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March 30, 2007
Aspen to host inaugural bikeboard open
By Aspen Times Staff
Aspen, CO Colorado
March 26, 2007
ASPEN - Buttermilk will play host to the first U.S. Bikeboard Open this weekend, with $500 up for grabs as the top purse for in both men's and women's boardercross competition.
The bikeboard - sort of a snowboard outfitted with handlebars — is the product of a Swiss manufacturer that is hosting the races. Competitors will have a chance to practice riding a bikeboard before Sunday’s competition. Training and qualifying takes place Saturday; registration and the first training occurs Friday.
Registration is $25 for those will a full Aspen/Snowmass season ski pass, and $125 for those without a pass. The fee includes use of a bikeboard for the race and a party on Sunday; the $125 fee includes a three-day ski pass. Register at Buttermilk.
For more information on sporting events in Aspen-Snowmass, please visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 08:02 AM | Comments (0)
March 29, 2007
Two closing parties for Highlands
Aspen Daily News
Two closing parties for Highlands
Curtis Wackerle - Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Wed 03/28/2007
It's the party so nice, they decided to have it twice.
That's right, boozehounds. ZG Grill at the base of Aspen Highlands will play host to two closing parties -- one on Sunday, the day Highlands was originally scheduled to close, and another on April 8, the newly extended closing date.
The status of the legendary Highlands closing-day party, which pulls thousands of Corona-drinking, one-piece clad revelers to the base of the mountain for an all day blowout, was thrown into question when the Aspen Skiing Co. announced this week that the ski area would stay open for an additional seven days.
In the interests of many who had already made plans to attend the party this Sunday, ZG Grill decided to have two parties, restaurant manager Josh Taylor said.
"We're just trying to make it the best for everybody," Taylor said.
People who can't attend on April 8 will have the opportunity to party on the April 1, and vice versa, Taylor said.
"We'll just make sure there is plenty of alcohol," Taylor said.
That's good news for local man Hans Anders, who has three friends flying in from the East Coast this weekend to attend the closing party. The friends have been planning the trip for months, Anders said.
"They weren't very happy with me when I called on Monday," Anders said. "Two (of the people coming) came last year and decided they would never miss it again."
Anders also said he knows locals who got off work weeks in advance to make sure their afternoon was free for the epic bash.
Besides the standard required munitions of hundreds of cases of beer, Taylor said this year's parties will include plenty of food. ZG plans to roll out a full food station including ceviche, hamburgers and hot dogs.
Entertainment is also lined up for both parties. On April 1, two live bands are scheduled to play, said Taylor, and the party on April 8 will include a DJ and a live band.
Also during the grande finale party, a Corona beer truck will pull up to the party and pour beers right out of the cargo bay, Taylor said.
To get more information on the Aspen Party scene, please visit: www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 08:17 AM | Comments (0)
March 28, 2007
Aspen Golf Club - Opening Day: Monday, April 2, 2007
Aspen, Colorado - March 28, 2007 - The City of Aspen would like to announce the opening of the Aspen Golf and Tennis Club for the 2007 golf season. The Aspen Golf and Tennis Club will open on Monday, April 2nd at 10:00am. According to the www.weather.com forecast the high should be around 56 degrees on Monday with a golf index of 7, which means we should have good golfing weather*. Welcome to the 2007 golf season! We look forward to seeing you on the course this season. The driving range at the Aspen Golf Club will open for the season on Thursday, April 5th. For course information please call 970-925-2145.
And…there is still time to buy your season and punch passes for the 2007 golf season. Passes will be sold at the Aspen Recreation Center 7 days a week and at the Red Brick Recreation Center Monday through Friday. Don't miss your chance to get super savings on your pass this weekend! Early season discounts end on Sunday, April 1st. For details on season and punch passes to the Aspen Golf Club please call 970-920-5140 or visit us online at www.aspenrecreation.com today.
Get motre information on Spring Specials in Aspen, visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 10:19 AM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2007
JAZZ ASPEN SNOWMASS ANNOUNCES A SEASON OF GREAT ARTISTS ACROSS THE AMERICAN MUSICAL LANDSCAPE
Aspen, Co. - March 22, 2007 -- It's simple: Aspen will be jazzed, rocked, stirred and souled out -. with the most diverse summer of great music in its seventeen year history. A now mature organization enjoying critical acclaim and support locally, regionally and nationally, Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) is pleased to announce the lineup for its 2007 summer season. Consistently recognized for its peerless combination of artistic excellence wedded to spectacular venues and world-class hospitality, JAS is now recognized as one of the premier music festivals in the USA, but with a style and feel all its own.
The JAS June Festival presented by Calamos Investments (June 21-24) at Rio Grande Town Park, in downtown Aspen, features on Thursday the 21st, Herbie Hancock with Special Guests Terence Blanchard, Larry Coryell and others TBA with Madeleine Peyroux opening: Friday the 22nd, Earth Wind and Fire, with a past-year JAS Academy Band opening: Saturday the 23rd, Steve Winwood, with Angelique Kidjo opening: and Sunday the 24th, The Black Crowes, with Marcus Miller opening. Following the main stage performances each night, JAS After Dark shows will take place in association with the Belly Up, at the esteemed Aspen nightclub. Artists will be announced at a later date.
