With the pandemic came a slew of closures, questions, and turmoil from Denver businesses, though some were able to not only keep their doors open, but also put that down time to good use. EXDO Event Center is one of those spaces, now boasting rebranding, physical changes, and more.
EXDO Event Center, neighboring Tracks on 35th Street in RiNo, has been reimagined as ReelWorks Denver, and the name serves as homage to the history of the building, initially built in 1945, when it operated as a manufacturing plant for film reels during the Golden Age of Hollywood, according to Club Manager Caleb Roth.
In addition the to the rebrand, they have added a number of physical upgrades to the venue, including a permanent, but movable, stage, an upgraded green room, a permanent technology booth for DJs and live music performances, a new projection mapping system that bathes the entire venue in digital motion picture projection, and a new mezzanine bar, which previously served as storage.
Roth says that the pandemic allowed them time to do an internal audit of the business operations and space, taking into account the feedback they have received through the years regarding the venue.
“It became quite clear that DJs worldwide loved playing in our venue, but their management and production companies were frustrated with the need to set up the space each time for each show,” Roth says. “So, by building a permanent yet movable stage, in addition to having a permanent technology booth, DJs and live music performers can now ‘plug and play’ at ReelWorks, making for a more efficient and quicker set up.”
Roth says that this was a change that will allow the venue to continue growing and pressing forward, adding, “Additionally, while we are immensely proud of all that the EXDO Event Center has accomplished and hosted for nearly 20 years, we believe our pivot to ReelWorks Denver represents our continued innovation into the live music and immersive event space while still hosting Denver’s most unique, versatile and memorable private and public events.”
Looking ahead, there’s more than ever to dive into at ReelWorks, including their recurring DJ set and partnership with Whirling Dervish to bring in different acts to perform on various weekends; their monthly parties, including Roll every third Friday, July boasting a Golden Girls theme, August featuring a Schitt’s Creek theme, as well as special events like Drag Nation, taking place every final Friday of the month where the venue brings out drag performers from shows like Ru Paul’s Drag Race and Dragula while showcasing some of Denver’s local talent.
ReelWorks is also eager for other upcoming events, like the upcoming Goth Prom and a special open-to-close set set from DJ Danny Tenaglia on Aug. 7. Tenaglia held DJ residencies at heavily trafficked New York clubs like Twilo, Paradise Garage, and Vinyl in the 90s dance and rave scene. He’s famous for his own brand of thumping, deep house that regularly electrifies dance floors. “You’ll be able to catch Danny in full house mode, and you’re going to be seeing one happy-as-hell DJ,” Roth says. Tickets are available here.
For more information on future events at the updated ReelWorks space, visit their events page.
Photo courtesy of ReelWorks Denver.
