Did the Paramount Theatre, downtown Denver’s historical performance center, change its name to Paramount New York? It did for one day.
On Wednesday, Hollywood moved east to the Mile High City to shoot the feature film “Dear Eleanor,” starring Jessica Alba, Luke Wilson, Paul Johansson, Ione Skye, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Isabelle Fuhrman.
The production caused quite a stir among downtown workers and passersby who spotted the new name on the marquee as well as all the vintage automobiles parked along Glenarm Place.
The storyline follows two best friends who travel cross country in the 1960s to meet Eleanor Roosevelt, their childhood hero.
Other Denver venues playing cameo roles in the movie are LoDo and the Mayan Theater. One local notable who landed a part in the film is Rekha Ohal, the exotic and lovely piano player who is a regular at Elway’s Cherry Creek.
Ohal posted on her Facebook page: “My gig today: playing the part of a piano player in 1962 for a movie that’s being filmed in Denver. At least I know how to play the piano! The rest I’ll have to figure out as I go along.”
For more details on the Denver-centric movie, go to http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2013/06/12/dear-eleanor-starring-jessica-alba-spotted-filming-in-downtown-denver-co-today/.
Hot time in the old town
Fifteen Denver-area chefs were fired up Wednesday to compete for top slider honors during the fifth annual Hot Rocks Griller Challenge at Elway’s Cherry Creek, a benefit for the Denver Health Foundation.
Roughly 1,000 attendees scarfed down sliders made from between-the-bun ingredients that varied from wild boar (Elise Wiggins, Panzano) to country ham with pickled green tomato (Jennifer Jasinski, Rioja, Bistro Vendome, Euclid Hall) to grilled watermelon (Paul Reilly, Beast + Bottle).
The winners of the slider smack down were determined by popular vote as well as chefs’ choice.
People’s choice:
First – Tyler Wiard and Aniedra Nichols of Elway’s Cherry Creek.
Second – Troy Guard of TAG, TAG Raw Bar and TAG Burger Bar.
Third – Steve Ballas of Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs.
Chefs’ choice:
First – Troy Guard.
Second – Max MacKissock of Squeaky Bean.
Third – Jennifer Jasinski of Rioja, Bistro Vendome and Euclid Hall.
Worth noting: I’ve attended all five Hot Rocks events, and this year the chefs kicked it up a notch on the side dishes that accompanied the sliders.
Stand-outs included Guard’s five grain salad, Robert Bogart‘s (Elway’s Downtown) potato and black bean salad (I heard one slider slurper say, “I wish I could buy that stuff!”), Reilly’s braised collard greens and Jasinski’s mixed melon salad.
Jennifer Jasinski and her business partner, Beth Gruitch, show off the chef’s country ham with pickled green tomato slider at Wednesday’s Hot Rocks Griller challenge. (Stevie Crecelius photo courtesy of Wonderwork Studios)
The grilled watermelon slider from Paul Reilly of Beast + Bottle. (Steve Crecelius photo courtesy of Wonderwork Studios)
All the chefs stop for a photo during the Hot Rocks Griller challenge at Elway’s Cherry Creek on Wednesday. (Stevie Crecelius photo courtesy of Wonderwork Studios)
Troy Guard flips a burger during the Hot Rocks Griller challenge. (Steve Crecelius photo courtesy of Wonderwork Studios)
Proud grandpapa
For music man Chuck Morris, the birth of his first grandchild was better than booking Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and The Who on the same bill. Here’s what he told me in an e-mail that fairly vibrated with excitement:
“My grandson and first grandchild, Lincoln James Saunders, arrived June 3rd at 9:52 pm, just so happened to also be my 23rd wedding anniversary. Lincoln showed up about three weeks early and was just a little over 4 pounds. He spent a week at St. Joe’s. and received excellent care by (the) hospital. Mom Brittany (Morris Saunders), VP at the Downtown Denver Partnership, and her attorney husband Tim (Saunders) were able to bring him home on Monday. They are doing really well and we couldn’t be more in love with the little man. You can tell he is a Morris. He came out screaming. Perfect for the music business.”
Congrats, grandpa!
Drunken drawings
For a non drinker, artist Michael Godard is obsessed with alcohol. He paints whimsical interpretations of drinks – sometimes personified – in his “Don’t Drink and Draw” series.
The “unserious” artist will make a Denver appearance from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Fascination St. Fine Art, 2727 E. Third Ave. The public is invited but asked to RSVP by calling 303-333-1566.
“I am not a drinker, (some people call me a cheap date) as after one drink, I’m under the table looking up at the gum stuck there!” Godard says in his biography. “But I love the fun of drinking, and all of the little things that go in and around the drinks. Martinis are a special favorite of mine to paint, as there are thousands of different ways that people take a drink that is basically pure alcohol!”
And just for kicks, gallery owner Aaron LaPedis is hosting a martini bar during the event.
This is just one of Michael Godard’s “Don’t Drink and Draw” series pieces you can see at Fascination St. Fine Art in Cherry Creek North on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Michael Godard)
Denver’s Tony tie
Gabriel Ebert, a 2005 graduate of Denver School of the Arts, won the Tony Award for best featured actor in the musical for his performance as Mr. Wormwood in “Matilda the Musical.” “Matilda” won four Tonys, only eclipsed by the musical, “Kinky Boots,” which took home six Tony Awards.
Ebert won the 2012 Obie Award for “4000 Miles.” The DSA alum performed off-Broadway opposite Tony winner Mary Louise Wilson in Amy Herzog‘s poignant play about the unique friendship between a grandson (Leo) and his widowed grandmother. Ebert is a graduate of Juillard.
Burger battle
Can you down a Juicy Lucy burger in 39 seconds or less? Denver multi-restaurant owner Frank Bonanno and the Vesper Lounge are offering that challenge for anyone who can gulp down the 17-ounce double-patty burger (complete with lettuce, four tomatoes and white onions). Six Bonanno chefs were given the challenge and Mizuna sauté chef Adam Devers set the bar at 39 seconds.
The challenge began Wednesday at the Vesper Lounge, 233 E. Seventh Ave. If you win the challenge, the burger is free and you’ll also get a Vesper Lounge T-shirt and a shot of your liquor choice. If you fail, it’s $14 for the burger.
The Bonanno boys videotaped the gut-busting gorge and posted it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuuHVxKSFqs.
Eavesdropping on one woman to another at Hot Rocks Grillers: “You can’t eat, you can’t drink – what are you doing here?”
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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