THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18
TAROT READINGS
Todd at Crystal Tuning in Glenwood Springs (802 Grand Avenue) offers tarot readings every Thursday from 1 to 3pm.
THIRD THURSDAY BOOK CLUB
The Third Thursday Book Club discusses “The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhon at the Carbondale Library from 2 to 3:30pm.
ICECREAM & CHOCOLATE
The Basalt Library hosts a “scoop-tacular” home-made ice cream and chocolate party from 4 to 5pm.
COOKBOOK TALK & BEER
Jennifer Glanville Love, author of “Our American Dream Cookbook” and a leader of the Brewing the American Dream Initiative, will be at Explorer Booksellers in Aspen from 5 to 7pm, along with Sam Adams tastings and bites from the Hickory House.
MOONLIGHT RACE
Sunlight and Cripple Creek Backcountry team up for an uphill race up the mountain, with start times at 6 and 8pm. Find details at www.sunlightmtn.com/events
TRIVIA NIGHT
The Homestead and Handlebar (303 River Valley Ranch Road) hosts its final trivia night of the year from 6 to 8pm.
FUNGI FILM FEST
The Western Colorado Mycological Association presents the sixth annual Fungi Film Fest, to include 14 short films “that are often funny, intriguing, bizarre and always strange,” at the Crystal Theatre at 7pm.
STEVE’S GUITARS
Taos musician Max Gomez performs at Steve’s Guitars at 8pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net
HOLIDAY CABARET
Theatre Aspen and TACAW present “All I Want for Christmas: A Holiday Cabaret,” “featuring a special performance starring the best of Broadway,” at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19
‘SENIOR STROLL’ AT POWERS
Seniors are invited for a tour of the Powers Art Center and its exhibit, followed by a holiday art making activity, from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Details at www.powersartcenter.org
MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN
Children of the Corn Liquor, “a Colorado duo bringing mountain soul to the heart of the Rockies,” performs at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park from 4:30 to 7:30pm.
SOLSTICE AT THE LIBRARY
The Basalt Library hosts a celebration of the shortest day and longest night of the year from 5:30 to 7pm, featuring storytelling, warm beverages and more.
‘THE NUTCRACKER’
Crystal River Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” at Basalt Middle School tonight and tomorrow at 6:30pm. Catch a 2pm showing tomorrow or Sunday. Tickets at www.tinyurl.com/CrystalRiverNutcracker
CRYSTAL THEATRE
“Sarah’s Oil” opens at the Crystal Theatre at 7pm and repeats Saturday at the same time. Sunday’s captioned show is at 5pm. “Rental Family” shows Saturday at 4pm.
DRUM & BASS
McMission Presents throws a drum and bass party at The Cocoa Club in Carbondale from 8 to 11pm. Ugly sweaters encouraged!
‘BEE’ MERRY
The Queen Bees perform a holiday show at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
RY X
Buckhorn Public Arts brings Grammy-nominated artist RY X to the Wheeler Opera House for an 8pm performance. Tickets at www.wheeleroperahouse.com
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20
SNOWSHOE SHUFFLE
Colorado Animal Rescue (C.A.R.E) hosts its annual 8K Snowshoe Shuffle fundraiser at Sunlight Mountain Resort from 9am to 1pm. Registration and details at www.tinyurl.com/CAREsnowshoe Leashed, well-mannered dogs are welcome.
BONEDALE BONANZA
The town-wide Bonedale Winter Bonanza kicks off at 10am in Carbondale for a day of holiday cheer, cozy charm and shopping local. For details and a list of participating businesses, visit www.tinyurl.com/BonedaleBonanza
WINTER FARMERS MARKET
Stop by The Launchpad today (10am to 4pm) and tomorrow (11am for 3pm) for locally-produced culinary goods. Deck the Walls continues through Dec. 24 with unique gifts for sale crafted by local makers.
KIDS’ ONLY CLAY SALE
Youngsters are invited to shop for price-friendly handmade ceramic gifts at the Carbondale Clay Center from 11am to 1pm.
LINE DANCING
Caitlin Evans with Dance Initiative teaches line dancing at the Black Nugget at 11am.
REDSTONE COOKIE EXCHANGE
Make three-dozen cookies, divide them into six cookies per container and exchange them with other bakers at the Redstone Gazebo at noon.
TRTC TREATS
Thunder River Theatre Company invites folks to stop by for stories and pictures with Santa, hot chocolate and crafts from 2 to 6pm.
LIVE MUSIC
Abbie Cheney performs live music at Mountain Tide Provision Co. from 3 to 5pm.
HOLIDAY PARTY
Mountain Heart Brewing (1841 Dolores Way, Carbondale) hosts a holiday movie character costume party with tunes spun by DJ Kid Knowledge from 5 to 7pm.
