Jazz @ Vail Square Offers High-Energy Jazz and Blues

Have you enjoyed Jazz at Vail Square yet this summer? There is still time! Today’s performance is the perfect kick off to the Pro Challenge coming through Vail tomorrow.

Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers Perform Thursday at Jazz @ Vail Square

Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers Perform Thursday at Jazz @ Vail Square

Today’s performance promises to be a toe-tingling time with Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers.

Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers heat up the Jazz Tent with high-energy jazz and blues that will make anyone and everyone’s body itch to swing. Those who are so inclined are welcomed to take their moves to an open dance floor below the stage.

Hailing from California, Lavay Smith and her band have become a highly revered staple of the San Francisco jazz scene. Of their many awards and accolades, they earned the San Francisco Chronicle’s reader’s choice poll for best band. Nationally, they have been heralded by everyone from actor Dan Akroyd to Bill Clinton for their talent and feel-good dynamic.

The Seattle Times have deemed them “the best thing to come out of the jump/swing revival … the gal can sing her tail off,” and the Boston Globe has commented that the band is  “a notable exception to the retro-swing norm. The saucy vocalist and her crew actually know the difference between jump music and bland R&B in corny suits.”

Snapping her fingers and shaking her hips, Smith belts out her very own, “ruby red lip” and “daddy”-filled  tunes and also adds a fresh level of richness to numbers by such icons as Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith.

When asked in a recent podcast about how enjoyable it must be to woo younger generations into the realm of classic jazz and swing, Smith said, “What I really love is when an old guy who may not be a musician comes to the show and loves the music and says, ‘they’re playing my music. You guys are doing it right,’”

The seven-piece Skillet Lickers in and of themselves are star-studded. Founded and led by pianist Chris Siebert, who writes most of the band’s original arrangements, every Skillet Licker (Mike Olmos, Danny Armstrong, Jules Broussard, Robert Stewart, Nat Johnson and Howard Wiley) has an A-list track record of Lincoln Jazz Center performances and recordings with everyone from Wynton Marsalis to Qunicy Jones.

“One thing we’ve set out to do in this band is to have some of the power of a big band but the looseness of a small band,” Siebert said. “To play with this horn section, I think, man if I wasn’t playing with them tonight, I’d be paying to see them. I get to play with my heroes and listen to them solo. How did I get to be so lucky?”

What: Jazz @ Vail Square with Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers

When: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22

Where: The weatherproof Jazz Tent at The Arrabelle in Lionshead

Tickets: Preferred seats are $20 in advance, $25 day of show and general admission is FREE on a first-come basis. Visit vailjazz.org.

 

Vail Fourth of July Festivities Expanded

Antlers' owners and guests enjoy the Fourth of July parade in Vail.

Antlers’ owners and guests enjoy the Fourth of July parade in Vail.

There is never a void of things to do in Vail for the Fourth of July, and this year is no exception. Vail America Days returns to Vail Village and continues throughout the Fourth of July weekend, July 4 – July 7. The celebration  has been expanded to a four-day festival featuring spectacular fireworks, a classic town parade  through the heart of Vail Village, live music, children’s entertainment and an open-air street  festival atmosphere.

Entertainment will include Vail’s celebrated 4th of July parade this year with a nostalgic theme, fireworks by the world-famous Zambelli Fireworks (conditions permitting), live musical  entertainment throughout the weekend featuring family music, Jazz, and our annual Patriotic Music from Bravo! Vail featuring the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. For the family, there will be an array of children’s activities, and multi-day festival style attractions with Americana style food and drink  – as always complimented by all that Vail summer has to offer on and off the mountain.

The Vail 50th themed parade will begin at Golden Peak at 10 a.m. on Thursday July 4 and will wind its way through the villages, ending in Lionshead. Vail’s parade is one of the most popular events during the Independence Day holiday, attracting thousands of spectators. This year’s theme is “Vail’s 50th Anniversary Celebration” and will set the tone for the rest of the day’s celebrations featuring musical entertainment, a patriotic concert and a fireworks display at dusk.

Fourth of July celebrations continue at noon and throughout the remainder of the day with free entertainment in Vail Village at the main Vail America Days Stage at Solaris Plaza. The live music and beer garden will be open to the public through 10 p.m. on and stay open from noon – 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6 to keep the celebration going. Another new addition to Vail America Days, is the Stars and Stripes zones, which offer an array of games and activities for the whole family to enjoy, The Stars and Stripes zones are complimentary and will be located in Lionshead and Gore Creek Promenade on Thursday, July 4 – Saturday July 6 from 12 – 4 p.m. each day.

For a complete schedule visit VailAmericaDays.com.

Pets and Musical Children Make the Antlers at Vail Home

Dock Dogs competition at the 2013 GoPro Mountain Games.

Dock Dogs competition at the 2013 GoPro Mountain Games.

