Natalie Cole To Provide "Unforgettable" Opening to the VPAC's Summer Concert Series July 2

The Vilar Performing Arts Center's annual Summer Concert Series hits the ground running with Natalie Cole headlining opening night on Friday, July 2 at 8pm. Tickets are $135 - $165 based on seating and are on sale now at vilarpac.org or by calling the VPAC's Box Office at 888.920.ARTS(2787).

The daughter of jazz and pop legend Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole has forged her own prolific career. Before she captured the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1975, Cole appealed to fans and critics alike with her versatility as an R&B, pop and jazz singer of the first order. The eight-time Grammy winner continues to astonish with her vocal dexterity and her intimate, knowing way with lyrics and melodies. Don't miss out on experiencing this truly exceptional performer right here in the heart of Vail Valley!

THE DETAILS:

What: Natalie Cole
When: Friday, July 2 at 8pm
Where: Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek
Price: $135 - $165 based on seating

For complete information, log on to vilarpac.org or call 888.920.ARTS(2787)

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Photos From Imagination Celebration with Yo-Yo Ma

In case you missed the Imagination Celebration: Adventure in the Arts with the students from First Notes, Celebrate the Beat and Bravo! Young Composers with special guest Yo-Yo Ma, or if you would simply like to relive the magic, a slide show of pictures from Zach Mahone Photography is posted below. Yo-Yo Ma performed alongside students from all three arts education programs, and it was truly a day to remember for kids and parents alike!

Imagination Celebration with Yo-Yo Ma slideshow:



All photos (C) 2010 Zach Mahone

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"Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs" Kicks Off The VPAC's Free Family Film Series June 30

Summertime in the Valley means it's free family movie time at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek. The VPAC's Free Family Film Series gets underway on Wednesday, June 30 at 6:30pm with the delicious animated comedy "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs."

Flint Lockwood is a bumbling, wannabe famous inventor with a heart of gold on the small sardine-producing island of Swallow Falls. When he tries to invent a machine to turn water into food, it looks to be just another failed creation-gone-wrong. However, when it gets stuck in a cloud and it starts to rain food, Flint becomes a hero, the mayor of the town turns it into a tourism draw, and brainy weather girl Sam Sparks gets the story she's been looking for. What happens when the food machine gets a mind of its own? Does it spell doom for the small town? There's only one way to find out!

In addition to the free film, the Alpine Arts Center will be hosting fun pasta-art activities for kids at 6pm. Also, in addition to the pre-show activities, the Beaver Creek Summer Camp will provide dinner and transportation for your child for $45.

THE DETAILS:

When: Wednesday, June 30 at 6:30pm (pre-film activities at 6pm)
Where: Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek
Price: FREE!

Check out the trailer for "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs:"



For more information, call 888.920.ARTS(2787) or log on to www.vilarpac.org

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The Killdares Bring The Alternative Celtic Rock Experience to the Bud Light Hot Summer Nights Stage Tuesday

The Bud Light Hot Summer Nights free concert series turns a rockin' shade of green on Tuesday, June 29 with the hard-driving, alternative Celtic rock of The Killdares. It all goes down at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail at 6:30pm with gates opening at 5:30pm.

Over the past 14 years, The Killdares have developed into one of the most dynamic and cutting edge bands in the country. Their music has the heart of deep-rooted Celtic tradition and the soul of powerful rock and roll. With a National Fiddle Champion and a bagpiper in their roster, as well as all the familiar rock standards, The Killdares have created an incredibly infectious and energetic live music experience that has both Celtic traditionalists and rock and roll fanatics singing their praises.

THE DETAILS:

When: Tuesday, June 29
Where: 6:30pm (show) 5:30pm (gates)
Price: Free!


All Bud Light Hot Summer Nights free concerts get underway at 6:30 pm, with the gates of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater opening at 5:30 pm.

For additional information on Bud Light Hot Summer Nights, call 888-883-VAIL(8245) or visit www.hotsummernightsconcerts.com.

Also, in case you missed last week's Bud Light Hot Summer Nights show with The Aggrolites, enjoy this slideshow, courtesty of Zach Mahone Photography:

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Imagination Celebration with Yo-Yo Ma Tomorrow!

The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater will become a catalyst for perpetual music and motion tomorrow, on Saturday, June 26, as internationally renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma joins with the students of Celebrate the Beat, First Notes and Bravo! Young Composers to celebrate arts education in Eagle County with the free Imagination Celebration: Adventure in the Arts.

This free event will showcase the local Vail Valley children of Celebrate the Beat, First Notes and Bravo! Young Composers alongside world renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The festivities are scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Click here for complete details about Imagination Celebration: Adventures In The Arts.

Enjoy a short video courtesy of TV8 Vail below featuring the children of Celebrate the Beat, First Notes and Vail International Dance Festival Artistic Director Damian Woetzel.

