*Spotted in Denver: Denver Botanic Gardens’ 2011 Summer Concert Series

By Danielle Perrin, Duo Spring/Summer 2011 Intern

Denver residents are blessed to be in the presence of one of the top ranked botanical gardens in the United States, the Denver Botanic Gardens.  The mission of Denver Botanic Gardens is to connect people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.  With beautifully displayed plant species local to the area, a strong connection is created with Colorado residents that visit the Gardens every year.

However it is not only the Denver Botanic Garden patrons but also all Denver residents that greatly look forward to the Gardens Summer Concert Series every year.  The 2011 Summer series began this year in early June with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and has continued through the summer with outstanding acts including Dr. John and the Lower 911 with Mavis Staples, Chris Isaak, Allen Toussaint and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, India.Arie and Idan Raichel, Chris Botti, Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.  Still to come this summer, the Gardens looks forward to hosting K.D. Lang and the Siss Boom Bang, Keb’ Mo, and B.B. King.

 If the delightful garden setting and supreme musical performances were not already enough to entice your attendance to a Denver Botanic Gardens summer concert, the picnic-esque personality will surely get you.  Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets, pack a delicious picnic, and are welcome to bring a bottle of wine from home.  Concerts typically begin in the early evening, allowing all the attendees to enjoy their musical picnic underneath one of Colorado’s infamous breath-taking sunsets. 

 Denver Botanic Garden’s CEO, Brian Vogt, comments on its Summer Concert Series, stating, “The fusion of stunning beauty and great music is a tradition that goes back more than three decades here at the Denver Botanic Gardens.  Many patrons have been coming here for years. Some recruit groups that always sit together and share food and drink.  It can feel like a reunion at that first concert of the season when old friends come together.”

 The summer concerts at Denver Botanic Gardens, indeed, offer an unrivaled ambience of thousands of blooming plants and crystal clear music of some of the world’s most sought-after acts. 

DUO DISH: The Matthew Morris 5th Anniversary Fashion Show

By Elle Groves, Summer/Fall 2011 Intern

In case you weren’t aware, Denver is home to an absolutely fabulous salon run by
(and named after) the one and only Matthew Morris.

Morris, a Colorado native, started his career as a make-up artist and in 2006, finally
founded his own salon right here in Denver. He was recently featured on Bravo’s
TV Show “Shear Genius,” and has been named as best stylist/best salon in several
national magazines, including Elle and Allure.

Every year, he throws a big birthday bash for the salon, and this year was quite
monumental: it was the salon’s 5th year in business, a big number for any business
these days. The funds raised by the event go to the Emily Griffith Opportunity
School, which is where Morris earned his cosmetology degree.

The show started with a cocktail hour and silent auction. At 9pm, the lights
dimmed, and without further adieu, the models came walking out. The models
were showcasing a premiere of Colorado designer Gabriel Conroy's Black Forest
Immortelle collection. It was very witchy, ethereal, and captivatingly gloomy.

You can see more photos of the collection, and the amazing hair they showcased as
well, at the Denver Post here.

Overall, it was an experience that made me proud to live in Denver. After all, we’re
fabulous, and we have great hair.

* Lucky Mutt Strut

By Danielle Perrin, Duo Spring/Summer 2011 Intern

Now, Gemini! Now, Boogie! Now, Jake, Rueben and Romeo! On, Maverick! On, Spartacus! On Cleopatra, Addison and Gunner! – Nope, not Santa’s reindeer in June.  Presented here were the ten nominated special needs ambassadors for MaxFund’s 15^th Annual Lucky Mutt Strut, held on Sunday, June 26^th in Washington Park, Denver.

It was a Sunday morning glowing with golden incandescence, as hundreds of people and their dogs gathered in Denver’s beloved Wash Park.  It was a beautiful site to see our local community gather for a two-mile walk/run to raise money for MaxFund, a true no-kill animal shelter and adoption center.  Because of MaxFund’s no-kill mission, hundreds of lovable, huggable pets’ lives are saved every year – a cause very worthy of strutting in the park. 

