Editor’s Note: The Vail Daily is checking in with area chefs and visiting chefs to see what they are cooking up for this year’s Taste of Vail, which returns to the valley April 5-8. Executive chef Joshua Marshall will be defending his Best Pork Shoulder and Best in Show titles at this year’s Niman Ranch Iberian Duroc Pork Challenge on Thursday, Apr. 6. At the event, ticket holders will be able to taste over 22 local and guest chefs’ pork creations along with samples from over 55 wineries, distilleries and beer companies.

What is your name, where is your home restaurant(s) and what is your official title?

My name is Joshua Marshall and I am the executive chef at the Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail.

When did you first realize that you wanted to become a chef?

When I was younger, my father and grandmother would always sit down and have dinner every night. Either one of them would cook a meal from scratch and I would be able to help.

Who has inspired you throughout your culinary journey?

My team, being able to see them develop and move up in their careers always inspired me to push more. I also had a great mentor down the street at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail.

Why is it fun to participate in foodie events like Taste of Vail?

I like participating in the Taste of Vail because it’s nice to get the team out of doing the usual day-to-day items and do something different. Also, being able to showcase that we can do more than burgers and cheese when people think of the Sonnenalp.

What Taste of Vail events will you be participating in?

I will be participating in the Niman Ranch Iberian Duroc Pork Challenge and Après Tasting on Apr. 6 and hosting a winemaker’s dinner on Apr. 7 at Ludwig’s restaurant at the Sonnenalp with Jesse Katz, who is a winemaker at Aperture Cellars. 

What’s your favorite spice?

My favorite spice is Chinese five spice.

Favorite protein?

My favorite protein is pork.

Favorite fruits and veggies?

I like avocado and dragon fruit.

Name your carb: pasta, potatoes, rice, polenta, etc.?

A: It would be pasta; my last meal would be spaghetti Bolognese.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

My favorite comfort food is dim sum. l had the chance to work in Asia and fell in love with all of the variety, especially when you go and see them pushing the carts full of baskets.

Is there anything else about you we should share?

My career gave me the chance to work and live in some of the best hotels in the world. I had the chance to work for hotels such as Four Seasons and St. Regis and live and work in places such as Singapore, Taiwan and China.

St. Patrick’s Day

Time for the wearin’ o’ the green! St. Patrick’s Day is Friday but events will linger throughout the weekend. Don’t be afraid to don your green jacket, green tutu, green feather boa, green top hat, green sunglasses — anything to help you fit in on this festive day on and off the slopes.

Vilar Performing Arts Center

There’s nothing like authentic Irish music on St. Patrick’s Day to get you into the spirit of things. It’s the “luck of the Irish that the Vilar Performing Arts Center has Danú, a traditional Irish ensemble that hails from Country Waterford, a historic location in Ireland. Listen for the tin whistle, fiddle, flute, button accordion, bouzouki and vocals. Tickets are still available for this 7 p.m. show on Friday.

Cucina at Lodge at Vail

Wear your green and come hungry because there will be a special menu including Irish whiskey and mint soup, shepherd’s pie egg rolls, corned beef sliders, graham cracker porter and cheddar au gratin potatoes. Wash it down with festive drinks and jam to the tunes of Johnny Schleper who will be playing from 3 to 6 p.m.

Grand Hyatt Vail

Stop by or ski to the Grand Hyatt Vail for some Irish fare. The culinary team has whipped up a couple of specials like shepherd’s pie with ground lamb, Irish peas, carrots and Caraway whipped potatoes. There will also be corned beef and cabbage with smashed new potatoes, braised cabbage and Irish whiskey jus and drink specials.

Southside Benderz

Come check out what Southside Benderz is calling the “World’s Best St. Patrick’s Day Party” where they will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all day long with $7 car bombs, $4 Jameson shots and $3.50 Guinness on draft.

North Coast Originals

If you’re down in Eagle, head to North Coast Originals for a party the whole family can enjoy. From 4-10 p.m. they will be serving green beer and bangers and mash along with green milkshakes and there will be cookie decorating going on as well.

Chasing Rabbits

For the late-night partygoers, Chasing Rabbits will have green beer and a DJ to dance the night away while dressed in your green attire. Enjoy a DJ set from Ski House Party Tours. No tickets in advance are required, just a cover charge at the door. For information about VIP tables and bottle service contact VIP@chasingrabbitsvail.com.

Hip-hop class

Learn some new moves at this St. Patrick’s Day-themed event that gives back to charity. The Athletic Club at the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa is hosting a one-hour hip-hop class taught by local choreographer Meredith Kirkman from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The class is free, but donations will be collected and given to the local nonprofit The Cycle Effect, which uses mountain biking as a way to empower young women in our schools to build brighter communities. Stick around after class and show your moves in the dance floor at the Lookout Lobby Bar which will have live music and drinks. For more information visit AthleticClubWestin.com or call 970-790-2051.

Shamrock Shuffle

Burn some of that green beer or shepherd’s pie off at the Shamrock Shuffle on Saturday. This annual event is put on each year by the Krueger Family and the Vail Recreation District. This is a 5K, 10K and a Fun 1K race, stroll or walk held at the Vail Nordic Center. You can travel using snowshoes or running shoes (with or without traction devices). Snowshoe rentals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis donated by the Vail Nordic Center.

After the race wraps up, stick around for the post-race party at the Vail Golf and Nordic Clubhouse where prizes will be given away to the top finishers and all competitors are entered into the post-race prize giveaways.

St. Paddy’s Day at Glenwood Caverns

If you’re in the mood to take a road trip, head west to Glenwood Springs, about 60 miles from Vail, and ride the rides and experience the attractions at America’s only mountain-top theme park. They have come up with some fun ways to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Come out on Saturday and ride the seasonal rides and attractions including the alpine coaster, King’s Row and Fairy Cave tours, laser tag and a 4D motion theater.  

To make it feel more like Ireland, there will be performances by the Rocky Mountain Scots, traditional bagpipers, drummers and Celtic dancers. There will also be live music from Oran Mor, green beer, corned beef and cabbage and kid-friendly activities including gold coin games. 

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey Dinner

Stoke & Rye, the new Richard Sandoval restaurant concept at the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa, is keeping the St. Patrick’s Day theme going until Sunday with a whiskey dinner featuring Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey. Stoke & Rye’s executive chef angel Munoz has put together a four-course menu that will be expertly paired with a Stranahan’s cocktail and the event will conclude with a special Stranahan’s tasting.

• Welcome Cocktail: Stranahan’s maple old-fashioned with Stoke & Rye house-made bread 
• First course: Beef tartare — tenderloin, black garlic aioli, capers, cured quail egg, crispy marble potato chips, olive tapenade and grilled house made focaccia — Paired with Stranahan’s Original
• Second course: Fig and burrata salad — arugula, whiskey peach jam, compote figs, hazelnuts, balsamic reduction and extra virgin olive — Paired with Stranahan’s Sherry Cask
• Third course: Braised lamb shank — heirloom carrots, marble roasted potatoes and whiskey demi — Paired with Stranahan’s Diamond Peak
• Fourth course: Bread pudding — Stranahan’s & Bjorn honey sauce, berries and vanilla ice cream — Paired with Stranahan’s Rocky Mountain Spiked Coffee

Tickets are $135 per person and a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Cycle Effect, the nonprofit that uses mountain biking to help empower young women to create a brighter future. Advanced reservations are required here.  

