Mashup Post

Mashup may refer to a digital media file, a genre of music, a video, or a web app hybrid, but for the most part, a mashup is recognized as a sort of montage created from different sources. This is my mashup blog post.

The Hotel Boulderado, along with the rest of Boulder, has been consumed and concerned by the recent fire that hit Boulder and Gold Hill. The good news is the fire has been put out; the bad news is that hundreds were evacuated and some even lost their homes. Two people affected by the fire were Maggie and David, the folks who run 'Til Death Do Us Party, which is the troupe that comes in for all our Boulderado Murder Mysteries. As luck would have it, they had already pulled all the costumes and props for the show they are performing here in September and were still ready, willing, and on time to perform at last Friday night's show.

I offered Maggie the use of my "cubby" to store the costumes and props so they had one less thing to worry about. Some of you already know that I work in an office that was converted from hotel rooms in the 1980s, and my desk is literally in a closet which has affectionately been named "cubby." Since the original moldings are still in place, it was easy enough to hang the costumes. The end result looks like this.
Right away, Yuko noticed the weird haze that appeared in the shot. I tried to fix it with Photoshop but with no success. We're quick around here to "blame" things on our ghostly occupants, but what do you think? Is it just an odd overexposure, or did someone want to be included in the photo?

Speaking of spooks, exclusively in the month of October, I'm offering a special version of our history tour that focuses on less history and more mystery. Spook Tours are available every Saturday in October at 12pm and 2pm. Learn more about them and how to sign up.

Live Tweet Transcript from the Murder Mystery

Live tweeting the Murder Mystery on Friday night was so much fun, I wanted to share it with y'all! I've copied the transcript of my shenanigans below for you to read in case you missed out on the live version.

Our Murder Mysteries are part interactive, part show, and every table is given the task to band together and solve the mystery. My table was full of Boulderado employees -- Yuko and I, two bellman, one of our valet gentlemen, a front desk agent, a housekeeper, and a server from Q's Restaurant. What follows is our adventures in Murder Mysteries:

• Woohoo! Livetweeting the Murder Mystery! Some guests are already here . . . 6:26 PM
  
• Nate and Chris just ordered our special "Vintage Drink" -- The Manhattan. "It's good, but it's STRONG" 6:43 PM
  
• Getting to know each other at the table and expressing how much each employee contributes to the Boulderado 6:56 PM
  
• We've been taken into the Evergreen Room, which has been converted into a Radio Station for the evening 7:03 PM
  
• Reviewing the Murder Mystery rules: Out of respect for the dead, don't touch the body! 7:06 PM
  
• Reviewing the Murder Mystery rules: Don't remove or deface the clues, or follow the characters out of the room 7:06 PM
  
• We are in October 30th, 1941 from now on (so ignore the laptop and the tweeting) 7:07 PM
  
• Suspenders and pillbox hats and pocket kerchiefs, oh my! 7:10 PM
  
• RT @death_party: And so it begins... But who shall die? And how? And most importantly, how? 7:16 PM
  
• RT @death_party: Or rather... Why?! And why can't the tweeter write properly? Hopefully it shall all soon become clear... 7:16 PM
  
• @death_party is the troupe we always bring in to perform our Murder Mystery shows. They're funny, engaging, and always keep you guessing. 7:17 PM
  
• "Now I may be mistaken, but outside Chicago, an ice pick is not part of a standard formal dinner setting." 7:25 PM
  
• Uh oh. Someone's dead. 7:25 PM
  
• Our table was taken back to the murder scene first out of everyone else! 7:26 PM
  
• RT @death_party: Oo, just about dinnertime. @hotelboulderado always has deliciousness. Also, dinner and murder always go together. Ruh-roh. 7:33 PM
  
• What's for dinner? Green Bean Almondine, Boulderado Au Gratin Potatoes, and Homestyle Cheese Ravioli 7:34 PM
  
• Some of these actors are on the naughty side! 7:44 PM
  
• Virginia Hills just asked Keith if he has a car with a big back seat! 7:51 PM
• I'm glad other people are asking questions -- I've had two cocktails already! 7:56 PM
  
• "Oh, I like this table more and more!" 8:02 PM
  
• "I am so confused, I don't even know who's who!" 8:07 PM
  
• Back to the Radio Room for the live performance -- Where's Bob? 8:18 PM
  
• Toby never knew when he signed up for our Murder Mystery that he'd become a part of the show! 8:22 PM
  
• Another dead body -- uh oh! 8:23 PM
  
• Someone else just dropped dead -- double uh oh! 8:24 PM
  
• RT @death_party: More death! Oh noez! And guest actors... A little short for a hero. 8:28 PM
  
• Trying out motives and theories on each other -- no one can agree on anyhing 8:34 PM
  
• Back to examine another crime scene -- two bodies, no ideas yet 8:36 PM
  
• My other team members are examining the clues 8:37 PM
  
• "We need a belt lineup!" 8:44 PM
  
• RT @death_party: While there many clues to be had, I don't know that anyone here has any of them. 8:49 PM
  
• Do we have it? Maybe? I have no idea any more . . . 8:53 PM
  
• RT @death_party: Looking at more bodies... Not as exciting as it sounds. 9:09 PM
  
• It's crunchtime! We have to declare who killed who, how, and why. 9:18 PM
  
• Everyone in the dining area has furrowed brows and confused looks 9:31 PM
  
• "It's time to clarify a few things, because you all have no clue" 9:33 PM
  
• OUR TEAM WON!!!!! 9:38 PM
  
• Signing off my livetweet -- Go Team Hotel Boulderado! 9:39 PM

Live Tweeting a Murder Mystery

On March 12th, I'll be attending our kickoff Murder Mystery Dinner, featuring 'Til Death Do Us Party. While the storyline is intriguing and the menu looks delicious, I'll be going with one aim -- to live tweet the event. There have been Murder Mysteries on Twitter and the Internet before, but this just might be the first time someone has attended a live Murder Mystery show and tweeted throughout. Tune in on Friday, March 12th beginning around 6:30pm to keep up on the shenanigans!

