I’ve attended a few of literary events at the Dikeou Collection over the last year or so and it’s always been a first-rate experience. In fact, I would argue that the Dikeou Collection beats out most literary venues in Denver, including any café/bar or even bookstore. The collection offers a unique background for readings: room after room of contemporary art; two ceiling-height pink inflatable bunnies, a Last Supper rendition made of chocolate syrup, the imagined interior of an apocalyptic whale. All of the artwork contributes to a high-minded, yet hip atmosphere in which the events are held. It also offers a great entry point into the world of contemporary art for the unfamiliar.
The readings themselves are top-notch. Featuring an abundance of local talent from the greater Denver area, including professors and grad students from the University of Denver, UCD, Boulder, and Naropa. Standouts include Bin Ramke, Laird Hunt, Eleni Sikelianos, Noah Eli Gordon, Saleh Saterstrom, Mathias Svalina, and more. The current and previous Directors of the collection are writers and DU grads themselves, which helps explain the quality of the readings and literary prowess of the programming.
Nowhere else in Denver combines contemporary art with the local literary scene to the degree of success of the Dikeou Collection. Conveniently located right off 16th Street Mall to boot.