There are also some events that aren’t centered around the St. Patrick’s Day theme this weekend:

Fabulous Femmes at Route 6 Café

How about a little dancing this weekend? The favorite Vail Valley trio, the Fabulous Femmes, will be bringing tunes that make you want to move because they are hosting a dance party at Route 6 Cafe on Saturday night. The Fabulous Femmes have mastered the harmonies of top hits that have spanned the decades, so there’s sure to be a melody you’ll like. From the pop sounds of the 50s, the groovy tunes of the 60s, a little disco, to 80s and rock ‘n’ roll, come down early to Route 6 to get a seat — but you won’t need it much since you’ll likely be on the dance floor. The event starts at 7 p.m. and there’s a $10 cover at the door.   

Pat Green at the Vilar

His last name may be Green, this his music won’t have anything to do with St. Patrick’s Day. Pat Green is a three-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter from Texas and he will be taking the stage at the Vilar Performing Arts Center on Sunday night at 7 p.m.

Green may have started out playing in college towns and in dance halls, but he has gone on to sell over two million albums and has sold out the Houston Astrodome. He’s performed with big names like Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney and the Dave Matthews Band.

Like many artists, Green was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability to perform in front of crowds and it brought his spirits down. On his website, Green explains his feelings during this uncertain time.

“No doubt, I love working,” Green said. “To go out and be a performer is the joy of my life, other than my wife and children. But when that was taken away from me in 2020, I went into the darkest place I’ve ever been in my life, and for me, it was the music and my wife that brought me back out of it.”

After nine months of trying to navigate the new normal during the pandemic, Green’s wife, Kori, encouraged him to gather his friends and bandmates and go to their second home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and start creating music again. The result is Green’s 14th album and he said it’s as strong as any record he’s ever done.

“The older you get, you just have more to think about,” Green said. “So that’s what this record is, a guy with more to think about, coming through a hard time and into something as fun and beautiful as creation. I’m just gonna take the ball and run with it.”

The concert on Saturday starts at 7 p.m. with opening performer JD Clayton taking the stage. Tickets are still available at $45 for reserved seating and $45 for the orchestra pit if you know you want to be up and dancing around during the show. This is also a part of the Vilar Performing Arts Center’s Pick 3/5/8 winter ticket package where the more shows you pick, the more you save. Get your tickets soon, it’s spring break in Texas and Green has a huge following in his home state. Go to VilarPAC.org for more information.  

‘Women of Vail’ talk

Imagine what it was like when Vail started up 60 years ago. On Saturday, you can hear first-hand from the ladies who shaped Vail into what it is today. The Colorado Snowsports Museum is hosting its last Through the Lens Series of the winter season and will feature co-authors Elaine Kelton and Carolyn Pope and their book, “Women of Vail: Those Who Walked This Bridge 1962-1970.”

Kelton said they chose that time frame because Vail was still a one-village community at the time and that the dynamic changed once Lionshead was added in the late 1960s. The book came out in time for Vail’s 50th anniversary season which was 2012-2013. Warren Miller provided remarks introducing the book and he comments on how those pioneering types were looking for adventure and freedom in those early years, and that set a standard that still identifies someone who moves to the valley today.

Joining Kelton and Pope will be some of the women featured in the book. Over 150 women were interviewed for the book and their stories span from just graduating college and wanting to see what the West was like to some looking for a change after a divorce. Some had skied on the East Coast or Europe and some had never tried the sport. Some were driving to Aspen or California and stopped at Vail along the way and before they knew it, they had a job and stayed. Each story is unique and endearing and gives a glimpse into the non-glamorous side of Vail.

Celebrate Vail’s 60th anniversary and Women’s History Month. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for Colorado Sports Museum members and $25 for the public. Beer, wine and appetizers are included with ticket purchase. For more information, visit SnowsportsMuseum.org.

Repertory Team Spotlight

The Vail Valley Academy of Dance has been working hard to showcase this season’s work at competitions in Denver, Utah and Dallas and this weekend you have an opportunity to see what they’ve been working so hard on and what choreography has been winning them awards at the 2023 Repertory Team Spotlight on Sunday.  

Vail Valley Academy of Dance Repertory Company will be performing their award-winning solo, duet, in a first-ever local performance dedicated to the Repertory Company. It’s a great way to celebrate the group’s record-breaking year and inspire the next generation of dancers. Bring the little ones so they can see the successes of this hard-working group.

Come support the competition team at Homestake Peak School this Sunday. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the show starts at 5 p.m. General admission tickets can be purchased at the door and are $10 for adults and kids 18 years old and under are free. There are also reserved VIP seats for $50. To inquire about those seats, email Kyle Deighan at KyleMDeighan@gmail.com in advance to secure your seats.

Eagle Ranch is getting a new restaurant concept from the owner of Drunken Goat in Edwards.

Casey Glowacki, who founded the popular artisan cheese and wine bar located in Edwards, is set to open his new Eagle Ranch restaurant called Wild Sage in May at 1143 Capitol Street in the space formerly occupied by The Assembly.

Glowacki closed on the space on March 15.

The restaurant’s name takes inspiration from sage bushes that thrive throughout Eagle as well as the fact that sage is one of Glowacki’s favorite herbs to cook with. However, the name Wild Sage is also indicative of the love that will go into this new spot. 

“If we ever had a daughter, we had always picked out the name Sage, but we had two boys instead, so I guess we’re birthing a Sage,” Glowacki said. 

Kim Fritzler of Silfer Smith & Frampton’s K2 real estate team — who represented both sides in the transaction — said the property’s sellers had a very selective process when finding a buyer.

“The sellers are happy it’s going to an established restauranter in the valley, that was really important to them,” Fritzler said. 

While Glowacki’s former experience includes owning and operating seven restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina, he returned home to Colorado to reconnect with the mountain lifestyle he loved.

When he founded Drunken Goat, Glowacki said his principle for the Edwards eatery is based on living in the moment. 

Stretching his wings even further in Eagle County, Glowacki’s motto for Wild Sage is “eat well, play more.”

Glowacki said that Kevin Nelson, the head chef at Drunken Goat for the past year, will be the chef of his new restaurant, so similarities in cuisine may be detected between the two eateries. However, Glowacki’s vision for Wild Sage is slightly different. 

“It’s going to be very Drunken Goat-ish, but it’s not going to be Drunken Goat, it’s a different concept,” Glowacki said. 

What will make Wild Sage unique is an approachable atmosphere for the community to enjoy healthy and vegetarian selections. Glowacki said the menu will be well thought out and will reflect the active and healthy lifestyle of Eagle residents. 

Glowacki and his family moved to Eagle last summer and have fallen in love with the lively outdoor activities the town has to offer, especially throughout the warmer seasons. 

“Me and my son got some dirt bikes and the mountain biking down here, the hiking, the river— it’s heaven,” Glowacki said. 

Despite being a fresh-faced Eagle resident and business owner, Glowacki said he anticipates his — and his family’s — love of the town to be lasting, largely due to the community there. 

“Everybody there is emphatically, enthusiastically in love with Eagle, and we were finding that out before we moved down here,” Glowacki said. 

Ready to serve up healthy dishes to locals and visitors, Glowacki said he thinks the location of the eatery will be great for business. Glowacki said the space Wild Sage will occupy is on a great corner. 

However, before buying the property, the restauranteur surveyed the success of newer neighboring restaurants El Segundo and Social Oak. 

“I wanted to see them sort of pave the way for what’s happening down here in Eagle,” Glowacki said. “Once I saw their restaurants full and doing a great job, it gave me the courage to go ahead and submit an offer to this space.”

Eagle is growing exponentially. Glowacki pointed out that nearly everywhere in Eagle, tractors and cranes move dirt and materials around for new projects consistently. With such changes comes unpredictability, but Glowacki said he’s excited to jump on Eagle’s growth and serve locals there. 

“I think that Eagle is ripe and ready for everything — it’s here,” Glowacki said. 

