Sheridan Opera House: July 1 – 7, 2018

26 Jun Sheridan Opera House: July 1 – 7, 2018

July is a very busy month at the historic Sheridan Opera House. It all begins with the 15th annual Telluride Plein Air, the Sheridan Arts Foundation‘s largest fundraiser of the year, which welcomes 23 nationally recognized American Impressionists to town. Part of Telluride Plein Air is the Quick Draw Competition, which takes place Sunday, July 1, 2018, 11 a.m. – 1 pm., a time that also coincides with the Telluride Wine Festival‘s Sunday brunch.

The Artist’s Choice Preview & Cocktail Party in the SHOW Bar of the Opera House on July 2 is open to the public 6 – 7 p.m.; for VIPs, 5 – 6 p.m.

Telluride Plein Air exhibition and sale takes place Tuesday – Thursday, July 3 – July 5 in Elks Park and Oak Street Park. The event features the work of all the plein air artists plus locals Christopher Beaver & Richard Arnold. For much more on Telluride Plein Air, go here.

After Telluride Plein Air, the Opera House is filled with the sound of music. For more on who’s coming to town, read on. Also find videos so you can preview the upcoming acts.

For tickets & further information on the shows, go to sheridanoperahouse.com or 970.728.6363 x5.

BIG SAM’S FUNKY NATION, 7/6, SHOW BAR 8 P.M.; MUSIC, 9 P.M. GA, $25; $40 RESERVED BALCONY:

Big Sam’s Funky Nation

When you think of New Orleans, the city’s foremost flambeaux-lit traditions of Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, voodoo, Po’ boys, beads, gumbo, and second line undoubtedly come to mind. You can also count Big Sam’s Funky Nation amongst those NOLA treasures.

Known for a boisterous blend of funk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop, nothing short of seismic live “experiences,” and a whole lot of Southern charm, Big Sam’s Funky Nation might very well be The Big Easy’s best kept secret.

No other place could birth such an undeniable, unpredictable, and downright unique collective.

“By playing on these streets, you learn how to work your craft and entertain an audience,” exclaims Sam. “You can go to Juilliard and Berklee all you want, but they won’t teach you how to rock a stage. It comes naturally in New Orleans. I’ve been here my whole life and rocking these streets. Even during Hurricane Katrina, I drove nine hours from San Antonio every weekend for two years just to play live. The sound out here is unlike anything else in the world. It’s not just a figure of speech—there’s music going all night, literally.”



Against the backdrop of Crescent City, Big Sam’s Nation released five fan favorite albums and quietly developed a devout following. Powered by jaw-dropping technical talent and uncontainable energy on stage, their performances have become the stuff of legend. Big Sam ensures you, an audience member, are not just a part of the crowd, but “a part of the show dancing and singing along.”

Beyond standout sets at the likes of Voodoo Music + Experience and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the boys have performed at Bonnaroo, SXSW, and Austin City Limits, to name a few.

The frontman personally draws on over two decades in the game, spanning everything from 300 shows per year during his days in Dirty Dozen Brass Band and gigs backing up Widespread Panic and Dave Matthews Band to recording and touring with Allen Toussaint and Elvis Costello. Additionally, he would be sought out for a recurring role on the critically acclaimed HBO series “Treme.”

Following the release of 2014’s rock-leaning Evolution (and yet another marathon of gigs), Big Sam wanted to “bring the funk like never before.” So, he decided to “write originals that show how cats like Morris Day & The Time, The Gap Band, P-Funk, inspired [him]—while not just repeating the past.” 



The group accomplish that mission on their aptly titled, 2018 sixth full-length Songs in the Key of Funk, Volume 1. Spending just five days at The Parlor Recording Studio in New Orleans, Big Sam’s Funky Nation emerged from the studio with an album tailor-made for singing, dancing, and, of course, partying.

“We’re going to keep the funk alive,” Big Sam affirms. “This is just Volume 1. It’s just the beginning.
 Stevie Wonder made one of my favorites: Songs in the Key of Life. I thought it would be hip to build on the title. Funk is life for me. Funk is everything. We all need some of it in our lives, so guess who’s here to give it to you?”

Big Sam’s Funky Nation represents the beating heart of New Orleans – and the heart of funk music as well.

“When you see us live or listen to our records, we’re all going to have a good time,” Big Sam adds. “That’s what funk is all about. That’s what New Orleans is all about. That’s what Big Sam’s Funky Nation is all about. If you come to a show, you’re going to party. That’s what we’re here for.”

THE WAILERS, 7/7 SHOW BAR 8 P.M.; MUSIC, 9 P.M. GA, $45; $55 RESERVED BALCONY:

Following the funk, the Sheridan Arts Foundation presents reggae legends The Wailers live in concert.

The legendary Wailers return to bring its revolutionary sound to fans around the world. Steered by famed bassist and founder Aston “Familyman” Barrett, and joined in solidarity with original Wailers’ guitarists Julian Junior Marvin and Donald Kinsey, the band continues to make musical history.

From 1973 to 1980, Bob Marley & The Wailers recorded, toured and performed before millions of fans worldwide. Since 1981, Familyman and Junior Marvin have carried on the mission to “keep The Wailers together,” just as Bob requested, affirming: “By doing that, you keep me alive through the music.”

In tribute to the late co-founder and drummer Carlton “Carly” Barrett, The Wailers present Aston Barrett, Jr. on drums. It’s startling how this young powerhouse delivers with his uncle’s unique and inspiring landmark style.

Lead singer Joshua David Barrett is a Rastaman by lifestyle and culture.

Josh impeccably delivers Bob’s powerful message of Jah love and unity through his engaging performance and interaction with the audience.

Adding to the exciting stage show are singers Shema McGregor, daughter of I Three Judy Mowatt, and Hassanah, a multi-cultural powerhouse vocalist and dancer.

Veteran Owen “Dreadie” Reid on guitar & bass is a past student of Familyman, while super-charged performer Javaughn Bond rocks on three keyboards.

There are more than 100 million Bob Marley & The Wailers recordings sold worldwide, including 1977’s Exodus, anointed Best Album of the Century in 1999 by Time Magazine, and “One Love,” named Song of the Millennium that same year by BBC.

Spin Magazine listed Bob Marley & The Wailers at #4 of the “50 Greatest Bands of All Times,” while The New York Times named Bob Marley “the most significant musician of the 20th century.”

Such accolades were made possible by the creative, timeless, and distinctive music, lyrics and production of these incomparable Wailers musicians.

The Sheridan Arts Foundation was founded in 1991 as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization to preserve the historic Sheridan Opera House as an arts and cultural resource for the Telluride community, to bring quality arts and cultural events to Telluride and to provide local and national youth with access and exposure to the arts through education. The Sheridan Arts Foundation is sponsored in part by grants from the Telluride Foundation, CCAASE and Just For Kids.