Aspen Weekend Agenda: August 17–19, 2018
The Elk Range Mountain Safety Coalition is a coalition of partners, including Aspen Alpine Guides, Aspen Expeditions Worldwide, Mountain Rescue Aspen, White River National Forest, and the Pitkin County Sheriff, with the goal to provide mountain safety education.
Friday, August 17
Lunchtime Auctionette
11:45 p.m., Anderson Ranch Arts Center
This is your chance to buy original pieces of art by Anderson Ranch faculty, visiting artists, students, and staff, while also supporting the ranch’s educational programs. There is a BBQ lunch from 11:45 a.m.– 12:15 p.m. The Auctionette is from 12:15–1 p.m. Lunch $10/Auctionette free, andersonranch.org
1 p.m., Hurst Theatre
Winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, Ragtime reminds us that everyone’s voice is vital in defining our American experience. Recommended for ages 10 and up. $30-$110, theatreaspen.org
Guitar Master Class
2:00 p.m., Bucksbaum Campus, Upper Studio Friedman Atrium
Learn how to play classical guitarist Colin Davin. Free, aspenmusicfestival.com
Elk Range Mountain Safety Presentation
6 p.m., Colorado Rocky Mountain School, Carbondale
Join the Elk Range Mountain Safety Coalition for a presentation to help provide skills, knowledge, and confidence to have a safe and successful summer backcountry experience. Free, eventbrite.com
6 p.m., Benedict Music Tent
Conducted by Xian Zhang, Lise del Salle will captivate audiences with her performance of Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major, while AMFS's vocal ensemble Seraphic Fire will present Mozart's Requiem in D minor, K. 626. (Local tip: The dress rehearsal at 9:30 a.m. is a more casual experience and only costs $20!), $87, aspenmusicfestival.com
Godspell
7:30 p.m., The Hurst Theatre
The 1971 musical based on biblical parables, now a classic for songs like "Day by Day" and "By My Side," still inspires. Get ready for an energetic morning of singing along. $30-$65, theatreaspen.org
Consensual Improv
8 p.m., Thunder River Theatre
In the style of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and Chicago's Second City, the theatre's improv troupe takes comedy to new levels. $15, thunderrivertheatre.com
Lipbone Redding & the Mesa Groove Unit
9 p.m., Temporary, Basalt
Lipbone, known for his singular vocal instrumental style, will entertain with an evening of stories woven with humor, singing, intricate rhythms, catchy melodies, and inventive guitar playing. $14 advance/$19 day of show, tacaw.org
Rainbow Kitten Surprise: The Friend, Love, Freefall Tour
9 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
This indie, folk rock group is stopping in Aspen while on tour for their first album with Elektra, How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. The show is sold out, but you never know when you're going to luck into a ticket. $30 GA, bellyupaspen.com
Saturday, August 18
Saturday is your chance to enjoy this view as you hike Smuggler Mountain for a good cause at the annual Hike, Hope, Heal.
Image: Allison Pattillo
Hike, Hope, Heal
8 a.m.–1 p.m., Herron Park
This annual hike up Smuggler Mountain benefits mental-health resource nonprofit Aspen Strong, and, this year, honors Ryan Marcil and Carline Brightwell, who passed away in a climbing accident last summer. $30, aspenstrong.org
Snowmass Loop Mountain Bike Fondo
8 a.m., Snowmass Base Village
Circumnavigate some of Snowmass Village's best trails while riding the 20-mile course, then restock calories at Base Camp Bar and Grill. Free entry for the first 75 people to RSVP through the website, snowmassloopmtbfondo.com
Aspen Parkrun
8 a.m., Aspen Recreation Center
Every Saturday, the Aspen Recreation department hosts weekly 5K timed runs. The course will follow the High School Trail through the school district to the Marolt Open Space, continue over the Castle Creek foot bridge, and then return. Parkrun is an international movement that encourages communities to sponsor free runs open to all. Free, parkrun.us/aspen
History Hike: Green Mountain
9 a.m., Meet at Farwell Mill Site (mile marker 56.5 on Highway 82)
Adventure over the streams and through the woods to Independence's lesser-known and secluded sister ghost town on Green Mountain with the Aspen Historical Society. Nina Gabianelli will lead the last hike in the summer series, to discover several old miners' cabins and the leftovers of a once-bustling mining operation. This is considered a challenging hike. $10/free for Lixiviators, aspenhistory.org
Opera Scenes Master Class
10 a.m., Wheeler Opera House
