The Crested Butte Music Festival Celebrates 20 Seasons
The Crested Butte Music Festival celebrates its 20th season this year with a new venue, the Mt. Crested Butte Mirror Palace. One of only four such structures in the continental United States, this “Spiegeltent” will be nestled in the majestic mountains of Mt. Crested Butte. Audience members from around the world will be able to experience world-class music, educational programming, and exceptional food and beverage in this magical venue.
The Mt. Crested Butte Mirror Palace
The Mt. Crested Butte Mirror Palace is a circular tent, 80 feet in diameter, placed at the site of the future Biery-Witt Center. Also called “spiegeltents,” meaning “tent with mirrors,” Mirror Palaces are meticulously hand-crafted structures that were used as traveling dance halls and popular nightlife locales at the turn of the twentieth century in Europe. The rich ambiance of mahogany and the sparkles from faceted mirrors provide visitors with a taste of genuine nostalgia. These extraordinarily elegant venues seamlessly combine old world charm with the modern demand for unique, one-of-a-kind experiences.
Photo: Alex Fenlon
The 2016 CBMF season offers an array of performances, educational opportunities for all ages, and special events. Over 150 outstanding artists visit the Gunnison Valley in Colorado to perform at the CBMF every summer. These professional musicians, conductors, singers, choreographers, and stage directors include artists and educators from the Metropolitan Opera, the London Symphony Orchestra and The Juilliard School, in addition to soloists, popular ensembles, and Grammy nominated and award-winning performers in jazz, bluegrass and folk.
This season will see the return of renowned crossover violinist Charles Yang and pianist Peter Dugan, front-range based funk/roots group Eufórquestra, Grammy-nominated roots band Yarn, gypsy-jazz artists Benjamin Powell and Brian Netzley, and internationally renowned American String Quartet. New artists include classical guitarist Celino Romero, jazz-inspired ensemble Carte Blanche, and California-based folk group T Sisters.
Other highlights of the festival include: Top Chef Master Chef Hugh Acheson working to the sounds of Charles Yang and Peter Dugan; a production of Puccini’s opera masterpiece La bohème showcasing members of the acclaimed Crested Butte Opera Studio; educational lectures, public masterclasses, workshops and open dress rehearsals-all free of charge.
This year, the Festival’s summer season spans nine weeks, from June to August, with approximately 20 performances and events, many of which are free or presented with a voluntary donation. Tickets may be purchased at crestedbuttemusicfetival.org.
Find the full schedule for the Crested Butte Music Festival 2016 season here! Don’t miss out on these spectacular events surrounded by the beautiful mountain scenery of Crested Butte, Colorado.
