John Wenzel
@johnwenzel.bsky.social
A&E reporter / critic for The Denver Post. Bylines in Rolling Stone, Esquire, The Atlantic and my 4th grade book report. Dayton, Ohio, native. Send Marion's Pizza.
My @denverpost.com Critic's Picks for this week also include a great-looking #REM tribute show for "Life's Rich Pageant" from Hollywood and indie rock royalty #MichaelShannon and @jasonnarducy.bsky.social (respectively)
Speed Rack’s back, a ‘cosmic’ musical journey, and more things to do in Denver trib.al/NnXPp5P
Speed Rack’s back, a ‘cosmic’ musical journey and more things to do in Denver
Plus a packed FamilyFest and an R.E.M. tribute concert from Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy
trib.al
February 5, 2026 at 6:15 PM
My @denverpost.com Critic's Picks for this week also include a great-looking #REM tribute show for "Life's Rich Pageant" from Hollywood and indie rock royalty #MichaelShannon and @jasonnarducy.bsky.social (respectively)
I have been around for this type of "cost cutting" by rich owners in several waves, as have a dwindling amount of my colleagues at The Denver Post and in local news media. In many ways Bezos has even less of an excuse than most owners.
Because journalists are just too rich?
Because journalists are just too rich?
Whatever you think of the Washington Post at this moment, here's a chance to support the dedicated, hard-working journalists who were just laid off. If you have the means, your donation is most welcome. If you don't, a kind thought and maybe spreading the word to others is support enough 💙
Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund
www.gofundme.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:27 PM
I have been around for this type of "cost cutting" by rich owners in several waves, as have a dwindling amount of my colleagues at The Denver Post and in local news media. In many ways Bezos has even less of an excuse than most owners.
Because journalists are just too rich?
Because journalists are just too rich?
I feel bad for all the people in their 20s taking up smoking because it's come back in popular culture. No moral judgement, just knowing how many of them will never be able to quit and how some of them will get preventable cancer makes me sad. (I quit a few years back and struggle with it every day)
February 3, 2026 at 12:38 AM
I feel bad for all the people in their 20s taking up smoking because it's come back in popular culture. No moral judgement, just knowing how many of them will never be able to quit and how some of them will get preventable cancer makes me sad. (I quit a few years back and struggle with it every day)
My son is now, and will always be (and has always been), cooler than me. But this really sealed it. I haven't skated regularly since college but going to #303Boards made me lust for my trusty Valterra Jinn
"We were able to pick up an all-new, custom-tuned starter board, consisting of a 303 Boards-branded house deck, wheels and bearings, and shiny, silvery trucks, for less than $200."
Here's why one Denver Post staffer loves this skate shop.
Here's why one Denver Post staffer loves this skate shop.
Colorado skating, snowboard newbies should look to this Denver shop
Wheels or no, the selection and service at 303 Boards makes it a worthy trip
trib.al
February 2, 2026 at 7:56 PM
My son is now, and will always be (and has always been), cooler than me. But this really sealed it. I haven't skated regularly since college but going to #303Boards made me lust for my trusty Valterra Jinn
Reposted by John Wenzel
Denver jam-band scene fixture and former Grateful Dead-themed bar owner #JayBianchi was sentenced to more than a decade in prison after his 2025 sex-assault convictions.
More details and comments from the DA, for @denverpost.com
More details and comments from the DA, for @denverpost.com
‘Serial sexual predator’ Jay Bianchi sentenced following 2025 convictions
The former Grateful Dead-themed bar owner was convicted on five counts in November.
www.denverpost.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Denver jam-band scene fixture and former Grateful Dead-themed bar owner #JayBianchi was sentenced to more than a decade in prison after his 2025 sex-assault convictions.
More details and comments from the DA, for @denverpost.com
More details and comments from the DA, for @denverpost.com
Reposted by John Wenzel
This is righteous. Best thing you'll read today:
January 23, 2026 at 6:53 PM
This is righteous. Best thing you'll read today:
The #FordAmphitheater dispute hit a high pitch this week after three-plus years of complaints, testing and overall campaigning. So what's next?
Details for @denverpost.com (paywall article)
Details for @denverpost.com (paywall article)
Frustrated neighbors sue concert venue after years of noise complaints
Some neighbors of the 8,000-capacity luxury music venue say nearby concerts are ruining their lives.
www.denverpost.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:53 PM
The #FordAmphitheater dispute hit a high pitch this week after three-plus years of complaints, testing and overall campaigning. So what's next?
