Aspen hosts free summer concerts and Mahler symphony performances

The Aspen Music Festival will present two concerts in early August. On Friday, Aug. 7, conductor Leonard Slatkin will lead his own composition “Schubertiade,” and on Sunday, Mahler’s First Symphony will be performed under the baton of Stéphane Denève.

The Wheeler Opera House, in partnership with the City of Aspen Transportation Department, is launching a free August concert series called “Traffic Jams.” The series offers early‑evening performances Monday‑through‑Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. inside The Vault, with complimentary snacks and optional beverage purchases. Featured acts include the outlaw‑country band Drunken Hearts (Aug. 3‑6) and the folk‑bluegrass duo Larry & Joe (Aug. 10‑14). Admission is free, but advance RSVPs are encouraged.