Will Campa belts in out in the tent at Vail Square in 2012.. by Anthony Thornton

The 2013 Jazz @ Vail Square Thursday night lineup brings stars from every corner of the jazz genre to the Antlers’ neighborhood

The Vail Jazz Festival in Vail, Colo., has planted itself firmly on the map for jazz connoisseurs all over the world, but in recent years with its mix of Cuban, Latin, rock, blues, swing and soul, it has seriously pushed the limits of the genre and has thus attracted a slew of enthusiastic new fans. Celebrating its 19^th year, this summer is sure to recruit a whole lot more.

The festival stops in the Antlers’ neighborhood in Lionshead from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday for Jazz @ Vail Square in an open-air tent, just 150 yards from the Antlers at Vail.

Here’s the lineup:

July 4: Curtis Stigers and SaRon Crenshaw pay tribute to The Red, White & The Blues.  Kicking off the summer’s star-studded lineup with a star-spangled onslaught of talent with renowned saxophonist/vocalist Curtis Stigers and New York-based guitarist SaRon Crenshaw paying tribute to all that’s red hot and bluesy. Have you heard the theme song to Sons of Anarchy? That’s Stigers. He headlines the Pops with Bravo! Vail last year with 3,000 people listening in rapt wonder.

July 11: Wil Campa y Su Gran Union. Get your dancing shoes on for a veritable circus of steel-drum infused energy. Great indeed, the Cuban ensemble is comprised of 12 musicians who typically break out in collaborative stepping and instrument swinging. Making their Vail debut last year, they are back by popular demand.

July 18: Ann Hampton Callaway.  Having performed on Broadway, sung with Wynton Marsalis and the Boston Pops and wowed the valley with her passionate, spontaneous delivery last winter when she landed at the Vilar Center paying tribute to Ella Fitzgerald Callaway returns to highlight the nation’s most revered stage and screen classics in her Great American Songbook-focused performance.

July 25: Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo.  Although Frank Vignola may be a jazz guitarist, he has been influenced by rock icons such as Eddie Van Halen and Frank Zappa, and has played sidekick to the likes of Madonna and Ringo Starr. Five years ago, he teamed up with fellow New York guitarist Vinny Raniolo and the duo make their strings smoke as they match melodies on stage.

Aug. 1: John Pizzarelli Quartet. You could say that John Pizzarelli comes from a musical family. His father Bucky performed for two presidents (Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton) and was in the band for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. John has played guitar with James Taylor and Paul McCartney. Along with his brother Martin on stand-up bass, John will be joined by his wife, fellow guitarist Jessica Molaskey, with whom he has a radio show in New York City. Pianist Larry Fuller and drummer Tony Tedesco round out the ensemble. Expect surprising, unique twists on jazz classics.

Aug. 8: Tommy Igoe Sextet. The spotlight turns onto the drum kit for this show, in which Tommy Igoe  (son of legend Sonny Igoe) hammers out numbers that are guaranteed not to be your grandpa’s jazz. Having written the drumline for Broadway’s The Lion King, Igoe takes after everyone from his father to The Beatles. He started The Birdland Big Band, which is famous for regularly selling out Manhattan’s Birdland Jazz Club. He is joined by five more virtuoso musicians.

Aug. 15: Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band. Also a percussionist, Poncho Sanchez specializes in the congo and can also belt out his fair share of salsa. He and his band have won Grammys for best Latin Jazz. Bringing an onslaught of horns, piano, percussion and a lot of Latin soul, Sanchez should ignite a dance party if not an actual flame or two.

 Aug. 22: Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers. Some people view jazz as a chilled out brand of music best suited for closed eye listening and calm finger snapping, but Lavay Smith takes that stereotype and launches it right out of its armchair. Oh, and did someone say dance party? With vocal stylings reminiscent of Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith, Lavay brings not just her Skillet Lickers to Vail but also some serious swing dancing.

Aug. 29: Clayton Brothers Sextet and The Vail Jazz All-Stars. Mainstays and resident heroes of the Vail Jazz Festival, saxophonist Jeff Clayton and bassist John Clayton compose the most dynamic delivery of original jazz this side of the Rocky Mountains with fellow famed jazz stars Terrell Stafford on trumpet, Bill Cunliffe on piano, Wycliffe Gordon on Trombone and Lewis Nash on drums. The energy leaps yet an extra octave with the Vail Jazz All Stars – a selection of the most talented young jazz musicians in North America whom the Sextet has mentored through the intensive Vail Jazz Workshop. It all leads up to this, the climax.

