The Hot Spot Downtown
Dare we say downtown Louisville is becoming chic? Walking along the quaint Main Street, it’s hard to argue that there’s a more hip Old Town in the North Metro area. The latest addition, The Empire Restaurant, is set to open in the space formerly occupied by Main Street mainstay Pasquini’s. Brendan McManus, who was director of operations for the entire Big Red F group, opens the upscale yet affordable neighborhood American grill in mid-December. It’ll feature a local, organic menu created by chef Jim Cohen, who’s worked Tante Louise in Denver, Phoenician in Phoenix, Caesar’s Palace in Vegas and has been a James Beard nominee. For more on Empire, 816 Main St., Louisville, call 303.665.2521.

High Steaks
Hunter’s Restaurant & Pub used to have one of those menus that had a little bit of everything. With a new chef and manager joining the staff last month, it has focused its menu, transitioning into a classic Colorado chophouse. Chef John Duran comes from Sullivan’s Steakhouse downtown, and manager and sommelier Eric Mohn, who most recently worked at Treppeda’s in Niwot, has revamped the wine list, too. For more on Hunter’s Restaurant & Pub, 600 S. Airport Road, Longmont, call 303.485.9980.

One Year Old And Growing
Most restaurants are just happy to make it to birthday No. 1. Sugarbeet celebrated one year in business on Dec. 6 as Longmont’s seasonal American eatery where it was nearly impossible to get a table on a weekend night. The birthday came knowing relief was near as a renovation that will double seating to more than 80 was nearly finished (it’l be wrapped up by early January). For more on Sugarbeet, 101 Pratt St. Unit A, Longmont, call 303.651.3330

January 2008

How One Stunt Man Became America

by French Davis

By all accounts, America in the late ’60s was embroiled in the greatest period of change the country had seen since the Civil War. Knee-deep in a politically-gray conflict half the world over and roiling at home with racial tension, the United States was sorely testing the resolve of the first half of its name.

(more…)

January 2008

by French Davis

As ’08 promises a year of political squabbling, economic turmoil and yet another season of “American Idol,” it becomes my charge to provide a distraction akin to the religious epiphany of the ilk that moved Moses to the Mount and the Wise Men to the Star—not to overstate a column about rock concerts or anything…

It’s Their Year, Now
I’ve said it here before, and, to be honest, I’m surprised my words haven’t proven to be more prophetic, but I remain optimistic. I’m speaking to my previous lauding of the Hot IQs, which I’m still pretty sure will be the next band to break out of Colorado. From their lush guitarscapes and clever hookery to their pop song craft and thoughtfully sardonic dissection of social mores (“You’re looking tough in your retro ’70s muff/it’s not as dumb the second time around”) this band has everything in place to be big time. Maybe ’08 is the year. 9:30 p.m., Dec. 22, Bluebird Theater, Denver. $10. 303.322.2308.

Trashy Way To Celebrate
The beer cans litter the ground a few feet from the aluminum door on the side of the trailer. A lonely plastic flamingo lolls haphazardly to its side, threatening to topple over from the next stiff breeze. The sickly pungent smell of spam and beans wafts on the crisp night air as the TV blares a holiday rerun of “Hee Haw.” It’s a White Trash Xmas, and Blister 66, Eight Bucks Experiment, Dead Guys Watch and Snapstick Dynamite are gonna rock your face off until you forget that your entire retirement plan is to smoke yourself into an early grave and have the good sense to die young of lung cancer. Bah humbug indeed. 7:30 p.m., Dec. 22, Gothic Theatre, Englewood. $5. 303.788.0984.

A Worthwhile Hangover
New Year’s Eve is always a thorn in your side because no matter what you do, you end up nursing an anticlimactic hangover and wondering how the hell you ended up in Rifle. Or maybe that’s just me. Play it safe with a guaranteed home run: Slim Cessna’s Auto Club’s  annual show at the Bluebird. For years, its blend of fiery preacher and southern-flavored Americana rock has been the best thing about New Year’s in the Mile High, except for that one year when everyone thought the world was going to end and cashed in all their stocks and bonds for a basement full of canned food. 9 p.m. Dec. 31, Boulder Theater, Boulder. $22.50. 303.322.2308.

January 2008

by French Davis

The slow period at the end of the holidays for entertainment and retail is actually a pretty lively one for live theater. Maybe it because everyone’s a little too tired to dance the night away and too cold to spend any real time out of doors. Or perhaps it’s simply because the natural introspection that comes with facing a New Year leaves one emotionally raw enough to want to connect to the human spirit in such an intimate, yet pure form.

“Dirty Blonde”
When Claudia Shear’s tome about two lonely New York City residents finding romance in each other’s unhealthy obsession with Mae West launched its run on Broadway, it was to unparalleled acclaim. “Dirty Blonde” garnered a slew of Tony nominations. West’s racy career and legendary tale provided a perfect backdrop for the unlikely story and provided plenty of creative fodder for Shear to work with. Lucky for us, The Open Stage theatre in Fort Collins is reprising the show. Weekends Jan. 5 through Feb. 2, Open Stage Theatre Company, Fort Collins. $15+. 970.221.6730.

“The Lion in Winter”
Playwright James Goldman’s comic period work “The Lion in Winter” garnered three Oscars upon its silver screen adaptation in 1968—Best Actress, Screenplay and Score as Peter O’ Toole and Katharine Hepburn took the reigns as King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The historic dramatization narrates the power struggle between the king and his queen and their three sons who are each vying for the throne. Most agree the work best shines in the medium it was written for—the stage—and the Denver Victorian Playhouse is an excellent host. Rick Bernstien directs. Weekends Jan. 4-Feb. 9, Denver Victorian Playhouse, Denver. $20+. 303.433.4343.

“Brighton Beach Memoirs”
Arguably one of America’s greatest playwrights, Neil Simon may be best known for the autobiographical trilogy that details his life growing up as a lower-middle-class Jewish kid in New York. “Brighton Beach Memoirs” is the first chapter of the triptych; a moving and hilarious piece about adolescence, as told through the eyes of Eugene Jerome, stuck in a Brooklyn flat with his parents, and his aunt and her two daughters. Its timeless quality and deeply engaging humanity make the piece an ageless classic, and Longmont’s production is sure to delight. Weekends Jan. 18 through Feb. 2, Longmont Theater Company, Longmont. $15+. 303.772.5200. 

January 2008

The Yellow Scene gets personal with Nashville Pussy’s smokin’ hot bassist

by French Davis

Karen Cuda plays bass for Nashville Pussy. You know, the band that was also nominated for a Grammy (Best Metal Performance 1999) and has toured with everyone from Motorhead to the Reverend Horton Heat. (more…)

January 2008