Fine arts events worth aweekend away

It’s not easy competing with Colorado’sworld-class scenery in the summer, but the arts have a viable strategy. They’reworld-class, too, featuring top-tier orchestras, international-level art exhibits and dancers at the top of their profession. People come from across theworld to hear symphonies played in the hills around Vail and towatch sopranos sing under the stars in nearby Santa Fe.

Luckily for folks along the Front Range, all that finework is just a few hours away, and there are plenty of promising offerings in 2017.

Vail: Dance for all

The Vail International Dance Festival has a reputation as a fine arts presenter, but it’s also one of the most familyfriendly cultural offerings in Colorado. Most performances are outdoors, in the casual Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, and a lot of them play out like variety shows — with a little ballet, a bit of contemporary, maybe some tap or ballroom. You don’t need to have a deep knowledge of the art form, or a long attention span, to enjoy the show. Sitting on the lawn at the back of the venue turns the night into a picnic.

Tip: Every year the fest does a special performance where the ticket price is matched to the year. This season’s event is on Aug. 8 and the cost is $20.17.

Details: The dance festival runs July 29 through Aug. 12. Info at 970-716-1856 or vvf.org/arts/vailinternational-dance-festival.

Frederick: “Chainsaws and Chuckwagons”

Tiny Frederick has made a name for itself with this competition that has the country’s best chainsaw artists competing blade-to-blade before live audiences. Every carver gets a big, fat log and four days to discover its inner beauty. It’s noisy, dusty and dangerous.

Tip: The last day is the main event, when the sculptures are complete and the public gets to vote for a winner. It’s a bit quieter then, too.

Details: The contest takes place on Main Street in downtown Frederick. Free. Info at 720382-5500 or frederickco.gov.