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This all-day family-friendly festival offers a talented line-up of artists including Sam Grisman Project with the Leslies, Flobots, Christie Huff, YAN YEZ, Hand Turkey Band, and Non-Prophet

Mountain Music Fest is thrilled to announce its second annual family-friendly festival that brings out families from across the state to pull up their lawn chairs among the towering pine trees and majestic mountain views of Evergreen’s Buchanan Park (32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen, Colorado). The festival kicks off on August 16, 2025 from noon to 9 p.m. This toe-tapping festival brings the fun, while all proceeds from this event will benefit the Wooden Hawk Foundation’s educational projects throughout the community. Organizers describe the event as “one part carnival, one part music festival”.

"Mountain Music Fest is so much more than a concert. It's a hands-on learning experience and a community celebration. Through the festival, students take the lead in everything from marketing and ticketing to stage production, sound, and lighting - even performing on stage,” said Michele Vanags, Wooden Hawk Foundation Chair.  “It’s an opportunity for them to gain real-world skills while expressing their creativity and leadership. We also invite student clubs and organizations to host booths on the field, where they can raise funds and awareness through fun, donation-based activities. Best of all, every dollar of net proceeds goes right back into our schools, supporting Wooden Hawk Foundation projects like the Evergreen High School Futures Center and Alumni Center. It’s a festival with purpose, powered by students and supported by the community,” she added.

This year’s Mountain Music lineup showcases a mix of homegrown Colorado talent to nationally touring acts. The 2025 line-up includes:

Sam Grisman Project with the Leslies (7:30-9 p.m.)

Led by bassist Sam Grisman, the Sam Grisman Project (SGP) brings together a talented group of friends to honor the musical legacy of Sam’s father, David “Dawg” Grisman, and his close collaborator, Jerry Garcia. SGP delivers intimate, high-energy acoustic performances around condenser mics, blending Garcia/Hunter classics, Dawg tunes, Dylan deep cuts, traditional folk, and original songs from the ensemble. 

Dominick Leslie & The Leslies (7:30-9 p.m.)

Dominick Leslie and his family band, The Leslies, will be joining the headline act, the Sam Grisman Project, for a special collaborative performance that celebrates the heart of American roots music. A proud Evergreen native, Dominick is the acclaimed mandolinist of the two-time Grammy Award-winning Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway. Raised in a musical household, he carries forward the rich bluegrass tradition of The Leslies, a Colorado family band known for their soulful harmonies and instrumental prowess. This rare appearance promises a powerful blend of legacy, talent, and musical kinship on stage.

Flobots (5:45-6:45 p.m.)

Denver’s own Flobots is an experimental hip-hop band formed in 2005 by Jamie Laurie. The band’s origins date back five years earlier to a similar project by Laurie. Flobots found mainstream success with their major label debut Fight with Tools (2007), featuring the single “Handlebars”, which became a popular hit on Modern Rock radio in April 2008. The band has released four studio albums and one EP, with their latest Noenemies being released in May 2017.

Christie Huff (4:15-5:00 p.m.)

Christie Huff blends heartfelt country songwriting with a pop-soul edge. Raised in Arizona and now based in LA, she maintains strong Nashville ties through frequent co-writing trips. Known across LA and Orange County, Christie performs both solo acoustic and with her band, having graced iconic venues like The Hotel Café, The Mint, and The Viper Room. Christie has opened 

for major acts including Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Kip Moore, Toby Keith, and Bebe Rexha. Splitting her time between LA and Nashville, she’s a regular performer and writer, recently featured on The Ty Bentli Show and Whiskey Jam.

YAN YEZ (2:45-3:30 p.m.)

YAN YEZ is the sound of chaos working in perfect harmony. Raw yet polished. Nostalgic yet forward-thinking. Fun but never frivolous. This Denver-based Indie Post-Pop band has made a name for itself as a genre-defying act.

Hand Turkey Band (1:15-2:00 p.m.)

Formed to stay sane during the 2020 quarantine, Hand Turkey’s ongoing mission is to bring audiences high-energy groove-centered tunes to get people moving. With an eclectic background ranging from jazz composition to musical theater, Hand Turkey’s sound is a fresh take on classic funk, soul, and pop. Hand Turkey released their debut EP in May 2022 and has been playing shows all over the state since. Past performances include packed and sold-out shows at the Lost Lake Lounge, Globe Hall, the Aggie Theatre, and Cervantes Otherside. They just released their debut LP, “Time & Time Again” streaming now on all platforms. Lead singer, Andy Seracuse was an Evergreen High School graduate.

Non-Prophet (12-12:30 p.m.)

