Events This Week

This Week | July 27– Aug 2nd

This is one of those weeks where you have to choose wisely. Miranda July kicks things off Wednesday at Paepcke Auditorium in a free conversation about creativity and storytelling you won't want to miss. Thursday brings the ArtCrush Gala at the Aspen Art Museum, a world premiere at the Wheeler Opera House, and Melissa Etheridge at Belly Up. Friday the blues take over with D.K. Harrell at the JAS Center. Saturday is a full day — start at the Farmers Market, head to Heritage Fire at Snowmass for one of the best food experiences of the summer, and end the night at 315 East Hyman for the opening of Aspen's newest community destination. Sunday closes the week perfectly with Bluegrass on the Sundeck, Thibaudet playing Gershwin in the Tent, and a supper club evening with Shelly Berg at the JAS Center.

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.

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Testimonials

Corneliu Fagaraşan
Architect

Aspen Business Connect completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment I showed up I felt welcomed into a community of open, curious, and genuinely supportive people. It’s not just networking—it’s real connection. I’ve built friendships, found opportunities, and gained invaluable insight simply by being part of the group. The environment Jillian has created makes it easy to show up, be yourself, and grow both personally and professionally.

Hudson McNamee Osprey Design Studio
Owner

I came along and was immediately connected with a lot of entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. A year and a half later I have gained a plethora of connections and advice from people from all walks of the entrepreneurial journey. This valley works by word of mouth. That is the most effective way, and being a part of this has gained me the most high quality clientele that respect what I do, compensate me fairly and I don't have to go through the entire vetting process every time. I learned so much from so many different types of people. It's been invaluable to my growth as an entrepreneur and a small business owner.

Grayson Rutherford Sinclair Building Architecture Design
Director of Operations

I've been blown away by the professional connections that I've been able to make since joining Aspen Business Connect. I've even had the opportunity to make trade relationships... [and] brought multiple artists onto my company's projects that I wouldn't have otherwise found had I not been a member of ABC.

It's unmatched and unrivaled by anything else in the valley and such a special meeting and connecting place for professionals of all different backgrounds. Jillian does an incredible job making her network ours and she's the most well-connected woman in the valley, always bringing in new people from different places who have different experiences and backgrounds to share. Overall it's one of my favorite things to be part of in the valley, from our socializing events and specialized dinners to our more professional focused events , it's given me the opportunity to make great friends in the valley and even professional relationships. All of us are better off for it.

Jeremy Joseph
Jeremy Joseph Photography

I opened a gallery called Jeremy Joseph Photography, which was a place to display my fine art prints of the Colorado Wilderness and Wildlife. Shortly after opening that space, I started to realize the need for me to be more  integrated into the local community. After a short meeting with Jillian, I realized really quickly how valuable her network could be to get more integrated into the community. The amount of people and relationship building you can do is pretty impressive. Every time that I show up  I always have a bit of a vibrationally tingly inspiration because of everyone's stories and what they're doing. Just a great place to be a part of the community and get inspired for your small business.

Derron Cloud, State Farm Agent in Basalt and Aspen.
Agent

What I have enjoyed from Jillian's group, Aspen Business Connect, is I've met lots of different people, different individuals. There's great events. I have probably not only gained clients but I’ve also been able to provide clients to those other folks that I've met. I've also made friends. Several people that I met in the first meeting that I went to, I've played golf with and our families hang out together. I have also had many, many referrals from those people. This group has been fantastic for networking and learning and just meeting lots of great and wonderful, interesting people.

Dominic Del Signore Homestead Circus Productions
Founder

Being a member hasn't just grown my business; it has fundamentally changed my life in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Jillian is a master at the art of connection, and her dedication to this community is nothing short of brilliant. She understands that when you connect local businesses as genuine resources for one another, you aren't just facilitating 'transactions', you are proliferating a culture of friendship, growth, and playful engagement that makes our community thrive... Great organizations only succeed with great leaders, and Jillian’s mission to foster an environment where we all succeed together is incredibly effective.

Marisa de Lempicka Tamara de Lempicka Estate Foundation
Owner

I've been a member with Aspen Business Connect for about five years now and it's been wonderful. Jillian does an amazing job at connecting people. I always leave the events inspired, empowered, with new ideas. It's really really been a great addition to my life here in Aspen, and it's a great reason to hear what other people are doing in the community, to feel part of this amazing community. The people in this group are amazing. I've /made some really lifelong friendships.

Shari Havroud of Aetio Health
Nutritionist
I am so grateful for Jillian and Aspen Business Connect, for introducing my work to the team at Aspen Strong where we created a successful Food/Mood kids series.  From there, I have been given the opportunity to work with the Aspen Youth Center, Aspen Family Connections and the City of Aspen!” 
All of these engagements have helped me expand awareness about the benefits of medical nutrition therapy.  Just one introduction led to many more.  I would highly recommend joining the Aspen Business Connect network!"
Diane Utz, ESQ Ferguson Shindler Law Firm
Construction Litigation

Thank you once again! You’ve created something really special and have done an amazing job pulling together the movers and shakers in this Valley. I’ve lived all over the country but have never witnessed a network like the one you’ve built and are continuing to build. You are such an inspiration!

Eric Amyot Keystone Species CO
Instigator of Change | Generative Community Builder

ABC makes networking easy. More than that, the intention and energy, mood, and support for every entrepreneur and business regardless of their scale or industry, is always positive.

Harry Teague - Harry Teague Architects
Owner

Thank you Aspen Real Life and your team. Very informative and well organized panel discussion. Wonderful to network with such smart, fun crowd. Keep up the good work.

Jerome Osentowski Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute
Founder & Director

Last week Jerome, Eden, and Brook melted our minds with their wisdom on the state of our food systems, what they're doing about it, and what we can all do to improve the health of ourselves and the Earth. Thanks Aspen Business Connect for organizing this great event!

Thanks so much Jillian for putting these together. We were glad to see so many people who care about their food, we got so many business cards! Amazing

Rose LeVan Sustainable Settings
Co-Founder & Office Manager

Thank you Jillian for giving us the opportunity to talk with our community via Aspen Business Connect! Your crew is amazing.

Michele Cardamone - Michele Cardamone Photography
Owner

I just went to Jillian's Aspen Business Connect meeting at Aspen Kitchen with a panel discussing the importance of eating local and nutritious food without pesticides. There was so much positive energy in the room and such an eclectic mix of local business representatives. It was such a perfect way to connect with members of our community. Bravo, Jillian! I can't wait for more!

Molly Dodge Bosque Aspen

Such an amazing event, Jillian!! Thank you for including us and for everything that you're doing for this community and beyond. You're an inspiration and connecting people is the most satisfying thing. Xoxox

Bill Infante, Hangai Mountain Textiles, Co-Founder & President at Breakthrough Communications, Basalt Town Council Member.
Principal & Co-Founder

Great evening. Great initiative. Great connections. Thanks Jillian Livingston for bringing the business community together!

Marisa Hallsted The Mindful Vine
Founder

We thought you’d love that we all connected over a fabulous dinner. Turned into a blog post, a mastermind group, a newly designed ring from gems from my ancestors and who knows great collaborations between some of us in the future! Thanks for being our connector and for all you do!!