Nestled at the foot of a box canyon and surrounded on three sides by 14,000 foot peaks in the San Juan mountain range, the small town of Telluride, Colorado is worth a visit any time of the year. Every September, this jewel of Colorado Ski Country transforms from a picturesque former mining town into an international destination for the performing arts. The town’s population of 2,500 triples as aficionados of film and blues music flood Telluride to listen to award-winning music acts and take an exclusive first look at films that will contend for Academy awards later in the year.
This Labor Day weekend, the Telluride Film Festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary August 29 September 2. The festival, which does not announce its program in advance, has hosted the North American or global premieres of four of the past five winners of best picture at the Oscars, including this years winner, Argo. The Telluride Film Festival and 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. Visit http://www.visittelluride.com/ for more information.
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 (September 13 15). Additional musicians booked to play include Gary Clark Jr., John Hiatt, Mickey Hart Band, Anders Osborne, the 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 the 2013 International Blues Challege champion Selwyn Birchwood Band. There will also be a sampling of some of the best craft breweries in the country. Visit http://www.tellurideblues.com for more information.
As summer winds down, Telluride will welcome the ultimate health and wellness festival, the Telluride Work Out Weekend Festival (Sept. 19 22). The Telluride WOW festival will feature presenters, instructors and athletes to hold fitness classes and interactive sessions on the latest health, fitness, wellness, nutrition and medical trends. Visit http://telluridewow.com for more information.
