Posts tagged ‘event’

November 25, 2011

Aspen: Winternational Red Bulletin Dine Around Weekend

And just like that, off-season is more or less over in Aspen. Sure, the next few weeks will be slow-ish, but this weekend is JAM-PACKED with events like any other summer or winter weekend, thanks to the 2011 Nature Valley Aspen Winternational Audi FIS Alpine World Cup.

Basically, the fastest women in the world (downhill ski racers) are racing Saturday & Sunday November 26-27 down Ruthie’s, with spectators and a village at the base of Aspen Mountain at Lift 1A. There’s a big screen TV for action you can’t see, and prime viewing of the finish line from the grandstands. It’s an awesome experience, even if you just stop by for one racer, you need to go.

Saturday, make sure you plan to attend the launch of the Red Bulletin, where Lindsey Vonn will be signing autographs and beer flows like … well, you know, it’s an open bar.

Red Bulletin Launch Party

RSVP to Helen.Roche@theskyhotel.com

Then take your autographed self over to the Gondola plaza for the  first Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series of the season featuring Cowboy Mouth.

Cowby Mouth Aspen

All that spectating and partying will likely leave you hungry, so be sure to snag an incredible deal through The Bud Light Dine Around Aspen now through next Thursday, December 1st, from 6-9pm every night. Top restaurants offer special Winternational prix fixe menus that are even better than their off-season deals. Can’t-miss: Matsu’s bento for $30.

Dine Around Aspen Deals:

Ajax Tavern / Distinct American Bistro / $28
BB’s Kitchen / American Classic Fare / $30
Elevation / Modern American Cuisine / $28
Jimmy’s / American Restaurant & Bar / Dining Room: $28 / Bar: $12
L’Hostaria / Italian Cuisine / $30
Matsuhisa / Gourmet Japanese Seafood & Sushi / $30 Lounge Only
The Red Onion / American Southwest / $25
Syzygy / New American Cuisine / $30
Ute City / American Classics with European Flavor / $30
Zocalito / Latin Cuisine / $26

October 13, 2011

Austin: Target Downtown Cook-Off

Target, which btw donated $60,000 to Texas Wildfire Relief, is hosting a cook-off and grocery giveaway downtown. In celebration of the fresh food additions to Target stores in the Austin area, celebrity food critic Gail Simmons (judge and critic on Top Chef, host on Top Chef Desserts, and Food & Wine special projects manager) will host a cooking competition between local acclaimed chefs Shawn Cirkiel (parkside and the backspace) and Paul Petersen (Vivo Lake Creek). Target will also offer giveaways and sampling throughout the day while supplies last.

Friday Oct 14 / Congress Avenue and Fourth Street / 8:30a–5p / Cook-off 12:30–1:30p / Parking lot opposite Frost Bank Tower

… sometimes I miss working downtown. Perfect lunch break!

October 4, 2011

BreatheCure Conference at Rice University

BreatheCure Conference coming October 29 to Rice University

I don’t normally write about things super-far in advance, but you might want to plan to be in Houston for this one. The First Annual BreatheCure Conference comes to Rice University Recreation and Wellness Center October 29.

The event supports the illness-to-wellness community with educational classes and lectures for participants of all ages and fitness levels to use as a means of enrichment and healing. It’s a FUNdamental day of bringing like-minded folks together in a place of healing harmony. My university is awesome.

Founded in 2007, Breathe the Cure®, is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to bringing educational awareness to the general public about the benefits of breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga. Much of the focus is on cancer survival and recovery through these practices. The conference is also donating twenty percent of all proceeds from the conference to Pink Ribbons Project, a Houston-based nonprofit that saves lives and improves the quality of life for those touched by breast cancer. A list of the 2011 presenters is here.

Keynote Speaker Award-winning investigative food journalist Barry Estabrook, author ofTomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit, explains how tomatoes have gotten to their current tasteless, nutrient-deficient state and how we can fix the problems. Grown out of season to supply distant markets, dependent on a witch’s brew of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and produced under some of the most abusive labor conditions in this country, the modern agribusiness tomato is a “poster child” for many of the ills facing our industrialized food system.

The 2011 BreatheCure Conference is a collaboration between Breathe the Cure® founder, yoga professional and legislative yoga advocate Jennifer Buergermeister fromJennyoga/CuraYoga and the Texas Yoga Conference, who partnered with Amy Garratt and Julie Byrd, co-founders and Yoga Studies Directors of Balance Your Body Yoga as well as BYB Pink Ribbon Recuperative Yoga. Of the first annual BTC Conference, Jennifer states, “We believe that change comes from a healthy mind, body and planet. This year’s conference supports integrative medicine, deep breathing techniques and mindfulness as a healthy lifestyle and a tool that helps alleviate many symptoms of disease.”

