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August 22, 2007
CELTIC FESTIVAL TAKES OVER SNOWMASS VILLAGE AUGUST 25
Celebration adds scotch tastings & family fun to traditional highland competitions
Snowmass Village, Colo. -- Locals and visitors are invited to Snowmass Village this Saturday, August 25, 2007, to check out and participate in traditional Scottish highlands games such as The Clachneart, the Sheaf Toss, and the Caber. In addition to five competitions and live Celtic music, this year offers a new Dewars Scotch tasting tent and a children's competition. This celebration of Scottish culture is free and open to the public.
"The Celtic Games in Snowmass Village are more than a spectator sport," says Marketing Director for Snowmass Village Susan Hamley. "These competitions are fascinating to watch, but we actively encourage families, organizations and local businesses to come out and try it themselves as well. With the competitions, music, and family fun, it’s a fine way to spend a summer afternoon in Snowmass."
Celebrating its third year, the Snowmass Celtic Games officially kick off at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony. All athletic competitions will be held on Fanny Hill near the Kids Camp area. Vendors, clans and music will be located on Fanny Hill, while the Dewars scotch tasting tent will be on the Snowmass Village Mall.
History of the Celtic Games:
The Celtic Games have defined the word "tough," since 1057 A.D. when Scottish men began testing their strength against each other at highlands gatherings. Originally, the Scotts incorporated into their competitions items available locally, such as a pitchfork, a tree, and stones. Today's games continue these traditions and require unique strength, skill, and endurance, as the athlete typically competes in up to 7 events in one day. In Colorado, highlands games celebrating Scottish culture have been held regionally since 1962, and the Rocky Mountain Scottish Athletes Association has supported these competitions as the officiating body for 25 years.
Celtic Competitions at Snowmass Village:
The Clachneart or "Stone." Similar to the modern day shotput, competitors must hurl a 16-28 pound stone with one hand. They're given a 7.5 foot run up to a toe board that they're not allowed to touch or cross.
The Weight Throw for Distance. Athletes use a 56# steelyard metal weight with a chain or handle to throw for distance with a 9 foot run-up to a toe board allowed. The most popular style is to spin like a discuss thrower, and the weights are derived from the unit of weight measure in Scotland, where one stone equals 14 pounds.
The Weight over the Bar. This competition involves tossing with only one hand a 56# weight with attached handle over a horizontal bar that is increasingly raised until all but one competitor fails to throw over the top.
The Sheaf Toss. Using a pitchfork, the athletes hurl a 20# burlap bag stuffed with straw over a horizontal bar raised between two standards, which is raised in 1-2 foot increments.
The Caber. The centerpiece of the modern Highland Games, the caber requires strength, balance, and timing. Athletes hoists the caber, a tapered log approximately 16-20 feet long and weighing 60-140#, into cradled hands and attempt to run briefly and heave the caber up and over to ground the heavy end and let the lighter end fall forward.
Divisions: Each competition offers Men's Open, Men's Amateur, Men's under 190 lbs., Men's Masters (40 yrs. & over) and Women's divisions, while a special children’s division includes the Stone Put, The Weight for Distance, the Caber Toss, and the Sheaf Toss. Test your mettle against friends, co-workers, family members and rival businesses-local competitive spirit is encouraged!
Additional Activities:
The Dewars Tent on the Snowmass Village Mall offers Dewars drinks for $4 and Dewars scotch flights of 4 kinds of scotch for $10. The Celtic band Old School plays free concerts near the competitions on Fanny Hill starting at 2:45 pm. The performance includes traditional Celtic dance, music, and the unique Uilleann pipes, which band member Gary Burman says trying to play is like "rubbing your belly, patting your head, chewing bubble gum and dribbling a basketball at the same time." Clans and Scottish vendors will be on-site at the games as well.
Schedule of Events:
9:30am: Registration for all athletes on Fanny Hill
10:00am: Opening Ceremony. Competitions Begin: The Clachneart or Stone Put, the 56# Weight Throw for Distance, The Caber Toss, The 20# Sheaf Toss, the 56# Weight Throw for height.
Noon: Dewars scotch tasting tent opens (on the Snowmass Mall)
12:30pm: Children’s Competitions (on Fanny Hill)
1:00pm: Official competition resumes (on Fanny Hill)
2:45 pm: Free concert by Old School (on Fanny Hill)
3:30pm: Awards Ceremony (on Fanny Hill)
3:45-4:45pm: Free concert by Old School (on Fanny Hill)
5:00pm: Scotch tasting tent close (on the Snowmass Mall)
For more information, please contact athletic organizer Greg Bradshaw at 303-475-7714 or greg@rmsa.org. For general Snowmass information, visit www.snowmassvillage.com.
Posted by Dina at 09:04 AM | Comments (0)
August 21, 2007
FREE MASSIVE MUSIC AND MOVIES EVENING SHOWCASES DYNAMIC COLLABORATION BETWEEN MOVIES AND MUSIC.
