Beyond The Music - The Telluride Jazz Festival Experience

An Immersive Music Festival Experience In The Heart Of The Rocky Mountains

Beyond the world class music echoing off the walls of the box canyon, the Telluride Jazz Festival has so much in store to keep you entertained. The weekend celebration is packed with special events like free morning Yoga Sessions, a free historical walking tour, a New Orleans style 2nd Line Parade on Main Street, a kids area and so much more, there's something for everyone.

To kick off the weekend, Telluride Jazz Festival features a series of free music throughout historic downtown called “Jazz On Main”. Free and open to the public from 4-6 pm, Jazz On Main features five artists playing live jazz in various venues. The fun continues into the evening with the elegant Patron Reception and Opening Concert at the iconic Sheridan Opera House.

PATRON WELCOME RECEPTION - THURSDAY FROM 7-8:30PM (SHERIDAN OPERA HOUSE)

Start your weekend off in style! Patron pass-holders will be greeted to creative cuisine, sparkling libations and live music. The Patron Welcome Reception will take place at the iconic Sheridan SHOW Bar in the heart of downtown Telluride. Setting the tone for an elegant weekend, the Reception features a meet-and-greet with the Board Of Directors for the Telluride Society For Jazz, live music from the Telluride Student All-Stars Jazz Ensemble and a special menu of culinary bites designed for the occasion.

OPENING CONCERT - THURSDAY AT 8 PM (SHERIDAN OPERA HOUSE)

The Patron Experience features a private opening concert with Tuba Skinny at the historic Sheridan Opera House the night before the festival begins.

Set in the heart of downtown Telluride, the opening concert is part of the Patron Experience which treats pass-holders to top-of-the-line festival amenities making for a truly elegant and memorable experience. For more info, click here.

Friday, August 11

"SOCIETY STAGE" AT THE SOCIETY STAGE IN ELKS PARK (FREE)

These intimate and interactive performances with world class musicians aim to further our mission of providing student education through music. All shows on the Society Stage are free and open to the public.

The Society Stage is brought to you by the generous support from the Dalton Family Foundation, Dworbell Inc., the Raynier Institute & Foundation, The Telluride Foundation and Telluride's Commission for Community Assistance, Arts, and Special Events (CCAASE).

MAIN STAGE IN TELLURIDE TOWN PARK

Once-in-a-lifetime soundtrack provided by acclaimed artists, Grammy Award winners, cutting edge innovators, rare super-groups, and some of the best student bands in the country, there’s no shortage of talent at the Telluride Jazz Festival. Picture yourself here enjoying over 20 bands on the Main Stage.

JAZZ AFTER DARK - FRIDAY AT 10 PM (VENUES AROUND TELLURIDE)

After the festival ends in Town Park, we continue the music with “Jazz After Dark” shows located in various venues throughout Telluride. One pass allows entry into three different shows for the night purchased.

All venues are first come, first served and based on the capacity of each venue. As they fill up, we direct you to which Jazz After Dark venues are not full. As the night goes on, crowds tend to rotate, so if you can't catch the start of the band you want to see, there's a good chance you can catch the last half of their show. So, if there is one particular band you really want to see, get in line early for the show! After the shows begin, entry is dependent on capacity.

The Patron Pass includes entry into all Jazz After Dark Shows and priority early entry. To explore the Jazz After Dark schedule, click here.

Please note, all venues are limited to ages 21 and over, with the exception of the Sheridan Opera House.

Saturday, August 12

FIRST NOTE YOGA - SATURDAY AT 8:30 AM IN ELKS PARK (FREE)

Start your morning off right! Enjoy a fluid yoga flow, activating breath practice, liberating movement and playful exercises to discover new realms of embodied pleasure. Guests of all skill levels are welcome to join us on Saturday and Sunday mornings during the Festival weekend. Participation is free, no registration required. Click here for more details.

What to Bring: Water, Yoga Mat, Towel and Active Wear (Come with or without - these items are not mandatory to join in the class)

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR: ANNIKA KRISTIANSEN

Telluride local, and Mangala Yoga manager, Annika Kristiansen can be found in the woods, or up high in the San Juan's exploring. She skis, she bikes, she runs, and... she brings all of this energy into her teachings to offer powerful classes to her community.

Annika's practice extends to beyond-the-mat ways of being and seeing that she enthusiastically shares with her students. She infuses her classes with a deep understanding of anatomy along with meditations and philosophical sprinklings to feed the soul.

Join her for a vibration-raising, not-too-serious, carefully-sequenced practice.

HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR - SATURDAY AT 9 AM (DOWNTOWN TELLURIDE)

Discover the past on Saturday morning at the Historical Walking Tour presented by the Telluride Historical Museum. Presenter and long-time resident Ashley Boling will guide visitors through Telluride’s storied past and celebrated landmarks. Click here to learn more.

Walking Tour registrations are free; however, space is limited. Be sure to sign up early!

HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR

Downtown Telluride is full of Victorian-Era buildings, mining relics and more. Wake up with a leisurely walk through time and history on Saturday morning with tour guide Ashley Boling from the Telluride Historical Museum to discover rich tales from the region’s past. Presenter and long-time local resident Ashley will guide visitors through Telluride’s storied past and celebrated landmarks.

The tour is limited to 40 participants, is free of charge and will start at 9 am (MT) in front of the Courthouse, across from Elks Park on Colorado Ave (Telluride’s Main Street).

The tour begins with a discussion of the Native american influence in the valley. In addition, topics covered will also include the discovery of silver in 1872, the town's name change from Columbia to Telluride, regional transportation and the legendary Galloping Goose train.

The tour then moves into the Sheridan Opera House, covering the 1913 structure and notable artists who have performed there over the years. The tour also showcases the ground level rooms of the New Sheridan Hotel, and points out many original features of the lobby, ladies waiting room, restaurant, and saloon.

The tour wraps up at the site of Butch Cassidy's first attempted and successful bank robbery along with a brief overview of the colorful red light district.

MORNING JAM ON SATURDAY AT 9 AM (TELLURIDE ARTS HQ)

Start your Telluride Jazz Festival mornings off with pleasant live jazz music at the Transfer Warehouse. Morning Jam will offer a jazzy wake up to a full day of music on Saturday and Sunday of the Festival. Attendees can enjoy performances led by students from Caleb Chapman’s in the heart of downtown Telluride.

Any and all musicians are welcome and encouraged to join in on the jam for an improvisational performance to get their day swinging. The jam will be will be first-come-first-play, with a sign up sheet. The music jams will go from 9-10 am on both Saturday and Sunday. The event is free and open to the public, coffee and food are available for purchase.

"SOCIETY STAGE" AT THE SOCIETY STAGE IN ELKS PARK (FREE)

These intimate and interactive performances with world class musicians aim to further our mission of providing student education through music. All shows on the Society Stage are free and open to the public.

The Society Stage is brought to you by the generous support from the Dalton Family Foundation, Dworbell Inc., the Raynier Institute & Foundation, The Telluride Foundation and Telluride's Commission for Community Assistance, Arts, and Special Events (CCAASE).

MAIN STAGE IN TELLURIDE TOWN PARK

Once-in-a-lifetime soundtrack provided by acclaimed artists, Grammy Award winners, cutting edge innovators, rare super-groups, and some of the best student bands in the country, there’s no shortage of talent at the Telluride Jazz Festival. Picture yourself here enjoying over 20 bands on the Main Stage.

JAZZ AFTER DARK - SATURDAY AT 10 PM (VENUES AROUND TELLURIDE)

After the festival ends in Town Park, we continue the music with “Jazz After Dark” shows located in various venues throughout Telluride. One pass allows entry into three different shows for the night purchased.

All venues are first come, first served and based on the capacity of each venue. As they fill up, we direct you to which Jazz After Dark venues are not full. As the night goes on, crowds tend to rotate, so if you can't catch the start of the band you want to see, there's a good chance you can catch the last half of their show. So, if there is one particular band you really want to see, get in line early for the show! After the shows begin, entry is dependent on capacity.

The Patron Pass includes entry into all Jazz After Dark Shows and priority early entry. To explore the Jazz After Dark schedule, click here.

Please note, all venues are limited to ages 21 and over, with the exception of the Sheridan Opera House.

Sunday, August 13

FIRST NOTE YOGA - SUNDAY AT 8:30 AM IN ELKS PARK (FREE)

Start your morning off right! Enjoy a fluid yoga flow, activating breath practice, liberating movement and playful exercises to discover new realms of embodied pleasure. Guests of all skill levels are welcome to join us on Saturday and Sunday mornings during the Festival weekend. Participation is free, no registration required. Click here for more details.

What to Bring: Water, Yoga Mat, Towel and Active Wear (Come with or without - these items are not mandatory to join in the class)

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR: ANNIKA KRISTIANSEN

Telluride local, and Mangala Yoga manager, Annika Kristiansen can be found in the woods, or up high in the San Juan's exploring. She skis, she bikes, she runs, and... she brings all of this energy into her teachings to offer powerful classes to her community.