Glowacki said he is also eager to help provide another opportunity for Eagle residents to work locally instead of having to commute upvalley or elsewhere.

Currently, Wild Sage is hiring for all restaurant positions, and interested parties can apply by reaching out to Glowacki directly. 

As Wild Sage’s late spring opening approaches, Glowacki said community members can stay up to date with dates, tasting dish options and other updates the blooming business has by following the Wild Sage Instagram page. 

Axel Torres wants you to take your taste buds on a dining adventure. The new executive chef at The Hythe Vail welcomes diners to enjoy New American cuisine with alpine inspiration.

“I want the guest to feel the same way I do when I’m traveling with my wife to a different country. I want them to feel excited, that the world is big, to try new food items, to connect to the culture of the dish and have a conversation with their friends or loved ones about it,” Torres said.

Torres believes that food is history.

“Knowing the food of a specific place or region tells you more about the people, culture and traditions,” Torres said.

That’s why The Hythe Vail features its signature raclette experience on the menu. Raclette is a traditional Swiss dish from the Valais region in the Alps. The name comes from the French verb, racler, which means to scrape.

“We heat up the cheese and scrape it onto small cornichons, pickled onions, country bread and boiled potatoes. It’s the perfect dish after a long, cold day skiing on the mountain. And a fun fact: raclette is lactose-free, during the maturation period of the cheese, lactose is fully decomposed,” Torres said.

History is sprinkled throughout the hotel. The word “hythe” means “haven” and the history harkens back to the 10th Mountain Division and the training at Camp Hale south of Vail. It also highlights the founders of Vail, Earl Eaton and Pete Seibert. Eaton was an engineer in the U.S. Army and Seibert was in the 10th Mountain Division that fought pivotal battles in World War II. Margie’s Haus Restaurant is named for a woman and her husband who would take in the soldiers for a home-cooked meal every once in a while. Revel Lounge defines the revelry and passion the 10th soldiers had for the mountain lifestyle.

“Revel is where we celebrate our passions for Vail, the mountains, skiing, snowboarding and having fun together. This new menu is a party that everyone wants to come to with a bit more pop-culture and new flavors, but also with familiar favorites for everyone to enjoy after a day on the mountain,” Torres said

Gather your friends and order cast iron blistered shishito peppers, venison in a blanket or wild game meatballs.

“We wanted to share foods that we’re passionate about, like the grilled cheese steak sandwich. I love grilled cheese and tomato soup and love a steak sandwich, why not have both in one and make it a celebration?” Torres said.

The drinks have a lot of thought and creativity poured into them, like the Huckleberry Smash with Woody Creek Distillers bourbon, huckleberries, mint, honey and lemon. Or the Figgy Smalls cocktail featuring fig-infused gin, strawberry syrup, lemon and balsamic pearls.

“We have a talented mixologist and he was the one behind the inspiration of each drink,” Torres said. “My favorite drink is the Last Chair which is a mix of Woody Creek Distillers vodka, coffee liqueur, Nocino, mole bitters, espresso cold brew and turbinado brew. Is the perfect pairing with the warm apple strudel that we have in the menu.”

As for entrees, Torres is a big promoter of the Western Slope rack of lamb.

“Colorado lamb is one of the best lamb dishes in the world in my opinion. And here, we marinate them in an Asian mix of ingredients served with southern-style grits, local mushrooms and a mint vinaigrette,” Torres said. “It’s an umami of flavor in one dish prepared with different cooking techniques but celebrates our region using a product raised here in Colorado.”

Torres got bit by the culinary bug while bussing tables and serving food when he was eight years old in a restaurant in Puerto Rico with his uncle.

“My mom used to pick up fresh herbs in the backyard to make sofrito – aromatics blended originally from Spain consisting of garlic, cilantro, Spanish capers, olive oil, bell pepper, aji dulce peppers, onions and cilantro,” Torres said.

He has since traveled the world working at The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2009 after college and moved up through the company working in different properties such as The Ritz-Carlton, Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico; The Ritz-Carlton, Denver and The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Colorado; The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, Missouri; The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, California and The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. More recently, he was with the Hyatt brand at the Grand Hyatt Vail where he was the executive sous chef of the property.

“I learned from Chef Wolfgang Puck and Chef Jose Andres, Michelin star celebrity chefs. I worked with both and learned classical American/foreign cuisine fusion with modern techniques and gastronomy,” Torres said. “We have so many international guests and guests who travel around the world, that our menu reflects inspiration from every single one of them and the seasonality of Vail.”

Vail Legacy Days

Celebrate Vail’s founders and history and learn more about the role the 10th Mountain Division played in World War II and the outdoor industry at this year’s Vail Legacy Days. Vail Legacy Days coincides with the 10th Mountain Division Association Ski-in, which travels to Copper Mountain, Ski Cooper, Breckenridge and Vail. There will be events on and off the slopes of Vail Mountain and at the Colorado Snowsports Museum.

The event is typically held around this time to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Riva Ridge that took place the night of Feb. 18-19, 1945. Members of the 86th Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division conducted a surprise attack on the Germans and were able to break through the Nazi Gothic Line, which became a turning point during the war.

On Saturday, head to the Legacy Hut near Mountain Top Express (No. 4) and Northwoods Express (No. 11) at 11 a.m. to hear from Col. Matthew Bramam, Deputy Commander of the 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum. Then follow current active-duty members of the 10th down Riva Ridge in the annual ski down that goes down Vail’s longest run (4 miles).

Later on Saturday at the base of Vail Mountain you’ll find six teams consisting of members of the current 10th Mountain Division doing skills and strength tests on Pepi’s trail in the Ski Troopers Cup starting at 3 p.m.

On Sunday, head up on Vail Mountain for your chance to see a Blackhawk helicopter land near the top of Avanti Express (No. 2) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wear your goggles if you are there during the landing as those propellers can cast off quite a bit of snow and debris. But it is an amazing experience to watch this aircraft land and then it will be on display for a while where you can see it up close and take some photos.

At 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, stop by the Colorado Snowsports Museum for Tales of the 10th, which honors 10th veteran and Hall of Famer Sandy Treat. This beloved local passed away a few years ago, but he would dedicate his time to tell the stories of his experience with the public to give a glimpse into what it was like to serve back in those times. Sunday’s speaker will be author and historian Flint Whitlock. A suggested $5 donation to the Colorado Snowsports Museum is appreciated by all attendees. For more information, go to SnowsportsMuseum.org.

At 6 p.m., head back up Bridge Street to Mountain Plaza at the base of Gondola One (No. 1) for the Vail Legacy Days Parade. Hear from area dignitaries, watch a short movie giving you history of the 10th Mountain Division and its ties to Vail followed by a torch-light ski down and veterans proceeding down Bridge Street to the 10th Mountain Division statue near the Covered Bridge. The Colorado Snowsports Museum is open until 8 p.m. on parade nights, so if you didn’t stop by earlier, go there to learn more about this famed winter warfare unit that trained just south of Vail at Camp Hale.

Talons Challenge

The Talons Challenge may have to wait until next year since both Saturday and Sunday have sold out. The Talons Challenge, which is held yearly at Beaver Creek, challenges skiers, snowboarders, telemark skiers, whatever your mode of transportation, to take on 14 black diamond and double black diamond runs in the Talons area of Beaver Creek.

Called the Talons because the formation of the three chair lifts on the map looks like the talon of a bird of prey, the area at Beaver Creek houses the Birds of Prey Express (No. 9), Grouse Mountain Express (No. 10) and Larkspur Express (No. 11). Those who complete this task get the coveted Talons Challenge patch and other swag, a meal and a drink afterward. But, that’s not all, there is an afterparty in Beaver Creek Village. Even if you didn’t participate in the Talons Challenge, the public is able to attend the afterparty.

