This Week in Aspen

Aspen's Past to Present Tour (Mondays & Thursdays, 10:00 AM, Downtown Aspen) This classic historical walking tour of Aspen tells it’s history from humble mining camp to world famous resort. A casual 12 block stroll through historic downtown Aspen acclimatizes you to Aspen’s energy and possibility. A great experience for both the first time visitor and the regular. This tour visits historic landmarks of Aspen including the Wheeler Opera House, the Red Onion, the Pitkin County Courthouse & the Hotel Jerome among others when accessible. Native Legend, Mining Folklore & Local Tales bring History to life on an entertaining guided walk. 90 minutes long with distance of approximately 1 mile along sidewalks, pedestrian ways and parks of mostly flat terrain. Reservations required - reserve your spot here.

Analog Lounge (4:00 PM, MOLLIE Aspen) Step away from the noise and settle into something a little more timeless at MOLLIE Aspen’s weekly Analog Lounge at the Cafe & Wine Bar. Designed as a gentle escape from screens and notifications, this gathering invites you to slow down and reconnect—both with yourself and those around you. Unplug and unwind over a thoughtfully curated selection of wines while enjoying classic board games, meaningful conversation, and the simple pleasure of being present. To learn more, click here.

Aspen’s Off the Beaten Path Tour (Tuesdays & Fridays, 10:00 AM, Downtown Aspen) A scenic guided walking tour through Aspen’s West End neighborhood and trails along the Roaring Fork River. Participants will learn the stories behind Aspen’s Victorian & Modern architecture stitched together with hidden gems of nature. Reservations are required. To sign up, click here.

Cooldown Aspen Group Run (6:30 PM, Aspen Tap) Cooldown is a nationwide social club disguised as a running/walking club! All paces are welcome. Cooldown’s focus is on meeting new people, making friends, and ensuring everyone stays for the post-run drinks. Join Cooldown for a 1-3 mile walk, run, or jog. Meet outside of Aspen Tap. Run starts @ 6:30pm so please arrive a few minutes early. Happy Hour priced drinks for all attendees post-run! Select evenings will also feature samples and giveaways! To learn more, click here.

Explore the Aspen Art Museum (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Tuesday - Sunday, Aspen Art Museum) Located in the heart of downtown Aspen, the Aspen Art Museum brings the community together through art, hosting critical dialogues, exhibitions, and events. The Aspen Art Museum recently unveiled a new exhibition, Kerstin Brätsch: Fossil Psychic Stone Mimicry (Aspen), and there's still time to explore Keith Mayerson: My American Dream (Rocky Mountain High). Learn more here!

Community Read (5:00 PM, Dunaway Community Room) Join the Library and Aspen Words as they launch this year’s Community Read with an evening of books, conversation, and community. Pick up a free copy of the featured title, meet fellow readers, connect with Library and Aspen Words staff, and learn about upcoming Community Read events. Enjoy live music, Paradise Bakery cookies, refreshments, raffle giveaways, and plenty of time to mingle with other book lovers. Whether you’re a longtime Community Read participant or joining for the first time, this is a fun way to kick off a summer of reading together. Aspen Piano Player Live piano music will be provided by Frank Todaro, a beloved Aspen musician whose career spans more than five decades. After settling in the Roaring Fork Valley in the early 1970s, Frank became a fixture of the local music scene, performing everywhere from Aspen restaurants to community events. Known for his jazz interpretations and American standards, Frank brings a lifetime of musical experience, storytelling, and local history to every performance. To learn more, click here.

Big Head Todd and The Monsters (7:30 PM, Wheeler Opera House) Big Head Todd and The Monsters—Todd Park Mohr, Brian Nevin, Rob Squires, and Jeremy Lawton—have sustained a nearly four‑decade career defined by musical integrity and longevity. The platinum‑selling Colorado band first broke nationally with Sister Sweetly (1993) and has continued to earn critical acclaim while touring worldwide. Their achievements include performing “Blue Sky” live for astronauts aboard the International Space Station and headlining Red Rocks Amphitheater 35 times. In 2023, they were inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. Their latest album, Her Way Out, showcases the band’s signature blues‑driven rock and commitment to thoughtful, well‑crafted songwriting. To purchase tickets, click here.

Live Music Night at MOLLIE (5:00 PM, MOLLIE Aspen) Join MOLLIE Aspen on their Roof Terrace for live music with Penelope Thornton—the perfect soundtrack for a mid-week unwind. Set against sweeping views of Aspen Mountain, settle in with a signature cocktail or a glass of wine and let the music elevate your evening. Based in the Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado, singer/songwriter Penelope Thornton draws from folk, country, blues, and jazz traditions. Her music blurs the edges between genres, creating performances that are both raw and rooted. To learn more, click here.

