Center for the Arts Crested Butte

2026 Arts Ball
2026-07-09 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Denver) | Center for the Arts Crested Butte, 606 Sixth Street, Crested Butte, CO, 81224, United States
Honoring Carol Ann May
Join us for our annual fundraiser, the Arts Ball! Immerse yourself in an evening bursting with artistic energy—captivating live performances, art and color everywhere you turn, an exquisite dinner paired with fine wines, and a thrilling live auction packed with rare and one-of-a-kind experiences.
By joining us at the Arts Ball, you enable the Center to achieve its mission of being Crested Butte’s gathering place, bringing people together through arts and cultural experiences.
The Center enriches our mountain town with an extraordinary lineup of live music, dance, theatre, lectures, unforgettable celebrations, and more all year long. Your support fuels free and low-cost arts enrichment opportunities for every local student, provides affordable venue space for 40 local nonprofits annually, and ensures accessible ticket prices and over 70 free events each year.
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Crested Butte Wine + Food Festival
2026-07-13 - 2026-07-18
The Crested Butte Wine and Food Festival is an annual culinary event brought to you by the Crested Butte Center for the Arts, the premier visual and performing arts venue in the region.
For over 30 years, the Center has been dedicated to providing arts and cultural experiences that inspire and entertain all audiences, whether they call Crested Butte home every day or just for the weekend.

Alpenglow: John King
2026-07-13 17:30 - 19:30
Free Concert Series | Outdoors | Rain or Shine
The Center for the Arts presents Alpenglow, a tradition for over 30 years. This free outdoor concert series takes place Monday evenings at 5:30pm from mid-June through mid-August in the Crested Butte Town Park next door to the Center for the Arts.
With Crested Butte Mountain and Paradise Divide as the backdrop, it’s the perfect respite to enjoy the sounds of a variety of music, surrounded by family and friends. Guests are welcome to bring along low-profile lawn chairs, snacks (or a complete picnic) and non-alcoholic beverages. Join friends and family as we enjoy the best that summer in Crested Butte has to offer.
John King
“Everyone has fallen in love,” says King. “Everyone’s had a broken heart. Everyone knows what it feels like to start growing up. I want to create music that speaks to people, so I write songs about the experiences we all share.”
Raised in the Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia, John King listened to a wide range of musicians —southern rockers like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Black Crowes, classic craftsmen like James Taylor and Johnny Cash, and ’90s country stars like Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson — and worked construction jobs as a teenager. When he wasn’t pouring rocks at the worksite or studying in the classroom, he was usually at home, writing lyrics into his spiral-bound notebook and strumming his newly-written songs on an acoustic guitar. By 16 years old, he was writing multiple songs every week, often auditioning them for his friends around the campfire.
“A lot of those early songs were horrible,” he remembers with a laugh, “but if I’ve learned anything about writing songs, it’s the fact that the more songs you write, the better you get. I kept at it. I wrote a lot. By the time I came to Nashville, I already had a strong grasp on the structure of a good song, and that served me well once I got in the writing room with other songwriters.”
Served him well, indeed. Since relocating to Tennessee, King’s steady climb toward the top of the country music mainstream has been full of milestones. He’s become a Number 1 songwriter, penning Randy Houser’s chart-topping “We Went” (which earned him a 2016 ASCAP Songwriter Award) and writing Hootie and The Blowfish’s “Rollin” (the band’s first song to be released since 2005). He’s become a road warrior, too, playing an average of 150 shows annually while building his audience one gig at a time. Most importantly, King has begun telling his own story through music, launching his solo career with “Tonight Tonight” — a Top 40 hit whose anthemic chorus was heard everywhere from country radio to the weekly NFL recaps on CBS — and releasing his first full-length album with 2021’s Always Gonna Be You.
Always Gonna Be You takes its listeners into the writing room, where the album’s 11 songs — from “Try Saying Goodbye” (already a crowd favorite and viral hit, with more than 18 million streams) to the acoustic “Prettiest Girl in the Room” — were first recorded as demos. King wanted to preserve the raw charm of those homemade recordings, many of which had been tracked mere minutes after the songs were written. Rather than re-record each song in a traditional studio, he co-produced Always Gonna Be You with his large group of co-writers and collaborators, using his demos as the foundation for the finished tracks. The result is a country album filled with modern-day twang, heartland hooks, and the same diversity that imbued the music King grew up loving.
“Country music is really exciting right now, because artists are blurring the lines,” he says. “You don’t have to fit into one category. When I step back and listen to these songs, I hear southern rock, country, and pop. I hear me. I don’t know what else to call it. It’s just me.”
Driving home that personal touch is the album’s storyline, which follows King from his teenage years — back when he installed fireplaces and walkaways, sang songs by the campfire, and began dating the girl who would later become his wife — to his modern-day existence. It’s a story of romance and real life. A story that’s both fresh and familiar, filled with details we’ve all experienced: the rush of a new relationship, the brink of a breakup, and the thrill of falling in love. With his relatable lyrics and cinematic songwriting, John King has tapped into something that’s intimately personal yet also bigger than himself.
“There’s a flow to the album,” says King, an old-school music fan who still remembers the childhood joy of playing a record from top to bottom, experiencing the album the way its artist intended. “There’s an autobiographical narrative about me and my wife, and it unfolds chronologically. At the beginning, we’re a pair of high-school sweethearts who fall in love. In the middle of the record, we go through some tough moments. Toward the end, the record settles into things I feel now, and the lessons I’ve learned. We have a beautiful family together. We have a daughter. I’ve found myself — not only as an artist, but as a person.”
Call it a soundtrack to self-discovery. Call it a coming-of-age story, performed by a southern son whose country twang is matched by his pop hooks. Whatever the description, Always Gonna Be You is proof there’s a new King in town.

