From the rodeo to Bravo! Vail, concerts at The Amp and dino bones and beer tasting, it’s another busy weekend in the Vail Valley
Bravo! Vail welcomes its 38th season, O.A.R. returns to Eagle County and the Minturn Market brings back many of your favorite vendors
O.A.R. and Blind Melon perform at The Amp
Hear some 90s and early 2000s nostalgia when O.A.R. returns to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater with special guests Blind Melon on Friday. O.A.R. has performed in the Vail Valley several times, but you’ll never hear the same show twice, the set list is constantly changing. O.A.R. got its start when childhood friends came together and started a band in the drummer, Chris Culos’ basement in Maryland in 1996. The band has pretty much stayed together ever since and feels grateful that they still get tour and live this lifestyle.
“I think the number one thing you need to keep a band going is really appreciate and find joy in what you do, and that’s absolutely the case with us. We don’t ever take any of it for granted,” said O.A.R. singer and guitarist Marc Roberge in an interview with Vail Daily.
At press time, tickets were listed as limited availability. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. with gates opening at 6:30 p.m. For more information and to buy tickets online, go to GRFAVail.com. If you want to skip the ticketing fees, go straight to the box office at The Amp or the Vilar Center box office in Beaver Creek.
Bravo! Vail opens this weekend
Bravo! Vail Music Festival ushers in its 38th season with a weekend of Brahms and a debut performance by the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.
“The Chamber Orchestra of Europe is a dream ensemble, and it has been a long-held dream of mine to introduce them to our wonderful audience in Vail,” said Anne-Marie McDermott, artistic director of Bravo! Vail Music Festival. “That it also offers us the chance to hear both of Brahms’ piano concertos performed by one of the world’s leading pianists, and a dear friend, Yefim Bronfman, is simply a dream come true.”
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The Chamber Orchestra of Europe is a collection of top musicians from the European Union. What’s unique is that there is no residence hall or an appointed conductor. While in Vail, the group will be led by German conductor Matthias Pintscher, who was recently appointed music director of the Kansas City Symphony. Other guest artists include violinist Blake Pouliot and cellist Alisa Weilerstein on Saturday and pianist Yefim Bronfman on Sunday.
Learn about the upcoming Bravo! Vail season and check out special performances for kids, free performances, educational opportunities and more at BravoVail.org.
Minturn Market returns for the summer
The town of Minturn kicks off its 28th year of hosting the Minturn Market in its historic downtown. Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from now until Sept. 6 make your way to Minturn for this local’s tradition.
Fresh produce can be found alongside arts, crafts, jewelry, clothing and more. The list of returning vendors to the Minturn Market is long with 90% coming back year after year. Look for new vendors selling photography, candles, pet products, crepes and infused spirits. Also, this week there will be a live glass blowing demonstration by Stan Morris of the Minturn Makers Space.
Bring the kids for free, fun activities like the bounce house, climbing wall and face painting. Performing live music at the market this week will be Dave “Skip Dog” Andersen from 9:30 –11:30 a.m. and Tim Campbell from 12-2 p.m.
Speaking of music, Radio Free Minturn is hosting a musical event and fundraiser at Little Beach Park also on Saturday from 12:30–4:30 p.m., so after the Minturn Market make your way to the Little Beach stage in the afternoon. Here’s the schedule:
- 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. Jean Larie
- 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Jen Mack
- 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Nick Steingart & Bob Masters (of Skin the Rabbit)
This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of Alpine Kind and to celebrate the store is hosting a Block Party from 5-7 p.m. on Friday with Evoke Bike Shop down the street. Look for 10% off storewide as well as giveaways. Refreshments like snow cones and snacks will be served along with live music by Dave Tucker and Ben Freese.
Cowboys Forever Foundation Rodeo in Eagle
This Friday marks the first rodeo of the season for the Cowboys Forever Foundation in Eagle. Come and see classic rodeo events and competitions such as saddle bronc and bareback riding, team roping, barrel racing, mutton bustin’, bull riding and more.
The rodeos will happen at the Eagle County Fairgrounds most Fridays from now until Aug. 15. This rodeo series will take a break when the Eagle County Fair & Rodeo comes to the same venue July 21-26. Come early and grab a bite to eat from vendors like The Cowboy Kitchen and Mountain Grillin’ or an adult beverage from Mountain Beverage and The Liquor Store. The local 4-H group will be selling soft drinks, too.
Tickets are $10 for those ages 12 years and older, $5 for senior citizens and military and $5 for kids ages 4-11 years old. Children 3 years and under are free. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Gates open at 6 p.m. and that’s when the kids can sign up for mutton bustin’. The Grand Entry is at 7:30 p.m.
The Cowboys Forever Foundation is a local nonprofit committed to keeping western heritage alive and helping our community. For years, it has teamed up with local nonprofit SpeakUp ReachOut to help spread the message about suicide awareness and prevention. For more information, go to CowboysForeverFoundation.org.
Summer Beer Tasting for the Dinosaur Museum
Summertime is here and that means it’s time to switch things up for your palate and if you’re a beer lover, you’ve got plenty of choices. Riverwalk Wine & Spirits will be pouring several varieties during its Summer Beer Tasting event that benefits the Museum at Dinosaur Junction on Friday from 6-8 p.m.
“For me, my wine preferences lean towards drinking more red than white wine and more dunkels and heavier stouts in the winter, but during the summer I like lighter and more refreshing Mexican lagers, Kolsch, hazy IPAs, sours, and old-school German hefeweizens. We’ll be pouring all those and plenty of Colorado craft beer on Friday night,” said Jarrett Osborn of Riverwalk Wine & Spirits. “We’ll also be serving up seasonal releases from the valley’s own Vail Brewing Company and Eagle River Brewing Company.”
The Museum at Dinosaur Junction is devoted to the history of paleontology in Colorado, with exhibitions, research and a library that was founded by longtime local Billy Doran.
“Riverwalk Wine & Spirits and The Museum at Dinosaur Junction are redefining the beer tasting event. It is a trip back millions of years combined with the culture and talent of true beer making. What could be more fun than having some beers and learning about dinosaurs?” Doran said.
Light appetizers will be provided by Mountain Fish House to go with the over 25 beers to sample. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Riverwalk Wine & Spirits in Edwards and the proceeds will go to the museum. The Summer Beer Tasting will be held at The Museum at Dinosaur Junction which is located at 1121 Miller Ranch Road in the Edwards Early Learning Center.
