Celebrating Fourth of July can start any day of this week in the Wood River Valley because there are plenty of activities and events to enjoy.
Start Independence Day celebrations today, June 29, from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Back Alley Party in Hailey at the Wicked Spud with live music by Good JuJu and Hanger 17 to benefit the Environmental Resource Center in Ketchum.
In addition, Company of Fools will present the humorous play "Circle Mirror Transformation" at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey today, June 29, at 7 p.m. for an Educator's Night. The play will also be performed Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2, at 8 p.m., and Tuesday, July 5, at 7 p.m. for a Girls' Night Out evening. Performances will continue through Saturday, July 23. For performance days, times and ticket prices, visit www.companyoffools.org or call 788-6520.
At The Community Library in Ketchum, enjoy free events at 6 p.m., including tonight's lecture "Creating Natural Economies" with Spencer Beebe. On Thursday, June 30, Tracy Seeley will read from her book "My Ruby Slippers." The library will also host a free event on Tuesday, July 5, "Seven Ways the World Has Changed: A New Context for U.S. Diplomacy" with Professor Bill Burke-White. For details, call 726-3493.
Don't miss out on the best live jazz in the valley at Trail Creek Cabin in Sun Valley with the Paul Tillotson Trio today, June 29, and Thursday, June 30, from 5-8 p.m. The Paul Tillotson Trio will play Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer at Trail Creek Cabin.
At Mahoney's Bar in Grill in Bellevue, enjoy free live music on the deck by the Kim Stocking Band on Thursday, June 30, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. More free live music will take place on Thursday at the Ketchum Town Square from 6-8 p.m. for Town Square Tunes with the band All Nite Diner.
More free live music in Bellevue will take place at the Silver Dollar Saloon with performances by the Swamp Cats on Friday, July 1, at 9 p.m. and Up A Creek on Sunday, July 3, at 9 p.m.
To kick off Fourth of July weekend events, ladies can start celebrating the holiday early at the 11th annual Harriman High Tea on Friday, July 1, at 4 p.m. Sup and sip at a sumptuous afternoon tea to raise funds to support maintenance of the Harriman Trail. For details, call Kris Stoffer at the Blaine County Recreation District at 578-2273.
Those who are still in a charitable mood can attend The Advocates' Gala: Black & White Soiree with cocktails, dinner and dancing to live music by The Sensations at Trail Creek Cabin at Sun Valley Resort on Friday, July 1. The evening will also include live and silent auction lots. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of items, including travel, services, products, parties, beauty and wellness, home and garden, food and wine, and pampering pets. Tickets are $150 per person. A table for eight is $1,200 and a table for 10 is $1,500. For details, call 788-4191.
The Fourth of July holiday weekend will also include a Sun Valley Gallery Association Gallery Walk on Friday, July 1, from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy a walk about town as galleries open their doors, host artists and serve wine.
The Sun Valley Resort will present the first of its world-famous Sun Valley Summer Ice Shows on Saturday, July 2, with 2011 U.S. bronze medalist and U.S. gold medalist Mirai Nagasu with 2011 U.S. novice gold medalist Nathan Chen. Enjoy the gourmet dinner buffet and ice show on the outdoor Lodge Terrace or view all the action in bleacher seating close to the ice. Tickets range in price from $34 to $102. To buy tickets, visit seats.sunvalley.com or call the Sun Valley Recreation Office at 622-2135.
Also at the resort at the Sun Valley Pavilion on Saturday, July 2, enjoy the music of Grammy Award-winning musician Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the show starts at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $29-$110. Benefit tickets for Sun Valley Adaptive Sports and the SunValley Ski Academy are available through the Community School. For benefit tickets, call 622-3960. Only pavilion lawn seats are available. For tickets, visit seats.sunvalley.com or call the Sun Valley Recreation Office at 622-2135.
At the Sun Valley Brewery in Hailey, J.P. Whipple will play on Friday, July 1, at 8 p.m. On Monday, July 4, the Sun Valley Brewery will host a lot party for parade watching with food, beer and cocktails all day.
In Ketchum, late-night live music at Whiskey Jacques' will include Preston Shannon on Friday, July 1, and the Codi Jordan Band on Saturday, July 2. The shows will cost $5 at the door and will start at 10 p.m. On Monday, July 4, Whiskey's will have fireworks viewing from its front deck beginning at 9:45 p.m. with music by DJ Zuz.
On Sunday, July 3, enjoy Jazz in the Park at Ketchum's Rotary Park with free live music by Yve Evans and Company from 6-8 p.m. Evans is a longtime Sun Valley Jazz Jamboree performer. This is a rare opportunity to see her sing in summer and for free.
Other events in the valley include the Galena Lodge Summer Dining Series, which will begin on Saturday, July 2. The four-course dinner requires reservations and starts at 6:30 p.m. Galena Lodge is 23 miles north of Ketchum off state Highway 75. For reservations, call 726-4010.
The Light on the Mountains Spiritual Center will hold a SummerFest benefit barbecue on Sunday, July 3, from 4-7:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit The Hunger Coalition. The festival will include live music by Debra Wagoner from 6:30-7:30 p.m. In addition to a barbecue, family fun events and childcare at the Kids-Corral, attendees can bid on silent auction items and take part in a raffle. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for ages 13-17. The event is free for children under 12. Bike riders and attendees in western wear will receive free raffle tickets. Light on the Mountains is located south of Ketchum just north of Gimlet Road, off Highway 75. For details, call 727-1631.
Those sticking around after the holiday weekend can attend Ketch'em Alive on Tuesday, July 5, and hear the Irish rock band Swagger for free in Ketchum's Forest Service Park from 7-9 p.m.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
The Sun Valley Summer Ice Shows start Saturday, July 2, with 2011 U.S. bronze medalist and U.S. gold medalist Mirai Nagasu. Above, Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek shows of his form, and his medal, at Sun Valley last summer. Express file photo
