SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "And the Stewy goes to…"

More than just a tiny snippet, we'll cut off Stewart Oskenhorn's run in to his 'Stewy's'.  Always a great peek into some of the art and music scene around the Aspen area.  Be sure to click title and read up on who gets the nod this season.

Stewart Oksenhorn:
"At 48 1/2 years old, you come to realize some truths about yourself that can probably be called eternal truths. For me, there's this one: My appetite for music and concert-going isn't fading away. Not even a little. Spending a full day at a festival, running from one stage to the next, camera in tow, is as good as a vacation.

Every night that I get on my bike for the two-minute straight shot to Belly Up Aspen makes me feel like a kid. I'm happy to report that, even as my stash of favorite acts has piled up to the toppling point — there's just not enough time to give proper listening attention to all the CDs in my collection, for which I feel guilty — I haven't lost the thrill of discovering new sounds.

Still, I feel a little weird when people comment that I must be out every night, checking out music. Not even remotely close. Given that I'm a family guy, and that my alarm is going to go off at 6:25 a.m. regardless of how many hours of sleep I got, I have to choose carefully. As it is, I can't even keep up with everything Belly Up throws at me on a near-nightly basis — not to mention there's also the 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival and other shows at the Wheeler Opera House, Jazz Aspen Snowmass' festivals and series, the Aspen Music Festival, Skico's winter shows, Chili Pepper & Brew Fest, summertime shows on Fanny Hill. On top of all that, my so-called friend Josh Behrman goes and opens PAC3, adding a commute to Carbondale to my logistical hurdles. And have I mentioned that the lure of the occasional road trip tugs at me just as strong as it was back in the days when a day-long drive to the see a Grateful Dead show was my idea of heaven, freedom and adventure?

My musical cup verily runs over, and I wouldn't have it any other way. And someday not too far off, when my services as dad aren't quite so in demand, I'll be able to tell those people who assume I'm out every night that I am at least getting close. When that day comes, I'll still be enthused about crowded clubs, over-amplified guitars, new bands and new forms of music, being jostled by drunks as I try to take photos, long festival days in sun or snow.

This I know about myself.

Here's the best and most notable of what I heard and saw these past few months, in a little exercise I call the Stewys. Long may it run. Happy 4/20 to you and yours...."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Carbondale wins 2012 Governor's Arts Award"

"DENVER — Gov. Hickenlooper announced Monday that Carbondale and Lafayette will receive the 2012 Governor's Arts Award by Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

The annual Governor's Arts Award recognizes a Colorado town or city for its efforts to enhance their community and their economy through strategic use of the arts.

Carbondale Mayor Stacey Patch Bernot and Lafayette Mayor Carolyn Cutler will be presented with the awards, original oil paintings by artist John Lintott of Fruita, at the Creative Industries Summit to be held April 13 in Breckenridge.

“Extremely honored only begins to describe our reaction to being named a recipient of the 2012 Governor's Art Award,” said Mayor Bernot. “Art and creativity are attributes that have been interwoven into the fiber of Carbondale for generations.

“Our community prides itself on our ability to appreciate, teach and engage in arts and creativity in a multitude of ways. Whether viewed through the beauty of our public art program, our cultural centers and businesses, or witnessed by the creative spark that is ignited in the minds of our youth through our programs, Carbondale values art and creative expression. We are grateful and proud to be this year's award recipient,” Bernot said.

Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, annually convenes a panel to review nominations. In selecting Carbondale and Lafayette as the recipients, the review panel cited each city's detailed plans for making the arts central to economic and community development.

Review panel members included Marianne Virgili, president and CEO of the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association....."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."