A return to camp is in store this weekend at Telluride. Camp Alderwild is so much more than simply an electronic music festival.
Tyler Coombs (aka Of The Trees) has curated a much broader vision for building experience-driven ecosystems within electronic music. Alderwild is his opportunity to show how one can combine music, nature activities, art integration, community interaction, sustainability, and purpose together into one shared experience.
The festival recently released a schedule of extracurricular activities that are unique, playful, and educational as well as numerous before and after parties. Tyler specifically curated this festival to encourage people to branch out and explore more than just the musical sets we came for and in a place as beautiful and remote as Telluride, it would be a shame to come all that way and not explore everything it has to offer.
Enjoy Festival Activities
Each day features unique, nature-immersed experiences around the surrounding area, including yoga, sound baths, a hike to Bridal Veil Falls, crafts & games, plant workshops, upcycle DIY mending workshops, fly fishing (with Late Night Radio), and even a talent show.
Some artists are doing pop-up sets like Tiedye Ky’s cowboy sing-a-long on Friday and Bad Snacks’ ambient Celtic violin set on Saturday. Those arriving early on Thursday can participate in a “grounding sunset flow” at the San Sophia Overlook to start off the weekend with good intention. There will be a hand-picked selection of vendors as well, so be sure to go see what they have to offer and support fellow artists and craftsmen.
Some activities require an RSVP. The schedule and link for signing up for workshops and activities are here.
The Afterparties of Camp Alderwild
Multiple after parties have been arranged for each day at three distinct venues in Telluride: The Alibi, Sheridan Opera House, and Palm Theatre. Due to limited space at these venues, tickets sold out immediately, so please only show up with a ticket secured.
- Thursday: Chmura, Ferrofluid, Just Neeks (Sheridan), Rsun, Mindset (Alibi)
- Friday: Of The Trees, Freddy Todd, Veil b2b Digitalvagabond (Palm), Parkbreezy b2b TF Marz, Potions, Yoko (Sheridan), Mikey Thunder, Bad Snacks (Alibi)
- Saturday: Daily Bread, Cool Customer, Drew Birch (Palm), Kursa + Alicia Kiah, Chef Boyarbeatz, Snuffy (Sheridan), Esseks, Tiedye Ky (Alibi)
- Sunday: Mountain Lodge Pool Party ft. Super Future, Meduso
Day Parties @ Mountain Village
Luckily for those who weren’t able to score tickets to the after parties, our generous hosts scheduled multiple day parties that are fun and free for everyone. Located at the Telluride Mountain Village, all it takes is a free scenic gondola ride up the mountain to Heritage Plaza, where music will be bumping for most of the day before the main festival sets.
On Friday, Daily Bread will be hosting the first day party. Parkbreezy, Drew Birch, and Mikey Thunder will be starting things off with their signature vibey beats, allowing everyone to find their friends, make new ones, and kick off the weekend on a high note. Saturday’s day party will be hosted by Of The Trees and features the talents of Eazybaked, Alicia Kiah, and two rowdy back-to-back sets: Saka b2b Fly and Chmura b2b Snuffy. Last year, these day parties were a highlight for many people and offered a glimpse of Telluride’s beauty from a higher perspective.
Be sure to bring water and sunscreen, as it can get quite hot during the day, and you will be partying at high elevation.
Explore the Town of Telluride
In addition to the myriad hiking and biking trails, fishing spots, climbing, skiing, etc., don’t forget to check out all the town of Telluride has to offer outside of the festival. It is one of those few beautiful mountain towns that have retained its aesthetic and managed to keep it relatively uncommercialized.
On Friday, check out their local farmers market, which also hosts local musical acts. If you somehow need just a little more magic, an acclaimed magic show, Mind Blown, plays up at Mountain Village every weekend. There is also a Full Circle Fashion Fundraiser “sip and shop” event at the Ah Haa Launchpad (Sat 11 am-7 pm, Sun 10 am-2 pm), where proceeds support local art and sustainability programs, and you might find a unique clothing item to treasure or wear at the festival. There are welcoming restaurants, cute shops, a “Music on the Green” summer concert series, and everything is within walking distance! Explore more events and activities in Telluride here.
Alderwild Nature Fund
There is a growing effort to prove that music and art festivals can be more than just a fun party, but a movement that leads by example in committing to sustainability, creative freedom and expression, and being a collaborative catalyst for change. Adding purpose and intention to the spaces we create elevates it to something truly worthwhile and admirable, and this year features an environmental initiative called the Alderwild Nature Fund as a way to give back to the people and land that allow things like this to exist. This is what was said about it in the Instagram post:
“Camp Alderwild has always been about celebrating our connection to nature. This year, we’re taking that commitment one step further. We’re proud to introduce the Alderwild Nature Fund, created in partnership with PLUS1. Through the fund, $1 from every Camp Alderwild ticket and future headline shows will directly support organizations working to protect the places that inspire this community”
Of The Trees’ vision of a community engaged, action-driven, music-loving, nature-appreciating, creative space for ideas to flow and love to be expressed is taking shape. He is putting it together, but it is up to all of us to give it meaning.
Let us live up to the standards he is trying to set in the music scene and do everything we can to treat the space and each other with the utmost love and respect. And most importantly, have fun! We will surely look back on these times fondly, like the summer camp days of old.
