For the remaining weekends in May, the Wheeler Opera House is hosting a plethora of local artists from all over the Roaring Fork Valley to showcase skills of music, comedy and storytelling. Launched last year, this initiative was created to help artists from Aspen to New Castle showcase their skills and original pieces in a professional venue.
“I’m most excited to see the incredible talent from our valley come together on stage,” local comedian Sarah Sanders said. “There’s something really special about watching local artists share their work in a space like the Wheeler. I think events like this are incredibly important because they create space for local voices, stories and creativity to be celebrated. Having the opportunity to perform in a professional and historic venue like the Wheeler helps artists feel supported and valued within their own community.”
Beginning on May 15 and running through May 16, audiences are in for a chill kick-off with Aggie Flores & the Wildflowers. The Argentina-based lead singer-songwriter Aggie Flores will get things moving with her South American and indie-folk songs, many of which are rooted in the stories and experiences of her multicultural background. The following evening will see Rai Omri with special guest artist and third-generation musician Abigail Benning, who collaboratively will share songs of nature, nostalgia and spirituality.
Picking up again on May 22, audiences can anticipate a refined and folk-pop set from Emery Major and Hannah Koivu, who will take attendees on a musical journey through a sharp point of view with their indie-folk pop and storytelling sounds.
May 23 will see a fresh set of local women storytellers who, under their collaborative efforts with Alya Howe’s Writ Large project, will tell stories about their life experiences, including collective narratives and varying levels of perseverance.
“I’m excited to see the storytellers embody their story as they share their hearts,” Howe said. “Storytelling gives us insight into different lives, traditions and cultures.”
Those gracing the stage for this showcase include Rachelle Anslyn, Christa Wagner, Gwen Garcelon, Mellie Test and Nee Findley.
In discussing what audiences could gain from this event, Howe hopes that the stories shared will inspire attendees to connect on a deeper interpersonal level in their everyday lives.
“A society that doesn’t listen doesn’t survive as a society,” Howe said. “It becomes a community of self-interested individuals focused on me and not the ‘we the people!’ I hope these stories and storytellers will inspire us to listen, connect and talk more with each other.”
The series will then see a lineup of local comedians on May 28, with the talents of David Uhlfelder, acclaimed for his work with The Comedy Store, Miller Ford, best known for his work with local comedy troupe Consensual Improv, as well as southern storyteller comic Julie Gillespie, rising comic Sarah Sanders, Brian Tauber and Beth Brandon.
Ford looks forward to gracing the stage with this event. He expressed excitement to perform with his fellow comics and bring his signature style to audiences.
“What [audiences] can expect for me is just some good old fashioned punchlines,” he said. “They can expect jokes about edibles, Southern Living and they can expect jokes about what it’s like getting older. I’m so stoked that it’s part of a local showcase. So I’m gonna match the vibe and then bring my own. That’s the vibe of the vibrant energy that comes with being with other locals, doing art and comedy.”
He also offered some words of advice for any hopeful performers, encouraging them to take advantage of opportunities such as Roaring Fork Rising. He shared an example of another valley local, who saw opportunity and has worked to open up opportunity for other creatives.
“I think it’ll be inspiring for anybody who wants to get involved in any type of production in the Valley,” Ford said. “An example is this gentleman named Tate Jordan. He did his first open mic about 18 months ago, saw the opportunity and now, there’s all: there’s music open mics and comedy open mics all over the Valley.”
Audiences can also anticipate on May 29 to hear the sweet harmonies of The Sopris Sisters, comprised of local talents Harper Powell and Emma Kieran, who will be joined by genre bending multi-instrumentalist Mark Nussmeier.
Closing out the series on May 30 will be Wild Flight, comprised of local veteran piano player and singer/songwriter Eric Gross as well as singer/songwriter and Aspen local Emily Jurick. Bassist Bill Ritchen, who was a member of the San Francisco Symphony for 38 years, will join the performance. Hugh Phillips, who recently dropped his latest single “She’s My Kind of Crazy,” will also perform in preparation for his upcoming tour dates over the summer.
For more information on tickets, getting involved, or to keep up with the creatives involved, visit wheeleroperahouse.com