Aspen Weekend Agenda: August 11-13, 2017
A new festival for yogis debuts in Snowmass this weekend with over 40 classes, stargazing sessions, hikes, and more.
Image: Seth Beckton
Friday, August 11
Yoga on the Mountain
Times vary through Sunday, Snowmass
Wanderlust didn’t return to Snowmass this year, but we’ve got this new event instead, with 60-some sessions for all levels of yogis led by national and local instructors, a vendor village, and gorgeous surroundings in which to practice your asanas. Passes from $149, gosnowmass.com
Red Brick Plein Air Festival
9 a.m.–8 p.m., Limelight Hotel
The third annual benefit for the Red Brick Center for the Arts celebrates the act of painting outdoors with the subject in full view that’s named after the French expression “en plein air.” You’ll find the works of Colorado-based artists who set up their canvases throughout Aspen all week on view and for sale. Free, pleinairaspen.org
Aspen Chamber Symphony
6 p.m., Benedict Music Tent
Praised by The New York Times for his “warm, fluid touch and poetic nuance," remarkable talent Martin Helmchen will play Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto. The work was radical for its time for its solo piano opening, and its sublime and mysterious second movement was compared with Orpheus taming the wild beasts. Concluding the program is the beloved Sixth Symphony, only one of two that Beethoven intentionally named. $80, aspenmusicfestival.com
Sex With Strangers
7:30 p.m., Hurst Theatre
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson and written by Laura Eason, Theatre Aspen’s production of this two-person drama is a smart, tantalizing take on modern love that flirts with the ever-blurring line between public and private in our digital age. From $29, theatreaspen.com
Shakedown Street
9:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
Aspen heads alert: One of the longest-running Grateful Dead tribute bands is back in town for a jam sesh of greatest hits. No cover until 10 p.m., $10 after, bellyupaspen.com
A portion of each Plein Air Festival sale will benefit the Red Brick and local arts education and outreach programs.
Image: Courtesy: Aspen Chamber
Saturday, August 12
Yoga on the Mountain
Times vary through Sunday, Snowmass
Wanderlust didn’t return to Snowmass this year, but we’ve got this new event instead, with 60-some sessions for all levels of yogis led by national and local instructors, a vendor village, and gorgeous surroundings in which to practice your asanas. Passes from $149, gosnowmass.com
Aspen Backcountry Marathon and Half-Marathon
6:30 a.m., Pedestrian Mall Clock Tower (Marathon), 7:30 a.m., Rio Grande Park (Half-Marathon)
Both the marathon and 21K courses will be run in the reverse direction as last year on the high-country trails around Aspen. Each race is capped at 250 entrants. From $85, aspenbackcountrymarathon.com
Tour de Farms
8 a.m., Carbondale
The Mt. Sopris Conservation District hosts this supported, 17-mile bike tour, which stops at four working farms and ends at a Carbondale restaurant for a lunch of local ingredients. $25 (must be 12 or older to ride), mountsopriscd.org
Aspen Saturday Market
8 a.m.–3 p.m.
