There is probably no better way to enjoy the arts in the summer than under a canopy of stars, and there is definitely no place as intriguing to do it as the Transfer Warehouse in Telluride. The warehouse was built in 1906 and was used as a livery, an office for the Transfer Station, and a gas station for storing vehicles until the roof collapsed in 1979—never to be replaced. The building had been shuttered since that time, but recently the Telluride Arts has repurposed it into a unique open-air venue for events.
Anyone who has been curious about what’s inside the historic roofless building will be excited to see the transformation, and this week there will be three events open to the public—rain or shine. Don’t miss these opportunities to support the local arts community and to get a peek inside one of Telluride’s most fascinating historic structures:
Tuesday, June 28: Vaudeville with the Wilkinson Public Library
Enjoy a night of vaudeville on Tuesday, June 28, featuring short vignettes of poetry, dance, music, acrobatics, and comedy by local artists. Warehouse opens at 8 p.m. and will have a cash bar, and the show starts at 8:30 and is open to all ages. This event is free and open to the public, and is a collaboration between Wilkinson Public Library and Telluride Arts.
Thursday, June 30: The DownLow with the Telluride Theatre
The “DownLow,” hosted by Telluride Theatre, is a regular storytelling event that has become wildly popular over the past year. This is a one-of-a-kind Telluride evening, where non-performers and everyday people get up on stage to bare their souls, recounting true events and sharing some outrageous, funny, touching, and incredible stories with the audience. Telluride Theatre works with the storytellers to get them ready for the stage. Each night has a different theme and stories are chosen accordingly.
The theme for this edition at the Transfer Warehouse is “It Was a Phase.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and there will be a cash bar, and the event begins at 8 p.m. This is a free, un-ticketed event, open to the public (rated R, 21+ only) so get there early as seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sunday, July 3: Telluride Arts Soiree in the Warehouse
Join Telluride Arts in celebrating 110 years of the Transfer Warehouse with the second annual Telluride Transfer Warehouse Community Fundraising Party on Sunday, July 3. This event is also for adults 21 and older, and features craft cocktails by Jerry LaBonte from the “There” bar, a red carpet, music by DJ Unicorn Boss (and associate), and socializing under the stars.
The fundraiser will support the efforts of Telluride Arts to save the beautiful warehouse building. Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets are $15 in advance, available at TellurideArts.org, or $20 at the door.