The U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen hits the switch Wednesday – and it’s starting to get a little juice. It was looking a bit weaker than previous years, but some new wattage has been announced.
Dave Chappelle will be in Aspen for a Q&A session following the screening of his movie “Block Party.” And he just might show up for some late-night comedy session. He’ll also take part in the Freedom of Speech Award honoring Russell Simmons and “Def Comedy Jam.” Chappelle will be joined by “Def” vets including Bill Bellamy, Cedric the Entertainer and Adele Givens – moderated by Elvis Mitchell.
Also new to the fest: Lisa Kudrow hosts the tribute to sitcom king James Burrows; Michael Patrick King moderates the AFI Star Award to Goldie Hawn. And try as we might, don’t forget that Janeane Garofalo will be there again.
Cookie monster
Jim Karagas, owner of the venerable My Brother’s Bar, has 5,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies for sale. So next time you order one of his legendary burgers, add on a box of Thin Mints.
Karagas has been buying and reselling all these cookies since his daughter was a Girl Scout 30 years ago. She grew up and out of scouting, he kept buying the cookies.
“It just became part of the place,” he says. “It just got bigger and bigger. I even put a sign up outside, ‘Official Girl Scout Cookie Station.’ It’s the only sign I ever put up.”
The official cookie sale ends today, so you’ll see the scouts in booths in front of various supermarkets. If you get a craving for a Do-Si-Do next week, head to Brother’s. And I bet these girls remember Karagas and come back as customers.
A vision in orange
My pick for Best Supporting Actress tonight has to be Amy Adams for her performance in “Junebug.” She’s in the race, and she comes from Denver dinner theater, a native of Castle Rock.
At 17, she also worked for Denver’s Hooters as a hostess. She told Life magazine that she took the job so she could get a car. “The job paid seven bucks an hour, and I was tired of taking the bus to my dance classes in Denver. I never thought the outfits were that bad, because I was a dancer who ran around in leotards. But I grew up pretty quick – businessmen would walk in gentlemen and leave something else.”
City spirit
Julie Andrews got her Broadway start in “The Boy Friend.” She directed the road production, which winds up its national run at the Buell today. She was expected to catch the show Thursday night, then attend a wrap party with the cast at Hotel Teatro … Sambuca Jazz Cafe is the place to be March 22 for a Late Night Party – and it was the place to be for porn icon Jenna Jameson last weekend during her stop here for the sex expo … Kim DeVigil is back in town and again working for Coors. Her husband, Alan Gionet, starts at Ch. 4 on Wednesday … Denver School of the Arts hosts a family-friendly Oscars viewing party tonight with some live performances. Call Jeanne Price for last minute deets at 303-355-6530 … Sez who: “Welcome to the Academy Awards, a glittering two hours of entertainment, spread out over four hours.” Johnny Carson
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-820-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com.