The best way to spend a summer Saturday morning in Aspen? At the U-shaped farmer’s market in the heart of town, perusing plenty of locally grown produce, handmade crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs. Free, aspenchamber.org
Red Brick Plein Air Festival
9 a.m.–8 p.m., Limelight Hotel
The third annual benefit for the Red Brick Center for the Arts celebrates the act of painting outdoors with the subject in full view that’s named after the French expression “en plein air.” You’ll find the works of Colorado-based artists who set up their canvases throughout Aspen all week on view and for sale. Free, pleinairaspen.org
The World According to Snoopy
10 a.m., Hurst Theatre
Theatre Aspen’s production of the new musical features Charles Schulz’s iconic Peanuts characters, under the guidance of that consummate showman Snoopy, as they sing and dance their way through witty philosophies about love and life as only the Peantus gang can. $25, theatreaspen.org
Aspen Valley Land Trust 50th Anniversary Gala
5:30 p.m., White Star Ranches
Born as Park Trust in Aspen in 1967, AVLT is the oldest land trust in Colorado and deeply woven into the fabric of our landscape and communities. Ring in the next 50 years at this special evening filled with high country air and splendid views on McLain Flats. AVLT will present Founders Awards to founder John Doremus, first land donors Fritz & Fabi Benedict, and first conservation easement donor George & Patti Stranahan. $450, avlt.org
Basalt Summer Cinema Series
7 p.m., Downtown Basalt
Basalt’s own version of an outdoor “walk-in” movie theatre screens E.T. on the big screen in Lions Park (a 16-foot inflatable screen with four Eurolive outdoor speakers at each corner). Get there when the doors open for a pre-movie community picnic. Folding chairs, picnic dinners, blankets, small umbrellas, flashlights, and fleece are recommended. Continues every 2nd & 4th Saturday through September 10. Free, basaltchamber.org
David Spade
7 p.m. & 10:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
Former SNL cast member and film and TV actor Spade brings his signature brand of stand-up comedy to town. From $70, bellyupaspen.com
Sex With Strangers
7:30 p.m., Hurst Theatre
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson and written by Laura Eason, Theatre Aspen’s production of this two-person drama is a smart, tantalizing take on modern love that flirts with the ever-blurring line between public and private in our digital age. From $29, theatreaspen.com
Stars of American Ballet
8 p.m., Aspen District Theatre
Brought to town by the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, this all-star cast of dancers from the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre dazzles with Balanchine’s Apollo, selections from Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet, and other works. From $36, aspensantafeballet.com
Dolores had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and was executive produced by Carlos Santana.
Image: Courtesy: Aspen Institute
Sunday, August 13
Yoga on the Mountain
Times vary, Snowmass
Wanderlust didn’t return to Snowmass this year, but we’ve got this new event instead, with 60-some sessions for all levels of yogis led by national and local instructors, a vendor village, and gorgeous surroundings in which to practice your asanas. Passes from $149, gosnowmass.com
Basalt Sunday Market
10 a.m.–2 p.m., Downtown Basalt
We love the community and family-friendly vibe at this weekly farmer’s market filled with local produce, unique art, handmade crafts, and freshly prepared foods. Plus, there’s live music. Living or staying upvalley? We recommend biking down the Rio Grande Trail in the morning to get there (the bike rack–outfitted RFTA bus can bring you back). Free, basaltsundaymarket.com
Red Brick Plein Air Festival
10 a.m.–3 p.m., Limelight Hotel
The third annual benefit for the Red Brick Center for the Arts celebrates the act of painting outdoors with the subject in full view that’s named after the French expression “en plein air.” You’ll find the works of Colorado-based artists who set up their canvases throughout Aspen all week on view and for sale. Free, pleinairaspen.org
Chukkers, Champagne, and Caviar
10:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Aspen Valley Polo Club, Carbondale
Cheer on polo players and their ponies during this très swank benefit for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation that also includes silent and live auctions. From $250. aspenvalleyhospital.org/foundation
Bluegrass Sundays
12–3 p.m., Aspen Mountain
Take a hike up Ajax; once you make the summit, nothing beats a cold beer and a free open-air concert on top of the world as a reward. The roster of local bluegrass bands rotates each week, and if you’re not up for the hike, catch the Silver Queen Gondola ($22), which starts spinning at 10 a.m. Free, aspensnowmass.com
Aspen Festival Orchestra
4 p.m., Benedict Music Tent
Don’t miss the Aspen debut of Armenian-born violinist Sergey Khachatryan, who at fifteen was the youngest winner of the prestigious Sibelius competition. The German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung called him “a unique splendor amid world-class violinists, for his…playing isn’t just about dazzling display, but is always focused on the music.” $82, aspenmusicfestival.com
New Views Documentaries & Dialogue
7 p.m., Paepcke Auditorium
The Aspen Institute Arts Program and Aspen Film present Dolores as the third film in the series: "Putting the Lens on Strong and Resilient Women and Girls." This summer program features critically acclaimed documentaries and conversations with special guests and is generously sponsored by Leonard Lauder, and Jane and Michael Eisner. $20, aspenshowtix.com
