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. 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-week workshops are offered June-September. ArtWorks Store, café and galleries are open from 9am - 5pm, M-F. Guided tours are offered every Tuesday at 4pm. Call (970) 923-3181 x201 or visit www.andersonranch.org.
Winter: Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a world-class learning community dedicated to creativity and growth through the making and understanding of the visual arts. 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. Call (970) 923-3181 x201 or visit www.andersonranch.org.

The Aspen Art Museum is a non-collecting institution that presents the newest, most important evolutions in international contemporary art. Exhibitions: 2009 Roaring Fork Open (October 30 - November 29, 2009), Kris Martin (December 11, 2009 - January 24, 2010), Claire Fontaine: After Marx April After Mao June (December 11, 2009 – January 31, 2010) Mark Bradford (February 12 – April 4, 2010), Disembodied (February 12 – April 11, 2010). Special Event: Winter Benefit, DENNIS BASSO Freestyle sponsored by Phillips De Pury & Co. (après-ski party/fashion show), Monday, December 28, 4:30-7:00 pm, Museum Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm, Thursday 10am-7pm, Sunday, noon-6pm. Thursdays free 5-7pm. Admission is free courtesy of John and Amy Phelan. 590 North Mill Street, (970) 925-8050, www.aspenartmuseum.org PHOTO: Mark Bradford, Untitled, 2007. Image courtesy of the artist and Sikkema Jenkins & Co., New York.

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.
Winter: Stop, look, listen to the natural wonders of the Rocky Mountains while skiing or snowshoeing with a naturalist from ACES. 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. Photo by Lindsey Fortier.

Summer: Visit new exhibits and recently discovered features at the Aspen Historical Society's 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 operates the Wheeler-Stallard Museum, a classic 1888 brick Queen Anne Victorian at 620 West Bleeker, as well as the nearby ghost towns of Ashcroft and Independence. Attend one of their Time Travel Tuesday events (Tuesdays at 5:30) from June – September or Playing with the Past children's programs on Saturday mornings in July and August. Historic walking or electric HISTORY COACH tours are also offered. For more information, visit www.aspenhistory.org or call (970) 925-3721. Photo: From Aspen Historical Society, Webner/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: For nine weeks every summer, conductors, composers, seasoned performers, artist-faculty, gifted students, and audience members from around the world come together in the staggering beauty of Aspen to share their love of music. Their mutual passion creates something rare and marvelous in music. From July 1 through August 22, AMFS will offer more than 400 events, including symphonic and chamber music concerts, solo recitals, vocal programs, fully-staged operas, children’s programs, public master classes, lectures, and backstage tours. For concert and ticket information, (970) 925-9042 or www.aspenmusicfestival.com Photo: 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 presents its 2009-2010 Winter Dance Season. Don't miss your chance to see the following performances: Aspen's own classic presentation of The Nutcracker, December 5-6 (matinee and evening performances); making their fifth appearance in Aspen, Pilobolus, January 18-19; a special Valentine's weekend of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, February 12-13; and an encore presentation of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet on March 6. All performances are at 7:30pm at the Aspen District Theatre unless otherwise noted. Tickets go on sale in early October. To purchase, call (970) 920-5770, or go online, www.aspensantafeballet.com. Photo:© 2009 Lynn Goldsmith

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

For the best in local arts, community events, and recreation, visit the Red Brick Center for the Arts in the heart of Aspen. The Center houses ten artist studios, the Red Brick Gallery, ten non-profit organizations and the Recreation Department. Art receptions take place every first Thursday of each month, 5-7pm. The Center is open Monday through Friday, 10am – 6pm. 110 East Hallam Street, Aspen (two blocks north of Aspen and Main) Call (970) 429-2777, e-mail info@aspenart.org, or visit their website www.aspenart.org for the latest schedule of events.

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 is entering its 27th season. First-class productions are presented throughout the year, as Broadway artists join with local talent in musicals, plays and comedies that the whole family can enjoy. Discounted group rates are offered for all shows. Please call (970) 925-9313 or visit www.theatreaspen.org. Theatre Aspen's annual costume gala takes place on February 20th at 6:30 pm. Wanted: Dead or Alive - A Benefit for Theatre Aspen at the Hotel Jerome celebrates the Wild Mining West and features costumes, live music, dinner and dancing!

Wyly Community Art Center in Basalt fosters creative expression in the visual arts for all ages and abilities. The Wyly offers classes for children and adults, mentor and intern programs, teaching and volunteer opportunities, community collaborations, outreach programs and special events. Artists and educators present free slide presentations through the Wyly Art Talk Series. Professional, volunteer and student artists sell their work at the Annual Wyly Wares holiday bazaar each December and year-round at the Wyly in Basalt. Wyly Community Art Center is a Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For a full schedule of classes and events visit www.wylyarts.org. or call (970) 927-4123.