In addition to the June Festival performances under the main tent, JAS has partnered with the Aspen Music Festival & School to present An Evening with Wynton Marsalis & Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra performing "Congo Square" on Tuesday June 26th at The Benedict Music Tent.
Also in association with the Aspen Music Festival, JAS will present two of the world's leading jazz bassists, Christian McBride (Artistic Director of the JAS Academy) and Edger Meyer, on July 19th at Harris Hall.
Later that week, the JASummerNight Mambo, JAS' National Council education & performance benefit, will take place (Saturday, July 21) at the ABO at Aspen Airport. The event will feature the music of Grammy winning Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and his Big Band. Sandoval's Mambo Mania performance includes 10 hot horns, 6 dancers and an 18 piece band. The Mambo is presented in association with AEXJet. JAS' flagship all scholarship JAS Academy will also feature performances by vocalist Carla Cook, and the incendiary Afro-Cuban Jazz Funk NYC based Yerba Buena.
There's much, much more. Over Labor Day weekend in Snowmass Town Park, JAS presented by Calamos Investments will present a jam band fan's dream come true: the Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Joss Stone, Nickel Creek, and The Derek Trucks Band and Susan Tedeschi, with additional artists tba.
Herbie Hancock (Thursday, 6/21), in the words of the cliché, really requires no introduction. He is, quite simply, an icon of modern American music, and has been the Distinguished Artist in Residence at JAS since 1991. He came to prominence in 1963 at the age of 23, when he recorded a hit song, "Watermelon Man," and then joined one of the great bands in music history, the Miles Davis Quintet that also included Tony Williams, Wayne Shorter, and Ron Carter. Over the next years, Herbie contributed to masterpieces like Seven Steps to Heaven, My Funny Valentine, In a Silent Way, and Bitches Brew. At the same time, he continued his solo career with massive successes like Maiden Voyage, along with composing sound tracks to projects as disparate as Antonioni’s Blow Up and Bill Cosby's Hey Hey It's Fat Albert.
In the 1970s, he created the Head Hunters, and dominated the jazz-funk fusion world with the hit album Chameleon. His 1980s hit, the Grammy-winning "Rockit," remains one of the top-selling jazz singles ever. He also won an Oscar for scoring the film 'Round Midnight. Most recently, in the late '90s he created Gershwin's World, a series of collaborations with an extraordinary range of artists including Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Kathleen Battle, and old friends Wayne Shorter and Chick Corea. It won three Grammys. The follow up, Possibilities, united him with Sting, Annie Lennox, John Mayer, Christina Aguilera, Paul Simon, and Carlos Santana, among other friends. Late 20th century American music would not be the same without him.
Mr Hancock's program will feature New Orleans trumpeter Terence Blanchard, who came to prominence with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the 1980s and later played with Lionel Hampton. He has worked on a number of Spike Leefilms, and composed the score for When the Levee Breaks. He carries on the New Orleans trumpet heritage with style and distinction.
Also featured will be Larry Coryell, among the most distinctive players in jazz history, uniting rock and eastern music with the basics of jazz. He has performed and recorded with Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, Jaco Pastorius, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Chick Corea, among others.
Madeleine Peyroux (Thursday, 6/21) is one of the outstanding young voices in America, eerily echoing the sound of Billie Holiday in songs that range from folk to blues to jazz to contemporary pop. Her brilliant 1996 debut album, Dreamland, which featured young jazz players like James Carter, Marc Ribot, and Cyrus Chestnut, sold remarkably well for an unknown on an independent label, and featured tunes by Bessie Smith, Fats Waller, and Peyroux herself. Her followup, Careless Love, included more contemporary tunes, including Bob Dylan’s "You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome," as well as Hank Williams’ "Weary Blues." Her latest album, Half the Perfect World, includes tunes by Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, and Joni Mitchell. She is one of the special voices working today.
Earth Wind and Fire (Friday, 6/22) was created by drummer and songwriter Maurice White in the early 1970s. Starting from a funk foundation, they added touches of jazz, blues, pop, soul, and gospel to create some of the outstanding R & B of the decade. Vocalist Philip Bailey crooned ballads and up-tempo rockers, and they recorded hit after hit: "Shining Star," "Reasons," "Sing a Song," as well as White's tune recorded by the Emotions, "Best of My Love." But EWF became legendary for more than their recorded output – their ability to play, shifting from jazz to ballad to funk, was stupendous, and their stage shows became more elaborate than anything in the business, a nightly pageant that has never been surpassed. You have not seen anything until you see and hear an EWF show.
One of JAS'fundamental commitments is nurturing jazz through education; the JAS Academy Summer Sessions takes place each July and features some of the finest young players in the country. The chance to spend time in heaven - Aspen - doing nothing but playing and learning from great teachers produces wonderful music. This June JAS will bring back one of the most talented JAS Academy Bands to come through the program to open for Earth Wine and Fire on Friday.
