The metro area is alive with the sound of music.
I already told you about the much-anticipated launch of ninth annual Summer Music Series at Elway’s Cherry Creek, which kicks off Wednesday with Message in a Bottle, a Police tribute band. (Full schedule at www.elways.com.)
But wait, there’s more.
Coohills, the French-inspired restaurant at 1400 Wewatta, starts its weekly Beats on the Creek series from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 16 with Under a Blood Red Sky – The U2 Tribute.
Note that local vocalist and Denver fan fave The Hazel Miller Band performs on July 30. Coohills has an expanded patio that leads to the bridge over the creek. More at http://coohills.com/reservations/special-events.
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, at 16th and Curtis Streets, started its annual Music at the Bottom on June 14, and will continue the series (which starts at 7 p.m.) featuring music from local bands playing everything from disco to classic rock to Motown.
The outdoor music festival will span the city block from Curtis Street to Arapahoe Street along the 16th Street Mall. The Rock Bottom patio will open at 6 p.m. and bands will take the stage at 7 p.m. There is no cover charge and Rock Bottom offers a full bar and patio menu.
“We are excited to be celebrating 21 years of music in downtown Denver,” said Shane Rushmann, Rock Bottom General Manager. “It’s a summer tradition not to be missed!”
Note: Soul School, one of my favorite cover bands, performs at Rock Bottom on July 26.
For more information, contact the restaurant at 303-534-7616 or Dawne Hostetter, marketing manager, at 303-478-9671 or email dhostetter@rockbottom.com.
If you’re not a downtowner, there are some concert series out of the city center. I told you before about Oakwood Homes’ annual free Summer Concert Series, but it bears repeating.
The concerts take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. beginning on July 4 when the music will begin post fireworks. The kickoff features Chase ‘N The Dream at the Green Valley Ranch Amphitheater, 4890 Argonne Way. Full schedule at www.skylineusa.com/oakwood_concert_series.asp.
Brighton Pavilions’ Summer Concert Series started last week, but continues on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. through Aug. 1. Thursday’s concert features Counterfeit Music Company, a variety dance show.
Activities include face painting and jumpy castles, plus $1 scoops at Cold Stone Creamery. Address is 245 Pavilions Place, just off Main Street. More information: 303-355-3838.
More music to our ears
The 16th Street Mall will be the venue for Make Music Denver, a daylong celebration of local live music from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m. Friday, produced by the Downtown Denver Partnership.
Denver will be one of 520 cities celebrating a festival that models France’s Fete de la Musique, a national musical holiday inaugurated in 1982 to celebrate World Music Day.
On Friday, downtown Denver sidewalks, parks, street corners, restaurants and other businesses will become the stage for free live performances.
The festival highlights Denver’s musical community on the international stage and shows appreciation for our local talented musicians. You’re invited to bring your instrument, colleagues, family and friends. For more information, go to www.makemusicdenver.com.
Tony P’s Cherry Creek shuts its doors
After much consternation, Tony Pasquini, owner of the Tony P’s restaurants, closed his Cherry Creek location at 240 Milwaukee St. on Sunday. He will reopen the store during the Cherry Creek Arts Festival July 5-7, then close for good.
“I’ve spent my whole life building the Pasquini brand,” Tony said. “And when we operated a restaurant in Cherry Creek under my name, we were doing fine. After we changed the name of our restaurant to Tony P’s in Cherry Creek, our customers couldn’t find us and the economics simply don’t support that location any more.
“We are so thankful for our loyal customers and look forward to seeing them all at our beautiful new location at 17th and Clarkson.”
All of the Cherry Creek employees have jobs at the remaining Tony P’s locations.
Tony was forced to drop the Pasquini’s Pizza name after his sister, Melinda, owner of the original Pasquini’s on Broadway, won a lawsuit against her brother claiming that she was the rightful owner of the brand.
Since, Tony has spent countless dollars on changing signage and collateral material, not to mention attorneys fees. He still has an outstanding lawsuit against her law firm Faegre Baker Daniels for malpractice because of a dispute between the siblings over franchise rights, and the fact that Melinda’s law firm wrote the original franchise agreement.
Meanwhile, Tony and his mom, Judy, will continue to own and operate the 17th and Clarkson and 32nd and Zuni stores. All Cherry Creek Tony P’s customers still can get delivery from the 17th and Clarkson location. More information at www.tonypspizza.com.
To market, to market
Spice up your Friday by visiting Denver’s new definition of “market.” The Skyline Market is a food experience that offers artisanal products, ready-to-eat food and a farm-fresh experience all in one.
Take a break from the office grind to enjoy a variety of lunch options, or pick up something for dinner and grab a few things for the weekend. Enjoy live music and a drink with friends or co-workers over happy hour or learn more about the food surrounding you from local chefs.
The Market, on Arapahoe between the 16th Street Mall and 15th Street, opened last Friday and continues every Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 30. For more information, visit http://downtowndenver.com/Life/WhattoDo/SkylineMarket/tabid/617/Default.aspx.
Good eats on wheels
Looking for an alternative to a fast-food lunch? The sixth annual Civic Center EATS Outdoor Café launched earlier this month, and will continue to take place with an army of food trucks gathering in Civic Center Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays through September.
Enjoy delicious food, fresh air, gorgeous views, live music and a great cause. In addition to supporting Denver’s growing gourmet food truck scene, proceeds will benefit the Civic Center Conservancy, the nonprofit dedicated to restoring, enhancing and activating Denver’s historic Civic Center Park.
Shaded tables and an ATM are available. For more information, go to http://www.civiccenterconservancy.org/event-civic-center-eats-outdoor-cafe_31.html.
Wine time
The Summit Steakhouse owners Gayle and Ed Novak are throwing an international wine dinner with six wow wines paired with six courses of fab food from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday.
Cost is $75 per person. For reservations, call 303-751-2112. More information at http://www.thesummitsteakhouse.com/events.cfm?promotion=11245.
Eavesdropping on a man at Barolo Grill telling a story about having drinks with a female friend: He: “Do you want another drink?”
She: “Of course. I’m here for a good time not a long time.”
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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