Jillian's Top Picks for What's HappeningThis Week in Aspen & the Roaring Fork Valley: July 29 – August 2
This is one of those weeks where you genuinely have to make choices. From world-class pianists and pioneering filmmakers to live-fire feasts and bluegrass on the mountaintop, the valley is putting on a show. Here is everything worth knowing about.
FRIDAY, JULY 31
D.K. Harrell
Paul JAS Center · $55 Main Room / $30 Bar
At just 27, Louisiana-born guitarist and vocalist D.K. Harrell is one of the most compelling young voices in today's blues resurgence. Stinging guitar work, deep soul vocals, and original songs that land hard. Do not sleep on this one.
A Jerry Garcia Birthday Celebration with Easy Jim
Belly Up Aspen
The annual Garcia birthday tradition continues at Belly Up. Check their site for times and tickets.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
Edlis Neeson Opera Encounters
10:00 AM · Wheeler Opera House
Conductor Jane Glover coaches artists of Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS in an intimate setting. Ravishing voices, insightful coaching, and a behind-the-scenes look at the next generation of extraordinary vocal talent.
Heritage Fire
10:15 AM · Snowmass Base Village
This is the one food event of the summer I think everyone should experience at least once. More than 30 chefs, farmers, sommeliers, distillers, and brewers gathering around open fire for a whole-animal, live-fire feast featuring dry-aged beef, whole pigs, lamb, oysters, duck, sustainable fish, artisan cheeses, and heirloom vegetables. It is an all-inclusive wood-fired celebration of honest food and family farming. Head to Snowmass for this one.
315 First Look
5:00–8:00 PM · 315 East Hyman
Aspen's newest community destination opens its doors for a first look. Refreshments, tours of the club space, vintage shopping, flash tattoos by Tattoo Aspen, and a chance to meet the artists in residence at Aspen Arts Club. The kind of opening night that sets the tone for what a place is going to be. Worth stopping by.
George Porter Jr. & the Runnin' Pardners
Paul JAS Center · $55 Main Room / $30 Bar
New Orleans bass legend George Porter Jr. brings his new instrumental album Porter's Pocket to the JAS stage. If you know, you know. If you don't, tonight is the night to find out.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
Aspen Music Festival Orchestra: Thibaudet Plays Gershwin
4:00 PM · Klein Music Tent
Pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet plays Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F — a piece he has described as expressing "utter joy" — alongside Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements and Schoenberg's Variations for Orchestra. One of the finest pianists working today, in the tent, on a Sunday afternoon. That is a perfect day.
Shelly Berg with Ashley Pezzotti — Supper Club
Paul JAS Center · $150 Main Room (dinner included) / $30 Bar
Seating at 5:30, show begins at 6:30
Five-time Grammy-nominated pianist and arranger Shelly Berg performs with special guest vocalist Ashley Pezzotti in an intimate supper club format. Dinner and a show, done right.
Ideas, Art & Community at M.S. Rau
4:30–6:00 PM · M.S. Rau Aspen Gallery
An intimate evening with Professor David Passig exploring global trends, AI, and the decades ahead, over exceptional wines from Israel's Jezreel Valley Winery. Hosted by American Friends of Bar-Ilan University. The kind of conversation that keeps going well after the last glass is poured.
Check the full Aspen Real Life calendar at aspenreallife.com/calendar for tickets, times, and everything else happening in the Roaring Fork Valley this week.