Annika's practice extends to beyond-the-mat ways of being and seeing that she enthusiastically shares with her students. She infuses her classes with a deep understanding of anatomy along with meditations and philosophical sprinklings to feed the soul.

Join her for a vibration-raising, not-too-serious, carefully-sequenced practice.

MORNING JAM ON SUNDAY AT 9 AM (TELLURIDE ARTS HQ)

Start your Telluride Jazz Festival mornings off with pleasant live jazz music at the Transfer Warehouse. Morning Jam will offer a jazzy wake up to a full day of music on Saturday and Sunday of the Festival. Attendees can enjoy performances led by students from Caleb Chapman’s in the heart of downtown Telluride.

Any and all musicians are welcome and encouraged to join in on the jam for an improvisational performance to get their day swinging. The jam will be will be first-come-first-play, with a sign up sheet. The music jams will go from 9-10 am on both Saturday and Sunday. The event is free and open to the public, coffee and food are available for purchase.

NEW ORLEANS 2ND LINE PARADE - SUNDAY AT 12 PM

Second Line Parades are a New Orleans tradition. Brass-bands take to the street, play and march. Onlookers who followed along to enjoy the music were known as the second line.

Join the Hooligans Brass Band along with Festival staff, attendees, and festival artists for a Second Line Parade down Main Street all the way to Telluride Town Park on Sunday, August 13.

Everyone is welcome! Colorful floats, costumes, beads and decorations are all welcome as attendees join in on the march through town.

The parade starts at 12 pm from Elks Park.

FOR THE KIDS

Leading up to the Parade, Telluride's renowned Wilkinson Public Library will host a complimentary kids program. This program will run from 10:00 - 11:00 am, is free of charge and will feature jazz-themed children's activities. Following the Kids Program, children can prepare for the parade in Elks park with a complimentary Costume Making and Face Painting session. All materials are provided for attending families.

"SOCIETY STAGE" AT THE SOCIETY STAGE IN ELKS PARK (FREE)

JOIN IN ON A NEW ORLEANS TRADITION, DONE TELLURIDE STYLE!

These intimate and interactive performances with world class musicians aim to further our mission of providing student education through music. All shows on the Society Stage are free and open to the public.

The Society Stage is brought to you by the generous support from the Dalton Family Foundation, Dworbell Inc., the Raynier Institute & Foundation, The Telluride Foundation and Telluride's Commission for Community Assistance, Arts, and Special Events (CCAASE).

MAIN STAGE IN TELLURIDE TOWN PARK

OVER TWENTY ARTISTS ON THE MAIN STAGE

Once-in-a-lifetime soundtrack provided by acclaimed artists, Grammy Award winners, cutting edge innovators, rare super-groups, and some of the best student bands in the country, there’s no shortage of talent at the Telluride Jazz Festival. Picture yourself here enjoying over 20 bands on the Main Stage.

Located in the legendary Town Park in the breathtaking mountain town of Telluride, Colorado, the 44 year-old festival is set during the warm summer season. The Festival showcases three days and nights of world class jazz, funk, soul, folk and gospel, with a goal of community engagement and student education. The historical mining town of Telluride is nestled at the end of a lush canyon perched high in the Rocky Mountains at 8,750 feet, surrounded by 13,000 foot peaks and offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.

THE FINAL WALTZ SUNDAY AT 9:30 PM (SHERIDAN OPERA HOUSE)

The Telluride Jazz Festival concludes on Sunday, August 13 with a special performance from The Soul Rebels at the historic Sheridan Opera House. Join us for this energetic show in what is sure to be a memorable way to end the 2023 Telluride Jazz Festival.

The Sheridan Opera House is an intimate theater listed on the National Register of Historic Places and home to the Sheridan Arts Foundation (SAF). This historic landmark, referred to as both “Telluride’s Living Room” and “The Crown Jewel of Telluride,” has become a non-profit venue benefiting a number of local charitable organizations, community endeavors, small businesses as well as Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Build Your Perfect Festival Experience

Tickets for the Telluride Jazz Festival are on sale and a variety of options offer the ability to customize your perfect experience. From luxurious Patron and VIP options to the combination 'All That Jazz' Passes and regular 3-Day Passes, there's something for everyone.

Click here to see the benefits of each pass and compare side-by-side to find out which experience suits you best.

Don't miss out! Limited quantities are available while supplies last.

Kids 11 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. For detailed information about what comes with each pass, click here.

GET TEXT NEWS & UPDATES

Sign up and stay in the loop for news, daily schedules, event reminders and announcements. Enter your phone number below to try it out! We will keep the texts to a minimum but if it ever becomes too much, you can opt out and unsubscribe at any time.

/*FGT Google pixel added 1/17/20*/