Historical Museum

Can you believe the 2011/2012 Winter Ski Season is almost over?? It's been one wild ride. As our season comes to an end, the next two weekends are gearing up to be a couple of the best all winter long. Not only do we have some great Final Four & National Championship basketball action... but there are some exciting parties, live music and fun activities going on in town. The skiing is still great here in the San Juan Mountains... so, call in sick or take off work and come spend a long weekend in town before the slopes close on April 8th! We're offering some of the best deals in town. Check out our discounted lodging specials here: http://www.telluride.com/lodging/specials

If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at: 877-507-9695 

Here's your Top Events in Telluride from 3/29-4/8:

Thursday, March 29th & Sunday, April 1st – Telluride Choral Society – The Telluride Choral Society presents two nights of Spring Sing! "Up on the Roof... Music of the Sun, Moon and Stars". Come support these locals at St. Patrick's Church on Thursday night and at Christ Church on Sunday night. Shows start at 7:00pm. Adults $15, students $8. For more info, visit: http://telluridechoralsociety.org/HOME.html

Friday, March 30th – ORGANism – Come hear the innovative jazz sounds of ORGANism at The Steaming Bean Friday night. Think Booker T. and the M.G.'s, Soulive, Medeski, Martin & Wood, The Meters and Scofield all mashed together... with a little bit of Rico and Durango local love. Show is 9:30pm - 1:30am. For more info, visit: http://www.thesteamingbeantelluride.com

Friday, March 30^th and Saturday, March 31^st – Burlesque Fundraiser – Enjoy two nights of Burlesque… all while supporting the Telluride Theatre. This fundraiser will be sexy, funny, daring, scandalous and surprising! General Admission tickets are $25 and VIP tables are $300 for 4-5 people. Shows are at the Sheridan Opera House and start at 9:00pm. For more info & tickets, visit: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/222320

Friday, April 6^th – KOTO  Street Dance – the annual KOTO Pink Flamingo End of the Season Street Dance and Costume Contest…. Is BACK! Partying down in the middle of Main Street and celebrate another wonderful ski season here in Telluride. ‘The Free Box Find’ and ‘Ralph Dinosaur and His Fabulous Volcanoes’ will be providing live music, dress in your best pink flamingo gear for a chance to win prizes and have a couple beers with friends and locals. Street Party starts at 3:00pm and it’s FREE! For more info, visit: www.koto.org

Saturday, April 7^th – Shakedown Street – The Telluride Conference Center presents Shakedown Street (Grateful Dead Tribute Band) on Saturday night to help celebrate and dance another great winter ski season into the books. BBQ is included in the cover charge and will be served until the show starts or the food runs out! Shakedown Street started jamming in Manitou Springs, CO back in 1987… and is one of the longest running Grateful Dead cover bands in the world. Party starts at 7:00pm in the Mountain Village! For more info, visit: www.facebook.com/ShakedownStreetColorado

Saturday, April 7^th – This Must Be The Band – Like Talking Heads? Yea, me too. This Must Be The Band is a Talking Heads tribute band that will “Burn Down The House” as we celebrate the last weekend of the ski season. Show will be at the Sheridan Opera House and will start at 8:00pm. $20 general admission. BE THERE! For more info, visit: www.sheridanoperahouse.com

Sunday, April 8^th – Last Day of the Ski Season – Happy Easter! Sunday the 8^th will be the last day to strap on some skis and make your last turns of the Telluride Ski Resort’s winter season. After you take some turns, ski down to the Core of Mountain Village & Tomboy Tavern for a celebration with live music by The Great Funktier from 3-6pm! Party on 2011/2012 ski season… it’s been a good one! "LIKE" The Great Funktier: www.facebook.com/thegreatfunktier

Sunday, April 8^th – Gondola Closes – The free Gondola connecting Telluride and Mountain Village will close for the off-season at midnight on Easter Sunday. It will reopen for the summer season on Thursday, May 24^th. Hope to have you in town this summer! 

Each week this month, we’ll be featuring some of our favorite neighboring towns you need to check-off your bucketlist. Southwest Colorado has so much to offer… and some of the most amazing activities, towns, day trips and people in the country! This week we’re featuring Ouray, Colorado - “Switzerland of America”. Make Telluride your home base and take an easy day trip (60-70 minute drive) over to this beautiful box-canyon town. Here are some of the best things to check out: 

• Thursday, January 5^th – Sunday, January 8^th – Ouray Ice Festival – The biggest Ice Festival in North America is back! We love our neighboring town of Ouray and this weekend they will host an eclectic gathering of ice climbers, gear manufacturers and ice climbing enthusiasts from all around the world. Festival events are held in and around the Ouray Ice Park, located in the Uncompahgre Gorge. Over 100 events in the 4 days, the Ice Festival will showcase the best of ice and mixed climbing talent in the world, clinics, films, free events, auctions, social gatherings, exhibitions and more. 

