass

The promoter of the state's best bluegrass, folk and rock festivals is opening a new venue at the Planet Bluegrass Ranch in Lyons.

25. GINGER WHITE Senior economic-development specialist, Denver Office of Cultural Affairs

The city's go-to person for artists seeking a space to create, rehearse and perform is a self-proclaimed wonk who can speak art.