Exhibit whips its way into Denver gallery

The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany St., is hosting an exhibit of the art of Mark Mothersbaugh, co-founder of the New Wave band Devo (famous for its 1980 hit “Whip It”), through April 12.

Mark Mothersbaugh: Myopia” is the first retrospective of the artist’s work from the beginning of his career in the early 1970s through the present.

Almost all of Mothersbaugh’s visual art originates with drawings on postcards, which he has been working on daily since the ’70s. His postcards, which now exceed 30,000, provide the basic imagery for his paintings, prints, rugs, videos and sculptures.

For more information, go to www.mcadenver.org/markmothersbaugh.php.

Men’s health is focus

In an effort to raise awareness of men’s health issues, the Tavern Hospitality Group has created an official Movember USA team called “StacheTag Tavern.”  People can join Tavern’s team to support the cause at www.moteam.co/stachetag-tavern.

The Movember Foundation is dedicated to having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. Their annual Movember campaign involves the growing of mustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer and other male cancers and associated charities. As Movember USA team members grow mustaches, they try to encourage friends and family to support the cause by pledging funds to their particular page.

“This is our first year to participate in Movember,” said Frank Schultz, owner of Tavern Hospitality Group. “I think most people know someone who’s been affected by a health issue that is specific to men. We wanted to help raise funds for research and treatment. I hope we have a lot of people join our team so we can make an impact.”

The Tavern is giving a free shave at Floyd’s Barbershop and a $ 150 Tavern gift card to the “StacheTag Tavern” team member who ends up with the best mustache at the end of the month.

Tavern Hospitality Group has eight locations in Uptown, Downtown, Lowry, Tech Center, Wash Park, Littleton, Mile High and Ballpark neighborhoods. For additional information, visit www.tavernhg.com.

‘Kinky Boots’ a real kick

“Kinky Boots,” the smash-hit Broadway musical, is a real kick in the … well, you fill in the blank. The 2013 Tony Award-winning musical, with the story by Harvey Fierstein and score by Cyndi Lauper, plays The Buell Theatre through Nov. 9.

This one is well worth your entertainment dollar for two hours of an uplifting theatrical experience that will set your toes tapping. The story is about a failing English shoe factory that reinvents itself to feed the soles of a niche audience (the transvestite community) with man-sized hip-high blingy boots.

For tickets, go to www.denvercenter.org or call 303-893-4100.

Meersman bids adieu

Outgoing Colorado Restaurant Association president and CEO Pete Meersman got a hearty sendoff Oct. 28 when roughly 150 friends and fans gathered at the Denver ChopHouse & Brewery.

Meersman’s CRA career spanned 32 years, starting in sales. He will assume the new part-time role as chief strategy officer for the CRA. Sonia Riggs, the former director of the Colorado Division of the American Institute of Architects, will step into Meersman’s well-worn shoes as the new president and CEO.

Sarto’s opens

After a seemingly endless wait, Sarto’s Italian Eatery opened Oct. 28 in the Jefferson Park district of Denver, anchoring the southwest corner on the historic square at 2900 W. 25th Ave. The sister spot, Sarto’s Pantry, is to open this month.

Led by entrepreneur Taylor Swallow, his wife Kajsa, and award-winning executive chef Brian Laird, Sarto’s offers metropolitan Italian “tailored” cuisine in a food-and-drink-forward social environment. “We’re so fortunate to have Brian on board because of his experience and track record, and we know his food is going to be spectacular,” Taylor said.

Named for the Italian word “tailor,” Sarto’s is focused on providing an experience that is fit to their individual guests, from dish “alterations” to tailored protein portions.

Open Tuesday through Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m, Sarto’s is 4,000 square feet and can accommodate 60 guests in the dining room and another 30 guests between the bar and cicchetti bar.

Sharing the space’s north side storefront is Sarto’s Pantry, a gourmet market and deli where guests can purchase many of the ingredients used by Laird, including pre-packaged handmade pastas, or enjoy a casual dining experience. Pantry guests choose from panini, pizza, soup, salads, or meat and cheese boards to take home or enjoy onsite with a glass of wine. Sarto’s Pantry will open on November 3 and will be open 11 to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Overheard

Eavesdropping on a mother to her teenage son at King Soopers: “Do you think I’m ever going to let you get behind a wheel of car if you can’t even successfully navigate a grocery cart through the store without running into someone or something?”

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 [email protected] or at 303-619-5209.

Golden Transcript – Latest Stories