Steve Winwood (Saturday, 6/23) is one of the signature rock voices of all time. Bursting into rock and roll history in 1966 with his lead vocal on the Spencer Davis Group’s "Gimme Some Loving," he went on to form the classic group Traffic, singing such wonderful songs as "Dear Mr. Fantasy, and "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys." In 1969, he formed the legendary supergroup Blind Faith with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Rick Grech. His "Can't Find My Way Home" was among the band's most memorable songs.
After guest appearances on albums by Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, and Howlin' Wolf, he began an illustrious solo career, in 1981 releasing Arc of the Diver, with its hit song "While You See A Chance." Having played all the instruments as well as the vocals, one might have expected to rest a bit. Instead, in 1986 he released Back in the High Life Again; the single of that name did well - and "Higher Love" went to #1. His most recent album, About Time, focuses on his magical Hammond B-3 playing and soulful vocals - and audiences have responded as Winwood has come full circle, from blues to pop to blues once more.
Opening for Winwood will be Angelique Kidjo, an extraordinary vocalist born in Benin, who fuses Afropop, Jazz, Gospel, and Latin influences – along with the five languages; Fon, French, English, Yoruba, and a personal language - that she sings in to create a totally unique music. Her extraordinary renditions of Gershwin and Jimi Hendrix only hint at the breadth of her interests. Her next album, Djin Djin (out 5/1/07) will include collaborations with Josh Groban, Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel, and Branford Marsalis.
The Black Crowes will close the Festival on Sunday night with their trademark high-powered blues-based rock. Led by brothers Chris (vocals) and Rich Robinson (guitars), the Crowes have come a very long way since their 1980s origins in Atlanta. Their first album, 1990's Shake Your Money Maker, featured a sizzling cover of the Otis Redding tune "Hard to Handle", and five million sales later they'd arrived. Over the years they've toured with bands like Aerosmith, Oasis, AC-DC and Lenny Kravitz. They recorded Live at the Greek with one of their major influences, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page. After enduring the usual ups and downs of rock and a spell of inactivity, they reunited last year and seem, to all ears, better than ever. The tent will be shaking-
Marcus Miller will open for the Crowes. Miller is among the stars of a rising generation of fretless electric jazz bassists, succeeding the legendary Jaco Pastorius. His work with artists as varied as David Sanborn, Miles Davis, and Luther Vandross indicate his versatility and skills - he's simply stunning.
Wynton Marsalis, who has a long history of performance at JAS, will now bring his masterwork "Congo Square" to Aspen. In antebellum America, French New Orleans' Congo Square was quite literally the only place in the entire country where slaves could gather and freely play African music - drumming, dancing, singing – since elsewhere, the sound of drums was regarded as menacing and threatening to the slaveholder's social order. "Congo Square" fuses African-American jazz, both instrumental and vocal, and African drumming, in a rich, if tragic, multi-cultural panoply. Mr. Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will be joined by Ghanian master drummer Yacub Addy and his nine-piece Ghanian percussion ensemble, Odadaa!
This season's festival sponsors include title sponsor Calamos Investments, host sponsors The Town of Snowmass Village, the Silvertree Hotel, Centre of the Rockies, Miller Genuine Draft, AEXJet, The Denver Post, Comcast and CME. Other sponsors include US Bank, SkinCeuticals, KSPN, Bombay Sapphire and Jazz Times.
Tickets for both Festivals will go on sale to the public on Monday, April 2.
For more information on all JAS Summer Events please visit www.jazzaspen.org.
For one stop shopping; Jazz Aspen Tickets & Passes, Lodging and air please visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 12:55 PM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2007
LOCAL FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE FREE SCREENING APRIL 1ST
CHEER ON OUR LOCAL DISNEY'S AND SPIELBERG'S
AT THE FREE SIXTH ANNUAL LOCAL FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE
PRESENTED BY ASPEN FILM AND PLUM TV
April 1st, 2007 - Free Screenings and Award Ceremony at the Wheeler Opera House
March 26, 2007 (Aspen, Colo.) - Aspen Film and Plum TV will present the sixth annual Local Filmmakers Showcase on Sunday, April 1st, the official kick-off to the international short film and video festival, Aspen Shortsfest (April 3-8, 2007). This free community event at the Wheeler Opera House will screen 18 finalists as they compete for $3,000 in cash and prizes including a production package for the winner's next film (with a mountain theme) courtesy of Plum TV. Special thanks to the Wheeler Opera House for helping to make this happen.
This year's esteemed jury of local film lovers includes Krysia Carter Giez, a film editor whose recent credits include "The Last of the Cowboys", which screened at Aspen Filmfest 2006; Mark Harvey, local award-winning filmmaker who brought us "A Land out of Time", which also screened at Aspen Filmfest 2006; Aspen Mayor Helen Kalin Klanderud; and new Anderson Ranch president Hunter O'Harian.
