Welcome to our new edition of Aspen Weekend Agenda. With so much going on in the Roaring Fork Valley—it can be overwhelming, frankly—we've chosen to tighten up our listings and share five editor's picks of what we consider must-sees and must-dos for the upcoming Friday/Saturday/Sunday. For a more comprehensive calendar, please refer to Datebook in the print edition of Aspen Sojourner, where we highlight offerings throughout the week for several months at a time. 

Friday, February 15

Love of Horses and Horsepower that Heals
4–6 p.m., Covet, 306 Mill St., Aspen
Assuage that post-Valentine’s Day guilt by picking up some baubles for your loved ones while enjoying Champagne and chocolate. Even better, a percentage of sales will benefit Give Back for Special Equestrians, which awards scholarships to therapeutic riding programs in Colorado, New York, and Florida; in turn, this nonprofit supports WindWalkers, the local equine-assisted learning and therapy center that operates on a ranch in in Missouri Heights. On Saturday, further help out WindWalkers at the New Belgium Ranger Station in Snowmass during an après event that starts at 4 p.m. and features live music, a raffle, and drink specials. windwalkerstrc.org

6th Annual Youth Poetry Slam
6:30–8:30 p.m., Third Street Center, Carbondale
See what’s on the minds of local high schoolers as they bravely share their work. The slam culminates Aspen Words’ two-week Poets in the Schools program, taught by award-winning writers Myrlin Hepworth, Mercedez Holtry, Toluwanimi Obiwole (who was Denver’s inaugural Youth Poet Laureate), and Meta Sarmiento. Free, aspenwords.org

Saturday, February 16

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
7:30 p.m., Aspen District Theatre
This all-star performance of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet favorites features Alexander Ekman’s Tuplet, Cherice Barton’s Eudaemonia, and Jorma Elo’s 1st Flash. Tickets $36–$94, aspensantafeballet.com

Sunday, February 17

Ski for the Pass
10 a.m., Independence Pass winter closure gate
Help raise funds for the Independence Pass Foundation at this 7K race/tour that begins at the pass’s winter closure gate east of Aspen—it’s the only time this stretch is groomed for Nordic kick and glide. Register in advance at the Ute Mountaineer in Aspen or on race day at the start line from 8:30–9:30 a.m. Hot drinks and pastries will be on hand to help fuel your skiing. Registration $30 (family), $15 (adult), independencepass.org

Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic
4:30 and 7:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House
Known for both his precision (some tricks are projected onto a screen so you can home in on every detail) and his mind-blowing grand illusions (teleporting! levitation!), Bishop and assistant Kim Hess are guaranteed to confound Wheeler audiences—in a good way. $35 (adult), $17.50 (child), wheeleroperahouse.com