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John Wenzel

@johnwenzel.bsky.social
1.2K followers 293 following 438 posts

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.

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Reposted by John Wenzel
The Denver Post @denverpost.com · 07/10/2026
Passes for Sundance Film Festival's Boulder debut go on sale soon. Here’s what locals need to know about tickets, student discounts, free events and festival transportation.
denverpost.com
Sundance passes go on sale next week. Here’s Boulder’s guide to getting in — and getting around
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Definitely for a Robert Pollard/Guided by Voices side project
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
GBV! GBV!
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Further reading... bit.ly/4jFVAxJ
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
www.kickstarter.com/projects/mwa...
kickstarter.com
Stories From the Room: A Celebratory Archival Zine
"Invite Them Up" and the Rise of New York’s Indie Comedy Scene, 1995–2015
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
This comedy-zine project is geographically distant but so close to my heart, given the book I wrote about the scene and my years-long love of it. Support legendary NYC booker #MarianneWays and help get this awesome #indiecomedy project to the delivery room!! (link in comments)
kickstarter.com
Stories From the Room: A Celebratory Archival Zine
"Invite Them Up" and the Rise of New York’s Indie Comedy Scene, 1995–2015
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Tamara Dunn @tamaraddunn.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
"I Play Rocky" will open Denver Film Festival, with "Ink," "Paper Tiger," "Behemoth!" and "The Debut" in the lineup www.denverpost.com/2026/10/03/d... by @johnwenzel.bsky.social
denverpost.com
Denver Film Festival reveals 2026 schedule and tickets, with guests such as John Cho and Carrie Coon
The packed event expands to 11 days at various Denver screening venues, Oct. 22-Nov. 1.
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Ash Parrish, Kotaku's LeBron James @adashtra.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
*gently* i beg you to read an entire thing rather over reacting to a headline. please.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
😂
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Jon Murray @jonmurraydp.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Yesterday @johnwenzel.bsky.social took a look at the improvements and what this park means. www.denverpost.com/2026/09/25/c...
denverpost.com
One-of-a-kind Denver park opens this weekend with BMX, birdwatching and industrial graffiti
There’s nothing quite like Carpio-Sanguinette Park & Heron Pond Open Space — in Denver or anywhere else.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Always psyched to appear on Denver's @citycastdenver.bsky.social, this time talking about Sundance Film Fest updates, a unique and surprising move by EDM favorite GRiZ for his Colorado fans, and my rec for the most interesting show to see this fall. Check it out below! denver.citycast.fm
denver.citycast.fm
City Cast Denver - Daily Podcast and Newsletter - City Cast Denver
City Cast Denver is the daily podcast and newsletter bringing you the local conversation in the city you love. Find out what Denverites are talking about.
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Reposted by John Wenzel
Reece @thiccreese.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Meta's new AI agent wanted my passport info. Not to help me. To train on me. Actually, it wanted everything: bank accounts, email inboxes, ID info. No surprise coming from Meta. But always worth reminding readers that AI automations come with major privacy risks. www.wired.com/story/metas-...
wired.com
Meta's Muse Is Better at Surveilling Than Helping Me
The Muse app continues Meta’s trend of opting users into data collection for AI training. It also nudges you to share your bank account, email, and passport information.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
#GRiZ is only artist I've ever seen who said he'd play "a more accommodating venue" than Red Rocks on his next visit (a venue mostly booked by AEG Presents). His new, free, charity-driven shows? They're at Live Nation's Junkyard this month. Tickets are free and non-transferrable, even.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Gen-AI is an insulting plagiarism and regurgitation machine, and there's no counter-evidence that comes even close to holding water. It steals the Library of Alexandria every second of every day and we're all supposed to cheer about it. Proud to work at the @denverpost.com
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Holy shit. Instant flashbacks. Learned to play guitar using the tabs there. Visited more times than I can remember when I was at BGSU. Appreciate you sharing.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
www.denverpost.com/2026/09/17/c...
denverpost.com
From horror to Westerns, a guide to Colorado’s upcoming film festivals — including Sundance’s Boulder debut
Film festivals in Aspen, Ridgway, Greeley, Telluride, Denver and Colorado Springs will lead up to the state’s heavily watched Sundance debut.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Don't let Sundance hype distract you: Colorado hosts dozens of historic #filmfestivals that have long made us a destination for cinephiles and creatives. With biggies like Denver Film Fest (and yes, Sundance) on the horizon, it's a good time for a @denverpost.com roundup (link in comments)
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The Denver Post @denverpost.com · 15/09/2026
"A lot of alarming news is circulating right now about federal efforts to change how states run their elections," two Colorado clerk and recorders write. "For now, the answer is simple: Nothing has changed; keep your voting plans."
denverpost.com
Keep your voting plans, Colorado, because we will be sending mail ballots (Opinion)
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Pre-Switch mobility!
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The writing is fantastic. The rendering of the characters is... inconsistent. (Like, reign it in, Benjamin!) But yeah, LOVE that show and glad to see another convert.
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Matt Sebastian @mattsebastian.com · 10/09/2026
Miami Herald's deputy investigations editor on McClatchy's layoffs today: “Now, they can move chess pieces around, but how do you do that when you have no chess pieces left? As I understand it, this would be 30 overall slots (eliminated) in a newsroom that was already under 80 positions.”
poynter.org
McClatchy cuts more than 90 staff in its most severe layoffs in years - Poynter
At least 13 papers — including The Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee and The Kansas City Star — lost reporters
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
www.denverpost.com/2026/09/10/n...
denverpost.com
Beloved Denver dive Nob Hill Inn will stay open after funding success
The East Colfax Avenue bar said it faced Sept. 30 closure due to increased costs, disruptive BRT construction
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Success! See? Sometimes we can have nice* things. #NobHillInn update for @denverpost.com. Link in comments. (nice = wonderfully gritty)
denverpost.com
Beloved Denver dive Nob Hill Inn will stay open after funding success