If you are staying at the Antlers, not only will you be able to conveniently access the performances, but you also might even be able to catch some of the fabulous sounds from your hotel condo balcony. We are looking forward to it!

There is much to enjoy in Vail during the summer for locals and visitors alike

This beautiful sunny Colorado weather we enjoyed earlier this week has me itching for summer and all of the fun family activities that summer brings. We live in such a great place to raise family (or enjoy an extended family vacation), particularly in the summer when you can get out and enjoy fresh mountain air, sun and a multitude of activities.

Here are a few of the activities I am looking forward to enjoying very soon:

• Taking the kids into town to ride the free Town of Vail bus, playing at the pirate ship park, cooling off in the children’s fountain and then enjoying a treat. Warning to parents: A candy store conveniently located itself right next to the fountain, so be prepared to take your kids in for a treat.
• Taking a picnic and riding the gondola up to the top of Vail Mountain to enjoy some leisurely hiking and spectacular views.
• Coming into Vail to meander through the Vail Farmers’ Market, enjoy some free jazz, getting some balloons for the kiddos and then enjoying lunch on a patio.
• The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens hosts a butterfly release on May 24 at 11 am. Local school classes release the beautiful butterflies. It is a great opportunity to check out the gardens and play at the park adjacent to the gardens.
• There are a multitude of great hikes in the area. I’m looking forward to taking the kiddos up on some of the easier trails for some exercise and to enjoy nature and take in the views.
• Speaking of nature, Walking Mountains Science Center has all kinds of great family activities. I’m looking forward to checking out their Earth Keepers Preschool program and a nature walk.
• I have also put the Bravo! Vail family concert featuring the National Repertory Orchestra on my calendar. It starts at 10am on July 14 with an instrument petting zoo—lots of fun for the kiddos as they get to try their hand at a variety of instruments. Then the concert starts at 11am.
• Beaver Creek has some great activities too. We will make it over a couple of Fridays for their Fridays at the Park with free gondola rides, pony rides with Beaver Creek Stables, snow cones, roasting s’mores and more! The Beaver Creek rodeo  on Thursday evenings is fun too. They have a mutton-busting event that is pretty humorous.
• But, the thing I am most looking forward to this summer is hanging in my own ‘hood. I live in EagleVail and it is in my opinion the best Vail area location in the summer! We have a plot in our community garden just across the street. I am looking forward to taking the kids over to plant seeds and look after the garden, and enjoy grilling out with friends in the garden. Also, EagleVail has a new salt-water pool that is just 100 yards from our back door. I’m looking forward to relaxing at the pool with the kiddos.

The Vail area boasts a multitude of spectacular hiking trails for all abilities. Photo courtesy of Jack Affleck and VLMD.

What are some of your favorite Vail area family activities and events? Share them with us in the comments section below!

One of the reasons that I am so glad to be a part of the Antlers family is our involvement in the community. As I was writing this post, it dawned on me how many of these events we have a connection to. The Antlers is the official condominium hotel of the Bravo! Vail orchestras. We host Serac Outside Adventure Film School, which is also a very cool thing going on during the GoPro Mountain Games. We are a pet-friendly hotel so home to some of the Dock Dog competitors who come to town for the Mountain Games. We also host some of the Vail Jazz Foundation’s musicians. So, not only can I look forward to partaking in these activities but also in getting to meet some of the people involved!

Posted by: Liana, the Antlers’ marketing gal

Left, photo © goodluz – Fotolia.com; The Antlers at Vail hotel, center, is close to many of Vail’s walking paths and trails; the hotel’s hard-to-miss bikes, right, are free for guests to borrow.

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, RLeVine@antlersvail.com or Darla Worden, WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations, (307) 734-5335, darla@wordenpr.com.

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

Tubing   $25

Tubing + Lift  $39

Tubing + Lift +Lunch  $44

~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

View Piney Lake Trails in a larger map

Enjoy!
Tyler

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.

Vail flowers

Vail’s climibing wall at the top of the gondola

Snowitch Aug 5, 2010