If it wasn’t the most adventurous idea Gordon Pierce had ever proposed, it was certainly in top contention. There was a moment of surprise, followed by a few seconds where everyone wondered if Pierce was truly serious.
“We all looked at him like he was crazy,” remembers Harry Frampton.
“What amazed people most was how such a complex structure could be built so deeply, right in the middle of everything,” remembers John Horan-Kates.
“If somebody had come to you and said, ‘Hey we’ve got a great idea — we’re going to build a performing arts center and we’re going to put it underground … and we’re going to put world-class entertainment in there, and after all that, we’re going to make it financially viable’ — they would have looked at you and said you were absolutely crazy,” said Doug Rippeto, former Chair of the Vilar Performing Arts Center committee, 2004-2016.
The above are just a few recollections of people who were involved in the visioning and creation of the Vilar Performing Arts Center.
“It’s truly amazing what was accomplished in the creation of this spectacular venue, and we keep the venue’s history in mind as we plan for a future that we hope is just as wonderful and inspiring as its past,” said Alexia Jurschak, current Chair of the Vilar Performing Arts Center committee.
Just over 25 years later, the idea of the VPAC is widely recognized as one of the best and boldest ideas in the development of our community.
This season, the Vilar Performing Arts Center celebrates its 25th year of bringing concerts, dance, classical, Broadway, opera, comedy, family programming and more to the Vail Valley and the surrounding region. Like a magnet, the VPAC has pulled visitors from around the world to Beaver Creek, bringing vitality and culture to the resort, while also staying true to our local roots and hosting a variety of community events every year.
It will be a season-long celebration with a few dazzling highlights along the way. Mark your calendars for the December 23rd unveiling of the Rippeto Family Chandelier, created by celebrated artist Dale Chihuly. Chihuly is globally known for his spectacular glassworks.
“We’ve been planning for this celebration for more than a year, and we can’t wait to come together with our community to celebrate with the unveiling of theater improvements, special events, video and photo images, and of course some fantastic performances,” said VPAC Executive Director Owen Hutchinson.
On March 25th BalletX will perform a specially commissioned world premiere of a new ballet, which will be based on the novel Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse.
Our sincere thanks to Alexia and Jerry Jurschak, Doug Rippeto and Kristy & Bill Woolfolk for launching this campaign with gifts at the $250,000 Stradivarius Level and to Sara Friedle & Michael Towler and Teresa Tsai for gifts at the $100,000 Virtuoso Level
Your support will fund Enhanced programming during the 2023 Season
Enhanced STARS programming
Artist masterclass and outreach performances for local youth
Future Projects include:
• Projector & Screen
• Artist Green Room & Dressing Room Renovation
• Upper Lobby Bar Renovation
As the venue enters its next 25 years, community members are invited to help us create a $2 million sustaining fund. This fund will help the VPAC continue to be one of the top performing arts centers in the American West, and a center for arts and culture for everyone who lives in or visits our valley.
Learn more about the 25th Anniversary celebration by contacting a member of the Vail Valley Foundation Philanthropy team or your relationship manager at 970.777.2015.
Unveiling of Rippeto Family Chandelier, by celebrated artist Dale Chihuly
25th Anniversary Celebration including dinner, live music & dancing
BalletX commissioned, based on the story of Siddhartha, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary.
Thrilling programming & spectacular artists
Capital Improvements include:
• New Line Array Sound System
• HVAC Renovation
• Rippeto Family Chandelier Installation
• Acoustic Banner Replacement
More 25th Anniversary events and performances to be announced. Scan here to check in periodically on new events.
The school year is under way and YouthPower365’s talented staff members are hard at work up and down the valley with students,
families and teachers to help ALL our youth reach their full potential. YouthPower365 offers a continuum of supports, from early childhood to college and career. To keep our programs affordable and accessible, less than 2% of our revenue comes from fees. This means 98% of our revenue to serve youth comes from donors like you! Thank you!
teachers are supporting afterschool K-8
coaches are on the field for Academic Soccer
kids are ready to dance with Celebrate the Beat Eagle County
high school interns are giving back to other students
YouthPower365 is working to positively impact at least 5,000 students in Eagle County
NOTE: Data as of 9/26/22
Your support is
an IMPACT today, and every
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It’s about time to sharpen the edges and wax the boards. To get ready for the upcoming Xfinity Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Beaver Creek Dec. 2-4, we connected with one of the legends of international ski racing, two-time event champion, and course record holder at Birds of Prey: the USA’s Daron Rahlves.
What’s your advice for spectators and visitors?
Birds of Prey has one of the best reputations on the FIS Alpine tour in terms of providing an amazing experience for spectators, the racers, and teams. Those in the finish, especially the Birds Eye Viewing Deck, benefit with an intimate experience and best seat in the house. The VIP tent has fantastic food and drink with TVs for live race coverage to catch the speed and thrills of the action...a place I enjoy hanging with friends and meeting new ones.
