This weekend in the Vail Valley: Big Wild, artisans in Vail Village and hiking in the aspens
It’s a packed schedule in the Vail Valley as we close down the summer season
Artisan Rhapsody/Courtesy photo
Artisan Rhapsody in Vail
Celebrate the fall season with Artisan Rhapsody. This weekend festival celebrates the beauty of the surroundings with an outdoor display of artwork, culinary delights, wine and spirits tastings, fashion and music on the streets of Vail. Local, regional, national and international artists will be present to share their works, techniques and inspirations with the public. Workshops and classes will also be held to help you get your creative juices flowing.
Schedule highlights with artists include:
- Jewelry Design with Cindy Duncan –– 3-5 p.m. Friday
- Learn to create with oil paints and wax with Jamie Nix Rahn– 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
- Mater Artisan Series: Interview with Miriam Vleming – Saturday 1-2 p.m.
- Fused Glass with Jona Siverly – Saturday 2-5 p.m.
Culinary offerings and chefs:
- Matt Vawter – Rootstalk – Breckenridge
- Autumn O’Connell – Mountain Jam – Vail
- Bryanna Cody – Dessert Lab – Eagle
- Cody Foster – Sushi Torakku – Roaring Fork Valley
- Ben Shirley – The Full Belly – Gypsum
- Bob Stephens – Bob’s Roasted Nuts – Castle Rock
- Elua Woolsey – Ekahi – Gypsum
- Karen Bull & Issac Schnitzer – Flower Power Craft Pizza
Fashion happenings:
- Trunk shows at Squash Blossom daily. Meet jewelry designers in the store, style sessions, vintage jewelry and a pop-up patch bar Friday-Sunday.
- Line dancing and tequila tasting at Axel’s in Vail Village – Saturday – 2-3 p.m.
- Origin of Oceans – fine swimwear that is handmade, beaded and embroidered
- Repurposed vintage boots, scarves belts and more by Ramsey Cotter of J. Cotter Gallery
- Trapper of Colorado hats and scarves
- Upcycled Japanese kimonos
Check out the full schedule of events or just stop by. The booths will be set up in Vail Village from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, go to ArtisanRhapsody.com.
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Big Wild at The Amp
Get ready to dance as electronic sensation Big Wild comes to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail on Friday night. Jackson Stell is the mastermind behind Big Wild and blends his instrumental talents with drum pads, keyboard, synth and live vocals to create an amazing sound on the Wild Child tour.
Stell is a Massachusetts native who once went by J Beatz and was a hip-hop producer. Now his musical style spans electronic, pop, indie and more.
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Joining Big Wild is Shallou, a Los Angeles-based electronic musician, singer, producer and DJ known for house melodies with soulful vocals.
Dress warm enough to enjoy this show since the nights are getting cooler, especially at Vail’s elevation. The concert is rain or shine. Tickets are still available for this general admission show. Big Wild has partnered with PLUS1 so that one dollar per ticket goes to Ethos Music Center, supporting the enhancement of their computer-based equipment and music programming for youth. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Go to GRFAVail.com for more information and tickets.
Hike, Wine & Dine at Beaver Creek
In its 17th year, this active fundraiser encourages folks to get out on the trail and enjoy the fall scenery of Beaver Creek while also being treated to some nibbles and sips from some of Beaver Creek’s local eateries. From tuna poke nachos and mushroom ravioli to beef bourguignon, you won’t go hungry on this hike.
The fall colors are peaking at the perfect time for Hike, Wine & Dine, a charity event that takes people out on the hiking trails of Beaver Creek to enjoy the fall colors while raising money for the Vail Health Shaw Cancer Center Spirit of Survival programs.
Registration starts at 9 a.m. on Sunday and this hike begins at 11 a.m. Come early and enjoy coffee and breakfast sandwiches and other goodies before embarking on a moderate, family-friendly 5-mile hike that winds through aspen groves and leads you to more tastings along the way. The trail also takes you to a special area where yellow ribbons have been placed on aspen trees to honor those affected by cancer. It is truly moving to walk through the forest and see this sight.
