Vail sister city cultural exchange set for June
VAIL — Cultural exchange activities will headline sister cities programming this summer when a delegation from Vail travels to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, followed by a reciprocal visit that will feature well-known Mexican chefs and performers.The activities are part of an official agreement formed between the towns in 2015. The partnership has included educational, environmental and cultural exchanges, as well as tourism opportunities.
The summer itinerary begins June 15, when a nine-member delegation from Vail will travel to San Miguel de Allende as guests of the city and tourism office. The Vail group will tour a variety of sights and enjoy culinary and live music experiences.
Leading Vail’s delegation will be Matt Morgan, owner of the Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard restaurants. Morgan has assembled a culinary team that will host cooking demonstrations during the visit featuring dishes prepared by Sweet Basil Chef-Owner Paul Anders, Assistant Chef Anthony Salazar and Jennifer Lewis, also from Sweet Basil. Rounding out the delegation will be Brian Nolan, owner of the Blue Moose restaurants; Molly Eppard, Vail Art in Public Places coordinator, town clerk Patty McKenny and council member Greg Moffet.
The following week, representatives from San Miguel de Allende will travel to Vail to continue the cultural exchange. The 11-member Mexican delegation will be headed by Mayor Ricardo Villarreal Garcia. He’ll be joined by the city’s tourism officials, culinary representatives and musicians.
The weeklong series of events kicks off June 21 when Pilaseca, a San Miguel-based band, performs at the free Hot Summer Nights Concert at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 6:30 p.m.
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On June 23, a special San Miguel dinner hosted by Sweet Basil from 6 to 10 p.m. featuring Chef Carlos Zamora Larios from Restaurant Moxi and Chef Donnie Masterson from The Restaurant will take place. Reservations may be made by calling Sweet Basil, 970-476-0125.
Chef Larios and Chef Masterson will also present some of their favorite dishes during the first Farm-to-Table dinner of the summer June 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. along Meadow Drive. For ticket information, call 970-476-0125.
