Telluride, known as the festival capital of the Southwest, is gearing up to celebrate its Summer of Love with notable anniversaries of some of its most beloved summer festivals. Telluride is also welcoming a newcomer, the Telluride WOW (Weekend of Workout) Festival, to its robust lineup. Additionally, the historic Sheridan Opera House, which serves as a major venue for many of Tellurides festivals, in addition to hosting top caliber acts in an intimate setting throughout the year, is celebrating its centennial.
Photocred_tellurideblues.com: Telluride Brews and Blues festival
Tellurides 2013 festival season highlights:
100th Anniversary
Tellurides Historic Sheridan Opera House is turning 100 years old this year, and will serve as a screening venue during the Mountainfilm and Telluride Film Festival, while also hosting an impressive after-hours line-up during the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. The Grammy winning Mumford and Sons, The Punch Brothers, Trampled By Turtles and more will take the stage during Nightgrass. In celebration of their anniversary, the Sheridan Opera House will be holding a Speakeasy Gala on July 6.
40th Anniversary
This summer, The Telluride Film Festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary Aug. 29 Sept. 2. The festival, which does not announce its program in advance, has hosted the North American or global premiers of four of the past five winners of best picture at the Oscars, including this years winner, Argo. The Telluride Film Festival, along with the Town of Telluride have announced that a new venue, The Werner Herzog Theatre, is being created to host this years festival. The theater will be located in Tellurides Town Park Pavilion and will be the festivals most technologically advanced theater, accommodating 650 pass holders.
Always a favorite, the 40th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival, once again coincides with the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. From June 21 24, festival goers can enjoy music by Mumford & Sons, Emmylou Harris, Dispatch, The String Cheese Incident, Feist and Yonder Mountain String Band, to name a few.
The Telluride Chamber Music Festival has been bringing music to Telluride since 1973. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the festival will offer live chamber music and events from Aug. 8 18.
35th Anniversary
Kicking off Tellurides Summer of Love this Memorial Day Weekend is one of Americas oldest film festivals, the 35th Annual Mountainfilm (May 24 27). Mountainfilm focuses on both adventure and social issues while capturing the unique spirit of Telluride. This years Moving Mountains Symposium will take on the issues of climate change and solutions.
30th Anniversary
Following Mountainfilm, Telluride will celebrate the 30th Annual Balloon Festival (June 1 – 2). The festival, which is free of charge, offers scenic hot air balloon rides above Telluride and the San Juan Mountains.
20th Anniversary
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival. The Black Crowes, Jim James, and Melissa Etheridge will headline this years festival (Sept. 13 15). Additional musicians booked to play include Gary Clark Jr., John Hiatt, Mickey Hart Band, Anders Osborne, Otis Taylor Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Karl Densons Tiny Universe, Allen Stone, ZZ Ward, The New Mastersounds, The Bright Light Social Hour, The Relatives and IBC winner Selwyn Birchwood Band. There will also be a sampling of some of the best craft breweries in the country.
New to Telluride
As summer winds down, Telluride will welcome the ultimate health and wellness festival, the Telluride WOW Festival (Sept. 19 22). The Telluride WOW, or Work Out Weekend, festival will feature presenters, instructors and athletes to hold fitness classes and interactive sessions on the latest health, fitness, wellness, nutrition and medical trends.
Photocred_visittelluride.com: Mountain Film Festival
2013 SUMMER FESTIVAL AND EVENT CALENDAR
Date Event
May 24 – 27 Mountainfilm
June 1 – June 2 Telluride Balloon Festival
June 3 – June 9 Wild West Fest
June 8 9 Ride The Rockies
June 21 – 24 Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 27 – 30 Telluride Wine Festival
June 29 – July 4 Telluride Plein-Air
July 4 Firemen’s Fourth of July
July 11 – July 14 Telluride Yoga Festival
July 12 – 13 Hardrock 100
July 13 – 14 The Ride Festival featuring David Byrne
July 17 – 20 Americana MusicFest
July 18 – 20 Ah Haa Art Auction
July 21 – 27 San Miguel Basin Fair & Rodeo
July 23 – 28 Telluride Playwrights Festival
Aug. 2 – 4 Telluride Jazz Celebration
Aug. 8 – 18 Telluride Chamber Music Festival
Aug. 15 – 18 Telluride Mushroom Festival
Aug. 23 – 25 KOTO Doo-Dah
Aug. 29 – Sept. 2 Telluride Film Festival
Sept. 7 Imogene Pass Run
Sept. 13 – 15 Telluride Blues and Brews Festival
Sept. 19 – 22 Telluride WOW Festival
Sept. 21 Mountains to Desert Ride
Oct. 11 – 13 Telluride Horror Show
Oct. 26 KOTO Halloween Bash
