The 12th Annual Last Waltz Revisited
Annual concert brings together Colorado’s finest musicians
By Eric Frank
November 15, 2016
Back in 2005, Denver's “number one jam band,” Polytoxic, wanted to put on a show that could showcase all the great local musicians they had been playing with for the past few years. They decided to re-enact The Band's "The Last Waltz," a concert film by Martin Scorsese of The Band's last performance that included all of that era's greatest musicians - Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, etc.
The show was held at Dulcinea's in Denver's Capitol Hill area on May 25, 2005, and Polytoxic planned on it being a fun little show that would garner a little bit of interest. It sold out in minutes, surprising the band and fans alike, and became the biggest show they had ever thrown. So big, in fact, they decided to do it again in 2006 - this time on the night before Thanksgiving at Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom.
Polytoxic's "The Last Waltz - Revisited" immediately went from a "fun little" idea at a small venue to one of the biggest events of the year. It has become an annual tradition, playing to sold-out capacity crowds.
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Last Waltz, and the 12th anniversary of Polytoxic’s "Last Waltz – Revisited", now boasting over 50 guest musicians from across Colorado, a full horn section, and over 30 songs from The Band's extensive catalog, focusing primarily on songs played at The Last Waltz. The concert has become a tradition for many of those involved in the show, as well as for many of the people that come out and see the show year after year.
To celebrate the last 10 years, special guests and additional songs have been added from years past. In addition, Buck Perigo will be opening the show at 8:00, performing Arlo Guthrie’s entire “Alice’s Restaurant.”
The sheer amount of talent that will grace the stage on Wednesday is truly a spectacle to witness, as Colorado's finest musicians gather for a night of music, memory, giving thanks and, most of all, fun.
This year, if fans bring canned food items for affiliated charity The Denver Rescue Mission, they will receive a FREE limited edition poster commemorating this year’s Last Waltz – Revisited (poster artwork by Diana Azab – Publicist/Graphic Designer at Cervantes’). As always, food donations and a portion of proceeds to the Denver Rescue Mission.
So come out and enjoy this magical evening, our local musicians and our local sponsors, Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta, YellowDog Printing & Graphics, KBCO and The Westword.
The Last Waltz: Revisited Show Information
WHEN: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - 7:00pm
WHERE: The Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, CO