March at the Hotel Boulderado

When I was in grade school, I learned that the weather in March was "in like a lion, out like a lamb." And I fully believed that. Until I moved to Colorado, that is. We can have lions and lambs in the very same day.

Anyway. New month, new week, and I thought I'd bring you up to speed on a few events happening here at the Boulderado and also around downtown.

• Denver Restaurant Week has already kicked off, but you can still take advantage through this Friday. Q's Restaurant is on the list of participating eateries, so stop by to taste Chef Platt's creations.
• Looking to unleash your inner fashionista? Downtown Boulder is hosting Fashion Under the Flatirons on March 11th at the Boulder Theater, showcasing a variety of local merchants' spring lines. Enjoy a runway fashion show, silent auction beauty stations, food, drinks, and your Emcee for the evening, World Cup Freestyle Ski Champion Jeremy Bloom.
  
• Murder Mystery Dinner series returns! Try your mind at sleuthing for an evening and discover how you stack up next to Sherlock Holmes. There's an uproarious troupe -- 'Til Death Do Us Party -- who comes in to help us with the show, and this time the story is set in the troubled year of 1941. A buffet dinner, cocktail, and valet parking are all included in the $64 ticket price, along with all your taxes and gratuities. Really, where can you find a better deal for dinner and a show in downtown Boulder? We have three dates open: March 12th, 19th, and 26th. Make your reservations with us now, because our Murder Mystery Dinners have a sneaky habit of selling out!
  
• There's going to be a St. Patrick's Day Celebration on our Mezzanine with jazzy Irish music from The Green Party. Admission is free, but if you'd like to partake in our Irish Buffet, it's $17 per person. All your favorite Irish foods will be here -- corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and a mint chocolate chip mousse that will make you feel luckier than any Irishman.
  

October at the Boulderado

October is here, which means falling leaves, crisp air, and my favorite holiday all year, Halloween. This month is shaping up to be a busy one here at the Hotel Boulderado. Read on to learn what's happening at the hotel and in the blog in October.

• Murder Mystery Dinners are back! Book your spot for the 9th, 23rd, or 30th and enjoy the lively troupe 'Til Death Do Us Party's performance, "It's My Party, and I'll Die If I Want To." Accompanied by a buffet dinner and cocktail of your choice, it's dinner and a show all rolled into one.
• Women's History Afternoon Tea on Sunday the 18th. Take a step back in time with the Legendary Ladies as they present brief monologues of significant women while you enjoy a classic afternoon tea. Later this month, I will introduce you to the historical figures who will be featured right here in the blog.
• Two very special room profiles will also be featured on the blog this month, each one taking you inside the stories and rumors behind some of our "haunted rooms."
  
• The Munchkin Masquerade on October 29th invites trick-or-treaters downtown. The Hotel Boulderado pulls out all the stops to create a "haunted lobby" where kids can collect their candy, and parents can stop by the Corner Bar for a martini.
  
• On October 30th, Historic Boulder will feature the Hotel Boulderado on their Ghost Walk Ghost Talk fundraising tour. Spiritualists will be situated in two haunted rooms to see if anything arises.
• Employee pumpkin carving contest! The Maintenance Department came up with a brilliant snowman made of pumpkins last year, and I can't wait to see what creative carvings are entered this year.
  

Murdery Mystery and Holiday Tea Reservation Now Available

It's July 1st, which means that you can now make reservations for a couple of upcoming events at the Hotel Boulderado.

Our Murder Mystery Dinner series this October features fantastic performances by 'Til Death Do Us Party, an intriguing birthday murder mystery, and a menu carefully prepared by our Banquet Chef, Pete. Come to a show on October 9th, 23rd, or 30th, or make a whole night of it by pairing your tickets with an overnight accommodation. Tickets are $64 per person, and includes the performance, a buffet dinner, a drink (beer, wine, cocktail, or non-alcoholic) of your choice, tax, gratuity, and valet parking -- such a deal!

If you're looking for something special to do this holiday season, consider making reservations for one of our Holiday Teas. Enjoy classic tea service on our Mezzanine with a view of our super-tall Christmas tree in the lobby. There are three specialty teas being offered this year: the Teddy Bear Tea (November 28th), which benefits the Children's Hospital; two Nutcracker Teas (December 12th and 19th), in conjunction with and benefitting the Boulder Ballet; and three Holiday Bazaar Teas (December 6th, 13th, and 20th) where you can peruse and purchase wares from local artisans. Hurry up and make your reservations for these popular teas -- people started calling us this morning to reserve their seat!

Reservations for all our events can be made through our Sales Office by calling us at (303) 440-2880.