A Message from Dede Frain

After a lot of thought, I want to share that I will be retiring from hosting First Friday effective January 1, 2026.

What started in 2002 as one email inviting friends to a happy hour turned into something I never could have predicted. After officially launching First Friday as a dance party in March 2003 and launching Babes Around Denver (aka BAD) as a business, it quickly became more than an event. It became a place where people connected, felt seen, and built community. Over more than two decades, First Friday has welcomed nearly 300,000 guest visits, with people ranging in age from 21 to 80+ showing up month after month. Along the way, BAD also created and hosted many other events, including Women’s Pride, comedy shows, the Women’s Final Four, networking events, the Ski Train, and the Democratic National Committee Welcome Party in 2008.

I want to clarify, First Friday is not ending.
Beginning January 1, 2026, I will be handing the reins to Tracks Nightclub, which will continue First Friday and take it into its next chapter. Tracks has been a trusted partner for more than 18 years and has long been a cornerstone of Denver’s LGBTQ community. I have complete confidence in their team, their vision, and their ability to carry First Friday forward while honoring what has made it special.

To everyone who has ever attended a Babes Around Denver event, thank you. Whether you came once, came every month, danced all night, or just stopped by to say hello, you helped create the energy and spirit of First Friday. The diversity of the crowd, across generations and identities, has always been what made it feel alive.

I also want to thank Tracks ownership, management, and staff for years of professionalism, support, and partnership. From sound and lighting to bartenders, security, and floor staff, your customer service made it possible to host this event month after month, year after year.

And to the Babes Around Denver team, past and present, including our DJs, welcoming door crew, Monica Lloyd Photography, dancers, and entertainers, thank you. This has never been a one-person effort. Your creativity, reliability, and behind-the-scenes work are what kept First Friday welcoming, safe, and fun. I am also proud that Babes Around Denver has been honored as Best Club Night and has supported Denver PrideFest and other LGBTQ organizations over the years.

First Friday was created with women in mind, but it has always been about inclusion. Watching friendships form, relationships begin, businesses grow, and community strengthen on the dance floor has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

As I step away from hosting, I do so with gratitude, pride, and excitement for what comes next. First Friday will always be one of the most meaningful chapters of my life, and I look forward to seeing it continue to grow under Tracks’ leadership.

Thank you for the memories, the music, the laughter, and the community we built together. And a huge thank you to my wife and family for their love and support. I couldn’t have done it without them.

With love and appreciation,
Dede Frain
Founder, Babes Around Denver