At Wednesday’s opening of La Sandia Mexican Restaurant at the Vistas in Park Meadows, opera star Plácido Domingo was holding court as a friend of and investor with chef/ owner Richard Sandoval.
And the crowd wanted two things: to hear Domingo sing or to sing to Domingo.
I heard many of the guests ponder aloud, “Is he going to sing tonight?”
The answer to that would be “no.” Plácido Domingo, perhaps the best- known tenor in the world, is not going to turn on a boom box and break into “O Sole Mio” in a shopping center. Miley Cyrus? Sure. Plácido? No.
Denver tenor Scott Merchant offered to break into song to show the maestro his pipes. “Not here,” Domingo said.
The restaurant’s promoter, Wendy Aiello, said he should have had security as adoring fans pushed in closer and closer. “I’ve seen a lot of rock ‘n’ roll insanity,” she said. “But these people were wild.”
Domingo and his wife, Marta, were able to catch a snack on the rooftop patio and chat with fans. Then it was back to Hotel Teatro and outta town Thursday morning, back to the business of tenoring.
I vote, therefore I drink.
Panzano is holding a drink-off between John McCain and Barack Obama — Blue Bama vs. the Right Wing Johnny. So far, Blue Bama is ahead 53 percent to 47 percent. Show up after 4 p.m. on Election Day with an “I Voted” sticker and get half-off one of these concoctions.
The Funky Buddha gives you a free drink on Election Day if you’re wearing a sticker — and you can stick around to watch the results pour in.
The Oriental Theater hosts an Election Night viewing party and burlesque show, CNN on the big screen, $5, or free with a sticker.
The Denver Art Museum is giving 2-for-1 admission Election Day to visitors wearing stickers.
Old wives’ tales.
“The Real Housewives of Orange County” hits Bravo again in November — and again it stars money-hungry insurance agent Vicki Gunvalson. And this season, her son, CU-Boulder student Michael Wolfsmith, 22, is home for the summer.
According to the docu-series’ flack, Michael is “also driven by money. The difference is, he doesn’t want to work for it — and this drives Vicki insane.”
Seems that Michael’s time in Boulder has resulted in a “dwindling work ethic.” Really?
City spirit.
Barbara Davis’ Carousel of Hope Ball, which for years brought the stars to Denver, came down Saturday in Beverly Hills with the Jonas Brothers, Josh Groban, Lara Flynn Boyle, Melanie Griffith, Bo Derek, Raquel Welch, Dyan Cannon, Joan Collins and Geena Davis. Columnist Liz Smith called the party “a Cougar-lishious bevy of older women.” . . . Twelve restaurant debuts at dinner on Election Eve at 2233 Larimer St. . . . Mici’s is the new Italian eatery in Cherry Creek, great prices. . . . Maggiano’s at Denver Pavilions celebrates 10 years on Nov. 12. . . . Sez who: “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” Bo Derek
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.denverpost. com/husted.
