Traffic Jams with Larry & Joe
2026-08-13 16:30 (America/Denver) | The Vault at the Wheeler, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Larry & Joe is a Venezuelan‑Appalachian musical duo formed in North Carolina in 2023, featuring Larry Bellorín and Joe Troop. Blending Venezuelan música llanera with Appalachian bluegrass, they describe their sound as “latingrass.” Their performances feature banjo, harp, cuatro, fiddle, vocals, and other traditional instruments, highlighting both musicians’ deep roots and shared spirit of collaboration. Drawing from distinct cultural traditions, Larry & Joe create music that celebrates migration, connection, and cross‑cultural unity—using folk music as a bridge between histories, communities, and lived experience.
Larry & Joe es un dúo musical venezolano‑apalachense formado en Carolina del Norte en 2023 por Larry Bellorín y Joe Troop. Su música fusiona la música llanera venezolana con el bluegrass de los Apalaches, un estilo que ellos llaman “latingrass”. Utilizando instrumentos como banjo, arpa, cuatro, violín y voz, el dúo destaca sus raíces culturales y un fuerte espíritu colaborativo. A través de tradiciones musicales distintas pero complementarias, Larry & Joe celebran la migración, la identidad y la unidad cultural, utilizando la música folklórica como un puente entre comunidades e historias compartidas.
Este es un evento comunitario gratuito con entrada requerida; se recomienda reservar con anticipación para asegurar su lugar.
Presented in partnership with

Edlis Neeson Opera Encounters
2026-08-15 10:00 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Christopher Theofanidis coaches artists of Aspen Opera Theater and VocalART. Enjoy excerpts from the repertoire, ravishing voices, and insightful coaching.

Aspen Historical Society Presents: History Tours
2026-08-19 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-08-26 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-09-02 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-09-09 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-09-16 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-09-23 13:30 - 14:30 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Enjoy a guided tour inside the center of Aspen’s arts and cultural scene since it was built in 1889. This free tour led by the Aspen Historical Society and in partnership with the City of Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House offers an insider’s look at the iconic building, including its recent renovations and storied past.
Meet in the box office lobby.

Edlis Neeson Opera Encounters
2026-08-22 10:00 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Ana María Martínez and Darrell Babidge coach artists of Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS. Enjoy excerpts from the repertoire, ravishing voices, and insightful coaching.

Frontiers of Knowledge
2026-08-23 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
After a tremendous premier in 2025, Frontiers of Knowledge is back in 2026 with a new focus, “Consciousness in the Living World”. In 2025 we followed an arc in time, which moved from the creation of the universe to current understandings of human consciousness. In 2026, our leading edge speaker series will move from the development of human consciousness in concert with the natural world — to possibilities of the newest intelligence, AI, which is now ours to evolve. How might we think about life in this expanded universe? What does it mean to be human in the cosmos at this time? More information on speakers and the program schedule at frontiersofknowledge.org
Sunday, August 23.
$100 Day Pass: 9am-5pm at the Wheeler Opera House (including two short breaks with snacks included, lunch break 12:30-2:00pm on your own)
$350 Patron Pass: 9am-5pm at the Wheeler Opera House (including two short breaks with snacks included, lunch break 12:30-2:00pm on your own). Speaker Reception, Seated Dinner, Drinks and Entertainment 5:30-9:30pm at the Paul JAS Center (422 E Cooper Ave, 3 minute walk, 0.1 miles from the Wheeler)