Once back at the base of Beaver Creek, enjoy the après hike party that goes from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., so if you can’t make it in the morning and want to join later and support the cause.
Participating restaurants include Beaver Creek Chophouse, Blue Moose Pizza, Dang Sweets, Grouse Mountain Grill, Mountain Fish House, The Osprey, Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, Rimini Gelato, Stoke & Rye, Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea Co., Vail Brewing Co., Avon Liquor and West Vail Liquor Mart. For more information, visit HikeWineDine.com.
Wild West Day benefit for local schools
There’s fun for the family this weekend at 4 Eagle Ranch near Wolcott at Wild West Day. Let your kids roam the wide-open spaces and enjoy all the fun games, crafts and activities that has made this fundraiser successful for over 30 years. This one-day event single handedly raises money for Eagle County public elementary schools, therefore streamlining the efforts for asking for donations, allowing businesses and people to give at one time to help all the public schools. Pre-K facilities are also a part of this effort and EFEC, the Education Foundation of Eagle County, is leading the charge.
Schools who benefit from this event include: Avon, Brush Creek, Eagle Valley, Edwards, Edwards Early Learning Center, Gypsum, Homestake Peak, Red Hill, Red Sandstone and Pre-K programs.
Check out the family fun at 4 Eagle Ranch from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. 4 Eagle Ranch provides the perfect setting for this western-themed event, so don your cowboy hat and boots to look the part. There is also a raffle and you can purchase tickets – $5 for one or $20 for five tickets. Winners will get anything from cold hard cash to a winter getaway from Vail Resorts, a trip to Palisade Wine Country or a $250 shopping spree at Wishes Toy Store.
Admission is $8 per person and can be purchased at the gate. For more information go to EFEC.org/Wild_West_Day.
This is My Brave
SpeakUp ReachOut, whose mission is to prevent suicide in Eagle County, is proud to present the third edition of “This is My Brave – The Show.” This live performance at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek will feature local community members sharing stories about their lived experience with mental illness, suicidal intensity, substance misuse, suicide loss, eating disorders and more and bring hope to those who may be dealing with similar challenges.
The goal of “This Is My Brave-The Show” is not only the production itself, but also to create a support team and safe space for the cast members sharing their stories.
“Since This Is My Brave’s inaugural year in 2022 when eight storytellers took the stage, much has changed,” said Laura Alvarez, SpeakUp ReachOut’s program and events director. “Storytelling is now interwoven into our work in suicide prevention, spreading the awareness that others have walked down similar pathways and shared journeys of recovery. We listen deeply to unique stories because we believe sharing experiences promotes healing.”
Showtime is 7 p.m. on Friday at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek. Audience members will have the opportunity to meet the cast, sponsors and production team after the show. Tickets are available online for $26 through Friday at 5 p.m. They will also be available at the door for $31. Go to SpeakUpReachOut.org/Educational-Events/This-Is-My-Brave.
Minturn SeptemberFest
The town of Minturn is hosting Minturn SeptemberFest, a rebranded version of the Hometown Throwdown event held in the past. SeptemberFest runs from 12:30-7 p.m. and features live music, games, food and beverages by local vendors. It’s free to attend, but food and drink are available for purchase. A portion of beverage sale proceeds will benefit the Minturn Community Fund. Enjoy beer from Vail Brewing Company, whisky from Minturn Whisky Company, wine and canned cocktails by The Bunkhouse and food trucks will be there with a variety of offerings.
Musical schedule:
- Jean Larie – 12:30 p.m.
- Scotty Kabel – 2 p.m.
- Tim Campbell & Friends – 3:30 p.m.
- The Laughing Bones – 5 p.m.
This event will happen in conjunction with the Vail Rec District Cougar Ridge Classic, the race that goes from Vail to Minturn on Saturday morning, with awards happening in downtown Minturn from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The event takes place in the parking lot between Minturn Whiskey Company and The Bunkhouse.
Public parking is available in the municipal parking lot but is limited, so carpooling, walking and biking are recommended where possible. For more information, go to Minturn.org.