Aspen’s DarkSide Ghost Tour (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays, 8:00 PM, Downtown Aspen) True stories of Aspen’s tarnished past of Ghosts, Murder & Mayhem from 1879 to today on an entertaining evening walk. This tour visits some of Aspen Colorado’s most haunted places and tells the stories behind them as well as some truly darker happenings. This is a great tour for the whole family or just the adults. Reservations required. Purchase tickets here!

Lunchtime Auctionette (11:45 AM, Anderson Ranch Arts Center) Lunchtime Auctionettes are fun, high-energy affairs offering a wonderful opportunity to buy original artwork by Anderson Ranch faculty, Visiting Artists, students and staff, while supporting the Ranch’s educational programs! Lunch will be served from 11:45AM – 12:15PM and can be purchased for $25 upon arrival. The Auctionette will be held from 12:15 – 1PM and is free and open to the public. Registration is appreciated. Lunchtime Auctionettes take place on Fridays from June through September. To learn more, click here.

Art in Motion (5:00 PM, MOLLIE Aspen) LIVE WITH JOON & TAVON Welcome the new season with an immersive evening of art, music, and storytelling. This special live painting experience features Joon the Artist creating a piece in real time, accompanied by a soulful cello performance from local musician Tavon Boaman. As the artwork unfolds, guests will be drawn into a narrative journey—blending visual expression and sound into a dynamic, evolving performance. Born in Minneapolis, Joon Tajadod has been an artist since childhood, finding comfort and identity through creativity. As a bi-racial, first-generation American on her Iranian father’s side, art became her way of processing the world around her. After a childhood marked by frequent moves across the country, she carried her creativity with her as a constant source of grounding. Though she initially pursued a degree in Business Administration and entered the corporate world, Joon ultimately chose to follow her passion—spending years teaching herself to paint and developing her distinctive voice. Since launching her career in 2014, her work has been featured in notable spaces including the Denver Art Museum, The Ramble Hotel, and Forbes. Now based in Denver, Joon draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the mountains, often exploring wildflowers, textures, and color palettes found in nature. Her work reflects a deep connection to her surroundings and a thoughtful approach to what fuels creativity—environment, wellness, and community. Paired with the emotive sounds of Tavon Boaman’s cello, this evening is designed as an artistic awakening—an invitation to gather, reflect, and celebrate the transition into a new season. To sign up, click here.

Josiah and the Bonnevilles (7:30 PM, Belly Up Aspen) Josiah Leming has paid his dues. As a teenager from East Tennessee, his devotion to music led him to hit the road, where he lived in his car and played for anyone who would listen. That took him all the way to a major record deal when he was only nineteen. When that ended, he refused to give up and became an indie artist, relying solely on the music and his undeniable gift for crafting relatable songs that led to a devoted fan base he calls the Bonnevilles. He appreciates them so much that he includes them in his artist name. “They’re the reason I’m able to make music,” he says. 2024 saw Josiah and the Bonnevilles reaching new heights, completing a headlining tour of thirty-three sold-out dates followed by a slew of international stops that proved his global following. He has become known for raw emotion and a profound connection to his audience. This newfound attention has led to much anticipation for his new album — and it lives up to the expectations. Read more about Josiah and the Bonnevilles and purchase tickets, click here.

Aspen Saturday Market (8:30 AM, Between South Hunter Street, East Hopkins Ave & East Hyman Ave.) Since 1998 this local farmer’s market has been a Summer staple in the downtown core. The market features Colorado-produced offerings such as fruits, vegetables, bread, meats, jams, artisan products, sculptures, paintings, and so much more. There is also a food court for lunch or snack provisions. To learn more, click here.

Aspen Parkrun (9:00 AM, Herron Park) Aspen Parkrun is a free community 5k, part of hundreds of Parkrun events taking place every Saturday morning across the U.S and around the world! All levels welcome - run it, walk it, bring the family.... Parkrun is powered by volunteers - no experience needed! Every week participants grab a post parkrun coffee at Swedish Hill at the Aspen Art Museum, 637 East Hyman, Aspen (approx. 800 yards from the finish) - please come and join! To learn more, click here.