Duke and Defeo: Plein Air Course
2026-07-14 15:30 - 19:30
Tickets coming soon! | Meet at the Center for the Arts
Join professional landscape painters Patrick and Johnny Defeo for a guided outdoor painting experience with a focus on composition, color, and honing in on focal point. Participants will meet at the Center for the Arts and proceed to the painting location. Patrick and Johnny will lead a short discussion with demonstrations and then work one on one with participants as everyone creates their own plein air painting. Bring your own materials. Any painting medium is welcome. Johnny and Patrick will be painting in Acrylic and Gouache.

Summer Classics in the Courtyard: National Repertory Orchestra
2026-07-14 17:30 - 19:00
Outdoors | Seating Provided | Rain or shine
Join us every Tuesday for a live music happy hour in the Feldberg East Courtyard! From classical, to jazz and world music, we hope you enjoy these intimate live performances over cocktails from the Black Dragon Bar, with stunning summer views.
The 2026 NRO Alumni String Quartet brings together four accomplished young musicians from across the country for a dynamic chamber performance shaped by impressive training and rising professional careers. Featuring violinists Amelia Bailey and Anna Kelleher, violist Sarah Nichols, and cellist Andrew Shinn, the quartet reflects the National Repertory Orchestra’s commitment to showcasing exceptional emerging artists with strong orchestral, academic, and festival experience. Together, they offer a polished and engaging program led by a shared passion for collaboration and artistry.

Public Policy: Michael D. Weiss - Russian Spycraft
2026-07-14 19:00 - 20:30
Presented by Crested Butte Public Policy Forum
Michael D. Weiss is one of the foremost investigative journalists covering Russian intelligence and hybrid warfare, and editor of The Insider. Co-author of the New York Times bestseller ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror, he is currently completing a comprehensive history of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service.
Over the past decade, Weiss has led some of the most consequential reporting on GRU Unit 29155—the covert unit behind bombings, sabotage campaigns, and assassination attempts across Europe and beyond—unmasking spy networks and GRU activities. In 2025, Estonian President Alar Karis awarded him the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, the highest honour bestowed on a foreign national, for his work on exposing Russian intelligence operations threatening Estonia and its allies.
A former CNN investigative reporter and director of special investigations at the Free Russia Foundation, he has written for The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, and The Guardian, and appears regularly on CNN and MSNBC. He hosts the podcast Foreign Office with Michael Weiss

Public Policy: Michael D. Weiss - Russian Spycraft
2026-07-14 19:00 - 20:30
Michael D. Weiss is one of the foremost investigative journalists covering Russian intelligence and hybrid warfare, and editor of The Insider. Co-author of the New York Times bestseller ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror, he is currently completing a comprehensive history of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service.
Over the past decade, Weiss has led some of the most consequential reporting on GRU Unit 29155—the covert unit behind bombings, sabotage campaigns, and assassination attempts across Europe and beyond—unmasking spy networks and GRU activities. In 2025, Estonian President Alar Karis awarded him the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, the highest honour bestowed on a foreign national, for his work on exposing Russian intelligence operations threatening Estonia and its allies.
A former CNN investigative reporter and director of special investigations at the Free Russia Foundation, he has written for The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, and The Guardian, and appears regularly on CNN and MSNBC. He hosts the podcast Foreign Office with Michael Weiss

Duke and Defeo: Field to Studio
2026-07-15 17:30 - 19:30
Free to attend | 111 Elk Ave, Crested Butte
From sketch to canvas! Join local artist, Patrick Duke at his studio 111 (111 Elk Ave, Crested Butte) as he walks viewers through his process of taking a field inspired study to a finished studio painting. small field study painting to a large finished studio piece. The artist will share techniques he has learned over the years that will help in scaling up your paintings as well as some tips to overcome the challenges of making large scale studio paintings. This is a rare, in-depth look into the process of creating paintings for both the Artist and non artist to appreciate.

