The Democratic National Convention opens with a Big Easy attitude, says party producer Rob Jennings of American Event Consulting in Washington, D.C.
At the delegates welcoming party Aug. 24 at the Colorado Convention Center, the mighty 6,000 will be fed Louisiana seafood and thrown Mardi Gras beads. Entertainment will come from Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars featuring Tab Benoit, Irma Thomas, the Soul Brothers Brass Band, the legendary Wild Tchoupitoulas, Randy Newman and Allen Toussaint.
Jennings sent me this info Tuesday, confirming and adding to a story first reported by Keith Spera in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
About 2,000 delegates are expected later that night at the Fillmore for a Friends of New Orleans party. The board of FONO includes James Carville, Harry Shearer and Aspen Institute CEO Walter Isaacson.
Many of the entertainers will go to Aspen following the DNC in Denver for FONO events — and then on to the Republican National Convention Sept. 1 in St. Paul-Minneapolis.
Actor/NOLA activist John Larroquette will host the New Orleans parties both in Denver and Minnesota.
You’re the tops
5280 magazine celebrates its 15th year with its latest Top of the Town issue.
As for the mag’s picks for Denver’s best this and that — it’s always interesting if not always on target. Here’s a taste of the tops: Italian, Osteria; winelist, Table 6; steak, Elway’s (readers go for Cap Grille, Del Frisco’s); burger, Elway’s, Ted’s Montana Grill and SmashBurger (readers have it right with Cherry Cricket); politician, Michael Bennet; author, “Now You See Him’s” Eli Gottlieb; customer service, Ritz-Carlton; women’s clothing, Max; men’s clothing, Players.
There she is
Broncos cheerleader Jamie Dukehart-Conti has just been crowned Miss Colorado — and she’s cheering herself on to the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas in January.
Jamie’s a nanny in Broomfield, keeping two tots in line when she’s not kicking in one. As for the misbehavin’ pageant contestants of the past few years, Jamie says, “It’s important to remember you’re a role model, no matter what kind of role you’re playing.”
Amen, sister!
Walking the walk
Denver real estater Fred Wolfe is out for a walk this morning — from Denver to Vail.
This is the fourth time he’s made the 118-mile, five-day trek — to raise money to fight Alzheimer’s. Along the way, Wolfe, 61, raises $ for the cause, lots of it.
Most of the time he’s just walking. Sometimes he gets a cellphone call from a pesky reporter; sometimes he listens to Andrea Bocelli on his iPod.
“You should come next year, Bill,” he says.
Wolfe arrives at the Covered Bridge in Vail at 3 p.m. today. Somebody take that guy a cold beer.
City spirit
I’ll sure miss the wiener platter — but Chinook Tavern shut the doors Monday night on Detroit Street and plans to open at the Landmark development in Greenwood Village in the fall. . . . Sez who: “Some people out there in our nation don’t have maps.” Lauren Caitlin Upton
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@ . Take a peek at Husted’s next column at blogs.denverpost .
