This week’s agenda: April 11-17

Carbondale Arts Gallery opens ‘subject/matr/mother’ exhibition

Carbondale Arts hosts an opening reception from 5-7 p.m., Friday, April 11, for “subject/matr/mother,” a group exhibition featuring Mya Cluff, Courtney Dudley, Darla Jackson, Shawna Miller (curator), + LUCIA, Erin Morrison, and Maria Teicher. The reception will be from 5-7 p.m., with an artist talk beginning at 5:30 p.m. “subject/matr/mother” will be on display through May 15. The Carbondale Arts Gallery is located inside of The Launchpad and is open to the public weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. carbondalearts.com

Songs from ‘The Unauthorized Untitled Hunter S. Thompson Musical’ with Joe Iconis & Family

Join Tony Award Nominee Joe Iconis (“Be More Chill”) and cast members of his incendiary new musical about Hunter S. Thompson, as they present a sneak-peek concert of songs and stories from the show ahead of their 2025 summer run at Washington D.C.’s Signature Theatre. Directed by Tony Award Winner Christopher Ashley, “The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical” is an anarchic and irreverent portrait of Woody Creek’s favorite renegade mad genius. Careening from the 1940s to 2005, the show follows Thompson as he invents Gonzo journalism, attempts to take down a corrupt president, and quests for equality for his fellow weirdos, outsiders, and freaks. Joe Iconis & Family of musical theater renegades are New York City cabaret legends, and they are excited to bring their unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll and classic musical theater to Aspen for the first time at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 11, at Wheeler Opera House. Tickets: $45-$65, wheeleroperahouse.com.

Mountain Perspectives: Ken Rudin on the State of American Politics

Renowned political analyst and commentator Ken Rudin shares his perspective on the changing landscape in Washington DC at 7 p.m., Friday, April 11, at TACAW. Rudin is one of America’s foremost experts in politics and campaign history. He hosts the weekly podcast “Political Junkie,” in which he explores policy debates, campaign strategies, and political news with the newsmakers at the center of the story. With over 30 years of experience in political journalism, he offers a unique perspective on today’s most pressing issues. he will be joined by Breeze Richardson, executive director of Aspen Public Radio. The event is part of the new Mountain Perspectives Speaker Series presented with The Sopris Sun. This dynamic series aims to inform, inspire, and foster change. Tickets: $30 day of, $25 for TACAW members, tacaw.org.

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Crafted Connections: Aligning Mind, Science & Creativity

This dynamic, 2-hour workshop blends meditation, energy work, and hands-on creativity as you craft your own hat at 5:30 p.m., Friday, April 11, at The Collective Snowmass. It begins with a guided visualization meditation, designed to quiet the mind, center your energy, and help you break free from limiting patterns. Drawing from cutting-edge quantum physics research and insights from “Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself,” it will explore how thoughts, emotions, and beliefs actively shape your reality, offering practical tools to rewire your mindset for growth and change. The experience culminates by crafting your own hat, where you’ll bring your insights to life with fabric pens and sewn patches, reinforcing the connection between intention and action. Free, thecollectivesnowmass.com.

An Evening with Easy Jim

“Settle back easy, Jim …” The words of Robert Hunter in the song “Althea” seemed to fit the mold of the band when it began in the fall of 2018. The laid-back group of musicians from Gunnison and Crested Butte found a common love for the music with one another and a desire to learn and perform the material. The six-piece ensemble features the same instrumentation as the Grateful Dead, including two drummers and four-part vocal harmonies. Easy Jim is known for its exciting original improvisations, high energy performances, and attention to detail. No two shows are ever the same, and it’s always Easy Jim’s mission to provide a visceral concert experience that pays tribute to one of the most infamous rock ‘n’ roll bands, The Grateful Dead. Easy Jim plays at 9 p.m., Friday, April 11, at Belly Up. Tickets: $9.60 general admission, $24 VIP, bellyupaspen.com.

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Aspen Rocks Music Competition

Aspen Rocks is a local “American Idol” style music competition that features six student musician finalists who compete live at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 12, at the Wheeler Opera House for a chance to win recording time with a professional engineer at the legendary Mad Dog Ranch+Studios. The performances will be judged by local musicians Josefina Mendez, Peach Street Revival Jordan Will, and a surprise guest judge. The evening will include performances by Aspen Rocks 2024 winners Lana Bella and Tristan Trincado. Proceeds from the event benefit Inspire Aspen Foundation and go towards giving opportunities to student musicians in the Aspen Snowmass Roaring Fork Valley to pursue their talents and musical journeys. $12 for kids 18 and younger; $26 for adults, wheeleroperahouse.com.

