photo by Todd Kaplan

calendar
winter 2003-2004

december

Basic Avalanche Awareness Class—Learn to recognize avalanche conditions, safety and effective rescue. The course begins with a classroom session at Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum on Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. followed by an optional field session on Dec. 6. Details: 622-5371.

Freezin Fashions—Blast through the world of ski fashion during the Heritage Ski Museum’s benefit fashion show. The runway will host vintage ski and après ski wear, as well as current ski clothing from local shops Dec. 3 in the Limelight Room of Sun Valley Inn. Details: 726-8118.

“All the Pretty Horses” Book Discussion—Discuss Cormac McCarthy’s story of an American living and working as a cowboy in Mexico during the bilingual reading and discussion series. The Hailey Public Library hosts the free discussion Dec. 4. at 6:30 p.m. Details: 788-2036.

The Nutcracker Ballet—Sun Valley Ballet students perform the holiday classic Dec. 5, 6, and 7. Starring professional principal dancer Todd Fox and Sun Valley Ballet School’s Nadine Hirner at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum. Details: 726-9876.

Track Skiing Demos and Free Clinic—Demo the newest skate and classic equipment at Galena Lodge and start the ski season with a little help from the pros on Dec. 6. Details: 726-3497.

The New York Chamber Soloists—Seize an unique opportunity to experience the internationally ac-claimed ensemble at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Don’t miss the family performance featuring Poulenc’s “Babar the Elephant” at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey on Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. Sponsored by Sun Valley Center for the Arts. Details: 726-9491.

Caritas Chorale Concert—A free concert featuring the “Creation” by composer Franz Joseph Haydn. Performances will be held Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. Details: 578-9648.

Telemark Demo Day—Sample the newest telemark ski equipment for free Dec. 7 at the base of Bald Mountain’s River Run. Details: 726-8818.

“The Gift of the Magi”—Enjoy the musical play based on O. Henry’s story of a young couple unable to afford presents for each other on their first Christmas. Denise Simone directs the play presented by the Company of Fools at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey, Dec. 10-14 and 17-21. Details: 788-6520.
Old Fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting—Santa arrives by fire truck to light the community Christmas tree at the Heritage Ski Museum on Dec. 11. Enjoy the music of carolers and tasty hot chocolate at the museum, corner of Washington Avenue and First Street in Ketchum. Details: 726-8118.

Holiday Festival—The Sawtooth Botanical Gardens welcomes visitors to enjoy activities at the gardens Dec. 12 from 2 to 6 p.m. Details: 726-9358.

Wood River Festival of Trees and Gala Dinner Dance—View over 40 beautiful trees decorated by local artists and community groups Dec. 12 and 13. Enjoy an evening of dancing among the trees during the Gala Dinner benefit for the Blaine County Senior Connection at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum on Dec. 12. Details: 788-3034.

Teddy Bear Tea—Parents and young children, dress up and come for games, entertainment, treats and tea at the nexStage Theatre Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Details: 788-3034.

Children’s Wonderland—Children will delight in the entertainment offered Dec. 13 at the Blaine County Senior Center in Hailey from 1 to 6 p.m. Details: 788-3034 or 788-3468.

Winterstart Cross Country Ski Race—Kick off winter on the Galena Lodge Trails with free 2-, 5- or 10-kilometer ski races. The Dec. 13 races begin at 11 a.m. with registration at 9 a.m. at Galena Lodge. Details: 726-4010.

Christmas Classic—Race in the classic ski technique competition on the Lake Creek Ski Trails Dec. 20. Details: 726-3899.

Christmas Eve in Sun Valley—Christmas Eve begins with a mini Sun Valley ice skating exhibition, followed by a torchlight skiing parade. Festivities continue with the Dickens’ Carolers, an appearance by Santa, and end with a fireworks display the entire Sun Valley area can enjoy on the evening of Dec. 24. Details: 622-2097.

Galena Lodge Christmas Dinner—Enjoy a festive holiday meal prepared by the chef at Galena Lodge. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. on Dec. 25. Details: 726-4010.

Holiday Cross Country Ski Relays—Join the Sun Valley Ski Education for three-leg classic and skating relays on the Lake Creek ski trails. Register from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Creek hut. Racing starts at 11 a.m. Dec. 27. Details: 726-3899.

New Year’s Eve Dinner at Galena Lodge—Begin your New Year resolutions with dinner at Galena Lodge served Dec. 31. Details: 726-4010.

“Main Street Cabaret”—Laughing Stock Theatre Company performs delightful show tunes for guests enjoying food and drink at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Details: 726-3576.

january

The New Hollywood String Quartet—Sun Valley Center for the Arts hosts the dynamic group playing themes from Hollywood’s most recognized films at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 and 9 p.m. Jan. 10 at Tapestry Gallery and Wine in Ketchum. Details: 726-9491.

