Free Snowmass Concerts - Then Nardi's!!!

Snowmass Village and JAS have joined together since 1994 to give everyone here a summer full of free concerts. Throughout the summer, a wide variety of musical genres is presented - everything from reggae to classical jazz. The concerts are held every Thursday on Snowmass Mountain. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. And be prepared for any kind of weather. It's been known to go from swelteringly hot to rain and thunder to snow in a heartbeat here. Music starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m.

This season's line-up of performers:

Thursday, June 26th - Drew Emmitt Band

Thursday, July 3rd - Freddy Jones Band

Thursday, July 10th - Gaelic Storm

Thursday, July 17th - Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks

Thursday, July 24th - Ruthie Foster

Thursday, July 31st - Bonerama

Thursday, August 7th - Great American Taxi

Thursday, August 14th - Robben Ford

Thursday, August 21st - Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

After the concerts, mosey on down the Mall, stopping to admire...everything...

Then hustle on up to Nardi's Restaurant for more live music, great food and fabulous cocktails.

Located upstairs at the opening of the Mall, this spacious restaurant offers window views throughout, as well as two patios with some of the most spectacular views in Snowmass. Peter Nardi, a long-time local and congenial host, features old Mexican favorites as well as Italian dishes straight from his family's cookbook.

Dave and I, who have eaten there several times, are blown away by the food. The Calamari are crispy and succulent. The Coconut Shrimp are 'to-die-for;' the're gigantic.

A few of my many other favorites are:

The Salsa - full of freshly chopped vegetables

The Guacamole - chunky with fresh avocado, rich, fabulous

The Shrimp Tacos - grilled shrimp on sweet, fresh tortillas

and (are you listening, Kyle?)

The Chiles Rellenos. (I am a connoisseur of chiles rellenos; I order 'em when and wherever I can.) Peter's are made from scratch with roasted Poblano peppers. Try the Chicken and Cheese version. Yowsers.

Then there are the Margaritas. Peter serves (to my knowledge) ten variations, all outrageous and delicious. My personal favorite: the Blue Agave - made with Sauza Extra Gold, Blue Curacao, Lime Juice and a splash of Sweet & Sour. (I wonder if they turn your tongue blue? After drinking a few, I always forget to check.)

Writing this made me so hungry that I almost neglected to include my 'shameless plug.' H3 (Harding, Hills & Hawes) (Yup - Dave and me again, joined by Tom Hills, an extraordinary drummer who also works with Broadband) performs at Nardi's every Thursday from 8:00 to 10:30 P.M. Many of H3's gigs require that we play 'easy listening' music. But at Nardi's we get to crank the volume and the energy. Woohoo. Power Trio!!! Move over Rover, and let Davey take over.

Join us. Be ready to eat a lot, dance a lot and drink responsibly (as if). And be sure to bring in one of Nardi's green, white and red flyers for a Free Margarita! (with purchase of an appetizer, lunch or dinner entree.)

If you like, we'll take photos of your tongue after a Blue Agave and e-mail them to you.

Nardi's is open daily from 11:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Nardi's Address:

315 Gateway Building

Snowmass Village, CO

Nardi's Phone Number:

(970) 923-0127

Lynn Goldsmith Gallery Rock 'n' Roll Dreams

Lynn Goldsmith, a photographer of legendary rock 'n' rollers, is a legend in her own right.

She is hosting a reception and book signing at her Basalt Gallery this evening. Her exhibit, "Rock 'n' Roll Dreams," will run through September 15. Signed books will be available until July 14 at 50% off.

As she is one of my 'sheroes' from way back, we hope to attend....

Okay. We attended. Lynn Goldsmith's Gallery, located in the Mid-Valley Design Center, is filled with astounding pieces of artwork. Most are candid shots of famous people that Lynn has shot throughout the years. Also displayed are several of her 'mosaics' and a brilliantly unique series of self portraits, such as the one below:

Tea Cup Dreams." © Lynn Goldsmith. “Tea Cup Dreams” is a self-portrait from the series In The Looking Glass. Lynn says, “The work is concerned with how identity is constructed and what is the truth of our persona.”