We love the variety of friends who make the Antlers their home while here in Vail. As the official pet-friendly hotel of the Go Pro Mountain Games, we enjoyed many furry friends visiting over the weekend. Those furry friends included a skateboarding bulldog and competitors in the 2013 Dock Dogs competition at the GoPro Mountain Games. Most of those friends have checked out now, and our friends at the Colorado Children’s Chorale have checked in. Our condo arrangements (from studios to four-bedroom condos, all with full kitchens) make us an ideal home for families, or anyone coming for an extended stay.

 

The Colorado Children's Chorale during their annual visit at the Antlers at Vail.

The Colorado Children’s Chorale during their annual visit at the Antlers at Vail.

The Colorado Children’s Chorale is at the Antlers for their annual visit.  They are in town for a workshop designed to develop performance skills such as singing, dancing, acting and stage movement. Professional conductors and Chorale members work with attendees to share music and theater skills plus elements of teamwork and self confidence. The workshop concludes with a performance, Voices in the Valley, featuring workshop participants on stage with the Colorado Children’s Chorale at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater on Friday, June 14 at 7:00 p.m.

Here’s a taste of all the fun we’re looking forward to at the Antlers at Vail Condominiums and Conference Center this week in a video of the Colorado Children’s Chorale Rehearsing in the Antlers at Vail Courtyard in 2010.

Off—and On—the Beaten Path in Vail This Summer

When someone tells you to “take a hike” you’ll be thankful if you’re in Vail, Colorado, where the area’s abundant trails and paths are suited for people of all ages and athletic abilities. The Antlers at Vail hotel is a conveniently located home base for exploring Vail by foot or with one of the Antlers’ free loaner bikes, and summer rates start at just $168 for a studio suite.

The Antlers at Vail’s friendly staff is happy to recommend nearby trails and provide directions for guests who want to explore the area. These are some of their favorite jaunts close to the hotel:

Creekside Sauntering

The Antlers is located on Gore Creek, which winds through Vail and has a paved walking and biking path that’s perfect for exploring the area. Head east and enjoy a shady, easy walk to Vail Village, or head west to Donovan Park, a fun children’s park and play area.

Art Walking

Vail’s public art collection includes forty works ranging from paintings and sculptures to murals, playground components and site-integrated art. Art in Public Places offers free summertime guided tours including discussions of the history of the Vail Valley and the importance of site-specific art. For dates and times, visit www.artinvail.com.

Mountain Ambling

Just 200 yards from the Antlers at Vail hotel, the Vail Gondola is ideal for those who prefer downhill striding to uphill climbing. Ride to the top and enjoy a scenic walk down the mountain trail, enjoying the Rocky Mountain vistas and wildflowers along the way.

Nature Rambling

Just east of Vail Village, the Vail Nature Center offers a variety of summertime nature walks, guided hikes and back country treks. For more information visit http://www.vailrec.com/hikingprogram.cfm.

Rover Romping

The Antlers at Vail is a dog-friendly hotel, and Bighorn Park just east of the Vail Racquet Club offers over seven acres of leash-free terrain for canines and their owners. The northern half of Stephens Park in West Vail is also an off-the-leash zone.

Since 1972, the Antlers at Vail hotel has offered a unique Vail lodging experience in a relaxed mountain setting. The Antlers is the proud recipient of the Platinum Service Award Winner from the Vail Valley Partnership and was named the Vail Valley Green Business of the Year in 2009. With condominiums ranging from studio suites up to four bedrooms and plenty of space to spread out, each room at the Antlers offers all the comforts of home including fully-equipped kitchens, fireplaces, outdoor balconies, free Internet access and free parking. The Antlers Vail is conveniently located in Vail’s Lionshead area with numerous restaurants, galleries and shops within walking distance, and the free Vail town shuttle stops just footsteps away. For more information, call 1-800-843-8245 or visit the Antlers web site at www.antlersvail.com.

Media Contacts: Rob LeVine, General Manager, The Antlers at Vail, (970) 476-2471, [email protected] or Darla Worden, WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations, (307) 734-5335, [email protected].

Sage Adventures Vail Razor buggy tour

A couple of us went on a Polaris Razor off road adventure tour with Vail’s Sage Adventures whose Vail adventure office is over in Lionshead, just 100 yards from the Antlers at Vail condominiums.  The site of the jeep riding was about 30 minutes west of Vail near Castle Peak.   Our tour guide “Cole” set us up with our machines and off we went.   We climbed quite a bit of vertical to get to altitude and it was a nice pretty area with specatuclar views.  We were searching for some moose that Cole said were up there but we just ran into a few deer (well, maybe we didn’t RUN into them).  The Panageas family staying at the Antlers at Vail during this week, was also on the tour.  Dad and all three kids all rode in one buggy.  Mom was at the conference at the Marriott (too bad for mom.)  $330 gets you the buggy for a 2.5 hour tour + snack, etc.  Nice package when you can get 4 people for the ride.  Beats a jeep tour in my book.  Chris R.

