Mixed Taste: Clave Theory & the Gulf of Mexico

Clave Theory & the Gulf of Mexico with Stephen Contreras-Smith & Brittany Blomberg

Your favorite off-beat lecture series is back at the Holiday Theater! Mixed Taste returns another summer of mismatched magic, where serious topics meet some not-so-serious fun.

Each night, two speakers take the stage with back-to-back talks on completely unrelated topics. But the real magic happens when the audience steps in for the Q&A, finding unexpected connections no one saw coming.

Hosted by the inimitable Bobby LeFebre, with new speakers, poets, and mash-ups every week, Mixed Taste is the intellectual joyride you didn’t know you needed.

Wednesday nights at the Holiday Theater. Doors at 6 PM. Program at 7 PM. Drinks, snacks, and serendipity await.

Your Mixed Taste ticket includes admission to MCA Denver anytime before August 24. Simply show your confirmation email at the front desk of the museum.

About the Speakers

Stephen Contreras-Smith (Clave Theory)

Stephen Smith-Contreras is a creative youth development leader with 15+ years of experience advancing social and economic justice through music and art. He has led arts education programs with schools, universities, and cultural institutions, including managing national initiatives for the LA Philharmonic’s YOLA. A skilled percussionist, Stephen blends Afro-Latin rhythms with electronic music and holds degrees in Cultural Anthropology, Ethnic Studies, and Music.

Brittany Blomberg (the Gulf of Mexico)

Dr. Brittany Blomberg is a coastal ecologist with a Ph.D. in Coastal and Marine System Science whose expertise lies in marine ecology and environmental restoration, especially oyster reef habitats. As a faculty member at MSU Denver, she combines rigorous research — published in peer-reviewed journals — with a passion for making coastal science accessible and engaging to wider audiences.