Crested Butte Music Festival Sets 20th Season Lineup

The Crested Butte Music Festival (CBMF) announced its 20th Season today. To celebrate the anniversary, the CBMF will debut a new venue, the Mt. Crested Butte Mirror Palace. One of only four such structures in the continental United States, this "Spiegeltent" will be nestled in the majestic mountains of Mt. Crested Butte. Audience members from around the world will be able to experience world-class music, educational programming, and exceptional food & beverage in this magical venue.

The 2016 season offers an array of performances, educational opportunities for all ages, and special events. Over 150 outstanding artists visit the Gunnison Valley in Colorado to perform at CBMF every summer. These professional musicians, conductors, singers, choreographers, and stage directors include artists and educators from the Metropolitan Opera, the London Symphony Orchestra and The Juilliard School, as well as soloists, popular ensembles, and Grammy nominated and award-winning performers in jazz, bluegrass and folk.

This year, the Festival's summer season spans nine weeks, from June to August, with approximately 30 performances and events, many of which are free or presented with a voluntary donation. Tickets may be purchased at crestedbuttemusicfestival.org.

More about the Mt. Crested Butte Mirror Palace:

The Mt. Crested Butte Mirror Palace is a circular tent, 80 feet in diameter, placed at the site of the future Biery-Witt Center. Also called "spiegeltents," meaning "tent with mirrors," Mirror Palaces are meticulously hand-crafted structures that were used as traveling dance halls and popular nightlife locales at the turn of the twentieth century in Europe. Very few of these tents survived the test of time, but today they are much loved attractions in Belgium, Holland, and Germany. The rich ambiance of mahogany and the sparkles from faceted mirrors provide visitors with a taste of genuine nostalgia. These extraordinarily elegant venues seamlessly combine old world charm with the modern demand for unique, one-of-a-kind experiences.

Festival Highlights (Full season schedule below)

The 2016 season will see the return of renowned crossover violinist Charles Yang and pianist Peter Dugan, Denver based front range-based funk/roots group Eufórquestra, Grammy-nominated roots band Yarn, gypsy jazz artists Benjamin Powell and Brian Netzley, and the internationally renowned American String Quartet. New artists include classical guitarist Celino Romero, jazz-inspired ensemble Carte Blanche, and California-based folk group T Sisters. Additional gypsy jazz performers include the Valinor Quartet, bassist Nicki Parrott, members of the Leah Zeger Quartet, and accordionists Julien Labro and Dallas Vietty. The Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce is partnering with CBMF to present a concert by bluegrass band Trout Steak Revival, winners of the 2014 Telluride Bluegrass Festival competition, during Crested Butte Bike Week. A new special dining event this year is Top Chef Master Chef Hugh Acheson working to the sounds of Charles Yang and Peter Dugan.

Artistic + Programmatic Highlights

Opera // June 19 to July 24

This year's production of Puccini's masterpiece La bohème will showcase members of the acclaimed Crested Butte Opera Studio, a select group of emerging opera professionals chosen from national auditions, with Maestro David Stern leading the Festival Symphony Orchestra in a fully staged production.

Time Spans // August 4 to 6

A celebration of contemporary classical works by living composers.

Gypsy Jazz // August 9 to 20

A genre with a passionate following of fans, Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo, two of the world's leading gypsy jazz guitarists, return for the third year.

Educational Highlights

Offerings include lectures, public masterclasses, workshops and open dress rehearsals - all provided free of charge, as well as the following programs:

Swallow Hill Music Kids Camp // June 27 to July 1

Now in its fourth year, this five-day camp is a collaboration with the esteemed Swallow Hill Music School in Denver. It offers kids of all skill levels an opportunity to experience bluegrass music with folk instruments and culminates in a performance.

Opera Children's Chorus + Crested Butte Opera Studio // July 5 to 23

The Crested Butte Opera Studio is comprised of a dozen young artists selected from more than 400 applicants. These artists participate in a five-week comprehensive apprentice program and will take leading roles in La bohème. The Opera Children's Chorus is a three-week intensive performance program for singers aged 8-18. Participants receive professional level training and experience, including performance opportunities in a showcase recital and appearances in the mainstage opera.

Frank Vignola Guitar Camp // August 14 to 20

For the second year, CBMF is pleased to work with the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) to present the Frank Vignola Guitar Camp. Workshops feature instruction from guitarists Olli Soikkeli, Vinny Raniolo and Frank Vignola, with additional coaching from mandolinist Matt Flinner and bassist Brian Netzley. Due to positive feedback, the camp has been extended from three to six days.

SoundTrack

Free tickets to select Festival performances for children under 18 with the purchase of one regularly price adult ticket (excludes fundraising events).

Food and Beverage at the Mt. Crested Butte Mirror Palace:

Exceptional food and beverage experiences will be a featured addition at Mirror Palace events. A spotlight event in this category includes a holistic sensory experience featuring Top Chef Master Chef Hugh Acheson working to the sounds of violinist Charles Yang and pianist Peter Dugan. General food and beverage options throughout the summer will range from snack menu items to four-course dinners, including a full bar featuring favorite beers from Sierra Nevada, creating a wholly unique and unparalleled experience right in Mt. Crested Butte.

Crested Butte Music Festival 2016 Season Calendar

6/25:	Trout Steak Revival (2014 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition winner) co-presented with Crested Butte Bike Week
6/30:	The Mastersons (alternative Country from Austin, TX/Brooklyn, NY)
7/1:	T Sisters ( energetic indie Americana from Oakland, CA)
7/5:	Home Soirée: American String Quartet
7/7:	American String Quartet and Friends featuring Romantic Sextet Repertoire
7/8:	Cabaret Bleu with the Young Artists of the Crested Butte Opera Studio
7/9:	Eufórquestra (vintage soul, roots and funk from Fort Collins, CO)
7/12:	Home Soirée: An Evening with Opera Soloists of the Crested Butte Opera Studio
7/14:	Festival Symphony Orchestra with conductor Michael Stern and violinist Charles Yang
7/15:	NEW: Master Chef Hugh Acheson with Charles Yang and Peter Dugan
7/16:	Benefit Gala featuring Opera Soloists with the Festival Symphony Orchestra
7/19:	Home Soirée: Charles Yang and Peter Dugan
7/21:	Opening Night Opera: Puccini's La bohème
7/22:	Opera: Puccini's La bohème
7/23:	Opera, Puccini's La bohème
7/26:	Home Soirée: Celino Romero (of the all-family classical guitar quartet Los Romeros)
8/2:	1930's Mirror Palace Party with ballroom dance and silent auction featuring Hollywood Jazz Band Carte Blanche and Las Vegas athletes and dancers of Duo Design.
8/4:	TIME SPANS: International Contemporary Ensemble
8/5:	TIME SPANS: JACK Quartet
8/5:	Yarn (Americana/Alt-Country from Brooklyn, NY)
8/6:	TIME SPANS: International Contemporary Ensemble
8/9:	Home Soirée: Ben Powell and Friends featuring Gypsy Jazz and Jazz Classics
8/11:	Gypsy Jazz: Paradise All Star Band featuring Frank Vignola, Vinny Raniolo, Olli Soikkeli, Ben Powell, and Brian Netzley
8/12:	Gypsy Jazz: Leah Zeger Quartet
8/13:	Gypsy Jazz: Valinor Quartet
8/16:	Gypsy Jazz Home Soirée: Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo, the world's leading guitar duo
8/18:	Gypsy Jazz: Kruno Spisic Trio
8/19:	Gypsy Jazz: Olli Soikkeli Trio
8/20:	Gypsy Jazz: Julien Labro and Nicki Parrot