Each year, the event benefits SOS Outreach, a local nonprofit that utilizes sports as the hook to get kids interested in the outdoors and to teach life lessons and skills kids can take on and off the slopes.

Even though the event is going on this Saturday and Sunday, the runs are not closed to the general public, so go out and take a few runs in this area and see if it should be put on the bucket list for next year. For more information, go to BeaverCreek.com.

Winter Dew Tour

Missing the Burton U.S. Open? Yeah, we hear you, but just over Vail Pass you can find the athletes and high-flying action at the base of the slopes at Copper Mountain for the Winter Dew Tour. This event brings together snowboarders, skiers, bands, artists and the fans of all of those things to one location to celebrate the lifestyle and competition that takes place throughout the weekend.

Look for superpipe legends like Danny Davis and Ayumu Hirano, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail alumni Aaron Blunck and Ryan Wachendorfer, Steamboat’s Taylor Gold and Summit County’s own, Red Gerard. There will be autograph signing opportunities throughout the Dew Tour Experience on Saturday with Davis and Gerard and skateboarder Sean Malto. Title sponsor MTN Dew will have samples, “spin to win” prize opportunities like snowboards and headphones and more. The Dew Tour Experience will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Even the United States Air Force is sponsoring the Winter Dew Tour and will lend its name to a new competition, the Superpipe High Air & Best Trick Jam on Sunday. Channel your favorite “Top Gun” character and try out two virtual reality experiences where you can pilot an F-35 fighter through a canyon — they even provide a real-life throttle and flight stick or operate a replica KC-135 boom pod and “refuel” airborne aircraft like a B-2 Stealth Bomber.

The Winter Dew Tour is also teaming up with B4BC, Boarders for Breast Cancer, throughout the weekend and will be hosting the Pink Poker Run on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. where participants can explore the mountain while looking for the winning cards for their poker hands.

B4BC will also host a Tribute Ride, a collective lap down Bouncer Run in honor of a loved one who is or has battled breast cancer. For more details and to register, go to b4bc.org. 

Mix Master Mike will provide the music and the stoke on Saturday night as the DJ. He was just in Vail for the Soul on Snow concert during the National Brotherhood of Skiers 50th annual summit. Mix Master Mike will spin tunes at the Center Village Base in between the women’s and men’s Super Streetstyle event. For more information go to DewTour.com.

Après Ski at Miller & Lux

With the days getting longer, it’s time to bring après ski outdoors at Miller & Lux at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail. Après ski means “after skiing” in French and it basically is a happy hour in your ski clothes. Miller & Lux wants you to join them on their terrace for mountain and pool views, delicious dishes and festive drinks.

Miller & Lux is celebrity chef Tyler Florence’s project and Flame Restaurant has hosted a pop-up all season. This San Francisco-based eatery brought signature dishes and tableside presentations of its Dover sole and the Caesar salad for two to diners to experience, but you can enjoy a little Miller & Lux for après ski as well. The slopes meet the sea with appetizers like Maine lobster shooters, oysters and Louisiana shrimp cocktail. Or, share the Elk’s shepherd’s pie or the mini M&L burger with the table.

Wash the appetizers down with the signature drink, the Alpine Nigroni with barrel-aged Campari, gin, Breckenridge Aquavit and chamomile. Draft beer and wines by the glass are also served including some specialty items from the Coravin Section and Elk Bar. The après ski menu and offerings are available daily from 3 to 5 p.m.

Wax and Wine

You may have tried Cocktails and Canvas or Cocktails and Clay, but how about Wax and Wine? Alpine Arts Center in Edwards is welcoming you to try a new medium and see what you can create with wax and a cast iron.

The technical name for wax painting is encaustics, where you use pigments mixed with hot wax that are burned in as an inlay. The art instructor will take you through the step-by-step process and help you create four art prints.

Sign up to try something new and grab your friends or do a date night. The class is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and no prior experience is necessary. The class is $49 per person and wine or beer is $6 per glass with non-alcoholic options and snacks available, too. For more information, go to AlpineArtsCenter.org.

.

Many restaurants can say they serve up international cuisine, but the proof is in the menu and staff at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek’s signature restaurant. Here, items like eggplant mutabal, zopf and shakshuka pique your curiosity while also satisfying your taste buds.

Behind the global style of menu selections is executive chef Santosh Koradi, who joined the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek in the fall of 2021. This past summer, the culinary staff became complete with the addition of talented chefs who all bring something to the table for the international and sophisticated guests of the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek or those who come for the fabulous dining experience at the award-winning property.

Executive chef Koradi is from South India and has been a part of the Hyatt family, working at Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu and Grand Hyatt, Bahamas. He is a 2004 graduate of Durgapur Society of Management Sciences in West Bengal, India and has also worked with such esteemed hospitality brands as Hilton, OB Hotels & Restaurants, Ritz-Carlton, Le Meridien and many more.  

“Being a destination resort we welcome travelers from around the world, which is a challenge to satisfy everyone’s demands and needs as sourcing the necessary ingredients can be challenging. Having international travelers gives more diverse options when it comes to planning the menu. The idea behind the current menu was trying to do something for everyone’s palette,” Koradi said.  

The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek just filled its culinary team roster during the summer of 2022 with members who offer expertise and innovation. Jerry Ah Liang Ng Piang Chag is the executive sous chef and hails from Mauritius, East Africa. He started his career in a small Chinese restaurant in Mauritius when he was in his teens before moving to a number of fine-dining restaurants. He eventually became chef de partie at a renowned business hotel in Mauritius before gaining experience working at restaurants and hotels around the world.

Chef De Cuisine Jitender Chaudhary is from India and has been associated with Hyatt Hotels for more than seven years where he was most recently at the Hyatt Regency, Delhi. During his 13 years of kitchen experience, he has worked with reputed five-star hotels, developing expertise in Italian cuisine, wine dinners and more.

Chef De Cuisine Brij Singh is from Mumbai, India and came to Beaver Creek after being on the culinary team at Qatar’s Grand Hyatt Doha. With more than a decade’s worth of professional cooking experience for international five-star hotels, he excels at the international standards of cooking, plating and presentation.

Pastry Chef Nyoman Bayu Jayandana is a native of Bali and has more than 10 years of kitchen experience in five-star hotels in Dubai, Maldives, Oman and Indonesia. He joined the Hyatt family four years ago as sous chef pastry for the opening team at Hyatt Regency Bali and last year he became cluster sous chef pastry for Hyatt Regency Bali and Andaz Bali.

This stellar lineup of intercontinental talent collectively comes up with the menu, which allows there to be variety and uniqueness to the dishes.  

“Hiring chefs from different countries and travel backgrounds we try offering food from around the world,” Santosh said.

With that being said, Santosh and his team also know that they need to have a menu that works for the clientele staying at the hotel and those coming to dine there.

“Having chefs from different countries sharing decades of culinary experience between them allows us to have menus that are well discussed, planned and executed as per the needs and demands of the guests,” Santosh said.

Start your night out a little differently. Come early before your reservation and enjoy a seat by one of the large outdoor fireplaces and order up a Back Country Bramble featuring Bombay Sapphire raspberry gin, lemon, a little simple syrup and egg whites. Or the Strawberry Park, named after one of the trails on Beaver Creek Mountain, with Grey Goose vodka, maple, strawberries and lime. Share a few dishes off of the extensive appetizer menu like eggplant mutabal, teriyaki chicken tacos with grilled pineapple and pear salsa or steak bites with arugula and a honey mustard dipping sauce.

Sit back and reflect on our day or catch some of the game on the big screen TVs hanging outside under the large pergola. Enjoy the views and let the outdoors in at this truly slopeside destination before heading in for the main event: dinner.