Legendary silent film Metropolis is accompanied by live, improvised music
Snowmass Village, Colo. - The final summer Massive Music & Movies collaboration between Aspen Film and Snowmass Village takes place on August 25 featuring a FREE showing of Fritz Lang's celebrated 1927 silent film classic Metropolis played to improvisational live musical accompaniment.
"We wanted to choose a special movie experience to close out the summer series at Snowmass," says Laura Thielen, Aspen Film Executive Director. "This movie is legendary in the film world, but it's so visually astonishing and advanced for its time that contemporary audiences will find it electrifying as well. With the completely originally music accompaniment, this screening will appeal to movie buffs, music aficionados, and anyone interested in architecture and visual design."
Director Fritz Lang's visionary 1927 silent film about the excesses of capitalism was made between the two World Wars and was the most expensive silent film ever made. Monumental in both scale of production and the themes it addresses, the film is widely regarded as the pinnacle of German Expressionist filmmaking from the 1920s and the first science fiction film ever made.
The movie takes place in 2027 in the futuristic mechanized city of Metropolis, which is divided into two rigid groups: one group lives high above the earth in luxury, while the other toils underground to sustain the lives of the privileged. When the ruler's son falls for Maria, a beautiful woman who takes up the workers' cause, he follows her down into the working underworld and, shocked at what he finds, joins her. Struggling against robot impersonators, worker rebellion, mass floods and more, the hero and heroine must find a way to reunite the two halves of society in this epic story.
In a nod to silent film tradition, Metropolis will be accompanied by a trio of talented musicians. Pianist Hank Troy, who has been accompanying silent films since the 1980s, percussionist Ed Contreras who adds drama to a film with his musical rhythms and sound effects, and accordionist Rodney Sauer, who as director of the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra has toured the country performing historically accurate silent film scores, present what is in essence a once-in-a-lifetime show.
"Silent Film originally was meant to be a live musical performance tradition like the ballet, and it's important to see the movies like that," says Sauer. "We come up with a few main themes in advance, but then we also improvise as we watch the movie and with a trio, it's a little like jumping out of an airplane. Like at a jazz concert, we are inventing music right there that might never be heard again."
This FREE dynamic combination of music and image takes center stage at the Cabaret Room in the Silvertree Hotel at 7:30 p.m. on August 25. For more information, visit www.snowmassvillage.com or call 1-800-SNOWMASS.
Posted by Dina at 09:12 AM | Comments (0)
August 18, 2007
Book Signing with Chris Carmichael
Monday · August 20 · 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Sky Hotel, Aspen
The AWF is proud to support the Komen Aspen's Ride for the Cure by promoting a book signing with legendary cycling coach Chris Carmichael. Chris will make a special appearance at the Sky Hotel on August 20th, sign his new book
5 Essentials for a Winning Life, and discuss his plan to help everyone discover the champion within. Lance Armstrong says that "5 Essentials for a Winning Life goes far beyond workouts and meal plans; it's the performance plan for living life to its fullest."
Visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com for more information on the Ride for the Cure
Posted by Dina at 09:42 AM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2007
LIMITED SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR SWING INTO WELLNESS
Organic menu & wines and 11-piece swing Latin band promise exceptional evening in Snowmass.
Snowmass Village, Colo. - Whether couples are looking for a unique romantic evening or the girls need a night out on the town, they can swing up to Snowmass this Friday night, where the Swing Into Wellness presented by Vitamin Cottage celebration kicks off The Snowmass Wellness Experience with a special gourmet evening of dinner, dancing, and wine tasting.
"This event is a great way to start off the Snowmass Wellness Experience weekend, but the evening really could stand on its own as well. It’s like having a new restaurant with a completely new menu and live music open up in the valley for just one night," says Event Director Josh Behrman.
Fresh ingredients and flavors abound at Swing into Wellness, where a specially designed 3-course menu is paired with a flight of four organic wines. The dinner was created by executive chef Jason Friendy of the Silvertree Hotel, who is a member of the American Culinary Federation and has previously worked at the Wyndham Peaks & Golden Door Spa in Telluride, Colorado. The menu, which is made from all organic and natural foods provided by Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers, is served buffet-style, allowing diners to sample five appetizers, three entrees, and three desserts (see below for full menu).
In addition to the dinner, the Swing Latin Band Conjunto Colores will sweep diners out of their chairs and onto the dance floor. This popular 11-piece Colorado band has opened for Tito Puente Orquestra, Sonora Poncena, Bob James, Willie Colon, and Ruben Blades and appeared at diverse Colorado festivals such as the Telluride Jazz Festival, The Taste of Colorado, and the Red Rocks Jazz Festival.
Limited space is still available for this special evening event, which runs from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Cabaret Room in the Silvertree Hotel. For information on the Snowmass Wellness Experience, visit www.snowmasswellness.com.
