Sun Valley Blog

The guy said, “If you build it, they will come.” Well, The Holdings built it, and last night they came. There were an estimated 6,000 people Sunday night at the Sun Valley Pavilion and on the lawn on a beautiful, clear and warm August evening.

Garth Brooks showed up and with some help from his beautiful wife  Trisha Yearwood, put on a wonderful exhibition of his roots in the music business and his growth to the leading country performer in the world. Who knew that he was such an entertaining story teller?  Mixed in with the great music we have all grown up with, and the touching stories of his dear father, he wowed the crowd for over an hour before bringing out the entire Sun Valley Symphony Orchestra for support. (As back-up? Imagine that!)

It sounded like everybody  had a good time, from the $10,000 per seat folks dancing in the aisles to “I’ve got Friends in Low Places” to all the real country lovers who lined up on the lawn before dawn, and waited all day for a spot in the sun.  By the way, the 360 square foot TV screen made perfect viewing for everybody on the lawn, even those who were left ouside the fence without tickets.

And Garth said it made him think of the “Field of Dreams”

Wish you were there

Who knew that the hilarious Steve Martin, famous for movies like “The Jerk, and “Cheaper by the Dozen” and “Father of the Bride” was also a Banjo virtuoso. I’m told he can really tear it up on a stage, with great classic folk stuff and plenty of rockin’ country to get you up on your feet. Martin has toured all over the country with his Bluegrass band, and promises to give us a show to remember on the stage at the river Run Plaza next Tuesday evening, August 3.

Come on out, bring the kids, and enjoy another perfect sunset on the grounds along the Wood River. Sun Valley will have snacks and a bar set up over by Pete Lanes again in case  the kids get hungry or you would like a cold drink.  

The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile will open at 7pm. Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, will perform at about 8:30. That’s a little late, so be sure to have sweatshirts for the kids and a jacket to stay warm out there. Tickets will be $45 for adults, with a discount for SV Center for the Arts members. It should be a great show, and we’ll all be there, too. Tickets available only through the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.

See you there

A Celebration of Mountain Life

a benefit for the family of Tim Michael and in recognition and gratitude to all Wood River Valley First Responders at River Run will take place on Wednesday, July 21.

Dave Mason, Kole Moulton and the Lonely Road and the Disciples of Rock to perform at River Run Wednesday, July 21 from 5-9pm.
Tickets are $20, Kids age 12 and under are $5.

From noon to 4pm there will be emergency rescue equipment demonstrations.

Concert tickets are available at Atkinsons Markets in Ketchum and Hailey. $20 for adults, and $5 for kids 12 & under.

Can you believe it?  Here, in  our little town, the ever popular Dave Mason with the disciples of Rock…That River Run concert venue is proving itself to be a great one for performers and enthusiasts both!  What a great spot though, cooler when the sun gets lower, and beautiful with the mountain at your back and the river just in front as you sit on the grass enjoying the show.  And the acoustics are amazing there, it seems the mountainside captures the music and bounces it right back at you. It will be a memorable evening for everybody.

This one is a benefit, organized by the tireless Julie Gallagher and members of the Sun Valley Ski Patrol for the family of Tim Michael who left us this winter while skiing on Baldy. And it is part of a whole afternoon of activities there at the River Run Plaza.   There will be displays and demonstrations by the Wood River Valley First Responders and the Ski Patrol.   The gondola will be running, and there will be lunch served at the Roundhouse during the day. You’ll see games and fun stuff for everybody, kids included.

There will be BBQ, a no-host bar, a silent auction and a raffle for 2 season ski passes on Baldy. The whole Ski Patrol will be out, enjoying the event, and offering the latest version of the Ski Patrol t-shirts and hats for sale. It all goes to a good cause. And a good time for everybody.

Bring the kids and bring your own picnics if you prefer, but be sure to come help out, you won’t regret it.

See you there

In 2009 Mountain Niceness Productions brought a grass roots music festival to Idaho to celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday. Marley in the Mountains was born as celebrations were a tremendous success and thousands of people enjoyed a live reggae performance by Don Carlos and lectures by historian, Roger Steffens. Marley in the Mountains returns to Sun Valley February 26-27 this year. In the true spirit of Bob Marley, everyone is positively welcome.

This festival’s lineup is sure to keep bodies moving, the atmosphere positive and the mountains moving. The 2010 lineup includes historian Roger Steffens, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band, Grammy-winner Michael Rose, Dancehall with Jamacian Vetern Ken Serious, Lions Den Sounds Unlimited, DJ Vision, African Abstract Sound System and tons of surprises.

For more information about the concerts and events including schedules, lineups, costs and more check out www.marleyinthemountains.com.

