Free concerts announced for Birds of Prey World Cup races at Beaver Creek

The fastest ski racers in the world will descend on Beaver Creek for two weekends of speed and technical events from Dec. 6-15 during the Birds of Prey World Cup races, and there will be plenty of free live music to soundtrack the 10-day event organized by the Vail Valley Foundation.

“Live music, skiing and ski racing have always gone hand-in-hand. Just look at the big events in Kitzbuhel, Austria, and Wengen and St. Moritz, Switzerland,” said Tom Horrocks, who is the chief of media for the Birds of Prey races. “Live entertainment is a staple of these events, creating a festive atmosphere that complements the racing action on the hill well after the final racer has crossed the finish line.”

This summer, the Vail Valley Foundation released a schedule of paid shows at the Vilar Performing Arts Center with Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Grace Potter and Tiesto at Ford Park in Vail. To complement that schedule, an announcement was made featuring free shows that the public can attend in Beaver Creek Village.

Stifel Birds of Prey Free Live Music Schedule 

Men’s race weekend
Friday, Dec. 6 
DJ Pippen, CELSIUS Essential Vibes Stage, 11:30 a.m.
Greg Garman, CELSIUS Essential Vibes Stage, 2 p.m. 
Yonder Mountain String Band, CELSIUS Essential Vibes Stage, 4 p.m.  

Saturday, Dec. 7 
DJ Pippen, CELSIUS Essential Vibes Stage, 11:30 p.m.  
Frank Walker, CELSIUS Essential Vibes Stage, 2 p.m. 
The Spazmatics, CELSIUS Essential Vibes Stage, 4:15 p.m. 

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Sunday, Dec. 8 
DJ Pippen, CELSIUS Essential Vibes Stage, 11:30 p.m.  
The Takes, CELSIUS Essential Vibes Stage, 2 p.m. 

Women’s race weekend
Wednesday, Dec. 11 
The Evolution Trio, Stranahan’s Music Stage, 4:30 p.m. 

Thursday, Dec. 12 
Walden, Stranahan’s Music Stage, 3 p.m. 

Friday, Dec. 13 
Sparkle City Disco, Stranahan’s Music Stage, 2 p.m. 
Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge, Stranahan’s Music Stage, 4:15 p.m. 

Saturday, Dec. 14 
DJ Pippen, Stranahan’s Music Stage, 11:30 p.m. 
Sparkle City Disco, Stranahan’s Music Stage, 2 p.m. 
Eggy, Stranahan’s Music Stage, 4 p.m. 

Sunday, Dec. 14 
Heartbyrne, Stranahan’s Music Stage, 12:15 p.m.

“This year we are very fortunate to be hosting back-to-back events at the Stifel Birds of Prey with both men’s and women’s racing, so we are taking advantage of the opportunity to create a 10-day festival around the entire event, and live music plays a significant role in creating a festive atmosphere throughout the Beaver Creek Village,” Horrocks said.

The schedule follows what is already set to happen on the hill. The races will start at either 11 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Red Tail Stadium will be the place to be at the base of the Birds of Prey, where the three lifts, Birds of Prey (No. 9), Grouse Mountain Express (No. 10) and Larkspur Express (No. 11), are located. The race finish area will have a festival-like atmosphere, too, with tunes spinning, giveaways, food and drink booths and more. Once the races wrap up, the activities in Beaver Creek Village will entice all the spectators to come down to the village and get the party started or keep it going. There will be free shuttle buses bringing spectators to and from Red Tail Stadium.

“Live music also opens up the on-hill action to a whole new audience of music fans who may be watching the races in person for the first time,” Horrocks said. “Come for the free races, stay for the free entertainment and all the festivities throughout Beaver Creek Village, including athlete autograph signings, bib draws and vendor showcases from a variety of event sponsors.”

To learn more about the Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup, the ticketed concerts and the free concerts and activities, go to BCWorldCup.com.