Denver’s society types, arts supporters and assorted administrators have hit the wall at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
“Rehearsal,” the 25-by-20 foot mural by Stephen Batura has been installed behind the bar in the atrium/lobby. The background is a rehearsal for “Carmen,” while the orchestra pit and the first rows are filled with familiar faces.
Look for Bill Coors and Rita Bass Coors with their fabulous Bosendorfer piano. Other Opera Colorado boosters in the painting include Dr. Charles and Ursula Kafadar, Jeremy and Susan Shamos, Kalleen Malone, Marcia Robinson.
Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld are on the canvas along with Karen Ringsby, Holly Kylberg, Ellen Bruss and Mark Falcone, Ellie and George Caulkins (of course), architect Peter Lucking, Theatres and Arenas boss Jack Finlaw. It’s a very cool project and will probably stay up there until everyone’s wondering who the heck these people are.
While you’re in the lobby, check out the new lifelike sculpture of dancers “Maria Mosina and Igor Vassine,” by John DeAndrea, the guy who created the popular “Linda” sculpture at the Denver Art Museum.
Go team!
Visitors to Windsor, Ontario, just minutes from Detroit, during Super Bowl week were disappointed that no University of Colorado cheerleaders were dancing at Canadian strip clubs. Renaldo Agostino, PR guy for four all-nude clubs in Windsor, went on national Canadian TV in January to hype the appearance of Colorado’s finest coeds. After I reported the claims, the CU cheerleader coach checked with current and former team members, and no one had been in contact with or planned to appear at the Canadian clubs.
Triple threat
Not only is Trevor Pryce a star, nine-year defensive end for the Broncos, he can dance.
Pryce co-wrote and produced “Private Dancer,” the featured song in “Big Momma’s House 2” performed by Rhymefest through Denver-based Royal Standard Music.
When we tried to contact him, he was on his way to Seattle to shoot a music video.
Deadbeat dead
Regas Christou announced that he closed The Deadbeat Club on Wednesday, unable to renew the lease after 25 years.
Christou opened the club as Regas Mediterranean Cafe at 4040 E. Evans Ave. as a belly-
dancing Middle Eastern restaurant. When that didn’t work, he turned it into a jazz club with Rob Mullins at a white grand piano and Vic Cionetti on the sax.
In 1989 it became KHIH Kafe, tied in with KHIH “smooth jazz” radio. In 1991 it finally threw in the jazz towel and became the Deadbeat Club. I visited every incarnation of the space. And Regas became the nightclub Energizer Bunny. He never let a trend stop him, he just changed with the times. He keeps going, and going …
City spirit
The Cable Center is at 2000 Buchtel Blvd. I had the address wrong in Thursday’s column – the same column where I poked fun at the Denver Daily News’ award-winning correction … CBS sports guy Greg Gumbel comes to town April 26 for the Warren Village All-Star Breakfast at the Marriott DTC. Call 303-320-5055 for tix … Sez who: “I feel much better now that I’ve given up hope.” – Ashleigh Brilliant
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.