Make sure to get some raffle rickets while you are at it! Proceeds of raffle ticket sales is going to the Sawtooth National Forest Avalanche Center (which promotes safety and educates backcountry enthusiasts throughout the region, go to (www.sawtoothavalanche.com). The prizes include a season pass from Sun Valley Resort, plane tickets from Horizon Air, a Heli-Ski Trip, Mammut Gear, K2 skis and tons more.

For raffle tickets, a complete list of prizes and information about the special “Friends of Reggae” Package go to www.marleyinthemountains.com or head to one of these local vendors to purchase your tickets:

-Wiseguy’s Pizza

-The Subshack

-Lefty’s

-Sturtevant’s (Main Street and Greyhawk locations)

-Paul Kenny’s

-Rickshaw

-Ketchum/Sun Valley Chamber and Visitor Center

-Zenergy

-The Brickhouse

-Mahoney’s

Been craving some good, old-fashioned competition or some bodies slamming against the boards? Fear not, the Sun Valley Suns’ hockey season is upon us.

The Sun Valley Suns Men’s Hockey team kicks off their 35th season this weekend at Sun Valley’s indoor hockey rink against the visiting Park City All Stars. The local team, who went 23-1 two seasons ago, is back on the rink to keep up the bashing, rowdy, and fun tradition of hockey in the valley. This season is bound to be another one full of competitive games with visiting opponents from Boston, Canada, Utah, California, Idaho, and Montana. Watch out for games against Jackson Hole; a devoted fan spends the season collecting duck heads and when the Suns score their first goal of the second period against the Jackson Hole Moose, the entirety of the rowdy section throws the duck heads onto the ice. Why duck heads? Because moose heads are too big to throw.

The team is made up of 25 local heartthrobs, some rookies and some who have been playing for the Suns for over a decade, with ages ranging from 19 to 50. Every season the team, a long-standing community institution, donates a portion of their door proceeds to local charities, usually around $15,000, and this season won’t be any different. The Suns provide not only a raucous good time on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the winter but they also regularly volunteer throughout the valley in the off-season.

Games are known to be a boisterous time with fans suffering from frozen toes and cold fingers, so dress warmly, enjoy some beer, hot chocolate, and snacks and head to the rink. The action starts tonight, Friday December 11th at 7pm and continues Saturday night. If you can’t make it this weekend, there are more home games next weekend, and more throughout the winter, or check out the website for more info, www.sunvalleysuns.com.

Starts Friday June 5th
	Monsters vs Aliens Copyright ©DreamWorks Animation When California girl Susan Murphy is unexpectedly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall and is instantly labeled a “monster” named Ginormica. The military jumps into action, and she is captured and held in a secret government compound. The world learns that the military has been quietly rounding up other monsters over the years. This ragtag group consists of the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; the macho half-ape, half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement time is cut short however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. universe. Rated: PG 7:00 PM
	Star Trek Copyright ©Paramount Pictures The greatest adventure of all time begins with “Star Trek,” the incredible story of a young crew’s maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the U.S.S. Enterprise. On a journey filled with action, comedy and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind. Rated: PG-13 9:00 PM

Ticket prices: $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors (60 and over) and children (12 and under).

Situated in the heart of Sun Valley Village, the Opera House was built in 1937 and serves as Sun Valley’s charming 340-seat theatre showing feature movies.

Showings at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. nightly.

Ticket prices: $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors (60 and over) and children (12 and under).

Location: Sun Valley Village
Phone: 208-622-2244

If you are interested in renting the Sun Valley Opera House for an event, film or concert, please contact Kate Wood (208) 622-2980

Starts Friday May 29th

X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Copyright ©20th Century Fox

Leading up to the events of “X-Men,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” tells the story of Wolverine’s epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe.

Rated: PG-13
7:00 PM

State of Play
Copyright ©Universal Pictures

Oscar® winner Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast in a blistering thriller about a rising congressman and an investigative journalist embroiled in a case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders. Crowe plays D.C. reporter Cal McAffrey, whose street smarts lead him to untangle a mystery of murder and collusion among some of the nation’s most promising political and corporate figures in “State of Play,” from acclaimed director Kevin Macdonald (“The Last King of Scotland”).

Rated: PG-13
9:00 PM

THE NEW ORLEANS HOT 8 will perform in the  Sun Valley Opera House Saturday, May 9th at 7:30 PM.

Tickets are available at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts  www.sunvalleycenter.org - 208.726.9491

$25 members,  $30 non members, $10 Kids under age 12

New Orleans’ own Hot 8 Brass Band has epitomized New Orleans street music for over a decade. The band plays the traditional “second line” parades, hosted each Sunday afternoon by the social aid and pleasure clubs, infusing its performances with the funk and energy that make New Orleans music loved around the world. Born and raised in New Orleans, the members of the Hot 8 Brass Band began playing together in high school. What makes the Hot 8 so special are the sounds they coax from their well-loved, well-worn horns. An evening with the Hot 8 is like no other!