For more information on Aspen/Snowmass and the Wellness Experience, visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com or call us at 1877-602-7736.
Posted by Dina at 08:14 AM | Comments (0)
August 16, 2007
Aspen High Country Triathlon/Duathlon
Do you swim? Bike? And Run? Then Aspen, Colorado has the perfect event for you, the Aspen High Country Triathlon. This multi-sport event consists of an 800-yard indoor pool swim, 17-Mile bike (gaining 1,500 feet in elevation) to the spectacular Maroon Bells, and a 4-mile run in the Elk Mountain range and the scenic Maroon Creek Valley. This is the perfect triathlon for beginner triathletes looking for a unique challenge and seasoned racers wanting to compete on a short, but challenging course. The triathlon is a USAT sanctioned event. Prizes will be awarded to the overall male and female competitors as well as prizes will be given for each age group. Aid stations with high energy snacks are strategically placed along the entire course for participants. The state-of-the-art Aspen Recreation Center will act as the start, finish, and transition area for the race. Please join us for this exceptional event!
**Please Note: Maroon Creek Road from the Forest Service kiosk to the Maroon Bells will be closed on Saturday, August 18, 2007 from 7:00am to 12:00pm for the Aspen Triathlon.**
Triathlon - Start Time: 7:00am
Swimming, Biking, Running
This multi-sport event consists of an 800-yard swim, 17-Mile bike (gaining 1,500 feet) and a 4-mile run in the Elk Mountain range and the scenic Maroon Creek Valley. The Aspen Recreation Center will serve as the transition/staging area for the entire race. Click Here for a Map of The Course.
Duathlon - Start Time: 7:10am
This multi-sport event consists of a 2 mile Run, 17 mile bike (with a 1,500ft vertical gain) and a 4 mile run in the Elk Mountain Range and the scenic Maroon Creek Valley. The Aspen Recreation Center will serve as the transition/staging area for the entire race.
Cost and Registration
Registration will be available online at www.active.com, at the Aspen Recreation Center (0861 Maroon Creek Road) and at the Red Brick Recreation Department at 110 East Hallam.
Online registration will close at noon on Thursday August 16th. Walk in registration will close at 7pm on Friday August 17th. Packet Pickup will be held on Friday August 17th, from 5-7pm at the Aspen Recreation Center, and Saturday morning starting at 6:15am. There will be no race day registration available.
For available lodging for this event, visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 08:13 AM | Comments (0)
Mon, Aug 20th: An Evening With Deep Purple at Belly Up Aspen
10:00 PM Doors at 8:00 PM
$90.00 / $100.00 day of show (All Ages)
$250 Reserved Seating Tickets are available
Click here to buy your tickets now.
Deep Purple are an English hard rock band formed in Hertfordshire in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal and hard rock, although the members of the band have always refused to label themselves as the former. They have sold over 100 million albums worldwide. Their smash hit "Smoke on the Water" is known for and recognizable by its central theme, a crunching four-note "blues scale" melodyharmonised in parallel fourths that is one of the most famous riffs in hard rock history.
To get the in on what is going on in and around town, please visit Stay Aspen Snowmass' Event Page.
Posted by Dina at 07:58 AM | Comments (0)
August 14, 2007
GIVEAWAYS AND GREAT WISDOM: FROM BEST-SELLING AUTHORS TO FREE WELLNESS GOODIES, SNOWMASS' WELLNESS FESTIVAL OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Snowmass Village, Colo. - Participants to the Snowmass Wellness Experience August 17-19 will not go home empty-handed. In addition to the wealth of insight provided by diverse Wellness experts, the first 500 participants at the 4th annual Snowmass Wellness Experience will receive a welcome bag of goodies.
Welcome bags include samples from companies such as Fruitabu, Arrowhead Mills, Back To Nature, Nordic Naturals, Terra Chips, and Yogi Tea and are valued at $75. Participants can pick up more freebies at the Wellness Expo which fills the Snowmass Village Mall with booths by companies such as Body & Soul, Susan's Soaps, Natural Factors, Nature's Way, Remede Spa, and Vitamin Cottage, which plans to give away products ranging from health & beauty items to groceries and snacks to herbal supplements. Also on-hand at the expo will be astrologers doing chart readings, yoga and meditation experts, supplement companies and more.
The freebies and expo are only a precursor to a Wellness weekend that offers an exceptional line-up of speakers and activities.
"It's difficult to get across just how much this festival offers," says event director Josh Behrman. "We've brought together highly respected Wellness experts who address issues that concern everyone like stress, healthy eating, and optimal fitness and who you can't see elsewhere in Colorado. But it's not just about sitting and taking notes. Whether you just want to sign up for a yoga pass or only see the inspirational keynote speakers, take your spouse out for a great evening of dinner and dancing, or immerse yourself in the whole weekend, there's something for everyone and multiple levels of participation."
