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Gunnison/Crested Butte Colorado
Family Activity Guide
Summer 2007
Kid Friendly Activities
in the Valley -
Music, Dance and Art

The Gunnison Valley inspires the artistic in all of us for many reasons. The beauty of the mountain peaks surrounding us, the deep blue sky above us, and the fragile life of the wildflowers at our feet take us on a visual journey. The quiet aspen leaves quaking in the breeze, the rumbling of rivers

tumbling over rocks and down waterfalls, and perhaps the bugle of an elk tunes us in to the sounds of nature. The rich human history of the area and exposed rock dating into the Pre-Cambrian Era gives us a feeling of the eternity of life. The arts capture all of life in many different mediums. This valley embraces the arts throughout the summer and throughout the entire year.

Gunnison Valley Children's Choir
New to the valley this summer, the Gunnison Valley Children's Choir offers children ages 6 to 12 a chance to participate in the inaugural session of the choir, in which children from both ends of the valley will sing in performances up and down the valley. Practices are held from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. for 6 to 8 year olds and 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. for 9 to 12 year olds on Tuesdays in Crested Butte and on Wednesdays in Gunnison. For more information call Karen Janssen at 970-349-9639 or e-mail karenj@rmi.net. Check community calendars for performance dates.

Creative Arts Institute
This is a three- and four-week camp that offers daily classes in creative writing, creative movement, graphic arts, music, and drama to young children and teens. The 24th year of this program commences Monday, June 25 and runs through Friday, July 13. The theatre portion of this program, offered to ages 11 to 18, begins Thursday, June 21 and ends with the production of The Sound of Music on Saturday, July 21. To obtain a brochure on this institute, please drop by the Chamber of Commerce at the 4-way-stop in Crested Butte or call Bobbie Reinhardt at 970-349-5686.

Summer Youth Arts Institute - Gunnison Arts Center
This two-week program designed for ages 2 to 18 includes kid-friendly theatre productions, art classes, and dance. These classes take place July 16 to 28 and the fee is only $10.00 for the full two weeks for each class. There will also be a Missoula Children's Theatre portion starting July 23 with an ending performance on July 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Gunnison Arts Center. Call 970-641-4029 for more information and to register.

Dansummer
This wonderful dance workshop teaches daily classes in jazz and tap to children and teens ages 8 and older. Beginning Monday, July 16, this program runs for three weeks and ends with performances at the Center for the Arts in Crested Butte on Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4. For more information on the twenty-third year of this event, call Bobbie Reinhardt at 970-349-5686 or visit www.dancecrestedbutte.org.

Munchkin Music and Dance
These fun movement and music classes are for kids ages birth through 5 years old and their parents or caregivers. Activities focus on adult/child interaction rather than child/child interaction. A child's musical development is greatly enhanced by early exposure. Children participate as they choose to do so at their own development level. Learning comes through play! Summer classes feature "The Monkey Collection" and will start the week of June 18 in Crested Butte and June 13 in Gunnison. The schedule is Mondays and Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. in Crested Butte, and Wednesdays 9:00, 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. in Gunnison. Drop-ins are welcome on a space available basis at $10.00 per class. Contact Karen at 970-349-9639 or karem@rmi.net for more information.

Private Lessons
Nancy Church offers piano lessons 970-209-7799. Paul O'Sullivan offers guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and banjo lessons 970-641-0123. Ken Todd teaches violin 970-943-2162. Flute and piano lessons are offered by Sarah at 970-349-0817.