French Feast

Escargot and mimes aside, the United States could stand to take a cue from France. Here we boil twelve lovely days of Christmas down to one big blowout and a lame ditty about pipers piping and lords a-leaping. But overseas, the French do it right. The Fête des Rois — or Kings' Party — is celebrated with a major feast on the last day of Christmas. There's a cake with a plastic figurine hidden inside, and whoever finds it gets to play king for a day. Luckily, you don't have to spring for a plane ticket to take part in the festivities. Tonight, the Alliance Française de Denver hosts its own Fête des Rois, complete with a Kings' Cake and a special Yule-log pastry alongside delectable French cuisine. (The real party took place on January 6, but AFD wanted to give you plenty of time to recuperate from American holidays.) Dinner begins at 6 p.m. at Nine10Arts Gallery, 910 Santa Fe Drive. Tickets are $27 per person, $50 per couple and $10 for kids twelve and under; food and wine are included. Call 303-831-0304 for more or register at www.afdenver.org.
Fri., Jan. 11, 6-9 p.m., 2008