Culture

A PARADISE FOR THE ARTS
What is the Aspen Idea? It’s the big idea behind the town’s modern incarnation in which mind, body and spirit go hand in hand. That’s why you’re likely to find yourself listening to an internationally famous virtuoso musician playing the Aspen Music Tent on a balmy summer evening, after an exhilarating day’s mountain-biking, or feeding your soul with a visit to the Aspen Art Museum after a stroll down the Rio Grande Trail. None of it is an accident, and all of it is inspired by Aspen’s extraordinary natural beauty.

We don’t want you to miss out on a thing, so before you travel, check out what is on. Aspen has several excellent home-grown film festivals during the year, including the ritzy Academy Screenings where you can get a peak at the Oscar front-runners before they’re on general release. There is theatre galore — check out quirky, world-renowned Aspen Shortsfest, or see a show in the unique and intimate setting of Theater Aspen in Rio Grande Park.

We even have our own professional ballet company which performs and presents regularly. And if your intellect needs a workout, there is nowhere better than at the Aspen Institute where world leaders and great thinkers regularly congregate at the serene Aspen Meadows campus in the spirit of the Aspen Idea.

Tickets for most Aspen events are available through the historic Wheeler Opera House which also presents a wide range of entertainment, including comedy, film and music on a regular basis. Their calendar is a must-see as is that of the Belly-Up where you will be amazed at the legendary talent that comes to play in this small but state-of-the-art venue.

One of our favorites? Why not become an instant Aspenite by jumping on the Aspen Historical Society’s History Coach? Check out www.aspenhistory.org and be driven around town to places of interest, including two of our fascinating museums. The tours offered by the Historical Society are unparalleled — there’s even an Aspen Mountain ski history tour on skis!

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