Steamboat Pilot & Today

Stealing the show

Miriam Pensack and Lydia Kindred stole the show Friday night at the Steamboat Springs High School production of "The Taming of the Shrew."

Pensack's performance was especially impressive, given the short time -- two weeks -- she had to learn her lines and develop her character. Pensack is a freshman, and this first performance of her high school career gives me hope for how much she will develop as an actor during the next four years. It will be something to watch and a reason to attend future Steamboat Springs High School productions.

Kindred's portrayal of the ill-tempered sister of the beautiful and socially desirable Bianca not only showed that she is a talented actor but that she is a multi-tasker. Kindred also produced the show. Alas, Kindred is a senior, and next spring's play will be her local last.

Having a ball

Once the Backcountry Ball had the entire Depot Art Center to stretch its party legs, it was impossible to imagine how the group ever made do with just the baggage room.

The Backcountry Ball was the place to be Saturday night. There was barely room to mill, let alone dance to the deejay's selection of hits from the 1970s and '80s.

It was the kind of party where the conversation tended to slip overseas. One minute, you'd be talking about hut trips in Colorado, and the next minute, you'd be talking about trekking in India. I guess backcountry skiers are cut from a more adventurous cloth.

Other highlights of the evening included Molly Wilson's black sequin pants and red lips belt buckle and seeing the women of Steamboat Springs wear makeup.

-- Autumn Phillips

New spot a hit

Tucked in the back of the alley behind Ski Time Square, the new Jade Summit Restaurant is a quiet, relaxing place to eat a meal and -- at the bar upstairs -- a bustling Friday night spot.

The restaurant and the bar are dark, decorated with velvety curtains and a floral theme. The upstairs bar offers one of the few where you can order a plate of crab rangoon along with your beer. The best part was that ladies could drink free for a couple of hours Friday evening, an offering which kept the bartenders busy and the ladies happy.

-- Dana Strongin