The holidays are all about traditions, and what better way to round up the Christmas spirit than to don a Santa suit and hit nearly a half-dozen bars on Saturday evening?
The seventh annual Santa Pub Crawl kicks off Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Fado’s Irish Pub (1735 19th St.). At Fado’s, each of the more than 300 participating Santas will meet and drop off toys to donate to Safehouse Denver and the Samaritan House. The group photo takes place at 6 p.m., and then the “Santa Gang” starts stumbling down several blocks of LoDo, creating a sea of red-and-white fleece, Santa hats and merrymakers. (First- timers can be spotted by their Santa-hat-only costumes; the veteran participants break out head-to-toe Santa, Mrs. Claus or elf outfits.)
Want to catch a glimpse of the Santas, or join in for a drink along the way? After Fado’s, the Santa Pub Crawl heads to Code 3 (2034 Larimer St.) at 6:30 p.m., where latecomers can also drop off toys for the toy drive. Next, it’s the Tavern Downtown (1949 Market St.) at 8 p.m., the Wynkoop Brewing Co. (1634 18th St.) at 9:30 and Jackson’s Sports Grill (1520 20th St.) at 11 p.m. Each stop will offer drink specials to those in suits, and plenty of hilarity for those who want to simply soak up some holiday spirit(s) and cheer.
Carmelo’s new kicks. Saturday night marks another tradition, although this one has nothing to do with the holiday season.
Carmelo Anthony‘s annual shoe release party has outgrown the local nightclubs, and will move to the Pepsi Center this year so that Melo and all his fans and friends can tear it up in proper celeb style. The Jordan Melo M4 sneakers just hit stores last week, and Saturday’s bash will celebrate the launch with the biggest, baddest release party yet.
Organizers are calling it “The Melo Takeover,” with Carmelo and plenty of his teammates hosting Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O’Neal and other members of the Miami Heat. Hip-hop star Cassidy will make a special appearance, with DJ Clinton Sparks rocking the turntables all night. Doors open at 9 p.m., with a discounted $20 cover for those who arrive before 10; get the details at or call 303-575-1234.
Techno at Tracks. Denver DJ Brian Howe keeps the crowds dancing at several downtown dance spots each week, but his newest residency, starting next Thursday at Tracks, should offer up something different.
Howe launched his Flashback Fridays at Martini Ranch just last month, mashing up ’70s, ’80s and early ’90s party tunes each week. For Howe’s Thursday night gig at Tracks, he’ll go a different direction, with hard-hitting house and techno mixes geared toward an 18-and-over crowd. Each week he’ll record the entire set of high-NRG, Euro-house, techno and remixed club anthems, and play it back as part of his mix show on XM Radio’s “Air 81” program on Friday nights. 18-plus, 9 p.m., 3500 Walnut St.
Belles on wheels. Denver’s hippest women on wheels face off for the final round of the season on Saturday night.
The Rocky Mountain Rollergirls 5280 Fight Club takes on New York’s Gotham Girls Roller Derby at 6:30 p.m. at the Bladium Sports Club (2400 Central Park Blvd. in Stapleton). Kathie J. of the KS107.5 morning show and Chris Parente of the CW2 morning show will host the event, with special performances by the Belles Performance Dance Team, and the Claim Jumpers Double Dutch team.
After the final round, the gals will ditch the skates and take the party bus to 3 Kings Tavern (60 S. Broadway), where the wrap party starts at 10 p.m and keeps going until closing time. Tickets run $13 for the bout, and $3 for the afterparty.
Kat Valentine: 303-954-1568 or kat@kingproductions.com
