Tucked away, just west of 44th Ave. and Wadsworth Blvd, a large black building houses two businesses that hold community close at heart. All Sacred Tattoo and Ritualcravt operate with a deep drive to give back and to provide a safe and welcoming space for all. Motivated by these values, these two entities come together yearly to hold a huge fundraiser benefitting one non-profit organization. The Arise Fundraiser will be donating all funds raised to Urban Peak, a Denver non-profit organization providing a wide range of services as well as housing to youth experiencing homelessness. This year, the fundraiser will also be joined by former Ritualcravt owner Missy Rhysing, who now runs Corridor Books. Not only will she be coordinating the silent auction, she will also be present in her “weird girl fiction” bookstore and donating a percentage of her sales for the day.
“Ultimately the event is a celebration of everything we all have to give as a community – art, tattooing, music, food, local vendors, Ritualcravt and all its offerings,” explains Aries Rhysing, owner and artist of All Sacred Tattoo. “We contribute 100 percent of all money raised to support the folks on the front lines who are doing the work on the streets and in the youth shelter to support every facet of providing hope to unhoused youth. Their efforts include emergency drop-ins for food and clothing to transitional housing, long term housing, medical, dental, education, and employment, to ensure these youth make it off the streets and survive their adversity to thrive in every way they can.”
This year, the endeavors of the Arise fundraiser are more important than ever. As a non-profit organization, Urban Peak has suffered under budget cuts and need the support of donors to continue the life changing work they do with our local unhoused youth.
On Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. until sundown, the south parking lot at 7700 W 44th Avenue will be transformed into a gathering of community members partaking in festivities to help support the important work done at Urban Peak. Attendees will enjoy delicious fare from local food trucks, receive a haircut, get a flash tattoo, dance to music, and be entertained by multiple performances throughout the day. Attendees can purchase their wristband for $20 at the door, the sales of which will all be donated to Urban Peak. Every vendor present will also donate a portion, or the entirety, of their sales during the event.
A talented troupe of drag queens will put on an amazing show, local musicians will fill the air with music, and DJs will keep the beats going all day long. Local post-metal legends Native Daughters will perform, along with Palehorse/Palerider, Jedidiah Burtoft, and an additional local musical act, to be announced in early September. Additionally, Randy Blythe, frontman for Lamb of God, will take the stage during the event to give a talk, chat with fans, and sign copies of his books.
Inside Ritualcravt, there will still be plenty to keep you occupied. You can peruse the wide variety of hand-crafted and thoughtfully sourced spiritual goods at Ritualcravt, including tarot decks, intentionally dressed candles, incense, and a fully stocked apothecary wall, while bidding on the silent auction for locally-made art, tarot readings, massages, and gift cards for local businesses.
