Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom Explained

39.7544°N -104.9786°W

Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom
Nickname:Cervantes’ Ballroom, Cervantes’ Other Side, The Other Side
Address:2637 Welton Street
Denver, CO 80205
Location:Five Points
Opened:Mid-1920s
Renovated:2003
Owner:Duncan Goodman and Diana Azab
Former Names:Casino Ballroom, Casino Cabaret, Club Pure
Seating Capacity:900 (Cervantes' Balloom) & 500 (Cervantes' Other Side)
Website:https://cervantesmasterpiece.com/

Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom is an independent live music venue in Denver, Colorado, with two rooms (Cervantes’ Ballroom and Cervantes’ Other Side) that offer live music and events simultaneously. It is located in Denvers' historic Five Points neighborhood. It was originally a live jazz venue by Benny Hooper called the Ex-Servicemen's Club.[1]

History

Over the years, the venue hosted famous musicians like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, B.B. King, Ray Charles and Ike and Tina Turner, and many more.[2]

Renovated in 2003, Cervantes' is known for featuring dubstep, electronica, hip-hop acts and DJs, along with bluegrass and jam-centric bands. More recent artists include the likes of Gov't Mule's Warren Haynes, Phish's Page McConnell, and Branford Marsalis, to name a few.[3]

Recent renovations were not without controversy. In particular, the Casino Cabaret's famous glass doorway was demolished, which led to pushback from community advocates. However, the iconic glass door entrance was restored in partnership with the Denver Landmark Preservation, while retaining the change from one doors to two.[4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ex-Servicemen's Club . Colorado Encyclopedia . Denver Public Library, Western History/Genealogy Department . 23 October 2023.
  2. Web site: CERVANTES' MASTERPIECE BALLROOM . Westword . Denver Westword, LLC . 23 October 2023.
  3. Web site: Ferguson . Emily . Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom Celebrates Twenty Years of Jamming . Westword . 23 October 2023.
  4. Web site: Harris . Kyle . Cervantes demolished the Casino Cabaret doorway. Five Points elders want it back. . Denverite . 23 October 2023.
  5. Web site: Perez . Pattrik . Five Points advocates fighting to get Casino Cabaret entrance back to original design . Denver 7 ABC . Scripps Media, Inc . 23 October 2023.