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In Glenwood, summer means music

Will Grandbois
will@postindependent.com
Musician Rick Vito performs at a previous Glenwood Springs Summer of Music concert at Two Rivers Park.
John Stroud / jstroud@postindependent.com |

The sixth Summer of Music season commences next week and runs Wednesdays through August. As usual, students from Jazz Aspen will open the show, a sort of homage to the Jazz in the Park that started it all more than 30 years ago.

“They set the standard of quality music in Glenwood,” said Christina Brusig of the Glenwood Center for the Arts, which runs the current iteration of the event.

The kids start at 6:30 p.m. June 29 at Two Rivers Park, with Eagles cover band Long Run taking the stage around 7:15. It’s a bit of a tribute to the late Glenn Frey, and only the second time Brusig has approved such an act.



“For years, we were really opposed to cover bands,” she explained. “When we surveyed our community, we found out they want to listen to music they know.”

After that, it’s Onda on July 6, Paper Bird on July 13, Andy Frasco & the U.N. on July 20, Gipsy Moon on July 27 and Nigel Hall on Aug. 3. The mostly in-state but nationally known bands run the genre gamut.



“We have a bangin’ lineup,” Brusig said. “There’s something for everyone in the community.”

They also pair well with their respective local openers: The Confluents, Frank Martin, Poser, Valle Musico and Ricky O.

“It’s kind of the appetizer and the main course,” Brusig observed. “We want to help emerging artists and teach our community about the quality of music in this valley.”

There are also several food vendors, and picnicking is encouraged.

The outdoor event has been rained on in the past, but only once has it been rained out.

“Typically it’s just long enough to cool things off, and then we end up dancing the night away,” Brusig said.

She hopes that those who enjoy themselves will consider leaving a donation at the event, sending in a check or donating online at glenwoodarts.org.

“Very rarely do we have the opportunity to get together and just celebrate,” she said. “You can bring five bucks to donate, your own picnic, your family and just have a good time.”

Other events

If that doesn’t slake your thirst for live music, you can turn right around on Thursday and catch the Hilltop Summer Music Series in Rifle. This year’s acts include The Logan Brothers, Dry Hollow, Exit 42, Let Them Roar and Aspen440. Visit http://www.bookcliffsartscenter.org for the most up-to-date information and to learn more about arts offerings in Rifle.

Then there’s Friday Afternoon Club on the Mountain, a concert series put on by the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Donate a nonperishable food item for the local LIFT-UP food pantry in exchange for a tram ride up Iron Mountain. There, you can groove to some tunes from the likes of Frank Martin, Painters Stage and Gerry Goodman. For more information, visit http://www.glenwoodcaverns.com.

Redstone has Saturdays covered with its Magical Moments summer concert series along the Crystal River. It kicks off with indie singer-songwriter Will Whalen from 6-8 p.m. June 2 and runs through September. For a full schedule, visit redstonecolorado.com/summer_music.html

If you’re after something totally different, it might be worth at trip upvalley for the Aspen Music Festival. Centered around the theme “Invitation to Dance,” the season will open July 3 with performances throughout the summer that will highlight the use of dance elements in music.


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