Mountain Mayhem: Reading between the lines

Aspen Words’ annual Benefit Dinner took place on Friday, June 13, at Hotel Jerome on a stunning summer night with authors, poets, book worms, and patrons taking part. The evening began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Antler Bar and on the terrace between the ballroom and the living room before all were seated for dinner. The tables were cleverly adorned with stacked copies of keynote speaker Hampton Sides’ newest book, “The Wide Wide Sea,” as centerpieces, which guests eventually took home afterward as parting gifts and fascinating reading material.

Aspen Words was founded in 1976 as a literary center, and in 2009, it joined The Aspen Institute. Its mission continues to remain the same: encourage writers, inspire readers, and connect people through stories.

Year-round programming includes the Summer Words writing conference, the Winter Words speaker series, the Aspen Words Literary Prize, and educational programs for young students. New to the docket this year is the upcoming Aspen Literary Festival presented by Book of the Month this fall. 

Aspen Words will celebrate 50 years with this inaugural gathering by welcoming more than 40 nationally-recognized, regional, and local authors for engaging conversations, book signings, and other literary activities. Open to the public, the festival will include a cadre of free events, from public programming for adults and families, art activations, parties, food trucks, and an onsite bookstore, and more, as well as ticketed events that support the organization.

Learn more about Aspen Words and support and engage with this incredible organization through their site at aspenwords.org.