The first big party of the DNC kicked off Saturday eve, and it was a megafest: thousands of journalists, delegates, locals and assorted gawkers assembled for the welcoming party at Elitch Gardens, unofficially known as the media party.
While the giant Ferris wheel swirled and the Tilt-A-Whirl twirled, local media and political folks like Ken Salazar, Elbra Wedgeworth, Bertha Lynn (not working in jeans and accompanied by her husband Larry Naves), Craig Silverman — even former Republican Gov. Bill Owens, came to hear the Flobots, Railbenders and Debajo del Agua.
Denver politcal powerhouse Steve Farber, calling himself “just another party crasher,” was there, starting off what is sure to be the busiest week of his life.
One of the more memorable stories of the evening: New York gossip maven Cindy Adams getting booted from the VIP tent for not having the right credentials.
Journalists arrived by the busload starting before 6 p.m., all walking past PETA activists with signs suggesting the government tax meat, and then an art installation of lighted boxes emblazoned with the words most frequently used in each of the 43 past presidential inaugural addresses, from George Washington’s “gentlemen,” to Ronald Reagan’s “deficits” to George W. Bush’s “terror.”
Inside Elitch’s, the 9,000 ticketed partygoers were greeted by Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau honcho Rich Grant, who was sipping the first beer of the DNC. Of course. “This is the biggest party of the DNC. This is Denver’s night,” he said.
Denver Post publisher William Dean Singleton made a quick go-round the party he paid for as a sponsor. Close behind, metro homebuilding king and museum benefactor Larry Mizel. Also wandering through were City Council members Judy Montero, Carla Madison and Jeanne Robb, with her daughter Annie Levinsky
Denver artist Malcolm Farley gave himself a slight headstart, but he had just three hours to paint a 4-foot by 5-foot portrait of Barack Obama during the party. The work will be reproduced and auctioned, with proceeds to benefit the DNC host committee. — Kristen Browning-Blas, Jason Blevins, Colleen O’Connor, Kyle MacMillan
His next job
And there’s this
Everything was fair game
Real World, style
Politics meets fashion
That gave them plenty of time to admire the million-dollar view — and a million-dollar display of Ippolita Fine Jewelry set up in the foyer.
Nolan, here to show pieces from his fall collection, and his longtime partner, author and DNC finance chair Andrew Tobias, did finally arrive by by limo. They were greeted by owner Michael Dunahay; Terry and Dr. Elaine Scholes; and Michael and Susan Schonbrun.
— Joanne Davidson
Lauri Lynnxe Murphy, Dave Seiler and Kay Tuttle and nine other enterprising Denver artists are taking seriously the old saying about bringing the mountain to Mohammed. They rented a 26-foot panel truck and converted it into an itinerant gallery, complete with white walls and track lighting. Boom, as it is called,cq will show up at a range of events during the DNC. Check , for locations.
“We want to bring the art to the people,” said Murphy, the project’s leader. “We know that people are going to be busy, and there are a million things going on. This is like a little gift to the community.”
— Kyle MacMillan
The word “Hope,” spelled out in 25-foot-tall letters constructed of bicycle wheels, serves as a rooftop beacon for a four-day, pro-Barack Obama art exhibition spread across two warehouse spaces between 29th and 30th avenues on Larimar Street.
The brainchild of Los Angeles artist Shepard Fairey and media consultant Yosi Sergant, the activist show includes works by about 125 artists, including five chosen through an on-line competition. and many from the hip, urban contemporary scene. “It’s as varied as the voices of the people who make up the Democratic Party,” Sergant said. “We span California to New York — gay, straight, Asian, white, Latino, Chicano, local.”
Dubbed the Manifest Hope Gallery, the gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, visit .
