Ever wished you could have been one of Mr. Roarke's guests on Fantasy Island? Well, now's your chance -- sort of. The Church nightclub, at 1160 Lincoln Street, dishes up Carnival at 9 p.m. tonight, serving up a hearty helping of 1970s- seasoned cheese that includes gyrating go-go girls, twitching hula girls and an overflowing bounty of plastic leis. A make-believe Mr. Roarke will even greet you at the door, complete with his white linen suit and a Tattoo lookalike spewing the infamous line, "De plane! De plane!" But that's not all -- not by a long shot. Carnival will also feature a runway fashion show previewing the latest collection of JLO, by Jennifer Lopez Swim. The JLO'd line of crystal-encrusted asymmetrical suits and loosely strung bikinis is so uber-sexy and skimpy, it might even make JLO's first famous ex, P. Diddy, blush. The collection is as stylishly expressive (not to mention slutty) and apparently as lucrative as the pop diva herself, doing a reported $130 million in retail sales last year. Though the JLO collection offers sizes in a plus division, the only place for plus sizes on the Carnival catwalk is in the big-booty category.
Caribbean Piña Colada is the flava of the night, and the club will be decked out. A fountain placed in the palmy heart of the dance floor practially guarantees that at least a few island patrons will be gettin' their dunk on. DJs Jonas Temple and Ty Tek will make waves in the main room, with Steve-O downstairs and Caribbean music out on the patio. Beach balls will be bouncing everywhere as the Church officially wades into its summer season.
The 21-and-over JLO fashion show gets front and center at 11:30 p.m. Your Caribbean vacation will yank $15 from your wallet -- but if you dare to wear beach attire, you can knock five bucks off the cover. Big Buddha bellies and grizzly backs need not apply. --Kity Ironton
Dad Instincts
Helping fathers do the right thing
THUR, 6/12
It used to be that Father's Day was a simple way to say thanks to dads for being, well, dads. Times have changed. Things are more complicated. Dads have disconnected from their families at a staggering rate. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of single mothers in America increased from 3 million to 10 million between 1970 and 2000. In Colorado alone, there are more than 28,000 families being raised by single mothers. And who knows how many intact families have fathers just too plain scorched at the end of the day to hug their kids?
A turbulent economy and social-service budget cuts make for "tough times" for fathers and families, says Denver Department of Human Services spokeswoman Susan Cobb. To help lighten the load, the DDHS is hosting its annual Father's Day Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. today at 1200 Federal Boulevard.
The fair, says Cobb, offers "a way for fathers to get back on their feet" by promoting responsible fatherhood and linking fathers and families with emloyment and housing opportunities, as well as assistance with health care, child support, parenting skills and other services. More than forty community service providers, including the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development and the Young Fathers Program, will take part in the event.
"We really want to help bring fathers back into the lives of their kids," Cobb says.
Robert Brady, the director of Denver's Young Fathers Program, will give a keynote speech at 1 p.m. And at 3 p.m., Colorado Rockies mascot Dinger will lead a walkathon for fathers and their children. For more information, call the DDHS at 720-944-3666. -- Hart Van Denburg
Downtown Groove
THURS, 6/12
The city in the summer. Sometimes heat, sometimes sweet. But it's hard to beat the beat of music rattling around the downtown buildings from a free concert during Summer in the City. It's twice as hard to top two such shows.
Tonight, Pam Savage & Wake-up Call will cut loose around 6:30 p.m. on Glenarm Place between 15th and 16th streets. Then come local faves Opie Gone Bad, from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Those who've heard Jake Schroeder's funky vocals can expect summer to officially start cooking when he and the band hit the stage.
The shows continue on Thursdays throughout the summer. For more information, call 303-260-6000 or visit www.denverpavilions.com. -- Ernie Tucker
Making History
Juneteenth celebrates slavery's end
FRI, 6/13
On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation became official, Major General Gordon Granger led Union soldiers to Galveston, informing Texans that the war had ended and that slaves were free. To celebrate the event, Denver will kick off its 38th annual Juneteenth Festival at 3 p.m. today with the unveiling of a historical marker at 2550 Washington Street, followed an hour later by a community picnic at 24th and Washington. This year's weekend-long festival will focus on the history of Five Points, with the installation of historical markers along Welton Street. At 10 a.m. Saturday, a parade will make its way from Fuller Park (next to Manual High School) to 24th and Welton. The parade will feature representatives of neighborhood associations and city organizations and will culminate in a street festival complete with live jazz and culinary delights. The celebration winds up on Sunday with a gospel festival from noon to 6 p.m.
For information, call 303-832-3770. -- Vaishalee Mishra