Aspen, Colorado, is a town known for its natural beauty and cultural offerings. One of the cultural highlights of the town is the Belly Up Aspen, a live music venue that has hosted some of the biggest names in the music industry. In addition to the music scene, Aspen is also home to the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Summer Intensive, a dance program that attracts dancers from around the world to train with world-renowned instructors. But beyond the arts, Aspen is also home to the Aspen Wilderness Workshop, an organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the area through conservation and activism.
What connects these three seemingly disparate ideas is the idea of preservation. The Belly Up Aspen, with its commitment to bringing top-notch musical acts to the area, helps to preserve the cultural vibrancy of the town. The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Summer Intensive, with its focus on training the next generation of dancers, helps to preserve the art of dance. And the Aspen Wilderness Workshop, with its emphasis on conservation and activism, helps to preserve the natural beauty of the region.
The Belly Up Aspen opened its doors in 2005 and has since become a staple of the Aspen music scene. The venue has hosted a diverse range of artists, from rock legends like The Rolling Stones to hip-hop icons like Snoop Dogg. The Belly Up has also been recognized for its commitment to sustainability, with initiatives like composting and recycling programs in place to reduce its environmental impact.
The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Summer Intensive is a highly competitive dance program that attracts dancers from around the world. The program offers training in a variety of dance styles, including ballet, contemporary, and jazz. Students also have the opportunity to work with world-renowned instructors, including former principal dancers from the American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet. The program culminates in a series of performances that showcase the dancers’ skills and hard work.
The Aspen Wilderness Workshop was founded in 1967 and has been instrumental in the preservation of the natural beauty of the Aspen area. The organization has been involved in a number of successful conservation efforts, including the creation of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area and the protection of the Thompson Divide from oil and gas development. The Wilderness Workshop also offers educational programs and advocacy opportunities for those interested in supporting conservation efforts in the area.
In summary, while seemingly different, the Belly Up Aspen, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Summer Intensive, and the Aspen Wilderness Workshop are all connected by their commitment to preservation. The Belly Up Aspen preserves the cultural vibrancy of the town, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Summer Intensive preserves the art of dance, and the Aspen Wilderness Workshop preserves the natural beauty of the region. Together, these organizations help to make Aspen a unique and vibrant community.