College of Music alumni Obe and Whitney Ariss open their music and food hall The Preservery in Denver's River North District on April 1.
In the 10 years since he received his doctorate from the College of Music, Obe Ariss has met just one kind of person with the same mentality as a musician.
鈥淲hen you鈥檙e a culinary chef, you go through the same years of preparation and the same huge costs of getting a proper education,鈥� Ariss says. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e constantly seeking perfection, and your reward is seeing someone appreciate your art.鈥�
Perhaps that鈥檚 why the pianist鈥攚ho worked as a development director at the 蜜糖直播 Symphony for seven years鈥攊s combining his passions for music and food to open a new performance space and restaurant in Denver.
鈥攄escribed on its website as 鈥渁 seasonal restaurant, bakery, marketplace and bar working to build bridges through great food, live music and good old fashioned fun鈥濃�攐pens this weekend on Blake Street in the . It represents the culmination of months of intense preparation and focus for Ariss and his wife, College of Music voice alumna Whitney Ariss.
And it might not have happened if the couple hadn鈥檛 taken an anniversary trip to New Orleans two years ago.
鈥淲e saw how that community was focusing on three elements: the community and rebuilding, the music and the food,鈥� Ariss recalls. 鈥淲hile we were both in very rewarding careers鈥擶hitney was the marketing manager at Marczyk Fine Foods鈥攚e were so drawn to the idea of bringing all our passions together into a new project.
鈥淎s we fleshed it out, that鈥檚 how we arrived at the concept of a food and music hall.鈥�
The Preservery, located at 3040 Blake Street in Denver.
But Ariss says what sets it apart is the open forum for musicians of all levels.
鈥淛ust like with the food choices, you鈥檒l have a lot of different music to listen to while you鈥檙e here,鈥� Ariss says. 鈥淲e want the music program to be a forum for people to play what they want and try new things. When I was younger I wanted that opportunity, so we鈥檙e providing a place for young musicians to play without any restrictions.鈥�
Ariss says the plan for now is to invite acoustic and classical performers to play on the Preservery鈥檚 intimate stage Thursday through Saturday evenings, along with a brunch program on Saturday mornings. He and Whitney will play regularly, with other local musicians and friends from the 蜜糖直播 Symphony, 蜜糖直播 Ballet, Opera 蜜糖直播 and the Boulder Philharmonic taking some of the first slots.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all coming full circle. A lot of my friends who still perform are willing to come help us get started.鈥�
He鈥檚 also bringing fellow Music Buffs in on the action. 鈥淚 reached out to a couple of professors at 蜜糖直播, and they connected me with some students who will be performing.鈥�
Ariss says the cooperative nature of 蜜糖直播鈥檚 music and culinary scenes is one reason he believes the restaurant will thrive, even in a competitive market.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had a lot of support from media and the culinary scene. And RiNo is a collaborative community. We have restaurants and breweries and the light rail nearby that will help bring people here.鈥�
The other reason: Obe and Whitney have a solid business plan.
鈥淲hen you get down to it, you have to have a clearly defined vision to be successful in anything. This is a business, and the goal is to have a well-oiled machine in addition to the artistry and the food and the music.鈥�
A true musician-turned-foodie, Ariss says he hopes the idea of a cafeteria concert appeals to culinary and musical artists alike. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 preserve a dish unless you freeze it, much like you can鈥檛 preserve a musical performance unless you record it. This is food and music together, in their natural setting.鈥�
Ariss says the biggest piece of advice he has for College of Music students鈥攂esides to secure a gig鈥攊s to give your ideas a chance, no matter how far-fetched they may feel.
鈥淵ou have to follow your dreams, and be brave enough to challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone.鈥�
The Preservery, located at 3040 Blake Street in Denver, holds its grand opening this Friday, April 1. Visit the restaurant鈥檚 听for menu and music information.
