Slumming outside Benedict Music Tent, Aspen, CO.
Living in a mountain town is awesome, especially when the best backcountry skiing in Colorado is a mere 40 minutes away. When seasons change and snow melts away here in Carbondale, it is still an outstanding place to be. Now in summer, we trade skis for hiking boots or mountain bikes. With highways clear of snow and no early ski touring starts on the morning’s agenda, we’re more eager to venture up the valley to glitzy Aspen for a night out on the town. Funny, we used to ski Aspen a lot more often, and joke about people who just partied or shopped there. Now look at us. We still only shop our Gucci on Ebay, but let’s party in the old mining town! Latest outing: cruising with friends to enjoy Aspen Snowmass Jazz Festival.
Grammy Award winner Steve Winwood was scheduled to play at Benedict Music Tent. Windwood gained fame in the 70’s with hits such as Dear Mr. Fantasy and Higher Love. Now that he’s in his sixties, we wondered if it would be worth shelling out $75 for a ticket. Luckily the tent is designed with open wings that allow slummers like us to picnic on the lawns free of charge while music flows out of the perfect acoustics of this highly designed venue.
We stopped by Whole Foods on the way for take-out. Stormy weather was predicted but clouds broke to sunshine and balmy temps. We set up our lawn chairs ten feet from the tent, caught up with old friends, and listened to live jazz while we waited for the concert to start. When Winwood began, we were astounded. His vocals were clear as the glistening night sky above up. We boogied on the grass to old favorites. A saxophone solo changed the tempo to a serenade. We leaned back into our lawn chairs, closed our eyes and drunk it all in — the beautiful music, the soft mountain breeze, the lovely feeling of being home in this incredible place.
Where but in Aspen — park the Rolls on the lawn and have a cocktail.
Shop for a comfy camp chair here.
WildSnow Girl, Lisa Dawson, is the luckiest girl in the world. Also known as Mrs. WildSnow.com, she tests whatever gear she wants. She gives the WildSnow family of websites the feminine voice.