5 Things to Do This Weekend: February 28–March 1, 2020
Fire on the Mountain, a ski movie set to a Grateful Dead soundtrack, screens Friday evening at the Aspen Mountain Film Festival.
Friday and Saturday, February 28 & 29
Aspen Mountain Film Festival
6:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House
The winter edition of this local fest, which debuted last summer, includes several short ski films, plus other tales of derring-do and appreciation for the natural environment, as well as several Colorado premieres. Each night features a different lineup of movies. Tickets $20, wheeleroperahouse.com
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
7:30 p.m., Aspen District Theatre
The company reprises Beautiful Decay, which made a splash when it premiered here last summer. Choreographed by longtime ASFB collaborator Nicolo Fonte, the two-part work is set to the music of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Tickets $36–$94, aspensantafeballet.com
Beautiful Decay, from Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
Saturday, February 29
Audi Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race
6 a.m. start, Snowmass Base Village
Celebrate Leap Day by cheering on your friends who are competing in this annual suffer-fest that sees teams of two race up and down all four local ski areas—that’s 24 miles and 10,000 vertical feet of climbing. For slightly less ambitious folks, the Power of Two (8 a.m. start, Aspen Highlands) goes up and down Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain. This year, the national ski mountaineering championship team event will also be part of the race weekend. aspensnowmass.com
Diesel (aka Shaquille O’Neal)
9:30 p.m., Belly Up Aspen
You didn’t know the NBA Hall-of Famer spins records in addition to basketballs? In fact, he’s the biggest DJ in the world—at seven foot one. More than a novelty act, Shaq has gotten lots of props for his DJing over the past five years. And look for a tribute song or two to Kobe, perhaps. Shaq will also play a sure-to-be-packed free show outside the Snow Lodge at 4 p.m.; tables are already booked up so come early for admission. Tickets $185 reserved, $75 general admission, bellyupaspen.com
March 1
Polka Dots and Moonbeams: The Music of Jimmy van Heusen
7 p.m., The Collective Snowmass
Popular and prolific local chanteuse Nina Gabianelli performs this evening of cabaret songs, accompanied by pianist David Dyer. Not familiar with van Heusen? Just think Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. The Academy Award–winning songwriter (who frequently collaborated with lyricist Sammy Cahn) is known for Hollywood and musical hits like “Swinging on a Star,” “Come Fly with Me,” and “Love and Marriage.” Tickets $10, thecollectivesnowmass.com
