Aspen Weekend Agenda: December 16–18, 2016
Image: Courtesy: Action in Africa
It’s FINALLY snowing in Aspen, and our pals at Open Snow say it's not stopping until Sunday, when we're heading to Snowmass to celebrate the grand reopening of Gwyn's High Alpine's gorgeous new on-mountain digs. But first, we're getting into the giving spirit at Action in Africa's Second Annual Winter Fundraiser, a cause Aspen Sojourner is proud to support, along with stops at the World Snow Polo Championships, Aspen Ice Spectacular, Wheeler Opera House, and more. Lets just hope Kevin Smith's flight doesn't get cancelled again.
Friday, December 16
Andi Alyse Trunk Show
2–5 p.m., Elliot Yeary Gallery
Join the Houston-based jewelry designer in person for an afternoon of bauble shopping with bubbles.
Free, elliottyeary.com
Mountain Trails Fine Art Grand Opening
4 p.m., Mountain Trails Fine Art
Meet and greet the owners and featured artists of this new downtown gallery, which features contemporary Western paintings and monumental-size sculptures. Complimentary beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Free, mountaintrailsfineart.com
Action in Africa Second Annual Winter Fundraiser
5 p.m., Bootsy Bellows
Support the nonprofit brainchild of Aspen High School students, which works to educate, inspire, and empower people in Uganda through community development. The event will feature a silent auction, live music from Aspen's very own band “Overserved,” small bites from your favorite restaurants, beer from Aspen Brewing Company, and signature cocktails made possible by Woody Creek Distillers and Local Spirits.
$50, actioninafrica.com
The Blind Boys of Alabama
7:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House
With their modern-day interpretations of traditional gospel songs, this veteran Grammy Award–winning seven-person powerhouse (yes, three of them are blind) is likely to bring down the house with an infusion of spiritual uplift.
$55, aspenshowtix.com
Big Fish, The Musical
7 p.m., Black Box Theatre
Based on Daniel Wallace’s novel and the Tim Burton film of the same name, the musical focuses on a father’s larger-than-life tales and his son’s search for the truth behind them. Inspiring and adventurous, the production features an all-teen cast from Theatre Aspen School.
$22 (adults), $15 (students), aspenshowtix.com
The Last Romance
7:30 p.m., Thunder River Theatre Company, Carbondale
This production of Joe DiPietro’s bittersweet comedy about courtship in the twilight years (he also wrote the musicals Memphis and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) is directed by longtime Aspen theater veteran Mike Monroney. (Playing weekends through December 24).
$30 (adults), $15 (students), thunderrivertheatre.com
Lupe Fiasco
9:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
Get down with the Grammy-winning Windy City rapper behind hits “Battle Scars” and “Superstar” with The Boy Illinois and RXMN.
$65, bellyupaspen.com
Image: Courtesy: Snowmass Tourism
Saturday, December 17
World Snow Polo Championships
12–3 p.m., Rio Grande Park
Hobnob with the horsey set during three days of matches between top polo players from around the country. The first day’s action (Dec. 16) takes place at Carbondale’s Aspen Valley Polo Club, while the next two are in Aspen. The best place to watch is from the VIP tent, with light bites and cocktails served up by the St. Regis Aspen.
$350 (VIP single day), free to spectate outside the tent, aspenvalleypoloclub.com
Big Fish, The Musical
2 p.m., Black Box Theatre
Based on Daniel Wallace’s novel and the Tim Burton film of the same name, the musical focuses on a father’s larger-than-life tales and his son’s search for the truth behind them. Inspiring and adventurous, the production features an all-teen cast from Theatre Aspen School.
$22 (adults), $15 (students), aspenshowtix.com
Aspen Ice Spectacular
5 p.m., Aspen Recreation Center
The annual star-studded skating extravaganza features world and national champion figure skaters—Ashley Wagner, Ashley Cain and Tim Leduc, Yuka Sato, Rosalynn Sumners, and Aspen native Jeremy Abbott—as well as members of the local Revolutions Skating Club. Plus, beloved local musician Bobby Mason will perform a pair of live numbers.
$35 (adults), $20 (students, seniors), aspenshowtix.com
The St. Regis Aspen Resort's Annual Tree Lighting
5–7 p.m., The Fountain Courtyard at The St. Regis Aspen Resort
Get your daily dose of holiday cheer at this community event featuring the Aspen High School Choir and Band, a photo booth with Santa Claus, holiday cookies, festive beverages, a dual champagne saber and more.
Free
Info: stregisaspen.com
Snowmass Moonlit Trek
5:30–9 p.m., Snowmass Cross Country Center, Black Saddle Bar & Grille
Celebrate the far side of Tuesday's full moon with a 1.2-mile snowshoe or cross country ski tour under the stars at Snowmass Cross Country Center with a post-trek pasta feast complete with live music and s’mores by a roaring fire. Ski and snowshoe touring equipment rentals are available for $10/person and pasta dinner is $15 per person. gosnowmass.com
The Last Romance
7:30 p.m., Thunder River Theatre Company, Carbondale
This production of Joe DiPietro’s bittersweet comedy about courtship in the twilight years (he also wrote the musicals Memphis and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) is directed by longtime Aspen theater veteran Mike Monroney. (Playing weekends through December 24).
$30 (adults), $15 (students), thunderrivertheatre.com
An Evening with Kevin Smith
7:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House
Forced to cancel his scheduled appearance last December because of weather, writer/comedian/director Smith gives it another go. Let’s just hope the @*$#ing skies cooperate this time.
$45, aspenshowtix.com
Sunday, December 18
Gywn's High Alpine originally opened on Snowmass Mountain in 1979. And, yes, the glider plane still remains.
Image: Harrison Buck
Gwyn’s High Alpine Grand Opening Celebration
11 a.m., Snowmass Mountain
We’re skiing straight into the $5.9 million dollar remodel of the iconic on-mountain lodge and restaurant. Enjoy complimentary drinks and appetizers, with speeches from Aspen Skiing Company CEO Mike Kaplan, SkiCo VP of Planning and Development David Corbin, United States Forest Service’s Scott Fitzwilliams, and the Knowlton and Gordon families.
Free with lift ticket or pass, gwynshighalpine.com
The Last Romance
2 p.m., Thunder River Theatre Company, Carbondale
This production of Joe DiPietro’s bittersweet comedy about courtship in the twilight years (he also wrote the musicals Memphis and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) is directed by longtime Aspen theater veteran Mike Monroney. (Playing weekends through December 24).
$30 (adults), $15 (students), thunderrivertheatre.com
World Snow Polo Championships
12–3 p.m., Rio Grande Park
Hobnob with the horsey set during three days of matches between top polo players from around the country. The first day’s action (Dec. 16) takes place at Carbondale’s Aspen Valley Polo Club, while the next two are in Aspen. The best place to watch is from the VIP tent, with light bites and cocktails served up by the St. Regis Aspen.
$350 (VIP single day, free to spectate outside the tent) aspenvalleypoloclub.com
