The Cherry Creek Arts Festival celebrates its 15th year July 1 with a party to remember. Invitations go out Friday for people to purchase $98 tix to a soiree that night at the Inn at Cherry Creek, where
Mayor John Hickenlooper will be saluted for his “dedication to Denver’s arts and cultural communities.”
After drinks and dinner, it’s off to a block party on Clayton Street, a.k.a. Anniversary Avenue, with art booths from all the Best in Show winners and the poster artists from the past 14 years. Sweet. The artists will be there for the festival, July 2-4.
The big art project at this year’s fest is Architects of Air, a giant English laminated sculpture that will be set up in the playground of Bromwell School. It’s like the ultimate inflated carnival castle – with colors to pop your eyes out. It’ll blow you away for $2. Check it out at architects-of-air.com.
School days
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright comes to Kent Denver School this weekend for her 50th high school reunion. In 1955, she graduated from Kent School for Girls and went on to Wellesley. Kent merged with Denver Country Day School in 1974 to become Kent Denver.
Albright will meet with students, parents and alums at a Q&A session at 3 p.m. Saturday and attend the school’s art show and sale later that afternoon.
Where’s Mao
The 5-foot statue of Mao Tse-tung at the eponymous restaurant Mao is gone from the corner window. Was he perhaps sent to re-education camp?
“He’s in the basement,” says Leigh Sullivan, marketeer for the Asian restaurant/nightclub and daughter of its owner, Jim Sullivan. “We’re going to reconcept that corner.”
Leigh also noted that some controversy surrounded the statue, so a menu board might be less provocative. As for the bronze Mao, the Sullivans don’t know what they’re going to do with him. Got any ideas for the chairman?
Hike-in movies
The Film on Rocks sked is out – the best entertainment deal of the summer: $8 in advance at King Soopers, $10 at the door gets you a comedian, two bands and a movie at Red Rocks. Family packs cost $44 in advance (four tix, four dogs, four popcorns, four Pepsis!).
Here’s the lineup: “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and Opie Gone Bad, June 21; “Shrek 2” and Chris Daniels and the Kings, June 28; “Unforgiven” and The Railbenders, July 12; “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and Denver Brass, July 18; “Thelma & Louise” and Melissa Ivey, July 26; “The Princess Bride” and Trampolines, Aug. 2; “The Goonies” and Savage Henry, Aug. 9; “Ray” and James Van Buren, Aug. 16.
City spirit
The White Stripes down to play Red Rocks Aug. 22 … On the roster to swing at the Pam Saunders Charity Golf Tourney June 28: Adele Arakawa, Tom Green, Ron Zappolo, Katie Trexler, Mike Nelson, Craig Silverman, Dan Caplis, Mike Rosen, Rick Reilly – and of course Steve, Patrick and Dusty Saunders. Silent auctions items include a tour of “Today” and “quality time” with Katie and Matt (is there such a thing?). Go to driveforthemarker.org … Sez who: “I’d rather read, tell stories, crack jokes, talk, laugh – anything but work.” Abraham Lincoln
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Husted also appears Thursdays on Fox 31 News at 9. You can reach him at 303-820-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com.
