The Rock Christian Academy in Castle Rock has bagged Phil and Willie Robertson, two of the stars of the wildly popular “Duck Dynasty,” A&E’s reality series, for a speaking engagement and fundraiser beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at The Douglas County Events Center.
Event organizer and Rock Christian Academy parent Michael Brumbaugh took dead aim at the Robertson clan months ago by contacting the family’s agent and refusing to give up. His persistence paid off.
Phil and Willie, part of the family that made its fortune in products for duck hunters, will speak about “Faith, testimony, business, the importance of raising children with biblical principles and a Christian education.”
“We need to do a big event every year to continue to fund the scholarship fund,” Brumbaugh said. “I thought about it for a couple of months, then started watching ‘Duck Dynasty.’ I thought, ‘These guys are great! I wonder if they do speaking engagements since they come from a Christian family?’”
The persistent parent hounded the agent until he got a “confirmed” answer. “When your heart is in something, and you believe in something as strong as the Rock Academy, and how God is moving in that school, you fight for what you believe in,” he said. “This year God blessed us with ‘Duck Dynasty.’”
With 8.6 million viewers, A&E’s “Duck Dynasty” is the highest-rated reality show on cable TV. The money raised from the event’s ticket sales will help fund a 10,000-square-foot expansion of the existing building, build the school’s playground and provide financial aid and scholarships to families who can’t afford the $4,700 annual tuition.
VIP tickets (with a pre-event meet and greet) are $150; other tickets are $60 for general admission to $80 for “gold seating” right behind the VIP seats.
Elway’s concerts scheduled
The hottest patio of the season is Elway’s at Cherry Creek — no doubt, no argument.
Elway’s Cherry Creek summer concerts return with live music, cocktails, the signature menu and beautiful Colorado evenings in the Elways’ backyard starting Wednesday, June 19.
These popular outdoor concerts play each Wednesday night from mid-June through late August, including the return of the Railbenders to the Summer Music Series and a special Independence Day July 3 celebration for 2013 featuring local legends The Samples along with special food and cocktails.
Appearing this year are several tribute bands including Message in a Bottle, covering The Police; Forever in Blue Jeans, channeling Neil Diamond standards; and Under a Blood Red Sky, who rock out U2 hits.
The brotherly harmonies of Something Underground take stage on Wednesday, July 10.
And newcomers, Justin Lane Band, will bring hard-hitting country to the backyard while all-girl band The Trishas deal a combination of tight four-part harmonies in an eclectic soulful sound.
Fans of funk will enjoy Funkiphino, and That Eighties Band promises their namesake rock.
Elway’s backyard opens at 5 p.m., bands play from 6:30 to 9 p.m. For more information, go to www.elways.com or call 303-399-5353.
Tender Belly at Tony’s
Tender Belly, a Colorado-based company that provides the finest pork and cured meats, are selling their products in Tony’s Markets throughout the area Denver Metro locations.
Chef Mick Rosacci of Tony’s Markets said, “Tender Belly is hands down the finest line of pork products I have ever tasted. We’re honored to have some of the area’s savviest foodies shopping our markets, and they’ve made it abundantly clear they can taste the superior quality of these artisan pork products and want them available every day.”
Haven of hope
Father Woody’s Haven of Hope will honor Rev. Michael J. Sheeran as the 23rd president of Regis University with the 2013 Father Woody’s Humanitarian Award.
The award will be presented to Sheeran during the third annual Haven of Hope fundraising dinner benefiting underserved men, women and children in metro Denver.
The dinner will be 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at the new History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway. Master of ceremonies is Denver’s Channel 7 investigative reporter John Ferrugia.
The event includes catered cuisine, silent and live auctions. Tickets are $150 per person, and the deadline is Wednesday, May 1. For more information: Don Gallegos at 303-550-5788; or don.gallegos@gmail.com.
Kachina restaurant rocks
Spring is in the air at Kachina Southwestern Grill in Westminster. The doors to the patio are open, bartenders are whipping up fresh margaritas, and guests are enjoying the sunshine and cool breezes.
To celebrate the change in season, Kachina will host a spring planting moon party on April 26, featuring live music on the patio, hands-on planting for children in the Taos Lounge, and a celebratory menu featuring seeds for the weekend.
From April 26 through April 28, the chef and butcher menu will be replaced by a seasonal seed-planting menu in honor of spring. Dishes will include organic greens with chia seed vinaigrette, watermelon radish and candied sunflower seeds; grilled gulf shrimp with pepita seed mole, pickled cabbage and corn tortillas; and grilled pork tenderloin with corn and Anaheim chile, flaxseed pudding and pasado demi-glace.
For reservations and more information go to www.kachinagrill.com or call 303-410-5813. Kachina Southwestern Grill is located inside the Westin Westminster at 10600 Westminster Blvd.
Sustain Arvada fest coming
Residents are invited to attend the first Sustain Arvada Festival 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Olde Town Arvada.
The city-sponsored event will showcase examples of resource conservation and teach ways to practice conserving in your daily life. Questions will be answered different presentation tents on many topics, including the FasTracks Gold line light rail, recycling, gardening and more.
Visit www.arvada.org/sustainability/sustain-arvada-festival for more information.
Eavesdropping
Overhearing a couple celebrating the end of tax season on April 15 at Earl’s in Cherry Creek: The waitress asked the gentleman who was drinking wine, “Can I bring you another glass?”
“Certainly. Can you put something in it?”
Penny Parker’s “Mile High Life” column gives insights into the best events, restaurants, businesses, parties and people throughout the metro area. Parker also writes for Blacktie-Colorado.com. You can subscribe and read her columns (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at www.pennyparker.blacktie-colorado.com. She can be reached at parkerp1953@gmail.com or at 303-619-5209.
