Check out a two-page piece in the Aug. 28 New Yorker by Paul Goldberger on the new Daniel Libeskind addition to the Denver Art Museum. I’m told it’s the first printed national review of the place – and some people are crying “Foul!”
Seems Goldberger visited the museum well before all the art was up. Not really fair.
But he likes it. Kinda. Key paragraph: “As a purely sculptural feat, this building is a thrilling affirmation of the idea that museums can be works of art, as well as merely containers. It is also willful and arbitrary, and wildly self-indulgent.”
As for the galleries, he has equally mixed feelings. “But for every one of Libeskind’s spaces that feel exultant there is another that is deeply disquieting. Many of the first galleries you see are so awkwardly shaped that they leave you feeling only uneasiness.”
In short from the New Yorker: Contemporary art thrives in this setting, the Western collection suffers, looking “forlorn and out of place.”
Party on
As for DAM parties, they abound this month and next as the museum’s new wing opens to the public. Events are skedded for everyone from donors to staff to media to cab drivers.
The big swanky black-tie gala hits the space on Sept. 30. It’s a total sellout at $2,500 a ticket! (Valet parking included!) Some of the hoi polloi like me are allowed into the building for the 6-8 p.m. cocktail reception, but after that it’s 700 high-paying customers only in a big tent. Expect some big-name national entertainment at the gala.
Hot DAM: Party on the Edge comes down Oct. 6, when 2,000 people are expected to plunk down $150-$200 to party with Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Organizers says this one will be “wild and sassy.”
And then comes the 35-hour free and open-to-all Hot DAM: Art at All Hours party 10 a.m. Oct 7 through 9 p.m. Oct. 8. This celebration will include everything from art tours to yoga at dawn on the lawn. Go to denverartmuseum.org for deets on everything.
Table talk
The big sign outside the former Bob’s Steak and Chop House says “Clayton Lane Chop House Coming Soon.”
Operator Scott Fickling says people were confusing his upcoming steak place with the Denver ChopHouse in LoDo, so he’s gonna call the joint Prime 121. Fickling, a former GM at the Palm in Denver, says it’ll open in the end of September with a huge Palm-like party. “It’ll be the restaurant opening of the year,” he says.
Who’s invited?
“The usual suspects.”
Peet’s Coffee is now open downtown at 1600 Glenarm Place.
Tables restaurant received two rave reviews Wednesday, from The Denver Post and Westword. The tiny joint at 2267 Kearney St. was busy trying to cope with the attention – which was made even more difficult because the two owner/operators, Amy Vitale and Dustin Barrett, were in Mexico on vacation. Unreachable, they didn’t even know about the raves.
Mel’s Mel & Janie Master, the Food Network’s Keegan Gerhard, Cafe Star’s Rebecca Weitzman and Via’s Rollie Wesen cook it up today at the Gabby Gourmet’s Fine Dining Area at the Taste of Colorado.
City spirit
I went to Cirque du Soleil’s “Delirium” Wednesday and loved it. This so-stoned show is best seen from a distance, so the cheap seats were the ones to get for a change … Sez who: “Why did I write? Because I found life unsatisfactory.” Tennessee Williams
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 303-954-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com.
Blog: Read Bill Husted’s daily “Peek.” denverpostbloghouse.com/husted/
