Friday, October 12

Dave Stratford in Concert
4 p.m., Mountain Chalet
Join Dave Stratford as he celebrates the life and music of John Denver as part of the celebration for John Denver Week. $15, johndenvercelebration.com  

Jonathan VanTassel Opening Reception
5-7 p.m., the Art Base, Basalt
Nationally exhibited, Carbondale-based artist Jonathan VanTassel's exhibit Value Menu will be displayed in the Charles J. Wyly Gallery. Free, theartbase.org

Celtic Fest
5–9 p.m., 4th Street Plaza, Carbondale
Carbondale celebrates Celtic culture with bagpipes, the best legs in a kilt contenst, and live Irish and Scottish music. Free, carbondalerec.com    

Jim Salestrom Remembers John Denver
5 & 9:30 p.m., Limelight Hotel Aspen
At these two special performances, you'll hear stories of John Denver from Jim Salestrom, who will also perform the music he learned from John and his own songs as part of the celebration for John Denver Week. $20, johndenvercelebration.com

Opening Reception of The Near Distance by Kirk Robinson and  Where the Light Gets In by Vallee Noone
6–8 p.m., R2 Gallery at the Launchpad, Carbondale
These two exhibits include Robinson's distinctive portraits, in which the models have an averted focal point, and Noone's cave-like immersive installation, created specifically for the gallery. Free, carbondalearts.com  

Equus
7:30 p.m., Thunder River Theatre Company, Carbondale
Written by Peter Shaffer and directed by Corey Simpson, the 1975 Tony Award winner for Best Play is brought to life by Thunder River Theatre Company. In this darkly dramatic piece, psychiatrist Martin Dysart seeks to uncover the basis of a 17-year-old's violent and religious obsession with horses. $30 for adults 40+/$20 for adults ages 10–39/$15 for full-time students with I.D., app.arts–people.com  

Oh, God! Movie Night
7:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House
This special showing of the John Denver/George Burns movie classic is presented by Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon, and the Peaceful Blue Planet Foundation as part of the celebration for John Denver Week. Free, johndenvercelebration.com

Aspen Darkside Ghost Tour
8 p.m., historic downtown Aspen
The scent of pumpkin spice wafts through the air, and the leaves are in their last phase of changing colors, so why not get in the spooky spirit on a 60-minute walking tour that shares true stories of ghosts, murder, and mayhem dating back to 1879? Reservations required. $35 adults/$25 for children, aspenwalkingtours.com   

Casey James Prestwood and the Burning Angels
8 p.m., The Temporary, Basalt
Nominated as the Best Honky Tonk Group in the 2015 Ameripolitan Music Awards, this band will get you dancing with its mix of classic country favorites and original songs, including music from the new album, Born Too Late. $14 in advance/$19 day of show/$20 for a pair of tickets, tacaw.org

The DeadPhish Orchestra
10 p.m., Belly Up Aspen   
Deadhead? Phan? The groovy mash-up of music from this band will satisfy the jonesing in your soul. No cover until 10 p.m./$5 after 10 p.m., bellyupaspen.com

Saturday, October 13

Aspen Parkrun 
8 a.m., Aspen Recreation Center
Every Saturday, the Aspen Recreation department hosts weekly 5K timed runs. The course follows the High School Trail through the school district to the Marolt Open Space, continues over the Castle Creek foot bridge, and then returns. Parkrun is an international movement that encourages communities to sponsor free runs open to all. Free, parkrun.us/aspen  

Midvalley Health Fair
8–11 a.m., El Jebel Community Center
Hosted by Aspen Valley Hospital, this is your chance to get free and low-cost medical screenings. Visit here to book your blood-draw appointment. Bookings end at 6 p.m. the day before the fair (10/12). Lab costs vary by test, aspenhospital.org

Family Workshop
10 a.m., Aspen Art Museum
Monthly workshops are designed to provide children and adults the opportunity to explore the galleries and create works of art on their own. Free, aspenartmuseum.org   

Coffee, Collage, and Donuts with Jonathan VanTassel
10 a.m.–12 p.m., the Art Base, Basalt
Learn about VanTassel's artmaking process, then grab a donut, some collage materials, and create your own Jonathan-inspired artwork. Free, theartbase.org

Fiction Writing Workshop with Daryl Gregory
10 a.m.–4 p.m., Pitkin County Library
Award-winning science fiction, fantasy, and comic book author Daryl Gregory (Spoonbenders) will teach practical techniques for creating dynamic plots, believable characters, and scenes that matter. Aspen Writers Network members $40/non-members: $95, pitcolib.org

Oktoberfest
11 a.m.–9:30 p.m., 4th Street Plaza
Celebrate the autumn and German culture with traditional food, live music, a liter-holding contest, and plenty of beer. Free, carbondalerec.com

ACES Harvest Party
12–4 p.m., Rock Bottom Ranch, Basalt
Join the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies at this all-ages event featuring lunch, live music, and fun activities around the ranch, including pumpkin carving, apple-cider pressing, hay rides, a pie-baking contest, face painting, games, dancing, and a green silent auction. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. $20 Adults/$10 Kids/Kids 3 & under are free, aspennature.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   

Cemetery Tour: Walk with the Dead
5:30 p.m., Ute Cemetery
During this guided walk through Aspen's first burial ground, you'll hear tales about the pioneers of Ute City, including the lonely buffalo soldier and a toast to the Scotsman. $35 adults/$25 children, aspenwalkingtours.com  

Justice for All Fundraiser with Jes Grew
7 p.m., The Temporary, Basalt
Enjoy the rocking sounds of Jes Grew in support of nonprofit Alpine Legal Services, which provides free legal support in the valley. Ticket sales directly benefit the 1,800+ people that the organization serves. $25 in advance/$30 day of the event, tacaw.org

Equus
7:30 p.m., Thunder River Theatre Company, Carbondale
Written by Peter Shaffer and directed by Corey Simpson, the 1975 Tony Award winner for Best Play is brought to life by Thunder River Theatre Company. In this darkly dramatic piece, psychiatrist Martin Dysart seeks to uncover the basis of a 17-year-old's violent and religious obsession with horses. $30 for adults 40+/$20 for adults ages 10–39/$15 for full-time students with I.D., app.arts–people.com  

Tech N9Ne
9:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
This innovative rapper brings the rich, layered sounds of his latest album, The Storm, to town. $40 GA, bellyupaspen.com

Sunday, October 14

ARTway Clean Up Day
2–5 p.m., Carbondale   
Come out and help pull a few weeds at the Latino Folk Art Garden (8th St and the Rio Grande Trail). Bring gloves and a shovel or other gardening tools if you have them. Food, drinks, and some extra shovels and tools will be provided. Free, carbondalearts.com   

Independence Run & Hike Amazing Race 2018
3–5 p.m., Carbondale
The third running of this race is sponsored by Altra Running and promises an entertaining afternoon tackling clues and challenges around Carbondale. Participants complete in teams of two as they cover three to five miles around town. Call (970) 704-0909 to register (required), free, facebook.com

Sunday Night Football 
6:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
Watch the Kansas City Chiefs play the New England Patriots with sliders, wings, beer, and more served right to your table. Talk about easy. No cover, bellyupaspen.com