A coffee shop by day and bourbon bar by night might seem a difficult business venture to pull off, but Kentucky-native Sheena Ferguson and her husband, Drew Gordon, captured the best of those two worlds when they opened the Bluegrass Coffee & Bourbon Lounge in Olde Town Arvada.
At the heart of Bluegrass is the couple’s love of coffee and bourbon—and a sense of Southern hospitality. In the morning, the Bluegrass lures in customers with a full chalkboard menu of espresso drinks, breakfast sandwiches, and a bakery case overflowing with fresh blueberry scones, muffins, and assorted pastries. Friendly baristas offer up a good bit of Southern charm as you choose your preferred cup of joe. (Tip: You can take it to go, but why not settle in for a leisurely sip at the sunny tables next to the enormous front windows.)
Come nightfall, the lounge lends a different vibe. Live bluegrass bands play to patrons surrounding the spacious bar, and friends and acquaintances alike sip and catch up in the sink-to-your-chest armchairs near the windows. The Bluegrass’ menu offers 100 different bourbons sourced from Kentucky to Breckenridge, which customers can taste neat, in flights, or from the well-honed list of cocktails. A signature drink worth seeking out is the Kentucky Coffee, which features Benchmark bourbon, Kahlúa, espresso, steamed milk, Buffalo Trace Distillery Bourbon Cream, and whipped cream on top.
Don’t love whiskey? Indulge in the other spirits, wine, and craft beer that adorn the beverage list, and try the pizzas and desserts for sustenance. The idea here is to come for what appeals to you—be it coffee, bourbon, live music, or food—and stay awhile.
7415 Grandview Ave., Arvada, 720-476-3950
The Bluegrass Coffee and Bourbon Lounge, Olde Town Arvada, Sheena Ferguson, Drew Gordon, Bourbon, coffee, Espresso, Novo, breakfast, pizza, scones
By Carol W. Maybach
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SURVIVOR FILES $1.2 MILLION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIM DAVIS AND MIKE HUCKABEE
Salisbury, NC — The band Survivor has filed a $1.2 million lawsuit against Kim Davis and Mike Huckabee over the unauthorized use of its hit song “Eye of the Tiger.”
Davis, the Kentucky clerk who was jailed after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, was released Tuesday morning, after serving six days in prison, to the sound of Survivor’s classic song “Eye of the Tiger.” The song played in the background as she, her husband, and Mike Huckabee celebrated her freedom in front of thousands of supporters.
Survivor issued a statement on their Facebook page yesterday stating:
“NO! We did not grant Kim Davis any rights to use ‘My Tune -The Eye Of The Tiger.’ I would not grant her the rights to use Charmin! C’mom Mike, you are not The Donald but you can do better than that -See Ya really SoooooooonnnnnnN!!!!!!”
Speaking with Billboard, band co-founder Jim Peterik said he was also not pleased with the unauthorized use of the song.
“The song has motivated thousands through the years to reach beyond their limits. Its use for the release of Kim Davis does not support my views or my politics.”
Though the million dollar question is: Does Survivor have a chance winning the case?
NBC News spoke with Harvard Law Professor, Paul Horner, who believes Survivor has a strong case.
“Mike Huckabee and Kim Davis had no permission to use the song, bottom line,” Horner said. “This whole incident is in the national public spot light right now, and Huckabee is running for president; he should have known better.”
Survivor released Eye of the Tiger in 1982, and it was featured in Rocky III with Sylvester Stallone that same year.
By Darius Rubics | NBC News
http://nbc.com.co/survivor-files-1-2-million-lawsuit-against-kim-davis-mike-huckabee/
[Editor’s note: See also “Look What They’ve Done to My Song: When Politicians Co-Opt Music” under our Research category.]
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SINGER BILLIE HOLIDAY RETURNS TO THE APOLLOW — AS A HOLOGRAM
More than 56 years after her death, jazz singer Billie Holiday is returning to Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater, as a hologram of sorts.
To bring back the singer known as “Lady Day,” who died in 1959, the theater is partnering with Hologram USA, which also produced the digital resurrection of Tupac Shakur at the Coachella Music Festival in 2012.
The idea apparently isn’t to re-create Holiday for concerts but rather as part of a permanent educational installation at the historic theater.
“Billie is going to be able to talk about the history of the Apollo. She can take questions from the audience in an interesting way. She can sing some songs,” The New York Times quoted Apollo President Jonelle Procope as saying.
The theater has a deal with Holiday’s estate to re-create the singer, and her voice will be used in the show, according to the Times. Holiday appeared at the Apollo more than 30 times.
This latest appearance won’t be quite a full-on Princess-Leia-popping-out-of-R2-D2’s-head sort of a hologram.
To create its images, Hologram USA uses a modern twist on an old stage trick called “Pepper’s Ghost,” in which ghostly images from a hidden part of a scene or stage appear on a piece of glass visible to the audience.
The company’s website says it sometimes uses body doubles and animation techniques to create its imagery. It can also use motion-capture technology.
Hologram USA will use the tech to bring back country singer Patsy Cline for a concert experience in 2016 and plans to use it to digitally revive classic comedians including for the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York.
Holiday, who would have turned 100 this year, is among the most revered and influential voices in jazz. She recorded her first record at 18, according to her website, and played with some of the most acclaimed musicians of her time.
By Michael Pearson, CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/10/entertainment/billie-holiday-apollo-theater-hologram-feat/index.html
[Editor’s note: Actual article includes some really nice photos of Ms. Holiday and other celebrities of the day.]