TWO RIVERS SOLSTICE
Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists and The Center for Human Flourishing invite the community to a two-part solstice celebration, “The Longest Night: Persephone’s Journey.” It’s “an unusual blend of ceremony, participatory ritual, music and myth,” beginning with the “Descent Into Darkness” in the Community Hall at the Third Street Center at 7pm tonight and continuing tomorrow morning (10am) with “Return of the Light” in the Calaway Room. Details at www.truu.org/event
DJANGO CAROLS
LAPOMPE, a Denver-based jazz group, performs holiday tunes at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
DJ RUGGERO
El Dorado hosts a Christmas party with DJ Ruggero spinning tunes from 8:30 to 10:30pm.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21
WORLD OF WONDER
Jeanne Soulsby shares life experiences which brought her to view the world with new eyes at A Spiritual Center (Room 31 of the Third Street Center) from 10 to 11:30am.
RITUAL AND BOUTIQUE
Aspen Shakti hosts a wellness fair and boutique with astrology, tarot, massage, fresh juice and more from 2 to 5pm. A community ritual, from 5:30 to 7:30pm, will follow.
REINDEER AT THE COLLECTIVE
Santa’s sleigh team will be outside of The Collective in Snowmass from 4 to 6pm today through Tuesday, Dec. 23.
MCBRIDE & GREEN
Christian McBride and Benny Green perform at Jazz Aspen Snowmass’ new Paul JAS Center (422 East Cooper Ave, Aspen) from 6:30 to 8:30pm tonight and tomorrow night. Tickets at www.jazzaspensnowmass.org
COMEDY AT TACAW
Comedian Pete Lee performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
MONDAY, DECEMBER 22
HOLIDAY CAMP AT HALLAM
Kindergarten through fourth graders are invited to participate in Aspen Center for Environmental Studies’ Winter Explorers Holiday Camp from 9:30 am to 12:30pm today, Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 2 at Hallam Lake. The registration deadline is 5pm on Friday, Dec. 19. Register at www.aspennature.org
BLOOD DRIVE
The Vitalant Bloodmobile will be parked outside the Basalt Library from 11am to 3pm. Details at www.basaltlibrary.org
SNOWY SOIREE
DanceAspen presents “Snowy Soiree,” a performance for all ages at the Wheeler Opera House at 3 and 5pm. Tickets at www.dance-aspen.org/events/snowy-soiree
SENSORY-FRIENDLY SANTA
Challenge Aspen brings Santa to The Collective Snowmass in a calm, sensory-friendly, warm and welcoming atmosphere from 5 to 6pm.
HANUKKAH DINNER
In celebration of the Festival of Lights, PARC Aspen hosts a Hanukkah dinner — to include an à la carte menu of freshly baked challah, matzo ball soup, slow-braised brisket and more — from 5 to 9pm.
PLANT-BASED POTLUCK
The Center for Human Flourishing hosts a plant-based potluck at the Third Street Center at 6:30pm and shows a film regarding the health effects of processed foods.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23
JAZZ STRETCH
Aspen Shakti hosts holiday yoga with live piano music inspired by Louis Armstrong from 4:30 to 6:30pm. Register at www.aspenshakti.com/yoga
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Tom and Julie Paxton, formerly of the Dickens Carolers, sing cherished Christmas music at The Hoffman Hotel in Basalt from 6 to 7pm. They will give away CDs of the album they recorded with John Denver, “Merry Christmas, Aspen.” The event is free. For details, contact juliecpaxton@gmail.com
BRADMAN IN WILLITS
Multi-Instrumentalist Brad Manosevitz performs a set at Westbound and Down in Willits from 6 to 8pm.
CHLOE FLOWER
Globally-acclaimed pianist Chloe Flower performs with classical elegance and contemporary flair at the Wheeler Opera House at 6pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24
LIBRARY CLOSURES
All six branches of the Garfield County Libraries will be closed today and tomorrow.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26
MOUNTAINFILM
Mountainfilm on Tour stops by the Wheeler Opera House for a family-friendly matinee at 4pm. Tickets and details at www.aspenshowtix.com
MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN
Singer-songwriter duo Eric Gross and Emily Jurick perform at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park from 5 to 8pm.
BOOMBASSADOR
TACAW brings The Polish Ambassador and Boombox together for an epic dance party with local opener Heady Hooligan at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27
MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN
Jes & Tom, “a talented Western Slope duo known for their heartfelt Americana and folk-infused songs,” perform at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park from 5 to 8pm.
THE MOTET
The Motet performs at Jazz Aspen Snowmass’ new Paul JAS Center (422 East Cooper Ave, Aspen) from 7:15 to 8:30pm and again from 9:30 to 10:45pm. Tickets at www.jazzaspensnowmass.org
KATE HUDSON
Kate Hudson performs at the Wheeler Opera House celebrating her debut album, “Glorious,” at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28
MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN
Singer-songwriter and American Idol competitor Shea Bramer, who blends acoustic pop and rock, performs at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park from 5 to 8pm.
THE NEW MASTERSOUNDS
The New Mastersounds perform at the Paul JAS Center (422 East Cooper Ave, Aspen) from 7:15 to 8:30pm and again from 9:30 to 10:45pm. Tickets at www.jazzaspensnowmass.org
EZ STREET
Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band perform a Bruce Springsteen tribute at the Wheeler Opera House at 7pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com