The most up-to-date information for the Roaring Fork Valley

Summer: Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a world-class learning community dedicated to creativity and growth through the making and understanding of the visual arts. Summer workshops, artists' residencies, visiting artists and critics, galleries, and public events offer a full spectrum of opportunities for creative people of all levels at this historic mountain ranch. The work of faculty and visiting artists is featured in public slide-presentations, rotating exhibitions, auctionettes, and in ArtWorks, an on-campus art supply and bookstore. On Saturday, August 14th, the 30th Annual Art Auction features over 200 pieces of art by renowned artists in silent and live auctions with gourmet picnic lunch. Starting in June, the Ranch Café is open to the public Monday-Friday for lunch.
Winter: We promote the personal and professional development of artists of all levels through workshops, artists' residencies, exhibitions, lectures, public events and community outreach. Café, studios, galleries, year-round classes and events attract thousands of artists, art-lovers, students, faculty and patrons each year to this historic mountain ranch. 1- and 2-day weekend studio workshops are offered throughout the winter. ArtWorks Store and galleries are open from 9am - 5pm, M-F. Self-guided tours are welcomed during these hours. For guided tour information, events and workshop calendars and more, visit www.andersonranch.org, email info@andersonranch.org or call (970) 923-3181 x201.

A non-collecting institution presenting the newest, most important evolutions in international contemporary art. Exhibitions: Restless Empathy (May 21 - July 18), Old-Fashioned Fourth of July: Dave McKenzie (July 4 at 1:30pm), Jane and Marc Nathanson Distinguished Artist in Residence: Marlo Pascual (July 30 - October 3), Sergej Jensen (July 30 - October 10), 970.org (October 22 - November 28), Special Event: artCRUSH (summer benefit, wine tasting, auctions, dinner, dancing), August 6. Museum Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm, Thursday 10am-7pm, Sunday, noon-6pm. Admission is FREE courtesy of John and Amy Phelan. Located at 590 North Mill Street, (970) 925-8050, www.aspenartmuseum.org Photo: Allora & Calzadilla, Hope Hippo, 2005. (*Restless Empathy) Installation View 51st Venice Biennale.Photo: Giorgio Boata. Courtesy of the artists and Lisson Gallery.

Summer: Visit the Hallam Lake Nature Preserve, a wild place in the heart of Aspen, featuring an environmental learning center, resident birds of prey, an indoor trout stream, self-guided trail, bird watching, and a naturalist on site to answer questions. The preserve encompasses lush riparian ecosystems including woodland, meadow, pond, and marsh communities. ACES offers programs for children and adults through its Naturalist Field School, as well as free naturalist-guided walks on Aspen Mountain, at the Maroon Bells and in Snowmass. Open Monday – Saturday, 9am-5pm. Also, check out Rock Bottom Ranch in Basalt for its organic garden and farm animals! (970) 925-5756. aces@aspennature.org. www.aspennature.org. Photo by Anda Rojs Smalls
Winter: While skiing or snowshoeing with a naturalist from ACES find the natural wonders of the Rocky Mountains. Daily snowshoe walks leave from the top of Aspen and Snowmass Mountains and from the Ashcroft Ski Touring Center. Free downhill skiing tours are offered at Snowmass. Snowshoe walks and bird watching can be enjoyed at the center. Evening programs include the Potbelly Perspective Lecture Series and Naturalist Nights. Open daily, ACES is located on the 25-acre Hallam Lake Nature Preserve in the heart of Aspen. Phone (970) 925-5756. aces@aspennature.org. www.aspennature.org.

Summer: Visit the Society's brand new exhibit on life in Aspen in the 1970s, now open at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum. Aspen's colorful mining and ranching history comes to life at the Holden/Marolt Mining and Ranching Museum, housed in an 1890's ore sampling building overlooking Castle Creek on Aspen's western edge. The Society also manages and conducts tours in the nearby ghost towns of Ashcroft and Independence. Attend one of their Time Travel Tuesday events (Tuesdays at 5:30pm) from June 15 – August 31 or Playing with the Past children's programs on Wednesday mornings, July through mid-August. Historic walking, electric HISTORY COACH and Hotel Jerome tours are also offered. For more information, visit www.aspenhistory.org or call (970) 925-3721. Photo: From Aspen Historical Society, Wegner/Oblock Collection
Winter: Enjoy an evening of Aspen history with the Aspen Historical Society's Time Travel Tuesdays programs, every Tuesday at 5:30pm from December to mid-April. Most events are held at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, an 1888 Queen Anne Victorian mansion (corner of 6th and Bleeker in Aspen's historic West End neighborhood) and feature living history performances, engaging lectures, first-person recollections, historical games, and more. For a more intimate look at Aspen's colorful past try a guided tour of Aspen's historic downtown core on the Society's brand new electric HISTORY COACH tour vehicle, visit the Society's two museums or perhaps take a West End Walking Tour of Aspen’s 19th century Victorian homes. Call (970) 925-3721 or visit www.aspenhistory.org for museum hours, program and event information. 620 West Bleeker St., Aspen. Tour information: (970) 925-3721, ext. 104. Fax (970) 925-5347, e-mail info@aspenhistory.org. Photo: “Winterskol historically gets zany! Circa 1975” by Jim Kahnweiler.