Details for @denverpost.com (paywall article)
Details for @denverpost.com (paywall article)
Exclusive: Colorado's newest film commissioner comes to the state from SeriesFest -- but isn't new to major legislative work. Details for @denverpost.com
New commissioner hired to lead Colorado film office as Sundance looms in 2027
Former film office commissioner Donald Zuckerman was fired in September without explanation
www.denverpost.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Exclusive: Colorado's newest film commissioner comes to the state from SeriesFest -- but isn't new to major legislative work. Details for @denverpost.com
Reposted by John Wenzel
How is the Colorado Symphony getting to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. trib.al/x3996Is
How is the Colorado Symphony getting to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.
A Denver concert celebrates the orchestra’s upcoming New York trip, plus long-range plans to renovate its home venue.
trib.al
January 19, 2026 at 3:56 PM
How is the Colorado Symphony getting to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. trib.al/x3996Is
Even as an entertainment journalist and critic, I've had people over the years accuse me of stalking them, doxxing them (not always in so many words) and telling me I should be investigated. For writing reviews and features about fun stuff. For my good-faith, constructive opinions.
The FBI raids the house of a Washington Post journalist basically to learn about her sourcing: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
F.B.I. Searches Home of Washington Post Journalist for Classified Material
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Even as an entertainment journalist and critic, I've had people over the years accuse me of stalking them, doxxing them (not always in so many words) and telling me I should be investigated. For writing reviews and features about fun stuff. For my good-faith, constructive opinions.
Reposted by John Wenzel
A trio of sculptures warrants a second or third — or hundredth — look. The pieces understand Denver and how it developed over the ages, and ask people to consider those things holistically.
Review: Public art can be a waste of time. Three new sculptures downtown are worth yours.
The challenge for successful public art is that it needs to stay interesting over the long haul.
trib.al
January 12, 2026 at 7:52 PM
A trio of sculptures warrants a second or third — or hundredth — look. The pieces understand Denver and how it developed over the ages, and ask people to consider those things holistically.
No surprises here but that's not a bad thing. I'm a fan of movies that don't make apologies for their subject matter, and there are plenty at the top this year. Don't wait til Oscars rush to see "One Battle" or "Sinners" if you haven't yet.
January 9, 2026 at 9:29 PM
No surprises here but that's not a bad thing. I'm a fan of movies that don't make apologies for their subject matter, and there are plenty at the top this year. Don't wait til Oscars rush to see "One Battle" or "Sinners" if you haven't yet.
Reposted by John Wenzel
Renée Nicole Good, the driver shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis today, was a 37-year-old woman originally from Colorado, according to officials // Story by @katielang.bsky.social
Woman killed by ICE officer in Minneapolis was from Colorado
“Renee was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” Renee Nicole Good’s mother told the Minnesota Star Tribune. “She was extremely compassionate.”
www.denverpost.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:22 AM
Renée Nicole Good, the driver shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis today, was a 37-year-old woman originally from Colorado, according to officials // Story by @katielang.bsky.social
A Boulder artist's wildly popular stickers covering Trump's face Nat'l Parks pass appears to have prompted updated rules from the Department of the Interior. She's still selling them, but it's unmistakable pushback.
More for @denverpost.com (paywall article)
More for @denverpost.com (paywall article)
Feds say stickers covering Trump’s face on national parks passes could invalidate them
The Department of the Interior update follows Boulder artist Jenny McCarty selling stickers that cover the president’s face on the 2026 America the Beautiful passes.
www.denverpost.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:01 PM
A Boulder artist's wildly popular stickers covering Trump's face Nat'l Parks pass appears to have prompted updated rules from the Department of the Interior. She's still selling them, but it's unmistakable pushback.
More for @denverpost.com (paywall article)
More for @denverpost.com (paywall article)
Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison's microphones. The Bee Gees' soundboard. Guitars from Chet Atkins and Johnny Smith. And enough pianos, harp guitars, reel-to-reels and world instruments to fill a dozen storage spaces.
All without a home, as of Dec. 31. New for @denverpost.com (paywall article)
All without a home, as of Dec. 31. New for @denverpost.com (paywall article)
A unique Denver museum is losing its home, but its 85-year-old founder isn’t giving up just yet
Englewood’s Rocky Mountain Music Museum has gear from Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins and the Bee Gees.
www.denverpost.com
December 30, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison's microphones. The Bee Gees' soundboard. Guitars from Chet Atkins and Johnny Smith. And enough pianos, harp guitars, reel-to-reels and world instruments to fill a dozen storage spaces.