YouTube video

Driving some Razorbacks near Wolcott Colorado, just 25 minutes from Vail and the Antlers at Vail

Dad the driver and three kids along for the ride !

Experienced Rednecks

Helmets on and ready to go

Cole from Sage Adventures is pointing out the view to the New York mountain range and the Beaver Creek resort.

The Panageas family out in front

A horseman watching his sheep up near Castle Peak

Grouse Lake Hiking Trail

Grouse Lake, a beautiful 6.25 mile hike to a beautiful lake known for its fine fishing. This hike is a great one if you are up here in the summer and its too hot to do anything but you are going to anyways because… well its your vacation that’s what you do. The hike follows Grouse Creek through a balmy mossy forest with plenty of chances to cross over the creek and catch some spray. Named for the large gentle bird that is brown in summer and changes to white in the winter they are quite common in the area. A fun fact I just learned, local lore says that if you don’t look a mother grouse in the eye as you approach her, she will not run away. I suggest someone try it out and report back to me because I find that hard to believe. They are also very defensive of their chicks but are not really dangerous even when angry. I’ll see you up there!

~Tyler, your friendly neighborhood night auditor.

Here is a map showing the trail head and its location in relation to Vail and the Antlers.


View Grouse Lake in a larger map

Piney Lake Hiking

Looking for a good short hike without getting too far from civilization? Try heading up to Piney River Ranch and checking out the trails up there. To reach Piney River Ranch from North Frontage Road in Vail, you take Red Sandstone Road to Piney lake road (or county road no.700)travel 11 miles up a gravel road (takes about 40 minutes). The ranch itself is worth a visit as (depending on the season) there are a plethora of activities offered. I highly recommend checking out the ranch’s website to see what activities are being offered before heading up there as they change frequently. On the north side of the lake theres a sign showing the Piney River trail (go right) and the Meadow Creek and Soda Lakes trails (go left!). Both offer very scenic mellow hikes. The falls are very secluded and beautiful and are a very popular photo op location. Below is an interactive google map showing the location of the trail respective to Antlers. The lines are the road up to Piney River Ranch, the Soda Lakes trail, and the Piney River trail.


View Piney Lake Trails in a larger map

Enjoy!
Tyler

Vail Rotary Duck Race

Labor Day Weekend

Sunday, September 5, 2010, at 2:00 PM.

Presented by the Marketplace on Meadow Drive

Thousands of rubber ducks travel through the heart of Vail on Gore Creek once a year for The Vail Rotary Duck Race!


The rubber ducks, which sell for $5 each, are dropped into the Gore Creek Sunday at the Covered Bridge. The ducks then float quickly down the creek toward the finish line at the International Bridge. The first 20 ducks to finish win prizes for their owners. The money raised goes toward the Salvation Army’s food bank, scholarships for local students and the Children’s Medical Voucher Program, which gives local children without health insurance vouchers for medical care. The Antlers at Vail will be purchasing a large amount to help out as always and we’re still offering 15% off your Vail room rate for Labor Day Weekend! So, if you’re looking for a great option for Labor Day Weekend, pack up the kids and head to Vail.

Adventure Tubing with Sage Outdoor Adventures

Adventure Tubing…can those two words really go together in the same sentence?   When I think of tubing, I think of a nice easy float down a stretch of river, not something adventurous.  Well, guess what, those two words go quite nicely together!  In fact, I think they are my two new favorite words together!  I grew up rafting on all the rivers in Colorado and Utah, was a raft guide for 6 years, and loved tubing when I was young.  Little did I know that a family owned company called Sage Outdoor Adventures  (just 100 yards from the Antlers condos) would come up with a NEW outdoor activity to do in Vail beside whitewater rafting.  So…here is a bit of my adventure:  Started out getting to the meeting spot to get all of our gear (wetsuits, booties, gloves, helmets, etc.)  We decided we looked A LOT like frogs with our gloves, but they really helped with navigating down the river!

After dressing in our amazingly attractive wetsuits, we jumped into the river in our tubes and set off downriver!   We got a little taste of everything.  From relaxing in the calm water to getting splashed by the waves in the little rapids.  It was awesome!  We saw some amazing wildlife too!  A blue heron was drinking out of the river next to us and flew right above us- it was beautiful!  Saw some baby ducks, geese, and a variety of other birds.  There is nothing quite like being outside, in the wild!

Michela family enjoy another Vail Summer

Once again the Michela family enjoyed a Vail Summer vacation at the Antlers at Vail.  Bob and Catherine had daughters Danielle and Stacy with them, and of course the five grandchildren.  They were busy.  Gondola rides, hiking, biking, dinner at Blu’s, dinner in the condo, adventure ridge, rebound trampoline, etc.  Hope to see you again next summer…..


Michela Family at the Antlers (grand kids are taking the picture)