Duke and Defeo: Open Drawing Workshop
2026-07-16 11:00 - 12:30
Free to attend | Hawk art studio
Open drawing for all ages and skill levels. The artists Johnny Defeo and Patrick Duke, will be in attendance and happy to facilitate and answer question anyone might have as they explore some drawing prompts.

Closing Reception: Duke and DeFeo: The Long Road of Two Painters
2026-07-16 17:00 - 19:00
Exhibition | May 22- July 16
Join us for the Closing Reception of Duke and DeFeo: The long road of two painters!
Patrick Duke and Johnny DeFeo met while studying Art at Western State in 2005 and became fast friends. From there they studied together in Florence, Italy, and in the 20 years since they have both grown their individual art careers, maintaining a focus on the landscapes that inspire them. Duke lives in Crested Butte and maintains a studio gallery called Studio One Eleven, at 111 Elk Ave. DeFeo now lives and works in Taos, New Mexico. The two get together every year to paint en plein air, out in the inspiring lands around Crested Butte. This exhibition is a survey of recent plein air landscape paintings as well as the studio paintings which the region inspires.

Grand Tasting
2026-07-18 15:00 - 18:00
21+ Event
Join us for the Wine + Food Festival’s centerpiece event, the Grand Tasting! Sip your way through over 200+ wines, delectable chef-prepared bites, and top-notch spirits while you enjoy music, outdoor festivities, and art, all under one roof.
The Grand Tasting VIP | $175
Enjoy early entry and an elevated Grand Tasting experience designed exclusively for VIP guests. Sip exceptional wines and spirits with more room to roam, connect directly with makers and chefs, and savor the festival’s most iconic event at its most relaxed and indulgent.
The Grand Tasting | $95
The ultimate Wine + Food Festival playground, the Grand Tasting is your chance to sip, snack, and socialize your way through an all-star lineup of wines, spirits, and bites. Wander at your own pace, discover new favorites, soak up mountain views, and enjoy the lively buzz that makes this the most joyful, can’t-miss moment of High Alpine Summer.
Purchase Tickets

