Panels, parties
attractions,
distractions.
PRESENTED BY
PRODUCED BY
Join us for ALF after dark
THURSDAY, SEPT. 25
Homegrown Stories – A Celebration of Aspen's Local Literary Voices
6:00-7:30 pm | Explore Books | 221 E Main St, Aspen
Showcasing authors Scott Lasser, Cathy O'Connell, T.A. Stevens, Lorenzo Semple, Jill Sheeley, Mark Tompkins and Nathanial White.
Free and open to all
SATURDAY, SEPT. 27
Jane Austen’s Birthday Party
5:00-7:00 pm | Explore Books | 221 E Main St, Aspen
Attend a themed celebration honoring Jane Austen’s legacy, complete with cake, light appetizers, period costumes (optional) and drinks will be available for sale.
Free and open to the public.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 26
Downtown Aspen Block Party
6:30-10:00 pm | Hyman Ave. & Mill St.
Local authors will give readings and sign books at local businesses. Aspen Public House and Stranahan’s Whiskey will provide drink specials for festival-goers who show their wristband or badge. Aspen Collective and D’Angelico Guitar Shop will provide an open bar for festival-goers during local author readings.
Participating local businesses
Aspen Collective Gallery | 213 S. Mill St
Hosted by artist, author, and publisher D.J. Watkins, the gallery will transform into a lively party space featuring live music, a bar, and book displays. D.J., known for his work on Hunter S. Thompson and the Freak Power movement, will showcase his art and books and welcome other authors to display and sign their work.
D’Angelico Guitar Shop | 240 S. Mill St
Local musician Garland Burton, who regularly headlines venues like Belly Up and Snowmass concerts, will set the vibe with live music inside and outside the shop. Garland will also host a bar and create space for local authors to sign and share their books—blending music and literature in one of Aspen’s most unique spaces.
Aspen Public House | 328 E. Hyman Ave
Located inside the Wheeler Opera House, Aspen Public House is offering festival drink specials all weekend for wristband and ticket holders. The venue is also opening its doors to local authors for book displays, signings and casual meet-and-greets.
Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge | 307 S. Mill St
Stranahan’s will debut a specialty literary cocktail alongside food and drink specials all weekend. On Friday night, local DJ Alex Brough will spin vinyl records as part of the Block Party. The Whiskey Lodge will also host author displays and signings, creating another lively hub for festival-goers.
Happening at Festival HQ all weekend
Author book signings presented by Book of the Month
Explore Books onsite bookshop
Food trucks and a complimentary espresso bar
Flipside Coffee | Open daily 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Food Truck schedule to be announced
Oversized lawn games
Giant Chess
Giant Connect 4
Giant Jenga
Croquet
Pop-ups on the Lawn
Aspen Writers Network
Come play Book Trivia at the Aspen Writers Network booth. An on-demand game with instant prizes including: Pilot Precise V5 RT pens, hardcover journals, and leather pen cases. Are you ready to test your bookish knowledge? Pick your category, take your guess…
Learn more about AWN here.
Nika Meyers (mixed media)
Meyers is a watercolor, mixed media and plein air artist living and working in Aspen, Colorado. See her work and read her full bio at nikameyers.com.
Art will be for sale and can be purchased onsite.
Michael Bonds (ceramics)
Is hosting studio hours (at his studio inside the Red Brick Center for the Arts) where he will be available to answer questions regarding his process while he is throwing pots and glazing finished works. See his work and read his full bio at redbrickaspen.com/artists/michaelbonds.
All art will be for sale and can be purchased with venmo, cash or check.
Leah Potts (paintings)
After a debilitating skiing accident that left Leah paralyzed, she found adventure in painting and the creative process. In a world where her body lets her down, she can escape the madness go into the wilderness, and connect with nature. See her work and read her full bio at leahpottsart.com.
Art will be for sale and can be purchased onsite.
Poetry on Demand with First Draft Podcast
Visit our tent and bring some prompts. First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing podcast host and producer Mitzi Rapkin, will compose a poem on the spot based on your prompts on that long ago technology, the typewriter. These poems are the perfect gift to yourself or a loved one. Words heal, words inspire, words can change lives.
Donations accepted.
Learn more about First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing Podcast here.
Irma Reyes (Esperanza Productions)
This repurposing project focuses on diverting discarded materials such as retired billboards, used vinyl banners, old clothes, & other synthetic materials into up-cycled products like bags. We partner with several local nonprofits that support migrants, folks impacted by the justice system, those experiencing homelessness and people in recovery from addiction. Through these partnerships, we offer hands-on experience in industrial sewing, design, & printing, providing a positive experience for participants as they transition into the workforce.
Learn more at the booth and purchase products.
In-town Festival Perks
Discounts
Alice & Olivia Boutique | 419 E. Hyman Ave
20% off in-store purchases
Aspen One | 601 E. Dean St
30% off gondola tickets
(with code provided to registrants)
Specials
Explore Books Café | 221 E. Main St
Weekend drink specials
Aspen Public House | 328 E. Hyman Ave
Weekend drink specials
Hai Sí | 308 E. Hopkins Ave
Literary-inspired signature cocktails & dinner menu
Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge | 307 S. Mill St
Weekend drink specials
Not to be missed
Kick-Off Lunch
Friday, September 26
12:00-1:30 pm
Hosted at Festival HQ
on the lawn at the Red Brick Center for the Arts
Attendees can enjoy lunch on the lawn, shop at the onsite bookstore, visit a pop-up photo booth, and grab a free coffee.
Family Fun Mini Fest
Saturday, September 27
9:00-11:00 am
Hosted at Pitkin County Library
in the Dunaway Room, Children’s Room and Lab
Featuring Tunes & Tales, a musical instrument “petting zoo,” face painting, a community quilt project, a Story Walk and more.