Before I Die…, a worldwide interactive art installation by Candy Chang, has been installed on the grounds of the McNichols Civic Center Building at the corner of Colfax Avenue and Bannock Street.
With blackboard space next to the words “Before I die I want to…” the mural invites visitors to pick up a piece of chalk, reflect on their lives, and share their personal aspirations in a public space.
The mural was installed in Denver’s Sonny Lawson Park by the Community Coordinating District No. 1 last summer and moved to the McNichols Building grounds in early December.
The original Before I Die…mural was built in New Orleans, where artist Chang transformed the side of an abandoned house in her neighborhood into a giant chalkboard and stenciled it with the sentence.
By the next day, the wall was entirely filled and kept growing. The wall turned a neglected space into a constructive one where neighbors had an outlet to get to know each other and remember their loved ones.
It was brought to Denver through a partnership of Arts and Venues Denver, the Community Coordinating District, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and Denver Design Build LLC.
Before I Die…murals have been installed in more than 20 countries and reproduced in more than 10 languages. For photos and more information, go to http://beforeidie.cc/site/denver.
RiNo’s getting new retail-restaurant project
The Denver City Council recently approved the Ironworks Foundry Urban Redevelopment Plan, which includes a European-style open market concept called The Source, a project that will bring retail, restaurant and kiosk type artisanal tenants to Denver’s River North (RiNo) neighborhood, according to a story posted at www.insiderealestatenews.com.
“Passage of the plan…creates the Ironworks Foundry Urban Redevelopment Area, allowing for the use of tax increment financing to support redevelopment efforts of the 25,600-square-foot site located along Brighton Boulevard,” according to the on-line story. “DURA will invest approximately $1.12 million in sales and property TIF to make vital public improvements to the site, including the installation of sidewalks, curbs and gutter infrastructure, new utilities, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and fire- and life-safety systems.”
Zeppelin Development, the project’s developer, is best known for its TAXI development in the RiNo neighborhood on the former site of the Yellow Cab central office. The site housed Bud’s Warehouse until 2010 but has been vacant ever since. Zepplin estimates the new project will be open early next year.
Proud papa
Denver sports radio and TV personality Mark McIntosh has a reason to brag about his son: “My son Kyle is a comedy writer in Los Angeles. He’s working on a new show that will air its first season starting Jan. 16,” Mark announced on his Facebook page.
The sketch comedy series, called “Kroll Show” on Comedy Central, satirizes “our television-obsessed culture and the rabid fan base it breeds,” according to the description on www.comedycentral.com. “More than just a collection of sketches, Kroll Show is about giving Nick (Kroll’s) fans a chance to see his of-the-moment take on pop culture, sports news (and more).”
Check out some video clips at: http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/kroll-show.
Dinner, drinks and dancing
TAG Restaurant at 1441 Larimer St. is tip-toeing back in time with a Prohibition Dinner, beginning with cocktails, appetizers and live jazz at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16.
The restaurant’s lower space will be turned into a speakeasy serving a boozy four-course dinner created by chef/owner Troy Guard, paired with classic cocktails with a TAG twist featuring spirits from Golden Moon Distillery and jazzy tunes by Birdhaus. Fancy 1920s attire and dancing shoes highly encouraged.
For reservations, either call 303-996-9985 or e-mail events@tag-restaurant.com.
Brunch bunch
Kachina Southwestern Grill inside The Westin Westminster hotel has added a Cowboys + Indians Brunch to its fare with a Southwestern flare.
Menu items include The Cowboy Burrito made with green chile, eggs, potatoes, carmelized onions, house-made chorizo and jack and cheddar cheese; Pinon Crusted French Toast topped with cajeta caramel, whipped cream and chopped pecans; Duck Hash + Eggs with duck confit, Yukon gold potatoes, caramelized onion hash and two eggs any style; Country Fried Steak + Eggs and Kachina Benedicto.
Drinks include bottomless Bloody Marys and Mimosas, as well as a Tequila Sunrise and Michelada. Brunch hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Reservations: 303-410-5813 or at www.kachinagrill.com.
Eavesdropping on a woman: “I like sex, but I like the Broncos more.”
Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.
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