Cultural Events Calendar

Rasputin Swims the Potomac is a biting satire of American politics and a searingly intelligent novel about the cruel absurdities of contemporary life, centering on a world champion professional wrestler with presidential ambitions.

Ben Fountain is the author of several works of fiction and nonfiction including the award winning Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, which won the National Book Critic’ Circle Award for Fiction. Some of his other work include Brief Encounters with Che Guevera, Beautiful Country Burn Again, and Devil Makes Three.

First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing is a literary podcast produced and hosted by Mitzi Rapkin. Each week the podcast features an in-depth interview with a fiction, non-fiction, essay, or poetry writer. The show is equal parts investigation into the craft of writing and conversation about the topics of an author’s work.

Literature Out Loud will be bringing you two fine stories featuring Food and Wine. Very timely. Great literature, great readers plus tea and cookies. I know you were hoping for wine, but you’ll be able to find some later. Join us - you’ll be glad you did!

The two stories are "Taste" by Roald Dahl, read by Brad Moore, and "Sorry Fugu" by T.C. Boyle, read by me. These are both witty and well-written. "Taste" is about a mostly friendly wager involving identifying wine by taste--which takes a bad turn. "Sorry Fugu" is about a gourmet chef trying to get a good review from an impossible food critic. They should merge nicely with Aspen's Food & Wine.

Humans have done a lot of damage to the environment, but we can also be a force for good. Some ecosystems need ongoing care and stewardship to thrive, especially in a warming world. This talk will suggest how a perspective shift from saving nature from humans to improving human relationships with other species can enlarge our thinking, make new approaches possible, and create an energizing space for mutual human-nonhuman flourishing.

Join us for an opening reception to honor the AMERICANS AND THE HOLOCAUST Traveling Exhibit, made possible through a grant from the American Library Association and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. There will be light refreshments and a chamber music ensemble comprised of local musicians.

Join us for a festive evening of art, conversation, and community as we celebrate the opening of All that is Close at the Red Brick Center for the Arts. Enjoy refreshments and experience glimpses into the infinite through the works of Pattie Lee Becker, Joanne Seongweon Lee, Agustina Flores Maini & Erin Rigney.

Admission: Free and open to the public

This 957-acre private nature preserve is truly an ecological gem, hosting a wide array of bird species across its extensive and varied native ecosystems. This early evening outing will allow us to experience the bout of activity as birds wrap up daytime activities and the transition to dusk. Our route will take us through pinyon-juniper woodland, mountain shrubland, sagebrush, wetland, and open water habitats as we walk through a portion of the preserve. Highlight species here include: black-throated gray warbler, Bullock’s oriole, yellow-headed blackbird, Brewer’s sparrow, Wilson’s snipe, orange-crowned warbler, various swallows, and much more.

Hiking distance is about 4 miles round trip primarily on a gravel road.

This class requires advance registration to ensure appropriate planning for the field experience.

Birders of all experience levels are welcome! Special attention will be given to orienting beginning birders to local habitats and their associated bird species, and basic field craft skills.

Meeting location will be communicated with participants prior to the outing. 

Celebrity chef, restaurateur, and best-selling cookbook author Bobby Flay joins Corby Kummer, food writer and executive director of the Food & Society program at the Aspen Institute for a lively conversation about the evolution of American cuisine. Known for his bold flavors, entrepreneurial spirit, and decades-long presence on television and in restaurants across the country, Flay reflects on the craft of cooking, restaurant culture, and the changing ways Americans experience food. Together, Flay and Kummer explore the intersections of culinary creativity, business, and hospitality, as well as the enduring power of food to bring people together.Paepcke Auditorium, doors at 5:00 pm

RegistrationThis event is free and open to the public, but registration is required, and capacity is established on a first-come, first-served basis. Once an event is at capacity, we will have an in-person waitlist at the door.

Public registration is now open for summer 2026. Please click here to register.

It’s time for a new Teen Night! Whether your young performer is looking to workshop a new project, test out a skill, or just get comfortable on stage, Open Mic Night is a chance to share what they’re working on. From live music and spoken word to comedy and instrumentals, all performances are welcome on June 19. Come to perform, collaborate, or just hang out and hear what others are creating. For those interested, professional local artists will be on-site to offer support and ideas, for those who request.

Teen Night is a series of free arts and culture events exclusively for ages 13–18. Local teens take over TACAW, on stage and in the audience, for a night all their own. This night is for teens only: ages 13–18 invited.

Pairing common sense with uncommon wisdom, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel offers a roadmap to the everyday habits that matter most to well-being and longevity. His new book, “Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life,” grounds his ideas in evidence, debunks fads, and reminds us that sensible behavior is the foundation of good health. The rules aren’t surprising: avoid risky behavior, nurture strong relationships, stay mentally engaged, eat thoughtfully, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. What’s especially compelling here are the personal stories, expert guidance, and medical research that explains why all this makes a difference. Book signing and ice cream to follow.

Featuring Zeke Emanuel, Author, “Eat Your Ice Cream”, interviewed by Céline Gounder, Editor-at-Large for Public Health, KFF Health News.

Living at high elevations seems to pay off. The communities surrounding Aspen have the highest life expectancies in the nation, averaging about 86 years. And recent research has found an association between life at high altitudes and lower risk of dying from heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. But that advantage isn’t a guarantee, and there are plenty of things we can do to improve the odds of maintaining lifelong wellness at any altitude. Here is a look at the lifestyle and healthcare tools that can help keep us in peak form.