Aspen Weekend Agenda: August 5-7, 2016
Artichokes in full bloom on the rooftop garden at Aspen Kitchen.
Image: Courtesy Aspen Kitchen
Hello, August. You’re already a bit dreary for our liking, but if we can’t have the sunshine, at least there are plenty of indoor options to hide out from the rain. And for the adventurous, there’s even more mountain biking this weekend with Yeti Cycles’ Vida MTB Flagship Clinic in Snowmass and the Audi Power of Four Mountain Bike and Trail Run across all four area mountains. 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 5
Aspen Area Vegetable Garden Tour
10 a.m., Conner Park
ACES, the City of Aspen, and Pitkin County are hosting their first-ever guided exploration of local food production, which starts from behind City Hall. The walking tour will visit edible gardens at restaurants like Aspen Kitchen, with tips on urban planting and in high-altitude climates.
Free (RSVP required/rain or shine)
aspennature.org
ArtAspen
12—7 p.m. (Friday & Saturday), 12—6 p.m. (Sunday), Aspen Ice Garden
Returning for its seventh year (through Aug. 7), this large show features 30 notable galleries from around the country exhibiting modern and contemporary art in a variety of media, from painting and photography to sculpture and mixed-media.
$20 (advance); $25 (door)
art-aspen.com
Gonzo’s Last Stand
6—9 p.m. (Friday), 6:30—9 p.m. (Saturday), Boogie's Diner
After the closure of the East Hyman Ave. pop-up gallery earlier this summer, the freaks have invaded upstairs in the former Boogie's building until they vanish from Aspen entirely. The rare and elusive British illustrator extraordinaire Ralph Steadman will be holding court with several of his one-of-a-kind "Hunter Thompson for Sheriff" ink drawings, a number of titled and signed original works, and dozens of exhibition posters on view, with a few up for sale.
Free
gonzogallery.com
The 7th annual Audi Power of Four Mountain Bike Race begins at the base of Snowmass and features 8,389 feet of vertical gain and 8,897 feet of vertical loss before ending at the base of Aspen Mountain.
Image: Jeremy Swanson
Saturday, August 6
Audi Power of Four Mountain Bike and Trail Run
Times vary through Sunday, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Aspen Mountain
The 33-mile bike race traverses Aspen’s four mountains, with an elevation change of almost 10,000 feet, while runners hit the trails for 10, 25, and 50K races, as well as a vertical K up Aspen Mountain.
Registration from $60
aspensnowmass.com
Vida Women’s MTB Flagship Clinic
Times vary through Sunday, Snowmass Village
Brave the elements, get muddy, and hone your MTB technique at this two-day clinic presented by Yeti Cycles. The weekend of challenges and camaraderie also includes yoga, a bike maintenance class, and happy hour.
$375
vidamtb.com
50th Anniversary Annual Art Auction & Community Picnic
11 a.m.—3 p.m., Anderson Ranch Arts Center
The popular afternoon fundraiser features more than 200 pieces of art available for bidding on in both live and silent auctions, live music, children’s activities, and a picnic lunch.
$15
andersonranch.org
Aspen Historical Society Ice Cream Social
2—4 p.m., Wheeler/Stallard Museum
The Aspen Historical Society presents its “A Briefly Complete History of Aspen,” along with a performance from an Aspen Music Festival and School chamber quintet, accompanied by scoops for kids and boozy milkshakes for adults.
$3–$5
aspenhistory.org
Aspen Institute Summer Celebration Dinner
5 p.m., Greenwald Pavilion
The Aspen Institute’s 23rd Annual Summer Celebration will feature a conversation with the evening’s Public Service Awardees, Sheri Schultz, co-founder, the Schultz Family Foundation; and Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO, Starbucks, moderated by the Institute’s President and CEO, Walter Isaacson before a separate benefit dinner (sold out).
$25
aspenshowtix.com
Aspen Science Center's Street Fair returns to Paepcke Park for the fifth year Sunday.
Sunday, August 7
Science Street Fair
10 a.m.—4 p.m., Paepcke Park
Dozens of exhibits provide hands-on science experimentation designed to pique the interest of all family members. Dr. Kaboom will return to the stage again this year with Mr. Freeze from Fermilab on hand to share his special brand of science.
Free
aspensciencecenter.org
Plein Air Festival
Times and locations vary
The second annual benefit for the Red Brick Center for the Arts kicks off today (through Aug. 14), celebrating the act of painting outdoors with the subject in full view that's named after the French expression “en plein air.” You’ll find 19 Colorado-based artists throughout the downtown core over the course of the festival, as well as at a community reception on Thursday, August 11 (5—7 p.m., Limelight Hotel) where attendees can view all of the paintings and vote on their favorites. The exhibition and sale will continue through the weekend at the Red Brick.
Free
pleinairaspen.org
