It wasn’t all buckle bunnies and bull riding for some high-profile visitors at the opening weekend of the National Western Stock Show.
Tony Benattar, designer/owner of Liberty Boot Co., the coolest kicks in the West, was robbed of his briefcase in Larimer Square’s parking garage early Sunday morning. He put it down when he tried to break up a fracas, and it was gone a moment later — filled with special orders he had collected at Cry Baby Ranch and the Western-wear show, six skull rings, $1,000 in cash, his Canadian passport and personal papers, credit cards, gifts, money clips and more. He spent the past few days at the Canadian consulate getting a new passport so he could fly home Wednesday.
Benattar didn’t sound too bummed when we talked. “I know tragedy — and this wasn’t a tragedy,” he said.
Cowboy designer Manny Cuevas of Manuel Designs (son of Manuel Cuevas, who designed the Beatles suits on the cover of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” put Johnny Cash in black and squeezed Elvis into a white rhinestone-studded jumpsuit) had his swank suit jacket stolen from him after an altercation at a party at the Marlowe’s bar last week. It’s tough being a designer in Denver these days.
Run, Forrest.
When Gary Sinise isn’t solving a perfectly lit crime on “CSI: NY,” he’s playing bass guitar and fronting the Lt. Dan Band. And he’s bringing the cover band to Denver on March 8 for the “Hollywood in the Rockies” Beaux Arts Ball.
Sinise who played Lt. Dan Taylor in “Forrest Gump” and earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Gump’s commanding officer and, eventually, legless first mate and best friend. He’ll bring his legs with him to the Denver gala — along with some patriotism. The band and Sinise vigorously support the troops — and they’ve toured numerous times in USO shows to Iraq, South Korea, Qatar and various European outposts.
Organizer Candace Wilson said, “With our Hollywood theme, we wanted some star power and a little fun.”
The Hollywood theme will also bring in some Hollywood look-alikes, including a Tom Hanks clone. That’s all I have to say about that.
Be mine.
Neighborhood Flix is getting geared up for Valentine’s Day. The cafe/restaurant/movie theater, next to Tattered Cover Colfax, has booked “Chocolat” for an early screening in a room filled with leather love seats. Then they’ll screen “9 1/2 Weeks.” Ouch!
City spirit.
OneRepublic is a band that formed in Denver, moved to L.A. and now has the No. 1 hit single “Apologize,” with 13 1/2 million views on . Band members will sign copies of their CD at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Independent Records, then play at the Gothic . . . Sez who: “If we’re not supposed to eat animals, how come they’re made out of meat?” Tom Snyder
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@ . Peek at Husted’s next column at .
