PARKER: Madly hatted crowd struts their chapeaus

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Mark Kiryluk / Special To The Rocky

J.J. Jaggers, Elizabeth Holt and Rebekah Johnson, from left, show off their chapeaus at Wednesday's Women With Hattitude fundraiser luncheon at the Seawell Ballroom.

A bevy of beauties put on some millinery magic Wednesday during the Women With Hattitude luncheon, a fundraiser in the Seawell Ballroom to benefit the Women's Voices Fund, an organization that supports the work of women playwrights at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

"This is Derby Day," said Molson Coors honcho Leo Kiely's wife, Susan Kiely, who sported a black hat with a flowered sash.

There wasn't an uncovered head at the event that included a snippet of songs from 3 Mo' Divas, a musical collection of songs from opera to disco playing at The Stage Theatre through June 29.

Cherry Hills Villager society columnist Glory Weisberg and Realtor Martha Kelce paid homage to one of Denver's most famous "mad hatters" - former Rocky society scribe Dawn Denzer - by each wearing one of Denzer's stunning chapeaus.

Fifty women took to the runway with heads topped in a parade of feathers, floof, satin and sass. The three winners: J.J. Jaggers for Sunday Best, Elizabeth Holt for Exquisitely Elegant and Rebekah Johnson for Wildly Whimsical. Funniest hat: a straw number bedecked with Barbie dolls. And then there was Ms. Drama Diva Judi Wolf in a black-and-gold topper with comedy and tragedy masks dangling on top.

HAIR AFFAIR: Veteran Colorado hair czar Paul Garcia, owner of Paul Garcia's Salon in Cherry Creek North, got a nice nod from a Neiman Marcus employee who recommended Garcia to A Chorus Line's wardrobe supervisor Rory Powers for haircuts for actors Kevin Santos (who plays Paul) and Jessica Latshaw (Kristine, whose character can't sing).

The duo showed off their new do's at the opening night party Friday at Limelight restaurant. "They wanted retro haircuts," Garcia said about adhering to the show's 1975 Broadway debut. Latshaw's bob is reminiscent of a Sassoon cut, and Santos sports a Beatles bob.

MUSICAL NOTE: A host of new acts, including Jason Mraz, Lupe Fiasco, Gavin DeGraw, Pinback, the Whigs and Mike Gordon of Phish, have been added to the Mile High Music Festival , the really big "shoe" brought to you by Chuck Morris, with sales at about 60,000 for the two days, July 19-20.

Previously announced acts include Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Steve Winwood, the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer and the Black Crowes. Tix for the Dick's Sporting Goods Park event: milehigh musicfestival.com.

EAVESDROPPING on a customs agent to a woman at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport: "You know, you spent a lot of money on jewelry in Mexico."

"Funny thing, you don't look anything like my ex-husband."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.