News

John Rojak has played bass trombone with the American Brass Quintet for almost 30 years, and is a regular as both a performer and a teacher at the Aspen Music Festival and School. We just discovered this album in our Aspen Public Radio library, released back in 2001. Rojak says it could have been titled "Music My Mother Would Like," because all the tunes are so melodious. Classical Music from Aspen host Chris Mohr caught up with him and asked about the faux-seductive cover shot (complete with a glass of red wine) and the beauty of the music he arranged. 

• Grizzly Creek Fire UPDATES
• The I-70 Shutdown Has Been Especially Devastating For Glenwood Springs
• The Aspen Music Festival Concludes Its Summer Season On August 23
• Aspen Health Official Says Some Are Still Feeling Effects Months After Contracting COVID-19

Pueden encontrar la versión en español aqui.

The Grizzly Creek Fire is more than 29,000 acres and still growing. A wildfire that size requires a lot of people power and equipment, but with dozens of fires burning across the west, how do national fire agencies divvy up resources to the people who need them?

• Grizzly Creek Fire Updates 
• A Roaring Fork Valley Local Wants People To 'Get Out The Vote'
• Coloradans Will Soon Be Eligible For Another Round Of Unemployment Benefits
• How Do Americans Feel About Reopening Schools?

Yes, you read it right. Beloved virtuoso violinist Augustin Hadelich, who closes out the Aspen Music Festival's Virtual Season on Sunday, August 23 at 3 p.m. is also a virtuoso pianist. So, with the miracle of technology, he will be accompanying himself, thereby guaranteeing no spread of the coronavirus.

In his conversation with Alan Fletcher, President of the Aspen Music Festival and School, he talks about this recital and more. Also on the program are opera conductor Patrick Summers and Flute Master Class teacher Demarre McGill.

Mezzo-soprano Michelle deYoung has taught a number of master classes here in Aspen, and sung the music of Wagner and other composers with Aspen Music Festival orchestras. She sings all over the world, but, like other musicians, is at home waiting for the curtains to rise again on the major concert halls and theatres of Europe, Australia, Asia and the Americas. Classical Music from Aspen host Chris Mohr caught up with her to talk about her recent performance at Harris Hall in honor of Robert Spano with a worldwide virtual audience.

• Grizzly Creek Fire Updates 
• State Officials and Fire Managers Offer Insight On When I-70 Will Reopen
• Glenwood Springs Fire Chief Says Areas South of I-70 Are Not In Imminent Danger
• GreenLatinos Call For Equity In Colorado's Response To Climate Change
• Colorado Voters Will Decide Whether To Lower The State Income Tax 

• Grizzly Creek Fire Updates 
• Voces Unidas Highlights Need To Improve Communications With Non-English Speakers In The Roaring Fork Valley
• Aspen School Board Announces New Reopening Plans
• Colorado Considering Legal Action To Protect Mail-In Voting

August 18, 2020 marks 100 years since the 19th Amendment was ratified, which guaranteed voting rights for women in the United States. Aspen Historical Society and Aspen Snowmass are commemorating the occasion with educational programming at Gondola Plaza in Snowmass Base Village (August 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), and the historical society’s vice president Nina Gabianelli spoke to Aspen Public Radio about the significance of the anniversary.

It’s been a week since the Grizzly Creek Fire first sparked in Glenwood Canyon. In the last seven days, the fire has burned 25,007 acres and is 0% contained. There were no new evacuation orders announced over the weekend, and as of Sunday, nearly 650 people were battling the fire. 

• How To Stay Prepared During The Grizzly Creek Fire
• New Fire Breaks Out By Rifle Fish Hatchery 
• Governor Jared Polis Defends Colorado's Mail-In Voting System
• COVID-19 Is The Sixth Leading Cause Of Death In Colorado This Year

• Grizzly Creek Fire UPDATES

• Grizzly Creek Fire UPDATES: Fire In Glenwood Canyon Closes I-70 And Cottonwood Pass 
• New Public Art Project Brings Art Barriers To Basalt

• Grizzly Creek Fire UPDATES: Fire In Glenwood Canyon Closes I-70 and Cottonwood Pass In Both Directions
• Uprooted: The Eviction Crisis Beginning To Unfold

• Grizzly Creek Fire UPDATES: Fire At Mile Marker 120 Closes I-70 In Both Directions
• Strange Dirt's "Sanctuary" Takes Root At Skye Gallery In Aspen

On August 10, 1972, the artist Christo unfurled his work “Valley Curtain” across Rifle Gap in Rifle, Colo. The piece involved over 200,000 square feet of sunset-hued nylon fabric that was slung across a quarter mile span between the valley walls. It took more than two years for Christo to realize his work, and the piece was torn down by the wind in less than two days. 

Christo’s official Facebook page announced on May 31, 2020 that the artist had died at the age of 84. Despite the fleeting nature of his work, according to those who saw “Valley Curtain” and other installations, his impact on the art world will be hard to forget.

Aspen Music Festival concertgoers are familiar with guitarist Sharon Isbin, who has put on dozens of concerts at Harris Hall over the last twenty years. In the past nine months she has released three new albums, including Affinity. This recording is a collection of world-premieres written especially for Sharon and includes Chris Brubeck's "Affinity" with Elizabeth Schulze and the Maryland Symphony.

Classical Music from Aspen host Chris Mohr chats with Sharon about this album and the special joy of collaborating with a living composer.

• Almost 40% Of Coronavirus Cases In Pitkin County Can’t Be Traced To A Source

Pitkin County’s COVID Emergency Relief Fund has distributed $2.28 million in assistance since the pandemic took hold in March. At the end of June, the program was suspended. Officials said it was designed as a short-term emergency program while other aid organizations built capacity for longer-term help.