Alpenglow: Madeline Hawthorne
2026-07-20 17:30 - 19:30
Free Concert Series | Outdoors | Rain or Shine
The Center for the Arts presents Alpenglow, a tradition for over 30 years. This free outdoor concert series takes place Monday evenings at 5:30pm from mid-June through mid-August in the Crested Butte Town Park next door to the Center for the Arts.
With Crested Butte Mountain and Paradise Divide as the backdrop, it’s the perfect respite to enjoy the sounds of a variety of music, surrounded by family and friends. Guests are welcome to bring along low-profile lawn chairs, snacks (or a complete picnic) and non-alcoholic beverages. Join friends and family as we enjoy the best that summer in Crested Butte has to offer.
Madeline Hawthorne
The miles we travel make up the stories we tell.
The soles of your favorite boots or the tread on your prized car’s tires soak up the experiences and wisdom of the road under your feet. Born in New England, based in Bozeman Montana, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Madeline Hawthorne pens the kind of tunes you listen to on a cross-country trek to start anew or in the dead of night when you just need a reminder that somebody’s listening.
In this respect, her 2024 independent album, Tales From Late Nights & Long Drives, serves as a fitting soundtrack to life’s trip.
“It’s the perfect road trip record,” she affirms. “It was mostly written while I was on tour. If the songs were written at home in Montana, I took inspiration from journal entries and memories of my travels. This is me stepping onto the stage with more miles under my boots. I’m giving into the moment and the melody to tell a story. It’s like eleven different versions of me—a woman I could have been, a woman I perhaps thought I was, and a woman I hope to be someday.”
Obsessed with music since her childhood on the East Coast, Madeline planted roots in Bozeman, MT during college and never turned back. She honed her talents through countless backup and band gigs before going solo amid the Global Pandemic. Balancing Americana, roots, folk, and rock, she introduced herself on the 2021 LP, Boots, co-produced by Brad Parsons and Tyler Thompson in Pittsburgh. In between, she shared the stage with everyone from Jason Isbell, Lukas Nelson, Josh Turner, and Kip Moore to Sierra Hull, John Craigie, and Nathaniel Rateliff. Plus, she wowed audiences at festivals such as Treefort Music Festival (ID), Americanafest (TN), WinterWonderGrass (CO), Pak City Song Summit (UT), Roseberry Music Festival, (ID), and more. Earning acclaim for tracks like 2023’s “Neon Wasteland,” Relix applauded her “vibrant and buzzing.” Hawthorne has also caught the eye of CMT, who featured her “Neon Wasteland” video at CMT.com and she has received praise from tastemakers such as No Depression who says, “She’s been crushing rootsy tunes.”
Eventually, she decamped to Bear Creek Studios for ten days to record Tales From Late Nights & Long Drives alongside producer Ryan Hadlock [Zach Bryan, The Lumineers].
“I was fully immersed in the experience,” she recalls. “I went for a walk every day, wrote in my journal, and spent a nice amount of time with the spirits of artists who have worked there before me. I appreciate that Ryan put my acoustic guitar first in the arrangement. He felt it was important for listeners to hear the songs with the instruments of origin driving the vibe and feel of the music.”
You can hear this energy loud and clear on the first single “Chasing The Moon.” Bright acoustic guitar underlines pensive lyrics uplifted by piano and a steady beat. Her words resound with excitement as she observes, “That lonesome highway is my Hollywood Boulevard.” On the hook, she exhales, “You can’t change the way things are, but I’ll try again. I’ve got nothing left to lose chasing the moon.”
“I wrote “Chasing the Moon” about my many late nights driving through Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado,” she notes. “It was born driving down Highway 191, going from Big Sky to West Yellowstone. Sometimes, I’ll pull over, get out of my car, and look up at the night sky. It’s powerful to stand in the quiet of the night and listen with your heart.”
Loose slide guitar mirrors the sway of her vocals on “Where Did I Go Wrong.” Her reflections ripple with raw emotion, “Pushed you away for the sake of a song, I need a drink, a moment to think, where did I go wrong?”
“The words you hear are the first words that came out of my mouth,” she goes on. “There are no edits. Although I’m happily married, I’d be lying if I told you this career path doesn’t challenge even the strongest of relationships. I never want to be that woman sitting alone at a bar wondering where she went wrong. It’s a good reminder to nurture a loving relationship.”
On the other end of the spectrum, “Night Ride” instantly intoxicates as she urges, “Roll me up like a joint and smoke me.” She remembers, “It’s about the time I had with my husband during the pandemic. It’s rare we get that much time together without a million things to do. It was a silver lining to an incredibly challenging period.”
The opener “Cold Shoulder” culminates on a wild guitar solo laced with organ. “The record starts off hot and heavy,” she goes on. “It’s a sequel to Boots, which ends with my songwriter character leaving her old self behind to step into a new form. It’s a sassy statement about where I am and how I feel as an artist and a woman.”
The LP concludes with the pensive and poetic “Long Drive To Bozeman,” which traces a map of her life so far. “It’s about my journey to Montana from New Hampshire when I was 18-years-old,” she notes. “I met a boy. We both had aspirations to move to Montana for school, so I drove him to college. Driving into Bozeman still stops my breath to this day. I wound up marrying that man and now we have a house in Bozeman with two cats, two dogs, and a garden. I followed my heart and it brought me home.”
In the end, Madeline is here for you on your journey.
“I’d suggest playing this in your car this summer on a long drive,” she smiles. “Sip your favorite beverage and spin the vinyl in your listening room—or turn it up to 11 and dance wildly around your kitchen. Wherever you are, I hope it gives you what you need. This is an album for the lovers, the wild children, and the ones who refuse to grow up too much. Adventure is always out there. Go on and take the leap.”

Summer Classics in the Courtyard: Hiroya Tsukamoto
2026-07-21 17:30 - 19:00
Outdoors | Seating Provided | Rain or shine
Join us every Tuesday for a live music happy hour in the Feldberg East Courtyard! From classical, to jazz and world music, we hope you enjoy these intimate live performances over cocktails from the Black Dragon Bar, with stunning summer views.
Originally from Kyoto, Japan, Hiroya Tsukamoto returns to Crested Butte with his unique guitar style, haunting melodies, and transcendent compositions to blend classical, world, and jazz music into a profoundly reflective experience.

Public Policy: Stephen Morrison - America's Health Security in Trump 2.0
2026-07-21 19:00 - 20:30
Presented by Crested Butte Public Policy Forum
Stephen Morrison is Senior Vice President and Director of the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he leads one of the leading programs in Washington focused on global health security, pandemic preparedness, and humanitarian health response. His work centers on how governments, international organizations, and public-private partnerships respond to major health crises, with a particular emphasis on strengthening systems to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging infectious diseases. Morrison is widely recognized for his analysis of U.S. leadership in global health and the policy choices that shape international emergency response efforts.
Over a distinguished career spanning government, academia, and policy research, Morrison has served in senior roles at the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State, where he worked on humanitarian and development issues across Africa and Asia. He has been a leading voice on responses to major global health emergencies, including HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19, and frequently advises policymakers on how to build more resilient and equitable health systems. Through his research, writing, and public engagement, Morrison continues to shape critical debates on how the world prepares for and responds to complex health and humanitarian crises.

