This week’s agenda: Feb. 28-March 6
Here’s a roundup of what’s going on this week in the arts and entertainment world.
John Oates — Wheeler Opera House
Experience a journey through the rich tapestry of American music with “John Oates: Folk Blues, R&B and the Songs that Made Me.” In this special performance at the Wheeler Opera House, slated for 7 p.m., Feb. 28 and March 1, Oates reflects on the musical influences that shaped his legendary 50-year career. From the soulful rhythms of R&B to the heartfelt sounds of folk and blues, he pays tribute to the artists and songs that inspired his distinctive style. Expect timeless hits, deep cuts, and heartfelt covers that honor the rich cultural heritage of American music.
Performing with his renowned acoustic trio — featuring local talent John Michel and Nashville greats Nathaniel Smith and Sam Wilson — Oats brings his passion for music to life. This show is a love letter to the artists who made him who he is today, in the intimate and historic setting of the Wheeler Opera House.
Swim Club Rooftop Soirée — MOLLIE Aspen
From 2- 6 p.m., Saturday, March 1, MOLLIE Aspen ushers in spring with food, drink, and live music on the MOLLIE rooftop. Enjoy a DJ spinning music, a rooftop shopping experience with curated brands, a photobooth, hot tubbing, and dancing.
Register at mollieaspen.com.
Pokey Lafarge — The Arts Campus At Willits
At 8 p.m., Saturday, March 1, artist Pokey Lafarge will take the TACAW stage. After crisscrossing the nation for the last half-decade looking for a home, Pokey LaFarge found himself in mid-coast Maine. Upon arriving, the Illinois-born singer/songwriter/actor pursued a major life change, working 12-hour days on a local farm — a turn of events that catalyzed an extraordinary burst of creativity and redefined his sense of purpose as an artist.
On his new album “Rhumba Country,” LaFarge reveals his newly heightened devotion to making music that channels pure joy.
“There was a time when I glorified sadness because I lost sight of who I was, but now I understand that creating and expressing joy is my gift, and gifts are meant to be shared,” he says.
Reclaiming his voice, he has recorded his boldest album yet. Over the course of the album’s ten effusive tracks, he dispenses hard-won wisdom in a way that’s never heavy-handed, often imbuing his songwriting with all the guileless magic of a fable or folktale.
Tickets: tacaw.org
Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday — Snowmass
Forty-three years of Mardi Gras tradition return to Snowmass Village on Fat Tuesday, March 4. Festivities include a Bead Toss by the 2025 Mardi Gras Royalty, Mike Sura & Marla Welch; a Bud Light HiFi Concert featuring Spazmatics; kidtoons and DJ Erica; the Mother of All Ascensions Uphill race and party; and fireworks.
“Mardi Gras is one of our favorite winter traditions here in Snowmass,” says Julia Theisen, Tourism Director, Snowmass Tourism. “The event brings such a vibrant energy to the community, with guests and locals alike enjoying the live music, the bead toss, and the unforgettable atmosphere of New Orleans right here in the mountains. It’s a celebration like no other, full of color, fun, and excitement that captures the essence of Mardi Gras, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Snowmass.”
For information: gosnowmass.com.
‘The True Story of Tamara De Lempicka’ — Isis Theatre
Aspen Film Presents “The True Story of Tamara Lempicka & The Art of Survival” on Tuesday, March 4, at 5 p.m.
The film traces the life and survival of the renowned painter through her powerful paintings — from her rise to international stardom in 1920s Paris to her move to the United States, fleeing fascism in 1940 to her revival in the current art market. The film follows this remarkable refugee as she reinvents herself multiple times, looking behind the veneer of the publicity she generated for herself and examining the bisexual Jewish artist who embodied talent, resilience, passion, and a relentless pursuit of artistic freedom.
Q+A with filmmaker Julie Rubio and Marisa de Lempicka, Tamara de Lempicka’s great-granddaughter, moderated by Jillian Livingston, Founder of Aspen Real Life and Aspen Business Connect.
Tickets: aspenfilm.org