Over two days the Snowmass Wellness Experience, which is sponsored by Body & Soul Magazine, Vitamin Cottage, the Denver Post, the Crestwood, and the Shakti Foundation, gives participants access to top nutrition, fitness, and spirituality & science experts, including six best-selling authors. While the popular Swing into Wellness presented by Vitamin Cottage gourmet dinner celebration kicks off the weekend on Friday with music by the swing Latin band Conjunto Colores, distinguished keynote speakers Marianne Williamson and Dan Millman address audiences on Saturday.
Nearly 20 other respected wellness and fitness presenters include Dr. Pamela Peeke, Michael T. Murray, Steve Hess, Janet Stone, and Belleruth Naparstek, while guided hikes, bike rides, on-mountain yoga classes, and healthy cooking demonstrations abound as well. This year's event is certified as an approved program for up to 13 hours of Professional Continuing Education Credits, a new designation allowing professionals ranging from nurses to psychologists the opportunity to gain knowledge and credit in the workplace for attending.
For complete details on the Snowmass Wellness Experience including the full schedule and to purchase tichets, please visit the official website at www.snowmasswellness.com. or www.stayaspensnowmass.com for package information
Posted by Dina at 10:08 AM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2007
Top bikers return to Snowmass
By Aspen Times Staff
Aspen, CO Colorado
August 9, 2007
SNOWMASS - They've raced in suburban parks in sunny Southern California and through pouring rain in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina.
Now, after seven rounds of stiff competition, the nation's best mountain bikers are coming to Snowmass for the finale to this year's National Mountain Bike Series.
Practice rounds for cross-country, mountaincross and downhill kick off Thursday for this year's Snowmass National Finals, a four-day event that is expected to draw riders from all 50 states, as well as a large international contingent.
At the series' last stop, Sugar Mountain, N.C., a wet course made for some tough racing and was responsible for some notable changes in the overall standings of several disciplines.
Meet the contenders
One of many disciplines where the top of the podium appears to be set for this weekend's finale is cross-country.
Canadian Geoff Kabush is likely to emerge as the series champion at Snowmass despite losing to West Virginia's Jeremiah Bishop at Sugar Mountain, according to a series press release. Kabush has accumulated a commanding 718 points heading into the final, 37 more than 2005 national champion Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski of Boulder, who currently sits second in the series standings.
In the women's field, last year's national champion, Georgia Gould of Missoula, Mont., has dominated so far this year, winning all five races she has entered. Gould's experienced teammate Shonny Van Landingham of Durango is second, while Katerina Nash, a native of the Czech Republic now living in Truckee, Calif., sits in third.
The series' final overall points are calculated by throwing out the lowest score from all the races cyclists have entered - a system that benefits those who have had some bad luck. The system doesn't necessarily reward riders who have been consistent throughout the series, although it doesn't necessarily hurt them, either.
Newly designed for this year's finals, the Snowmass cross-country course features a 13-mile loop with nearly 3,500 feet of climbing. The terrain includes tough climbs, challenging descents and an abundance of technical singletrack. Pro riders will complete 1.5 laps, amounting to approximately 20 miles and 7,000 feet of climbing.
The short-track cross-country race has always been a crowd favorite, and this year's Snowmass track is expected to be one of the serie's best. The course features wide-open pavement, off-camber grassy slopes and water crossings.
Making the race even more enticing for spectators will be the battle for the overall series short-track crown expected between Kabush and Todd Wells of Durango. Only nine ponts separate the two riders, and with 182 points going to the winner of the race, the series should come down to the final lap.
In the women's field, Nash produced the win she needed at Sugar Mountain and now leads the series, although Gould could swoop in to steal the overall trophy.
The downhill course is also new this year, and features a mixture of high-speed open sections and narrow, tree-lined singletrack descents. The course rewards the rider who can be both patient and daring, according to organizers.
Australians Jared Rando and Amiel Cavalier have dominated the downhill series, and in all likelihood the overall trophy will go to one of the two. Going into the final, these two have 525 and 512 points, respectively. Recently crowned U.S. champion Cole Bangert of Twin Lakes is a long shot for the series title - the Colorado native won at Sugar Mountain and sits in third in the overall standings with 496 points.
Melissa Buhl, of Chandler, Ariz., looks to be a lock for the women's title after three straight wins. Second and third place, however, are wide open. Lisa Myklak of Boulder and last year's series champion, Joanna Petterson of South Africa have traded places in recent rounds, and just 13 points separate the two entering the final round.
The crown jewel of the new courses at Snowmass this year is the mountaincross track. Built with tight, technical sections for the elbow-to-elbow racing near the top, the course gives way to massive jumps near the bottom.
