in september 2010, illegal pete's started the starving artist program, which feeds out-of-town musicians for free at illegal pete's when they come through denver or boulder to play a show. illegal pete's was voted as the best place to eat and hang out with rock stars by the annual best of westword of 2011. illegal pete's began throwing starving artist sxsw showcases in austin in march 2011. pete turner was featured in a front-page article of the denver post on businesses spending marketing money on representing denver at sxsw.