Selected from a record number of entries, these comedies, dramas, documentaries, action and animated videos created by local talent will screen at the Wheeler Opera House on April 1st. The finalists reflect all ages and abilities, and all films are 10 minutes or less including credits. Actual screening order will be announced at the event.
Bairro Centro Sul
Fourteen year old Fernanda takes us on a tour of her working class neighborhood in southern Brazil. (Illène Pevec, Carbondale, 8 min.)
Club Jazz
Discover Club Jazz's hip atmosphere where Nat King Cole sings along. (Ben Fout, independently schooled in Glenwood Springs, 5 min.)
Days of Mexico
Take a trip to Mexico to see how one valley resident spends his summer vacations. (Daniel Saporita, Roaring Fork High School, Aspen Film's 2006 Latino Youth Filmmaking Project, 4 min.)
Flowers
Join us on one man's journey to find the perfect flower. (Ben Fout, independently schooled in Glenwood Springs, 6 min.)
Forever In Our Friendship
A story of the origin and development of a special friendship between two local families. (Iain Edgar, Taylor Gregg, Brennan Roper, Cali Bonderman, Tucker Farris, Sammy Houston, Sean Chenowith, Nico del Papa, Basalt High School, 10 min.)
Futbol Fanatics
Revelry surrounding the 2006 World Cup. (Ethan Dean, Aspen, 7 min.)
Girl
Take a look into the mind of a 13-year old boy and his thoughts about girls. (Hanna Kelly, Basalt High School, Aspen Film’s 2006 Directing Workshop, 4 min.)
La Historia de la Familia Perez (The Story of the Perez Family)
Sing along to one valley family's account of crossing the border many years ago.
(Brianna Rhodes, Coal Ridge High School, Aspen Film's 2006 Latino Youth Filmmaking Project, 4 min.)
Homes for Hope
A documentary about Habitat for Humanity in our very own Roaring Fork Valley. (Alizabeth Virginia Parker, Carbondale, Aspen Film's 2006 Directing Workshop, 4 min.)
In Bed
An exhausted girl lies down for a good night's sleep. (René Cousineau, Glenwood Springs High School, Aspen Film’s 2006 Directing Workshop, 2 min.)
Making History of Our Own
A documentary on the pioneers of this valley and preserving history in our own community. (Gavan Brouillette, Isaac Carlson, David Goodwin, Ruger Goodwin, Roman Lott Tara Martellaro, John Maznio, Dillon McGreevy, Chris Meyer, Greg Mills, Leon Nicol, Tobin Sanson, Alex Sewell, Auston Tribble, Jordan Tribble, Justin White, Garfield County, 10 min.)
My Ever So Wonderful Media Diet
Learn about this young man's daily media diet and how it affects him. (Van Wampler, Glenwood Springs High School, 4 min.)
Smooth Denali
A look into the simple side of new age free skiing and how simple can be better in all aspects. (Matt Hobbs, Basalt High School, 5 min.)
The Tailypo
Visit a cabin in the woods for a re-creation of this famous ghost story. (Ian Morrison, Carbondale, 6 min.)
Tribute to Blake D.
A tribute to Blake Davidson who died doing what he loved. (Drew Lederer, Yampah Mountain High School, 3 min.)
V.H.S. P.D.
Chuck and Joe are the movie police and they crack down on late fees. (Brandon Luck McDuffey, Carbondale, 4 min.)
Whirling Dervish
A little girl reads a letter from the past. (Bill Fisher, Carbondale, 3 min.)
World Turns
A story of life-long Aspenite buddies taking ski mountaineering from the Elk Mountains to peaks all over the world including Everest. (Mike Marolt, Aspen, 5 min.)
Seating is on a first come, first served basis. For more information please visit www.aspenfilm.org or call 925 6882 x 102.
Aspen Shortsfest is a presentation of Aspen Film, one of Colorado's most active film arts organizations presenting festivals, film series and education programs year-round. Aspen Shortsfest is sponsored in part by The Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Colorado Council on the Arts, City of Aspen, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Town of Snowmass Village, The Little Nell, The Aspen Times, Aspen Sojourner, Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, Napapijri, Stella Artois, Kodak, Film Movement, and Reel People: The Friends of Aspen Film.
For more information on Aspen Shortsfest and other Aspen events, please visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 02:49 PM | Comments (0)
Season extended at Aspen Highlands
Troy Hooper - Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Sun 03/25/2007 09:01PM
Citing superb conditions in Highland Bowl, high occupancy levels at area lodges and time on their hands, Aspen Skiing Co. officials on Sunday extended Aspen Highlands' season one week, pushing back the resort's closure to April 8.
"Highland Bowl has the best skiing in the state, if not the country, right now. Combine that with strong occupancy forecasts and no immediate need for lift or trail work on the mountain this spring, and it seems everything is lined up for this extension," said Rich Burkley, SkiCo's vice president of mountain operations.
Buttermilk's season will come to an end as originally planned on Sunday, April 1, and Snowmass and Aspen Mountain will close on April 15 as previously scheduled.
"It may not be the power of four, but the power of three isn't bad either," Burkley said in a press release announcing the extension.