Eric Carter of Temecula, Calif., retains the series lead even though he missed the Sugar Mountain races. The 37-year-old, who was the 2004 world champion and 2006 national champion, should finish comfortably ahead in the series of Australians Jared Rando and Amiel Carver. Luke Strobel of Renton, Wash., recently won the national dual slalom title and is third in the series mountaincross standings.
Melissa Buhl is all lined up to claim the women's mountaincross title, following three straight wins and a second place from the four races she has entered. She should add another title to her national championship wins from 2002 and 2005. Just like in downhill, Petterson is a contender for second place, and has a reasonably comfortable 36 point cushion over teammate Jackie Harmony of Tucson, Ariz.
For more information on all sporting events in Aspen-Snowmass, please log on to www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 03:14 PM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2007
ASPEN - Aspen Highlands is poised to partake in the spectacle that is Winter X Games.
The Aspen Skiing Co. will host the first "King of Quarters" quarterpipe competition at the base of Highlands during X Games, which will run from Jan. 24 through 27, Skico event marketing manager Deric Gunshor said Tuesday. The date of the competition, which will award prize money in both snowboarding and skiing categories, will be decided later this year when ESPN releases its event schedule.
"It's important to us as the Aspen Skiing Company to put on our own showcase while the spotlight is shining (at the X Games)," Gunshor said. "There's so much going on at Buttermilk and in Aspen, so we thought it would be exciting to come up with something for Highlands Village. The venue over there is fantastic. We've always felt like it was a prime location."
While the purse might not entice top-caliber athletes to take part, perhaps another incentive will: "King of Quarters" will serve as the North American qualifier for The Oakley Arctic Challenge, widely regarded as the most prestigious and exclusive quarterpipe competition in the world, in Norway. The top snowboard finishers here will receive a coveted invite.
In years past, Skico utilized the Aspen Mountain gondola plaza during X Games to host rail jam, wall ride and big air events. In January, in what was somewhat of a departure, Ajax was the site of an exhibit honoring the works of the 50 finalists in Red Bull Illume Image Quest's worldwide action adventure sports photography contest.
This year, in an effort to generate a unique idea, Gunshor said Skico took a wide look at the action sports landscape and talked with corporate partners.
"We asked ourselves if it made sense to do a different type of rail jam or wall ride, and we decided we liked the idea of being able to do something new and exciting," Gunshor said. "There hasn't been a quarterpipe here. That appealed to us."
Then they targeted Highlands. The mountain, widely considered a favorite among locals, has hosted Town Race Series events and Freestyle Fridays - similar to Snowmass' Big Air Fridays but included more disciplines - in years past. But its never tackled something of this magnitude, Gunshor said.
Skico recently presented its proposal to Highlands mountain manager Ron Chauner, and his response was overwhelmingly positive, Gunshor said. Chauner is out of town and was unavailable for comment Tuesday.
"He's excited about getting into the X Games spotlight," Gunshor said. "Obviously there's a little area of unknown because he hasn't worked with us on past events."
The quarterpipe's tentative location will be uphill from ZG Grill - taking advantage of the hill's natural pitch as the run-in - although snowmaking efforts will dictate its final location, Gunshor said. It is expected that Skico's terrain park crew and representatives from Snow Park Technologies will collaborate on the project, much like they do in preparing Buttermilk's X Games venues.
Transportation and other logistical matters will be finalized in the following months, Gunshor said.
"We're excited by the opportunity," he added. "The big show is X Games. We know that. But there's a lot of people in town (in January), and we think we can put on a good, fun show. We hope the public embraces this."
Do you need lodging for the 2008 X-Games, please visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 02:15 PM | Comments (0)
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars perform at Snowmass August 9
(Snowmass Village, CO). As part of the Snowmass Summer of Free Music Series, this week Snowmass hosts Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, a band with an incredible story, tragic past, and powerful present involving spreading their message of peace, love, and the healing power of music across the world.
All the members of Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars lived in or near Sierra Leone's capital city before fleeing Freetown during the country's decade-long civil war. Throughout most of the 1990s, Freetown remained relatively sheltered from the rebel war that had turned much of the West African nation into a bloody battlefield. Near the turn of the 21st century, however, rebels attacked the city and forced a panicked mass exodus to neighboring countries. Among the thousands who fled were musicians and future bandmates Reuben M. Koroma and Franco (Francis Langba) who connected in Kalia Refugee Camp in Guinea. When Reuben and his wife Grace located Franco they began making music for their fellow refugees, providing a welcome distraction to life in the camps. Their efforts, however, were to be short lived. Safety in the Kalia camp disintegrated when it came under attack from the Guinean army and citizenry who believed the camps were being used as staging grounds for rebel attacks against Guinea. With refugee camps now war zones, the initial band members were evacuated from the area and moved to Sembakounya Refugee Camp. Set deep in the remote Guinean countryside, it was here that, thanks to a Canadian refugee aid organization, the developing band was able to acquire the rusted-out sound system and beat up electric guitars that helped officially launch the group.
