Meat eaters, take a “Q” and give this place a try. Story by Elana Ashanti Jefferson.

Heading to dinner on a Monday is like dining Russian roulette, because so many eateries take that day off. So it seemed smart to call before driving crosstown to Big Hoss one recent Monday. Doing so revealed that this meat-eater’s haven in Berkeley is open every day, like a locals joint should be. Callers are also informed that Big Hoss considers its fare “Denver’s best barbecue,” a statement reiterated on the restaurant’s specials chalkboard.

Laying claim to the best “Q” anywhere seems on par with Cassius Clay, circa 1964, calling then-heavyweight champion Sonny Liston a “big ugly bear,” and essentially launching the practice of verbal intimidation in boxing that’s made the stare-down and mind-play almost as important to the sport as the actual sparring.

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Want a dose of literary smarts with your indie folk-rock? Check out Toronto’s Rock Plaza Central.

Here’s the latest installment of our series of occasional interviews, reviews and news about the upcoming Monolith Music Festival at Red Rocks, which takes place Sept. 13-14.

Toronto’s Rock Plaza Central mixes unique storytelling with folk instrumentation not dissimilar to Neutral Milk Hotel. And, while Jeff Mangum is acclaimed for his fascination with and devotion to singing about Anne Frank, Rock Plaza Central guitar and vocalist Chris Eaton somehow ups Mangum on bizarre song topics. On “Are We Not Horses,” Eaton sings of robotic horses who think they are real horses.

Get Real Denver spoke to him about Monolith, the band’s new van, and the ambitious new novel he’s chipping away at.

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Want to see 5 Degrees filled with models? Stop by the LoDo lounge’s Courtyard Fashion Series on Friday.

Fashion shows and nightclubs go hand in hand these days. They’re a pleasant pairing for all involved: Men get to ogle models. Fashion-minded women can check out new looks. Local designers and stores display their wares to a rapt audience. Models strut. Meanwhile, the bar’s slinging drinks and raking in the cash.

No wonder they’re everywhere. It’s not quite like September in Bryant Park, but some weekends, it seems close. The next one down the catwalk is another installment of the Courtyard Fashion Series at 5 Degrees (1475 Lawrence St.).

Paulina Szafranski, vice president of marketing for Lotus Entertainment, is adamant that Friday’s show will be a cut above the rest. “To me, this is really an appreciation for all our VIPs,â€? says Szafranski. “We’re a little different in the fact that we give a lot.â€?

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“Pssst… Yeah, I’m talking to you. We’re playing on Tuesday in Boulder. You should come.”

Boulder’s Rose Hill Drive has carved itself an impressive niche for itself on the touring circuit, earning the respect of bands from The Who to Van Halen, and getting tagged by Rolling Stone as one of the Top Ten artists to watch last year. So why aren’t they blowing up to the epic proportions of the Fray?

It could be because the hard rock trio’s sound is more specialized, cobbling bits of hazy retro-rock, blues, and the guitar-driven sound of bands like Queens of the Stone Age, Wolfmother, and early ’90s Stone Temple Pilots into its hard-charging style. In advance of the group’s June 24 release show at the Fox Theatre for new album, “Moon is the New Earth,” we e-mailed lead singer/bassist Jacob Sproul about the rigors of the road, the new album and Denver’s burgeoning profile on the national music scene.

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Decisions, decisions: Where to go after the PrideFest fun winds down Saturday and Sunday?

Let’s face it: The party is at Pride this weekend. The gay and lesbian PrideFest takes over Civic Center Saturday and Sunday, and Denver’s going to be bumping from Capitol Hill to City Park and beyond. Just down the street from the Civic Center festivities, one of the weekend’s hottest parties will pop up in an unusual place: Vinyl (1082 Broadway).

The club known more for electronica DJs and hip-hop nights is throwing an official Pride bash — though it’s no surprise to the hundreds of fans of Climax, Vinyl’s gay-friendly Sunday dance party. Since starting last summer, Climax has become hugely popular. And after last year’s Pride, it was a no-brainer for Vinyl manager Peter Christou (nephew of owner Regas) to sign up again for the official Pride party.

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