Aspen Weekend Agenda: September 30-October 2, 2016
Vaud and the Villains kicks off the Wheeler Opera House's three-part “On the Rise” series Saturday.
It's a gray day in Aspen town, but the sun will break through by tomorrow for one last weekend of prime leaf-peeping. Ring in the season at Carbondale's historic Potato Day Parade and Celebration and the annual Fall Festival at Cozy Point Ranch before hitting the town for music, theater, or comedy. Here’s an agenda to help you navigate the arts and activity schedules, which while winding down, are still unparalleled among any other mountain town.
Friday, September 30
The Record Company
9:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
One of "10 New Artists You Need to Know," according to Rolling Stone, will take the stage with the band's signature "minimalist blues-rock of the Black Keys and White Stripes" sound after opener Amasa Hines.
$15
Tickets: bellyupaspen.com
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
7:30 p.m., Lon Winston Theatre, Carbondale
This adaptation of the classic tale from Jeffery Hatcher, and directed by Corey Simpson, opens its eight-night run (through Oct. 15) with the Thunder River Theatre Company.
$25
Tickets: thunderrivertheatre.com
Saturday, October 1
Potato Day Parade and Celebration
10:30 a.m.–3 p.m., Sopris Park, Carbondale
Since 1909, local farming and ranching families have kept their traditions alive with a parade down Main Street, a BBQ, potato sack races, food vendors, and family-friendly activities, making it the longest-standing annual community event in Carbondale.
Free
Info: carbondale.com
The Alan Shields: Protracted Simplicity (1966–1985) exhibit at the Aspen Art Museum ends Sunday.
Image: Tony Prikryl
Aspen Poets’ Society Reading
1 p.m., Aspen Art Museum
Celebrate the closing weekend of the Protracted Simplicity exhibition of works by Alan Shields (1966–1985) with an in-gallery reading of selected poems also created by the artist. Presented in collaboration with the Aspen Poets’ Society, local poets Kim Nuzzo and Valerie Haugen will perform Shields’s original poetry among his paintings and sculptures.
Free
Info: aspenpoetssociety.com
Comedy Night
7–9 p.m., Marble Distilling Co., Carbondale
This monthly series welcomes headliner Jon Laster, a regular at New York City’s famed Comedy Cellar and originally from Denver. In 2013, he won NBC’s nationwide comedian search Stand Up NBC! and was one of four comedians selected for HBO's Comedy Wings Showcase in 2014.
$5
Info: marbledistilling.com
Vaud and the Villains
7:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House
The Wheeler Opera House kicks off its three-part “On the Rise” series, which gives locals a look at up-and-coming acts in the offseason. Self-described as “one over the top, sexy, scintillating, dang good time,” Vaud and the Villains is a 19-piece 1930s New Orleans–inspired orchestra and cabaret act.
$30 (single tickets), $55 (three-show pass)
Tickets: aspenshowtix.com
Sunday, October 2
Fall Festival
10 a.m.–2 p.m., Cozy Point Ranch
Meatless Monday, Aspen T.R.E.E., and the Humane Society come together for a family-friendly celebration of health, sustainability, and animals. Learn from a panel of medical experts about the benefits of a plant-based diet, sample organic bites from Spring Café and Healthy Hearts, and relax with classes from the Aspen Yoga Society. The Aspen Animal Shelter will also be on hand with pets up for adoption.
Free
Info: cozypointranch.com
A shot of the Maroon Bells by Aspen Photo Challenge contestant and Aspen Sojourner contributor Seth Beckton.
Image: Seth Beckton
Aspen Photo Challenge
5–6 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
There’s no shortage of incredible photographers in our valley, and this week 10 of the best have taken to Instagram to capture their hometown through the camera lens. The inaugural contest, presented by the Aspen Chamber Resort Association and Outside magazine, will culminate with a display of the photos for a panel of judges.
Free
Info: aspenchamber.org