To coincide with Aspen Highland's longer season, RFTA bus service will also be extended and Aspen Highlands base area restaurants and businesses will remain open. Cloud Nine and the Merry-Go-Round restaurants will stay open on the mountain. To further entice spring skiers, the powers that be have decided to provide free parking at Aspen Highlands from Monday through Friday, April 2-6.
SkiCo spokesman Jeff Hanle confirmed Burkley's assertion that Highland Bowl is skiing very well for this time of the year, when temperatures have warmed. "You come along the ridge and you're skiing in spring, but then once you head over to the G zones and cut through the trees, it's really like winter snow," he said.
Mike Kaplan and his veteran staff that has provided additional opportunities for skiing. Last week, Burkley announced that the old Bell Mountain chair (aka Chair 5) would stay open an additional 90 minutes, or until 5 p.m., daily to coincide with this year's earlier Daylight Savings time change - a proposal he credited to the Dogs, who are a collection of longtime Aspen Mountain ski junkies who, as word has it, never miss a day on the slopes. The Aspen Highlands extension originated within SkiCo.
"The rumors of the death of winter have been greatly exaggerated. There are 6 inches of new snow on the ground today, 6 feet in the bowl and more snow on the way this week. Don't break out the bikes and golf clubs just yet," SkiCo Senior Vice President David Perry said in a press release announcing the extension.
Posted by Dina at 09:58 AM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2007
Snowmass Village announces Chili Pepper & Brew Fest headliner
Here is the latest press release from Snowmass Village:
Snowmass Village announces Chili Pepper & Brew Fest headliner
Hot music, cold microbrews and spicy chili return to "Pepper Hill" June 8-10, 2007
Snowmass Village, Colo. -- Snowmass Village is thrilled to announce that Grammy Award-winning artist Ziggy Marley will headline the fourth annual Chili Pepper & Brew Fest on "Pepper Hill" Saturday, June 9. This three-part festive fusion of spice, ale, and music officially kicks off the Aspen/ Snowmass summer season June 8-10 with prestigious microbrew and International Chili Society competitions and tastings in addition to hot music acts like Marley.
"Ziggy Marley is probably the most prolific reggae artist of our time and an ideal headliner who will appeal to festival attendees of all ages," says Town of Snowmass Village Marketing Director Susan Hamley. ""The Chili Pepper & Brew Fest is a spectacular mix of music, food & fermentation that just keeps getting better every year."
Four-time Grammy Award-winner Ziggy Marley, who won his first solo Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 2007, is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, and son of reggae legend Bob Marley. He spent two decades as the driving creative force behind The Melody Makers, a triple Grammy-winning act with his siblings before releasing his first solo album in 2003. His style crafts a soulful blend of blues, R&B, hip-hop, and reggae and highlights his skills as a singer and songwriter. In addition to contributing on a variety of soundtracks and even venturing into acting as Bernie, the Jamaican jellyfish in the animated movie A Shark's Tale, Marley is the founder of U.R.G.E., a non-profit organization benefiting charitable children's causes in developing nations.
Music is just one component of the Chili Pepper & Brew Fest's feast of the senses, and over the past three years since its inception, the festival's popularity has skyrocketed, drawing crowds of 5,000 to Snowmass. Previous acts have included Jonny Lang, Medeski, Martin & Wood and Michael Franti & Spearhead.
"The festival is unique in that in addition to the incredible music, it offers three full days of chili tastings and two major microbrew tastings," says event founder and organizer Josh Behrman.
The festival kicks off on Friday afternoon with the sanctioned Front Range District Chili Cook-off held by the International Chili Society, the world's foremost authority on chili. While the cooks vie for entry to the world championships in the categories of Chili Verde, Chili Red, and Chili Salsa, attendees can sample these spicy creations that often can include as many as 600 spices and specialty ingredients. The elite and invitational microbrew portion of the festival also begins on Friday with a "Best Summer Ale" competition and tasting, while an outdoor concert concludes the first day.
NEW! On Saturday, the International Chili Society kicks it up a notch with the 9th Annual Hot Times Regional Championship and chili tasting that was formerly hosted in Cripple Creek, Colorado. A grand tasting with over 40 of the nation's top microbreweries follows with Ziggy Marley's performance capping off this full day.
Sunday is free to the public as a Local's Day, where local cooks get to strut their spicy talents for judges and local bands perform on the Snowmass Village Mall. Additional bands playing at the festival, including Friday night's headliner, will be released soon.
One of the best reasons to start the summer with the Chili Pepper & Brew Fest is the cost: tickets are only $15 on Friday or $20 on Saturday and include access to the outdoor concerts on Fanny Hill and food, beer, and wine concessionaires. For only $10 more ($25 on Friday and $30 on Saturday), a party pass for ages 21 and older allows unlimited access to the microbrew tastings and to sampling different types of chili each day. This festival is expected to sell out, so attendees are advised not to wait until June to purchase tickets.