Alpenglow: Clay Street Unit
2026-07-27 17:30 - 19:30
Free Concert Series | Outdoors | Rain or Shine
The Center for the Arts presents Alpenglow, a tradition for over 30 years. This free outdoor concert series takes place Monday evenings at 5:30pm from mid-June through mid-August in the Crested Butte Town Park next door to the Center for the Arts.
With Crested Butte Mountain and Paradise Divide as the backdrop, it’s the perfect respite to enjoy the sounds of a variety of music, surrounded by family and friends. Guests are welcome to bring along low-profile lawn chairs, snacks (or a complete picnic) and non-alcoholic beverages. Join friends and family as we enjoy the best that summer in Crested Butte has to offer.
Clay Street Unit
Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Clay Street Unit mixes the acoustic instrumentation of bluegrass and folk with the amplified energy of Americana and country. The result is a singular interpretation of American roots music that blurs the borders between genre and geography, fusing the influence of the Rocky Mountains with the traditions of the Appalachians. Driven forward by drums, sharp songwriting, and the chemistry of good friends and musical brothers who’ve shared countless hours on stage, Clay Street Unit’s music doesn’t just nod to the band’s influences; it reshapes them into something new. With their debut album on the horizon, Clay Street Unit are staking their claim as torchbearers of something both fresh and familiar, nodding to the foundations of American music while sharpening their own progressive edge.

Summer Classics in the Courtyard: The CopyCats Concert
2026-07-28 17:30 - 19:00
Outdoors | Seating Provided | Rain or shine
Join us every Tuesday for a live music happy hour in the Feldberg East Courtyard! From classical, to jazz and world music, we hope you enjoy these intimate live performances over cocktails from the Black Dragon Bar, with stunning summer views.
Back by popular demand, “The CopyCats Concert” returns for another appearance as part of our Courtyard Classics. Join Elizabeth Bond, Emily Bond, and talented guest artists for a lively program that pairs beloved classical masterworks with the popular songs they inspired. Discover how timeless melodies continue to echo across generations in this entertaining and unexpected musical journey.

Public Policy: Stephen Richer - Midterm Elections - What Should we Anticipate?
2026-07-28 19:00 - 20:30
Presented by Crested Butte Public Policy Forum
Stephen Richer currently serves as CEO and consultant at Republic Affairs, while also contributing as a legal scholar at the Cato Institute and as a lecturer and senior fellow at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School. In addition, Stephen is a contributor to both The Arizona Republic and The Dispatch.
Previously, he was elected as a Republican Maricopa County Recorder, where these primary responsibilities included overseeing voter registration, election administration, and public recordings. His legal career also includes positions as an attorney at Lewis Roca LLP (now Womble Bond Dickinson) and at Steptoe LLP.
Stephen has an extensive media presence, with more than 300 television appearances across major networks including NBC, 60 Minutes, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, BBC, and local Arizona outlets. His written work has appeared in prominent publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN.com, MSNBC.com, National Review, Newsweek, The Dispatch, The Bulwark, The Contrarian, The Arizona Republic, and the Arizona Capitol Times. They have also been featured on notable podcasts and radio programs, including The Daily from The New York Times, All Things Considered, and The Bulwark Podcast.
Stephen’s academic background includes a Juris Doctor and a Master of Arts from the University of Chicago, as well as a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University.
His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Democracy Defender Annual Award from the Leadership Now Project and the Judge Learned Hand Public Service Award from the American Jewish Committee in 2025.
He was named Best Elected Republican by Phoenix New Times in both 2024 and 2021, recognized as a Defender of Democracy by Time Magazine in 2024, and honored as Leader of the Year by the Arizona Capitol Times in 2023. Earlier accolades include Public Law Attorney of the Year from the Maricopa County Bar Association in 2022 and Arizonan of the Year by The Arizona Republic in 2021.

