Seawell made major impact on Denver

Donald R. Seawell made his permanent stamp on the Denver community with his involvement in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and The Denver Post newspaper.

He died on Sept. 30 at the great age of 103. I remember so much about Mr. Seawell, as I called him, through his 100th birthday at the ballroom that bears his name, and as a resident of Larimer Place, where one of my BFFs lives. I would occasionally run into him in the lobby.

Mr. Seawell was a glorious man. He took risks by bringing the laborious “Tantalus” to the DCPA, a two-day epic testament to patience.

According to the news obit in The Denver Post, “Donald R. Seawell served as an attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission, a speech writer for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a staff member for General Eisenhower during World War II, and was a prominent theatrical attorney and producer in New York and London. He came to Denver at the request of Helen G. Bonfils, owner of The Denver Post, where, as publisher, he defeated a hostile takeover attempt. Upon Ms. Bonfils’ death in 1972, he conceived the idea of the Denver Performing Arts Complex, now home to 10 performances spaces and more than 10,000 seats. Concurrently he founded the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and its theatrical divisions, which produce Tony Award-winning theater, present hits direct from Broadway, create immersive multimedia productions and teach acting to more than 68,000 students annually.”

Judi Wolf, a close friend to Mr. Seawell and his weekend hostess at her home, said, “So often, he would say to me, ‘You’re the only woman in my life who doesn’t want anything from me.'” What a beautiful sentiment.

Services are pending, but I will keep readers up to date as soon as I get information.

Screaming good time – for less

Scream 4 Less at the 13th Floor haunted house started on Oct. 4 at its north Denver location at 4120 Brighton Blvd.

Brave guests can learn just why the 13th floor is so often omitted from building plans.

The Scream 4 Less special includes four general admission tickets, four sodas and a popcorn for $ 79. Tickets only can be purchased at www.secure.interactiveticketing.com/1.6/ac2d6e/?promo=Scream4Less15. (General admission tickets are typically $ 25.99 each.)

Hailed by Fangoria Magazine as “the No.1 scariest haunted attraction in the U.S.,” the 13th Floor haunted house will take guests through a frightening tour of horror through Nov. 7. Brave guests will learn just why the 13th floor is so often omitted from building plans – if they make it through to tell the tale. New features including the Hallow House, Feral Moon and Undead: What Lies Beneath add excitement for all visitors, even those returning again and again.

For more information, call 303-355-3327 or visit www.13thfloorhauntedhouse.com.

Don’t hide from Hideaway Kitchen

There’s a reason that Hideaway Kitchen + Bar earned its name. It’s seriously hidden away in a strip mall way up on Genesee Mountain.

Tucked into that strip center is an oasis of cuisine and cocktails that is a treasure cherished by locals yet little known to Front Range dwellers.

But the PR princesses at DPP Communications know how to garner attention for their client. They use Uber to transport Denver-based media members to quarterly menu tastings. Brilliant!

Hence, media types gathered at Hideaway (just up the road a piece from The Chart House) to sample the new fall menu from the culinary genius of Chef Nick Shankland, a 25-year-old with an older man’s resume (Colt & Gray, Old Major).

Shankland delighted our palates with a meal consisting of smaller portions of fall menu additions, including wine poached pear with blue cheese and sliced toasted almonds, tuna tartare and Chesapeake Bay fried oyster, braised pork belly, pork loin with mashed sweet potatoes, HK+B slider and a dessert combo of a chocolate banana pancake (from the brunch menu) and pumpkin “cobbler.”

Each course was paired with a hand-crafted cocktail.

If you’re stuck on Interstate 70, pull off and check out the hidden Hideaway. For more information, go to www.hideawaykitchen.com.

The Seen

Susie Wargin, former 9News sportscaster, picking up her real estate signs at RMD Signs in Englewood on Sept. 29 for her booming business with RE/MAX.

Overheard

Eavesdropping on two employees at an Englewood business: “I hear today is National Coffee Day.”

“Yep, and Wednesday will be National Insomnia Day.”

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 parkerp1953@gmail.com or at 303-619-5209.

 

 

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