Lynn, in person, is a petite and gregarious brunette with a Mercurian wit, who proudly proclaims her age. (60! She looks a sprightly 40.) She spoke to her audience with complete forthrightness, weaving stories that were as fascinating as her photos. At one point, she mentioned that, contrary to popular speculation, she hasn't slept with everyone she's shot. An audience member piped up with, "Who did you sleep with?" Everyone laughed. Lynn explained that when you have to take photos all day, then run back to the lab to print 'em so you can have them to your client the next morning, "Who has time to sleep?"

Lynn is a multi-awarded portrait photographer whose work has appeared on and between the covers of Life, Newsweek, Time, Rollingstone, Sports Illustrated, People, Elle, Interview, US, Bunte, Paris Match, etc. Her subjects have varied from entertainment personalities to sports stars, from film directors to authors, from the extra-ordinary to the ordinary man on the street. Her forty years of photography have not only been an investigation into the nature of the human spirit, but also into the natural wonders of our planet. By the early 80’s Lynn departed from the worlds of both photography and film, to become a recording artist. Under the name Will Powers, she signed with Island Records as the first optic-music artist. Lynn has written songs with recording artists such as Sting, Steve Winwood, Todd Rundgren and Nile Rogers.The wide range of Lynn’s talents, skills and achievements are products of a belief she holds constant: creativity is based on breaking limiting thought patterns. For more information on this fascinating woman, please visit her website: http://lynngoldsmith.com/menu.html

Here is her Gallery address:
Lynn Goldsmith Gallery
Mid-Valley Design Center Basalt
40 Sunset Drive, Suite 10A
Here is the phone number:
970.927.0320

Here are a few photos from the evening:

Let's photograph the photographers! Stewart Oksenhorn (Aspen Times) and Louisa Davidson, posing before two of Lynn's 'Through the Looking Glass' self portraits.

My son, Andrew, draped by two fawning blondes

John Oates (of Hall & Oates) draped by a fawning blonde

Lo Druckman and E.J. Maret (of Reggae Rodeo)

Two more of Lynn's 'Through the Looking Glass' series. The snapshots below completely do not do them justice. They're enormous, and perfect to the last stunning detail. Do yourself a favor - visit the Gallery and experience them in person.

Ritz Carlton at Aspen Highlands Hosts a Weekly Barbeque

The Willow Creek Bistro at the Ritz Carlton/Aspen Highlands is hosting weekly Barbeques Sundays from 6:00-9:00 P.M. on a gorgeous deck overlooking a greener-than-green mountain.

Hmmm. Okay. Barbeque. Does that word conjure up images of burgers, dogs, ketchup, relish, five variations each of macaroni and potato salad, chips, dips, and a "kegger?"

Not here, folks.

The fare, created and served by Executive Chef Jami Flatt, is not only artistically presented, but thoroughly gourmet, from the grilled artichokes, corn and snappy fresh vegetables to, for crying out loud, the bread. (How do people make bread like that, anyway? Crusty on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside.) The wine selection is brilliant, from all over the globe. As for the meats: Last week, Jami grilled steaks, chicken breasts and lamb. He served me a lamb chop that was truly, honestly the best I've ever had.

Jami plans to offer alternative choices throughout the summer. Determined to serve only the best, he thoroughly researches his food purchases. He's presently looking into some spectacular salmon. Maybe it'll be there tonight!

You can order the Barbeque, which includes two glasses of wine (and I suppose other libations) for $29.00. If you prefer, you can select something from the All Day Dining menu. (Price range: $8 to $19) Or you can sit back with a cocktail and enjoy the incredible view—and the entertainment.

(Here comes my shameless plug:) The event features the musical stylings of none other than me 'n' Dave (aka, in this particular incarnation, H2 - Harding & Hawes).

Here is the address: 0075 Prospector Road Aspen, Colorado 81611
Here are phone numbers:
Willow Creek Bistro: (970) 429-2327
Ritz Carlton Aspen Highlands: (970) 925-0000