Wheeler Celebrates 40th Anniversary
The Wheeler Opera House is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the 1984 Grand Re-Opening. The Wheeler kicks off the weekend with Grand Junction’s own Peach Street Revival on Friday, May 24th. On Saturday, May 25th, join us in the afternoon for kids’ activities, limited edition Wheeler merchandise, and more! On Saturday evening, the Wheeler welcomes the legendary Judy Collins back to the stage. The Wheeler will also unveil a new lobby exhibit featuring photos from the past 40 years alongside original artworks inspired by the Wheeler, and the people behind the history.
In 1984, the Wheeler Opera House re-opened to what we know it as today, a community loved year-round performing arts venue. After the completion of extensive reconstruction and rennovations, the community joined in the triumphal Grand Re-Opening with venue tours and featured performances by pianist James Levine and cellist Lynn Harrell, the Denver Repertory Theatre Company, and Moses Pendelton and MOMIX. A screening of the silent film classic The Wind included live accompaniment from the new orchestra pit and its star Lillian Gish, at the time ninety years old, in attendance. We invite you to join us the weekend of May 24-25th and celebrate our community living room, the historic Wheeler Opera House.
Peach Street Revival
Friday, May 24, 2024 | 7:30 PM
Tickets: $15, includes one free beer, wine or soda
General Admission Seating with Dance Floor
Peach Street Revival is a fierce, female-dominated rock band from Grand Junction, Colorado, committed to crafting hit songs, touring globally, and intertwining their music with the fashion industry. Peach Street Revival has graced stages alongside renowned acts such as ZZ TOP, Buckcherry, Puddle of Mudd, Flobots, and more. During the show, fans will experience a seamless blend of Peach Street Revival‘s original songs and iconic hits from legendary artists like Led Zeppelin, Queen, Rush, Heart, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fleetwood Mac, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, and the like.
Peach Street Revival features Gonzales on vocals and harmonica, Sofia Benham on drums and vocals, Jordan Will on bass, piano and vocals, and Cooper Bradley Shull on guitar and vocals.
Tickets for the show are 1984-affordable at $15, including one free beer, wine or soda from the bar. Eighties-style outfits encouraged, pink hair, punk vibes, big hair, metal gear, whatever says 1984 to you. Share the music and experience what 303magazine.com said was, “One kick-ass, female-dominated band.”
Wheeler Celebrates
Saturday, May 25, 2024 | Noon to 4 PM
Join us at Wheeler on Saturday afternoon, look for tents in the parcel between the opera house and the Mother Lode building. Visit the Bubble Fairy, watch balloon animals come to life, there will be face painting and coloring activities. Aspen Historical Society will be on-site to share stories and answer questions. The Wheeler has partnered with The Project Shop in Carbondale to create locally made and responsibly sourced limited-edition merchandise. Items will be available for sale on Saturday until supplies run out. There will also be opportunities for you to share your own Wheeler memories and stories.
Judy Collins Duo: Wildflower Tour
Saturday, May 25, 2024 | 7:30 PM
Tickets: $19.84
Reserved Seating
Judy Collins has long inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and a firm commitment to social activism. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and steely determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Five decades later, her luminescent presence shines brightly as new generations bask in the glow of her iconic 55-album body of work, and heed inspiration from her spiritual discipline to thrive in the music industry for half a century.
“You could argue Collins has earned that ‘legend’ distinction as much by interpreting and inspiring songs as she has by writing or singing them…” – Edmonton Journal
The award-winning singer-songwriter is esteemed for her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards and her own poetically poignant original compositions. Her stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” from her landmark 1967 album, Wildflowers, has been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Judy’s dreamy and sweetly intimate version of “Send in the Clowns,” a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical A Little Night Music, won “Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy Awards. She’s garnered several top-ten hits gold-and platinum-selling albums. Recently, contemporary and classic artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, and Leonard Cohen honored her legacy with the album Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins.