Registration for the 2011 BreatheCure Conference is $175 for the general public and $150 for students, teachers, and seniors. To register, visit btcconference.com/register or call 713-839-9642. Students of Rice University, UH, Baylor or UST can get a 50% discount if they enroll via email to info@breathecure.org.

The BTC Conference will be held at Rice University Recreation and Wellness Center, Saturday, October 29, 2011. Doors will open at Rice University’s Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center on Saturday at 8:30a with the first session beginning at 9. Event ends at 8p. Performance by the Houston Ballet at 7p Saturday night to end the event with a Pink Aware Splash!

2011 BTC Conference Sponsors include: Breathe the Cure, Texas Yoga Association, Texas Yoga Conference, Balance Your Body Yoga, Jennyoga/CuraYoga, YogaOne Studios, Wisdom & Co., New Living, Luke’s Locker, OneYoga USA, Pink Ribbon Recuperative Yoga Training, 002 Magazine, Kingwood Yoga and Wellness Center, Yoga 4 Kids, Expedition Balance, Origin. Magazine, JCC Houston, Yoginos: Yoga for Youth, Ligmincha Texas Institute, Yoganonymous, Luna Bar, Body Dynamics, The Motherhood Center, Ekam Yoga, Mind Body & Soul, Sedona Tea Blends, Pure Rain, PerfectMind Yoga, and Aerobifit.

September 29, 2011

Austin: TiVO on the Town

I miss my TiVo. We got DVR because it worked out to be cheaper, but I miss the beep beep beep and the thumbs up on new shows and being able to order movies through amazon to my TV and everything else awesome about TiVo. If you love TiVo as much as me, you should look for “the TiVo Guy” around town, as he’s commencing “TiVo on the Town,” touring around Austin handing out hundreds of prizes like Netflix and Pandora gift cards, and even a TiVo.

TiVo Austin

The TiVo Guy’s September 29 schedule:

10:30a: Roaming campus at UT Austin

12:30p: Warehouse District: corner of 4th Street and Lavaca Street

2p: 6th Street: outside Driskill Hotel

5:30p: South Congress: outside near Uncommon Objects

One lucky winner at each spot will win an HD TiVo!! All your TV dreams could come true … you could watch Gossip Girl and Hawaii Five-O and New Girl and Ringer and Hart of Dixie and Charlie’s Angels and Pan Am and Glee and … oh. Maybe that’s just me?

September 21, 2011

Austin: Craft Night at Aviary & Legendary Beads

There are trifectas of awesomeness like the upcoming Charlie’s Angels remake with Minka Kelly (who didn’t love Lyla Garrity on Friday Night Lights when she picked bad boy Riggins to love?), then there are trifectas of getting things done, like Austinites Tolly Moseley, Candace Carlisle, and Cory Ryan—three ladies who know how to throw a party to tickle Austin’s fancy.

This Thursday, your fancy just might be a lil’ craftin’ escapade. Grab your gals and call it the perfect Girls Night.

Craft Night flier
Aviary will host the evening and will feature drink specials for guests. $10 admission gets you a drink along with beads/supplies from Legendary Beads.

Thursday, September 22, 6-9 pm / 2110 S. Lamar / aviarylounge.com

July 21, 2011

Aspen: It’s Me or the Dog

As you probably know from my postings here and obsessively on twitter, it’s never going to be me or the dog. We are a package deal. I am one of those dog owners. Who has her dog on her phone case (I’d take a pic to show you, but I take most of my pics with my phone, so that is a physical impossibility). But for the Vermonster, it very well could come down to Him or the Dog. I won’t elaborate on who might win.

Perhaps to head off that terrible fate, I should attend this Saturday’s event. I mean, Nali dawg is a rescue dog and IS occasionally a pain in the ass. Like, any time I try to take her around strangers.

Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter Winterskol Skijoring Clinic

Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter (only THE best place ever to board a dog) is bringing Victoria Stilwell, the star of Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog, to Aspen on July 23, 2011 for a series of events to raise money for its Spay/Neuter & Rescue Campaign. Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO of the Humane Society of the United States will make a special appearance at all events and John Oates, of the famed rock duo Hall & Oates, will attend and perform at a private patron dinner.

Victoria Stilwell and Wayne Pacelle will appear at a special luncheon for 100 VIPS at the Aspen Animal Shelter from 11:30am to 1:30pm on July 23rd.

