Things to do in Aspen (Besides Skiing) – Community Theatre’s a Hit!

The Producers (1968 film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ok, I know the buzz around Aspen last weekend revolved around all of that great snow arriving just in time for the lifts to open for the season, but this did not overshadow some of the other much-anticipated things to do in Aspen in November.

One of those other things to do in Aspen before the ski season begins in earnest, is to take in the Aspen Community Theatre’s annual fall production. We did this for the first time last year and were so thrilled with the experience that we just had to do it again.

Last year, I was going to do a post about the theatre’s presentation of the romantic love musical,  “Crazy For You, but I got lazy and didn’t write the post, This year, I was determined to hammer one out.

Halloween Activities in Aspen and Beyond

Halloween Activities Near Aspen - Luigi (Photo credit: Amanda Ciccone)

I just finished downloading photos of a great pre-Halloween weekend with my step-kids and their kids in Palisade and Grand Junction, Colorado. Suddenly, it dawned on me that Halloween itself is coming up fast, and I have been so caught up with other things that I hadn’t even checked out all of the upcoming Halloween activities in Aspen itself.

A quick search on the internet led me to the Aspen Chamber’s website. Here’s what’s going on in Aspen for Halloween this year:

Cross-Country Running Event in Aspen, Co - Chris Severy Invitational

Aspen Cross Country Running Event 2013 - Boy's Varsity Start (Photo credit: richpalpine)

One doesn’t always have the opportunity to watch a cross-country running event in October in Aspen, Colorado. And, one especially doesn’t always get to see one run in the snow – but a couple of Saturdays ago, we did.

This annual event is named and run in memory of local aspen cross-country phenom, Chris Severy, who sadly died at the young age of 22 in a bicycle accident on Boulder, Colorado’s Flagstaff Road in 1998. Some years it has taken place in the warm Aspen fall sunshine, sometimes there has been rain - but this year we got snow!

Events in Aspen – USA Pro Challenge | Taj Mahal | Science Street Fair

Dr. Kaboom Aspen Science Street Fair 2013 (Photo credit: richpalpine)

As if one’s schedule of summer activities in Aspen wasn’t already filled to the brim with the “usual” outdoor pursuits, and cultural activities such as the Food & Wine Classic, art shows, the Aspen Music Festival and Aspen Institute events, when August arrives there are still more events in Aspen that await!

There was so much to choose from and work was taking up a lot of my time (I hate it when that happens), but I was fortunate to squeeze the annual Aspen Science Street Fair and the USA Pro Challenge into my busy schedule.

One of the lesser-known annual events in Aspen is the Science Street Fair, hosted by the AspenScienceCenter.

Stargazing Event in Aspen – My Telescope, Saturn and Me

Aspen Event - Aspen Science Center Fun (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Ok, it wasn’t really just Saturn, my telescope and me. I was actually among a few hundred other people, a couple of other planets and gazillions of stars; and it wasn’t really MY telescope, but I did get to operate it at the recent Stargazing event in Aspen near the sundeck on Aspen Mountain,

The event, co-hosted by the  Aspen Ideas Festival  and the Aspen Science Center, provided great science-oriented entertainment on the top of Aspen Mountain. It featured ice cream made using liquid nitrogen, several other interesting science demonstrations, tales of the stars from Spellbinders storytellers and a surprise guest appearance by retired astronaut and gun control advocate, Mark Kelly. The activities were capped off by amazing star gazing of the Colorado night sky.

Aspen Summer Events – Eco Food Wine Music Ideas Science

Aspen Summer Events - Eco-Fest Street View (Photo credit: richpalpine)

The snow has finally completely disappeared from the slopes, the annual burst of spring flowers is already dwindling, the vegetable gardens have emerged, the bikes and hiking boots have been dusted off, and all of a sudden Aspen summer events are in full swing.

I can’t believe it, but the Aspen Eco-Fest has already made its annual appearance, the Food & Wine Classic has blown through town, and before I could complete this post, the Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Jazz Festival once again entertained and energized visitors and locals alike.

Eco-Friendly Annual Aspen Colorado Events

Aspen Colorado Events - Eco-Friendly Electronics Recycling (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Assorted Aspen is a blog about Aspen Colorado events, activities and other things to see and do in our small but high-profile little town.

While I often write about entertainment and recreation-oriented activities and events, I recognize that there are activities that also take place here that revolve around eco-friendly themes as well.