Rockstar Jack White will perform a surprise show Tuesday at one of Denver's most historic and intimate venues. The big picture: White announced his plans one day before the concert at the 500-person capacity Bluebird Theater on Colfax Avenue,

Jack White surprises Denver with a spontaneous show at the Bluebird Theatre, promoting his new work and shaking up traditional ticketing.

Grammy-winning guitarist and songwriter Jack White has announced a surprise concert at Denver’s 500-capacity Bluebird Theater, and tickets are on sale this afternoon.

As expected, the sweaty crowd responded most excitedly when White pulled from the White Stripes discography, including “Hotel Yorba,” “Icky Thump,” and “Cannon,” from the band’s 1999 debut. The opening descending buzzsaw guitar line on “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” was so loud it felt like it rattled the old theater’s walls.

The surprise show, part of Jack White’s current tour of small drop-in concerts, is a “huge honor for the Phoenix,” said theater manager Tom Gaffey.

Jack White has announced ticket sales for two intimate shows in the Bay Area: On Oct. 3 at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma, and Oct. 4 at the Great American Music Hall.

The legendary musician has been touring, stopping at small venues for stripped-down shows. He'll play the Bluebird on October 8.

The news that world famous rocker Jack White would be coming to Petaluma’s humble Phoenix Theater this Thursday hit local fans like a ton of bricks. And the tickets, once available, came and went just as quickly.

- Musicians Jack White, right, and Meg White of the band The White Stripes perform an impromptu concert in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, June 25, 2007. Surprise! Jack White is playing a last-minute show in Denver on Tuesday.