The dinner menu at 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill contains a vast array of delicious and creative dishes, from Cornish game hen, pan-seared sea bass, king oyster mushrooms and beetroot risotto. There are also several items to choose from a la carte on the grill like Kvaroy Salmon and Japanese wagyu New York strip steak that comes complete with certificate with proof of the heritage of the animal and information about how the animal was raised, fed and when it was butchered and it may even list the names of the animal’s parents.

“While designing any menu the first thought is about the sourcing of unique ingredients or looking into local seasonal products. Our menu consists of a mix of both ingredients which are not common on the menus of our competition and using local ingredients,” Santosh said.

Save room for dessert, the extensive menu offers sweets fruity flavors and lots of chocolate decadence and the presentations are not to be missed.

“Almost everyone likes desserts,” Santosh said. “Having Chef Bayu on the team with his skills and experience in making desserts, why not utilize his talent and have as much dessert we can have on the menu.”

“Colorado has so many flavors to offer, local ingredients are usually easily overlooked and are very underrated. As a Park Hyatt, we intend to showcase these in the way that we usually do – make “ordinary” things luxuriously extraordinary, catering to everyone’s personal taste,” Bayu said.

Although the 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill is a great spot for lunch, après ski and dinner, don’t skip the most important meal of the day: breakfast.

“The breakfast menu was planned to keep in mind the pace of the operation and having quick items on the menu for the skiers that want to get first chair and having items for the guests who are on vacation and would like to dine at their own pace. So, you’ll find something for everyone from a quick breakfast meal to an extended leisurely dining experience,” Santosh said.

With breakfast being served from 7:00 to 10:30 a.m. you can get first tracks when the lifts open or leisurely go through the meal as Stantosh suggested if that is what you are in the mood for that day. Look for pastries, breakfast classics and omelets, healthy parfaits or international flair like shakshuka, a classic North African and Middle Eastern dish of eggs poached in a sauce.

Whatever your favorite meal of the day, be sure to check out the cosmopolitan menu at 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. Come hungry and plan to come again.

Editor’s Note: The Vail Daily is showcasing area chefs in a new series called “Meet Your Chef” so you can learn a bit more about those creating art in the kitchen. If you’re a local chef and would like to be a part of this series, please email Tricia Swenson (tswenson@vaildaily.com) and Sean Naylor (snaylor@vaildaily.com).

Q: What is your name, where do you cook and what is your official title?

A: Kyle Cox, executive sous chef at Grand Hyatt Vail

Q: How long have you lived in the valley and what brought you here?

A: I have been in the valley since the spring of 2021. What brought me out here was the opportunity to enjoy the mountains and all of the outdoor activities

Q: When did you first realize that you wanted to become a chef?

A: I was always the prep cook for my mom when we would host family and friends. At 16, I started cooking professionally and fell in love with the team aspect and precision.

Q: Who has inspired you throughout your culinary journey?

A: I have worked for and with a lot of talented chefs over the years and I have extracted as much knowledge as possible. I have also been a fan of Daniel Humm, Thomas Keller and David Kinch throughout the years.

Q: What’s your favorite spice?

A: Cardamon. Not only my favorite but I feel it is under utilized

Q: Favorite protein?

A: I love braised meats so lamb shank is one of my favorites.

Q: Favorite fruits and veggies?

A: This is a hard one to narrow down because all fruits and vegetables have their place throughout the seasons, but for fruit I like melon in the summer when it is perfectly ripe. For vegetables I like to work with beets, rhubarb and Swiss chard a lot.

Q: Name your carb: pasta, potatoes, rice, polenta, etc.?

A: Potatoes for sure. I am not sure if it is my Irish heritage or their versatility. Puree, gratin, rosti or just a French fry, I love them all.

Q: What’s your favorite comfort food?

A: I like to cook in my Instant Pot a lot at home and I generally make tacos or curries. They always hit the spot after a day outdoors.

A: Is there anything else about you we should share?

Q: Just that I love living in the valley and the people as well. Even after two years I am taken back by how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place.

This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday, and while you can celebrate love any day of the year, here are a few ideas on how you can spend the holiday, whether you are looking for a traditional “date” night or gift, seeking pampering, something more sporty, or don’t have a Valentine…yet.

Traditional Date

Dinner, flowers, chocolate, jewelry, a couples massage … if that is your idea of a perfect Valentine’s Day, you’re not alone. Many restaurants will be changing table configurations to make room for dozens of two-tops on Tuesday night and jewelry stores will be helping pick out last-minute gifts. It might be hard to fit a couples massage into your schedule but get a gift card that can be used later. Just plan ahead to make sure you are set for Feb. 14.

Restaurants will be busy during this holiday so call ahead to reserve your spot at your favorite eatery. Mix things up with a horse-drawn sleigh ride dinner at 4 Eagle Ranch, or a snowcat-drawn sleigh ride going to Zach’s Cabin or Beano’s Cabin, which are private during the day but are open to the public at night. Or snowshoe to dinner at Tennessee Pass Cookhouse near Ski Cooper. Here are a few specials going on at area restaurants.

The Hythe Vail

Revel at The Hythe in Lionshead will have its regular menu available and will be doing specials on Feb. 14:

• Fresh shucked oysters (West Coast) – rose water mignonette, basil foam
• Frisée salad – 30-minute egg, rosé and pink peppercorn vinaigrette, lardons, caviar
• Lavender-scented Chilean sea bass – asparagus coins, preserved lemon aioli, lavender water, parsnip purée
• Sous vide New York strip – cocoa coffee crust, sauce noir, sweet potato pommes pavé, lacinato kale
• Chocolate rose cannoli – rose cannoli cream, cocoa nibs, dried rose petals

Chasing Rabbits

Take your date on an adventure at Chasing Rabbits. This nightclub in Solaris is the newest hot spot in town, so explore it together if you haven’t made it inside the 13,000-square-feet of club space.

The Restaurant at Chasing Rabbits is aiming to spark romance with a special five-course menu on Valentine’s Day. Guests will start with a pommes souffle and then have a choice of several options within each course. Examples include surf and turf, duck in a box and roasted celery root. The tasting menu will be the only menu available on Valentine’s Day and is available for $195 per person. The menu is available on Feb. 14 only from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

On Feb. 13, check out “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” on the big screen at Chasing Rabbits. Doors to Moon Rabbit will open at 7 p.m. so you can get settled in to watch the flick. You remember “Crazy, Stupid, Love.,” the rom-com released in 2011 that stars Steve Carrell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Follow along the ups and downs of Cal Weaver’s (Steve Carrell) life when his wife decides to leave their “perfect life” after 25 years of marriage and Cal gets dating tips from Gosling’s character, ladies man Jacob Palmer. This is a 21+ event and tickets are $15 and can be purchased on EventBrite.

Gessner at Grand Hyatt Vail

Valentine’s Day dinner is all about choices at Gessner Restaurant at the Grand Hyatt Vail. You can choose the date you go and have all sorts of appetizers, entrees desserts and drink pairings to select. This special is happening any night between now and Feb. 14.

Appetizer and drink pairing:

• Elk carpaccio or lobster salad
• Chocolate martini or La Marca prosecco

Entrée and drink pairing:

• Miso glazed cod or grilled lamb chop
• Chateau Ste. Michelle riesling or Belle Glos “Clarke & Telephone”

Dessert and drink pairing:

• Strawberry almond champagne cheesecake or chocolate and red berry cake
• Moët Imperial Ice

Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa in Avon

Stoke & Rye opened this past summer, so if you are returning for a winter ski trip, you may not know about this new steakhouse that took over the former Maya Mexican Restaurant space. It is still part of the Richard Sandoval collection of restaurants, and it is hosting a special three-course Valentine’s Day dinner on Feb. 14.

