Big entertainment at The Amp, FAC at Westin and lifts running this weekend at Vail and Beaver Creek
Summer is in full swing
Big Shows at The Amp
Umphrey’s McGee
If you like concerts and comedy, The Amp delivers this weekend. Friday kicks off with jam band Umphrey’s McGee at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. The group has been playing together for over 20 years and The Amp will be a perfect venue for dancing and singing along to old favorites and new tunes. Tickets are all general admission (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) and cost $65 in advance and $75 the day of the show, based on availability. Also, if you missed Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country at The Amp during the GoPro Mountain Games, they will be taking the stage on Friday night as well.
Steve Martin and Martin Short
Steve Martin and Martin Short return with “The Dukes of Funnytown.” This dynamic comedy duo has been to The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater before and they know how to deliver the laughs. “The Dukes of Funnytown” will also include the talents of the Steep Canyon Rangers and Jeff Babko. As of press time, a limited number of tickets were available.
Black Pumas
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Round out the weekend with a concert featuring Black Pumas, also at The Amp. This duo is out of Austin, Texas and is inviting everyone to “electric church” on Sunday night at 7 p.m. Singer/songwriter Eric Burton got his start singing in subway stations and on beaches in Los Angeles while Adrian Quesada, who is a guitarist and producer, has played in the band, Grupo Fantasma and even accompanied Prince. Abraham Alexander is a fellow Texas musician who is also on the bill for Sunday night. General admission tickets start at $49.95 in advance and $55 the day of the show and pavilion seating is priced at $79.95.
For more information and to see the lineup of more acts coming to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, go to GRFAVail.com.
Farmers’ Markets
Vail Farmers’ Market and Art Show
The largest farmers market in Eagle County is the Vail Farmers’ Market and Art Show, which begins this Sunday and runs every Sunday until Oct. 6. With over 100 vendors there’s a lot to check out, including just going there to grab a bite to eat since there are 40 food vendors. The market runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. throughout Vail Village, predominantly on East Meadow Drive and along the International Bridge. For more details go to VailFarmersMarket.com.
Edwards Market
The farmers market in Edwards is back again this summer but in a new location. Look for many of the same vendors from years past in the upper level of the Edwards Plaza Parking lot at 57 Edwards Access Road. The market will be held on Saturdays from now until Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. A list of vendors can be found on the Edwards Farmers Market Instagram page. Fresh produce, coffee, sweets, meats, fish, soaps, bakery treats, hand-crafted wares and more can be found in Edwards each Saturday.
Vail Craft Beer Classic
Like beer? Then head to the 8th annual Vail Craft Beer Classic in Vail. Dozens of breweries and beverage makers will pour their best beer, seltzers, spirits and ciders. Vote for your favorites and help the winners go home with bragging rights and a personalized Best of Summer tap handle that they can proudly display for the rest of the year. Live music and food trucks will surround the beverage tents at Solaris Plaza during this two-day festival.
Vail Craft Beer Tasting Sessions:
- Friday: 4-7 p.m. (3:30 p.m. for early access)
- Saturday: 2-5 p.m. (1:30 p.m. for early access)
Learn about the various ticket options and get a list of breweries and beverage makers at VailCraftBeerClassic.com.
FAC at Westin Riverfront
FAC is the acronym for Friday Afternoon Club but it also spells out a good time to gather with friends, have a few drinks with great specials on Colorado craft beers and enjoy live music and great views at the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa along the Eagle River in Avon.
FAC has been a big part of the summer scene and each FAC concert will start at 5:30 p.m. every Friday until Sept. 6. This week’s band is FinalEyes, a fun, high-energy band with covers of dance party hits, ’80s rock, today’s hits and timeless classics. Other bands like Hardscrabble will play on July 5 and Babaux and the Peacemakers will play on Aug. 9. A variety of smaller groups and solo acts round out the rest of the schedule. For more information check out StokeAndRye.com/FAC-2024.
Chair lifts open
Vail Mountain will operate Gondola One (No. 1) and the Eagle Bahn Gondola (No. 19) and Beaver Creek will open Centennial Express (No. 6) for the summer season this weekend. Lifts will run daily until Labor Day, and then will operate on the weekends until Sept. 29.
If you have your season pass for the 2024-25 season, lift access is free. If you need to buy a lift ticket, consider the lift and lunch combination ticket and plan to eat up at Spruce Saddle at Beaver Creek or at restaurants at the top of Eagle’s Nest.
One thing new at Beaver Creek this summer is the Colorado Showcase Concert Series held on Saturdays from now until Sept. 15. The Rail Benders take the stage starting at 5:30 p.m. in the village. The concert lineup can be found here.
Please note that Vail Resorts has stated that certain activities and trails for hiking and biking may open at later dates depending on snow and trail conditions and are subject to change based on weather.
