Everyone Orchestra is bringing the heat to Denver, Phish Dicks pre and after parties at Cervantes' Ballroom! (Preview & Contest)

Everyone Orchestra at Cervantes' 9/3/2015 (Credit: Kyle Sutton)

Phish has made a tradition of visiting Dicks Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, just outside Denver, for three nights of music and friends. Phish Dicks, as the event is affectionately called, has become a staple in the Phish community, in comparison to the likes of the Gorge and MSG in NYC, and draws thousands of people from all corners of the county (& probably beyond).


In keeping with tradition, Matt Butler is bringing The Everyone Orchestra back to Denver for two nights of stellar live improvisation with some incredible musicians. Butler has been leading a rotating cast of musicians through full-length shows that are entirely improvised since 2001. The Everyone Orchestra operates off the concept of using improvisation as a vehicle to explore instrumentation between musicians from different styles.

According to their website: "The Everyone Orchestra conductor/founder Matt Butler has taken its participants, both on stage and off, on improvisational journeys with the most diverse of lineups at festivals, theaters and philanthropic events both nationally and internationally. A laundry list of hundreds of musicians, dancers, singers, guest conductors and community organizations have embraced the experience of EO in single shots of musical adrenaline to the soul. Tuning in to his energy, the band and audience utilize The Conductor as their pivot to the set mood of each passing jam as he communicates with the musicians using hand signs, whiteboard and assorted mime suggestions."

This year, the Everyone Orchestra is kicking off Phish Dicks weekend in style Thursday night, September 1st, at Cervantes' Ballrom's Other Side. The cast of musicians is pretty impressive for the first night, including Adam Deitch (Lettuce), Joel Cummins (Umphrey's McGee), Durga McBroom (Pink Floyd), DJ Williams (Karl Densons Tiny Universe), Robert Mercurio (Galactic), Mihali Savoulidis (Twiddle), Ben Thomas (Zappa Plays Zappa), and rounding things out, Matt Bricket and Austin Zalatel (Eufoquestra). You can still snag $20 early bird tickets to this show right now, HERE. Don't sleep on it as they're going up to $25 before the show and then another $5 to $30 for tickets the day of show. Doors are at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm.

Everyone Orchestra at Cervantes' 9/3/2015 (Credit: Kyle Sutton)

You can expect equally as stellar a show Friday for the Phish After-Show, featuring a similiar lineup. For the second night we gain Aron Magner (Disco Biscuits) and Tom Hamilton (Joe Russo's Almost Dead), but lose Joel Cummins and DJ Williams. The doors for Friday open up at 10:30pm and the show starts at 11:30pm. You can still get $20 advance tickets HERE, they go up to $25 day of show.

If you're not already excited (which I don't know how you wouldn't be!!), we'll be giving away some tickets through our Facebook page. So go like our page and keep an eye out for your chance to get in for free. Hope to see you all there!

THE GIVEAWAY IS LIVE HERE!! 

CHECK IT OUT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO ONE OF THE SHOWS!

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Phish Pre-Party @ Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom w/ Everyone Orchestra (Review) [9-3-15]

Photos and Review by: Kyle Sutton

Over the past several years, Phish has made a tradition out of visiting Dicks Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO right outside of Denver for three nights of music and jams. Different music venues around Denver hosted a slew of pre and post parties to please all of the incoming Phish "phans" – most of whom came to the mile high city from all corners of the country.

Cervantes hosted this year's official pre-party on Sept. 3 with The Everyone Orchestra, an improv heavy all-star lineup of well-known/respected musicians. The always changing lineup concept is the brainchild of conductor/creator Matt Butler. 

This show's lineup, in addition to Butler, consisted of Kris Myers (Umphrey's McGee), Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident), Paul Hoffman (Greensky Bluegrass), Aron Manger (Disco Biscuits), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Robert Mercurio (Galactic), Eddie Roberts (The New Mastersounds), Durga McBroom (Pink Floyd), Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band).

EO operates off the concept of using improvisation as a vehicle to explore instrumentation between musicians from different styles. Butler spent some of the night leading the jams himself, using key words to signal a particular style. The rest of the night, Butler gave the reigns to the musicians making for a completely organic musical experience.  

More photos from the high-energy show featured below. Click on any photo for gallery view. 

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