Vilar Performing Arts Center VPAC - Beaver Creek Music & Concert Venue

Celebrating Vilar Performing Arts Center’s 25th Anniversary with KT Tunstall

Posted on September 21, 2023
by Aimee

Note: Vilar hosted us for the night, but all words and photos are mine.

We have lived in Denver for over 30 years now, and I feel so incredibly silly that I had never attended a show at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek until just recently. I mean, they did celebrate their 25th anniversary this year! It’s located right in the village – an escalator ride down to below the winter ice skating rink.

Vilar hosts a wide variety of performances, including concerts, theatrical productions, dance performances, comedy shows, lectures, and more. These events often feature both renowned artists and emerging talents, offering a diverse cultural experience for the community and visitors. The night we were there, KT Tunstall performed and we were also able to meet her quickly before the show. Seeing her again meant a lot because she was one of the first national acts I ever photographed (in 2010!) as I was transitioning this site from a parent blog to music/travel/event publication. Photos from her incredible performance are below!

The architectural design of the Vilar Performing Arts Center is elegant and modern. It features a blend of contemporary aesthetics with a touch of mountain-inspired elements, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding natural beauty. I especially loved all the lighting – including a Chihuly sculpture! The main performance hall is equipped with state-of-the-art audio and lighting systems, while the seating arrangement is designed to offer excellent sight lines from every angle. I was able to walk around the whole venue and I can attest to this!

As I looked through VPAC’s calendar, there was a very wide variety of acts to choose from. Given that the venue holds just over 500 people, the ability to see some big names in such an intimate space is pretty astounding. And while, naturally, the main group of attendees are from the Vail Valley, we found it to be a quick trip up the hill from Denver. Sometimes I get so caught up in living in the city, I forget how nice it is to take a break for a night or two. Beaver Creek is about two hours from downtown and with the new express lane on I-70, even going up on a Friday night was a breeze.

Beaver Creek Accommodations

The Vilar web site has a list of suggested hotels in the area, and I am not joking when I say they are located dead center in the middle of Beaver Creek Village. We stayed at The Osprey and were able to quickly just walk down to the venue. And during ski season, you could literally step out of the hotel on to the Beaver Creek ski lift!

Beaver Creek Restaurants

Again, with Vilar being right in Beaver Creek Village, there are restaurants all around. We chose the Dusty Boot and it was perfect blend of a delicious dinner, yet still casual and comfortable. Seeing as they’ve been a Beaver Creek staple for 22 years – almost as long as VPAC – we knew it would be good!

Vilar Performing Arts Center – Underground Sound Series

As I talked to staff at Vilar, they were very excited about their annual Underground Sound Series, also known as the “Love for the Locals Series.” Featuring seven diverse performances from across the musical spectrum, this series is all about sharing in the discovery (and re-discovery) of new sounds. VPAC offers packages for tickets – and the shows run into October 2023.

Tickets

UNDERGROUND SOUND PASS | $150
Includes:
+ General Admission to all 7 Underground Sound Shows
+ Choice of 1 Complimentary UGS Pass Beer, Wine or NA Beverage

VIP ACCESS PASS | $250
THE UNDERGROUND SOUND PASS AMPLIFIED!
Includes:
+ Access to the May Gallery Patrons Lounge (Pre-show through intermission)
+ Early Entrance to theater for Priority Seating at all 7 Underground Sound Shows
+ 1 Complimentary Premium Drink per Show (Beer, Wine or Mixed Drink)
+ Complimentary Appetizer
+ Complimentary Non-Alcoholic Beverages (Espresso, Soft Drinks, etc.)
+ Complimentary Warm Cookies

Both passes are fully transferable among friends, family, coworkers!

KT Tunstall – Vilar Beaver Creek Concert Photos

Photos displayed in random order. Click any thumbnail for a larger version. Then use the navigation arrows (or your keyboard arrow keys) to move left and right through the photographs.

Overall, the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek is a vital cultural hub that enriches the region’s cultural scene by presenting a diverse range of high-quality artistic performances in a beautiful and welcoming setting. We are looking forward to visiting again soon!

See our other music and travel posts!