Denver native T.J. Miller can be a polarizing character in his hometown. Many in the comedy community see him as a local hero who's helped bring national eyes to the scene; others think he's a bro-down braggart who erroneously claimed civic pride with his "Denver" music video. Either way, though, there's no denying his mainstream success, as evidenced by last night's premiere of the Fox comedy Goodwin Games, co-starring Miller as a lovable jailbird competing against his siblings for his father's inheritance. The show comes on the heels of January's announcement that Miller will co-star in the new Mike Judge comedy pilot, Silicon Valley.

While Goodwin Games is a DOA dud, Silicon Valley will most likely be a fantastic gem that may -- or may not -- have a chance of getting picked up. It seems that Miller is taking the classic Nicolas Cage route of "safe" roles that will secure him an income, balanced by "smart" comedies that garner self-respect and long-term credibility. It's a wise route to take, but is it very Denver?

See also:
- Which version of The Office was better: U.S. or U.K.?
- Marc Maron's new TV series will make you want to shoot yourself in the face
- T.J. Miller talks Dane Cook, Denver comedy and eating mustard out of a can

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New Talent night begins May 22 and continues through October.

If you want to join the ranks of the dozen or so local comics who have gone on to national recognition, then Comedy Works New Faces Competition is the perfect place to start. "A lot of comics use it each year to see where they are as comedians, judging by how far they get along in the contest," says competition organizer Deacon Gray. "Past winners have included Adam Cayton-Holland, Ben Kronberg, Josh Blue, and last year's winner was Elliot Woolsey. It's one of those things that carries a bit of bragging rights here in town." While the competition will continue for the next eighteen weeks, round one begins tomorrow at Comedy Works downtown.

See also:
- Natasha Leggero went for the jugular last night at Comedy Works
- Marc Maron's new TV series will make you want to shoot yourself in the face
- Best Comedy Night: Arguments and Grievances

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Between last summer's devastating wild fires, the Aurora shootings and other high-profile news stories, Colorado has had a rough year.

It is difficult to find a way to express the emotions that these events have evoked, but the Damsel Dance Company is trying to do that by communicating Colorado's fear and pain as well as hope, faith, and pride through dance.

Denver on Fire, which tackles these topics, begins tonight (although the first showing is sold out) and runs through May 22.

See also:
- Denver On Fire event information
- 100 Colorado Creatives: Nancy Smith of Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance
- Photos: The strange and seafaring fashions of the Holy Ship!! dance cruise

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All photos by Mauricio Rocha

The sun was shining over the weekend, and those who weren't joining in the American Ninja Warrior hijinks in Civic Center Park were catching rays in other parts of the city. One of them was local pianist and composer Pudgy Swollen, who we spotted playing a piano on the 16th Street Mall. Read here to learn about his intergalactic pants, what publication inspires his look, and what kinds of tips he earns playing the piano.

See also:
- Menswear Mondays: Artist Juan Nunez on his bleached DIY look
- Menswear Mondays: sacred clown Bradley Mccollough on his utilitarian fashion
- Menswear Mondays: Artist Shane O'Connor on his punk-rock fashion

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Photo/Ken Hamblin

Hundreds of local ink enthusiasts put their tattoos to the test at the Ink Slingers Ball and Tattoo Expo over the weekend. The eighth annual event took over PT's ShowClub on May 18, 2013, as ink junkies competed for $2,000 grand prizes for the best sleeve, black-and-white, color and large tattoos. Photographer Ken Hamblin captured all the action: Continue reading for a few highlights, and visit our full Ink Slingers Ball & Tattoo Expo slide show for more photos.

See also:
- Five reasons restaurant employees should be allowed to have tattoos and piercings
- Tattoo Nation documents California's romance with ink
- Tattoo Nation director Eric Schwartz on the oral history of the art form

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All photos by Danielle Lirette.

The Five Points Jazz Festival had jazz fans of all ages dancing in the streets on Saturday, May 18, 2013. Local musicians, art, and street food filled Welton Street as soulful jazz filled the air from the morning through the evening. Continue reading for a few highlights, and visit our full Five Points Jazz Festival slide show for more photos.

See also:
- Five Points Jazz on Film presents The Girls in the Band
- The five best jazz shows in Denver this May
- The 2013 Colorado music festival guide

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David Anfam, who's been involved with the Clyfford Still Museum since it opened, has just been named senior consulting curator. The only scholar given access to the late artist's collection by his widow, Anfam now plans to focus on realizing the museum's goal of having a research center, as well as other scholarly initiatives.

In advance of the opening of the Still's new show, Memory, Myth and Magic, we spoke with Anfam about his experience with Clifford Still's work and his hopes for the museum.

See also:
- Best Addition to Denver's Art Scene 2012 Clyfford Still Museum
- Best Clyfford Still Show 2012 Inaugural Exhibition
- Designing the Clyfford Still Museum

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James Clark, Rollie Williams, Jason Metter, Asa Erlendson and Max Schwartz are Governor Jack.

Governor Jack -- a group comprising James Clark, Rollie Williams, Jason Metter, Asa Erlendson and Max Schwartz -- is campaigning to make improv a more visible part of Denver's burgeoning comedy scene. The group produces the improv show Governor Jack Watches You Sleep at Voodoo Comedy Playhouse, with material growing out of live interviews with "local celebrities" (think television-friendly lawyer Michael Sawaya.) The goal? To create a stronger presence for improv -- and maybe boost visibility of Governor Jack's own web series, aptly titled How to Make a Web Series.

After the group asked me to be a guest on Governor Jack Watches You Sleep last month, I talked with its longest-running member, about how Governor Jack came together, the status of improv in Denver, and what it plans to do with its web series.

See also:
- The ten best comedy events in May
- The Grawlix's five best comedy shorts
- Michael Sawaya to host reading of his book with flute, interpretive dance

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Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro take to the "Mean Streets" of Little Italy.

The first film by Martin Scorcese that truly wore his mark, Mean Streets is a small and personal tour de force, held together by a killer jukebox score and the explosive on-screen meeting of Robert De Niro (as the ne'er-do-well gambler, Johnny Boy) and Harvey Keitel (as Charlie, a conflicted small-time Mafia loan collector).

See also:
- Repertory Cinema Wishlist: O Lucky Man!
- Repertory Cinema Wishlist: The Duellists
- Repertory Cinema Wishlist: Robert Altman's Nashville

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Free fun isn't hard to find in Denver this week: You can learn about Jewish culture at the Mizel Museum, catch a zany improv show, or serenade a bar crowd at karaoke. Share more free events in our comments section below, and check out the Westword calendar for a full listing of events.

See also:
- Westword Book Club: Ryan Demers on filmmaking, furries and Gone Girl
- Spun spins a museum-wide web of textile-related exhibits at the Denver Art Museum
- Video: Elitch Gardens debuts new roller coaster, shows and beer this summer

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