At Sembakounya Camp, American documentary filmmakers Banker White and Zach Niles along with Canadian singer-songwriter Chris Velan encountered Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, which by that point also included Black Nature, a teenaged orphan with a gift for rap, as well as Arahim (Abdul Rahim Kamar)) and Mohammed Bangura, both of whom had suffered amputation at the hands of the rebels. The first-time filmmakers followed the band for three years as they moved from camp to camp and eventually returned home to face their war-torn country and reunite with family, friends and former bandmates, many of whom they believed may not have survived the violence. It was during this trip that the current line-up of the band was cemented and their lifelong dream of recording in a studio was realized.
Now Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars tour the world spreading their message of peace and love in a "can't help but dance" show that fans from all musical backgrounds can enjoy. With a spirited and infectious fusion of traditional West African music, roots reggae and rhythmic traditional folk, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars craft music that transforms and uplifts. The collection of songs on their debut album Living Like A Refugee, decry the horrors of war and describe the plight of refugee life. They have lived through unimaginable tragedy and yet Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars have become an inspiration and a symbol of the healing power of music.
Championed by The New York Times, critic Stephen Holden wrote, "As harrowing as these personal tales may be, the music buoying them is uplifting. The cliché bears repeating: music heals and creates community." Be it via the warm, percussion-steered delights of "Akera Ka Ambonshor", the spirited skiffle of "Soda Soap" or "Refugee Rolling," where uprooted souls manage to rise above uncertainty with admirable finesse, Living Like A Refugee is proof that that there is always hope to be found.
Living Like A Refugee, produced by Chris Velan, was recorded throughout the production of the Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars film, between August 2002 and October 2005. Each song is an original composition written during their years in exile and taken as a whole the album serves as a musical document of the band's incredible journey. Featuring field recordings from the refugee camps in Guinea as well as studio efforts at Sam Jones' Island Studios in Freetown, these 17 tracks tell the story of life in the camps ("Living Like A Refugee"). Enduring the horrors of war ("Kele Mani," "Weapon Conflict"), facing hunger ("Bull To The Weak"), remembering lost family members ("Ya N'Digba" was written for bandleader Reuben's mother) and yet still managing to give thanks ("Compliments For The Peace"), Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars are a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the transcendent power of music.
Backed by the likes of Keith Richards, Sir Paul McCartney, Ice Cube, Angelina Jolie and executive producers Steve Bing and Shelley Lazar - the resulting documentary film, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, has won thirteen major awards as of this writing, including the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the AFI Film Festival 2005, the Audience Favorite Award at the Miami Film Festival 2006, the Filmmaker's Award For Social Change and the Emerging Pictures Audience Award (bestowed on the winner of voting by audiences in eleven cities) at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2006, Best of The Fest at the Human Rights Watch Film Fest and the Impact of Music Award at the Nashville Film Fest. Sustaining hope in a landscape dominated by rage and loss is at the core of this heartbreaking yet life-affirming story.
And while the film has been busy conquering the hearts of festival goers (including Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, who told Billboard "I was just so overwhelmed by the movie and the message of hope they're carrying. Their music is so buoyant and joyful.") it is the music of Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars that is now winning over legions of new fans. Lauded for their infectious sound and engaging performance, the All Stars are, as Don Heckman of the Los Angeles Times says, "establishing an identity based as much on skill, imagination and charisma as on their undeniably touching story."
To date the band has been featured on CNN and CNN International, PBS and CBS Sunday Morning, as well as having performed live on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Their sound is also finding new avenues of exposure including a song in the film Blood Diamond and two upcoming humanitarian relief compilations, which they recorded in the studio with Joe Perry and Steven Tyler. For a group that started in a remote Guinean refugee camp and only started touring outside of West Africa less than a year ago, they have come a long way. In the past year the band has appeared at some of the most prestigious music festivals worldwide including Bonnaroo, The Montreal Jazz Fest, The Ottawa Jazz Festival, The Folk and Roots Festival in Chicago, The Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, as well as headlining at Central Park Summerstage. In November, 2006 the band opened for Aerosmith at the Mohegan Sun Arena and most recently performed for an international audience at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.
While each of the stories in these songs is told from the band's personal experience, it is the special gift of Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars that the messages they deliver are truly universal. Born in the midst of a violent, decade-long civil war, through music they have found a place of refuge, a sense of purpose and a source of power. The band has seen the worst that this world can offer - yet, through their unflinching spirit and joyful music, they celebrate the best in all of us.
For more information on local events and best lodging deal, please visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 07:58 AM | Comments (0)
August 07, 2007
SNOWMASS WELLNESS EXPERIENCE NURTURES THE WHOLE PERSON
Best-selling authors & renowned experts converge for premier holistic wellness festival
Snowmass Village, Colo. -- In only its fourth year, The Snowmass Wellness Experience hosts an all-star line-up of wellness speakers for this August 17-19 celebration in the Rocky Mountain resort of Snowmass Village, Colorado.
