Holiday happenings continue in the Vail Valley this weekend
From ice skating shows and comedy to hockey games and free activities for kids, start the new year out with these events
Vail Après Holiday Happenings
Silent Disco
After the slopes close on Friday, head to Lionshead for Discover Vail’s Silent Disco under the stars. If you’ve never been to a silent disco, it’s where you grab a pair of headphones, listen to the beat and seek out others who also are on that channel. You can turn to a different channel if you are looking for a different beat. The dancing will heat you up and the headphones will keep your your ears warm. Headphones are complimentary and this event runs between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. For more information, go to DiscoverVail.com.
Free ice skating shows
As the holidays wind down, this marks the last weekend of free ice skating shows in Vail. These two shows will be at the Solaris Ice Rink in Vail Village. Showtimes are at 4:45 and 5:30 p.m. and are only 15 minutes each and are the perfect complement to your evening whether you are leaving après ski or head out to dinner. There is a star-studded line up this weekend:
- Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea — current U.S. National Pair Champions
- Leah Neset and Artem Markelov — current U.S. National Ice Dance Junior Champions, World Junior Champions, Junior Grand Prix Champions
- Camden Pulkinen — U.S. National Medalist and 2-time World Team member
- Jordan Moeller — Former Team USA Athlete (make sure you stop by to see he him perform two back flips in the show)
- Michelle Lee — member of Team USA, 2-time U.S. National competitor
For more information, go to DiscoverVail.com.
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The Second City – 65th Anniversary show at Vilar Center
Start the new year off with some laughs at the Vilar Performing Arts Center on Friday as The Second City celebrates its 65th anniversary with its favorite songs, skits and characters throughout the decades.
The Second City is known for churning out such talented comedians as Bill Murray, Joan Rivers, Jim and John Belushi, Alan Alda, Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey and the list goes on and on. The Second City, a nickname for Chicago, began back on a snowy evening in downtown Chicago in December 1959. The small cabaret theater eventually became a comedy empire and now has several locations throughout Chicago, New York City and Toronto, Canada.
At press time limited tickets were available, so call the box office to inquire about tickets at 970-845-TIXS (8497). Read more about the show at VilarPAC.org.
Vail Yeti Hockey vs. CU Buffs
The Vail Yeti Hockey team is kicking off the new year playing the University of Colorado Buffaloes of Boulder. College hockey meets the Vail-based Senior A hockey team that formed in 2013. This season, the Yeti will host 21 of its 24 games at home at the Dobson Arena before the Dobson Arena undergoes a large remodel project.
The Vail Yeti hockey games offer more than just high-energy hockey, it’s a full evening of entertainment, giveaways, food, drinks and fun. Get ready for the game by attending a tasting at 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits Company’s Tasting Room in Vail Village at 6:30 p.m. Post parties are held after each game with Vendetta’s in Vail Village hosting on Friday and Garfinkel’s hosting on Saturday. Beers can be purchased for $5 at the game and full concessions including cheese steaks and other delicious bites from chef John Zavoral can be found if you want to have dinner there.
In addition to the free T-shirts that are thrown out to the crowd during intermission, attendees have a chance to win gift cards from Alpine Kind, Alpine Pizza and Vendetta’s during the Chuck-A-Puck game. People can buy a foam puck and then see how close they can get to the bullseye on the ice. Thanks to the Steadman Clinic, there are 1,000 pucks available to purchase this year, versus 600 last year. Each weekend the charity that benefits from Chuck-A-Puck changes and this weekend Base Camp 40 is the beneficiary. Base Camp 40 is a nonprofit that serves men and women of the military and provides hunting and fishing outings in Colorado, Kentucky and Canada.
Get your tickets in advance for $15 or $20 at the door. These games do tend to sell out, so advance purchase online is recommended. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and then the team warms up on the ice, the National Anthem is played and then the puck drops at 7:45 p.m. Learn more at VailYetiHockey.com.
First Fridays in Minturn
First Fridays continue in Minturn this week with SteamMaster Restoration and Cleaning and All In Good Light Gallery hosting the event from 4-6 p.m. Minturn is excited to engage the businesses of Minturn in hosting events each month and welcome not only the town of Minturn residents to attend but also the greater community. Free refreshments include two drink tickets for beer or wine and light snacks.
SteamMaster is locally owned and operated and was founded in 1978. The company specializes in mold remediation, water damage restoration, structural drying and odor removal, but beyond business, the company has been involved in the community as well. During First Fridays, you’ll get a tour of the operations, and SteamMaster houses many of their employees on site. The SteamMaster office is also home to All In Good Light Gallery, which was started by long-time SteamMaster employee and co-owner, Raj Manickam.
Manickam’s latest showcase features nature, but the way it’s photographed makes it look almost abstract. It’s titled “ICM – Wonder in the Woods,” with ICM being the acronym for intentional camera movement. Photographed not far away from the gallery in Minturn, the works primarily feature Aspen trees surrounded by native plants, shrubs and bushes. The vibrant colors of spring, summer and fall bring out the beauty in this natural setting.
Visitors can also experience Manickam’s Western art that follows rodeo fixtures like cowboys and rodeo clowns as well as a nod to his Eastern heritage. Manickam is from Melaka, Malaysia, and loves to share his perspective.
SteamMaster is located at 1901 Main St. in Minturn, south of the main downtown area. For more information on Minturn’s First Fridays, go to Minturn.org.
Fun activities for the kids
Many schools are still on holiday break through Sunday, and if your kids are started to say “I’m bored” here are a few fun things to do off the slopes.
Après Ski at the Vail Library — “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” will be the featured movie this week. The free event goes from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Jan. 3. See VailLibrary.com for more information.
School Break Movie: “It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie” — Gypsum Public Library, Dec. 3 at 3-5 p.m. This movie is free for all ages and refreshments will be provided. Go to EVLD.org for more information.
Vacation Art Camps — Alpine Arts Center in Edwards offers half day camps from 9 a.m. to noon for $59. Campers will be instructed on working with mediums like paintings, pottery, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media. Get your kids signed up by going to AlpineArtsCenter.org.
Cupcakes and Canvas — Alpine Arts Center will also be offering Cupcakes and Canvas from 1-2:30 p.m. on Jan. 4. This is a fun way to learn how to paint with the help of an art instructor who will walk you through the steps to create your own painting while enjoying a sweet treat. This session’s theme is swirly aspens so channel your inner Van Gogh and create your own unique scene. The cost for supplies, instruction and the cupcake is $55 and you can register in advance at AlpineArtsCenter.org.
