2008
July
25, 26 & 27
Venues
Each of our Festival venues offers a unique listening environment, and some Festival-goers make a point of experiencing all of them. Others prefer to remain in their favorite spot and let the bands come to them. All five venues are quite small and intimate, creating a rapport between musicians and audience that both say makes the Evergreen Festival a very special experience. Free shuttle service runs every 20 minutes connecting the venues, and food and beverages are available at all venues except the church.
Little Bear
Better-known than the state's first governor (for whom nearby Mt. Evans is named) the Little Bear saloon and restaurant is a living piece of Rocky Mountain history. Over the years, Little Bear's walls have housed a dance hall, a church, a drugstore, and perhaps even a brothel. But the real fun began in the late '60s when an old bar and restaurant called the Round Up was transformed into Red Ram night club.
The old Red Ram sign remains atop the Little Bear roof, and if you really listen on a quiet night, you might just hear the faint strains of big band music lingering through the years. Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, the Glenn Miller Band ... they all played at the Red Ram during the late '60s and early '70s.
By 1975, the name had changed to Little Bear, and the music had changed, too. Big band sounds had been replaced by the likes of Bo Diddley, Rita Coolidge, George Thoroughgood and countless others. Willie Nelson was never actually booked at the Bear, but when he owned a ranch just up Bear Creek, he was known to show up and perform with whoever happened to be on stage that night.
The Little Bear musical tradition continues with recent performances by John Lee Hooker Jr., Jimmy Thackery, Leon Russel and Savoy Brown, so you know the Bear is equipped to handle great music, dance floor and sound system included! (And if you check out the rafters at Little Bear, you'll notice evidence of another Bear tradition more akin to the rumored brothel activities of Evergreen's rough and tumble days.)
Evergreen Lake House
Evergreen Lake House was built in 1993, and this beautiful log building has become a focal point for concerts and other cultural events. Renowned for its scenic beauty and surrounding park, the Lake House is always a hit at the Jazz Festival, and as at all the venues, dancing is encouraged!
The history of Evergreen Lake goes back to the pioneer days of Evergreen. In 1860, Julius Caesar DeDisse homesteaded 420 acres along Bear Creek. His son, Jerome, continued to ranch the family property until 1919 when it was acquired by Denver for flood control.
Evergreen Lake Dam was completed in 1922, and the remainder of the DeDisse Ranch was converted to recreational uses, including hiking trails, picnic facilities and a public golf course, complete with clubhouse and restaurant. Nowadays, fishermen enjoy catching rainbow trout and tiger muskie, ice skaters flock to the lake during winter months, and a popular walking trail encircles the entire lake. (Please note: the lake trail is not ADA compliant.)
The Elks Lodge
The Evergreen Elks Lodge had its first (short) life in the early ’60s as a bowling alley. Local Elks established the Evergreen Lodge in 1967 and rented the downstairs as a clubroom (a place where thirsty Elks continue to gather for refreshment.) In the early ‘70s the Elks purchased the entire building and turned the bowling area into a large ballroom, providing plenty of space for seating, dancing and, of course, musicians.
The Lodge also served as host for the annual Evergreen Ragtime Bash, a Festival precursor organized by pianist George Keeler. Today's jazz fans enjoy the Lodge not only for its roomy dance floor, but also for its intimate patio where their favorite bands are accompanied by cool mountain breezes.
Evergreen Christian Church
Built in 1962, Evergreen Christian Church completed construction of a new sanctuary in 2000 with special consideration for contributing to the arts community. The sanctuary can be configured in three modes: traditional with choir and organ in back, auditorium-style with the pews facing organ, or in the round. Located in the midst of the community’s performing arts facilities and a short walk from the Elks Lodge, the church is frequently used for rehearsals of local theatre productions.
Designed with live performances in mind, Evergreen Christian Church boasts incredible accoustics, so the true audiophile will want to catch his favorite band here. And don't forget the Sunday morning gospel service featuring the Queen City Jazz Band and belt-it-out vocalist Wende Harston. Now a Festival tradition, its been standing room only every year.
The infamous Little Bear.
The name has changed, but the Red Ram sign remains.
Little Bear's unique interior decor.
Evergreen Lake House.
Dancers are welcome, and the Lake House floor is always popular.
The spacious Elks Ballroom.
The Elks Patio after dark.
Evergreen Christian Church, an acoustical marvel.