DanceAspen: CRESCENDO
2026-08-27 19:30, 2026-08-28 19:30 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Experience an electrifying evening of dance that builds in rhythm, energy, and emotion.
CRESCENDO brings together DanceAspen’s acclaimed artists for a dynamic program featuring bold contemporary works, live music, and a world premiere inspired by the music and spirit of John Denver.
At the heart of the evening is the North American premiere of Samantha Lynch’s powerful interpretation of Ravel’s iconic Boléro—a mesmerizing duet that steadily intensifies to a thrilling finale. The program also features Alejandro Cerrudo’s cheeky tribute to the smooth sounds of Dean Martin, audience favorite Cayetano Soto’s captivating choreography, and the world premiere excerpt of Take Me Home, a Wheeler Opera House commission choreographed by Penny Saunders, Jonah Delgado, and Matthew Gilmore and performed with a live band.
From sweeping music to breathtaking athleticism, CRESCENDO celebrates the artistry, passion, and innovation that define DanceAspen.
The performance order for the evening includes:
“A Boléro” (North American Premiere): Choreographed and set-designed by Samantha Lynch, a principal dancer with the Norwegian National Ballet. Set to Maurice Ravel’s iconic 1928 score, this high-energy duet builds intensity toward an explosive climax, all within a striking, nearly 10-foot-tall box structure. The dancers move within it, climb its frame, and dance across its elevated surface, heightening the duet’s intimacy, tension, and physical daring. This is the first performance outside of Oslo, Norway.
“PACOPEPEPLUTO” A DanceAspen Premiere, Choreographed by Charlotte Ballet Director Alejandro Cerrudo. This witty, visually minimalist piece features three male solos set to classic 1950s and 1960s tracks by Dean Martin, staging sharp athletic movement against smooth vocal standards.
“SAVOURY BITES”: A World-Premiere compilation by audience-favorite choreographer Cayetano Soto. A newly conceived collection of excerpts from his acclaimed works Malasangre, Fugaz, and Beginning After, SAVOURY BITES brings together distinct flavors from the choreographer’s bold and theatrical repertoire. Reimagined for DanceAspen, the work showcases Soto’s signature physicality, musicality, and striking movement of language in one dynamic new presentation.
“Take Me Home” is a World Premiere Excerpt / sneak preview of an original work commissioned by the Wheeler Opera House. Co-choreographed by Penny Saunders alongside DanceAspen’s in-house choreographers Jonah Delgado and Matthew Gilmore, the piece is set to John Denver’s music and will be performed with a live, onstage band led by local Colorado musician Mack Bailey.
This performance includes revealing costuming. Parental discretion is advised.

Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul
2026-09-02 19:00 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
This documentary traces the turbulent and transcendent life of Gregg Allman, from a childhood marked by loss to the musical legacy that helped shape American sound. Through archival recordings, rare interviews, and performance footage, the film follows his deep connection to the blues, the formation of the Allman Brothers Band with his brother Duane, and the evolution of a sound that would define Southern rock.
“A timeless portrait of one of our greatest bands ever — The Allman Brothers Band. Centered around a rare and intimate interview with Gregg Allman, The Music of My Soul tells the story of survival, loyalty, love, loss, family, genius, perseverance, and one of the wildest rides in rock history.” — Cameron Crowe
The film explores Allman’s lifelong struggles with addiction, personal loss, and reinvention, alongside the cultural landscape that shaped his work. Interviews with musicians, friends, and family reflect on the band’s role in challenging boundaries in the segregated South and creating a sound both raw and enduring.
Anchored by Allman’s unmistakable voice and never-before-seen material, the documentary offers an intimate portrait of an artist whose life and music remain deeply intertwined.
Post show Q&A with Documentary Lead Producer and longtime friend Michael Lehman joined by the film’s Director, James Keach.
A portion of every ticket supports The Wheeler Associates Music Scholarship, established to champion young musicians who embody passion, creativity, and dedication to their craft.

Kelsey Cook & Chad Daniels
2026-09-03 20:00 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Kelsey Cook and Chad Daniels take the stage for a night of sharp, unfiltered stand-up—blending their distinct voices into a dynamic, laugh-packed experience you won’t want to miss. Together, their chemistry and quick-fire humor make for a show that’s as relatable as it is hilarious.
About Kelsey Cook
With her quick wit and sharp observations, Kelsey Cook is a stand-up comedian who feels like your best friend. She turns her most embarrassing moments into effortlessly relatable comedy, connecting with audiences across the country and online. Her 2023 special The Hustler has racked up over 2.6 million views on YouTube, and she’s appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, This Is Not Happening, Unprotected Sets, A Little Late with Lilly Singh, and After Midnight on CBS. Kelsey also co-hosts the podcast Pretend Problems with Chad Daniels and stars in Wrists of Fury, a foosball web series where she hustles fellow comedians as a world champion player.
About Chad Daniels
With over a billion streams across eight albums, Chad Daniels is one of the most listened-to comedians today. A Minnesota native with more than 20 years on the road, Chad delivers razor-sharp storytelling and insight to audiences nationwide. He’s made six late-night appearances and is one of only a handful of comedians to perform on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. His latest special, Empty Nester, premiered on Netflix, and he co-hosts both Pretend Problems with Kelsey Cook and Middle of Somewhere.

The Casual Enormity of Adam Palmer
2026-09-09 19:00 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
The Casual Enormity of Adam Palmer celebrates Adam as an outdoor enthusiast, musician, and elected leader- and the legacy he left behind following his tragic loss in a 2021 avalanche.
The Adam Palmer Sustainability Fund was first envisioned in the summer of 2021 after the tragic loss of Adam Palmer, Andy Jessen, and Seth Bossung in an avalanche near Silverton, CO on February 1st. Adam was a champion for sustainability as an Eagle Town Council member and beyond.
The Palmer Fund honors Adam’s legacy by supporting local economic and community development through a lens of sustainability.
The mission of the Palmer Fund is to partner with community leaders to achieve net-zero carbon consumption in the Town of Eagle by 2030 through philanthropy, green infrastructure, and grant funding.

