The Democratic National Convention, in Denver on Aug. 25-28, is getting closer — and top venues are getting committed faster than superdelegates.
Rumor has it that CNN is taking over Brooklyn’s At The Pepsi Center for four to six days at the convention — to host parties, conduct interviews, feed the people. It’ll be renamed the CNN Cafe for the duration, something the cable outlet did in both NYC and Boston in 2004. Owner Dave Keefe declined comment Friday — but you can count on this deal happening. Braun’s, which sits next door to Brooklyn’s, is also committed to a “major Democratic firm,” says partner Troy Johnston, to host four or five big events.
And we already know that MTV plans to go into the Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe space at Denver Pavilions. Associated Press is taking over Jet Hotel — all the bars and the rooms. New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine is hosting a party at Oceanaire. And we’ve read somewhere that Jon Stewart is bringing “The Daily Show” to the Newman Center on the DU campus. Lots more news coming in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned to Husted and The Denver Post’s .
Denver Restaurant Week started Saturday night — and we can only imagine how mobbed the neighborhood bistros were.
The deal lasts through Friday night. A three-course dinner for two for $52.80. In popular, expensive restaurants like Elway’s, this is a deal indeed.
And take into consideration that of the two groups of top Denver chefs going to the James Beard House in NYC in coming months, all but three are cooking in their kitchens during Restaurant Week. They are Jennifer Jasinski, Rioja; Max Mackissock, Vita; Matt Anderson, Bistro Vendôme; John Broening and Yasmin Lozada-Hissom, Duo; Tyler Wiard, Elway’s; Goose Sorensen, Solera; Matt Selby, Vesta and Steuben’s.
$52.80 is sounding even better. Check it out at .
Anchors aweigh.
KCNC-Channel 4 says it has nothing to announce — but we do. Sources at the station tell The Denver Post it’s a done deal that Karen Leigh from WCCO-TV in Minneapolis will start as the station’s main co-anchor in mid-March. At the end of last month, Channel 4 spokeswoman Danielle Dascalos told us that Leigh was just one of several candidates and had yet not been offered the position to replace Molly Hughes. Leigh did not return phone calls or e-mail Friday. Check her out at . .anchor.9.313469.html.
City spirit.
Eclectic artist Lonnie Hanzon has been signed on as Wizard in Residence at the Museum of Outdoor Art . . . Terry Vitale’s ICON Awards party Thursday night at Seawell Ballroom was one wild ride, with a Playboy Mansion theme, guys in pajamas and most of the women wearing bunny ears . . . Sez who: “Picasso had his pink period and his blue period. I am in my blond period right now.” Hugh Hefner
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 at bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at .
