Song & Dance: The Leadville Connection

Live Music Abounds in Leadville Today

When it comes to music, Leadville has other mountain towns beat in some unusual ways. It’s not the about drawing in popular headliners, the chart-toppers. And it’s not about the big, impressive venues. But if you listen carefully, you can discover the Leadville Connection that runs through the melodies and lyrics. So in honor of all Leadville musicians, here’s the story of one of America’s favorite ditties, “Home On The Range.” Did you know this song has its origins in Leadville, penned by local musicians? READ THE STORY, and then stay tuned for more musical trivia about America’s highest city! Until then, support all of the great, dedicated musicians in Leadville Today by getting out this weekend to some of the live shows listed below.

The Music Scene in Leadville Today

If you consider snow boots good dancing shoes or you don’t mind keeping on your winter coat while listening to some incredible blues from an alpine orchestra, then Leadville is the place you want to be this weekend. There’ s a doubleheader on Friday that will have you flipping a coin between the Old Church on one side and the last operating saloon in Leadville’s former red light district on the other. Take your pick: be a sinner or be a saint! Or do both; it’s perfectly acceptable at 10,152 feet.

Get your glow stick on at the Pastime.

Here’s the full line up for the weekend, there’s a little something for everyone. Get out and take in some live music as America’s highest city puts March 2019 in the history books and the spring break season winds down. Make it a good one!

Thursday, March 28

Ski Cooper has been staying strong on the live music scene all season long and things won’t be slowing down as they head into the final weeks.  And if you’re out at Cooper today you’ll be delightfully entertained from 9 – 11 a.m. and again from 3 – 5 p.m. by Leadville musician Jessie Lee Thetford who will playing at Katie O Rourke’s in the lodge. Thetford is a singer-songwriter, artist, and musician who moved to Leadville in September 2016 and has been entertaining local crowds with her original music ever since. Picture a feather floating through the air catching a summer breeze every once in a while and that’s what you’ll hear.  She’s playing at Cooper today or connect with her on the web.

Friday, March 29

The Alpine Orchestra brings the hills alive with the sound of music at its Spring 2019 concert series. The theme is: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and will include such notables as:  Blue Danube by Strauss New;  Summer Dances by Balmages Borrowed;  Arabesque No. 1 by Debussy Blue;  Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin.

The dates are as follows

• Friday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Leadville at The Old Church located at 801 Harrison in downtown Leadville.
• Saturday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Salida at The Steamplant located at Sacket and G Streets
• Sunday, March 31 at 3 p.m. in Buena Vista at the Clearview Community Church located at 457 Rodeo Rd.

The Alpine Orchestra conductor is Beth Steele. The pianist is Macky Campbell from Buena Vista, a valued and talented member of the orchestra. Visit their website or Alpine Orchestra Facebook page.  Concerts are free but donations are accepted, greatly appreciated, and tax deductible.

A Light-Hearted Ending to Orchestra’s 2015 Performance

Friday Late Night

The latest club music. An amazing light show. A DJ who can throw down the tunes. Just follow the flashing lights and rhythmic bass beat to the historic Pastime Bar and Café located down in Leadville’s former red light district at 120 W. 2^nd Street. The show starts at 9 p.m. with DJ W3RK behind the controls, mixing up some fine beats with whatever request treats you can throw at him. Who says there ain’t no place to get your “floss” on or to show off your best “shiggy” in this two-stoplight town? Come get your groove on and hit the dance floor. Owww!

Saturday, March 29

It’s back out to Ski Cooper on Saturday for some après ski live music with Leadville musicians Ryan Ruegg & George Finnell at Katie O’Rourke’s in the lodge from 3 – 5 p.m. The duo will be singing new, original music along with an eclectic set of musical gems from past and present eras. Have those bills ready, because you’ll want to throw some cash in this minstrel money jar! Can you say “encore?”

Once you get back in town, check out the musical duo Tim and Kristine who play at the Treeline Kitchen on Saturdays from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. They are good, it’s that simple. But if you need some extra motivation to catch this show, the duo also has a cool back story.

timandkristineduo play Saturday at Treeline.

Like most musicians, Tim (Campbell) has a side hustle and one night when he drove some Vail clients up to Leadville for dinner, he saw the space in the Treeline bar area and asked if he could play solo. Then as fate would have its way on historic Harrison Avenue, Leadville school teacher Kristine (Bullock) came in as a customer and although she had never performed – which is somewhat hard to believe once you hear her voice – she asked Tim if she could sing with him. The rest is history as they say in towns like Leadville, and the duo has been playing together on the mountain music scene ever since. Come enjoy some classic songs from the 60’s and 70’s including Bob Dylan, John Prine, The Beatles, Dolly Parton, and more. Catch them any Saturday at the Treeline Kitchen or check them out on Facebook or Instagram.

Sunday, March 31

If you’ve read this far into the post then you deserve to hear the news about a hip young cat in town who’s been putting some sway into those Leadville hips every Sunday night at the Treeline in downtown Leadville. Join dance instructor Judah Arrington on Salsa Sundays as he takes you through the cha-cha, merengue, and salsa dance styles. This guy is the real deal. No experience needed! The class is from 8 – 9 p.m. with a $5 cover. Social dancing is from 9:30 to close with a $3 cover.

Well, that’s a wrap for the Leadville Today music report for this weekend, the last one in March. BTW, the forecast calls for snow, so pull on those boots and coats and get out there. Remember, it won’t be long before it all melts and then, well, let’s not think about this year’s mud season, yet!