FestEVOL Preview
Date: March 17 - 18, 2012
Time: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $28.85 or $48.08
The hills are certainly alive with the sounds of music in Crested Butte. All of your favorite rock bands will be performing the weekend of March 17, 2012, with the mountain resorts hosting FestEVOL (or Lovefest if you prefer). The first of three stops for the annual music festival is Crested Butte. This historic and scenic town is rocking its way through Spring with some notable bands. The Boulder-based EVOL foods, founded by Chef Philip Anson, partners with KRU Vodka, Bud Light, Reverb and other sponsors to bring great music to the masses. This combination of mountain sports, live music, eco-friendly gatherings and innovative natural brands is sure to be a great time.
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Barenaked Ladies
Headlining March 17th
www.barenakedladies.com
Returning after a brief break from their summer tour, Barenaked Ladies headline FestEVOL and perform songs from their greatest hits album Hits From Yesterday and the Day Before. Often partnering with environmentally conscious causes, Barenaked Ladies has worked with Reverb to offset their carbon footprint while touring. Known for hits like "One Week," "If I Had Million Dollars" and "Pinch Me," the Canadian Rock band is an award-winning crowd favorite.
Guster
Headlining March 18th
www.guster.com
If "Amsterdam," "Satellite," and "Do You Love Me" are playing on your iPod or MP3 player right now, you'll want to make sure to see Guster headline at FestEVOL on the 18th. With a strong college following, the band has skyrocketed since their formation in 1991. No stranger to green alternatives in their tour schedule, Guster partners with Reverb, "greening" major tours across the country. Other notable artists involved in this movement include Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer.
Big Head Todd and the Monsters
www.bigheadtodd.com
Big Head Todd and the Monsters, originally from Colorado, take the stage at FestEVOL this year with songs such as "Boom Boom," "Bittersweet," and "Broken Hearted Savior." Beginning their tours in Denver and the surrounding areas circa 1987, the band has since developed a national presence with the addition of popular vocalist Hazel Miller and keyboardist Corey Mauser. With representatives from Columbine High School, CSU, and CU, this Colorado-centric band blows audiences away with their complex and mature sound. You may recognize some of their soulful, bluesy sounds from major motion pictures and television shows.
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Pete Kilpatrick Band
www.petekilpatrickband.com
The Pete Kilpatrick Band, hailing from Maine, makes its way to FestEVOL's mountain setting this year. The folk singer-songwriter, accompanied by a rock-and-roll band, has become wildly popular on the East Coast with songs such as "Rock and Roll Never Changes," "Coming Home," and "Dear July." Performing at The Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, the return of the band to FestEVOL makes for beautiful music in Colorado.
Where to stay, eat and shop:
Elk Mountain Lodge
129 Gothic Ave
Crested Butte, CO 81224
(970) 349-7533
www.elkmountainlodge.com
Located in historic downtown, near the excitement of FestEVOL, the Elk Mountain Lodge is perfect for festival goers. Originally built in 1919 as a miner's hotel, the bar, sun room and lobby are a great place to either relax from the concert or get ready for a night of music. The full breakfast complements the 19-guest rooms for an authentic Crested Butte stay. Reservations are suggested as concert goers book up the lodge quickly.
The Avalanche
433 Emmons Rd
Crested Butte, CO 81225
(970) 349-7195
www.avalanchebarandgrill.com
Hours: Winter - 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Summer - 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Daily Happy Hour - 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Whether looking for a cascade of culinary options or mouth-bursting flavor, The Avalanche located in the Crested Butte ski area serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner for hungry guests. Banana granola pancakes are a great way to start the day, with homemade clam chowder and chili warding off the afternoon chill. The dinner bell rings with options such as half-pound burgers and spinach manicotti. Leave room for dessert at this local favorite because the warm apple crisp is sure to put a smile on everyone's face. Dine-in or take-out are available, with a fantastic deck overlooking the surrounding valley.
Buckaroo Beanery
601 6 St
Crested Butte, CO 81224
(970) 349-5252
www.visitcrestedbutte.com
Hours: Mon to Fri - 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sat and Sun - 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
A local favorite past time, bench sitting in the town of Crested Butte is considered an activity in and of itself. Bundle up, find a prime bench spot, and settle in to wave at friends, yell at passing cars, and take in the characters that pass by. Buckaroo Beanery is happy to fill orders of coffee as tall as the surrounding peaks as you perfect your bench sitting technique.
Alpineer
419 6th St
Crested Butte, CO 81224
(970) 349-5210
www.alpineer.com
Forgot your ski jacket? Need a warmer pair of boots in the Butte? The Alpineer outfitters has warmer solutions for every alpine need. Men's and women's apparel, as well as ski equipment sales and rentals, will have you cozy at the concert and toasty on the slopes. Started in 1969, the outfitting gurus stock a wide variety of mountain needs.
Chad is an avid globetrotter and brings the best of travel secrets and expert insights to his readership. A Denver-based travel writer and photographer, Chad's travels have taken him to five of the seven continents in a passionate love affair with the world of travel and the outdoors. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