Inspire Aspen Foundation presents Aspen Rocks Adult Edition
2026-09-11 19:00 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Aspen Rocks – Adult Edition
In loving memory of our co-founder, Tami Frances Word, whose vision and passion continue to inspire us.
This special “adult edition” brings the excitement of our popular youth event to the stage for grown-up performers. Aspen Rocks is our local “American Idol”-style music competition, celebrating the incredible talent in our community.
Six finalists will take the stage at the historic Wheeler Opera House, competing live for prizes of recording time with a professional engineer at the legendary Mad Dog Ranch+Studios. Performances will be evaluated by a panel of three judges, and the evening will also feature special appearances by past Aspen Rocks winners.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Inspire Aspen Foundation, providing unique opportunities for young musicians in the Aspen-Snowmass and Roaring Fork Valley to pursue their talents and musical dreams.
Come share in an unforgettable night of music, community, and inspiration.
Changing Lives One Note at a Time.
For more information, visit www.inspireaspenfoundation.org.

Demetri Martin: The Quick Draw Tour
2026-09-12 20:00 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Demetri Martin, standup comedian, writer, and director, brings his distinct, thoughtful humor to the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen. Known for blending sharp wit with inventive visual elements, Martin has earned international acclaim, including the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for If I and Australia’s Barry Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for Dr. Earnest Parrot Presents Demetri Martin.
Martin has released three standup albums and four hour-long specials, including his recent Netflix special, The Overthinker. He created and starred in Important Things with Demetri Martin for Comedy Central, and his books This Is a Book and Point Your Face at This are New York Times bestsellers. His latest work, If It’s Not Funny It’s Art, showcases his original drawings. His feature film Dean received the Founder’s Prize at the Tribeca Film Festival. His fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Esquire, and The New York Times Magazine.
Demetri has brown hair and he is allergic to peanuts.

Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC
2026-09-16 19:30 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
SURFILMUSIC a new documentary chronicling Jack Johnson’s evolution from surfer to filmmaker to world-renowned musician. The film traces how Johnson’s early years making surf films with close friends became a foundation for a much broader creative life, capturing moments in and out of the water that later surfaced in his songwriting.
Blending rare footage from those formative surf films and Johnson’s personal and family archives with present-day reflections, the film weaves together how lived experience, friendship, and exploration shaped the sound and stories behind the music.
Directed by Emmett Malloy, featuring Jack Johnson, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Gerry Lopez, Chris Malloy, G. Love, Ben Harper, John Florence, Emmett Malloy, Kim Johnson, and more, with a beautiful score by Jack Johnson and Hermanos Gutiérrez. In loving memory of Tamayo Perry.

Changemaker Speaker Series Albert Lin: Exploring Human Frontiers
2026-09-17 19:30 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Presented as part of the Changemaker Speaker Series, National Geographic Explorer and award‑winning scientist Albert Lin shares Exploring Human Frontiers, a compelling reflection on discovery, resilience, and innovation. Known for pioneering high‑tech expeditions that have revealed lost cities and ancient civilizations, Lin’s work spans the Mayan jungle, the Mongolian steppe, and some of the most remote landscapes on Earth.
After losing his lower leg in a 2016 accident, and later supporting his son’s recovery from a traumatic brain injury, Lin turned inward—drawing on ancient wisdom, modern neuroscience, and the power of neuroplasticity to heal. On stage, he examines the evolving relationship between mind, body, culture, and technology, offering insight into what it means to be human in a rapidly changing world.
Blending science, storytelling, and lived experience, Exploring Human Frontiers reveals how the most meaningful journeys often begin within.

2026 Aspen Design Conference
2026-09-18 10:00, 2026-09-19 10:00, 2026-09-20 11:00 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Join the Aspen Design Conference for three days of talks, experiences, workshops, and conversations exploring this year’s theme: Matter. Taking place September 18–20, 2026, in Aspen, Colorado, ADC is a grassroots celebration of design across creative fields. Through main stage conversations and immersive “Out In The Wild” activations across town, the conference explores the ideas, systems, materials, and human questions that shape the world around us. This year’s theme asks: What truly matters? How do we shape matter into meaning? What is the role of design in creating connection, understanding, beauty, and change? More than a traditional conference, ADC is an open, attendee-friendly cultural experience designed for both professionals and the creatively curious. Whether you work in design or simply want to think more deeply about how creativity influences everyday life, ADC offers inspiring ways to apply design thinking across business, community, technology, the arts, and personal growth. Expect bold ideas, unexpected encounters, meaningful dialogue, and the unique creative energy of Aspen. Come as you are.

