In Brief: Aspen awaits Jay Leno; Los Angeles wildfire fundraiser

Jay Leno in Aspen

The Aspen Snow Ball Gala is nearly here.

This year, the nascent annual event benefiting Children’s Hospital Colorado will be hosted by late-night king Jay Leno. Put on by the Children’s Oncology Support Fund, Leno takes center stage Saturday, Feb. 8 at the St. Regis Aspen Resort. 

The “black tie fantasy” events honorary chairs include Brooke Burke, and Rachel Zoe. The star-studded gala will honor Christie Brinkley with the Philanthropic Impact Achievement Award, and guests will enjoy a special performance by Swedish pop star Zara Larsson, according to a news release. 

“For our third annual signature gala we have raised the bar, offering curated programming for donors that lift the guest experience and fosters meaningful engagement to our mission,” film producer and philanthropist Thomas Pierce, Children’s Oncology Support Fund founding chairman, said in the release. “This year we aim to educate our guests, and inspire them to help push our impact forward. We want our motives to be clear of what we stand for and where we are going.”

The signature gala is framed with five days of events for its gala guests now dubbed “Aspen Snow Ball Week,” which runs Feb. 5-9, according to the release. This year will include the first-ever Kick-Off Benefit Concert in partnership with the Aspen Art Museum harboring its connection to Art education and the Foundation’s mission to ensure children have access to wellness programs such as Art Therapy. Robin Thicke and Chloe Jane are confirmed to perform.

LA wildfire fundraiser

Espousing a cross-quarter holiday celebrated by Celtic and pagan traditions, a fundraiser to support those affected by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires is coming to Carbondale.

Called the Imbolc Wildfire Aid Event, a handful of artists will perform dance and movement, song and ritual ceremonies — activities inspired by Imbolc, otherwise known as Brigid’s Day or Candlemas. 

Brigid is the Celtic goddess at the center of this holiday — the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox — and marks the moment when winter’s power starts to wane, giving way to the earliest signs of spring.

The event is slated for 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork.

“Jen Campbell and Dana Ellis will help all gathered to co-create a movement experience, offering guidance and prompts to explore as we move, breathe and dance together, to music by DJ and violinist Lydia Bain,” a news release states. “Gabriella Meija and Clay Allen & the Pocket Band will offer songs and at the center of the event, Hanamaya Wild will lead the group in ritual ceremony around the impulse that lives at this incredible seasonal moment.”

The event is geared toward adults but will welcome children 12 and older who can hold sacred ceremonial space.

Featured artists

• Gabriella Mejia
• Clay Allen and the Pocket Band — John Moffit, Soozie Lindbloom & Taylor Bush
• Hanamaya Wild
• Rachel Cohen
• Jen Campbell and Dana Ellis
• DJ Lydia Bain