All without a home, as of Dec. 31. New for @denverpost.com (paywall article)
All without a home, as of Dec. 31. New for @denverpost.com (paywall article)
Denver spent a lot of time in the pop culture spotlight this year thanks to the lovely and wrenching #AndreaGibson doc, "South Park," the Oscars, "Love Is Blind," #Sundance choosing Boulder, Bowen Yang, and more.
Now at @denverpost.com Post (paywall article). With @tineywristwatch.bsky.social
Now at @denverpost.com Post (paywall article). With @tineywristwatch.bsky.social
From ‘South Park’ to ‘Love is Blind,’ Colorado’s pop culture spotlight was bright in 2025
There was also “Rebuilding,” a Colorado-shot movie starring Josh O’Connor and some Oscar buzz.
www.denverpost.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Denver spent a lot of time in the pop culture spotlight this year thanks to the lovely and wrenching #AndreaGibson doc, "South Park," the Oscars, "Love Is Blind," #Sundance choosing Boulder, Bowen Yang, and more.
Now at @denverpost.com Post (paywall article). With @tineywristwatch.bsky.social
Now at @denverpost.com Post (paywall article). With @tineywristwatch.bsky.social
Reposted by John Wenzel
America has 925 billionaires as of this year. Collectively they have a record $6.9 trillion in wealth.
The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.
When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.
When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
December 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
America has 925 billionaires as of this year. Collectively they have a record $6.9 trillion in wealth.
The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.
When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.
When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
Reposted by John Wenzel
A secret of investigative reporting is that you often get entire stories out of the dumb stuff: people who redact wrong, people who leave their Venmo on public, people who accidentally cc you on the email to their lawyers, people who put you in the bombing group chat, etc
I mean yeah it’s an authoritarian takeover but can we take some comfort in the fact that the people doing it are INSANELY stupid?
December 23, 2025 at 8:26 PM
A secret of investigative reporting is that you often get entire stories out of the dumb stuff: people who redact wrong, people who leave their Venmo on public, people who accidentally cc you on the email to their lawyers, people who put you in the bombing group chat, etc
Reposted by John Wenzel
Denver's Bowen Yang ends historic ‘Saturday Night Live’ run this weekend | Sorry to see this departure of my fellow Smoky Hill and Laredo alum! www.denverpost.com/2025/12/19/b... via @denverpost.com
Denver’s Bowen Yang ends historic ‘Saturday Night Live’ run this weekend
Bowen Yang will wave goodbye to Studio 8H after the Dec. 20 episode of “Saturday Night Live,” where he’s made history as the show’s first Chinese-American cast member.
www.denverpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Denver's Bowen Yang ends historic ‘Saturday Night Live’ run this weekend | Sorry to see this departure of my fellow Smoky Hill and Laredo alum! www.denverpost.com/2025/12/19/b... via @denverpost.com
One also wonders if it might just be better replacing all politicians' faces with handpainted animals. (One would be right.)
Boulder artist Jenny McCarty created stickers that cover images of President Donald Trump’s face on the newly unveiled 2026 National Parks Pass. She's donating proceeds to the National Parks Foundation. // Story by @johnwenzel.bsky.social
Boulder artist makes stickers to cover Trump’s face on National Parks passes — and the orders are flying in
Jenny McCarty’s stickers for the 2026 passes have gained national attention since launching Dec. 10.
www.denverpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:49 PM
One also wonders if it might just be better replacing all politicians' faces with handpainted animals. (One would be right.)
Reposted by John Wenzel
December 18, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Reposted by John Wenzel
Let's hope this puts an end to Disney infomercials being part of the telecast and that the ceremony isn't five hours long: www.denverpost.com/2025/12/17/o...
The Oscars will move to YouTube in 2029, leaving longtime home of ABC
ABC will continue broadcasting the event until 2028, which will mark the 100th Oscars.
www.denverpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Let's hope this puts an end to Disney infomercials being part of the telecast and that the ceremony isn't five hours long: www.denverpost.com/2025/12/17/o...
Reposted by John Wenzel
Latest: Trump admin's move to shut down Boulder climate research lab NCAR has drawn rebukes from Colorado officials and laments from scientists across the country. Led by @sethklamann.bsky.social: www.denverpost.com/2025/12/17/t...
Trump moves to shut down Boulder climate research lab NCAR, drawing rebukes from Colorado officials
Federal lawmakers called the planned NCAR closure “deeply dangerous” and “blatantly retaliatory.” Gov. Jared Polis said: “If true, public safety is at risk and science…
www.denverpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Latest: Trump admin's move to shut down Boulder climate research lab NCAR has drawn rebukes from Colorado officials and laments from scientists across the country. Led by @sethklamann.bsky.social: www.denverpost.com/2025/12/17/t...
