The Denver Art Museum is presenting the first full-scale museum exhibition celebrating the female artists of the Abstract Expressionist movement. Organized by the DAM and curated by Gwen Chanzit, Women of Abstract Expressionism brings together 51 paintings to examine the distinct contributions of 12 artists who played an integral role in what has been recognized as the first fully-American modern art movement.

On view next year from June 12 through Sept. 25, the exhibition presents a nuanced profile of women working on the East and West Coasts during the 1940s and ’50s, providing scholars and audiences with a new perspective on this important chapter in art history.

Following its debut at the DAM, Women of Abstract Expressionism will travel to the Mint Museum in October 2016 and to the Palm Springs Art Museum in February 2017.
The DAM’s exhibition focuses on the expressive freedom of direct gesture and process at the core of abstract expressionism, while revealing inward reverie and painterly expression in these works by individuals responding to particular places, memories and life experiences. Women of Abstract Expressionism also sheds light on the unique experiences of artists based in the Bay Area on the West Coast where they were on a more equal footing with their male counterparts than those working in New York.

The featured artists include Mary Abbott, Jay DeFeo, Perle Fine, Helen Frankenthaler, Sonia Gechtoff, Judith Godwin, Grace Hartigan, Elaine de Kooning, Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, Deborah Remington and Ethel Schwabacher.

“For millennia women have been creators and innovators of artistic expression,” said Christoph Heinrich, Frederick and Jan Mayer of the DAM. “Few women have found their way into the accounts of art history, and not until the 20th century have they received some of the credit that is long overdue. We are delighted to be the first U.S. museum to tell these stories of the most prolific female Abstract Expressionists.”

Krasner, who often lived in husband Jackson Pollock’s shadow, is one notable Abstract Expressionist painter featured in the exhibition. Seven of Krasner’s works will be on view, showing the breadth of her artistic development and her responses to the natural world around her. This is visible in prominent works such as The Seasons (1957) and Charred Landscape (1960).

de Kooning is another artist whose work will be placed in a context independent from her husband, and well-known contemporary, Willem de Kooning. Elaine de Kooning was a skilled draughtswoman and abstract painter as shown in her monumental canvas Bullfight (1959). The artwork depicts the impact of energy and excitement brought on by her experience of witnessing bullfights in Mexico.

A lesser-known artist featured in Women of Abstract Expressionism, Gechtoff, experienced a career that spanned both coasts. Her artistic contributions are pivotal in understanding the situation for women during the Abstract Expressionist movement. Gechtoff had much success in the Bay Area, but was surprised to experience gender bias in New York.

“Women of Abstract Expressionism, for the first time, positions this expanded group of painters within the context of abstract expressionism and its cultural milieu,” said Gwen Chanzit, curator of modern art at the DAM. “The exhibition will contribute to a more complete understanding of this important mid-20th century movement by presenting artists beyond the handful of painters who have previously defined the whole in textbook accounts. It also will present these female artists together for the first time. While visitors discover the significant role of women in the formation of abstract expressionism, they will be treated to a powerful presentation of remarkable paintings.”

For museum information, call 720-865-5000 or visit www.denverartmuseum.org.

Local and nationally renowned chefs and experts from more than 50 Colorado-based restaurants and food establishments will demonstrate their talents at the Albert Bartlett Culinary Showcase presented by 630 KHOW during the 32nd Annual A Taste of Colorado, a free event Sept. 4 through 7 at Downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park.

David Cross from Albert Bartlett and Pat Miller, The Gabby Gourmet, will host The Albert Bartlett Culinary Showcase, located in the Greek Amphitheatre. The four-day, food, music, arts and crafts and entertainment festival is free to the public and will take place Sept. 4 through Sept. 7 in Downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park.

Watch your favorite Colorado chefs and culinary experts give culinary demonstrations all weekend.
Chefs from restaurants, including MAX’s Wine Dive, AQUA TERRA Culinary, Guard and Grace and Bistro Vendôme, will be present to demonstrate the creation of their delicious cuisines. Hours for the Culinary Showcase are as follows:
* Noon to 6:30 p.m. Friday
* 11:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and  Sunday
* 11:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday

Also enjoy fun food competitions throughout the weekend. Join the ice cream eating competition that takes place at noon each day, Saturday through Monday. Watch Colorado’s top chefs go head-to-head in the cooking competition, Ready! Set! Cook!, at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The following is the schedule of demonstrations and competitions on the Albert Bartlett Culinary Showcase presented by 630 KHOW:

Friday –
Noon: Terry Pruitt – King Soopers
1:15: Kevin Savoy – MAX’s Wine Dive
2:30: Charley Sinden – The Farm House at Breckenridge Brewery
3:30: Seth Gonzales – Gaetano’s
4:30: Jeff Cleary – Grateful Bread
5:30: Tom Coohill – Coohill’s Restaurant – Albert Bartlett Ambassador
6:30: Dory Ford – AQUA TERRA Culinary and Baur’s Restaurant

Saturday –
11:15: Justin Albert – King Soopers
Noon: Ice Cream Eating Contest
12:30: Troy Guard and Darren Pusateri – Guard and Grace
1:30: Adolfo Aguilar and Sheree Browne – Adelita’s Cocina y Cantina
2:30: Matt Selby – Central Bistro
3:30: Daniel Asher – Root Down, Linger, Ophelia’s – Albert Bartlett Ambassador
4:30: Keegan Gerhard – The Food Network, D Bar
5:30: Karin Lawler – The Truffle Cheese Shop
6:30: Ready, Set, Cook! Chefs compete and cook like crazy!

Sunday –
11:15: Paul Walrath – King Soopers
Noon: Ice Cream Eating Contest
12:30: Paul Reilly – Beast + Bottle
1:30: Roxanne and Sergio Negrin – Frijoles – Colorado Cuban Cafe
2:30: Adam Branz – Bistro Vendôme
3:30: Lou Ortiz – Los Chingones – Albert Bartlett Ambassador
4:30: James Rugile – Sarto’s
5:30: Chefs from Brazen
6:30: Ready, Set, Cook! Chefs compete and cook like crazy!

Monday –
11:15: Paul Walrath – King Soopers
Noon: Ice Cream Eating Contest Final
12:30: Carlos Mastache – Que Bueno! Mexican Grille
1:30: Robert Grant – Baur’s Restaurant
2:30: Kevin Grossi – Lola
3:30: Randy Savala – The Fort – Albert Bartlett Ambassador
4:30: Ready, Set, Cook! Chefs complete and cook like crazy!
In addition to The Albert Bartlett Culinary Showcase presented by 630 KHOW, more than 50 of Colorado’s favorite food establishments will be selling a wide variety of small portions to full meals, ensuring that there will be something for every palate.

There will be plenty of music, magic, clowns and puppets on the KidzStage presented by MIX 100, and the KidZone will feature free, hands-on craft activities for children of all ages. Kids and adults also can enjoy carnival rides and games Saturday through Monday, presented by KOOL 105.

The Main Stage and four other entertainment stages located throughout the festival will serve up a continuous menu of music, including the KBCO World Class Rock Stage, the KYGO Country Stage, the Colorado Heritage Stage presented by Westword and Classic Rock Tribute Stage presented by 103.5 The Fox.

In the Festival of Mountain and Plain area, families can learn about the state’s pioneer past. Featured artisans will demonstrate spinning, lace crocheting, felting, blacksmithing and various demonstrations of Navajo culture including weaving and beading.

Festivalgoers can shop in more than 275 Marketplace booths for original arts and crafts, home and gift items, furniture, jewelry, imports, and more. Fine Art in the Park will display original works in a variety of mediums created by artists from around the country. Shoppers also can explore the Home & Lifestyles area, which features a variety of exhibitors displaying products and services such as window installation, kitchen remodeling, cookware, basement refinishing, and salons and spas.

Festival hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6,  and 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.

CherryArts Festival at Stanley, produced by the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, is a collaboration with the yet-to-be-opened Stanley Marketplace in Aurora, featuring national art, local flavor and creative living on Oct. 23, 24 and 25.

The Festival includes a national juried art show with more than 70 exhibiting artists in 13 media categories, including ceramics, mixed media, digital art, photography, metalworks and drawing. For a complete list of participating artists, visit www.cherryartsstanley.org/exhibiting-artists/.

In addition to the national juried artists, visitors will enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities, home design vignettes by Colorado Homes & Lifestyles and culinary demonstrations at the Colorado Homes & Lifestyles Kitchen presented by Specialty Appliance Dacor. Visitors also are invited to experience Chandelier Harp, the interactive light sculpture created by Boulder-based and internationally renowned artist, Jen Lewin.

“We are excited to collaborate with the Stanley Marketplace as they open their doors to the Aurora and Stapleton neighborhoods,” said Chris Stevens, CherryArts president and CEO. “CherryArts’ newest event, CherryArts Festival at Stanley, strives to integrate art buying into this new food-centric, community-inspired hub.”

Stanley Marketplace is a former aviation building that is being transformed into a food-centric, community inspired hub on the border of Aurora and Stapleton. Opening in 2016, Stanley will include a beer hall, multiple restaurants, a fitness center and yoga studio, office space, an events center, and numerous retail options.