• Appetizer: raw platter to share – beef tartar, smoked oysters, trout crudo and focaccia bread
• Entrée (1 per person) – pan seared butter herbed Colorado bass with roasted potatoes, chorizo lentils and crispy parsnip – OR – tamarind braised short rib with creamy polenta, herbed heirloom carrots and chimichurri
• Dessert platter to share: pecan pie, carrot cake and bread pudding

Valentine’s Day reservations are highly recommended at StokeandRye.com. Stoke & Rye will also be serving its full menu on Valentine’s Day.

If you want to toast to Valentine’s Day with your sweetie or bring out your gal pals for Gal-entine’s Day, Stoke & Rye is doing drink specials all throughout the month of February:

• La Rosa – a paloma served with edible flower ice cubes
• Smoked Cherry Sazerac – a traditional Sazerac sweetened with Luxardo cherry juice and smoked tableside, served with a charred cherry and orange peel 
• Lady in Pink – a chocolate strawberry martini

Spa Anjali at the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa is offering couples massages in its award-winning spa. There is also a special for the month of February. Try the Strawberry Seed Body Polish treatment exfoliate you and fill you with antioxidants and vitamin C to leave your body hydrated and feeling soft and smooth. Pair this with a massage to leave relaxed and refreshed. To book a treatment, please visit SpaAnjali.com.

You can also get a Spa Anjali gift card at a discount if you buy between now and Feb. 14 and use it for any future spa or salon service. Save $25 when you buy online, Shop.SpaAnjali.com/Vouchers/Category.

Valentine’s Day at The Remedy Bar

The Remedy Bar in the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail is offering a few Valentine’s Day specials on February 14 only:

• Chocolate covered strawberry martini: Strawberry chocolate martini, tequila rose, crème de cocoa, Bailey’s – $22
• Maine lobster pot pie for two: Heirloom carrots, smoked pearl onions, pee wee potatoes – $70
• Valentine’s Signature Haut Chocolat: Haut Chocolat modified with Love Heart Marshmallow. Haut Chocolat can be enhanced with a shot of your choice – $20 for one, $35 for two

Sporty Date

Some like to get off the beaten path from traditional Valentine’s Day activities and want to be active with their Valentine, whether it’s enjoying the day on the slopes of Vail and Beaver Creek or, getting away from the crowds and snowshoe up a trail. Most hiking trails in the summer make great snowshoe trails in the winter. Don’t have snowshoes? Rent a pair at the Beaver Creek Nordic Center or the Vail Nordic Center. The Vail Nordic Center also rents fat tire bikes, which are fun to try on the relatively flat land around the Vail Nordic Center or test them out on the bikes trails throughout the valley that aren’t too packed with snow.

Skinning uphill under the moonlight can be romantic, too. The full moon was last week, but even a crescent moon can shed some light if the skies are clear. Meadow Mountain outside of Minturn is a good place to go. If you want to skin up Vail or Beaver Creek, call the uphill hotline to see what routes are available and remember that there are no dogs allowed at any time and you cannot skin up while the mountain is open.  

If you want to learn a little more about your surroundings, take a guided snowshoe tour. On Tuesday, join Walking Mountains for a guided back country snowshoe hike from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at the Walking Mountains campus in Avon to get set up with snowshoes, hiking poles and hot drinks before being whisked off to the featured hike that day. The guides at Walking Mountain will know where the best snowshoe hikes are this time of year and the fabulous vistas that go with them. Tuesday’s location is Tennessee Pass and the topic is watersheds. Tickets are $35 per person. Registration is required and you can find out more information at WalkingMountains.org.

Jewelry, art and charitable giving

Jewelry is often given to show one’s love on Valentine’s Day and the Squash Blossom, which has been locally owned and operated for over 40 years, is a great place to go to find something that sparkles, but on Tuesday they are teaming up with Curate Art and Curiosities to show their love and support of Roundup River Ranch with a pop up event. “Share the Love” allows you to celebrate love while shopping the jewels at Squash Blossom and the artwork, rugs and a special collection of jewelry by Mauri Pioppo.

You shop = Roundup River Ranch benefits. 10% of the proceeds that day will go to Roundup River Ranch, which is part of Paul Newman’s SeriousFun Children’s Network of camps outside of Gypsum. The camp provides free camp experiences for children with serious illnesses and their families.

The event will go from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. so stop in, find some awesome gifts (and you can get a gift for yourself and show some self-love!) and give back – what a way to share the love!

Valentine’s Day for singles

North Coast Originals in downtown Eagle wants everyone to feel included this Valentine’s Day. Single or not, or maybe you’re trying to set your pal up with someone, come to the Single AF Party starting at 5 p.m. on Feb. 14. The eatery on Broadway in Eagle will serve up signature drinks, food specials and will have “zero heart decorations.”

North Coast Originals, or NoCo for short, has hosted Halloween and New Year’s Eve parties and has special events on Thursdays like wine tastings, bingo and trivial night. Check out one of Eagle’s newest places to mix and mingle and who knows…you may just meet someone sweet at this non-Valentine’s Day party. Go to NorthcoastOriginals.com or its Facebook or Instagram page for more information. Come for the drinks and stay for a made-from-scratch meal.

National Brotherhood of Skiers Summit

This weekend kicks off the 50th anniversary of the National Brotherhood of Skiers, which is a nonprofit group that represents Black skiers, riders, and snow sport enthusiasts across the nation. The founders, Ben Finley and Art Clay, met in 1972 and had a vision to create a national Black summit for skiers. One year later, the historic first Black Ski Summit gathering took place in Aspen in 1973. The event comes to Vail Feb. 4-11.

Now, The National Brotherhood of Skiers has dozens of clubs. The nonprofit’s mission is to identify, develop and support athletes of color who will win international and Olympic winter sports competitions representing the United States and to increase participation in winter sports.

In addition to après ski, barbecues, a gospel fest, races and other activities on and off the snow for its members, there are events the public can attend. On Sunday, come to Solaris Plaza for the National Brotherhood of Skiers Opening Ceremony Parade with DJs Kutz, DSmooth, Bsharp and Ike T going on from 3:30 until 5 p.m.

Also on Sunday, plan to head over to the Colorado Snowsports Museum after the parade to hear guest speaker Col. Greg Gadson tell his amazing story of courage in the face of adversity. The National Brotherhood of Skiers has teamed up with the Vail Veterans Program and the Colorado Snowsports Museum to host this event. Col. Gadson is a 25-year career Army officer. In May of 2007, his life was forever changed when, as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery in Iraq, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) caused him to lose both legs above the knees and normal use of his right arm and hand.

Col. Gadson has been a participant of the Vail Veterans Program and is also an ambassador of the nonprofit that brings out military injured and their families for healing treatments on the slopes and off that help build confidence and create lifelong connections. This inspiring talk will start at 5 p.m. and there is a $5 suggested donation. For more information, go to SnowsportsMuseum.org.   

On Monday, go back to the Colorado Snowsports Museum and meet artist Lamont Joseph White, who was commissioned to do a piece of art for the town of Vail. His new oil painting, “Towering,” will be on display along with some of his other works and a display about fashion throughout the years with ski outwear from members of the National Brotherhood of Skiers. The meet-and-greet is being held on Monday from 4 – 6 p.m. but the exhibit will be up through the end of the ski season. More works from White can be viewed throughout the month at the Vail Public Library in the Community Room during library hours.

