Mead Metcalf folds the Crystal Palace tent in Aspen on Saturday night after 52 years. And that’s a lotta openings, a lotta shows.
Metcalf came to Aspen when the streets were still dirt and Prada wasn’t selling fur-lined sleeping bags up the block. But the city and its visitors embraced Metcalf and his quirky showroom — waiters who put down their trays to sing political potshots. It was witty and urbane — a little like the time Oscar Wilde visited Leadville, had he stayed for a half- century.
This year, the songs included a shout-out to Sen. Larry Craig, “The Minneapolis Airport Men’s Room Getting to Know Your Soft Shoe.” Past classics include “The Neighborhood Porno Lady” and Metcalf’s standard ditty “Peanut Butter on the Chin.”
Metcalf, who turns 76 this year, has been “fairly vocal about his growing distaste for Aspen,” says The Aspen Times — and he’s moving with his piano and wife to Crested Butte. The streets are paved in the Butte these days, but it’s still funkier than Aspen.
Cooking.
It’s the name game. The Junior League is looking for a moniker for its upcoming cookbook. “Colorado Cache” was a smash 30 years ago (my heart still hurts from eating “Campfire Trout” topped with mounds of bacon and fried onions). Now it wants your ideas for a new title before Tuesday at — and go to the title party 5:30-8 p.m. May 1 at Cherry Creek North Crate & Barrel.
And “The Avs Better Halves Cookbook” is on sale for $30 at the Altitude Authentic store in the Pepsi Center — each one autographed by a player or coach — but they’re wrapped, so you don’t know whom you’ll get.
Foodie turns 6.
Time flies when you’re selling groceries — especially gourmet items, some of the best steaks in town and cheese that makes your nose twitch in delight. Marczyk’s Fine Foods turns 6 on April 18 — and will celebrate with the season’s first Burger Night. It has grown into a neighborhood tradition, as has the market.
“I can’t believe it’s been six years,” says proprietor Pete Marczyk. “It feels like six minutes. Underwater.”
City spirit.
Grace Slick is at the Masters Gallery at Belleview Promenade on May 1 and 2 with her paintings, watercolors and drawings. . . . The Newman Center celebrates its fifth anniversary with Manhattan Transfer and “A Night in Manhattan” on April 26. . . . The Temptations and the Four Tops are at the Paramount on Sept. 25. . . . The 2009 Firefighter Judging Party hits the flint tonight at the Hyatt DTC. Judges include Fox 31’s Shaul Turner, CBS4’s Lynn Carey, 9News’ Kirk Montgomery and Susie Wargin, Alice radio’s Jennifer Wilde, and The Party radio’s Broadway Joe. Go to . . . . Don’t tell Borat! The Right Honourable Rustam Minnikhanov, prime minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, gets a toast today at the home of Diane Wengler. . . . Sez who: “I can think of no more stirring symbol of man’s humanity to man than a fire engine.” Kurt Vonnegut
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 blogs. .
