Friday, September 29

Spectrum Dance Festival
Times vary through Sunday, The Launchpad, Carbondale

Dance Initiative presents this 6th annual festival celebrating the art of dance through demos, studio performances, film screenings, and workshops. The Happy Hour Dance Demo and screening of the acclaimed documentary Mr. Gaga kicks off the weekend, and a performance from Dance Initiative’s Artists in Residence, the Staycee Pearl Dance Project, concludes the fest. From $5, danceinitiative.org

Puppy Story Time
10:30 a.m., Explore Booksellers

Calling all dog lovers! Meet the new bookstore puppy, Dante, for storytime with Miss Ellie, who will read from Hello Goodbye Dog by Maria Gianferrari, the story of a student who uses a wheelchair and finds a way to see her dog every day in school. Free, explorebooksellers.com

Red Butte Cemetery Tour
1 p.m., Red Butte Cemetery (808 Cemetery Lane)

Learn about Aspen history on a stroll through the town’s storied Red Butte Cemetery and hear about the lives of some of its most notable residents. $15, aspenhistory.org

Dead Man’s Cellphone
7:30 p.m., Thunder River Theatre Company, Carbondale

Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC), winner of two 2017 Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Awards, opens its 2017–2018 season with the romantic comedy Dead Man’s Cell Phone. Directed by TRTC executive artistic director Corey Simpson, the play takes a humorous look at technology’s ability to create feelings of love, connection, and isolation in the digital age. Written by Sarah Ruhl, it received the Helen Hayes award for Outstanding New Play.  $25, thunderrivertheatre.com

On the Rise: Elliot Root
7:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House

Since releasing their first two EPs in 2015, these Music City–based rockers have hit Spotify’s “Sounds of Nashville” Top 100 chart and performed alongside Lord Huron, the Zac Brown Band, X Ambassadors, and Spearhead and Michael Franti. $25, wheeleroperahouse.com

Atlas Genius
8 p.m. Belly Up Aspen

For brothers Keith and Michael Jeffery, home holds a certain kind of magic. The coastal Australian city in which they grew up is where they forged their breakout hit, ”Trojans,” which took them from studio project to critically acclaimed international act, earning them a gold record along the way. $22, bellyupaspen.com

The Taylor Scott Band
8 p.m., The Temporary at the Arts Campus at Willits, Basalt

This Denver-based soul-funk band has toured with blues legend Otis Taylor and recently released its latest EP, Summer Moon. $9, tacaw.org

Saturday, September 30

Spectrum Dance Festival
Times vary through Sunday, The Launchpad, Carbondale

Dance Initiative presents this 6th annual festival celebrating the art of dance through demos, studio performances, film screenings, and workshops. The Happy Hour Dance Demo and screening of the acclaimed documentary Mr. Gaga kicks off the weekend, and a performance from Dance Initiative’s Artists in Residence, the Staycee Pearl Dance Project, concludes the fest. From $5, danceinitiative.org

Aspen Saturday Market
8 a.m.–3 p.m.

The best way to spend a 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

Micah Springer
4:30 p.m., Explore Booksellers

Born and raised in Carbondale, Springer returns from Denver for an afternoon of storytelling. In Keepers of the Story, she recounts her 1993 journey of backpacking through Africa for nearly a year. She'll also discuss how she forsook traditional publication in order to preserve trees and create a 100% PC recycled book. Free, explorebooksellers.com

Dead Man’s Cellphone
7:30 p.m., Thunder River Theatre Company, Carbondale

Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC), winner of two 2017 Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Awards, opens its 2017–2018 season with the romantic comedy Dead Man’s Cell Phone. Directed by TRTC executive artistic director Corey Simpson, the play takes a humorous look at technology’s ability to create feelings of love, connection, and isolation in the digital age. Written by Sarah Ruhl, it received the Helen Hayes award for Outstanding New Play. $25, thunderrivertheatre.com

Honky Tonkin’ with the Caleb Dean Band
8 p.m., The Temporary at the Arts Campus at Willits, Basalt

Born in the heartland state of Indiana and raised in Glenwood Springs, Caleb Dean brings every song to life with his rich vocals—in the way only a true country troubadour can. $10, tacaw.org

Conor Oberst
9 p.m., Belly Up Aspen

For more than 20 years, Oberst has released cassette-only recordings, split 7-inches, and a dozen albums of uncommon insight, detail, and political awareness with his band Bright Eyes, under his own name, as a member of Desaparecidos, as leader of the the Mystic Valley Band, and with the Monsters of Folk supergroup. $40, bellyupaspen.com

Sunday, October 1

Spectrum Dance Festival
Times vary, The Launchpad, Carbondale

Dance Initiative presents this 6th annual festival celebrating the art of dance through demos, studio performances, film screenings, and workshops. The Happy Hour Dance Demo and screening of the acclaimed documentary Mr. Gaga kicks off the weekend, and a performance from Dance Initiative’s Artists in Residence, the Staycee Pearl Dance Project, concludes the fest. From $5, danceinitiative.org

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 up valley? 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

Sunday Night Football: Indianapolis Colts vs. Seattle Seahawks
6:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen

Catch Sunday Night Football on the big screen with both bars open and the kitchen serving up wings and things. No cover, bellyupaspen.com