The Denver Film Society wants to step over the line.
No, they don’t want to start showing Triple X movies, rather “the line” represents the $150,000 fundraising goal to buy four new digital film projectors, as required by law, for the DFS’ Sie FilmCenter, The Ellie Caulkins (home of the Starz Denver Film Festival) and Red Rocks for the Film on the Rocks summer series. The total amount needed is $300,000 for the projectors for the Sie Film Center and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
To spur cash donations, DFS honcho Britta “The Jesus” Erickson stars in a three-minute promotional video spoofing the John Turturro role in the 1998 cult film “The Big Lebowski” with supporting actors stand-up comedian Chuck Roy and Will Morris, a manager at the Sie FilmCenter.
Erickson, complete with bowling shoes and a hairnet, licks the red bowling ball and bowls what looks like a guaranteed gutter ball, but the scene is cut before the ball reaches its destination. Meanwhile Roy and Morris drink beer, look on and hurl comments such as “you crossed the line!” That’s the whole idea.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the DFS donation website – http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1728212872/secure-the-future-of-the-denver-film-society?ref=live – had logged 756 backers and had raised $74,752 with 10 days to go.
If you donate a minimum of $25 and the DFS reaches its $150,000 goal, backers will be treated to a special screening of “The Big Lebowski” on July 31 at Red Rocks.
SOMM at Sie
Samuel Goldwyn Films and Denver Food and Wine are jointly hosting the Denver premiere of “SOMM,” a look inside the world of wine that most people know nothing about, beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Sie FilmCenter at Colfax and Elizabeth across from East High School.
The evening benefits The Denver Post Foundation, Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Colorado Restaurant Association Education Foundation.
The film takes viewers on a humorous, emotional and illuminating look into the world of the Court of Master Sommeliers and the massively intimidating master sommelier exam. On June 28, “SOMM” will begin its theatrical run at the Sie FilmCenter.
The reception will feature fine fare from local restaurants as well as wine pairings selected by Jay Fletcher, master sommelier and executive director of fine wine for Southern Wine & Spirits of Colorado.
Additional master sommeliers including Damon Ornowski of Vin Divino and Sabato Sagaria of The Little Nell (and one of the sommeliers featured in the film) will be on hand mingling with the crowd and answering questions.
The film will be shown at 7 p.m. followed by a Q & A session with Fletcher, Ornowski and Sagaria. For tickets, go to www.denverfilm.org/filmcenter/detail.aspx?id=25660.
Die laughing
Dave Chappelle, Flight of the Conchords, Demetri Martin, Kristen Schaal, Hannibal Buress and others to headline FunnyorDie.com’s Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival tour stop on Sept. 13 at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre in Greenwood Village. The Colorado stop is one of 13 dates on the five-week comedy tour that starts Aug. 23 in Austin.
FunnyorDie.com was launched in 2007 by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. It quickly became a hit thanks to the video, “The Landlord,” which starred McKay’s 2-year-old daughter, Pearl, who plays a cursing landlord trying to get rent money from Ferrell’s character.
“We always love to push the comedy boundaries at Funny or Die and this festival will do just that,” said Dick Glover, CEO of Funny or Die. “It’s the perfect blend of comedy and crazy that will for sure resonate with comedy fans looking for a one of a kind experience.”
Doors to the show open at 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale starting at 10 a.m. Friday at www.livenation.com or www.funnyordie.com/oddball. A video announcing the tour is live on Funny or Die at www.funnyordie.com/oddball. For VIP box seats call 303-837-1024.
Local laughs
Local jokester and Comedy Works regular Phil Palisoul snagged first place at the 2013 Great American Comedy Festival last week in Norfolk, Neb.
Palisoul, a Denver native, beat out eight other professional comedians in the finals to take home the top trophy. The Great American Comedy Festival is a four-day event honoring Norfolk native, Johnny Carson, the greatest talk-show host ever. The event features some of the best amateur and professional comedians from across the country.
Ironically, Palisoul tried to get on the “Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” early in the Denver comedian’s career.
“And when I wasn’t able to get on the show, I was really disappointed. So, to be able to come here and do this well in a festival for his name and honor is … it’s overwhelming really,” Palisoul told comedy.broadwayworld.com. Palisoul’s prize was $1,000. Read more about Palisoul’s victory at http://bit.ly/140oIjP.
Winners were picked by a panel of comedy club managers who judged the comedians on material, audience reaction and poise.
You can catch the Denver winner’s act at 7:30 p.m. July 9 during Comedy Night @ West Woods at West Woods Bar & Grill, 6655 Quaker St. Arvada. Tickets are available at www.Eventbrite.com KEYWORD: West Woods. Tickets are $12 and there is a two-drink minimum for those who do not have dinner at the restaurant before the show.
The show is hosted by nationally touring comic Bob Meddles and is produced by Slap Happy Entertainment.
Denver comedian Phil Palisoul recently won first place at the Great American Comedy Festival. The Norfolk, Neb., festival is a four-day event honoring native, Johnny Carson. Palisoul will perform July 9 during Comedy Night @ West Woods at the Arvada golf course lounge.
Hi-ho Silver! Away!
Three Lone Ranger outfits from the late Clayton Moore’s collection are the highlights of Brian Lebel’s 24th Annual Old West Auction at 5 p.m. Saturday – the same day as the Hollywood premiere of Disney’s 2013 version of “The Lone Ranger” starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer – at the Denver Mart (formerly the Denver Merchandise Mart).
Moore, who died in 1999, starred as the original “Lone Ranger” in 169 episodes of the TV series from 1949 till 1951 and again from 1954 to 1957.
Moore’s “Lone Ranger” Stetson, three pairs of boots and his famous Bohlin double-holster gun rig with “silver” bullets will also be part of the sale, along with signed “Lone Ranger” comics books, awards and other personal items.
The auction is held in conjunction with Brian Lebel’s Old West Show, a three-day expo-style dealer show that also specializes in Western antiques and arts.
The seen
Euclid Hall, the James Beard Award-winning chef Jennifer Jasinski-owned eatery on 14th and Larimer was crawling with celebs last weekend. On Saturday, crooner John Legend dined with fiancée, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Chrissy Teigen, and on Sunday New Orleans-based celebrity chef John Besh sampled the jazzy pub fare.
Eavesdropping on a woman and a man at Sushi Den: “You drink tequila? What do you drink with your tequila?”
“Ice.”
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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