On Tuesday, stay in your warm ski and snowboard clothes after the lifts stop spinning and head over to Golden Peak for Soul on Snow, a concert featuring music by DJ Logic, Mix Master Mike and Ne-Yo. Gates open at 5 p.m. with house music. Drinks and concessions will be on sale at the outdoor venue. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at EventBrite.

Music schedule:

• DJ Logic: 6 to 7 p.m.
• Mix Master Mike: 7 – 8 p.m.
• Ne-Yo: 8 – 9 p.m.

Winter Culinary Weekend

Foodies, rejoice! The Winter Culinary Weekend is upon us at Beaver Creek. Any city can host a culinary festival, but pair great food with skiing, snowshoeing and views of the Rockies and it brings it to a whole new level.

Celebrity chefs descend upon this idyllic resort and pair up with Beaver Creek’s talent chefs to create fantastic evenings of tasting and learning. During the day, you may find yourself snowshoeing to lunch or skiing all day before an après ski experience. Some events do sell out, so if something you see whets your appetite, jump on getting a ticket right away so you don’t miss out. Here’s just a sampling of the events going on throughout the weekend and a full schedule and chef bios can be viewed at BeaverCreek.com.  

Mediterranean Meets the California Coast Dinner at Citrea – Sat., 6:30-10 p.m.

Menu design by guest chef Gavin Kaysen and host chef Ryan Little. Featuring craft wines from Purlieu Wines, Napa Valley and Cobb Wines, Sonoma Coast with Bryan Lipa.

Fire and Wine Dinner at Crooked Hearth, Park Hyatt – Sat., 6:30-10 p.m.

The Crooked Hearth private dining room will provide the backdrop for an amazing dinner that will delight all your senses with the artistry of host chef Santosh Koradi, guest chef Andrew Zimmern, and winemaker Adam Mariani of Scribe Winery.

Master Wine Class: Nebbiolo at Saddleridge – Fri., 4-5:30 p.m.

You’ll enjoy this type of homework in Friday’s tasting class with six wines featuring the Nebbiolo grape from the Piedmont Wine Region of Italy. 

Pop-Up Après events at Citrea and Hooked – Fri. and Sat., 4 to 5 p.m.

One ticket, one hour, two venues. Guests will enjoy a demo and tasting with chef Ryan Little at Citrea and chef Riley Romanin at Hooked and try a cocktail from the pouring partner that day.

Wolfe Cutlery Demo Tent: Soups Samples with C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program) – Fri., 3 – 5 p.m.: 

Scholarship winners, Shelbi Johnson by Cristal Torres, will let guests taste their gumbo and Elote.  

Wolfe Cutlery Demo Tent: Chopping Competition – Sat., 3-5 p.m.: 

Hosted by chef Brother Luck, competitors are asked to cut four different veggies: onion, celery, mushrooms and potatoes and the winner will get $1,000 and a custom handmade David Yellowhorse cleaver.

Concerts at Vilar

It’s a big weekend for concerts at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will play on Sunday and then Sarah Jarosz will take the stage on Sunday. Both shows will be very different – the nine-piece swing and jazz band getting people up and out of their seats dancing on Friday and then the audience will enjoy a more subdued performance with singer-songwriter Jarosz playing with one other musician accompanying her on Sunday. The two shows will spotlight the versatility of the venue.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has been around for over 30 years and has played venues around the world including Lincoln Center, Hollywood Bowl and speaking of bowls, they played the halftime show at the XXXIII Super Bowl in 1999, when John Elway and the Denver Broncos beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-19. The band has played on “Dancing with the Stars” and were featured in Vince Vaughn’s “Swingers,” and in tons of other movies and television shows. Give them a listen on Spotify and you’ll remember hits like, “You & Me & the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight” and “Big and Bad.” The tunes will be enough to get you in the mood to put on your pinstripe suit and dancing shoes and go out on Friday night.

Saxophones, trumpets, clarinets, drums, guitar, bass, piano and tons of vocal harmonies will inspire you to get out of your seat and do a little swing dancing. In fact, the orchestra pit at the Vilar Performing Arts Center will be open for those who want to move to the music.

The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets start at $45 or $28 for children and students. Visit VilarPAC.org for more information.

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sarah Jarosz performs on Sunday night. In contrast to the big band that will be on stage Friday, Jarosz will appear with one other musician, bassist Jeff Picker, and give an intimate performance. The four-time Grammy Award winner will showcase her talents and music from recent albums and collaborations. She is currently touring with Shawn Colvin and Marc Cohn, but taking a break from that tour and doing a stint in the Rockies with shows in Beaver Creek, Aspen and Park City. Give some of her songs a listen on the VilarPAC.org website and book tickets. Showtime is 7 p.m. and tickets start at $35.

Music around town

The ski day isn’t complete without some live music at après ski or into the evening. We’re fortunate to have so many talented performers up and down the valley. Here’s a sampling of who is playing where this weekend.

Red Lion: Nick Steingart – Fri. and Sat., 4-6 p.m. and 9-11 p.m.

Vail Chophouse: Phil Long – Fri. and Sat., 3-6 p.m.

Tavern on the Square: Kevin, Casey and Peter – Sat., 3-6 p.m.

King’s Club at Sonnenalp: Kevin Danzig – Fri., 7-10 p.m.

Brass Bear Bar Park Hyatt Beaver Creek: Brendan McKinney – Fri., 4:30-7:30 p.m.  

The Hythe: Matt Garth – Sat., 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Remedy Bar at Four Seasons Resort Vail: Turntable Review Duo – Sat., 6-9 p.m.

Bridge Street Bar: Jessica Paige and Lucas Parker – Fri., 7:30 p.m.

Shakedown Bar: Jukebox Zero – Fri., 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

Lucky Fridays at Chasing Rabbits: Rotating DJs on Fridays from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

To find more entertainment, go to the Vail Daily’s Events Calendar on VailDaily.com.

Agave is bringing in electronic music veterans Break Science on Saturday night. Break Science is comprised of Borahm Lee and Adam Deitch. Lee is a keyboardist/producer/jazz pianist and has been a part of Pretty Lights’ live band. Deitch is known for his funky, hip-hop drumming in the band Lettuce. Together, they have been pioneers of the electronic music genre and will bring classic hip-hop, dub, drum n’ bass, dancehall, jazz, funk and other elements to Agave on Saturday night. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. and the show starts at 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the show. Go to AgaveAvon.com for more information.

Snowshoe and dance for a cause

There are a few charity events going on this weekend that will get you moving. Snowshoe for Peru happens on Saturday morning and the Dance for Universal Peace is Saturday night.

This winter marks the 10th anniversary of Snowshoe for Peru, a fundraiser for Corazón de Esperanza, a nonprofit that assists orphans, at-risk youth and women in Peru with resources, education, nutrition and hope for a future.

The cost is $35 per racer. The 5k run or walk starts at 10 a.m. Packet pick up and on-site registration the day of the event begins at 9:15 a.m.

Please note – no dogs are allowed on the course due to state park regulations. Only snowshoes are allowed, no skis or sleds. 

Registration includes a cooling towel, retro t-shirt, prizes for top finishers, the State Park entrance fee (during the event) and a raffle ticket. Go to SnowshoeForPeru.com to register or learn more about the event and the option to support this event from afar and do it virtually.

The Dances of Universal Peace will start monthly events this Friday in Eagle at 228 Broadway, Unit C. William Day, founder of the group says their intention is simple: raise consciousness and promote peace between diverse groups thru dance. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to dance alongside other community members.

Throughout the evening the dances include a wide variety of circle dances and songs from different cultures around the world. The acoustic guitar will accompany some easy-to-learn lyrics and movements. 