The East Colfax Avenue bar said it faced Sept. 30 closure due to increased costs, disruptive BRT construction
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Wow
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
In terms of spectacle and craft and honest-to-gods love of cinema? It feels like a once-in-lifetime thing. If that's tertiary though you could probably wait for streaming. But I'd recommend the theater experience. Worth the wait/money.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Bully for all of us!
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I can't even imagine. The anxiety about getting something wrong would paralyze my writing and/or editing skills.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Whilst reserving a Veo on your phone
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Haw! That's a great story re: the library. Before the age of endless merch I used to wish I had a T-shirt of the book cover (and now that there's endless merch I do). Did you see the Denver version?
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
www.denverpost.com/2024/06/20/t...
denverpost.com
Broadway’s “Frozen” musical, which began in Denver, is a family-friendly delight | Theater review
The adaptation of the Disney movie likely minted dozens of new Broadway fans on Wednesday at the Buell Theatre.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
www.denverpost.com/2024/10/16/m...
denverpost.com
“Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak” is a brilliant survey of the artist and author | Review
One gets the sense of the author and illustrator as a whole person, from an oft-bedridden childhood gazing out his Brooklyn window to his global success and forays into stage and screen.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Jealous! I try to get to at 18%-20% around this time of year.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
www.denverpost.com/2025/08/18/c...
denverpost.com
The Denver Post takes top honors from Colorado Press Association — including inaugural A-Mark Prize
The Denver Post won 31 awards for stories, columns, photographs, newsletters and page design — including first place for public service.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Honored to win 1st Place for Best A&E Writing from the Colorado Press Association for my @denverpost.com reviews of "Frozen," and a great Maurice Sendak exhibit at Denver Art Museum (all linked in comments). Arts writing still matters! Thanks for recognizing it @coloradopress.bsky.social
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Raise your hand if you always knew Roseanne Barr and Tina Peters would end up on a conspiracy-driven conservative event together. (I am not raising my hand.) Noted politico and reality-hewer Roseanne Barr.
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Tamara Dunn @tamaraddunn.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Despite A-list cast, ‘The Dog Stars’ is no match for Peter Heller’s Colorado-set novel | Review www.denverpost.com/2026/08/26/d... by @johnwenzel.bsky.social
denverpost.com
Despite A-list cast, ‘The Dog Stars’ is no match for Peter Heller’s Colorado-set novel | Review
The Ridley Scott-directed feature stars Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin and Guy Pearce.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Inarguably the kindest and most self-aware person I've ever interviewed, and that's saying something among the world class musicians, actors and humanitarians over the years. R.I.P. to a piece of my heart. Here's my only interview with #DollyParton, for @denverpost.com
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WFMU @wfmu.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
www.denverpost.com/2026/08/18/a...
denverpost.com
Astronomy and space sciences are soaring right now with kids. Keeping them engaged is much harder.
Science, pop-culture are converging at a crucial time for STEM recruitment. But some methods work better than others.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Space and astronomy seem to be the only place where the global community isn't 100% dysfunctional, but the U.S. has lately bled a lot of STEM talent that would help that continue. Here's how to keep it alive, for @denverpost.com (link in comments)
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Ashamed of my home state. There are a lot of good people and things still in Ohio, but they're fighting steeply uphill to stay that way.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
The debates over subject matter and message continue, but there IS an intentional way to read artist #LeoTanguma's murals at Denver International Airport (from right-to-left) which paints a very different picture than the conspiracy theories. My latest on #DEN reinstallation, for @denverpost.com
denverpost.com
Mural section at the heart of DIA conspiracy theories is coming back
The mural by artist Leo Tanguma, “In Peace and Harmony with Nature,” completes the striking “Children of the World Dream of Peace.”
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
www.denverpost.com/2026/07/28/p...
denverpost.com
‘504: The Musical’ revisits protest that forced disability rights — and it’s right on time
The world-premiere musical brings Denver’s Phamaly Theatre Company and its mission into sharp focus.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
States are weakening protections for disabled people and returning to re-institutionalization policies. My son, who has Type 1 diabetes, uses a 504 plan so he can attend school like everyone else. "504: The Musical," performed by an all-disabled cast, shows what's at stake. For @denverpost.com
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
It's been 20 years of Gil Boggs leading #ColoradoBallet, and it's hard to find a more nimble upswing for a nonprofit arts company in Denver (despite starting with financial ruin and enduring COVID, a changing audience and everything else). How'd he do it? My latest for @denverpost.com
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
www.denverpost.com/2026/07/29/s...
denverpost.com
Six months out from planting roots in Boulder, Sundance unveils expanded film lineup
Sundance’s first Boulder festival will feature more competition categories, expanded public events and the return of its experimental storytelling program.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
And heeeeeeere we go: Venues, discounts, dates for passes going on sale, expanded categories and Oscar qualifications, and much more from @sundance.org's film fest coming to Boulder in January. Link to #EllaCobb's detailed story for @denverpost.com and @dailycamera.com in comments
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
I don't remember seeing statements like this from History Colorado, well, ever. They depend on a bit of federal funding but not a ton. Still.
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Indie Book Spotlight @bookspotlight.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
LMFAO
AI User: I'm an artist.
Me: *turns off wifi* Prove it.
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John Wenzel @johnwenzel.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
That said the U.S. indie legacy labels have gotten appreciably more diverse in their signings over the years so that's not a terrible thing (Sub Pop, Merge, Matador, Drag City). Some have big distro but remain independently owned as far as I know.
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