Tambien will be right in the belly of the beast this weekend as the Cherry Creek Arts Festival swallows up the area surrounding the restaurant at 250 Steele Street. So Tambien’s owners have decided to keep that belly very, very full. Today through Sunday, they’re offering the Mexican barbecue and tequila tastings that have been such a hit at their regular Sunday Rockabilly and Ribs events. And they’re not stopping there. They’re also filling the restaurant with Mexican art from local artists who responded to their open call for submissions. “Since we’re housed right in the middle of the festival, we decided to be a part of it rather than do our own thing,” explains Jerri Thiel. Their own thing seeps in, though, because the 25 pieces on display — including ironwork and sugar skulls — are “very contemporary, and edgier” than the wares you usually find at the festival. And 10 percent of all art-sale proceeds — as well as 10 percent of all taco sales — will benefit an orphanage in Mexico.

And there are added benefits at Tambien’s Mexican Arts Festival on Sunday, where the rockabilly will have a Tejano influence: The festivities end at 7 p.m. with awards being handed to artists in five categories — assuming the judges (of whom I am one) are still able to hand anyone anything after those tequila tastings. For details, go to www.myspace.com/tambienrestaurant.
July 4-6, 2008