Snowmaker Classic Race—Kids and adults can race the 15-, 7.5-, 2- or 1-kilometer cross-country courses on the Prairie Creek Trails Jan. 10. Register for races at The Elephant’s Perch in Ketchum or at the start from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Racing begins at 10 a.m. Details: 726-3497.

Telluride Mountain Film Festival—Ketchum hosts a selection of independent outdoor-theme films cele-brating community, adventure, culture, and preservationist ethics Jan. 16 and 17. The adventure films bring unique stories and personalities to life in order to educate, entertain and inspire audiences. Details: 726-4333.

Ski the Rails—Ski the world-class Wood River trails along the old Union Pacific right of way on Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details: 788-2117.

Ethos Percussion Concert—Dick Brown directs members of Caritas Chorale with tenor soloist Wesley Rogers at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by Sun Valley Center for the Arts. Details: 726-9491.

Ski Joring—Skiers team with horses to navigate a wild course of jumps and gates. Spectators will enjoy the competition in Fairfield Jan. 24 and 25 at noon. The event is sponsored by the Smoky Mountain Ski Joring Association to benefit the Idaho Donor Network. Details: 578-0097.
 

february

“Songs for a New World”—John Glenn & Leslie Harington direct Jason Robert Brown’s thought pro-voking musical revue about hitting the wall and having to make a choice, taking a stand, or turning around and going back. The Company of Fools performance includes a four-person cast and a five-person band at The Liberty Theatre in Hailey. It will be performed Feb. 4 - 22. Details: 788-6520.

Wells Fargo Boulder Mountain Tour—The 29th annual Nordic ski race attracts 1,000 skiers from modest racers to world-class Olympians. The marathon tour begins at 10 a.m. on Feb. 7 from Galena Lodge and winds south for 23 miles finishing at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters. Details: 788-1550.

Backwards Boulder Mountain Tour & Cross Country Ski Festival—Can’t get enough of the Boulder Mountain Tour? Do it the next day, backwards. This 23-mile race begins at The Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters and finishes at Galena Lodge. The 9th annual cross-country ski festival will greet finishers with equipment demonstrations, Nordic ski clinics, relay races, a children’s cross-country adventure course and other family activities. Feb. 8. Details: 726-3497.

“An Almost Holy Picture”—St. Thomas Playhouse presents Heather McDonald’s one-man Broadway play about a former Episcopal priest. The play explores the priest’s four life-changing experiences with God and stars Father Brian Baker as Samuel Gentle at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum. Performances run Feb. 13-16. Details: 726-5349.

Second Annual Fools Masquerade Ball—Disguise yourself and dance the night away to benefit the Company of Fools theater group Feb. 14 at the River Run Lodge. Details: 788-6520.

Galena Lodge Valentine’s Dinner—Enjoy a special evening dinner with your sweetheart at Galena Lodge 6 p.m. on Feb. 14. Details: 726-4010.

Ski Joring—Skiers team with horses to navigate a wild course of jumps and gates. Spectators will enjoy the competition in Hailey Feb. 21 and 22 at noon sponsored by the Smoky Mountain Ski Joring Association to benefit the Idaho Donor Network. Details: 578-0097.

“The Vagina Monologues”—Figgleaf Productions premiers with Eve Enslen’s award-winning, worldwide campaign to stop violence against women and help survivors of domestic violence. The play gives voice to an array of women’s stories. A large cast of valley actresses collaborate in the benefit for Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Violence. The play will be performed Feb. 28 at the nexStage Theatre. Details: 788-0939.

Sun Valley Opera—“From the Met to Broadway”—Enjoy an array of music selections from popular operas and musicals. This winter’s show features the work of Mary Widow on Feb. 29 at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. Details: 726-6446.

march

Sun Valley Gourmet Ski Tour—Cross-country ski through the upper Wood River Valley and nibble on the delicacies of local restaurants and caterers along the way. Skiers start the 13-kilometer loop at Baker Creek March 13. The gourmet sampling benefits the North Valley Trails. Details: 788-2117.

Mark O’Connor Hot Swing Trio—Fans of all music will enjoy Grammy award-winning fiddler Mark O’Connor at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by Sun Valley Center for the Arts. Details: 726-9491.

Atlas Snowshoe Challenge—Test your fitness on the annual snowshoe climb up Bald Mountain. The race begins at the base of River Run on March 14. Details: 726-3497.

Annual Paragliding Fly-In and Dave Bridges Mountain Race—Paragliders take to the skies for a four-day open fly-in and race. On March 20 participants race from the base of River Run Lodge to the top of Bald Mountain, a 3,300 vertical foot climb, with up to 50 pounds of paraglide equipment on their backs. From the summit, competitors fly to a spot landing at the base of the mountain. The event takes place March 18-21. Details: 726-3332.

Boulder Mountain Classic—A non-competitive classic technique ski tour from the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters to Galena Lodge. Skiers meet March 20 at the SNRA headquarters at 9 a.m. and leave at 10 a.m. Details: 726-3497.

