Whether you’re partial to classical music, contemporary dance, or cutting-edge theater, there’s a summer arts festival for you in Cuveé’s signature destinations. And with Cuveé’s luxury villas and chalets, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: world-class entertainment and unparalleled comfort.
Cutting Edge Dance in the Heart of the Rockies
As the location of the only North American satellite of the famous Bolshoi Academy of dance, Vail is no stranger to balletic moves on the slopes. Established in 1989 as a cultural exchange through dance, the Vail Dance Festival was championed by Former President and Mrs. Ford, who saw it as a unique opportunity to bring world-class arts to the Vail Valley. In the intervening years, the festival has grown to attract over 20,000 attendees annually and has hosted renowned artists such as Misty Copeland, Lil Buck, Michelle Dorrance, Tiler Peck, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Under the artistic direction of Damien Woetzel, a former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, the festival now includes myriad styles of dance and is the staging ground for world premieres of new works by today’s most innovative choreographers. It also continues to hold its much-loved International Evenings of Dance, which bring talented dancers from all over the globe to the heart of the Rockies.
Middle: Vail Dance Festival at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Photo by Chris Kendig
Right: Andrea Yorita and Shawn Cusseaux of BalletX in “Honey” by Jamar Roberts. Photo by Skye Schmidt
The 2024 edition of the festival will take place from July 26 to August 5 at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and other venues across the beautiful Vail Valley. You can expect to see stunning performances by L.A. Dance Project, Martha Graham Dance Company, BalletX, Music From The Sole, and an all-star cast of festival artists from New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Royal Danish Ballet, Boston Ballet, and many more. You can also enjoy intimate conversations with dancers and choreographers at the UpClose series or join a free outdoor dance class at Dancing in The Park.
The Traditional Beauty of Hula
In the mid-19th century, Lota Kapuāiwa ascended the throne to rule Hawaii as Kamehameha V. A forward-thinking monarch with deep reverence for the ancient Polynesian traditions that had laid the foundations for Hawaiian culture, he had long defied prohibitions against hula by holding traditional dances at his Moanalua residence. Once he became king, Lot revived hula, chant, and the healing arts, bringing about a renaissance that shaped Hawaii as we know it.
Since 1978, the Prince Lot Festival has celebrated this breathtaking form of cultural expression by bringing together Hawaii’s premier Hālau Hula (hula groups) to take part in a non-competitive celebration of the art. Each July, tens of thousands of island residents and visitors flock to storied Moanalua Gardens in Honolulu to witness dancers of all ages perform both ancient and chant styles of hula on a traditional pā hula (hula mound), as well as partake in delicious local foods and cultural presentations. To visit the Prince Lot Festival is to experience the kindness and unity of true aloha.
The World’s Most Secretive Film Festival
Every Labor Day weekend, the beautiful Colorado mountain town of Telluride becomes a paradise for international cinephiles to see premieres, tributes, restorations and surprises at the annual Telluride Film Festival. The program at this famously intimate festival is not revealed until guests’ arrival, but one can trust that it will be a feast of cinematic delights from all corners of the globe.
Over the years, Telluride has showcased some of the most acclaimed and influential films of our time, such as Blue Velvet, Brokeback Mountain, Moonlight, and Parasite. It continues to honor the greatest artists in cinema history; past honorees include Francis Ford Coppola, Meryl Streep, and Andrei Tarkovsky. The festival is not a competition but a tribute to the power and beauty of film. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with no red carpets or paparazzi. You might even find yourself sitting next to a director or a star at a screening or a panel discussion.