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Yes, museums, eateries and entertainment venues are opening back up, but not everyone can — or even wants to — go back out.
In the spirit of staying home (and maybe you ought to) here are some actually amazing, and truly varied, options for home entertainment.
Live from Vail, the classical show goes on
The Bravo! Vail Music Festival has been attempting the improbable this summer, staging a series of concerts before a live audience during a pandemic that has shut down nearly every other classical fest in the country. It’s an abbreviated season, just a handful of small ensemble-chamber concerts instead of the usual orchestral fare, and there are just a few hundred spectators permitted in an amphitheater that normally seats 2,500.
Is performing live the right thing to do when it might be better for everyone to stay apart? I’m not sure. Is the music spectacular? I can say, without hesitation, that the July 23 performance of Haydn’s String Quartet in D minor by the Dover Quartet was one of the best concerts I have experienced — ever.
Of course, I watched the free, live simulcast online and that’s my recommendation for enjoying the final event on Aug. 6 that has superstar pianists Yefim Bronfman and fest director Anne-Marie McDermott set to play Schubert and Brahms.
For info on the concert and how to watch live, follow the instructions at bravovail.org. (Do this in advance.)
The best local podcast of summer
At first, the new podcast “Remotely Creative” seemed a little desperate. Like a lot of schools, the Rocky Mountain College of Art+Design was forced to close its campus, and this audio interview program seemed like a last-chance attempt to keep conversations about art going.
Turns out, it’s smart, relevant and sometimes fascinating. Host Robb Fladry, RMCAD’s dean of students, takes a humble, low-key approach as he talks with “artists, designers and wildcards about how they’re surviving in the era of COVID-19 isolation.”
The lineup is a variety show with a wide range of topics and guests, like artist Frankie Toan, who chatted about mask-making and queer gardening; or RMCAD student Jovan Brock, who talked about organizing anti-racism protests in Denver and Boulder; and stylist Candice Lambert, who explained how she dresses pop stars for music videos and photoshoots.
All 15 of the archived episodes are interesting in their own way, and the series will continue indefinitely, as plans for reopening the campus remain in flux.
Search for it on your favorite podcast player or catch it here: rmcad.edu/remotelycreative.
New dance in dangerous times
The annual Vail Dance Festival opted to go digital this summer, responding to the pandemic with a mini-season that combines archived performances, live conversations and a virtual gala.
There is one evening of new works, and it looks promising: the Aug. 4 program titled “NOW: Premieres,” with pieces choreographed specifically for virtual presentation. On the bill is “Mercy,” created by Bobbi Jene Smith to music by Max Richter, with dancing from Smith, Melissa Toogood and Calvin Royal III; and “A Summer Place,” a solo piece choreographed by and starring Robert Fairchild, which uses music by Max Steiner, Jim Jacobs and George Gershwin.
The works were filmed in advance for the 2020 showcase, so expect them to be part of a polished line-up of contemporary dance. Vail artistic director Damian Woetzel hosts the events.
Tune in via Facebook or youtube. Info, program notes and instructions at vaildance.org.
Music for the moment
The tumult of the past few months has provided serious inspiration for the Denver poet, writer, motivator and music-maker who goes by the name Molina Speaks.
Molina was a force behind April’s boredom-busting showcase of local artists, actors and poets titled the “Digital Gift Basket,” and he’s been working on new verse and music as well.
He just released the track “That Futuristic,” and it’s worth repeat listenings. The song features beats by Diles and a strong anti-racist and, ultimately, hopeful message. The lyrics are heartfelt, the language is strong (you’ve been warned), and the sentiment is right-on-time.
“That Futuristic,” part of a soon-to-be released album of fresh material, is available, along with a lot of the artist’s past work at molina.bandcamp.com.
RELATED: The “Gift Basket” is a heartfelt, and urgent, present from Denver artists to all of us
Classical in your living room
The cancellation of live events scheduled for this year’s Aspen Music Festival means 2020 will pass without all of those amazing afternoons and evenings of world-level concerts that have come to define swell summers in the mountain hamlet.
There is a bright side, though. The fest is offering an abbreviated season of shows, it’s all free, and it comes directly to your living room via the web.
There’s plenty of excellent music in the mix: an Aug. 9 recital featuring violinist Stefan Jackiw and pianist Jeremy Denk; an Aug. 12 faculty and student showcase with singer Renée Fleming and others; and an Aug. 16 solo concert by pianist Andreas Haefliger.
There are also live chats with artists and fest staff that will allow audience members to pop in with their own questions.
Check out the schedule, in advance, on the website aspenmusicfestival.com, where you can also tune in for the live events.
And finally, have a drink, using illegal Pete’s super-secret marg recipe
In the spirit of getting Denver though the worst summer ever, the region’s most interesting Mexican food chain, Illegal Pete’s, shared the secret recipe for its beloved house margarita. Folks like me have enjoyed scores (and scores) of these magic sweet and sour cocktails over the years, and were missing them mightily when Pete’s shut down over coronavirus concerns,
This generous gift will keep on giving homemade hangovers for years to come.
The great divulge came on Cinco de Mayo via Pete’s Instagram feed in a quick, 2-minute video that features a bartender assembling the concoction for public consumption. It remains on the web, even though Pete’s is back open (with some of the most strictly enforced safety protocols of any restaurant in town). So, while you can make these drinks at home, you might also consider getting one out — when you feel comfortable — so the bartenders can make actual tips.
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