While it's back-to-school for a lot of our summer visitors, we're still going strong with a JAS Café doubleheader, the family-favorite Ducky Derby, and the perfect Sunday funday on the Ajax Tavern patio ahead. Here, we arm you with an agenda to help you navigate the sea of arts and activity schedules—unparalleled among any other mountain town.

Friday, August 12

McCloskey Speaker Series: Democratic Governors Panel: A State’s-Eye View of America in 2016 and Beyond
3:30–4:30 p.m., Greenwald Pavilion
Democratic governors John Bel Edwards of Louisiana, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Jay Inslee of Washington, and Daniel Malloy of Connecticut, in conversation with Aspen Institute President and CEO Walter Isaacson, will address how their policies are making a difference and the challenges that lie ahead.
$20
aspeninstitute.org

Jeremy Swanson Mountain Portraits Opening
5–7 p.m., The Art Base
Official Aspen Snowmass photographer Jeremy Swanson opens his first gallery show, with images of the Roaring Fork Valley’s iconic peaks; 10 percent of all sales from the exhibition will go to the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies.
Free
theartbase.org

JAS Cafè: Cecile McLorin Salvant
7 p.m. & 9:15 p.m., Aspen Art Museum
On the heels of her 2016 Grammy-award winning debut album Woman Child, Stephen Holden of the New York Times said of the vocalist, “if anyone can extend the lineage of the Big Three—Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald—it is this 23-year-old virtuoso.”
$25 (standing room only for 7 p.m. show), $45 (general admission for 9:15 p.m. show)
jazzaspensnowmass.org

Saturday, August 13

Aspen Backcountry Marathon
6 a.m.–2 p.m., Rio Grande Park
A new route debuts for this year’s marathon, as well as the addition of a 21K course, both of which start in downtown Aspen before venturing onto high-country trails. Each race is capped at 250 entrants.
$75
aspenbackcountrymarathon.com

JAS Cafè: Curtis Stigers w/H2 Big Band led by Dave Hanson & Allan Hood
6 p.m. & 9:15 p.m., Aspen Art Museum
Vocalist Curtis Stigers, who recently performed two years of consecutive sold-out winter runs at the JAS Café, returns with a new show “Sinatra @ 100,” celebrating the classic “Sinatra at the Sands” recordings that will take you back to the glory days.
$25 (standing room only)
jazzaspensnowmass.org

 25th Anniversary Ducky Derby
10 a.m..–4 p.m., Rio Grande Park
The Rotary Club of Aspen’s annual day-long, family-friendly fundraiser features games and prizes for kids, bounce houses, and a barbecue lunch. Watch 30,000 yellow rubber ducks paddle their way to the finish line down the Roaring Fork River with a chance to win the grand prize of $10,000.
Free
aspenrotary.org

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Presents: Paul Taylor Dance Company
8 p.m., District Theatre
In the company’s return to Aspen, PTDC will perform a variety of works showcasing the breadth of Taylor’s world-renowned work and its influence on emerging choreographers.
From $25
aspensantafeballet.com

Sunday, August 14

Summer Music & BBQ Series 
3 p.m. (music); 6–9 p.m., Ajax Tavern
We recommend posting up all afternoon on the Ajax Tavern patio with live music, DJs, and plenty of specials ($4 draft beers, half-off rosé, and half-off truffle fries or paté). If you're still hungry, stay for the latest installment of The Little Nell's new BBQ series, this week with a focus on Colorado-raised meats. 
$89 (includes unlimited food, drink, taxes, and gratuity)
Tickets: thelittlenell.com