BoyWithUke at Belly Up

From the moment his Minute Long Songs on TikTok took off in 2020, BoyWithUke’s life has been moving at the speed of light, tallying nearly 1.5 billion streams and multiple platinum records. With “Burnout,” Charley Yang’s final album under the mysterious moniker that took him around the world from his bedroom, BoyWithUke is ready to trade in the mask and ukulele for a life fully on his own terms. He takes the stage at 9 p.m., Saturday, April 12, at Belly Up. Tickets: $44, general admission, $92.25, reserved, bellyupaspen.com.

Highlands’ closing day

From first chair until the last call, the locals bring the party for this one on Sunday, April 13. Mismatched costumes, snow blades, and thrifted sunglasses are a must across the entire mountain on Highlands’ closing day. aspensnowmass.com.

Aspen Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony — livestream

The Aspen Hall of Fame and the Pitkin County Library hosts a free livestream of the 2025 Hall of Fame induction ceremony at 7 p.m., Sunday, April 13. The community is invited to come and participate virtually in the celebration and enjoy refreshments in the Library’s Dunaway Community Meeting Room.

The banquet takes place at the Hotel Jerome and is sold out. The 2025 inductees are Bob and Ruth Wade, passionate outdoor enthusiasts who have created a legacy of stewardship and outdoor education; Paul Andersen, professional writer and founder of “Huts for Vets”; and Erin Fernandez Ely, former Pitkin County judge who approached the legal system in a humanistic manner. pitcolib.org

Elderbrook at Belly Up

A live phenomenon, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer-songwriter, Elderbrook has an innate flair for creating emotive music that explores the sensitive and introspective themes of identity and mental wellbeing. He performs at 9 p.m., Sunday, April 13, at Belly Up. Tickets: $79.95 general admission, $156 reserved, bellyupaspen.com

Chamber Music with the Flatiron Five and the Juniper Winds

In collaboration with the Aspen Music Festival and School, Pitkin County Library welcomes Ensemble Flatirons & Juniper Winds to its Library Concert Series for an evening of chamber music at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 15.  Ensemble Flatirons and The Juniper Winds are the graduate brass and woodwind quintets-in-residence at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music. The quintet members, all DMA candidates, are coached by Professor of Horn Michael Thornton, Professor of Bassoon Yoshi Ishikawa and other faculty members. Free, pitcolib.org

Red Bull Turn It Up

Head to Belly Up at 10 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, for epic, interactive B2B DJ battles where the audience votes who wins. Four notable DJs from across the country will be challenged with a surprise theme and must create the best mix according to that theme on the spot. The DJ that gets the crowd the most hyped will move on and get closer to becoming Red Bull Turn It Up Champion.

The event will culminate in the annual Culture Shifters gathering, in partnership with Burton Snowboards. The winning DJ will have the honor of selecting a nonprofit to receive resources supporting access, representation, and opportunity in the outdoors.

Red Bull Turn It Up also marks the final night of the Culture Shifters multi-day events, celebrating BIPOC community leaders and athletes who are driving efforts to make outdoor spaces more accessible and inclusive for people of color. Tickets: $6 general admission, bellyupaspen.com

Pictures with the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny will be at the Slifer Smith and Frampton Snowmass office, ready for a picture-perfect moment, from 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, April 16. thecollectivesnowmass.com.

Fly Fishing Film Tour

The 19th Annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) returns with a curated selection of the best fly fishing films from around the world. This year’s event promises to be the biggest yet, with a diverse lineup of films that highlight remote locations, unique challenges, and the passionate anglers who pursue them. It features a lineup of films that capture the spirit of adventure and perseverance in the world of fly fishing. Highlights include Dan’s epic quest to land the hardest fish in fly fishing, with musky legend Blane Chocklett by his side; a breathtaking adventure fishing for Atlantic Salmon amidst the caribou migration in remote northern waters; a journey through the high desert with guide Matt Mendes on the Deschutes River; the grit and determination of Captain Lacey Kelly, a Florida tarpon guide; April Vokey and Sam Lungren’s exploration of the untamed jungles of Guyana, where they target arapaima, peacock bass; and more. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17, at TACAW. Tickets are $25; $30 day of show, $20 for TACAW members, tacaw.org.

Craftivism: RBG & Radical Zines

Visit Pitkin County Library for an inspiring evening celebrating the life and impact of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg from 5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17. It will screen the acclaimed documentary “RBG” on Kanopy. Explore RBG’s fight for gender equality, civil rights, and justice, and discover how you can be a force for positive change in your own community. During the film, get creative and design your own activism zine, whether it’s about gender equality, social justice, or a cause close to your heart. All supplies provided. No experience needed. This free program is for teens and young adults (ages 14-35). pitcolib.org.