Raise the Roof

This Central City karaoke party has the golden touch.

Comments (0) By Amber Taufen Thursday, Jun 19 2008

Decades ago, the gold miners who frequented the Gold Coin Saloon, 120 Main Street in Central City, would throw coins at the wooden-plank ceiling. Those were the days before life insurance, and miners knew that the coins that stuck in the ceiling’s cracks would be used to help support their families — or the families of their miner friends — should something happen to them.

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Although those days are a part of history, the Gold Coin (which today also houses the Easy Street Casino) still invites patrons to throw money at the ceiling. The cash that sticks is collected once a year and donated to a local Gilpin County charity. But here’s the fun part: The Easy Street Casino management matches the money donated to charity dollar for dollar and throws a free, open-bar karaoke party in honor of the local laborers of Central City and the gold miners who started the tradition. The Bringing Down the Ceiling Karaoke Party starts tonight at 8 p.m.; book a room and stick around tomorrow for the town’s Lou Bunch Day. Call 303-582-5914.
Fri., June 20, 8 p.m., 2008