Cultural Events Calendar

Join ACES naturalist, Penelope Thornton, for an immersive four-part series in ethnobotany, exploring the edible and medicinal plants of the Aspen area. From June to September, we will follow the phenology of our local flora through monthly guided walks. Each session is timed to follow the plant’s life cycle, moving from the emergence of buds and shoots in the spring to the vibrant flowering plants of mid-summer, concluding with the harvest of seed and roots in the autumn. Participants will learn to read landscapes to engage with our local wild food plants and medicines throughout the flowering season. Whether you are a lover of the Roaring Fork Valley, a budding herbalist, or a culinary explorer, this series offers a new way to feel at home in the wild.

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.

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 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

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.

In celebration of our 45th Anniversary, you’re invited to come by the station to explore our newly equipped studios, meet the staff, and raise a glass with us!

Join ACES at 5 pm at Rock Bottom Ranch for an evening celebrating local and sustainable agriculture!

Enjoy a BBQ buffet with a delicious lineup of seasonal salads alongside classic favorites like brisket, smoked chicken, and hearty chili. Kid-friendly options will also be available.

Settle in wherever you like—grab a seat at the tables in the pole barn, relax at picnic tables on the lawn, or bring a blanket and stretch out on the pasture. Spend the evening enjoying live local music, wandering the ranch, and taking in the easygoing atmosphere at your own pace.

Aspen Public Art presents Mall Fest 50 Art Parade, an artist-led, people-powered procession of costumes, contraptions and performances celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Aspen Pedestrian Mall. All are welcome to participate!

On June 27, 2026, the pedestrian parade will traverse the Mall and Aspen Saturday Market, ending in a block party at Sister Cities Plaza.

The 2026 theme is “What do you LOVE about this place?”

By collaborating exclusively with local artists and encouraging upcycling of materials, Aspen Public Art emphasizes the importance of collective creation, place-based cultural production and creative reuse. Imagination is wildly encouraged, with free community workshops leading up to the parade and a costume contest, photo booth, and prizes on parade day. Like all MF50 programming, the Art Parade is free and open to all.

Verse in Print will be on view at Anderson Ranch Art Center in Snowmass Village, Colorado from July 28, 2026 to September 3, 2026.

Started in 2020, Verse in Print unites four artists from across the United States, who are also professors and mothers. The artists in this group are Laura Crehuet Berman, Kelda Martensen, Althea Murphy-Price, and Carrie Scanga. Collectively, these artists share a dialogue based within tradition and innovation in their approach to print media. In this exhibition, they present their recent work on the themes of language, identity, regeneration, and the natural world.

Join us for the National Council Summer Celebration! This gathering, exclusive to National Council members, is the official kickoff to an exciting summer season filled with art, dialogue, and inspiration. The evening will feature a dynamic conversation between acclaimed artist Leonardo Drew and Peter Waanders, President & CEO of Anderson Ranch.