At 5:30pm that evening they will appear at the Aspen Animal Shelter for a public event where Wayne will speak on animal welfare issues and Victoria will share her insight on positive-reinforcement dog training and explain why positive training is a better practice than punitive, dominance-based training techniques. She will address her fondness for rescue animals and will demonstrate her positive training techniques with several problem dogs.

To close out the evening, Victoria, Wayne and John Oates will attend a private dinner with 20 patrons at a local home where John will perform in an intimate setting. Tickets to all events are available through Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter at 970-927-1771 or email FAASaspen@gmail.com.

Event Pricing:
VIP Luncheon (luncheon only): $250/pp
Evening Event – VIP seating: $150/pp
Evening Event – General Admission: $50/pp
Patron Dinner: $2,500/pp

Packages:
Patron Package (All 3 events; VIP seating:) $2,800/pp
VIP Package (Luncheon, VIP seating @ evening event): $350/pp

July 2, 2011

Aspen: July 4th Eco Music Festival

The Eco Music Festival takes over the entire Snowmass ski resort Fourth of July weekend (June 30-July 3) to showcase some of the most vibrant musical acts and corporate eco-trendsetters of this generation. Mountainside concerts, guided hiking tours, an Innovation Village, and poolside cocktails make up a festival designed for positive impact for both festival goers and the planet.

EMU is designed to be environmentally friendly from the ground up with 100 percent sustainable tents, biodegradable water bottles, plates and utensils. In addition, the festival’s ticket vendor will plant a tree through the nonprofit organization Trees, Water & People for each ticket sold. These efforts will help offset up to 220 pounds of carbon emissions for every tree planted, and once the concert is sold out, the festival would be offsetting 1.2 million pounds of carbon dioxide.

Unfortunately, many of the adventure activities like the 3K Uphill Climb and Capture-the-Flag have been canceled due to all the snow we still have. Luckily, there’s stilly plenty of mountainside music! Among the musical acts scheduled to entertain at Snowmass are local faves Leftover Salmon, plus Perpetual Groove, Tea Leaf Green, The New Mastersounds, Stokeswood, and RJD2.

General Admission tickets are $70 and VIP tickets are $250. Kids 12 years old and younger are free, with the purchase of an adult ticket.

February 18, 2011

Austin: swapatx Presents Clothing Swap!

Clothing swaps are not new. People who are really good at organizing them are. Check this from swapatx’s FAQ:

There are free swaps around town. Why are you charging $5?

A couple reasons. First of all, charging a nominal fee helps us to be able to spend a lot of our free time working the event- it also helps us be able to make the events fun: free dance parties exist, but there’s a reason you’re willing to pay to go to a really good one. We gotta pay for coffee. But more importantly, when we’ve done free events, we’ve gotten a lot of creepers looking for free stuff and piles of really crappy clothing. The $5 keeps the creepers out & you in. We are not above being exclusive.

Right on. So hit up Beauty Bar (617 E 7th st.) on Saturday, February 19th from 4-9pm for some sweet free clothes and cool people. $5 ($10 without clothes)

 

January 17, 2011

Aspen: Gay Ski Week

aspen 2011 gay ski week

That is not a joke. I kind of thought it was. Not because gayness is a joke, but because most people don’t host “gay” weeks. But here’s the official site: gayskiweek.com. I’m telling you, Aspen and Austin could not be more alike. People here LOVE gay ski week. It kicked off yesterday (1/16) and runs through January 23. Here’s a selection of a few events, hit the website up for a comprehensive list.

Tuesday, January 18 – Bud Light Presents Undertow Film at the Wheeler Opera House
Cocktail Reception at 8:00, Film at 9:00 PM. We are taking our film series in a new direction … straight south to Peru!  Bud Light and Aspen Gay Ski Week are proud to present Javier Fuentes-Leon and his film UNDERTOW, an award-winning film about sexy fisherman whose affair with a charismatic painter places him at odds with the deep-rooted traditions of the community he loves. Mr. Fuentes-Léon will attend a pre-show cocktail reception before the screening in the Wheeler Opera House lobby. Following the film, Gay Ski Week Film Night programmer Bob King will conduct a Q and A with the director. $15

Wednesday, January 19 – “Pamper” Aspen Club and Spa day
The Aspen Club and Spa will be hosting us for the day, so pump up your cardio, take a class or a swim or pamper yourself with a massage or other offering at Aspen’s premier spa and gym.  We have discounts and special offers for you all week long, just tell them you’re with GSW to check in and book all services. The Aspen Club offers highly advanced fitness equipment, the world-renown SpaAspen™ and the internationally recognized Sports Medicine Institute. www.aspenclub.com 1450 Crystal Lake Road, (970) 925-8900 free admittance

