It's that time of year again, when Jewish people everywhere stuff themselves with General Tso's and buy overpriced tickets to the latest Reese Witherspoon flick, desperate to stave off the boredom of another neon-tinted, Christ-loving holiday.
But Denverites refuse to settle for such misery. Instead, they've planned an excuse to get drunk and be merry in their own special way, at Heebonism, a Christmas Eve bash that bills itself as "the largest local gathering of young and youngish Jewish professionals all year."
Held at The Loft in LoDo, the night includes tunes spun by DJ Shannon Kelly, video installations from Love Intelligence Group and the mightily entertaining Magic Cyclops, beloved DJ and regional air-guitar champ. "It should be cheesy and fun," says Eric Elkins, one of the event's organizers.
The idea is not entirely original. Young Jews have been drowning their Christmas Eve sorrows with cosmos and random hookups for years, usually at nationally run parties known as Matzo Balls. Heebonism, in fact, started off as a private pre-party for people bored by the overpriced, obligatory vibe of Denver's Ball.
This year, Heebonism is the main event, co-hosted by Heeb Magazine, a New York-based rag, and E-3 Events, a Denver non-profit whose motto is "Bridging popular culture and traditional Jewish values. With cocktails."
Elkin and his friends, Ean Seeb and Ezra Shanken, founded E-3 with the goal of throwing events where young Members of the Tribe could gather without feeling pressured to give money to a cause or meet their Semitic soul mate.
"It's a much warmer feel," Elkins says."We want our friends to come out and have a wonderful time with us."
Tickets are $18 in advance, $25 at the door. The party starts at 8:30 p.m. on December 24 at 821 22nd Street. For more info, contact E-3 Events.--Lisa Rab