As an American racing in the USA has historically only happened once a season. So that was a unique aspect and special opportunity for me and the US Ski Team. Ultimately though, the demands of looking for speed on this hill and the consequences woke up all World Cup athletes on the first day of inspection and training. It’s a big price to pay if you're off the timing into a turn or jump.
Another thing that sets it apart is the way it’s organized and built. I have an enormous appreciation for everyone involved: all of the Vail Valley Foundation staff to course workers, volunteers, sponsors, donors, the US Ski & Snowboard Team and FIS who all support an amazing race series and making it happen at Birds of Prey.
In 2004, it was the site of your one-two finish with Bode Miller and the first-ever one-two finish for American men in downhill. What was it like being part of that historic finish? That was an amazing day except for me finishing 2nd to my teammate ha ha … all in all it was a showcase of domination on our home turf. That was our focus, individually and as the team. I won there the year before and established the fastest time ever down Birds of Prey so second place stung, but to share the podium with Bode was a cool experience. Lots of American Pride that day! Not just the two of us either. Bryan Friedman finished 6th and we had three Americans in the top six. That's what Austrians or Norweigians or Swiss usually do!
Martin Waldbaum is one of those people who simply exudes personality. For years, the best way to spend time with Martin was on the ski slopes. Now it’s on the bike, golfing, a river raft, or at one of the many Vail Valley Foundation events: in particular at the Vail Dance Festival or at YouthPower365 social events or performances.
It’s no wonder Martin is so well-loved in the Vail Valley and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – the two communities where he spends the most time. Giving back to the people and institutions around him, Martins says, has been a part of the Waldbaum family philosophy, which operated a beloved grocery store chain by the same name in the New York area for many years.
“You can’t come up to the mountains and live without the support of the local community,” he says. “The Vail Dance Festival and the arts in general simply can’t exist without support. And what public education can’t give anymore is the arts: the Vail Valley Foundation’s Celebrate the Beat program, for example. I see how well they do (at their annual Dance Festival performance), and it’s an important and enjoyable part of the Dance Festival to see how the community gets together to support the arts.”
Martin has worked closely with Vail Valley Foundation staff to build a planned giving program – ensuring his legacy of giving will go on far into the future. He has funded Celebrate the Beat with an establishing grant while
continuing his generous annual support to a wide array of Vail Valley Foundation arts and education programs. He is also a strong supporter of other local nonprofits like B’nai Vail and Bravo! Vail Music Festival.
He says that the work of the Vail Valley Foundation is something he connects with and finds enjoyable to be a part of.
“My father’s message to me was not to give because you feel obligated, but rather give to what you feel is right – that you feel good – supporting,” Martin says.
Martin’s good will is also international. He contributes significantly to youth education programs in his wintertime home of Cabo San Lucas. Also, on a recent trip to Israel, he gave an establishing grant to a new childcare center for disabled children ages 1-3. The Martin J. Waldbaum Rehabilitative Daycare Center is in the final planning stages and will be located in Ashkelon, only a few miles north of the Gaza strip.
To learn more about creating a planned gift, contact Kathryn Weller, kweller@vvf.org.
“My father’s message to me was not to give because you feel obligated, but rather give to what you feel is right – that you feel good – supporting,” Martin says.Photos by Brian Maloney.
Just like Martin Waldbaum, the act of giving through your estate plan involves reflection and forethought. Here are four key questions to ask when considering a legacy gift.
1. How will my gift be used?
Why it matters: Your gift might be invested to fund a long-term goal, or it could go toward covering an immediate need. Additionally, your gift could make a broad impact or be used for a specific purpose. This question helps you articulate your goals and allows the organization to share their initiatives.
2. What is the vision of the organization?
Why it matters: A vision statement shares where an organization is headed. Like many organizations, the Vail Valley Foundation is continually reevaluating its mission, vision and values to meet community needs. Your legacy gift provides support well into the future. By asking this question, you insure that your legacy gift aligns with your values and the vision and mission of the organization.
3. What is the 10-year plan for the organization?
are clues that an organization will remain viable. By asking this question, you are ensuring that the organization is sustainable well into the future and that your legacy gift will also be in good hands.
4. How will my gift be recognized? Why it matters: Philanthropy is always worth celebrating, but you have the right to opt in or out of recognition. Express your preferences. It’s OK to ask to be removed from a list, or to see your name in lights. Whether your gift is celebrated in a public or private way is completely up to you!
Why it matters: Much like, vision, mission and values, details on an organization's long term strategic plan, board bylaws, endowments and fundraising guidelines
We can help with all of these questions and more. Contact Kathryn Weller at (970) 7485923 or kweller@vvf.org to have a conversation about your legacy.