"Unlike other wellness events that are confined to the classroom or conference center, our participants are learning how to nurture the whole person indoors, outdoors and through practical, hands-on opportunities throughout the resort," says Event Director Josh Behrman. "We've created a totally immersive, truly holistic lifestyle festival, from morning meditations to sampling healthy cuisine to heading out on a bike with a professional athlete."
Over two days the Snowmass Wellness Experience, which is sponsored by Body & Soul Magazine, Vitamin Cottage, the Denver Post, the Crestwood, and the Shakti Foundation, gives participants access to top nutrition, fitness, and spirituality & science experts, including six best-selling authors. While the popular Swing into Wellness presented by Vitamin Cottage gourmet dinner celebration kicks off the weekend on Friday, distinguished keynote speakers Marianne Williamson and Dan Millman address audiences on Saturday. Williamson examines the life-affirming principles first discussed in A Course In Miracles and in her forthcoming book, while Millman explores how to align one's life to fundamental principles at the heart of every health and healing tradition in the world.
Nearly 20 other internationally respected wellness and fitness presenters such as Dr. Pamela Peeke, Michael T. Murray, Steve Hess, Janet Stone, and Belleruth Naparstek, discuss wellness topics such as stress, super foods, gluten intolerance, the healing power of music, Anusara yoga, and the wellness programs used by NBA athletes.
This year's event raises the bar even further by also becoming certified as an approved program for up to 13 hours of Professional Continuing Education Credits. This new designation allows professionals ranging from nurses to psychologists the opportunity to gain knowledge and credit in the workplace for attending.
"No other wellness event in the U.S. offers such a comprehensive and intimate opportunity to explore wellness issues, both for individuals and professionals," says Marketing Director Susan Hamley. "It's not a wellness conference, but rather the opportunity to immerse yourself in a truly life-transforming weekend in a beautiful mountain destination."
Snowmass Village offers a wealth of activities for the mind, body & spirit including spa services at local hotels, golf, 40 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails in the surrounding Snowmass-Maroon Bells Wilderness Area, and mountain adventures such as free concerts, horseback riding, and hot air balloon rides.
For the complete Snowmass Wellness Experience schedule,and for general Snowmass information, visit www.snowmassvillage.com or call 1-800-SNOWMASS.
Keynote Speakers
Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed author and expert on transformational wisdom. Four of her nine books have been #1 New York Times bestsellers. Williamson has been a popular guest on programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, and Good Morning America, and in 2006 Newsweek called her one of the 50 most influential baby boomers.
Dan Millman is a former world-champion athlete, university coach, martial arts instructor, and college profession. His thirteen books, including the bestseller Way of the Peaceful Warrior (adapted into a 2007 movie by Nick Nolte), have inspired millions of readers in 29 languages. His keynotes and seminars have influenced world leaders in the fields of health, psychology, education, business, sports, and the arts.
Featured Speakers
Michael T. Murray, N.D. is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on natural medicine. He co-authored the definitive textbook on naturopathic medicine for physicians and consumers and written over 20 other books, including multiple bestsellers.
Swami Brahmananda and Swami Dharmavati (Ed and Deb Shapiro) have been spiritual practitioners and teachers for over 20 years and the authors of 15 books, several of which are best-sellers. They write the daily Chillout inspirational messages for Sprint cell phones.
Dr. Barry Bittman is a neurologist, author, international speaker, inventor, and award winning producer/director. As CEO and Medical Director of the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, PA., Dr. Bittman has pioneered a new paradigm for treating the "whole person." He is the host of the first nationally-syndicated integrative medicine weekly Public Radio program and been featured in major publications such as the New York Times, Scientific American O (Oprah Magazine), and on CNN Headline News.
Belleruth Naparstek is the creator of the bestselling Time Warner Health Journeys guided imagery audio series used by nearly 2,000 hospitals, mental health centers, spas, and recovery centers. Her first book is considered the primer on imagery and healing, her second book on intuition has been translated into 9 languages, while her latest book on posttraumatic stress won the Spirituality & Health Top 50 Books Award.
Dr. Pamela Peeke is a nationally recognized expert in the field of Integrative Fitness and author of the New York Times bestselling Body for Life for Women and Fit To Live. Chief Medical Correspondent for Discovery Health Television and a member of Oprah Winfrey's O Team of Medical Experts, Dr. Peeke is a Pew Foundation Scholar and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland.
Karlene Karst, RD, is a leading specialist in the areas of essential fatty acid (EFA) research and supplementation. Co-author of Healthy Fats for Life, she also writes for diverse health and nutrition publications and appears on radio and television shows across North America. She is the current Director of Education for Nature's Way.