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2010 Vail International Dance Festival preview!

Enjoy a short preview for the 2010 Vail International Dance Festival below!

See you in Vail for the 2010 Vail International Dance Festival, July 27 - August 10. Tickets and complete schedules can be found at http://www.vaildance.org/.

2010 VIDF PREVIEW:

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Photos From Bud Light Hot Summer Nights - Soulive on 6.15.10

Photo (c) 2010 Zach Mahone

In case you missed Soulive at the opening show of the Bud Light Hot Summer Nights free concert series on Tuesday, June 15, or if you were there and simply want to relive the magic, a slideshow of photos from Zach Mahone Photography is posted below and is available on the Vail Valley Foundation's Flickr page. Enjoy!

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Yo-Yo Ma to Play Alongside Vail Valley's Youth in Imagination Celebration Saturday

The Vail Valley Foundation has partnered with the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival to bring you a morning full of great music on Saturday, June 26 at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail. Internationally renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma will join the students of Celebrate the Beat, First Notes, and Bravo! Young Composers to celebrate arts education in Eagle Valley with the free performance "Imagination Celebration." This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for kids and parents alike to experience a world-class musician for free right here in the Vail Valley!

The festivities get underway at 9am in Ford Park with the Instrument Petting Zoo, and will move to the Ford Amphitheater at 10:30am for the performances. This is an incredible opportunity for the Vail Valley's young arts students to learn from one of the world's finest musicians. Don't miss out on this free morning of family fun!

THE DETAILS

What: Imagination Celebration: Adventure In The Arts
Where: Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail
When: Saturday, June 26: 9am (petting zoo in Ford Park)
10:30am (performances in Ford Amphitheater)

Imagination Celebration is a project of the Vail Valley Foundation and the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival. For more information, click HERE

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Teva Mountain Games Photos Available For Purchase

Scott McClarrinon Photography is making photos from select events from this year's Teva Mountain Games available for sale. If you participated in the Road Bike Time Trial, 10K Spring Runoff, Vail Pass Half Marathon, Down River Sprint, or X-Country Mountain Bike and would like to purchase an action shot of yourself, you can do so here:
http://www.mcclarrinonphotography.com/Teva-Mountain-Games-2010

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The Aggrolites Bring Gritty, Soulful Reggae to Bud Light Hot Summer Nights June 22

Bud Light Hot Summer Nights free concert series kicks into high gear with the gritty, soul-driven Reggae of The Aggrolites at 6:30pm on June 22 at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail.

Voted "Best Band" by the artists, production staff and road crew of the Vans Warped Tour in 2008, The Aggrolites' 8-year musical journey has been filled with many such accolades from fellow musicians and critics alike. Considering the band has shared the stage with the likes of Social Distortion, Flogging Molly, 311 and Michael Franti & Spearhead, the praise carries plenty of clout.


THE DETAILS:

When: Tuesday, June 15
Where: 6:30pm (show) 5:30pm (gates)
Price: Free!


All Bud Light Hot Summer Nights free concerts get underway at 6:30 pm, with the gates of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater opening at 5:30 pm. For additional information on Bud Light Hot Summer Nights, call 888-883-VAIL(8245) or visit www.hotsummernightsconcerts.com.

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Ford Amphitheater To Feature New Orchestra Pit For 2010 Summer Season

What has been a large hole at the front of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater stage for most of the winter is in the final stages of becoming the performing arts venue’s newest addition as the 2010 summer season will be ushered in with the christening of an orchestra pit.

Approximately 70 percent of the pit was excavated under the existing stage, while the remaining area is situated in the area at the front of the stage that was utilized as standing room, with no impact to the existing seating capacity. The orchestra pit will feature a 45-musician capacity.

When not in use, the orchestra pit will be covered by a modular scaffold filler, which can then be utilized for standing room once again.

The Vail Valley Foundation officially kicks off the summer music scene at the Ford Amphitheater tonight with the opening Bud Light Hot Summer Nights free concert.

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It's Free Concert Time Again with Bud Light Hot Summer Nights: Tuesdays in Vail

Picture yourself here!

Tonight marks the first of our Bud Light Hot Summer Nights free concert series. Soulive will pack the house! Show starts at 6:30pm and the gates open at 5:30pm. Stop by the Vail Valley Foundation tent and join our e-mail list. You'll be registered to win a Jackson Kayak to be given away after the last concert on August 24.

Become a Vail Free Concert fan on Facebook.
Follow us on Twitter.
Visit our website for the whole lineup.

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Vail Valley Summer Music Scene Features Funky Jazz Kickoff As Soulive Opens Bud Light Hot Summer Nights Free Concert Series Tuesday

Summer is officially here! Celebrate the season in style with the return of the Bud Light Hot Summer Nights free concert series to the Ford Amphitheater in Vail. The 2010 season kicks off on Tuesday, June 15 at 6:30pm with with the silky smooth jazz funk of Soulive. The band has opened for the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, the Roots and John Mayer, among others, and will fill the mountain air with their well-traveled, diverse sound. Don't miss out on the start of the Hot Summer Nights season!