Arbor Day Event (9:00 AM, Paepcke Park) The City of Aspen parks department will host a community celebration for Arbor Day on Saturday, June 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. in Paepcke Park. Join the City of Aspen at the Paepcke Park to celebrate Arbor Day. They’ll be giving away 100 trees (6-12ft tall!) to Aspen residents; and they’ll have a raffle with giveaway items, forestry-themed kids’ shirts, games and activities, and light refreshments. To learn more, click here.

Family Jam with Music Together (10:00 AM, Paul JAS Center) Modeled on “Music Together” and celebrating the recognition that all children are musical, the JAS Family Jam will take place at the new Paul JAS Center on Saturday, June 6 at 10am. Children and parents will gather with “Music Together” expert teachers Tammy Baar, Susan Anderson and Jimmy Byrne to sing, move, and play instruments, building on their natural enthusiasm for music and movement. Always engaging and captivating for young music lovers, kids are sure to have fun in this high-energy, multi-age environment. Designed specifically for infants through age 5, with an adult. To register, click here.

Create & Sip (4:00 PM, MOLLIE Aspen) Join MOLLIE Aspen for an evening of hands-on creativity as you craft embossed garlands using gold aluminum—designed to catch the light and add a little shine to any space. Create, sip, and make something uniquely your own. Led by Joon the Artist, this workshop offers a curated selection of Western- and Persian-inspired templates, from cowboy boots and paisleys to intricate, decorative motifs. Simply trace your favorite designs, emboss your pieces, and string them together into a custom garland to take home. Come ready to relax, get creative, and enjoy the process. Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase throughout the evening. Complimentary to MOLLIE hotel guests. $20 per person for the public. Advance registration is recommended as space is limited. To learn more, click here.

Mawa's Annual Southern Crawfish Bowl (5:00 pm, Mawa's Kitchen) Dive into Crawfish Season at Mawa's Kitchen! Join Mawa's Kitchen for an unforgettable all-you-can-eat Southern-style Crawfish Boil brimming with flavor, spice, and unbeatable energy. What's on the all-you-can-eat menu: Hot Boiled Crawfish & Shrimp, Corn, Potatoes & Sausage, Seasonal Fruit Pie. Mawa's Kitchen will also have drinks for purchase and good vibes for free. Gather your crew, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to feast! **Seating is limited so make sure to purchase your tickets early to secure your crawfish! Reserve your spot here.

Megan O’Grady at Explore Books: How It Feels to Be Alive (6:00 pm, Explore Books) Daniel Merritt joins author Megan O'Grady for a discussion of her new book, How It Feels to Be Alive: Encounters with Art and Our Selves. About the Book: A vital testament to how art makes us who we are—and offers new ways of seeing our world and our lives. Barbara Kruger once defined art as “the ability to show and tell, through a kind of eloquent shorthand, how it feels to be alive.” Testing that claim, How It Feels to Be Alive blends criticism with personal narrative to consider art’s intimate effects and how it might help us find clarity in an uncertain world. When Megan O'Grady was a teenager, she saw a photograph in a museum that changed her life. At the end of an early marriage, art stoked new ways of thinking about connection and transformation. As a new parent, it guided her to confront vulnerability and shame. Whether seeking a home or contending with crises personal, political, and ecological, art was a critical lifeline, a source of beauty, solace, and provocation. How does art expand and redirect our imaginations and attention? When bottom-line or nihilistic thinking dominates our public sphere, what meanings and alternatives does it offer? A vital call to engage deeply, to see in new ways, and to rethink all that we take for granted, How It Feels to Be Alive inspires and exhorts, providing a template to think through the knottiest problems in our culture, our selves, and the connections between the two. To learn more, click here.

An Evening With Dead Floyd (7:30 pm, Belly Up Aspen) Dead Floyd is a celebration of the music of two of rock and roll’s greatest bands, The Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd, mashed together into one high-energy, unpredictable show. Drawing from both extensive catalogs of music, the Dead Floyd performances include early rarities to modern classics and everything in between. The love of the music of both bands inspires Dead Floyd to uniquely interpret the songs in a way that allows the music to timelessly live on and the legacy of both bands to stay alive to the next generation of fans. The excitement, creativity, and improvisation that went into both bands live shows of so many years is brought back for old and new fans to enjoy today. Read more about Dead Floyd and purchase tickets here.

Leisure Hike (Saturdays & Sundays, 10:00 AM, East Aspen Hunter Creek) This light hike connects trails, hidden neighborhoods and nature paths east of town along the Roaring Fork River and the Hunter Creek. The majority of the hike is adjacent to tranquil flowing bodies of water. A great beginner to intermediate hike full of scenic views. Register here!