Opera Lollipops
2026-08-01 19:00
Doors 6pm | Show 7pm
What do Axe Body Spray, British Airways, Coca Cola, Doritos, Jean Paul Gaultier, Fiat, Milton Bradley, Nestle, Maxell, Olive Garden, Rice Krispies, Scrubbing Bubbles, Toyota, and Volvo all have in common?
OPERA! Even if you think you don’t know anything about opera, you have almost certainly heard many of the most famous operatic arias, duets, and themes that have been used to promote dozens of products in television advertising. Now is your chance to enjoy hearing them performed by some glorious Colorado singers, accompanied by a fabulous little orchestra.
The concert is called “Opera Lollipops,” and you will have a unique opportunity to hear many of these familiar tunes on Saturday, August 1, at the Center for the Arts in Crested Butte. If you thought you didn’t like opera, you are promised a thrilling night out listening to music you didn’t know you knew! And what aria has been used the most of all? It is the tenor hit, “La Donna e Mobile” (“the woman is fickle”) from Verdi’s Rigoletto, and that will most definitely be included in the program.
Purchase Tickets

Alpenglow: Hand Turkey
2026-08-03 17:30 - 19:30
Free Concert Series | Outdoors | Rain or Shine
The Center for the Arts presents Alpenglow, a tradition for over 30 years. This free outdoor concert series takes place Monday evenings at 5:30pm from mid-June through mid-August in the Crested Butte Town Park next door to the Center for the Arts.
With Crested Butte Mountain and Paradise Divide as the backdrop, it’s the perfect respite to enjoy the sounds of a variety of music, surrounded by family and friends. Guests are welcome to bring along low-profile lawn chairs, snacks (or a complete picnic) and non-alcoholic beverages. Join friends and family as we enjoy the best that summer in Crested Butte has to offer.
Hand Turkey
Denver-based band Hand Turkey delivers high-energy, groove-driven tunes designed to keep audiences on their feet. Originally formed in 2020 as a quartet of high school and college friends, the group has since grown into a dynamic seven-piece ensemble featuring powerful lead vocals, punchy horns, and a dexterous rhythm section. Drawing from diverse musical backgrounds—from jazz composition to musical theater—Hand Turkey brings a fresh, genre-blending spin to classic funk, fusion, and pop.

Summer Classics in the Courtyard: Cowboy Songs
2026-08-04 17:30 - 19:00
Outdoors | Seating Provided | Rain or shine
Join us every Tuesday for a live music happy hour in the Feldberg East Courtyard! From classical, to jazz and world music, we hope you enjoy these intimate live performances over cocktails from the Black Dragon Bar, with stunning summer views.
Art Song Colorado presents Cowboy Songs, a new musical experience, taking classic Western songs to tell an original story inspired by Western films. With new song arrangements by Denver composer, Cherise Leiter, and classic arrangements by Oscar Fox, experience a classical music cowboy show unlike any other!

Public Policy: Patrick Jenevein - China’s Interest in Iran
2026-08-04 19:00 - 20:30
Patrick Jenevein, CEO of Pointe Bello
Patrick Jenevein serves as the chief executive at Pointe Bello, an intelligence driven, strategy development firm that provides pioneering open-source intelligence to governmental and commercial bodies on the People’s Republic of China’s economic statecraft activity worldwide. Prior to launching Pointe Bello, he co-founded Tang Energy Group and, partnering with Chinese state-owned enterprises, developed several businesses in the power-generating and electrical infrastructure sectors. Those included power plants, wind farms, and a manufacturer of wind turbine blades. In 2022, litigation efforts that Jenevein led resulted in collecting dollars in Dallas through a publicly filed document requiring signatures from Beijing.
Jenevein founded Tang’s general partner, the Nolan Group, Inc. (“Nolan”), in 1986 to work as venture capital investor in the natural gas business. NG Processing Company, Inc. (“NG”) grew out of Nolan’s gas gathering and processing operations (1993) and sponsored projects in Uzbekistan, Indonesia, China and South America. Nolan co-founded Tang in 1996, to build, own and operate energy delivery systems in China. Tang formed Tang Wind Energy to start up and own with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) 中航惠腾风电设备有限公司, (Zhong Hang Huiteng Windpower Equipment Company) (2001), which became China’s largest and the world’s 2nd largest wind blade manufacturer.

Before engaging AVIC in litigation in the United States, various organizations noted Tang’s contributions in the United States and China. In 2010, the U.S. State Department selected Tang as one of twelve global finalists for the Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence. (ACE). ACE awards recognize important roles that American businesses play overseas as good corporate citizens. Also in 2010, the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce presented Tang its Technology Catalyst Award. In 2008, Ernst & Young chose Jenevein as a Regional Winner of its Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 2007, AVIC named him a “Friend of AVIC.”

