Call it Katrina fatigue.
Wednesday night’s Dine Out To Help Out – under which restaurants, nightclubs and hotels donated a portion of their sales to relief – was flat. OK, Elway’s was jammed. (One mom brought in her kid and plopped him on John Elway’s lap during lunch with Gov. Bill Owens. She offered $100 to the cause if Elway would sign the kid’s jersey, and he did.) But that’s about it for Cherry Creek, which was more quiet than usual. I hear the entire town was dead.
Money totals will be available Saturday – but don’t expect the sums to wow you. Most people have given a lot already.
Meanwhile, some Denver bold names say Katrina fatigue don’t mean a thing. A gang plans to throw a big $100-a-ticket benefit party, Fat Wednesday, on Oct. 19 at La Rumba.
“With these people hosting the party, I know it’ll be a success,” says Wendy Aiello, joined by Patty Calhoun, Tim Connors, John Imbergamo, Jay Kamlet, Mike Landa, Larry MacDonald, Jesse Morreale, Rick Reilly, Adam Schefter, Andi Smith and Sean Yontz. Entertainment by Lannie Garrett, a strolling buffet with Cajun-inspired food from Denver’s best: Jamie Fader at Lola, Jennifer Jasinski at Rioja, Sheila Lucero at Jax, Matt Selby at Vesta, Charles Schwerd at Elway’s, Goose Sorenson at Solera, Tyler Wiard at Mel’s, Elise Wiggins at Panzano, Sean Yontz and Robert Diaz at Mezcal. That’s a lotta talent. Call 303-355-3838.
Pass the peas
Another person who doesn’t have Katrina fatigue is Peggy Vandeweghe, wife of Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe. She’s been talking about a private big-buck gulf-relief benefit for 300 in their home on Oct. 26 with entertainment from the Black Eyed Peas. The band is in town to open for Gwen Stefani at Magness Arena that night – so after that gig they would rush to the Vandeweghe’s pad to perform three or four songs.
She’s also working on a Branford Marsalis benefit at the Ellie.
Go fly a kite
The 20th Annual One Sky One World takes off today at Sloan’s Lake. It’s the eccentric but rather charming notion that kite flying can bring the world together in friendship and peace.
Randy Wren wants you to know he’s a big supporter.
In addition to kite flying, the day will include a pet parade and dedication of the Frances Melrose Garden.
City spirit
Cherry Creek North Ice Rink opens Nov. 25 through Jan. 16 … MAX clothing store hosts a funder for the Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver 5-9 Thursday night, and celebrates the opening of its expanded store. The MAX holiday fashion show will again benefit VOA Brandon Center on Dec. 3 at 1770 Sherman St. … Denver’s close-up was short-lived. “Denver Live” on WB2 has finished its somewhat rocky run. And “Denver Glitterati,” which was to debut on KTVD-Ch. 20, never got off the ground. “I sold the intellectual property to a production company in Dallas, as I was having difficulty getting the ‘buy-in’ from people here in Denver,” says producer Kellie Q Ryan … Mao Asian Bistro & Sushi Lounge will accept outstanding Adega gift cards at 50 percent value, food only … Sez who: “Correct me if I’m wrong, but hasn’t the fine line between sanity and madness gotten finer?” George Price
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Husted also appears on Fox 31 News. You can reach him at 303-820-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com.
