Bodies of Culture Presents: Sunday Sounds - Working Toward Diversity and Equity in Denver's Music Industry

On September 3rd, from 4 to 7 pm, the plaza at Levitt Pavilion Denver will be hosting an event with a purpose. "Bodies of Culture Presents: Sunday Sounds" is more than just a musical gathering; it's a step towards promoting diversity and inclusivity in Denver's music scene. The event will feature live performances by local artists and will shine a spotlight on a broader mission - advocating for underrepresented individuals in the local music and entertainment sector.

Presenting this special event is the Bodies of Culture (BOC) Board, a program of Levitt Pavilion Denver assembling a group of dedicated and diverse musicians. Their goal is to reshape the local music landscape to be more equitable for emerging artists and industry peers. They believe that music has the power to heal and empower, but Denver’s music industry has work to do.

The focal point of the evening is the introduction of the BOC's artist survey, designed to gauge the experiences of artists of color within the music community. This survey aims to uncover issues and patterns within Denver’s music scene. Miguel Aviña, a BOC board member and frontman of local band iZCALLi, states, "The survey is designed to understand how artists of color feel about representation, access, and equity. Collecting this data is crucial for identifying the barriers these artists face."

Ana Uribe, another BOC board member, explained that the survey's results will be instrumental in driving change: "We hope the survey will shed light on the challenges BIPOC musicians and artists still face in the music industry. With this data, we can develop programs to address these issues in Colorado."

The event will feature performances by BOC board members and friends Ana Luna Uribe, Miguel Aviña, Kayla Marque, Claygo, DJ Stevie Selby, and Wayne Watts of DCI Tour. These artists not only contribute to Denver's cultural diversity but also exemplify how music can be a catalyst for positive change.

Amol Kitwadkar, another BOC board member, underscored the impact of the event: "It's easy for artists of color to feel isolated due to their experiences. By collecting data from BIPOC artists, we can shed light on these disparities and work towards solutions, raise awareness, and garner support."

While thinking of ways to share their own experiences in Denver’s music scene, the board came up with the idea to highlight local BIPOC artists. What started as an open call back in May turned into three talented artists crafting comic strips of the board’s experiences as BIPOC artists. A big thank you to Omar Silvas, Zhanine Martinez, and Vincent Patrick! Check out some of their work below:

Join the BOC board and Levitt Pavilion Denver for this event Sunday, September 3rd from 4-7pm to partake in the first steps of this important work, witness incredible live music under the stars, and enjoy food provided by Maiz food truck.