By Ylice Golden|Published on 5/13/2025
The Roaring Fork Valley is set to host a vibrant array of dance and theater performances this summer. From innovative contemporary dance showcases to classic theatrical productions, here’s your comprehensive guide to the season’s cultural offerings.
May 2025
- Aspen Santa Fe Ballet – Spring Recitals
May 17 & 18 · Aspen District Theater
Celebrate the artistry and dedication of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s student performers in two nights of dynamic presentations. Audiences will enjoy classical ballet compositions and vibrant folklÓ rico dances that reflect rich traditions and emerging local talent.
More info - The Rhythm of Reflection – VOICES Theater Project
May 23- 25 · Thunder River Theatre, Carbondale
A powerful community storytelling project that brings together youth and elders in an original performance. With humor, honesty, and imagination, this intergenerational cast explores themes of change, identity, and what it means to truly connect.
Event details
June 2025
- Best Buddies Friendship Walk
June 1 · Aspen
More than just a walk, this event is a celebration of inclusion and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. DanceAspen will host a lively dance warm-up, setting the tone for a meaningful afternoon filled with community spirit.
Event info - In Progress at TACAW
June 6 & 20 · Basalt
Get a glimpse into the creative process at DanceAspen’s open rehearsals. This event provides an intimate look at choreography under development, giving the public a chance to engage directly with the artists and explore the making of new work.
Event info - Children’s Miracle Network Fundraising Show
June 12- 13 · Glenwood Vaudeville Revue
Enjoy an evening of laughter, song, and skits while supporting a great cause. This energetic vaudeville performance will donate a portion of ticket sales to the Children’s Miracle Network, making each ticket a ticket to change.
More info - Aspen Fringe Festival – 17th Annual Junefest
June 13- 14 · Wheeler Opera House, Aspen
The 17th annual festival invites audiences to experience boundary-pushing theater and dance, with standout performances like Soulskin Dance’s psychedelic ballet and a fresh historical comedy that reimagines Abraham Lincoln in modern-day Aspen.
Festival info - Theatre Aspen – Driving Miss Daisy
June 12- 28
Follow the enduring relationship between a Southern widow and her African-American driver through decades of social change. This heartwarming, thought-provoking play is one of Theatre Aspen’s most anticipated dramatic offerings of the season.
More info - Theatre Aspen – Summer Cabaret Series
June 29 · Hotel Jerome
Intimate, elegant, and brimming with talent, Theatre Aspen’s cabaret evenings offer song, story, and wit in one of Aspen’s most historic venues. It’s a great way to experience the versatility of the company’s cast.
Cabaret details
July 2025
- Golden Hour at Holden Marolt
July 9 · Aspen
This atmospheric outdoor performance by DanceAspen blends the natural beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley with contemporary movement, creating a truly unique and immersive dance experience.
Event info - Aspen Santa Fe Ballet – Complexions Contemporary Ballet
July 10 · Aspen District Theater
A dazzling evening of cutting-edge dance that fuses ballet with contemporary techniques, Complexions returns to Aspen with a reputation for breathtaking athleticism and artistic innovation.
More info - Take Flight at Hotel Jerome
July 15 · Aspen
Watch history come alive as DanceAspen transforms Hotel Jerome into a theatrical stage, with dancers moving through rooms and hallways in a bold site-specific performance.
Event info - Gala: Moonlit Masquerade
July 18 · Hotel Jerome
DanceAspen’s annual gala combines glamorous atmosphere, fine dining, and captivating performances in an unforgettable evening to support future programming.
Event info - Aspen Santa Fe Ballet – Pilobolus
July 23 · Aspen District Theater
Witness the legendary dance troupe known for their inventive use of bodies, props, and optical illusion in a performance that defies genre and expectations.
More info - Aspen Santa Fe Ballet – Alonzo King LINES Ballet
July 29 · Aspen District Theater
LINES Ballet brings its spiritually charged, emotionally layered choreography to the mountains, showcasing why it remains at the forefront of contemporary dance.
More info - Dancing in the Park
July 30 · Paepcke Park, Aspen
Enjoy a casual yet inspiring evening of free outdoor dance. This family-friendly performance brings professional dance to the heart of Aspen for all to enjoy.
Event info - Vail Dance Festival
July 31 · Vail
DanceAspen takes the stage among world-renowned companies at this nationally acclaimed festival, showcasing the region’s best on a grand scale.
Festival info
August 2025
- Theatre Aspen – Mamma Mia!
July 5 – August 2
A feel-good favorite set to ABBA’s hits, this musical promises an evening of joy, dancing, and heartwarming humor against the backdrop of Aspen’s scenic mountains.
More info - Theatre Aspen – Summer Cabaret Series
August 10 · Hotel Jerome
This final installment in the cabaret series delivers an intimate setting for song, spoken word, and surprise moments from Aspen’s vibrant theater community.
More info - Tour: Ute Theater
August 21 · Rifle
DanceAspen takes its celebrated repertoire on tour to Rifle’s historic Ute Theater for a night of professional dance accessible to western valley audiences.
Event info - Shifting Forms
August 28 · Wheeler Opera House, Aspen
A culminating summer performance featuring works by top choreographers Garrett Smith, Ihsan Rustem, and Yin Yue, performed by DanceAspen’s world-class ensemble.
Event info
If you would like to suggest an edit or add an event, please email Ylice Golden.