Today we’d like to introduce you to Rufio Jimenez. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Michael “Rufio” Jimenez owner of Ru Entertainment, a creative director, promoter, performer, actor, and event coordinator since 2012.
A nationally performing arts and promotion team. Rufio leads his bold brand of event productions with eccentric costuming, striking stage performance, and energetic techniques. Rufio is a proud, openly goth queer Denver, Colorado native. He is proud to live in a landmark state that is a key destination for progressive artists
and venues. A multi-talented performing artist that produces and promotes Denver’s largest Alternative nightclub events, fashion shows, and Kink fetish balls. Rufio is passionate about creating immersive experiences with unique themes at his events and decorating for the guest’s ultimate fantasies.
“I believe the most important factor of my business is the eccentricity of the type of events I produce and host. I feel what makes my events unique from other events is the eclectic experience and creation of a safe zone for all expressionists; goth, queer, kinky, burner, doesn’t matter; whoever you are “be you! “
Where did you get the name Rufio from?
I got it from the classic 1991 movie ” Hook”, A Peter Pan story in which the character “Rufio” plays the king of the lost boys in Neverland. Rufio protects the lost children, natives, and fairies from the pirates in Neverland. He lives in the moment and is a warrior at heart.
Rufio’s story:
Coming out of the closet as a gay man in 2012; I started performing on stage as a freestyle gogo dancer at Tracks Night club and many other lgbtq+ venues in Denver. After learning how to set my heart free and find myself in the queer culture; I started my own Ru Entertainment performing arts team. As years went on, I was inspired to build long loyal clients and expanded my events from the queer culture to the alternative goth, kink, lifestyle, festivals, and much more.
As a young entrepreneur, I’ve grown through many trials and errors in Denver’s cutthroat and underappreciated entertainment scene. I realized that I had a responsibility to break the “glass ceiling” for the performing arts community. I turned a passion into a platform where now all shades of the alternative creative culture can have a safe zone to express themselves, receive fair pay and enjoy what they love doing best. From “GOGO” to “PROMO”, I now produce my own events using my performing arts team, while catering to my longtime clients. I am a classically trained percussionist, fire performer/breather, freestyle dancer, angle grinder, and Mic host.
Fun fact:
I feel my best ideas come to me in my sleep. As a lucid dreamer, I can put myself in the venue setting like a blank canvas. I just wave my hands and start creating my events floor plan, decorations, and costumes for the characters and performances. It’s so much fun to wake up have your whole production envisioned and then map out the reality on paper.
Working in the entertainment and nightlife industry in any city can be cutthroat at times. It’s important to not let others pull you down no matter how different your ideas are and always keep your head up with integrity.
To overcome “imposter syndrome” remind yourself of the reason why you do what you do, and never lose sight of your passion and aspirations. The best advice I can give to those in this field is: “leave yourself open for authentic criticism. Allow that feedback to challenge you to be the best version of yourself.
As a leader, it is important to keep an open mind and listen to your team and customers without ego. I host open-house community meetings with my team quarterly; this increases visibility within the partnership to ensure we grow together successfully.
What is Ru Entertainment?
Ru Entertainment is Denver’s finest, most exuberant, and most talented performing arts team. Our gender fluid team is full of DJs, acrobatics, fire, hoopers, aerialist, drag, stilts, sideshow freaks, gogos dancers, Shabari, burlesque, and much more. Ru Ent is leading the space in producing immersive doses of inspiration for events taking place in Denver, New Mexico, Las Vegas, and surrounding cities for over 10 years!
“The mission of Ru Entertainment is to inspire the craft of entertainment with messages of peace, creativity, activism, empowerment, love, and community with expressionism.”
R U Entertained?
What are your future goals or aspirations?
Community is the key word! I would not be where I am now without the community believing and supporting me. I aspire to keep building Denver’s small business community and the wonderful team that I have now. I currently feature a plethora of small businesses at my events including vendors, artists, performers, Kink/ fetish professionals, DJs, and more.
I believe in order to break that “glass ceiling” we need to work in sync as a community and help support each other’s dreams. I also love to collaborate with other promoters and producers in creating new events and projects. My business partner Aj Ritual (RitualNoize.com) and I hope to expand our events/team to other cities such as New Orleans and Austin. I am also hoping to expand my trade into the wedding event coordination business. My 10-year goal is to open my very own bar that specializes in tasteful craft cocktails, dishes, and entertainment.
Upcoming events:
+Denver’s annual Goth Prom with Twin Tribes 8/12/22 Tracks Night Club
DJ ROLAND, DJ ELI, DJ NIQ V, DJ APHOTICA
2 rooms of music
21+ 8 PM
+ Sinners Ball – A Fetish Night 9/9/22 at Tracks Night Club
Featuring a plethora of Kink performances, fetish demos, tastings + more
Friday, September 9th
Tracks Nightclub
21+ 9 PM
W/ MAIN ROOM DJ’s: JULIAN BLACK + NITROGEN
GOTH LOUNGE: DJ ELI
Tickets at KinkDenver.com
+ Lucky Mansion Manor – Erotic Casino Manor Gala 8/26/22
Join us for an upscale Las Vegas-style gala at an all-new sprawling three-level lifestyle mansion. Enjoy an unforgettable evening of connections with games, music, entertainment, dancing & more.
https://members.menagelife.com/events#event_flyout
+Vampire Masquerade Ball 10/14/22 at Track Night Club
Costume contests, vendors, and performances
9 PM 21+
W/ MAIN ROOM DJ’s: JULIAN BLACK + NITROGEN + RITUAL
GOTH LOUNGE: DJ ELI
+ Sin City 11 – Vegas Hotel Take Over 10/5/22 to 10/9/22 at Ahorn Hotel
Join us for our 11th annual Vegas hotel takeover for open-minded adults at a brand-new upscale resort just steps from the strip. Enjoy 4 days of connections, games, icebreakers, pool parties, drag and burlesque brunches, rat pack dinner theater, entertainers, theme nights, afterparties, and more.
https://members.menagelife.com/events#
+KINK DENVER’S FETISH BALL 10/11/22 (full venue Reelworks/Tracks Night Club)
Featuring a plethora of 20 Kink performances, 20 fetish demos/tastings, 20 vendors, 3 rooms + more.
8 PM 21+
DJs TBA
Events TBA :
+ Femme Fatales Fashion Show at Temple Night Club
Making Denver sexier
+ Exchange at Mirus Gallery
For like-minded individuals to Exchange, dance, and have fun
Private. Intimate. Classy.
PROUD TO BE SEXY
Press:
OutFront magazine
https://www.outfrontmagazine.com/kink-denvers-fetish-ball-7-deadly-sins-returns-to-tracks-friday/
Westword Magazine
https://www.westword.com/music/kink-fetish-ball-returns-to-denver-denver-11981370
Contact Info:
- Website: ru-entertainment.com
- Instagram: @RufioDenver
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuEntertainmentllcDance
- Other: kinkdenver.com
Image Credits
CandidTanner.com, Garret Spradlin, and Robert Rice,
