The lobby of the Brown Palace never looked more spectacular – and it’s gonna rock on Dec. 23. That’s the night of the 50th Denver Debutante Ball. Over the years, many a Denver belle has bowed to society under the elaborate holiday chandelier. And there are many tales of after-parties in the suites that must make some matrons blush decades later.
They still talk about the 1982 ball, when a blizzard hit and everyone was stranded at the Brown Palace for the night. Kids and parents bunked in the hallways, the rotunda and the ballroom. Lester Lanin’s orchestra woke up everyone for brunch.
The music is the news this year. After the presentation and waltzing with dad and dinner and fox-trotting – the Jerry Barnett Orchestra pulls in two Denver stars. Lannie Garrett will belt it out at 12:30 a.m., Hazel Miller comes on at 1 a.m. Mom and dad have gone home, so it’s time for the rock ‘n’ roll music.
In with the new
I like it when a restaurant doesn’t gouge you on New Year’s Eve. Why should you have to cough up $100 for a bad four-course meal with a glass of cheap champagne and a noisemaker?
Morton’s always uses its regular menu. Sure, that’ll cost you about $100 too, but it always does. Mel’s is hosting a Moulin Rouge evening, with music from Les James Trio and no prix fixe menu.
Right now, it looks like the action is going to be at the Westin Westminster. The main ballroom will host a celebration called Midnight at the Moulin Rouge, $75 each for heavy apps, two drinks, dancing to the “oui oui” hours with 18 cancan dancers from Ballet Nouveau.
But don’t get that party mixed up with Kevin Larson’s White Rose Gala in the inside pool area and lobbies at the same hotel. He’s billing it as a 14-hour New Year’s Eve party that’ll start at 9 p.m. and end the next morning at 11. Fifty bucks gets you in for DJs, futons for rent poolside, 15 hosted party rooms, fire pits and a hot tub. Dress to impress, pal. It’s another $50 for the after party 2 a.m.-11 a.m. Rooms are $109. Yeah, you’ll want a room, just to get away from it all. Check it out at kevinlarsonpresents.com.
People have asked me where Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald will be on NY Eve. Try the Keystone Conference Center Grand Ballroom, appearing with “Grace Under Fire’s” Brett Butler. Call 800-354-4386.
City spirit
Kris Kenny Connections has some bragging rights this month. In business for three years, the matchmaker has five marriages with her clients – and two more are coming up over the holidays … Sightem: Artist Malcolm Farley painting on ESPN2’s “Cold Pizza” with Woody Paige last week … Denver’s Debra Fine, author of “The Fine Art of Small Talk,” was on NPR with Steve Inskeep Wednesday morning with a lesson on how to keep the conversation going with the family over the holidays … Stephen Colletti and Jason Wahler from MTV’s “Laguna Beach” hosted a party at Shelter preceded by a private dinner party at Via Saturday night … Former Denver writer/artist Julie Hullverson married Barney Barnato Friday in San Francisco … Sez who: “I’m not childless, darling. I’m child-free.” Tallulah Bankhead
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.