Enjoy Aspen Opera Center director Ed Berkeley's brilliant and witty coaching as he teaches promising young singers. $40, aspenmusicfestival.com
Godspell
11 a.m., The Hurst Theatre
The 1971 musical based on biblical parables, now a classic for songs like "Day by Day" and "By My Side," still inspires. Get ready for an energetic morning of singing along. $30-$65, theatreaspen.org
Guided Tour
1 p.m., Aspen Art Museum
Drop in for a spotlight tour of the latest exhibitions led by museum staff. Free, aspenartmuseum.org
5:30 p.m., the Art Base, Basalt
Enjoy cocktails, delicious food, and live music, plus both a live and silent auction to celebrate the arts and raise money for Art Base programs. Tickets from $125 (for ABC Young Collectors) and $225 for individuals, theartbase.org
7:30 p.m., Hurst Theatre
Winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, Ragtime reminds us that everyone’s voice is vital in defining our American experience. Recommended for ages 10 and up. $30-$110, theatreaspen.org
8 p.m., Harris Concert Hall
Beethoven master Jonathan Biss plays the full cycle of Beethoven piano sonatas in two recitals (the first is August 16). $65, aspenmusicfestival.com
8:30 p.m., Temporary, Basalt
The dance floor will be packed thanks to this quintet's high-energy swing jazz and blues. $25 in advance/$35 day of show, tacaw.org
9;15 p.m., Aspen Art Museum
9:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
This indie pop duo is back in Aspen to rock the house with their sixth studio album. $55 GA, bellyupaspen.com
Sunday, August 19
Aspen Summer Uphill
8 a.m., Aspen Mountain
Run, hike, or mountain bike to the top of of Aspen Mountain via the Summer Road to benefit the Aspen High School Cross Country Team. Register at the Ute Mountaineer until Saturday evening or at the Gondola on Sunday morning for no extra charge.
Literature Out Loud: Rick Bass
1 p.m., Pitkin County Library Meeting Room
Brian Keleher will read The Blue Tree, a story of woods and the impermanence of youth. John Keleher will read Titan a tale of two brothers and human gluttony–one author's words given voice by a father and son. Free, pitcolib.org
Walking Tour to the Tent
2 p.m., Hotel Jerome Lobby
Knowledgeable guides lead the way from the Hotel Jerome to the Benedict Music Tent, sharing interesting local stories along the way. Tours are timed to arrive at the tent 30 minutes prior to concerts. Free, aspenmusicfestival.com
The official opening of two ARTway parks in Carbondale happens this Sunday.
Image: Courtesy: ARTway
Botanical Gardens and ARTway Celebration
2 – 4 p.m., True Nature Healing Arts
Come celebrate the official opening of two Rio Grande ARTway parks, Derail Park , located at Hwy. 133 + trail, and the Latino Folk Art Garden, at 8th Street + the trail. Begin by gathering in the botanical gardens of True Nature Healing Arts Center. Explore the Labyrinth and Reflexology Path and enjoy a treat. Bring a bike or walk to the Latino Folk Garden for music and Tamales, The Clay Center for the Clay National Show, followed by DeRail park with spoken word, music and watermelon. The ARTway celebration starts at 2:00pm. Tour leaves True Nature at 2:30pm and concludes at 4:00pm. Free, carbondalearts.com
Aspen Festival Orchestra
4 p.m., Benedict Music Tent
With Robert Spano as conductor, two Aspen alumni who are now opera stars, soprano Tamara Wilson and bass-baritone Ryan McKinny, will perform for the final concert of the Festival's season. They will perform selected scenes from Wagner's Die Walküre and Symphonie fantastique, op. 14 by Berlioz. $90, aspenmusicfestival.com
JAS Academy Big Band
7 p.m. & 9:15 p.m., Aspen Art Museum
This evening marks the culmination of a week-long program where participants are educated in the finer points of Big Band music by world-renowned bassist Christian McBride and jazz masters Benny Green and Russell Malone. Students will perform as a Big Band under the direction of Christian McBride. $35/$110 with dinner (7 p.m. show only), jazzaspensnowmass.org
Library Cinema: Dark Money
7:30 p.m., Pitkin County Library, Galena Plaza entrance
This political thriller examines one of the greatest present threats to American democracy: the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials. Prepare to learn how American elections are bought and sold. $10 (it also plays at the same time on Saturday evening; includes free popcorn while supplies last), pitcolib.org
Wild Child
9:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
This Austin-based indie pop ensemble is bringing their infectious melodies to the Belly Up with their creatively colorful fourth album, Expectations. $15 advance purchase GA/$18 day of show GA, bellyupaspen.com
