Be Festival Ready

FESTIVAL READY? WE ARE

From May through October,

Telluride and Mountain Village traditionally hum to the beat of live music, glow in the flickering lights of film projectors and play host to celebrations of mushrooms, yoga, hot-air balloons and more. The pandemic may have punked festivarians last year, but now the festivals are back, with varied formats to keep us safe and well, while giving us back our much-loved, muchmissed celebrations. We’re ready for festival season 2021. Are you?

This summer, be sure to visit the event websites for updated information.

Cody Hudson, Artist

MOUNTAINFILM MAY 28-31; ONLINE: MAY 31-JUNE 6 Utterly fascinating and unique, since 1978 Mountainfilm has featured the best films about mountains and mountain culture in the world, widening its scope over the years to include social, cultural and environmental issues. This year’s Telluride event is predominantly outdoors with limited capacity, but festivarians can still catch up at Mountainfilm Online. Either way, the festival promises a program where descriptors like “mind-blowing”, “life-changing” and “exhilarating” don’t seem like hyperbole.

BALLOON FEST

JUNE 4-6

The event draws hot-air balloons and balloonists to the box canyon for a truly unforgettable sight as the colorful orbs are launched mornings from Town Park to float serenely above the valley. Expect a modified, but still utterly enchanting, gathering in 2021.

BLUEGRASS

JUNE 11-13 & 17-20 The preeminent Americana roots music festival, this summer Bluegrass has turned lemons into sweet, sweet lemonade with seven — yes, seven — days of music over the traditional Solstice weekend plus the weekend before. The result? Another unforgettable Bluegrass experience.

YOGA FESTIVAL

JUNE 24-27

A gathering that manages to be both intimate and world class, this inspirational festival draws participants to a long weekend that offers intensive trainings, classes, lectures, meditations, music and more. This year, look for reduced capacity program events that are held mostly outdoors or in airy tents. Perfect.

PLEIN AIR

JUNE 28-JULY 4

For its largest summer fundraiser, the Sheridan Arts Foundation brings artists from around the country to paint the charming local architecture and surrounding natural beauty. The 18th annual event includes a competition, cocktail party and three-day exhibition and sale, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit that owns and operates the Sheridan Opera House.

RIDE FESTIVAL

JULY 2-11

Oh yeah. This celebration of all things rock ‘n’ roll, draws diverse acts, emerging musicians and big names to the box canyon for a rollicking, memorable experience. This year, it’s a win-win for music lovers with more intimate gatherings in seven venues stretched across 10 days.Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander.

Corey Davis

MUSHROOM

AUGUST 18-22

FILM FEST

SEPTEMBER 2-6

Telluride’s most eclectic fest where experts, enthusiasts and scientists explore fungi — edible, toxic, psychoactive and more. This year, the event’s theme is the supremely relevant “Reconnecting”, while the event’s format promises to emphasize the outdoors and more intimate gatherings, while remaining quirky, informative and fun. A film lover’s film fest, the Telluride Film Festival manages to be both esoteric and relevant; seven times in the last decade, the Oscar winner for best picture premiered at TFF. As of press time, organizers were busy contemplating a safe, in-person event that promises, as always, to showcase the very best in film. AMERICANA MUSIC JULY 14-18

American acoustic music is the focus at this festival, which has partnered with eminent singer-songwriter Jack Ingram and partners Jennifer Stevens and Kevin Howard. The trio will curate the music and coordinate VIP experiences with artists at the event. A highlight is the Sheridan Opera House benefit on July 18.

ART + ARCHITECTURE WEEKEND

JULY 12-18

The ultimate home tour allows everyone to experience the region’s art and architecture and features the work of local architects, designers, artists and chefs, along with their best designs, performances and creations. This year’s theme, “What is Home?”, explores the concept of home in light of the pandemic.

BLUES & BREWS SEPTEMBER 17-19

Telluride’s feisty farewell kiss to summer is this lively event that features microbreweries and brews, a world-class rock and blues lineup and more. As of press time, organizers are working on a celebration of music that keeps us well.

AUTUMN CLASSIC SEPTEMBER 23-26

Formerly Cars and Colors, the Autumn Classic remains a celebration of cars and colorful fall foliage, but now includes excellence in craftsmanship and engineering.

WINE SEPTEMBER 23-26

The event’s move to this particular date means Wine Fest favorites like the Grand Tasting, Toast of Telluride and Sunday Brunch now pair with the Autumn Classic.

WILD WEST FEST

AUGUST 2-7

The Sheridan Arts Foundation invites underserved youth from the West End and Boys and Girls Clubs around the country, at no cost, to gather in Telluride for an empowering week of mentorship programs and esteem-building activities that celebrate Western arts, culture and custom. A much-loved annual event.

JAZZ FESTIVAL

AUGUST 13-15

Since 1977, the true American art form has been celebrated in Telluride with Jazz Fest. As of press time, the event’s organizers are planning an event that emphasizes safety, but which still brings together acclaimed artists, Grammy winners, legends, upand-comers and the best student bands in the country for a truly transformative experience.

ORIGINAL THINKERS

SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 3; ONLINE: SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 31

Great ideas aren’t born, they’re made. Original Thinkers gathers us under the glowing aspens of fall for an immersive and intimate gathering featuring thought-provoking speakers, film and art that tell stories from all walks of life. Programming encourages engagement, will inspire, but not overwhelm, and provide time to connect with the ideas and stunning landscape.

HORROR SHOW

OCTOBER 15-17

It isn’t just that it’s Colorado’s first and longest-running horror film festival, or that its Instagram feed gives us sweaty palms, or even that MovieMaker named it one of the coolest film festivals. No, what makes this one of our faves is its passionate fans, who descend on our little town each fall for a mix of horror, suspense, fantasy, sci-fi and dark comedy. Organizers are currently working on a format that keeps us safe, while still scaring the pants off us.