Non-Prophet is a band of students from the local Morrison-Conifer area and winners of Conifer’s Got Talent. The contest, combined with Evergreen’s Got Talent, featured 32 musicians ages 8 to 19 who made up 19 musical acts. They competed to win slots in this summer’s Evergreen area music events, including Mountain Music Fest. 

Beyond the music, Mountain Music Fest focuses on what the event is centered around. The Community. The Mountain Music Fest is a celebration of student talent and diversity. Throughout the festival grounds, attendees will find booths featuring the myriad of student clubs, organizations, arts, and sports teams showcasing interests and engaging in interactive participation. 

There will be games, contests, and a wide variety of entertaining action. This includes an appearance from Mr. Goody Goody, the clown, who will be on hand creating magical balloon sculptures. Face painting from Lamar Lopez, the artist and owner of Fab Faces Entertainment. Guests can cool off with a splash at the Young Rotarians dunk tank. There will also be several delectable food and drink options available on site.

Tickets are currently on sale for this summer's event. General admission tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event. Children’s tickets are available for ages 6-18 for $10 (on-site only). Children under 6 years old receive free entrance. Tickets can be purchased here. 

About Mountain Music Fest

Mountain Music Fest is a 9-hour celebration of music set against the stunning backdrop of Evergreen, Colorado. Attendees can immerse themselves in the scenic beauty of Evergreen as the outdoor stage transforms into a haven for music enthusiasts. The festival promises an unparalleled experience that goes beyond music. Proceeds from the event support students through the Wooden Hawk Foundation. For more information, please visit https://mountainmusicfest.org/. You can also follow along on social media on Instagram and Facebook. 

About Wooden Hawk Foundation

The mission of the Wooden Hawk Foundation is to provide ongoing support to the mountain community school system through charitable and educational initiatives. The organization is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and empowerment by offering mentoring programs, career counseling, and similar opportunities that enrich the lives and educational experiences of students within the area. The foundation is committed to making a positive and lasting impact, nurturing the growth and development of both the community and the school system. For more information, please visit https://woodenhawkfoundation.org/. More details can be found on the organization’s Instagram and Facebook pages.

NEWS RELEASE: Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary to Showcase Films at International Vegan Film Festival

Three films from Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary have been officially selected to premiere at the Virtual International Vegan Film Festival on November 7-21, 2022. Two of the three films are nominated for awards in the “Animal Advocacy - Short” category.

"The Love Stories of Luvin Arms" (nominated) chronicles six complex, loving relationships between individuals at Luvin Arms. The film demonstrates that animals experience the vast spectrum of love - just like humans. "Love Stories" is punctuated with words from various languages that describe the wonderful nuances of loving relationships. 

"Lucky the Rescued Cow: From Solitude to Serenity" (nominated) tells the incredible story of Lucky, who was destined for slaughter in November 2021. Through his unrelenting pursuit of connection, he saved his own life by inspiring an entire community to come together in one grand act of compassion.

"Ahimsa in Action" is an unforgettable cinematic experience of love, life, and hope – a film about the unlikely founding of Luvin Arms.

"Every rescued animal has a story, and I am honored to tell their stories. I fight for them every single day, and want to make the world a more beautiful place for animals everywhere." - John Burton, Film Maker  

“People connect with stories. Stories inspire transformational change. Film is one of the most impactful ways to tell stories, because it allows us to carefully craft an emotional journey that includes narrative, visuals, and music. At Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary, we have literally hundreds of stories to tell. These three films are just the beginning!” – Emma Schwarz, Script Writer

Based in Ottawa, Canada, the International Vegan Film Festival is a “trailblazing event dedicated to celebrating the vegan ideal: a healthier, more compassionate, environmentally friendly lifestyle that can be achieved through the consumption of plants and animal-free alternatives.”

For more information, please visit https://luvinarms.org and https://ivff2022.eventive.org/films

About Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary:

Luvin Arms is a nonprofit animal sanctuary for abused and neglected farmed animals, located in Erie, Colorado. Luvin Arms provides exceptional lifelong social, emotional, and cognitive care for their animal residents, and advocates for those who have not been rescued by sharing their residents’ stories to inspire, educate, and empower others to embrace a more compassionate and sustainable lifestyle.

New Belgium Brewing, maker of Fat Tire Amber Ale, is calling all filmmakers, beer-lovers and videographers! New Belgium’s Clips of Faith is in its third year and searching for short films of the tasty variety.

Clips of Faith is an 18-city tour where people can savor beers from New Belgium’s esoteric Lips of Faith series, along with some popular classics, while enjoying short films and raising money for local nonprofits.  Since its inception two years ago, the film festival has raised more than $91,000 for local philanthropic organizations and shown nearly 40 amateur films.