Highlights of Aspen Tour (Saturdays & Sundays, 12:00 PM, Downtown Aspen) Embark on a leisurely stroll through town, where intriguing historical narratives, enchanting storytelling, and fascinating tidbits effortlessly blend together. This 60-minute scenic walk not only acquaints you with the local heritage but also grants you a genuine sense of belonging, acting as a splendid springboard to fully indulge in the abundant wonders that Aspen has to offer. To reserve a spot, click here.

AVP League - Pro Beach Volleyball (Saturday & Sunday, 2:00 PM, Koch Park) The competition will reach another level this weekend when The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) brings its up-start league to Aspen, Colorado at the base of the slopes. This incredible backdrop with top level beach volleyball competition is an event you won’t want to miss this season. To learn more, click here.

Burning Spear (7:00 pm, Belly Up Aspen) Burning Spear’s impact on reggae music is profound. A true legend, Spear’s legacy through his music is one of self-reliance and self-determination for the African diaspora. With a career spanning over six decades, his message remains on point and his vocal delivery is as powerful as it is identifiable. Winston Rodney began his music career in the late 1960s, attributing his start to a fateful encounter with Bob Marley. Both were living in the St. Ann’s parish of Jamaica. As Spear recalls, “Bob was going to his farm. The man was moving with a donkey and some buckets and a fork, and cutlass and plants. We just reason man-to-man and I-man say wherein I would like to get involved in the music business. And Bob say, ‘All right, just check Studio One.’” It was there that Spear recorded his first two classic albums, “Burning Spear” and “Rocking Time.” Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Burning Spear rocked the reggae world, releasing acclaimed albums such as “Social Living,” “Hail H.I.M.” and “Resistance.” His music evolved to incorporate elements of jazz, funk, and rock, while maintaining its solid roots reggae foundation. Burning Spear has won two Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album; one at the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000 for “Calling Rastafari,” and one for 2009’s “Jah Is Real.” He has been nominated for a total of 12 Grammy™ Awards. He was awarded the Jamaican government’s Order of Distinction for outstanding services to music in 2007. Since establishing their own label Burning Music Records, Winston and Sonia Rodney have released nearly forty singles, CDs, DVDs and vinyl albums on the Burning Music imprint. In addition to his music career, Burning Spear is a dedicated anti-racism activist and philanthropist. He has been involved in various social and political causes throughout his career, including the fight against apartheid in South Africa, the struggle for independence in Zimbabwe and his campaign to raise awareness of the teachings of Marcus Garvey. Burning Spear’s legacy as a reggae icon is everlasting, and his music continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the world. His influence can be heard in the work of countless artists who have followed in his footsteps, and his message of love and unity remain as relevant today as ever. Purchase tickets here!

Aspen's Past to Present Tour (Mondays & Thursdays, 10:00 AM, Downtown Aspen) This classic historical walking tour of Aspen tells it’s history from humble mining camp to world famous resort. A casual 12 block stroll through historic downtown Aspen acclimatizes you to Aspen’s energy and possibility. A great experience for both the first time visitor and the regular. This tour visits historic landmarks of Aspen including the Wheeler Opera House, the Red Onion, the Pitkin County Courthouse & the Hotel Jerome among others when accessible. Native Legend, Mining Folklore & Local Tales bring History to life on an entertaining guided walk. 90 minutes long with distance of approximately 1 mile along sidewalks, pedestrian ways and parks of mostly flat terrain. Reservations required - reserve your spot here.

Analog Lounge (4:00 PM, MOLLIE Aspen) Step away from the noise and settle into something a little more timeless at MOLLIE Aspen’s weekly Analog Lounge at the Cafe & Wine Bar. Designed as a gentle escape from screens and notifications, this gathering invites you to slow down and reconnect—both with yourself and those around you. Unplug and unwind over a thoughtfully curated selection of wines while enjoying classic board games, meaningful conversation, and the simple pleasure of being present. To learn more, click here.

Summer Calligraphy Class (5:30 pm, Aspen Art Museum Rooftop) Join the Aspen Art Museum on their rooftop for an evening of calligraphy inspired by summer entertaining, garden parties, and beautifully set tables, accompanied by a glass of wine and views of Aspen Mountain. Curt Carpenter will lead a calligraphy class for all levels, introducing techniques and ideas for creating personalized place cards and handwritten details perfect for summer gatherings and dinner parties. Whether you’re new to calligraphy or simply looking to enjoy a creative evening in a stunning setting, this workshop offers a relaxed and inspiring way to gather and celebrate the summer season. All materials will be provided. No prior experience necessary! To register, click here.