Roy Wood Jr.
2026-09-23 19:30 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Roy Wood Jr. is a comedian, an Emmy-nominated documentary producer, and WGA nominated writer. He served for 8 years as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s Emmy-winning The Daily Show (2015-2023). In 2023, Wood Jr. guest hosted The Daily Show and headlined the White House Correspondents’ Dinner to its highest ratings since 2017. Roy’s fourth stand-up special, Lonely Flowers, premiered on Hulu January 17th, 2025.
Roy is the host of CNN’s Have I Got News for You, an American adaptation of a long-running UK comedy series, which premiered September 2024 and just wrapped its fourth season. Wood Jr. will be a series regular in the upcoming TV adaption of Barbershop on Prime Video and has guest appearances in Only Murders in the Building, Better Call Saul, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He co-starred alongside Jon Hamm in 2022 Paramount Pictures’ long-awaited Fletch remake, Confess, Fletch, appeared in the 2025 Sundance film Love, Brooklyn, and will appear alongside Keanu Reeves and Jonah Hill in the upcoming comedy Outcome.
He recently partnered with Crown Publishing to pen a memoir, The Man of Many Fathers, which was released in October 2025.

Laugh More Everyday: Three Comedy Writers on Finding the Hilarity in Everyday Life
2026-09-24 19:30 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
From bird behavior to the absurdities of LinkedIn leadership, humor reveals itself in the details of everyday life. Award‑winning comedians and writers Chris Duffy, Carley Moseley, and Asher Perlman explore how observation, curiosity, and wit shape the way we think, create, and connect. Drawing on work across television, publishing, and performance, the evening reflects a distinctly contemporary approach to comedy, grounded in attention, perspective, and the unexpected.
Chris Duffy is the host of the acclaimed podcast How to Be a Better Human and author of Humor Me (Doubleday, 2026), exploring laughter’s role in everyday life.
Carley Moseley is an Emmy and Writers Guild Award–nominated comedian and Second City alum, most recently a writer and performer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Asher Perlman is a Peabody, Emmy, and WGA Award‑winning writer and cartoonist whose work spans The Late Show, The New Yorker, and live performance.
Each artist performs before joining a conversation and audience Q&A exploring their creative process, the distinctions between writing for page and screen, and the inspirations that shape their comedy.

Aspen Literary Festival: Presents Robert Kolker & Nelson Dellis
2026-09-25 17:00 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Robert Kolker, author of “Hidden Valley Road,” in conversation with Nelson Dellis, author of “Everyday Genius.”

Aspen Literary Festival Presents: Kate Bowler & Peter H. Reynolds — Make Your Mark
2026-09-26 13:30 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Kate Bowler, author of “Joyful Anyway,” in conversation with Peter H. Reynolds author of “The Dot”.

Aspen Literary Festival: Presents Veronica Roth & Fonda Lee
2026-09-26 16:30 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Veronica Roth, author of “Seek the Traitor’s Son,” and Fonda Lee, author of “The Last Contract of Isako.”

Aspen Literary Festival Presents: Ariel Lawhon, Shannon Sanders & Lisa See — Against the Tide
2026-09-27 11:00 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Ariel Lawhon, author of “The Pirate Queen,” Shannon Sanders, author of “The Great Wherever” and Lisa See, author of “Daughters of the Sun & Moon” in conversation.

Aspen Literary Festival: Presents Maria Semple & Jennette McCurdy
2026-09-27 16:00 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Maria Semple, author of “Go Gentle,” in conversation with Jennette McCurdy, Author of “Half His Age.”

An Evening with Tom Rush accompanied by Brendan Cleary
2026-10-01 19:00 | Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Folk icon Tom Rush brings a night of songs and stories to the historic Wheeler Opera House. Known for a warm, expressive voice, distinctive guitar work, and wry, laugh‑out‑loud storytelling, Rush moves effortlessly from tender ballads to gritty blues.
A pivotal voice of the ’60s folk revival, he later helped spark the acoustic renaissance of the ’80s and ’90s. James Taylor told Rolling Stone, “Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influences,” and Garth Brooks has named Rush among his top five musical influences.
He’s also long championed emerging writers—his early recordings introduced audiences to Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne—and his Club 47® concert series continues that tradition of musical discovery.
His set traces the tradition and spectrum of American song—what it has been, can be, and will become.