Steve Earle
2026-08-06 20:00
Sold Out
Steve Earle is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. A protégé of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, he quickly became a master storyteller in his own right, with his songs recorded by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, The Pretenders, and countless others.
In 1986, he released Guitar Town, which shot to No. 1 on the country charts and is now regarded as a classic of the Americana genre. Most recently, Earle’s 1988 hit “Copperhead Road” was made an official state song of Tennessee in 2023.
Subsequent releases, including The Revolution Starts…Now (2004), Washington Square Serenade (2007), and TOWNES (2009), received consecutive GRAMMY® Awards. Released in 2022, Jerry Jeff features Earle’s interpretations of songs written by one of his mentors, Jerry Jeff Walker.
Earle is also an accomplished author. He has published the novel I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011) and a collection of short stories, Dog House Roses (Houghton Mifflin, 2003). As a producer, he has worked with artists including Joan Baez (Day After Tomorrow) and Lucinda Williams (Car Wheels on a Gravel Road).
As an actor, Earle has appeared in several films and had recurring roles in the HBO series The Wire and Tremé. In 2009, he appeared in the off-Broadway play Samara, for which he also composed the score—described by The New York Times as “exquisitely subliminal.” He later wrote music for and appeared in Coal Country, earning a Drama Desk Award nomination.
Earle hosts the weekly show Hard Core Troubadour on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel. In 2020, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2023, he was honored by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music.
His latest album, Alone Again (Live), was released on July 12, 2024. Most recently, Earle was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry and was officially inducted on September 17, 2025.

Alpenglow: Chantil and The Dukes of Art
2026-08-10 17:30 - 19:30
Free Concert Series | Outdoors | Rain or Shine
The Center for the Arts presents Alpenglow, a tradition for over 30 years. This free outdoor concert series takes place Monday evenings at 5:30pm from mid-June through mid-August in the Crested Butte Town Park next door to the Center for the Arts.
With Crested Butte Mountain and Paradise Divide as the backdrop, it’s the perfect respite to enjoy the sounds of a variety of music, surrounded by family and friends. Guests are welcome to bring along low-profile lawn chairs, snacks (or a complete picnic) and non-alcoholic beverages. Join friends and family as we enjoy the best that summer in Crested Butte has to offer.
Chantil and The Dukes of Art
Chantil Dukart is an award-winning contemporary jazz pianist and vocalist with roots in the Tsimshian and Sugpiaq tribes of Alaska.
Dukart has performed with leading voices in contemporary music, including Esperanza Spalding, Nikki Glaspie (Beyoncé, Dumpstaphunk), Michael Pilot (Hamilton) and Guggenheim fellow Nicholas Galanin, at notable venues including the Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival.
SAY Magazine says, “Dukart is a powerhouse on and off stage. Most of all, she is a credit to her ancestors and an integral support to Indigenous creatives all over North America. It’s her time to soar…”
She currently tours nationally and internationally with the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band, Pamyua, and her own project, The Dukes of Art.

Summer Classics in the Courtyard: Junwen Liang
2026-08-11 17:30 - 19:00
Outdoors | Seating Provided | Rain or shine
Join us every Tuesday for a live music happy hour in the Feldberg East Courtyard! From classical, to jazz and world music, we hope you enjoy these intimate live performances over cocktails from the Black Dragon Bar, with stunning summer views.
Junwen Liang is a Chinese pianist celebrated for performances marked by poetic refinement, intellectual depth, and remarkable sensitivity at the keyboard. Praised by Richard Goode as “a very gifted pianist and a musician of great sensitivity,” Liang has earned growing recognition as both a soloist and collaborative artist, with appearances alongside orchestras including the Central Texas Philharmonic, Penn State Philharmonic, and Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra, as well as performances in major recital series across North America and China. A recent graduate of the Peabody Institute, Liang is now based in Philadelphia, teaches at the University of Pennsylvania, and continues to build international momentum with upcoming debuts abroad and a forthcoming debut album.

Public Policy: Paul Spinks - Remote Paramedic & Trauma Counselor ~ The Wake Up Call - Australia’s Frontline Mental Health Expert
2026-08-11 19:00 - 20:30
For more than 20 years, Paul Spinks has worn the uniform. As single-officer paramedic, he covers a patch of more than 90,000 square kilometres in Australia’s remote and unforgiving outback. No backup. No quick reinforcements. Just instinct, experience, and the responsibility to make the call when it matters most.
Paul walks into homes where panic has taken over, where overdoses and breakdowns unfold in real time. He sees the exact moment people slip from coping to collapse. He has stood beside too many who believed there was no way back.
But in the outback, it doesn’t stop there. Floodwaters rising around stranded vehicles, crocodile country where the environment can kill you, grounded yachts and midnight callouts on roads that barely exist.
He will tell you this straight. Crisis is not random. It builds. It leaves clues. It follows a pattern. Catch them early and you change the outcome.
This is where instinct is forged. Where decisions matter. Where the lessons are learned the hard way.
It is from here that he brings hard-earned insight to audiences, establishing himself as one of the most formidable voices in this space across Australia, and now, for the first time, the United States.
He translates frontline reality into a conversation most people avoid but urgently need to have. A conversation about risk, responsibility and what it truly takes to look after yourself and those you love people before things fall apart.
Be ready to strap yourself in to laugh, to cry, and to discover how inspiration can be found in the most unlikely places.
Co-Sponsored by CB State of Mind ~ https://cbstateofmind.org/