Tickets for the festival go on sale April 1 online and all information is available at www.snowmasschiliandbrew.com. To download photos of Ziggy Marley, go to http://www.wma.com/ziggy%5Fmarley/summary/
Allison Johnson, PR Director
Snowmass Village Marketing & Special Events
Cell: 970-309-5485
Email: aj@snowmasspress.com
For more information on Snowmass Village Chili Pepper & Brew Fest
Posted by jmidthun at 11:45 AM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2007
Free lecture and demonstration at the Aspen Art Museum
Color as Decor
Free lecture and demonstration at the Aspen Art Museum
Thursday, March 22, 5:00 -7:00 p.m.
Learn about basic color harmonies, their psychological and healing properties, and watch a free demonstration of Lazure glazing with local artist Charles Andrade. AAM galleries will be open until 7:00 p.m. as well for visitors to enjoy the Like color in pictures exhibition.
Free and open to the public
What is Lazure?
"....An unusual, more spiritually oriented painting technique, separate from sponging, ragging and typical glazing... Color is a vital consideration in 'tuning' a room for its intended use...the white surface behind Lazure color reflects light back through the layers of glaze making the colors appear to be 'in the space' rather than simply on the wall."
From Home Design from the Inside Out
by Robin Lennon
More information on what is happening at the Aspen Art Museum
Posted by jmidthun at 02:55 PM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2007
Belly Up Aspen March Line Up
3/21, An Evening with The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley aka Mr. Biggs, Doors 8 Show 9.
The Isley Brothers are one of the most successful, most revered and most important bands in pop, rock & soul music whose influence spans generations and genres. They're responsible for international hits such as "Twist and Shout", "That Lady", "Brown Eyed Girl", "It's Your Thing", "Love The One You're With" and MANY more!
3/22, Bud Light Spring Jam Kick Off with JJ Grey and MOFRO with Melissa Ferrick Opening, Doors 8 Show 10.
More of an event or party than simply a concert, check out the show, enjoy our $2.50 Bud Light Special and plenty of give-aways including snowboards, skis, boots and much more! Mofro is about soul. "One of the 10 Best Releases Of The Year: Bringing a bit of the Florida swampland to your town, MOFRO's second studio release is nothing less than a perfect groove. Down home, dirty soul." - Andrew Strickman, Rolling Stone
3/23, Slick Rick Featuring Adam Deitch Project, Doors 8 Show 10.
Slick is pure hip-hop royalty. Having collaborated with a diverse list of emcees such as Aaliyah, Snoop Dogg and Will Smith, "La Di Da Di" is by far his most well known song, and as one of the most sampled emcee in hip-hop, Rick's skills are not to be questioned.
3/24, TWO SHOWS! An Evening with Judy Collins (seated, early show, doors 6 show 7) and Long Beach Short Bus (late show, doors 9 show 10).
"While Collins arrived with the "folk" wave of the 60's, her music stretches from classical to gospel, from Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen to 'Amazing Grace' and back to the Rolling Stones". - David Hinckley/Daily News.
Featuring members of Sublime & Long Beach Dub Allstars, Long Beach Short Bus has regrouped, and are ready for the masses to hear. Their new album, "Flying Ship of Fantasy", has their unique southern California reggae vibe, mixed with the audacious musical intellect of all the band members.
3/25, Cracker with The Railbenders, Doors 8 Show 10.
Cracker mixes influences and sounds ranging from classic country music, psychedelia, punk and folk into their brand of "Americana" style rock. The band's website once noted Cracker as "The only band to ever open for both The Grateful Dead and the Ramones," a unique distinction which is also indicative of the band's sound and style.
More information on Belly Up Aspen
Posted by jmidthun at 03:52 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2007
USSA Results for Nationals
Yesterday's Super G at Big Sky was all about survival, and I'm happy to report that I was a survivor. I'm not particularly proud of my time or how I placed, but simply to be able to stand up and finish this treacherous course feels like quite an accomplishment. It was described by many as true World Cup race conditions on a course that was truly set up to test the best.
After two days of record warmth and a mountain that had turned to mush, cold air finally came in Tuesday night, along with cloudy skies and blustery winds. The snow on the entire mountain was frozen into one block of solid, impenetrable ice... really knarly even by New England standards! Racers from the East Coast referred to this as an especially "loud" day. Everything that was groomed, including the race course, was rock solid, bulletproof, machine groomed frozen granular ice with occasional patches of grey or blue ice where standing water froze. Anything that wasn't groomed could best be described as trying to ski on frozen chicken heads! It was rugged and fast, and quite frankly some of the worst snow conditions I can ever remember skiing on!
Yesterday's Super G course, which was set only for competitors in the A & B groups (elite men age 59 and under), was clearly set for the more accomplished racers and was actually faster than last weekend's downhill, which was also set to accomodate the elderly men & women who were competing on the same course. After my first course inspection, my initial thought was there's absolutely no way! "I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid," was a thought that continued to cross my mind. Quite a few others had that same idea as 15 of the 97 competitors scheduled to compete yesterday failed to start.
