It’s not only about big air, energy drinks and double corks this weekend.
The around-the-clock lineup of happenings in Aspen includes a handful of opportunities to party with a purpose, where organizers are raising funds for good causes at X Games benefits.
Plug’d Entertainment, for instance, has put together an X Games launch party at the Sundeck, on top of Aspen Mountain, with a lineup of rappers and DJs.
The Thursday night party is dedicating 15 percent of its proceeds for organizations empowering the physically disabled and paralyzed.
It’s raising money Ekso Bionics, the company developing bionic devices to allow the paralyzed to walk. Their aim is to fund an “Ekso” walking apparatus for Amanda Boxtel, the valley resident paralyzed in a skiing accident who went on to found Challenge Aspen and champion adaptive sports and stem cell research. Boxtel will be there, along with adaptive SnoCross rider and X Games athlete Paul Thacker.
The party will also benefit Ocean Healing Group, the Costa Rica adaptive surf camp founded by Aspenite Frank Bauer, which brings disabled kids and their families to the beach and teaches them to surf.
They’re also splitting proceeds with the Wounded Warrior Foundation, aiding disabled American veterans.
The lineup for the party includes rappers Java Star, Coughee Brothaz and Spice 1, along with a mountaintop fashion show.
The Silver Queen Gondola starts running for the event at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24. The party starts at 10 p.m. Tickets are $75 (VIP: $150) and can be purchased at www.plugdentertainment.com [1]
Downtown that night, Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) and the North Face are raising money for their breast cancer support and prevention programs at the Caribou Club.
Dubbed “It’s Personal,” the aprés gathering will include appearances by athletes Elena Hight and Kaitlyn Farrington, complimentary drinks from New Belgium Brewery and others, interactive art, a silent auction and prizes. Indie bluegrass band Honeyhoney also performs.
It runs from 8 - 11 p.m. at the Caribou Club. Tickets are $85 in advance and $100 at the door, available for purchase at the Belly Up box office or online at www.bellyupaspen.com [2]
B4BC runs breast cancer education and prevention programs year-round, aimed at young people and the action sports community. Learn more at www.b4bc.org [3]
