The Collective Snowmass will premier its first summer Comedy WKND! event following the success of the winter Comedy WKND! earlier this year. Beginning July 12 and running through July 14, folks can anticipate a plethora of free and ticketed events throughout Snowmass Village with something for everyone.
Discussing the Valley’s growing comedy scene, Sarah Sanders — director of events at The Collective — said she and everyone involved is proud and humbled by the progress that has been made to open a space for comedy at The Collective beginning four years ago.
“At our first show, we had two comics and three guests — myself, my boss and one of our coworkers. We’ve come so far in growing this scene in Snowmass and in making The Collective a hub for laughter here in the Valley,” Sanders commented.
Gena Buhler, head of strategy and operations of Theatre Projects Consulting, also played an important role to make the vision of a comedy festival a reality. She has a long-standing working relationship and friendship with Sanders from their days of working together at the Wheeler Opera House.
“Sarah and I have traveled across the country to different comedy festivals and similar events. In planning this we asked ourselves, ‘What would make this WKND! an event that you just want to dive into?’ It’s a centralized focus where everybody is coming together for one shared experience around comedy,” Buhler stated.
She said they strove to make the experience memorable and enticing for locals and visiting acts alike. They encouraged the headliners to immerse themselves with the audience and area.
“The best thing about a comedy festival, at least for me, is interacting with the comedians in ways you typically don’t. We’re able to say to the comedians, ‘Come spend three to four days with us in Snowmass and get to know what it means to be here.’ We also encourage them to get to know the locals, visitors and also get to know why this place is so special. That’s when the cool things happen,” Buhler said.
The Collective is appreciative of its partnerships for this event including with the Town of Snowmass, Mawita restaurant, The Tavern and the New Belgium Ranger Station.
Comedy WKND! will kick off with a happy hour at the New Belgium Ranger Station beginning at 5:30pm on Friday, July 12. Following that, at 7:30pm, three comedians will perform at The Collective: Josh Adam Meyers, Nancy Norton and Reem Edan. The afterparty, starting at 9:30pm, features a free silent disco interspersing music with comedians, including local talents Don Chaney and Michael Coyle, winner of the fourth annual Colorado Comedy Competition.
Renowned comic Alex Edelman will be at the center of two events on July 13. “Comedians in Kitchens” at the Limelight Hotel starts at 12:30pm and will bring Edelman together with The Little Nell’s executive chef Keith Theodore, for a live cooking challenge driven by audience suggestions. At 7:30pm, Edelman will perform solo. The night wraps with comedian Josh Adam Meyers and his band, Elemenopy, blending stand-up with rock and roll music.
The WKND! will conclude on Sunday. “Babes that Brunch” features the talents of Sarah Sanders, Julie Gillespie and Reem Edan, starting at 12:30pm at The Collective Hall. “It’s going to be the ultimate girls’ comedic afternoon party,” Sanders said. “I’m so excited to collaborate with Reem and Julie to bring comedy, games, music, on-the-spot fun and engage the crowd throughout the event.”
Finally, Josh Adam Meyers performs at The Collective Hall at 7:30pm.
For more details and to purchase tickets, visit www.thecollectivesnowmass.com
In a nutshell
What: Summer Comedy WKND!
Who: A plethora of comedians
When: July 12 to July 14
Where: Snowmass Village