Wacky for the World Cup?

Looking to hang out with like-minded folks?

Know the difference between futbol and football?

I can think of at least one former Denver Post colleague who’s going nuts now. (He roots for Spain, where his roots are).

Thrillist.com, the national website expert on all things hip in the food and drink world, has compiled a list of places to watch the World Cup in Denver.

The website says, “Every four years, Americans become increasingly interested in a kind of football that doesn’t involve any Manning brothers. Because the World Cup is fantastic! And even if you aren’t into it, finding excuses to go to bars at odd times of day is something we can all agree on. Here are the best places to do just that.”

Check out the places where the cool kids watch the World Cup at www.thrillist.com/drink/denver/places-to-watch-world-cup-2014-in-denver-things-to-do-in-denver.

Larimer Square’s restaurants are turning up the heat and taking to the streets once again this summer with Dining Al Fresco, the block’s outdoor dining series starting Saturday.

This culinary experience takes throngs of diners out onto Larimer Street to enjoy inspired menus under the Square’s twinkling canopy of lights. Dining Al Fresco on Larimer Square kicks off with happy hour festivities and live music, which give way to special meals created by some of Colorado’s best chefs.

“Larimer Square is home to the best restaurants in Denver and one of the most noteworthy collections of regionally-exclusive, chef-owned restaurants in the U.S.,” said Jeff Hermanson, of Larimer Associates. “Diners expect more from the restaurants on our block and our outdoor dining series is a great example of the creativity Larimer Square chefs and restaurant owners display in their approach to local dining.”

Dining Al Fresco will be held on three Saturday evenings throughout the summer: tomorrow, July 19 and Aug. 16, all beginning at 5 p.m. Reservations are available through participating restaurants, which include Bistro Vendôme, the Capital Grille, Corridor 44, Cru – A Wine Bar, Green Russell, Ocean Prime, Osteria Marco, Rioja, Russell’s Smokehouse, TAG, TAG Raw Bar, Tamayo and Ted’s Montana Grill.

“Our guests really look forward to dining outside under the iconic Larimer Square canopy of lights,” said Jennifer Jasinski, executive chef at Rioja and Bistro Vendôme. “You really feel like you’re in a big city when you have dinner in the middle of Larimer Street with hundreds of fellow diners.”

Dining Al Fresco on Larimer Square rounds out the Summer on the Square event series, which also features Le Jardin Secret, a weekly, French-inspired chefs’ market. 

For more information, and links to participating Dining Al Fresco restaurant websites, visit www.larimersquare.com.

Sprouts Farmers Market, one of the fastest-growing natural food retailers in the country, opened its first store in Englewood (5001 S. Broadway) on Wednesday. This is the 17th Sprouts in the Denver area.

Sprouts is a healthy grocery store offering fresh, natural and organic foods. The grocery chain offers fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, natural body care and household items catering to consumers’ interest in health and wellness.

Recently named one of the top five supermarket chains by “Consumer Reports” and headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., Sprouts employs more than 15,000 team members and operates more than 170 stores in nine states.

The grand opening celebration continues:

Saturday –

• The first 100 customers to make a purchase will receive a coupon booklet for five free sandwiches.
• The store will be hiding 20 golden tickets on products throughout the aisles. If you find one, you’ll get $20 off your purchase.

Sunday –

• Upon checkout, every 15th customer will receive a $5 coupon for a purchase of more than $15 the following week.

Sunday, June 21 –

• The first 100 customers to make a purchase will receive a coupon booklet for five free sandwiches.

Mitchell Gold, chairman and co-founder of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, the home furnishings lifestyle brand, are bringing their combination of comfort and style to Cherry Creek Shopping Center when they open a new 7,000 square foot signature store this month.

A grand opening event is planned for June 26 and will benefit Brent’s Place, a home away from home for families coming to Denver for life-saving treatments.

“The Denver market is a very important region in the country for us and Cherry Creek Shopping Center is one of the premiere shopping destinations in Colorado housing more than 160 specialty shops and restaurants,” Mitchell Gold said.  “We’re looking forward to establishing our style leadership position in this vibrant, sophisticated growing market and presenting our brand in a big way.”

Founders of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

The new signature store will be located on the second floor of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. The store will showcase the company’s signature store design, including soft white walls and floors, bright modular lighting and personally created furniture settings by Bob and Mitchell – showing customers ways to integrate eclectic styles of furniture. The Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams design philosophy is based on making comfort the priority for look, feel and value, and mixing unexpected pieces to give each setting a unique modern twist.

“Having a space to showcase the majority of our product line will let consumers really experience our way of living,” said Bob Williams, president of design and co-founder.  “We know buying furniture can be an anxiety-ridden purchase, and we want everyone who walks through those doors to feel welcome, comfortable and very well taken care of.”

The company has always championed “immediate gratification.” The store will be in stock on the vast majority of merchandise on the selling floor and also offer customers and the design trade the ability to custom-order pieces delivered in six weeks in most situations.

Eavesdropping on Andrew Hudson’s Facebook page: “I asked (daughter) Julia what she wanted me to read her for a bedtime story and she brought me the ‘Gabby Gourmet Restaurant Guide.'”

Julia Hudson’s bedtime reading. (Andrew Hudson’s Facebook page)

Daniel L. Ritchie, the “godfather” of Denver theater, has announced his retirement as chief executive officer of the Denver Center for Performing Arts.

