One of the last times I saw legendary music promoter and my pal Barry Fey was at lunch at the Celtic Tavern.
Fey and I had been “bought” at an auction where folks bid on spending the noon meal with us. Two delightful women purchased the package, and Fey regaled us with tales of the myriad rock ‘n’ rollers he had met over his long and storied career.
The women were a bit starstruck with the friendly Fey, and when he mentioned that he had several copies of his book “Backstage Past” in the trunk of his car, we all trudged over to the parking lot and made three cash transactions for a copy of the tell-all tome.
It was that last laugh-filled lunch that came to me when I heard the crushing news of Fey’s death Sunday evening. The day the music died – at least in Colorado.
“Bare” would call me a couple times a month to inquire about an unfamiliar restaurant, to share with me yet another award he was receiving or just to chat.
He always greeted me with, “Hey, baby…” and I always knew he was calling because of the “unrestricted” phone number status.
I don’t remember the exact date nor circumstance under which I first met the iconic music man, but his fame had proceeded him, and I’m sure I was nervous.
My fondest memories are the meals we shared – especially at an expensive steak place where he famously devoured bone-in slabs of steer dipped in Heinz 57 sauce. He loved food as much as he adored the music business.
The news of his death came as a complete shock because I had no idea he was going through health issues following hip replacement surgery. I guess he just couldn’t take it any more and took his own life.
My heart breaks for his four surviving sons: Tyler, Jeremy, Geoffry and Alan. Their father’s legacy will live on.
The Dish on Oprah
Inside scoop: Oprah Winfrey, yes, that Oprah, will make a special appearance at Denver-based satellite company Dish Network’s annual retailer convention in San Antonio in mid-May.
She’s supposed to be taping a 30-minute show during the event. Also entertaining during that event is comedian Bill Engvall of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and the band Train.
Team Summit – the name of the conference – will be held May 14-16. Oprah will make her appearance on May 14. Jill Arrington from Fox Sports will be co-hosting the entire week with Amir Ahmed, senior vice president of indirect sales for Dish.
Don’t have details, but I’m told by a super secret double probation source that Oprah’s rider (meaning what she needs before and after her appearance) is crazy! Tons of diva-like demands. If I hear more, I will “dish” the deets.
Denver’s Eco Devo Corp. rakes in an award
The Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. was recently recognized for achievement in business retention as part of “Business Facilities” magazine 2013 Economic Development Awards Competition.
Each year, “Business Facilities” selects the organizations that have established and consistently executed the best practices in the economic development industry, bringing measurable success in targeted economic development to locations they represent.
The Achievement Awards put the spotlight on agencies and organizations that have established the best practices in their specified categories. For a complete list of winners, go to www.businessfacilities.com.
Oh, ick!
First Avenue Hotel and El Diablo and Sketch restaurant owner Jesse Morreale has far from come to terms with the city of Denver over alleged “safety violations” regarding his places of business.
Thursday, Morreale lost yet another legal battle that said barring improvements to the property the city will have him shut down at First and Broadway on May 3. His attorney, David Foster, however, is fighting the order.
I think this story is rather convoluted with several dramatic twists and turns, but you can read it all in Westword’s post: http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/2013/04/el_diablo_first_avenue_hotel.php. For my part, I just hope that El Diablo stays open because I think that space has been a real plus to that part of town.
And executive chef Sean Yontz is the bomb (however you say that in Spanish) to that establishment. Stay tuned to this unfolding drama.
Bonanno adds a new pizzeria to his collection of restaurants
Chef and restaurateur Frank Bonanno opened his latest joint, Bonanno Brothers Pizzeria on Saturday at The Vistas at Park Meadows. It’s his first venture outside of Denver, and it will be the 10th addition to his rapidly growing empire, which includes Mizuna, Luca d’Italia, Bones, Osteria Marco, Green Russell, Lou’s Food Bar, Russell’s Smokehouse and Vesper Lounge.
Say what you want about Bonanno, but his record with successful eateries speaks for itself.
Bonanno Brothers Pizzeria will feature an open kitchen with an Italian wood fire oven that will showcase pizza makers, cheese mongers and charcutiers.
“The menu at Bonanno Brothers Pizzeria started as something simple – unifying standout items from Osteria Marco with some of our cherished appetizers from Luca d’Italia,” Bonanno said. “The entire menu represents the food I always look forward to sharing with my family.”
Hours are 11 a.m. to close on Monday through Sunday with happy hour from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday. For more information, go to www.bonannobrotherspizzeria.com.
Bonanno Brothers Pizzeria opened Saturday at the Vistas at Park Meadows Mall. (Bonanno Concepts photo)
Elbra earns a well-deserved award
The Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce named Elbra Wedgeworth, the chief government affairs officer at Denver Health, the 2013 Athena recipient on Thursday at the Athena Award Gala.
The Athena Award is given to an outstanding woman leader who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession. Plus she provides service to improve the quality of life for others in the community and assists women in reaching their full leadership potential.
Wedgeworth has had a remarkable and inspiring professional career as a government leader and public servant, and has been a noted asset to the Denver community at large.
She served in all three branches of city government before she was elected to City Council in her home district, District Eight.
As a councilwoman, Wedgeworth represented 22 neighborhood organizations. Among her accomplishments during her time in city council, she oversaw the redevelopment of East Village, Dahlia Square Shopping Center, Mercy Hospital and various other projects.
Wedgeworth also helped Denver successfully land the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Also during the gala, Colorado School of Mines presented Lyndsey Babcock as the 2013 four-year Florence Caldwell Achievement Scholarship recipient.
“The CWCC congratulates all the phenomenal 2013 nominees,” said Donna Evans, president and CEO of CWCC and the Women’s Leadership Foundation. “We are thrilled to honor Elbra Wedgeworth for her outstanding contributions to her profession and to the Denver community.”
Ritz-Carlton snags a new exec chef
The Ritz-Carlton Denver, along with general manager Steve Janicek, has announced that Ruben Garcia is the new executive chef of the downtown property.
Garcia will oversee all hotel culinary tasks and operations including running the kitchen at Elway’s Downtown, in-room dining and the property’s banquet and catering departments.
Garcia was most recently executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, since the December 2009 opening. For more information, go to www.ritzcarlton.com.
Ruben Garcia has been named the new executive chef at the Ritz-Carlton Denver downtown. (Ritz-Carlton photo)
Eavesdropping on a couple having wine at The Village Cork: The woman said,
“Yes, you’re right.”
The man replied, “Will you say that again, I’ll use it as my ring tone.”
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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