This weekend’s dance starts with a potluck supper at 6 p.m. and the dances start at 6:30 p.m. It’s a bring-your-own type of event, so be prepared to bring your own beverage and eating utensils and plates since they are trying to make it a no-waste event. A donation of $10 per person is appreciated. Kids are invited to join for the first dance on Saturday. If you have any questions, call William Day at (540) 905-3342 or email him at wsdayjr@gmail.com.

Canadian Brass with Kantorei

Get into the holiday spirit with live music at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek with the Canadian Brass on Friday. This lively brass quintet is sure to dazzle and delight with holiday classics like “Frosty the Snowman,” “Sing We Now of Christmas,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “White Christmas” and so many more.

The Vilar Performing Arts Center is the perfect venue for this fivesome. The intimate space will bode well for their lively dialogue and theatrics. This high energy show will be made even better with the addition of Kantorei, which is a choral ensemble based out of Denver. Sing along and create memories during this holiday season with these classic sounds in this beautiful venue.

The Canadian Brass has produced over 130 albums and has toured the world over. Its music has reached the top of the charts on Billboard and has earned fans from all over. Their repertoire spans genres from Baroque to Dixieland, so don’t be surprised if you feel inspired to move and groove to their tunes.

Kantorei’s mission is to elevate the human experience through choral excellence. This group has also toured the world and has been receiving recognition from Billboard, iTunes and Amazon.

“The glorious sound of brass around the holidays invokes a sense of splendor and enchantment that we all seek at this special time of year,” said Owen Hutchinson, executive director of the Vilar Performing Arts Center. “The Canadian Brass, truly one of the greatest brass ensembles of our time, are beloved for their instrumental brilliance and humor woven into their concerts.”

At press time, tickets were limited, so contact the Vilar Performing Arts Center’s box office today and give the gift of music by buying tickets to this show. Reserved seating starts at $60 and there are special prices for children and students at $40. For more information, go to VilarPAC.org or call 970-845-8497. The show starts at 7 p.m. and is part of the Therese M. Grojean Classical Series.

Christmas services

This weekend, Christmas Eve is on Saturday and Christmas Day on Sunday. Area houses of worship like Vail Chapel, the Beaver Creek Chapel and the Edwards Interfaith Chapel will all be busy with church services. Check their websites for service times.

We have several denominations in our valley, so whether you are looking for a Lutheran, Episcopalian, Methodist, Catholic, Baptist or other congregation, a service can be found by searching the ChurchAngel.com website by state and then put in the town you’re looking for. Take a look at the church’s website for information on their schedule and location.

Special services include a Midnight Mass held at Beaver Creek Chapel on Christmas Eve. If you have kids who maybe can’t stay up that late, check out the Children’s Christmas Pageant Service on Christmas Eve at 1:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration at the Edwards Interfaith Chapel.

In addition to children’s Christmas pageants, many congregations perform special music during this holiday. Eagle River Presbyterian Church’s music director is Don Watson, a musician who has played all sorts of venues in the valley for decades. He’s put together a great showcase of the choir, soloists, Christmas carols you can sing along to and the magical sound of handbells.

Services move to larger locations during Christmas, so there will be folks gathering at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek and at the Sebastian Hotel in Vail. Keep in mind that parking may be tight during the day at the Vail and Beaver Creek parking garages, so allow extra time to find parking.

Want a cowboy Christmas? Mountain Life Calvary Chapel’s Christmas Eve at the Ranch brings you to 4 Eagle Ranch outside of Wolcott. Service times are at 2, 4 and 7 p.m. Come early or stay late and check out the sleigh rides and the horses and cattle and other critters you may be able to spot out on the range.

Hanukkah services

It’s also Hanukkah and you can attend menorah lightings each evening such as the one right by the Covered Bridge in Vail Village. Come early and join Rabbi Newman and Cantor Michelle Cohn Levy of the B’Nai Vail Congregation for a warm drink at Loaded Joe’s, some singing, community and more each night at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Menorah Lighting at 5 p.m. for more information, go to BnaiVail.org.

Chabad Vail invites you to celebrate the Hanukkah Shabbat Dinner on Friday night. Come gather at the Jewish Community Center in Lionshead starting at 6 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $50 and you can reserve a spot for the event by going to JewishVail.com or by calling 970-476-7887.

On Sunday, Chabad Vail Jewish Community Center also invites you to Hanukkah at Chasing Rabbits, the new venue at Solaris that houses an arcade, a speakeasy, restaurant and more. At the event, you’ll find hot latkes, Menorah lighting celebration, c’haim to ring in good health and cheer in the new season and enjoy après ski and gifts at this new venue.

The event will run from 4 to 6 p.m. and you can RSVP at JewishVail.com or call 970-476-7887. Tickets are $15 per person in advance and $20 at the door.

The Westin Riverfront will be celebrating Hanukkah through Monday by lighting the menorah nightly at sundown.

Holiday Dining

Many local restaurants are offering special menus through the holiday weekend. Contact your favorite dining establishment to see what they are serving up and reservations are a must this time of year. Here are a few places and their special menus.

Spend Christmas Eve at The Sebastian Vail. There are two options for you and family and friends to share a meal whether it is breakfast or dinner. If skiing and snowboarding is the priority, come early and get breakfast at The Sebastian from 7 to 11 a.m. Or, spend all day on the slopes and wind down your day with Leonora’s Christmas Eve Four Course Prix Fixe Dinner with seating from 5 to 9 p.m. The price is $105 for adults, $55 for children (12 and younger), and 4 and younger are free. Want to spice it up? Add $44 for a wine pairing. Call 970-477-8020 to reserve your Christmas Eve dining experience. 

The Sonnenalp Hotel, with its European charm, exudes the Christmas spirit. Ludwig’s restaurant will be hosting Christmas Eve and Christmas Day buffets. Starters include a soup and salad bar along with artisan cheese, meat and bread display. The carving station includes a roasted Christmas goose and slow-roasted beef rib eye. For the seafood lovers there will be poached prawns, snow crab claws, crab legs and fresh oysters. Save room for dessert, you’ll find anything from mini classic desserts and ice cream to a cotton candy machine.

Christmas Eve service is from 5 to 10 p.m. and the price is $175 adults and $75 children (6-12). Christmas Day service is from 1 to 8 p.m. and the price is $175 adults and $75 children (6-12).

On Christmas Day, Stoke & Rye, the new restaurant concept by Richard Sandoval in the former Maya space at the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa, will host a Christmas Day Brunch from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Stoke & Rye will be doing brunch right with an omelet station, prime rib, honey roasted ham and an Instagram worthy seafood display. There will also be other breakfast classics like blueberry pancakes, smoked bacon, pork sausage a waffle station with toppings like berries and chocolate chips and if those sweets aren’t enough, save room for the dessert station.  

Christmas Day Brunch at Stoke & Rye is priced at $59 for adults and $35 for kids under age 12. Reservations are highly recommended. To make a reservation, please visit StokeAndRye.com/Book-Table.

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’

Want to see the whole Peanuts gang this Christmas? Watch Lucy, Snoopy, Linus, Sally and of course Charlie Brown at the annual Christmas Eve screening of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the classic holiday film by Charles M. Schulz at The Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa.

Not that your memory needs a refresh on this holiday classic that came out in 1965, but the storyline follows Charlie Brown as he realizes the materialism at Christmas. Lucy invites her pal to become the director of the school Christmas pageant, but it does become a bit dismal, enough to have Charlie Brown exclaim, “good grief!” But with the help of Linus, the true meaning of Christmas helps Charlie feel good again.

The screening is free and open to the public, the movie will start at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday in The Westin Riverfront lobby. Guests can enjoy bites and drinks from The Lookout, which serves up Colorado microbrews, hand-crafted cocktails and wine as well as hearty soups, salads, sandwiches and flatbreads.