All About Color: A Painting Workshop with Beth Zink
2026-08-17 09:30 - 16:00
“All About Color”
Spend a fun day with artist and instructor Beth Zink, exploring the properties of color, and how to use color to achieve a variety of effects in your paintings. It is a hands-on “color 101” approach, with all of us mixing, and testing our own “recipes” in our individual notebooks. We will also create some small “test” paintings. It’s a fun and educational experience. Beginners welcome!
All acrylic painting supplies are included. Bring your own apron and lunch.

CB Southpenglow: Steely Dead
2026-08-17 17:00 - 19:30
Free | CB South Red Mountain Park
CB Southplenglow is back with SteelyDead, plus Drew and Eli Emmitt opening up the night.
Hailing from the vibrant music scene of Denver, Colorado, Steely Dead is a national touring band that has satisfied the curiosity of music lovers with their unique blend of the Grateful Dead and Steely Dan. Comprised of four exceptionally talented musicians – Dave Abear on guitar, Matt Abear on bass, Chris Sheldon on drums, and Dylan Teifer on keys – Steely Dead has gained a dedicated following with their electrifying performances and soulful interpretations of classic tunes.
Steely Dead’s repertoire is a carefully crafted fusion of Grateful Dead and Steely Dan songs, combining the arrangement and precision studio recordings of rock legends Steely Dan with the Grateful Dead’s free-flowing melodic improvisation and masterful song segues. Steely Dead merges these major concepts together, infusing each band’s influence while creating an original jam element through their song segues. Steely Dead’s performances are a musical journey that takes audiences on a nostalgic trip through the golden era of rock and roll.
As a national touring band, Steely Dead has built a loyal fan base that eagerly anticipates their shows and follows them from city to city. Their performances are not just concerts, but communal gatherings where fans come together to celebrate the music they love, dance, and create lasting memories.
Steely Dead’s performances are a testament to the power of live music, bringing people together and creating an unforgettable experience that resonates long after the last note fades. Steely Dead is not just a band; it’s a musical experience that captures the hearts and souls of music lovers everywhere.

Mountains & Wildflowers: A Painting Workshop with Beth Zink
2026-08-19 09:30 - 16:00
Spend a fun day with artist and instructor Beth Zink, learning how to paint a landscape with mountains and wildflowers. Beth takes you step by step through her painting process, teaching you tips, tricks and shortcuts throughout the day. Instruction is for beginners, but everyone is welcome. You will take home a completed 11”x14” masterpiece, ready to hang! All acrylic painting supplies are included. Bring your own apron and lunch.

Cookbook Club: The Italian Summer Kitchen: Timeless Recipes for La Dolce Vita
2026-08-20 18:00
Bring a little dolce vita to Crested Butte with a community potluck inspired by The Italian Summer Kitchen by Cathy Whims and Kate Lewis! Think sun-ripened flavors, fresh herbs, and recipes made for lingering over the last of our long summer evenings. Grab a copy at Townie Books or borrow ours, sign up for a dish, and bring your Italian-inspired creation to share. We’ll set the table, pour the wine, and soak up a taste of summer together.

Mountain Words Writer’s Retreat
2026-08-21 09:00 - 2026-08-23 12:00
Mountain Words invites writers in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction to a weekend of generative work in a rejuvenative setting. For 3 days, join our outstanding collection of authors as they lead morning workshops to kindle the creative flame. Afternoons and evenings are left to participants to hike, bike, write, and explore the town and surroundings of stunning Crested Butte. On Saturday, August 22nd at 6pm we will gather for a reading and book signing with retreat workshop leaders.
Timeline
Workshop Time: 9 am – 12 pm
Free Time: 1 – 5 pm

Hikes
Bike Rides
And more

Literary Tracks + Authors
POETRY – Suzi Q. Smith
Suzi Q. Smith is an award-winning author, artist, educator, and organizer who lives in Denver, Colorado. While primarily known for her poetry, Suzi is also a singer-songwriter, playwright, and interdisciplinary creative. She has created, curated, coached, and taught for over 20 years, touring throughout the United States.
NONFICTION – River Selby
River Selby worked as a hotshot and wildland firefighter for seven years, stationed out of California, Oregon, Colorado, and Alaska. They are currently a Kingsbury and Legacy Fellow at Florida State University, where they are pursuing their PhD. Their work has been published in Vox, High Country News, Bellevue Literary Review, Vice, Tricycle, and the New Ohio Review. River was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the Pacific Northwest.
FICTION – TBA