“We really enjoy working with all the creative folks in our community of beer drinkers to bring the event together,” said Christie Catania, Clips of Faith Manager-at-Large.  “The whole evening is a remarkable collaboration of passions – hand-made films with hand-made beer.  We look forward to bringing out some new unique beers and putting together the final cut of the 2012 show.”

Over the last two seasons, New Belgium has received nearly 200 film submissions, with approximately 20 selections making each tour. This year, all selected entries will receive a custom gift from New Belgium and screenings in 18 cities.   

To enter, upload your film by April 16 to www.clipsoffaith.com. The guidelines include:

• The film must be no more than seven minutes.
• Filmmakers must be at least 21 years old.
• The film can cover any subject/genre, but extra points go to films that include a New Belgium folly: craft beer, sustainability, whimsy, adventure or culture.
• Keep it clean.
• Filmmakers must secure rights for all elements included in the film.

In 2010 and 2011, some of the selected storylines included a paddling trip through whaling waters, a talking beer bottle sketch comedy and an absurdist spaghetti western. Film genres ranged from comedic shorts, animation and environmental documentaries to tales about the beloved bike.

Here is the 2012 Clips of Faith schedule; venues will be announced at a later date.

St. Louis, MO – Friday, May 18

Kansas City, MO – Thursday, May 31

Bloomington, IL – Friday, June 8

Des Moines, IA – Friday, June 15

Madison, WI – Thursday, June 21

Boulder, CO – Friday, June 29

Flagstaff, AZ – Thursday, July 12

Santa Cruz, CA – Friday, July 20

Seattle, WA – Friday, July 27

Portland, OR – Friday, August 3

Davis, CA – Friday, August 10

Missoula, MT – Friday, August 17

Asheville, NC – Friday, September 7

Atlanta, GA – Friday, September 14

Athens, GA – Friday, September 21

Charleston, SC – Thursday, September 27

Charlotte, NC – Friday, October 5

Knoxville, TN – Friday, October 12

For the latest information on Clips of Faith, go to clipsoffaith.com and for more information on New Belgium Brewing, visit newbelgium.com.

Action Theater creator Ruth Zaporah to teach at Boulder International Fringe Festival

The Boulder International Fringe Festival is right around the corner, and along with hundreds of performances in theatre, music, dance, film, and poetry, the Fringe is bringing innovative arts education to the Front Range. Headlining this year’s workshop lineup is Ruth Zaporah, who is best known as the creator of Action Theater, an improvisational physical theater training and performance method.  She is also a performer, teacher, author, and Cultural Envoy for the U.S.State Department.

Zaporah’s workshop for the Boulder Fringe Festival, “A Splendid Moment,” teaches the fundamentals of Action Theater, which Zaporah describes as a “disciplined exploration of embodied exercises that lead to increased skills of strong, clear, spontaneous, and artful communication.”  Although Action Theater is often employed by professional theater artists, Zaporah emphasizes that the practice is equally valuable for anyone who wishes to experience greater self-awareness and sense of playfulness.

In addition to Zaporah’s workshop, this year’s Learning Fringe offers workshops in physical comedy, self-scripting, and music, including “Embodying Rhythm,” a body percussion workshop with Jim Santi Owen, the director of the San Francisco World Music Festival.  Local teachers are represented as well, including Boulder favorite square product theatre, with a workshop on crafting personal stories.  Several of the workshops are appropriate for teens and kids, including “Using All Our Voices”, a multi-generational workshop that invites kids and grandparents alike to come and play, offering improvisation and theatre games, movement and music.

While most workshops take place on Naropa University’s campus in downtown Boulder, the Learning Fringe also extends to the University of Colorado, in a collaboration with CU’s theatre and dance department.

According to Cynthia Ward, the Fringe Festival’s workshops coordinator, “the Fringe Festival is great, because it’s an opportunity to see a wide variety of theatre, music, and dance professionals from around the U.S. and the world, right here in Boulder.  But, the Learning Fringe is special because it’s a chance for folks who are usually in the audience to participate and be creative themselves.  We strive to create a line-up of workshops that are appropriate for all levels of experience, from the curious beginner to professional artists.”

All Fringe Workshops:

Aug 18-21 A Splendid Moment – Action Theater with Ruth Zaporah

Aug 20 Embodying Rhythm – Body Percussion with Jim Santi Owen

Aug 22 The Art of Clowning Around – Physical Comedy with Jenn Zuko Boughn

Aug 27 Using All Our Voices – Multi-generational Creativity with The Catamounts Performance Group

Aug 27 Your Own, Glorious Life – Personal storytelling with square product theatre

Registration and Information: For full descriptions of the workshops and other Festival events, visit www.boulderfringe.com, and to register for the workshops contact workshops@boulderfringe.com or call 303-803-5643.

Registration fees for the workshops vary, with sliding scale, suggested donation, or scholarship options available for most workshops.