CherryArts Festival at Stanley is free to the public on Oct. 24 and 25, with a special Opening Night Grand Tasting ticketed event on Oct. 23.

The Opening Night Grand Tasting will feature an exclusive first look at Stanley Marketplace with a grand tasting of future Stanley Marketplace restaurants and vendors, national juried visual artists, and special entertainment and programming. Tickets to the Opening Night Grand Tasting can be purchased at www.cherryartsstanley.org/buy-tickets-grand-tasting/.

Well-known Denverites will don costumes and do goofy things during the Celebrity Waiter 2015 dinner on Sept. 19 at Ocean Prime Restaurant, 1465 Larimer St.

This annual fundraiser and silent auction combines a night of great food, novice servers (who should all keep their day jobs) and an entertaining atmosphere for a great cause. You are guaranteed to laugh while being waited on by some of Denver’s favorite local celebrities.

This year’s lineup includes Walter Isenberg, Will McCollum, Sam Adams, John Reimers, Jim Holder, RD Sewald, Molly Hughes, Josh Hanfling, Joshua Phair, Collon Kennedy, Pete Turner, Jeff Kaufman, Michael Dunn, Kasia Iwaniczko MacLeod, Bill Myers, Jamie Van Leeuwan and Walt DeHaven. More bold names will be added to the evening’s staff.

For reservations (from 5 to 9 p.m), call 303-825-3663.

Coda Coffee, a certified B Corp company that focuses on social responsibility and sustainable business practices, will open its first retail location this month at 5224 W. 25th Ave. in Edgewater.

Coda Coffee, which brothers Tim and Tommy Thwaites started in 2005, is a local, wholesale coffee company fueled by a passion for great coffee and worldly do-gooding.

“Our dreams are becoming reality and we’re so excited to open our very first storefront. It will give people an easy way to learn more about us and the farmers who produce our coffee,” Tim said. “It’ll also help bring a craft feel to the world of coffee because, just like beer, the world of coffee has a very unique art to it that we’re passionate about and look forward to sharing.”

The Coda Coffee shop is a one-level, 1,800 square-foot space that will offer a new coffee experience, complete with:

• An espresso machine that has the capacity to dial in pressurization so well that baristas will be able to modify the espresso extraction, based on bean density. This makes every type of coffee customized;

• Four blends of espresso at all hours, with espresso flights for those who want to try more bean varieties;

• An AeroPress for high-end coffees that will provide a quick way to brew coffee with rich flavor, leaving bitterness and acidity out;

• Menu offering a delicious selection of paninis, baked goods and salads;

• Innovative techniques, developed by Tommy and Tim, for brewing the perfect cup of iced coffee.

“We now have the ability to take any fresh, hot coffee or espresso and instantly turn it into a cold drink without the ill effect of oxidization or the drawn out process of a ‘toddy brew,’” Tommy said. “Our unique system maintains the coffee’s flavor without adding any bitterness through the cooling process using cold plate infusion.”

An infusion chamber also allows guests to customize their cup by adding hops, vanilla beans, cinnamon or ginger during the brew process for a one-of-a-kind drink. They can also opt for a “healthier” spot of coffee and add their own taste preferences.

“At Coda, we’re committed to the best quality and friendly, speedy service,” added Tim. “We know how busy our guests are with their day-to-day lives, so our goal is to get them the most amazing cup of coffee and send them on their way. But, when they have the time, we invite them to enjoy the coffee shop, revel in some ‘me- or friend-time’ in a comfortable, welcoming environment and try out our various coffee options.”

Coda Coffee’s grand storefront opening will feature several unique coffee blends, including a rare Ethiopian Geisha coffee, which has a unique fruit-like flavor. Fifty percent of the proceeds made on opening day will go to Girls on the Run – Rockies Chapter, which offers a fun, experience-based curriculum, creatively integrating running to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident. Running is a passionate hobby for both Tim and Tommy.

In addition, the first 25 people through the door will receive a Coda Coffee travel mug and a $75 gift card for drinks at Coda’s coffee shop. The event will also feature drawings to win a French press and Coda Coffee swag.

Coda Coffee’s grand opening takes place from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 18.  The first 25 people through the door receive a Coda Coffee travel mug and a $75 gift card for drinks at Coda’s coffee shop, drawings to win a French press and Coda Coffee swag, including travel mugs and tumblers.

For more information about Coda Coffee, visit www.CodaCoffee.com.

Eavesdropping on a mom and her 15-year-old on Facebook:  “What’s for dinner tonight?”

“We’re having eggplant/squash pita sandwiches.”

