So what does Levine do? Her yuppie drivel of comments suggests she never picks up a dictionary, let alone a thesaurus. The Wallaby Darned may not be the greatest drink; however, we are much more than a fruit slushy concoction. Had she taken a minute, she would have discovered Australian wines that aren't readily located in her local liquor stores. All of our food is prepared fresh daily, not Nobel Sysco-delivered. Judging by this article, the catchphrases on the menu should have made her feel at home, since there is nothing original in her article. Here's something to repress: our address, because none of us care if Levine ever comes back.
P.S.: Glad she liked the martini. I made it.
Kalish
Denver
Man tan:As the former Head of Research and a person of Irish-American descent, I feel obligated to enlighten Todd Linn, whose letter about Drunk of the Week appeared in the July 29 issue. It should surprise no one who read his profanity-laced tirade, but he clearly did not do his research before he spouted off at the mouth. Quoting directly from the Guinness website, I offer the following:
"What is a Black & Tan? The answer depends on who you ask. The all-Guinness Black & Tan is Harp's Lager and Guinness. (Harp's is brewed by Guinness at Dundalk.) Many consider the classic Black & Tan to be Bass Pale Ale and Guinness. (To some Irish, they appreciate the fact that the Irish comes out on top!) A half-and-half is often just another name for a Black & Tan. However, in many North American Irish pubs, the Bass/Guinness combination is called a Black & Tan, while the Harp/Guinness combination is called a Half-and-Half."
In short, I wouldn't take the word of Linn's cousin who works in the bar across the street from his trailer park as the truth without researching its veracity (even if she is cute). By the way, if Linn is looking for work, I bet he would fit in well down here selling used Camaros.
Sean McGarry
Gainesville, Florida
Ready, Set, Action!
Collateral damage:Regarding Bill Gallo's "Cruise in Neutral," his August 5 review of Collateral:
Bill, you'll just have to put the Thunderbird away next time. Michael Mann celebrates downtown L.A., not actors or stories. Tom Cruise is there for the box office. As action flicks go, this is a good one -- not the caliber of Michael Moore, of course, but still a good one.
John Sullivan
Denver
To Tell the Truth
All will be revealed:Regarding "Naked Emotion," her August 5 review of The Tricky Part:
It's disappointing that Juliet Wittman equates this beautifully staged production with a televised celebrity interview and a private therapy session. Neither celebrity nor subject matter is responsible for the success of Mr. Moran's show. It's the way he tells the story -- the disarmingly casual first address to the audience, the text's deep yet witty examinations of religion, betrayal, identity and redemption, the nuanced staging and the performer's considerable skill -- that makes it art. Uncomfortable details are revealed, but it's arguable that the success of theater (of all art) relies on what it can reveal. If art were only ever comfortable, then it would lose its potency, its ability to hold the mirror up to nature. It's a brave choice to reveal something so devastating. I can't imagine that choice was made easily or was motivated by self-pity. It's Mr. Moran's dedication to the art of theater and storytelling that make his show so effectively moving.
It's been said that all you need for theater is an audience, an actor and a story, and all must do their part. Examining uncomfortable truths is a task all three participants should be prepared to do.
Darren R. Schroader
Denver
Dope opera:In Juliet Wittman's "A Simple Tale, Well-Told," her review of The Juggler of Notre Dame in the August 5 issue, the headline writers mistakenly put Opera Colorado as the presenting company, when it is a Central City Opera production. Please alert them that there are two opera companies in Denver.
Rebecca Lathrop
Denver
Editor's note:Actually, there are more than two opera companies in Denver. Passaggio Opera Company, for example, had its first performance this past spring ("Aria Ready?," May 20). Still, that doesn't excuse our dope-opera of an error. Our apologies to opera fans everywhere.
Music to Her Ears
Get vocal, locals:It warmed my lobes to read Dave Herrera's comments in the July 8 Beatdown about the Colorado Rockies, and I think he is dead-on with regard to the music. When I formed the Colorado Music Association five years ago, a big item on a short list of goals was to get local music presented at local sports events, especially those staged in the venues gifted to the ungrateful moguls by the not-always-willing taxpayers. Those fruitless efforts were, of course, under the prior administration, so perhaps the scenario may be more hopeful now. It seems simple and logical: Local fans hear local music. I would even be personally willing to arrange all of the licensing, and the stadiums could save themselves ASCAP and BMI fees. This seems to me to be exactly the type of issue that is easily embraced by the cities we think of as great music centers. While I generally disdain Texas, for example, I've wondered if their governor's Office of Music even has a little homegrown something playing during those frequent executions they so enjoy.
Anything I might be able to do to incite interest and action in this regard (not executions, just sports events), I would eagerly undertake with great pleasure. Potential disciples, please step to the plate!
Rock on, Herrera!
Dolly Zander
Denver