Summer: America’s premier music festival continues its tradition of offering a winter concert series showcasing world-renowned artists. The 2011 Winter Music series brings Stefan Jackiw, violin and Joyce Yang, piano (Thursday, February 3, 7:30 pm) and the Jupiter String Quartet (Thursday, February 17, 7:30 pm) to Aspen. Both performances are held in the acoustically acclaimed, 500-seat Harris Concert Hall where Grammy-winning recordings have been performed. For concert and ticket information call (970) 925-9042 or visit www.aspenmusicfestival.com. Photo by Alex Irvin.
Winter: America’s premier music festival continues its tradition of offering a winter concert series showcasing world-renowned artists. The 2010 Winter Music series brings both beloved, international artists as well as phenomenal, rising stars to Aspen in February and March. All concerts are held in the acoustically acclaimed, 500-seat Harris Concert Hall where Grammy-winning recordings have been performed. For concert and ticket information call (970) 925-9042 or visit www.aspenmusicfestival.com. Mark your calendar! Summer Festival 2010 July 1 – August 22. Photo: Alex Irvin

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet announces its 2010 Summer Dance Season. From July 16th-August 24th dance and altitude combine on stage in Aspen. Opening the season, River North Chicago Dance Company performs July 16th and 17th. Aspen Santa Fe Ballet will premiere new work July 24th and 25th. The perennial favorite, Paul Taylor Dance Company returns to Aspen for one-night only on July 31st. August 16th, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet teams up with Aspen Music Festival and School in their fourth collaboration in the Benedict Music Tent. On August 25th, last year’s sell-out show, Juan Siddi Flamenco Theatre Company returns to Aspen for the final performance of the 2010 summer season. All performances are held at Aspen District Theatre at 8pm unless otherwise noted. Tickets go on sale June 1st and can be purchased by calling (970) 920-5770 or online: www.aspensantafeballet.com Photo by Marty Sohl

The Pitkin County Library is open 7 days a week, Monday- Thursday 10am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday noon-6pm. Programs include storyhours and more for children, book discussions for young adults, adult reading initiatives and ongoing technology lessons called eThursdays. Visitors may apply for a temporary library card giving them access to a large and current collection of books, audiobooks, DVDs and more, for children, young adults and adults. Library card holders also have FREE access to public computers, an online reference collection and wireless Internet. For more information call (970)429-1900 or visit www.pitcolib.org

Summer: The Aspen Institute is an international non-profit that fosters values-based leadership, and provides a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Institute offers a variety of seminars, lectures, and special events open to the public. Highlights this summer include the Reopening Celebration of the newly renovated Paepcke Building, June 27; McCloskey Speaker Series, June 28 – August 10; Aspen Security Forum, June 28 -30; Aspen Ideas Festival, July 5-11; NEW VIEWS: Premier Documentaries, co-presented with Aspen Film, July 5 – August 9; Aspen Environment Forum, July 25-28; and our Summer Celebration on August 7 featuring Khaled Hosseini and Jim Lehrer. Visit www.aspeninstitute.org/aspenevents for a full calendar of events. Photo by Michael Brands
Winter: The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC and Aspen, Colorado and has an international network of partners. The Institute hosts programs for the Aspen community and visitors year round. For more information please visit www.aspeninstitute.org/aspenevents or call (970) 544-7914

Aspen's only professional theatre and school, Theatre Aspen presents music, suspense and comedy during its 27th season. First-class productions are presented in the Alex Kaufman Theatre, located in the heart of Rio Grande Park. This season, audiences will enjoy iconic 50s and 60s pop music in The Marvelous Wonderettes, a funny tryst not to be missed in Same Time, Next Year, and family favorite The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! musical based on the popular children's book. With daytime views of Aspen Mountain and nights filled with stars, theatre-goers are treated to an experience that combines sophisticated professional theatre with the excitement of an outdoor resort setting. Broadway artists join with local talent to present entertainment the whole family can enjoy all summer long, June through August. Discounted group rates and student specials are offered for all shows. Please call (970) 925-9313 or visit www.theatreaspen.org.