A&E Agenda: Taste of Africa, Heritage Fire, and bluegrass

Taste of Africa with Chef Ope Amosu, 6 p.m. on Friday, Mawa’s Kitchen

Trailblazing Chef Ope Amosu returns to Mawa’s Kitchen for his second Guest Chef Dinner Series appearance to give the Aspen audience an authentic taste of Nigerian cuisine. This four-course collaborative dinner between Chef Mawa and Chef Ope will be an explosion of West African flavor, benefitting local nonprofit Action in Africa. 

Amosu, a child of Nigerian immigrants from Houston, transitioned from a career in the energy sector to the hospitality industry. After earning an MBA from Rice University, he shifted into the hospitality industry, with the vision of creating ChòpnBlọk — the cultural crossroads where West African culinary traditions and local communities intersect. The restaurant has gained national recognition, with features on Bravo TV’s Top Chef, The New York Times, and more. He was recently a semi-finalist for a James Beard Emerging Chef Award.

Dinner is $120 per person and includes a drink pairing from Mondavi Sisters Collection and specialty cocktails by Woody Creek Distillers. Tax and gratuity are additional.

A portion of proceeds from this dinner will go to Action in Africa.

Tickets: Mawa’s Kitchen.

MOLLIE Brunch Club, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, MOLLIE Aspen

Kick off your weekend in style at MOLLIE’s Brunch Club, where it will be serving up a delectable brunch menu each Saturday, as well as a rotating weekly cocktail special.

Enjoy the smooth sounds of DJ Kevin Joyal while you gather your friends and create your new Saturday morning ritual. Reservations are recommended.

Don’t forget to pick up a Brunch Club punch card when you visit — attend brunch five times, and redeem it for a complimentary cocktail.

More info: mollieaspen.com.

Heritage Fire, 4:15- 7 p.m. on Saturday, Base Village

Heritage Fire unites live-fire cooking, family farms, and local chefs in diverse destinations. The all-inclusive walk-around feast features thoughtful bites prepared by some of the most critically acclaimed kitchens, with products from locally-sourced farms and sponsors.

The daytime feast offers an endless array of sustainably sourced food from the region’s top family farms and local purveyors, prepared by some of the region’s best chefs. The Heritage Fire Tour is comprised of an array of live expressions and cultivates a long-term impact for heritage species. Everyone loves a little friendly competition, and at Heritage Fire, guests will vote for Best Bite of the Day, and the winner will be crowned Heritage Hero.

Tickets: heritagefiretour.com/tour-dates/snowmass-co.

Bluegrass Sundays, noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sun Deck top of Aspen Mountain

Sundays this summer season locals and tourists alike get down to some of Colorado’s best bluegrass bands on the top of Aspen Mountain. With the Elk Mountain Range as a backdrop, great drinks and great food from the Sundeck, and lots of activities for the kids, the free open-air concerts are a perfect way to relax, unwind, and spend an afternoon with friends and family.

Free with the purchase of Gondola ticket.