Roaring Fork Mountain Air

03/13/2026

Laugh Festival is on this week at the Wheeler Opera House. Great performances all of them. These shots taken of the beautiful Wheeler Opera House theatre just before Felipe Esparza performance and the second shot (with wonderful me) taken before Ali Siddiq's performance. Photos / videos are not allowed during the performance, you you are just going to have to imagine them standing on stage.

Aspen Laugh Festival 2026
Here is the full URL: https://wheeleroperahouse.com/series/aspen-laugh-festival-2026/

02/21/2026

Wahoo! Roaring Fork Mountain Air - Episode 201 is out!

Welcome to Roaring Fork Mountain Air - a positive forward-thinking podcast for the good people of the Roaring Fork River Valley in Colorado.

In this episode join Mircea Oprea and Christopher Wheatley on Roaring Fork Mountain Air as they discuss yummy brunches and dinners in the Roaring Fork Valley. Mircea’s floating, bloating, and stargazing in Glenwood Hot Springs, AVSC Nordic Triathlon action, and running for RFTA buses. New laws taking effect January 1st, Mr. Wheatley unwittingly joins the MLK parade, local entertainment and goings on, “Unpopular Idea of the Week” of eliminating big time college athletics, and a “Moment of Hope” provided by Challenge Aspen.

Featured in Podcast: Plosky's Deli in Carbondale, Hominy Southern Kitchen in El Jebel, Song Sung Blue (Movie), Movieland Theater in Willits, Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, The Pullman in Glenwood Springs, AVSC Nordic Programs in Aspen, RFTA Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, Challenge Aspen, Basalt Regional Library, Zuma Lounge Productions, ExecEvent Services -Premier Event Management Services

Produced by: Zuma Lounge Productions

02/03/2026

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble on January 30th at Wheeler Opera House was an insane off the hook experience! Part of their "Groove in the Face of Adversity" tour. They performed multiple songs from the Blues for Allah album by the Grateful Dead but in the words of Don, "we are not going to karaoke them but instead Detroit-ize their songs." And that they did! Full house, and lots of dancing.

Don Was: Bass
Dave McMurray: Saxophone (Blue Note Records artist)
Luis Resto: Keyboards (Oscar-winning collaborator)
Steffanie Christi'an: Vocals
Vincent Chandler: Trombone
John Douglas: Trumpet
Jeff Canady: Drums
Mahindi Masai: Percussion
Wayne Gerard: Guitar

01/14/2026

A short promo of our latest "dropped" podcast Roaring Fork Mountain Air Fourth Episode 104.

Join Mircea Oprea and Christopher Wheatley on Roaring Fork Mountain Air as they discuss Mircea's quest for the perfect Buffalo chicken wing, his evening with Kate Hudson, local skiing and stargazing outside in the winter, New Year's stories and customs, Mr. Wheatley goes to Washington, entertainment updates and local 'goings on' in the Roaring Fork Valley, the “Unpopular Idea of the Week” of redrawing western boundaries by watersheds and finally a “Moment of Hope” for reproductive rights and healthcare in Colorado.

A Zuma Lounge Productions . . . production

Featured: Wheeler Opera House Westbound & Down Brewing Company Belly Up, Aspen Jazz Aspen Snowmass The Collective Snowmass Viceroy Snowmass Spring Creeks Ranch The Black Nugget Glenwood Vaudeville R***e

01/03/2026

Happy New Year from Christopher and Mircea of Roaring Fork Mountain Air in the Roaring Fork Valley Colorado

12/27/2025

Just dropped our third episode 103. Here is the trailer (58 sec). Our podcasts are only audio.

Join us for episode 103 where we talk about Christmas and Holiday happenings, local history and entertainment 'goings on' in the Roaring Fork Valley such as at the Wheeler Opera House, ConsensualImprov, TACAW, Belly Up, Aspen as well as playing disc golf, enjoying the local hot springs, Wheatley's holiday memories, the Unpopular Idea of the Week (hint it is about banning Christmas as a federal holiday) and finally a message of hope about old leaching minds in the Valley and surrounding area.

ABOUT: Roaring Fork Mountain Air

Roaring Fort Mountain Air is a positive, forward-thinking podcast for the good people of the Roaring Fort River Valley in Colorado and beyond with hosts Christopher Wheatley and Mircea Oprea.

Once again big thanks to Basalt Regional Library for providing recording space.

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays!!! From Mircea and Christopher of Roaring Fork Mountain Air! "Thanks for listening!"

12/24/2025

Had the wonderful opportunity to attend the first annual Wheeler Opera House Aspen for the Holidays this past on Sunday December 21st from 05:00 PM to 07:00 PM.

I was surprised it didn’t go over two hours (that included a fifteen-minute intermission). About 23 different acts and performances from solo artists and groups.

Starting off with the hilarious ConsensualImprov group and their spoof song about Aspen called - "Aspeniva", to Bill Macy singing his hilarious "Basalt" song to Crystal Palace Players and their funny “Text Me Merry Christmas”, to John Oates et al and his Christmas songs sung with John Michel, with many performers in between and a final performance "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with EVERYONE on stage.

Lots of fun!

And a shout out and a "Well done" to the Wheeler Opera House production crew and staff! From ticketing, to front of house to production it was a smooth operation!

12/21/2025

Well, it's official. We dropped our first episode (E101). Titled: Roaring Fork Mountain Air - First Episode

Join Mircea Oprea Christopher Wheatley on Roaring Fork Mountain Air as they discuss local Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado outdoor activities such as Wintersköl! Climate updates and the positive impact beavers have on the surrounding area. Wheatley Story of the Week where Chris Wheatley talks about his childhood experience of what he thought was the "death" of Whizzo. Local Entertainment Updates with the happenings in local Roaring Fork Valley theatres and music venues. The Unpopular Idea of the Week covering the need for breeding licenses and finally we close with 'A Moment of Hope' and discuss affordable housing from plastic waste in the oceans to building bricks for houses.

Thanks to everyone involve to help get this done. Produced by Zuma Lounge Productions

Join Mircea Oprea and Christopher Wheatley on Roaring Fork Mountain Air as they have a conversation about local Roaring Fork Valley Colorado seasonal outdoor events, positive climate updates, the 'Wheatley Story of the Week', local Entertaiment updates, Unpopular Idea of the Week and a Moment of Hop...

12/13/2025

Annnnnnnnnd that's a wrap! Episode 101 of Roaring Fork Mountain Air with hosts Mircea Oprea and Christopher Wheatley has been recorded.

A big . . . no HUGE thanks to Basalt Regional Library for allowing us to use their community room and Zuma Lounge Productions for producing and making this podcast possible.

Look for more information about future podcasts and interviews and other wonderful local Roaring Fork Valley happenings right here on our page, or Instagram page and (hopefully soon) our website.

Also, a shout out to the great people of Sweetwater (especially Nick) for their expert knowledge, advice and speedy delivery of much needed mics, and other equipment to help get this local based and "on location" podcast off the ground.