THE DETAILS:

When: Tuesday, June 15
Where: 6:30pm (show) 5:30pm (gates)
Price: Free!

All Bud Light Hot Summer Nights free concerts get underway at 6:30 pm, with the gates of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater opening at 5:30 pm.

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Yo-Yo Ma To Help Celebrate Vail Valley Arts Education With Free "Imagination Celebration" June 26 At Ford Amphitheater

When the Vail Valley’s school children first became involved in a number of arts education opportunities, they never imagined they would someday share the stage with one of the world’s foremost classical performers.

That dream will come true on Saturday, June 26, as the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and the Vail Valley Foundation welcome none other than world renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma to celebrate the arts with the children of the First Notes, Celebrate the Beat and Bravo! Young Composers programs at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail. Dubbed “Imagination Celebration: Adventures in the Arts”, the free festivities are scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Imagination Celebration will feature individual performances by third through fifth graders of Celebrate the Beat, the second grade First Notes orchestra and Bravo! Young Composers Ben West and Jeremiah Johnston. Ma and Bravo’s Artistic Director and flutist Eugenia Zukerman and percussionist Mark Trevino are slated to accompany West and Johnston on their original composition titled “Coyoyote”.

Ma will also accompany second grade string and horn musicians for a lively rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and team up with freshman pianist Katherine Bellino for Camille Saint-Saens’ “The Swan”. The program concludes with Ma performing Bach as accompaniment to a dance finale featuring Celebrate the Beat student dancers.

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Headed Home Like A Champion

Take the word "Candidate" out of the logo, Beaver Creek/Vail is the host of the 2015 FIS World Alpine Ski Championships!!!

The third time was indeed the charm for the Vail Valley when FIS President Gian-Franco Kasper announced to a crowd of 1,000 Congress delegates in Antalya, Turkey Thursday evening that Vail and Beaver Creek would host their third World Championships.

Going into the vote annoucement, most anticipated that the voting would be extremely close as Cortina, Italy seemed to have gained considerable momentum in the closing days. However, when the vote tally was revealed, Beaver Creek/Vail was victorious on the first ballot, garnering the necessary 8 votes, while Cortina recorded 4 and St. Moritz, Switzerland 3.

The announcement set off a raucous celebration within the 18-member Beaver Creek/Vail delegation, with tears of joy flowing freely as a wave of emotion washed over the entire group.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be able to represent the United States and the Vail Valley through this victory,” explained Ceil Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation. “We knew from the outset that we had our work cut out for us with three world class candidates and only one 2015 Alpine World Championships. We congratulate St. Moritz and Cortina on their campaigns and it was truly an honor to be considered along with these great resorts. We can’t wait to get home and share this with our community.”

A sincere thank you to all of the people that worked so hard on this bid, as well as to all people who supported and believed that we could bring this home. This win is for all of you and we're headed home like a champion.

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Nothing To Do But Hurry Up And Wait

The presentations are done and the booth has been repacked for return shipping tonight as the Beaver Creek/Vail 2015 delegation works through the night to ensure that no stone is left unturned in their effort to return a World Alpine Ski Championships to the United States.

It has been a long five days here in Antalya, Turkey for the FIS Congress and now, with less than 24 hours remaining until the announcement of the 2015 winner, the ticking of the clock has somehow grown louder.

For many of the Beaver Creek/Vail delegation, there is nothing to do but hurry up and wait. For others, there is still the better part of Thursday to try and convince skeptical Council members that it is indeed time to return the Championships to a site outside of Europe.

Over the course of the past five days, there have been ups and downs, highs and lows, but everyone in the delegation has risen to the task and left nothing in the tank. However, there are no guarantees in this game.

The vote will take place tomorrow afternoon and the announcement of the alpine winner will come around 10:30 a.m. in the Vail Valley. Chances are, there will not be a whole lot of sleep tonight.

Sincere thanks go out to everyone that has followed and supported this journey, not just the past five days, but the past two years. We can feel you here with us.

Tomorrow is THE day. Hopefully, it will be OUR day.

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Fish Tacos & FIS Presentation

The Beaver Creek/Vail 2015 booth featured fish tacos for lunch on Tuesday, followed by the official FIS Council presentation later in the afternoon. By all accounts, both were well received. While I am obviously biased, we hit every visual cue we needed to and Bill (Marolt), John (Garnsey) and Ceil (Folz) were genuine, factual and sincere. While you can't win a World Championships with the presentation, you can most certainly lose one...we did not lose one today! Alpine Committee presentation tomorrow and then it's on to Thursday for the vote. Cross fingers, toes, eyes and anything else that is crossable...this one is liable to be close.

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