Steve Hess is the assistant coach/strength and conditioning for the Denver Nuggets. Hess oversees the team’s strength training, conditioning, stretching, nutritional programs, and supplementation in addition to designing their weight room. Hess been featured on NBA Inside Stuff, The Eating Network, and Altitude Sports and Entertainment Network.
Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLA, is a board-certified clinical nutritionist. He is a professional member of the International & American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists and the Nutrition Education Manager and product formulator for NOW Foods. Neil is routinely interviewed for trade magazines, has published articles in numerous magazines, newspapers, and scientific journals, and has been a guest on numerous radio shows. He is the president of Nutrition for Optimal Health Association, Inc.
Wellness Activities:
Swing into Wellness presented by Vitamin Cottage: The Snowmass Wellness Experience kicks off with an exceptional evening dinner dance featuring organic gourmet cuisine prepared by Chef Jason Friendy. The menu includes items such as Drake's Bay Pacific Oysters served on the half shell with a ponzu mignonette and Rosewater poached Pacific Black Cod topped with peach and strawberry salsa, while the evening also includes organic wine samplings and the Swing Latin Band the Conjunto Colores for dancing. See below for cost.
Cooking Demonstrations: Featured speaker Karen Falbo is a certified nutritionist and the National Nutritionist Coordinator for Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers. With over a decade of counseling experience and author of The Vital Abundance Cooking Series, Falbo teams up with chefs Susana Jimenez Lyons of the Cooking School of Aspen and Lisa Ruoff of the organic vegetarian catering company Eco Goddess Edibles for cooking demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday.
Yoga: The non-profit Shakti Foundation hosts this year's eight yoga workshops. $2.50 of every yoga & activities pass sold will be donated to local non-profits Pathfinders and Davi Nikent. Yoga instructors include nationally respected instructors Lisa Black, Peter Avolio, Janet Stone, Katchie Ananda, Aaron King, and Simon Park.
Guided Nature Walks: 2006 Colorado Book Award winner Janis Huggins and "The Humorous Herbalist" Laurel Dewey lead scenic guided walks around Snowmass Village looking at the medicinal and unique qualities of local plant life.
Guided Bike Rides: Professional Vitamin Cottage team riders Lance Loedhing and Dave Twinam talk about the world of biking in Colorado and lead group rides on the roads around Snowmass.
Snowmass Village Wellness Expo: Over 40 Wellness vendors fill the Snowmass Village Mall with the latest mind, body & spirit products ranging from aromatherapy to sports products.
Additional Activities include a centering morning meditation with Ed & Deb Shapiro and an evening Drum Circle gathering.
For more information on events and packaged deals, please visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 09:41 AM | Comments (0)
August 02, 2007
NEW NONSTOP FLIGHTS FROM AND TO ASPEN/SNOWMASS
We have some exciting news to share from United Airlines. Because of the success of last winter's nonstop service from both Chicago and Los Angeles, United has boosted the frequency of daily nonstop flights offered from each for this upcoming winter. These new flights are now loaded and available for sale through all booking channels worldwide.
Beginning December 15, 2006, United Express is going to offer three daily nonstops between Chicago/O'hare and Aspen/Snowmass, up from two daily nonstops offered last winter. The third daily trip out of Chicago is an 8:15 AM departure that arrives into ASE at 10:13 AM. In the opposite direction, the new 4:30 PM departure from ASE will be the last flight out of ASE to offer connections to cities all across the East Coast.
Also beginning December 15, United Express is going to offer second daily nonstop between Los Angeles and Aspen/Snowmass. The new daily 12:49 PM departure from LAX. The new 10:10 AM nonstop from ASE to LAX will provide a nice alternative to waiting until 8:00 pm for the only daily nonstop to southern California previously offered from Aspen/Snowmass.
From Denver, United's winter schedule currently consists of 13 daily flights in each direction, comparable to what was finally offered last year. Additional frequencies on the weekends from Denver, as well as from Los Angeles and Chicago, will likely be added to the winter schedules over the next month or so. The same holds true for United's nonstop service from San Francisco, with as many as four flights per week offered last winter as well as this summer.
COMMITMENT TO IMPROVED SERVICE
Airline officials publicly outlined their plans to improve their service into Aspen/Snowmass this upcoming winter. The five key points to their improvement plan include:
1. Improved staffing at both Aspen and in Denver
2. A better diversion plan when weather precludes operations at ASE
3. Plans for expedited movement of excess bags
4. Improved communications, including accurate updates of FLIFO and FIDS (Flight Information Displays)
5. A commitment to better employee training
With the lessons learned from last year, the experience SkyWest has gained, and the commitment to improving their operational performance at ASE from the very top levels of both United and SkyWest Airlines, I am certain that we will continue to see good things from our largest and single most important travel partner.
To book the best airfare deals from and to Aspen/Snowmass, please visit www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at 03:27 PM | Comments (0)
