A lifelong love of learning is ingrained in the Aspen Idea of enriching your mind, body & spirit. Here are some programs that take the guess work out of adding a learning experience to your vacation.
Inspire the Mind
Wild Yoga
Tuesdays at 5:15pm at Hallam Lake (100 Puppy Smith St, Aspen)
Join Lead With Love instructors on this weekly outdoor yoga class along the edge of Hallam Lake. Drawing on the wild roots of yoga, this all-levels class blends philosophy, asana (posture) practice, and contemplative exploration of ACES’ magical nature preserve into a playful and holistic experience. Classes are donation-based and support our Environmental Education programs and rewarding for both, those new to yoga as well as accomplished practitioners. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to visit and experience the Hallam Lake nature preserve during evening hours throughout the summer.
Farm Tours
Daily Monday-Saturday at 11am at Rock Bottom Ranch (2001 Hooks Spur Road, Basalt)
See how livestock, hoop houses, and gardens produce through the summer while learning the science behind our vegetable production and livestock rotational grazing system. Tours are appropriate for all ages and provide opportunities to interact with our livestock and learn where your food comes from.
Tours will be held rain or shine.
Suggested $5 donation / $10 per family / free for members
HIRE A GUIDE
Explore and learn about the Aspen area with ACES! Hire a Naturalist guide, available by the hour, to lead you on private adventures that may be customized to your interests such as birding, geology, hiking, guides, and more.
Birding
Every Tuesdays at 6:30 am- 9:30 am (location alternates between Hallam Lake & Rock Bottom Ranch)
Join naturalist Rebecca Weiss on Tuesdays from June-October and open yourself to a new passion! Bring your binoculars and field guides (or borrow ours). Observe foraging behaviors of both migratory and resident species. We are often rewarded with nuthatches, woodpeckers, and other songbirds. Designed for all birders from novices to experts, we focus on birding skills, fun, and being in tune with nature. Every outing is a treasure hunt for birds and their wild neighbors!
The Aspen Music Festival and School presents its Summer Season from the beginning of July to the end of August. Renowned classical artists will perform throughout the summer including Renee Fleming, Gil Shaham, Daniil Trifonov, Inon Barnatan, and Alisa Weilerstein joined by Music Director Robert Spano.
Please visit www.aspenmusicfestival.com for a full list of their Summer Season.
Recognized as one of the nation’s top literary gatherings, Summer Words is a six-day celebration of words, stories, and ideas held annually in Aspen. Advanced workshops with renowned authors and teachers are an intimate place for writers to develop a manuscript, while introductory workshops invite participants to explore the craft of writing. Literary agents and editors meet one-on-one with workshop participants, while public panel discussions provide inspiration and insight for writers and readers alike. Evening events include readings, receptions, and the Aspen Words Annual Benefit Dinner, featuring a special guest author.
[email protected]; 970-925-3122; www.aspenwords.org
"Listen Up!"
Pre-concert talks with Jas Café artists dedicated to the history of the performing artist and the origin of the music they will perform. All talks are included with tickets to the evening's show and start 45 minutes prior. (Listen Up! will only take place before select performances).
Free for Ticket Buyers, the sessions will allow attendees to hear the artists speak about their music and insight into where it fits in the jazz pantheon. For tickets and more information: jazzaspensnowmass.org or 970-920-4996.
JAS Café
JAS Café Summer series line-up will have shows taking place at various locations around downtown Aspen. Tickets can be purchased at 970.920.4996 or at jazzaspensnowmass.org.
Looking to exercise the right side of your brain and mingle with creatives? Red Brick Center for the Arts offers a variety of adult art classes year-round in a relaxing and welcoming environment. Whether you are a beginner or expert, Red Brick’s art educators offer guidance on aspects of composition, scale, tool use and color selection while leading students through the technical process of creating an artwork. In addition to classes, visitors can view works in the gallery by accomplished artists from Colorado and visit and shop with local artists working in their studios.
Red Brick Center for the Arts, 110 E Hallam Street, Aspen
RedBrickAspen.com
970-429-2777