Jim Horowitz is a happy fella. The founder and band leader of Jazz Aspen Snowmass has just come off the best weekend in the fest’s history.
Not only did he set an attendance record with the Allman Brothers bringing in 12,000 Sunday night, the performances were off the charts too, he says.
Making their musical marks: Joss Stone, John Legend, Ben Harper.
Problems?
“The only problem we had?” muses Horowitz. “The beer lines were a little long during the Allman Brothers.” And we hear there was a shortage of porta potties.
The June and Labor Day music festivals continue to be the best-run, most-comfortable and luxe-life concert experiences in Colorado. VIPs spotted Saturday night included Glenn Frey, Robert Wagner and Jill St. John in the patron tent for Legend.
So what are the hopes for next year?
“Just to have such good artists and such good weather,” he says.
The best
Aspen Times Weekly is out with Aspen’s Best 2007 – and I’m not sure I’d want to be named “best barfly.” But that’s the shout-out to Caroline Riley and Al Gross, who tied for first place. Mom would be so proud.
“Best famous Aspenite” went to the late Hunter S. Thompson. Actress Goldie Hawn won last year – and did well this year, but she was no Hunter. Other also-rans: Aron Ralston, Antonio Banderas, Gretchen Bleiler, Kate Hudson, Kevin Costner and John Denver. Gulp.
Tonight’s the night
The social season has started, my friends.
Tonight’s the night for two kickoff parties to major bold-name fetes on the fall sked.
Brass Ring Luncheon gathers the patrons for cocktails 6-8 tonight at Loews Denver Hotel to talk up the 800-strong luncheon coming Nov. 16 at Marriott City Center.
Also tonight, The Children’s Hospital brings the patrons of its Sept. 15 gigantic gala at the new hospital in Aurora. Organizers will be hyping an exciting auction item: a fashion week in NYC from Andrisen Morton with NetJets flying in four couples. At the gala, they’ll auction off a 2008 Volvo, a 2008 Harley, and a trip to London and Paris. Get out your wallets.
And don’t forget Samantha Castilla’s “In Her Shooz” party 5-8 tonight at her store, Shooz, at Second and Steele.
City spirit
If you love Caesar salad, there’s no better place to love it than the American Institute of Food and Wine’s Annual Greatest Caesar Salad Competition, which comes down Sunday night at Hotel Monaco, with greens from Panzano, Elway’s, McCormick & Schmick’s, Oceanaire, Opus and the Palm. Everyone votes. Denver Post’s Kyle Wagner presents the trophy. Tix are $45; call 303-333-2378 … Curious Theatre Company celebrates its first decade on stage with a cocktail party/dinner at Palettes on Saturday, followed by a revival of its first production, “How I Learned To Drive.” Mayor Hick hosts … Denver Zoo’s 10th Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too comes down Friday night. Call 303-376-4860 … Sez who: “Sometimes I think I’d be better off dead. No, wait. Not me – you.” Emo Philips
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at .
