Penny Parker
The Mizel Arts and Culture Center will host the 19th Annual Denver Jewish Film Festival at the Elaine Wolf Theatre at the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. in Denver, from Feb. 4-15.
“This year’s festival features a variety of films that any movie lover will enjoy,” said Steve Wilson, executive artistic director for the MACC. “Many of the films have won prestigious awards and critics’ praise, and 11 out of 28 are directed by women.”
The 2015 Denver Jewish Film Festival, sponsored by Wagner Wealth Management, will kick off on Feb. 4 with a party celebrating this year’s festival honoree Kathy Neustadt and a screening of the Jewish family comedy “It Happened in Saint-Tropez.”
The two-week festival will feature 28 films, many of which have been nominated for and won Ophir Awards, the Israeli equivalent of the Academy Awards. This will be the first time some of the featured films will be screened in Denver. Producer Nancy Spielberg will speak at the screening of her much-buzzed-about film “Above and Beyond” on Feb. 5.Sister of famous director Steven Spielberg, Nancy is a documentarian who produced this film about the creation of the Israeli Air Force.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 303-316-6360 or visit here.
Sports bars ready for big day
Although the Super Bowl won’t be super for Denver Broncos fans, you can make the most of the New England-Seattle gridiron battle with special events at local sports bars.
The Tavern Hospitality Group is throwing Ultimate Super Bowl Parties at two locations: The Soiled Dove Underground and Tavern Downtown from 3:30 p.m. until a half-hour after the game ends on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 1.
Football lovers can enjoy all-you-can-eat buffets including pizza, wings, chili, sliders and more at either The Soiled Dove Underground or Tavern Downtown. Also included are unlimited Bud and Bud Light drafts and well drinks. Free square pools will be available with winnings after every quarter and raffle prizes will be given throughout the game. The cost for each party is $35 per person in advance and $40 at the door.
At The Soiled Dove Underground, the game will be projected on three six-foot movie screens. There are more than 60 HDTVs at Tavern Downtown.
To book tickets in advance for $35, visit here for The Soiled Dove Underground party or here for the Tavern Downtown party.
Both ViewHouse locations, downtown and in Centennial, are game-day headquarters with food, drinks and lots of prizes.
Kick off your pregame festivities at 10 a.m. at ViewHouse Centennial (7101 S. Clinton St., Centennial) with unlimited tailgate buffets, drink specials, 46 flat screens and a 200-inch high definition television — the largest of its kind in any bar or restaurant in Denver.
Tickets are $28.95 for four hours of food and fun.
The ViewHouse downtown (2015 Market Street) is throwing a tailgate party, including a DJ, prizes and a special tailgate menu including brisket sliders, taco stand and wings.
Prizes awarded every quarter include an outdoor grill, portable fire pit, dartboard cabinet and culminate in a Grand Prize 58” LCD HD TV.
Cart-Driver completes space
Cart-Driver, in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, completed its indoor/outdoor private dining space. Overlooking the interior courtyard of 25th and Larimer’s reclaimed shipping container complex, Cart-Driver can host seated or reception-style events of up to 25 people. In the summer, the room’s all-weather canvas windows can be removed, transforming it to a transitional indoor/outdoor venue.
“Since opening, we’ve been busy — and fortunate — enough to be able to fill more seats than have always been available,” said partner Andrew Birkholz. “With the transition of the restaurant’s rear outdoor space to an indoor/outdoor private dining area, we’re able to provide more seats to patrons year-round, as well as the flexibility and privacy of a private dining room.”
Cart-Driver recently expanded hours and menus to offer lunch, as well as “Before & After” happy hour and late night menus, and has also implemented a direct-ship oyster program with Washington-based Hama Hama oysters. The naturally grown and hand-harvested oysters, available directly from the sea to Cart-Driver guests’ plates in one day, join the restaurant’s premium wood-fired pizzas, seasonal market plates and signature campfire vanilla soft serve.
Try a little tenorness
It’s never too early to book a date night with your valentine. For something different, consider a romantic Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14 for those who forgot) evening with tenor Mark Masri at 8 p.m. at the Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St.
The Boston Globe says the Canadian tenor is “melting the hearts of female audience members like warm chocolate.” Masri will treat you and your valentine to a songbook of love songs from all over the world and a champagne intermission.
Masri has a jaw-dropping vocal range and brings audiences to their feet. Tickets range from $36 to $60. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling 720-509-1000 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Overheard
Eavesdropping on a man talking about corporate phrases that would not work at home:
“Having a sit-down dinner with the whole family on Sunday night really improves our ecosystem.”
Penny Parker’s “Mile High Life” column gives insights into the best events, restaurants, businesses, parties and people throughout the metro area. Parker also writes for Blacktie-Colorado.com. You can subscribe and read her columns (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker. She can be reached at penny@blacktie-llc.com or at 303-619-5209.