Ritchie will continue to serve as chairman of the board of trustees following his retirement as CEO. Ritchie revealed his decision at Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting of the trustees and then to a meeting of DCPA employees.  He also is sending a letter to the customers and donors whose support of the DCPA has been the foundation of its success.

“This is the right moment for me to step aside and for a new CEO to guide the DCPA into its bright future,” Ritchie said. “The DCPA is poised to move to a new level of creativity with an even warmer embrace of our audience.  My full energy will now be focused on board matters including the campaign to reauthorize the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District in 2016.”

Ritchie joined the DCPA in 2007 as CEO and chairman of the board. Upon his appointment, the board and Ritchie concluded that the two positions should ultimately be separated. Today’s announcement completes that plan.

Ritchie, who was known as “Dapper Dan” for his sharp attire, led the DCPA through a period of dynamic creative growth and to financial success.  As CEO, the DCPA expanded its new-play development program, launched three national Broadway touring premieres, conducted two successful matching gift fundraising campaigns, and served more than 400,000 students through its extensive theatre education programs.

He also has been instrumental in diversifying the DCPA’s programming with the development of Off-Center @ The Jones, an experimental theater designed to make theater less formal, more fun, decidedly innovative and appealing to new audiences.

Ritchie has made generous personal financial donations to the DCPA and has served without pay as CEO during his entire tenure.

But I will remember him most for his “performances” to raise money for DCPA endeavors. One year for Saturday Night Alive, the DCPA’s granddaddy fundraiser, Ritchie embraced his inner rock star with over-the-top enthusiasm. He appeared in a full (former guitarist with Guns N’ Roses) Slash costume.

More recently during Theatre Threads, a costume department fashion show, Ritchie made an off-the-program appearance dressed in drag to promote “The Legend of Georgia McBride”.

On a serious note Ritchie said, “It has been my privilege to serve as CEO of the DCPA. I want to express my gratitude to the immensely talented team we have for their hard work, dedication and artistic spirit.  Thank you, as well, to our guests and donors.  You make everything we do possible.”

A search will begin immediately for Ritchie’s successor.  He will remain as CEO until his successor has joined the organization and he will work with the new CEO during a period of transition.

Phillip Phillips, singer/songwriter and “American Idol” season 11 winner, will perform a free live acoustic set for fans Saturday at Lucky Strike in the Denver Pavilions.

Phillips will play a brief performance and sign autographs for fans who purchase his new CD, “Behind the Light”. This free, all-ages show is open to the public with doors opening at 12:20 p.m. Phillips is in town performing with O.A.R at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Saturday. He will personally give away a pair of tickets to the Red Rocks show that evening during his performance at Lucky Strike .  

More information: www.bowlluckystrike.com.

The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain is hosting Karina Smirnoff – world champion dancer from the hit show “Dancing with the Stars” – in her first Colorado engagement with a three-day DanceFIT-KS Workshop Friday through Sunday.

Beauty and lifestyle expert, television star Smirnoff is one of the most successful dancers in the world as a choreographer on ABC’s global hit dance show in its 18th season.

Smirnoff’s DanceFIT-KS is a customized, unique fitness experience that is open to everyone – singles and couples of all ages and fitness levels.

The schedule for The Westin Riverfront’s Karina Smirnoff DanceFIT-KS weekend – which will also include a screening of her new short film, “Across Grace Alley” – is as follows:

* Friday – 6 p.m. meet and greet cocktail party and photo opportunity with Smirnoff at The Westin Riverfront, featuring a performance by Celebrate the Beat students.

* Saturday – 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. salsa class; 11 a.m. – noon shape up DanceFIT-KS cardio class; 6 p.m. – special screening of “Across Grace Alley”, followed by a Q&A session.

* Sunday – 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Cha Cha dance class.

The Westin Riverfront Beaver Creek is offering three unique ways to experience Smirnoff this summer. Each of the packages will include a donation to The Vail Valley Foundation’s Celebrate the Beat program, which is a contemporary dance program for school children ages 5-12.

The three-day DanceFit-KS program is $185 per person.

The Karina Smirnoff Weekend Experience is $229 per person per night with a two-night minimum stay. This package includes: The three-day DanceFIT-KS program, accommodations in a studio suite and valet parking.

The Ultimate Dancing with Karina Smirnoff Package: $379 per person per night, with a two-night minimum stay. This offer includes: Full access to the three-day DanceFIT-KS program; a spray tan; manicure, pedicure and makeup application; massage at Spa Anjali; accommodations in a studio suite; a wine amenity and valet parking.

To book your Beaver Creek Karina Smirnoff weekend, call 970-790-2000 or visit www.westinriverfrontbeavercreek.com .To book just the Karina Smirnoff Workshop, call the Athletic Club at The Westin directly at 970-790-2051.

Karina Smirnoff

A whole lotta LoDo retaurants invite you to sip, sample and stroll during the annual LoDo Bites from 5 to 9 p.m. June 18.

Bites attendees are invited to walk off the calories between stops along the route where each eatery will serve a nosh or two and/or offer drink specials.

Participating restaurants include:

Backcountry Delicatessen; BDs Mongolian BBQ; Black Crow at Rio Grande; Coohills; Crepes ‘N’ Crepes; Euclid Hall; Fogo de Chao; Hapa Sushi; Jax Fish House Denver; Jimmy’s Urban Bar & Grill; Lucky Pie Denver; Mangiamo Pronto!; McCormick’s Fish House & Bar; Protein Bar; The Squeaky Bean; Wazee Supper Club; Wynkoop Brewing Company; Vesta Dipping Grill and more.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door, and available at www.lodo.org.