Arts & Dining News

Melissa Plantz Courtesy of Town of Mountain Village

JOYFUL, JOYFUL

Celebrating the holidays

The holidays are special — particularly in Telluride and Mountain Village. And it’s not just because you can ski or snowboard alongside Santa Claus, who’s known to take laps on Lift 9 after a long night delivering presents. No, the holiday season is extraordinary because of the community events here that bring folks together, joyfully, all month long.

It all begins in Telluride with Noel Night and the lighting of the Ski Tree, this year on Dec. 7. Local shops break out their best holiday decorations and serve up hot chocolate and nibbles, as well as deep discounts on all kinds of gifts. The best thing? Supporting local businesses and getting into the holiday spirit at the same time.

Soon after, Mountain Village transforms into a magical winter wonderland for its annual Holiday Prelude, which is put on by the Telluride Mountain Village Owner’s Association and takes place Dec. 10-11. This year’s event promises fun for the entire family. Kids can expect holiday-themed train rides, photos with Santa, ice skating and other surprises, while adults can enjoy raffles, shopping discounts and more. Saturday’s events culminate at 6 p.m. in Heritage Plaza. “Saturday night’s lighting of the tree with Mayor Laila Benitez, Santa and his elves, followed by caroling, evokes the true spirit of the season,” says TMVOA’s Heidi Stenhammer.

On Christmas Eve, keep an eye out for the torchlight parade. Telluride Ski and Snowboard School instructors and ski patrollers ski down from the top of the Gondola into Telluride. Another, equally spectacular torchlight parade takes place on New Year’s Eve, followed by fireworks in Mountain Village.

On Dec. 26, the Sheridan Opera House celebrates the holidays with a fun murder mystery party, before its much-anticipated Holiday Concert Series kicks off. The nightly world-class entertainment begins this year on Dec. 27 with Latin indie rock band Kiltro. On the 28th, melodic singer-songwriter Jewel entertains, while the following night, Dec. 29, Tom Petty tribute band The Pettybreakers takes the stage. And on Dec. 30 and 31, bluegrass group Yonder Mountain String Band rings in the new year. Says Marketing Director Maggie Stevens, “The Sheridan Arts Foundation is ecstatic to celebrate with the Holiday Concert Series.”

Music and lights, celebration and joy. The holidays in Telluride and Mountain Village are surely special, but what makes them even more so is that most essential of ingredients: community. — Sage Marshall

Ryan Bonneau

TASTY TACOS, EASY AS 1, 2, 3

Do good tacos make life worth living? We think so, which makes the arrival of Uno Dos Tres Tacos, in the old Taco del Gnar space at 123 South Oak Street, particularly exciting. The menu ranges from authentic (like birria and carne asada tacos) to inventive (the vegan nachos and kalua pork pibil tacos have our mouths watering) to comfort food (mac ‘n’ cheese quesadillas, anyone?) and also includes creative salads, fun

cocktails and local brews, all for eat-in or takeout. Local restaurateur Kenny Rosen is behind the new establishment and says that the goal “was to provide locals and visitors alike with a new affordable dining option that also keeps the quality high, using the freshest ingredients.” Yum.

Melissa Plantz

RIDE ON

There’s a new hangout in town. Part watering hole, part live music venue, the Ride Lounge is located in the historic Roma building on East Colorado Avenue, upstairs from Wood Ear in the space that also serves as the Ride Festival’s headquarters. With a full bar, billiards table, shuffleboard and other games, as well as large-screen TV and high-tech sound system, the Ride Lounge — the venture of longtime locals Todd Creel and Sean Keenan — is already a popular, fun addition to the local bar scene.