Toro Chef Serves $65 Dia de los Muertos Meal in Snowmass

Aspen —Chef Richard at Toro inside the Viceroy Snowmass is serving a three-course “Día de los Muertos” meal through Oct. 31. The price is $65 per person. It’s a fixed menu, not à la carte.

That’s the headline for this week on the Western Slope. The Aspen Times published a calendar of events running from Oct. 29 to Nov. 5, and the culinary offerings are front and center. If you’re in Snowmass Village, you have a specific deadline to book that table. The restaurant is at 130 Wood Rd.

The rest of the week leans hard into family entertainment and free admission. There is no wind-up here. Just a list of things happening in your neighborhood, with times and addresses that matter if you’re planning a weekend.

The Weekend Schedule

The biggest draw for families is “Be Like Blippi” at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen. It hits the stage at 2 p.m. on Nov. 1. Blippi and Meeka bring an interactive tour involving music, movement, and discovery. The show features favorites like “The Excavator Song” and “Monster Truck.” If you want an onstage photo with Blippi, that costs extra. The Wheeler is at 320 E. Hyman Ave.

For those who prefer quiet contemplation over high-energy kids’ entertainment, James Casebere gives a free visiting artist lecture on Nov. 3. He’s at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, specifically Schermer Meeting Hall, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Casebere is a pioneer of constructed photography. He’s spent nearly five decades turning intricate, architecture-inspired tabletop models into evocative photographs. His recent work includes large-scale sculpture made from cross-laminated timber and burnt bamboo. The lecture is free, but you have to show up at 5263 Owl Creek Road.

On Nov. 5, Aspen Chapel hosts “Free Film Night: Bab’Aziz.” The screening runs from 6:15 to 8 p.m. at 77 Meadowood Drive. The film follows a blind dervish and his young granddaughter in a dreamlike tale of love, longing, and spiritual discovery. It’s part of the Sacred Cinema Series, which includes a short talk before the film and a discussion after. Admission is free. Refreshments are free. No reservations needed.

The Halloween events wrap up the calendar with two distinct options in different towns. Anderson Ranch Arts Center hosts “Spooktacular Creepy Crafts” from 3 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 30 in Snowmass. It’s free for all ages. You make spooky crafts, trick-or-treat through artist studios, and drink hot chocolate. There’s a costume contest at 4:15 p.m. with prizes for “Most Creative” and “Best Homemade Costume.” Bring a container.

In Basalt, Heather’s Savory Pies and Tapas Bar at 166 Midland Ave. hosts “Halloween at Heather’s: Costume Party & John Michel” from 7 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 31. John Michel provides live music for the full three hours. The Halloween Costume Contest starts at 9 p.m.

The Aspen Times listed these events without commentary, which is appropriate. The agenda is dense with free or low-cost options for families and art enthusiasts. The only real barrier to entry is logistics: getting from Basalt to Snowmass, or Aspen to Snowmass, on a Friday night.

Check the specific websites for updates. Toro’s menu is live through Oct. 31. The Wheeler Opera House and Anderson Ranch have their own booking systems. Aspen Chapel requires nothing but your presence.

The calendar is full. The choices are clear. Pick one.