• 2012 Ouray Ice Festival Guide Part 1: http://ourayicepark.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Ice-Festival-2012-Program_Part-1.pdf
• 2012 Ouray Ice Festival Guide Part 2: http://ourayicepark.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Ice-Festival-2012-Program_Part-2.pdf
• 2012 Ouray Ice Festival Map: http://ourayicepark.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Ice-Festival-2012-Map-Final.pdf
• 2012 Ouray Ice Festival Clinic Schedule: http://www.scribd.com/doc/76406886/2012-Clinic-Template-V6-8
• For more information, visit the Ouray Ice Park online at: http://ourayicepark.com/ice-festival/ 

• Ouray Hot Springs – What better way to relax than to soak in the clear warm waters of the Ouray Hot Springs. Several soaking sections at a variety of temperatures ranging from 96 to 106 degrees, a lap pool, diving area, large slide, shallow section for children and a water volleyball game area. This is great for the kids and the perfect way to rest your ski legs! For more information, hours of operation and more, visit: http://www.ouraycolorado.com/discover-ouray/hot-springs-pool.php 

• Wiesbaden Hot Springs – Another awesome natural hot spring known for its peaceful atmosphere, “casual elegance” and European flair. The best part… the Vaporcave! A deep soaking pool with 109 degree water surround by rock walls. For more information, visit: http://wiesbadenhotsprings.com/ 

• Ouray Brewery – The Ouray Brewery is open daily with fine food, outstanding craft brews and a rooftop patio. Try a Box Canyon Brown Ale or a San Juan IPA… our favs. The perfect end to your day trip of relaxation and exploring in our neighboring box-canyon town. For more information, visit: http://ouraybrewery.com 

And now back to the other Top 4 to do in Telluride this weekend… 

Thursday, January 5^th – First Thursday Art Walk – Celebrate the arts in downtown Telluride as dozen of venues open their doors from 5pm-8pm to introduce new artists, exhibits and galleries. The Ah Haa School for the Arts, Kamruz Gallery, Lustre, The Steaming Bean, Stronghouse Studios, Telluride Gallery, The Wilkinson Public Library and more venues will participate in this fun event. For more information, call Telluride Arts at 970-728-8959… or visit www.TellurideArts.org

Saturday, January 7^th – Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – Jason is back! After his awesome performance at the 2011 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival this past September… he returns to the more intimate Sheridan Opera House for another rockin’ good time. Whether he’s playing with the Drive By Truckers, Justin Townes Earl or his current band, The 400 Unit… Isbell brings soul, rock, country and blues to every note he plays and every lyric he writes. This show is going to be siiiiiick. Buy your tickets today. For more info, visit www.SheridanOperaHouse.com and give a shout-out to Isbell on Twitter: @JasonIsbell 

Sunday, January 8^th – The Wailers Revolution Tour – Raaaasta at the Llama! The Wailers Revolution Tour is taking over The Llama this Sunday night. Get ready to dance to Jamaican reggae, ska and rocksteady jams! Tickets are $27 in advance and $30 at the door. Buy your tickets today at The Wizard on Main Street because it will fill up FAST! Doors open at 9:00pm. 

Monday, January 9^th – Ski into History with Johnnie Stevens – Ski with the legend Johnnie Stevens as he explains the history or the ski resort, cool facts and interesting stories. And the best part… it’s FREE! RSVP in advance with the Telluride Museum @ 970-728-3344 x 2 or visit www.telluridemuseum.org

FALL? Holy cow. This Summer has flown by... and it hasn't been fun at all (wink wink). Make sure you come see us in the next few weeks, while the leaves begin to change. It's the absolute prettiest thing I've ever seen... (the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina comes in at a close 2nd). We're resting up... preparing our livers for BLUES AND BREWS next weekend: If you haven't entered our contest... Telluride.com and Blues & Brews are giving away two, 3-day passes and 3 nights lodging at the Aspen Street Inn. FOR FREE! Scroll down the blog and make sure you enter. Or ENTER HERE: http://bit.ly/nt6kro Good times, for sure.  

Here are the Top 5 Things to do in Telluride this Weekend: 

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Friday, September 9th - Telluride Farmers' Market Harvest Dinner with The Great Funktier - The Telluride Farmers' Market invites you to share a 3 course communal meal, giving thanks to this year's bounty at the Elk's Lodge. Come enjoy food, live music and silent auction. Bring your friends and give thanks to a wonderful year at the Telluride Farmers' Market! Music by our good friends and local funk band, The Great Funktier. Are they going to play Lionel Richie? Probably. Funky Town? If you're lucky. Tickets are $30, $10 for kids. EAT. DRINK. DANCE. & BE MERRY!

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Saturday, September 10^th – Imogene Pass Run – If you haven’t been training since (at least) June… then you probably don’t want to participate in this event. But you can come cheer on your friends and family! The 38^th annual Imogene Pass Run will start in the early hours in Downtown Ouray, Colorado… and end 17.1 miles later in Downtown Telluride on Saturday afternoon. With a sold-out crowd of over 1,500 participants, this race is one of the region’s most anticipated endurance challenges. For over 40 years, people have been sprinting, jogging and even hobbling across the finish line on N. Oak Street… all to say they’ve conquered the grueling IMOGENE PASS! Good luck to all the runners! 

 

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Saturday, September 10^th – Telluride Arts’ 40^th Birthday Bash – Come celebrate at the historic Sheridan Opera House on Saturday night - live performances, telethon finale, party, champagne toast, DJ’s and dancing! “The Telluride Council for the Arts and Humanities was established on November 17, 1971 to nurture a creative cultural environment through programs that integrate the arts into all aspects of community life. For 40 years, the Telluride Arts has been forwarding that mission through a wide array of arts initiatives and activities”. Come party down on Saturday night for a great cause! Tickets are $15 and can be bought at www.telluridearts.org, PARTY starts at 7:00pm!   

 

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Sunday, September 11^th – ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?? – The NFL season is underway and what better way to practice for Blues & Brews’ Grand Tasting next weekend… then to post up at The Cornerhouse or Brown Dog and watch some good ol’ fashion American football. Will the Packers go all the way again? Maybe. Will the Broncos win more than 2 games? PLEASE. Will my fantasy team “Rice Rice Baby” dominate the Telluride NFC? YES SIR. Enjoy a cold PBR, some wings and being American. Cheers to the 2011/2012 season!

  

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As we sit back and think about another amazing Summer here in Telluride… let’s not forget to pause and reflect on the families and victims of 9/11. God Bless America.