The start of the Super G was moved down about five gates from the start of the downhill, so it started just above the top of the headwall where I crashed on Monday. This meant that we would accelerate from 0 to 60 in a near freefall just one gate out of the start in less than ten seconds. Then it was big, sometimes blind but always rythmical turns between 60 and 70 mph across slick, boilerplate ice in flat light all the way to the finish. Then there was the wind gusting up to 40mph from the Northwest and pushing us from behind! It was really, really fast and terribly intimidating!
But I must say it really was a good, fair course that truly held up well with very few holes or bumps, and it looked a lot scarier than it actually skied. But it left absolutely no room for pilot error. After watching how several of the top racers handled the most technical sections of the course, I convinced myself I could do this. But after a good strong start, I must admit I was pretty well throttled-back to flight idle for the rest of my decent all the way to the finish line. I never actually hit the brakes, but every turn was about carefully trying to make it a clean one while making sure I was in the right position for the next one without missing any gates. It was pretty chattery, but mostly a stable run from start to finish, but truth be told I skied it like the first training run of a downhill race course I had never skied before rather than a national championship ski race. I realized after passing through the finish line I could have gone after it a lot more aggressively as I left at least five seconds out on the race course from what I was truly capable of. I'd like to say I gave it my all, but that wasn't exactly true as there were several spots where I now know I could have safely gunned it for more speed. That's what makes super G such a great test... Unlike downhill, you don't actually get to ski the course until you do so under race conditions.
Most of those who either failed to finish or were DQ'd did so because they missed gates. Thankfully, there was no major carnage to speak of. But things just came at you so fast, if you were just the slightest bit out of position, it was over. It was a great test for some of the best skiers in our sport, and it gave me a real appreciation of just how good some of those guys really are! It was a humbling experience for me as I now realize how far my skiing skills still need to advance in order to be really competitive against them in testing conditions like this. This experience also taught me some great lessons in overcoming fear... I shall never look at the fear of an intimidating tee shot or an important putt in a golf tournament the same way again!
So the end results are that I was one of only four survivors out of nine scheduled starters in my age class, and one of only 66 survivors out of 97 scheduled starters overall, out of which I placed 55th finishing just over ten seconds out from the fastest time on a course that was a little over one minute long. So a podium finish eluded me at this national championship, but 4th in class was good enough to further pad my overall results in the 2007 National Speed Series, for which I claimed the overall masters national speed champion for Men's Class three (35-39 years old). But Richard Bradsby was really close, and had he not crashed in the Aspen Super G and I not claimed 2nd place in that same event, or had I not done as well as I did in the Soldier Mountain downhills, the outcome would have been different. Pasted below is a link to the USSA web page that contains all the final results for both nationals and the speed series, some of which are still being updated.
So now I am just over halfway home staying at a friend's house in Park City, and expect to be back in the office in Aspen by late-afternoon. And at this point I'm happy to say I will be competing in no more speed events until next winter. Maybe the giant, giant slalom finale to the Aspen town race series at Highlands on March 24. But otherwise, it's springtime in the western U.S. and now I'm really ready to start playing some golf, and after all that happened this past week at Big Sky, I'm really happy all my limbs are intact to be able to do so!
- Bill
Bill Tomcich
President, Stay Aspen Snowmass
425 Rio Grande Place
Aspen, CO 81611
970-920-7120
For more information on Aspen-Snowmass, go to www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 08:10 AM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2007
St Patrick's Day in Aspen
Aspen Belly-up Line-up
Wednesday, 3/14-Tony Furtado--Tony Furtado is an award-winning banjo picker and slide guitar player. A winner of the Grand National Banjo Championship in Winfield, Kansas, he has released 13 albums and played with such notable musicians as Earl Scruggs, Béla Fleck, Alison Krauss, The String Cheese Incident and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. If you liked Tea Leaf Green, or if you caught Béla Fleck at The Belly Up on Feb 8th, Furtado is a musician you'll love.
Thursday-A Benefit for Shining Starts Featuring "Laugh Your Aspen Off"-- A Benefit supporting the Shining Stars Foundation with local stand-up comedy troop, Laugh Your Aspen Off. The mission of The Stars is to provide quality outreach programs and services for children with cancer and life threatening diseases at no cost to the child or their family. Laughter is one of the most important and healing expressions of care and love, so please join us for a night of comedy to benefit so many. $30 GA (Standing room only-no guarantee of seating) (per ticket), $55 Reserved Seat in our Reserved Section (per ticket), $250 Table for 4 on the Floor (per table).
Friday and Saturday-Rose Hill Drive--Rock hard at the Belly Up with Rose Hill Drive for our St. Paddy's Weekend Bash! Rose Hill Drive is a young rock trio from Boulder, Colorado. This band is a pure rock band with influences including Cream and Led Zeppelin, they bring so much raw power with hair flying and the volume turned up to 11, their live show is not to be missed. Drink Specials for those who are wearing GREEN including: $4 Irish Car Bombs, $4 Jameson Irish Whisky Shots, $3 Guinness and $4 16 Ounce Bud Light Green Irish Beers!