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make it taste like meat.”

It grieves me to my very soul to have to report the death of Michael “Mike” Gaughan, chairman and co-founder of MGA Communications, one of the primo PR firms in Denver. He died Tuesday from complications from surgery. He was 77.

Mike, who has been with his life and business partner Jeff Julin forever, was a beloved friend of mine. Mike, Jeff and a guest and I would go to dinner quarterly at Barolo Grill, and have such a great time eating numerous courses and drinking vodka.

He had had some health scares, but always roared back. This time he lost the battle. I am so sad.

From his official obituary:

Mike has worked in the public relations and marketing field since the late 1970s. He has more than 40 years of experience developing public and community engagement programs based on a mutual-gains approach.

Mike will tell you his career really began when he was hired at the age of 15 as a marquee boy for the Dundee Theatre in Omaha. From that humble beginning, Mike rose in the ranks of the theater chain until he was promoted and became responsible for all advertising and marketing for the circuit. In the mid-’80s Mike founded his own public relations firm which has morphed into MGA Communications.

Mike is a recognized leader in program design with a talent for melding communications tools into unique programs for an extensive list of clients.
Since 1985, Mike has served as MGA’s team leader directing Shell Oil’s outreach program at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal while providing assistance to the U.S. Army and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The site is now a premier, urban national wildlife refuge attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. In 2010, the international public relations publication The Holmes Report called the outreach program at RMA one of the top five of the decade.

Mike also led MGA’s community engagement program for the Regional Transportation District’s West Line, 12.1 miles running from Denver’s Union Station to Golden in Jefferson County. MGA’s successful program engaged citizens and elected officials from a broad number of differing government jurisdictions, business districts and ethnic neighborhoods.

What a lovely man, and I am so lucky to have had him in my life. Rest in peace, my friend.

The award winning comedy of “The Queerbots” is back. And this time, there’s gonna be Hell Toupee! On Sept. 12, the Comedy Improv troupe will tackle Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, the Presidential primary, gay marriage and more.  Using only audience suggestions, The Queerbots will improvise a wild night of unscripted comedy, almost as funny as Ted Cruz.

The performance will also include celebrity guest improviser, radio personality Larry Ulibarri, of the No. 1 rated KS107.5 morning radio show.  Anything could happen, and it’s entirely up to the audience.

The Queerbots will play Hamburger Mary’s “Club M” at 8 p.m. Sept. 12.  Tickets are $10 and available for purchase at www.queerbots.com

The Queerbots are Denver’s first and only GLBTQ Improv Troupe.  The group was founded by six performers who have been entertaining Denver audiences for years:  Sarah Kirwin, Michelle Marlowe, Britt Swenson, Jon Jon Lannen, Ashley Scroggins and Chris Parente.  Together, they bring more than 100 collective years of Improv experience, and their full biographies can be found at their website:  www.queerbots.com.

Denver Biscuit Co. is the sixth restaurant in as many weeks to announce it will join Stanley Marketplace, which will open its doors within the former Stanley Aviation headquarters at 2501 Dallas St. in Aurora next year.

Its first single-concept store (not connected to sister restaurants Fat Sully’s or The Atomic Cowboy), Denver Biscuit Co. at Stanley will serve gourmet sandwich and biscuit entrees for breakfast and lunch, as well as beer and craft cocktails in a casual full-service environment. The company’s mobile Biscuit Bus has had a presence at the Stapleton Farmer’s Market for the past five years, which prompted Denver Biscuit Co. to consider adding a brick-and-mortar location nearby.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that we feel so honored to be a part of,” said Drew Shader, owner of Denver Biscuit Company. “We just couldn’t pass up a project with this many talented and passionate people working together in one space.”

Comprised of more than 100,000 square feet on 22 acres, Stanley Marketplace aims to become the community’s new centerpiece, and will be home to a spacious community park, indoor/outdoor event venue, office space and a wide array of dining, shopping and recreational options.

Flightline Ventures, a Stapleton-based firm comprised of longtime neighborhood residents who saw a need for a community-based marketplace and sought to fulfill it, is behind the development of Stanley. Partners Mark Shaker, Lorin Ting and Megan Von Wald teamed with the City of Aurora to make the vision a reality. Aurora also recognized the need for a gathering place in the neighborhood, and made the group aware of the building, which had previously been vacant for several years. The marketplace will represent the first stage of redevelopment activity along Westerly Creek, part of Aurora’s long-term plan for urban revitalization.

“Denver Biscuit Co. helps to round out what we think is a stellar lineup of restaurant offerings at Stanley,” Shaker said. “We can’t wait to serve the community.”