Thursday, January 20 – Skiing: “The Bowl is A Drag” – Aspen Highlands

Our 4th Annual – as suggested by one of our most hard-core Ski Week guests: Mr. Wu says “The Bowl is A Drag”.  Wear your favorite accoutrement and get to the top of the Loge/Temerity lifts at Aspen Highlands by 11:00am on Thursday.  We will commence the hike to the top of Highland Bowl “in drag” (or whatever you got) and meet at the top at noon for the largest-ever group photo of Skier and Boarder Tops!  If you aren’t up for expert terrain, join the group who will make their way down the Bowl for lunch at the Merry-Go-Round restaurant.  (In case of Bowl closure, meet at noon at top of Loge/Temerity for photo.)

Two Shows One Price $75 – “Almost Queen” – Belly Up Aspen

Almost Queen succeeds in blending the vocal layering and studio precision that is a signature of the band with the energy and spectacle of a live stage production. Elaborate lighting, effects and costumes aptly frame the seasoned musicians who step into these very large shoes to effectively render an authentic “Queen experience”. “I am a very big queen fan and Almost Queen does a great job of creating the illusion of actually seeing Queen live. We all miss Freddie Mercury, I feel the band pays tribute to him and Queen respectfully.” Eddie Ojeda -Twisted Sister 450 S. Galena St., (970) 544-9800

After Hours Dance Party – Belly Up Aspen

Immediately following Almost Queen, there will be house music dance extravaganza. The alcohol will be shut down but there will be energy drinks and more to keep you going. More information at Bellyupaspen.com. 450 S. Galena St., (970) 544-9800

Friday, January 21 – Bud Light Presents the Downhill Costume Competition, Aspen Mountain

Do not miss out on one of the cornerstone events of Aspen Gay Ski Week, compete in the Downhill Costume Contest and try for a grand prize worth $1000, or buy a table and have a real sit down.  Both Table and individual tickets are available for the events. The contest kicks off at noon and ends around 3pm, contestants dress up in costume and ski/board down the short slope of Little Nell to a stage at the base. We have music, swag, libations, comedy and a great time to be had by all. You can register early at Hospitality by picking up an application, or you can just show up at 11:30 the day of event at Aspen Mtn. Hosted by the unforgettable, Sister Helen Holy.

Saturday, January 22 – Hockey: Friendship Cup: Gay vs. Straight Ice Hockey Championships

The G-Force is back again this year to take the lead in the 3-3 tie in the series, and the straights are coming to the ice with a vengeance!  You definitely won’t want to miss this FREE event at the Lewis Ice Arena, preceding the closing Pool Party at the Aspen Recreation Center. 0861 Maroon Creek Road Free admittance

Saturday, January 22 – Grande Dame Pool Party

The grand finale to Aspen Gay Ski Week is the largest indoor pool party around! We promise you a night to remember, with an open bar of Bud Light, Vodka, Wine, light snacks and more. See if you can make it all the way down the waterslide without spilling a drop of your martini!  Be sure and bring a suit!  Swoosh down the slide or grab a floatie and head down the “lazy river” drinks in hand.  They’ll be a DJ for some musical accompaniment to your time in the hot tub or boards!  See General Info section to arrange transportation.  Ride the bus—all the cool kids will! Aspen Recreation Center 0861 Maroon Creek Road $100

… I mean, don’t you wanna hit up ALL these events?

January 14, 2011

Aspen: Epic Aspen Day

Lunch at Sundeck (shrimp pad thai).

Winterskol Women’s Health & Men’s Health Lounge in gondola plaza. (Free mags, chapstick, almonds, blankets, drinks, almonds, and foot massages and oxygen bars–and that’s just one tent! There are two.)

SoupSkol: 5:30-7:30pm on Hunter & Cooper St. The following restaurants compete for the best soup in town: Aspen Brewing Company (I think they may just provide the libations), Aspen Highlands Pizza Co., Blue Sky Cafe, Bruno’s, Garnish Cafe, Johnny McGuires, Kenichi, Merry-go-round, Sam’s Cookhouse, Willow Creek Bistro, and Ute City. FREE!

Ghostland Observatory at Belly Up.

Tomorrow, other fun stuff:

Canine day, to include a fashion show. Full schedule here.

7:30-9:30 p.m. RSVP Required Men’s Health/Women’s Health Fireworks Viewing Party. Visit the Lodge to RSVP, space is limited.

Why does the city of Aspen host a Winterskol? To celebrate winter, of course! I may not love winter, but I love this town.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 64 other followers