Sunday--2 SHOWS! Marcia Ball performs first at 7 PM. PBS—Porter, Stoltz and Batiste Late Show at 10 PM--The Chicago Tribune describes Ball as "Raucous, Piano-based Dixie R&B-classic Southern songcraft and passion." Don't miss the second show with PBS from the Funky Meters: Doors 9 PM/Showtime 10 PM. PBS are the all-star power/funk trio of Porter-Batiste-Stoltz, all natives of New Orleans and former Funkey Meters!
For more information on Aspen-Snowmass go to www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 12:29 PM | Comments (0)
March 14, 2007
Snowmass Village turns "Irish at Altitude" on St. Paddy's Day
Here is the latest press release from Snowmass Village, Colorado:
"(Snowmass Village, CO). Snowmass Village is the place to head if you're in the mood to get "Irish at Altitude" this St. Paddy's Day. For the fourth year, Snowmass hosts one of the biggest St. Paddy's Day parties in the mountains with free live music and shamrock-hued festivities all day long Saturday, March 17.
"We've gathered quite a following in the three years since this celebration was introduced," says Susan Hamley, Marketing Director for the Town of Snowmass Village. "Whether you come for the free music, the Irish festivities or the green family fun, St. Paddy's Day is a great time to visit and enjoy the spring weather and incredible 23 feet of snow that's fallen so far this season."
The party kicks off Friday afternoon on March 16 with a Bud Light Big Air Fridays celebration. The best big air skiers and boarders in the region compete off a 40-foot jump, followed by giveaways, a live concert by the Coyote Gospel Band, and fireworks. Bud Light Big Air celebrates its 5th season in Snowmass this winter.
On Saturday, March 17, visitors can don their Irish party hat and get "Irish at Altitude." Fanny Hill turns green with a giant snow shamrock. Along with the green scenery and Leprechauns handing out goodies all day long, free St. Paddy's Day events and concerts abound. The Lucky Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt on Snowmass mountain offers a pot of golden prizes for both adults and kids starting at 9 a.m. at the Ticket Pavilion, while family fun abounds with Irish costume-making crafts and face painting at noon.
The Colorado Youth Pipe & Drum Band, the only youth pipe band in the Rocky Mountain Region, which also is traveling to the Bagpiping World Championships in Scotland this August, marches through the mall and the Colorado Youth Dancers perform traditional Irish jigs throughout the afternoon. Lest all the jumps, jigs, and bagpipes make visitors thirsty, they can raise a pint to the Irish at the Beer Garden & food tents on the Mall open from 12-5pm, which will be serving Irish fare from The Stew Pot and The Silvertree Hotel. Green and import beer and cordials by sponsors Skyy Vodka, Corolans Irish Crème, and Tullamore Irish Whisky will be for sale. The Cirque Bar & Grill also offers live music by Take the Wheel, green beer and giveaways, while Zane's is planning a green-hued party as well.
The Mall resounds with free concerts by popular traditional Irish band the Crowlan Ferlies and hard-hitting six-piece funk and soul band 8 Trac. For the full Snowmass St. Paddy's Day schedule, please visit www.snowmasspress.com/stpat or call 1-800-SNOWMASS. For media information and photos, call Allison Johnson at (970) 309-5485."
Learn More about St. Paddy's Day in Snowmass Village, Colorado
Posted by jmidthun at 12:01 PM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2007
ST. PADDY'S DAY at Snowmass Village Mall
ST. PADDY'S DAY SNOWMASS VILLAGE MALL
9:00-2:00 Lucky Leprechaun Kids/Adults
Scavenger Hunt
On Snowmass Mountain
12:00 Kids Krafts/Face Painting with
Jammin' Jim, Sparkles the Clown
and an Irish Stilt Walker
12:00 -5:00 Irish Beer Garden & Food Tents
2:00-2:15 The Colorado Youth Pipe & Drum Band
Professional Irish March
2:15-2:45 The Colorado Youth Dancers
Traditional Irish Dancers
2:45-3:45 Crowlan Ferlies
Traditional Celtic Music
3:45-4:00 The Colorado Youth Pipe & Drum Band
4:00-5:30 8 TraC
Funk Rock
4:00-4:30 The Colorado Youth Dancers
4:15-5:15 Crowlan Ferlies
Traditional Celtic Music
5:15- 5:30 The Colorado Youth Pipe & Drum March
SATURDAY MARCH 17
More events happening in Aspen and Snowmass
Posted by jmidthun at 10:33 AM | Comments (0)
March 05, 2007
AAM ARCHITECTURE LECTURE SERIES
the ASPEN ART MUSEUM the ASPEN INSTITUTE and the CITY OF ASPEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
PRESENT SESSION ONE OF THE AAM ARCHITECTURE LECTURE SERIES
AN EVENING WITH ARCHITECT KENGO KUMA
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007 5:30-7:00 PM
ASPEN INSTITUTE/PAEPCKE AUDITORIUM
1000 NORTH 3rd STREET, ASPEN, CO
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
More information on what is happening at the Aspen Art Museum
Posted by jmidthun at 03:34 PM | Comments (0)