Left and right were doggie tales wagging and four-legged friends of all sizes splashing in puppy pools, soaking up the summer sun.  No matter what breed, size, age and ability, no dog dared to miss the party.  Older champs or dogs with disabilities were seen pushed around Wash Park in everything from baby strollers to toy wagons, all dressed to impressed in their summer’s best.

The event, however, was not just a puppy party but also for the people.  With a beer garden hosted by Rocky Bottom Brewery, long-time friends of MaxFund, and a barbecue picnic, attendees were filled with delicious nourishment while supporting the MaxFund cause.  Individuals, friends and families strolled down a vendor lane of  booths, browsing the local animal scene to find the newest and latest trends in animal products, care and nutrition.  

To celebrate the victory post-event, Redbud’s Raw all natural dog food donated a beef marrowbone to every dog at the MaxFund shelter.  We all look forward to coming out again next year for the 16^th Annual Lucky Mutt Strut!

* Feel the Burn of Success

By David Coronado II, Duo Winter/Spring/Summer 2011 Intern

On your mark…get set….GO! It was a beautiful morning at City Park this past weekend for the 6th Annual Women’sVision Mentors Walk hosted by the Women’sVision Foundation. Hundreds of walkers throughout the Denver Metro region gathered for the opportunity to meet and network with senior-executives in their designated fields. I  interviewed individuals participating in the event to find out why they chose to walk. It wasn’t hard finding eager walkers willing to share a little about why they thought the Mentors Walk would benefit their career.
 
For a leading foundation that might come across as a women’s oriented organization, there were a substantial amount of men participating in the walk. Mentors gathered with their mentees at the starting line to participate in a group warm-up led by a personal fitness trainer that consisted of lunges, jumping jacks, toe-touches and other stretches. It was quite a site to see hundreds of professionals at the park walking and feeling the burn of success. The walk was concluded with a elegant brunch by the lake with speakers. It was a successful event for everyone involved and I can’t wait to participate in next year’s walk!

*Style for a Cause: Fashion Show for Foothills Animal Shelter

By Danielle Perrin, Duo Spring/Summer 2011 Intern

A simple, yet sophisticated, fusion medley for a great Saturday night: an eco-friendly fashion show presented by Zavella, jewelry by Stella & Dot, Redbud’s Raw all-natural dog food, free wine and Chipotle, and hosted at NOW Artspace Gallery, all to celebrate and support the mission and work of Foothills Animal Shelter.

This past Saturday, May 21, NOW Artspace, located in the Highlands art district on Tennyson Street, opened its creative atmosphere for an evening of art, fashion, and fun to benefit Foothills Animal Shelter.  Foothills Animal Shelter is one of the largest animal shelters in the metro Denver area—caring for over 9,000 animals each year.  As a result from an “open-admissions” policy and a newly built 33,000-square-foot facility, Foothills Animal Shelter will never turn away an animal in need.

Stemming from its charitable philosophy, Zavella wanted to help Foothills Animal Shelter achieve its mission to provide the best care possible for every animal that enters the door by hosting a fashion show benefit.  Zavella’s eco-chic clothing includes contemporary styles made with soft and luxurious blended fabric from organic bamboo and organic cotton.  With the help of volunteer models, Zavella apparel was beautifully presented to attendees.  Zavella clothing, artistically displayed, was sold at the event with 10% of all sales benefitting Foothills Animal Shelter.

To fashionably compliment the chic styles of Zavella, Kerrigan O’Connell, independent stylist from Stella & Dot Jewelry, was present at the event with gorgeous product displays, a generous helping hand to dazzle the models, and a charitable motive to help the cause.  In addition to Zavella and Stella & Dot, Redbud’s Raw all-natural dog food, premium dog food made from only the best ingredients, was also a contributing host.  Redbud’s Raw kindly provided samples as take home treats for dogs, the true inspiration for the event.

Zavella will be continuing its community involvement and charitable journey next with a fashion show on June 9 benefitting Denver Urban Gardens (DUG), a non-profit organization that provides local residents and institutions throughout metro Denver with resources to cultivate community gardens.