For my money, the best summer party in Denver is the Riverfront Park Fashion Show. The outdoor bacchanal is a gasser.
This year it all happens July 24. More than 1,200 of Denver’s heartbreakingly beautiful show up for this party. It’s three fashion shows, glamorous models, go-go dancers, open bars, munchies and air-conditioned bathrooms. The only thing you could possibly wish for is good weather.
This extravaganza started five years ago — and stylist Tobie Orr and East West Partners have always been producers. The first two summers there were four parties, the next three years there were three — and now it’s just one. But it’s a big one.
“It’s only rained three times in five years — and one time it snowed,” Orr says. “We’re having it on a Saturday this year instead of a Thursday because it gives people more time to look fantastic. And people are going through some economic challenges right now — so we’re doing just one, but with three fashion shows.”
The style parades will feature Betsy Johnson, Gabriel Conroy — and Mariel from Larimer Square is bringing in outfits from Sue Wong. A pre-party starts at MiniBar (a shuttle takes you to the Riverfront, get home on your own, which doesn’t make a lotta sense). After the big party, some of the crowd moves to Jet Hotel — then a brunch the next morning at MiniBar. All cabanas are sold out at $1,500; general admission tix still available at $60 at and 303-623-1500.
Kooky.
Denver writer Peter Heller decided at 47 to surf, really surf, and he was sure that the lessons learned would help him grow romantically. And it worked. He went to California with his girlfriend — whom he married two months later, in the water. And he turned the adventure into a book, “Kook,” which he will read from and sign 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Tattered Cover LoDo.
“Kook,” he says, is a name for a novice surfer, and it’s no compliment. And that’s how he thought he behaved in his relationships, a “Kook,” clueless, without grace, without rhythm.
“The ocean will always accept you,” Heller tells me. “But you have to bring the best of yourself every day. You have to work hard and learn total commitment. At the same time, you have to learn to let go.”
Can you spare a square?
The Gathering Place, Denver’s daytime “drop-in” center for women and children who are homeless and hurting, is gathering toilet paper.
In a unique drive dubbed TP the GP, the Gathering Place is asking donors to give a roll for the cause. And as with all causes there are levels of giving; Single ply, $5; Recycled, $10; Double Ply, $25; Quilted, $50; Double Roll, $75; Jumbo Pack, $100. Or you can make a recurring gift. And the Gay & Lesbian Fund will match your gift 100 percent. Everyone goes into The Stall of Fame. The Gathering Place is going to clean up!
City spirit.
Denver Film Society is starting a young support group (20s and 30s) called Reel Social Club, launching at the very funky Casselman’s Bar 8 p.m. Friday . . . Sez who: “On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.” Thomas Jefferson
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at .
