Vail Valley Foundation/Photo courtesy
Concerts at The Amp
Walker Hayes
This weekend, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is offering a varied concert program every night. Tickets for OAR with special guests Fitz and the Tantrums and DJ Logic on Saturday are already sold out, but at press time, tickets were still available for Walker Hayes on Friday and a three-piece act on Sunday consisting of Leftover Salmon, Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band.
Walker Hayes is a Grammy-nominated country-pop musician who is currently in the middle of his summer tour. Sing along to catchy tunes like “Fancy Like” and “AA” or enjoy his latest release, “Ball Player.” Get ready to get up and dance to the collection of songs he’ll be performing Friday night at 7 p.m. Opening for Hayes are Kylie Morgan and Tenille Arts.
Leftover Salmon, Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band
If you love bluegrass music, these three bands need no introduction. See them all in one place and one night on Sunday at The Amp. Each band plays a full set and the order of the bands changes each night, so there is no headliner or opening act. Show time starts a little earlier on Sunday, with doors opening at 4pm and music starting at 5pm.
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What’s special about this lineup is how consistent these three acts are. 20, 25, 30 years later, they’re still touring, gaining new fans and retaining their long-time followers. Tickets were still available at press time, but you’ll want to be quick because this lineup will put on an entertaining show and likely draw fans from all over the region. For tickets and more information on Friday and Sunday’s concerts, visit GRFAVail.com..
OKAN at May Gallery
This Saturday, OKAN will perform at the May Gallery. You may be wondering, “Where is the May Gallery? Is this a new venue in town?” In fact, it’s located at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek, offering concertgoers a more intimate experience.
The May Gallery has always been a special place in the theater. It is the main lounge that is usually used for pre- and post-concert events. What the Vilar Performing Arts Center intends to do with this offering, called the Live at the May Gallery Music Series, is to showcase a variety of performances, from jazz to classical to folk and more. Hosting events at the May Gallery gives the feel of an intimate jazz club without the big city feel.
On Saturday, OKAN will take the stage at the May Gallery, showcasing their eclectic sounds ranging from jazz and folk to global rhythms with an Afro-Cuban flair. OKAN is led by Cuban-born violinist and vocalist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist and vocalist Magdelys Savigne, both Grammy and Latin Grammy nominees.
Seating will be slightly different than at the Vilar Center. There will be theater-style seating with free admission near the stage, or you can purchase reserved seating at tables in the back row of this venue. Guests at the reserved tables will also have their own server available throughout the performance. There will be two shows on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at VilarPAC.org..
Oktoberfest at the Sonnenalp Hotel Vail
The wait is over! Oktoberfest season has begun. Yes, the Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail is hosting a day of brass music and fun on Saturday from 3-8 p.m. Head to the hotel’s main entrance in Vail Village and don’t be afraid to put on your dirndl or lederhosen, there will be plenty of people dressed appropriately for this popular event.
Enjoy pretzels and other authentic Bavarian delicacies, raise a mug of beer, dance to live music from Those Austrian Guys and meet up with friends in a true Bavarian atmosphere to celebrate the end of summer. This event is free and open to the public, you don’t have to be a hotel guest to attend. There will also be family-friendly activities.
Park for free during the day in the Lionshead or Vail Village parking garages and take the in-town shuttle to the Sonnenalp Hotel. For more information, visit Sonnenalp.com/Oktoberfest/.
Art fairs
Art in the Rocky Mountains – Vail Fine Arts
Art on the Rockies is back. As you may recall, this event was held earlier this summer at Colorado Mountain College in Edwards. The art show is now moving east and is called Vail Fine Arts and will welcome over 60 talented artists and artisans from across the country in this open-air gallery walk through the streets of Lionshead from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Artistic expressions range from sculpture and painting to photography and mixed media, jewelry, glasswork, woodwork and more. Although the artists come from all over the country, the group is tight-knit and many artists tell other artists about it and participate in the art show as well. Many return each year and get to know the Vail Valley audience. Purchasing a piece of art at shows like this supports the artist industry and often you can tell a story about the day you bought a particular piece and the connection you have to it. And even if you’re just in Vail for the hiking or biking, take a look at the beauty this art show has to offer.
Vail Fine Arts is free and open to the public. Parking in Lionshead is also free. For more information visit ArtOnTheRockies.org.
Affordable art fair
The Vail Valley Art Guild is hosting its Affordable Art Fair on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bunkhouse in downtown Minturn, coinciding with the Minturn Market. Come see artwork by locals and take home a unique piece for your home or as a gift. Most artwork is under $100 and the original artwork and photography has been donated by members of the Vail Valley Art Guild. Come hear live music. Drinks are available for purchase.
Arrowhead Half Marathon and 5K
The Dynafit Trail Running Series continues and this race will be held on Arrowhead Mountain on Saturday. The Arrowhead Half Marathon and 5K is relatively new to the series and has been held since 2021. If you are unfamiliar with Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead, the Half Marathon will definitely familiarize you with the terrain as you start at the base of Arrowhead and run up to the top of the Arrowbahn Express lift before crossing Bachelor Gulch and crossing the western half of Beaver Creek and then descending to the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch and then running back to the finish line at the base of Arrowhead.
For anyone considering the 5K, I have good news: it’s mostly downhill! The distance is just under 5 kilometers, or 4.3 kilometers. Runners will be taken up by shuttle bus and start at the famous hotel in Bachelor Gulch. From there, they will run down to the finish line at Arrowhead. First place winners in each age group will receive prizes, and a raffle will reward those who may not have had the fastest time. Don’t forget to bring your race t-shirt, too.
Parking is available at Red Canyon High School and Berry Creek Middle School, and a shuttle will take participants to the starting points. To register, go to VailRec.com.