Bill Janss Memorial Pro Am Classic—The 7th annual benefit teams skiing legends of the past and present with recreational skiers. Teams compete on Bald Mountain in a dual giant slalom race and celebrate with a cocktail party, auction and gala dinner. The three-day event runs March 25-27 and benefits the young racers on the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. Details: 726-4129 ext. 102.

Galena Spring Loppet Tour—A fun, costume filled 30-kilometer ski tour of the Galena Trail system. Meet at Galena Lodge at 9:30 a.m. on March 27. Details: 726-4010.

Sol Fest—Bald Mountain hosts the world’s best professional free skiers and snowboarders during a spectacular Big Air Exhibition. The March 28 competition is packed with entertainment, music and parties. Details: 1-800-634-3347.
 

april

Sun Valley Opera’s “Don Pasquale”—Enjoy a Western cowboy rendition of the classic opera at The Community School Theatre in Sun Valley April 3 at 8 p.m. and April 4 at 7:30 p.m. Details: 726-6446.

Ride Stride Glide—Close the Nordic ski season with a three-leg relay. Teams and solo competitors bike, run and ski in the race and compete for the craziest costume held April 4. Details: 726-4010.

“Death and the Maiden”—The Company of Fools performs Ariel Dorfman’s look into the aftermath of Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship. The show runs April 14-25. Details: 788-6520.

may

“Jesus Christ Superstar”—St. Thomas Playhouse presents the Broadway hit by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The rock opera chronicles the last seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth through the eyes of Judas. The performance will be at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum on May 20-22 and 27-29. Details: 726-5349.

ongoing

“At the Edge of Science”—Nine artists contemplate the laws of the universe at Sun Valley Center for the Arts ongoing exhibition. The program runs Nov. 7 to Jan. 9. Details: 726-9491.

Gallery Walk—Enjoy Ketchum’s profusion of art on evening gallery walkabouts throughout the winter. Artists will be available at various galleries throughout town to share their work. Check the gallery listings for locations. Gallery Walks will be held Dec. 27, Feb. 13 and March 12, 6-9 p.m. Details: 726-8180.

Full Moon Dinner—Ski or snowshoe under the moonlight before feasting on a five-course dinner at Galena Lodge. Jan. 6, 7, Feb. 5, 6, March 5 and 6. Reservations and details: 726-4010.
Winter Animal Tracking Workshops—Join local naturalists to learn how to track wildlife and identify their prints. Workshop groups will snowshoe through animal tracking areas around the Wood River Valley. Every Saturday from Dec. 20 to Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. Details: 726-4333.

Champagne Taste/Beer Budget Concert Series—Experience the finest music at the best price, free, courtesy of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts. The New Hollywood String Quartet plays at Tapestry in Ketchum Jan. 10, at 9 p.m. Aria Night, with Seattle Young Opera, performs Feb. 11 at the Roosevelt Tavern and Grill in Ketchum. Details: 726-9491.

“Cowboys and Indians”—Sun Valley Center for the Arts exhibits contemporary photography based on the West as muse from Jan. 16 - March 12. Details: 726-9491.

Star Gazing Dinner—Enjoy a stargazing dinner and a slide show with local amateur astronomer Steve Pauley at Galena Lodge. After dinner, bundle up and venture into the winter night to gaze through a telescope at the stars. Jan. 21, Feb. 20 and March 19. Reservations and details: 726-4010.

Family Days—An opportunity for families to make artwork together. The drop in art activities take place at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts Jan. 25 from 3-5 p.m. and April 25 from 3-5 p.m. and May 23 from 3-5 p.m. Details: 726-9491.

Armchair Adventure Series—Join the Environmental Resource Center to enjoy entertaining and infor-mative presentations on the experiences of local adventurers in the outdoors. Presentations are the third Thursday of each month. Details: 726-4333.

Teen Nights—Teens gather on Friday nights at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts to make fun, creative, and interesting artwork. Feb. 6 and March 5 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Details: 726-9491.

Classic Western Film Series—Enjoy historic Western entertainment at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. on Feb. 26, March 4 and 11. Details: 726-9491.

Winter Nature Walk—Discover flora and fauna of the south valley with a local naturalist every Saturday in March. Details: 726-4333.

Hailey Public Library’s “Scientist as the Hero” Book Discussion—Discuss a series of science related books including “Mendel’s Dwarf,” “Complications: a Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science,” “Best American Science Writing 2003,” “Einstein’s Dreams” and “Ship Fever and Other Stories.” The free discussions are held at the Hailey Public Library Feb. 19, March 4, 18, April 1 and 15. Discussion begins at 6:30 p.m. Details: 788-2036.

Winter Gardening Workshops—Sawtooth Botanical Garden offers gardening workshops throughout the winter. Details: 726-9358.

Sun Valley Suns and Sunsets Hockey—For icy entertainment attend a hockey game. The Suns, Sun Valley’s elite men’s amateur hockey team and the Sunsets, the female squad, both play weekly. Details: 726-6967.