During the warm Colorado summer months, Leadville effortlessly keeps its local shops and restaurants bustling. Similarly, the ski season attracts ample traffic. However, it’s in the spring and fall, known as the “shoulder seasons,” when things tend to slow down a bit.
“Stories Worth Telling” film festival is just one of the things trying to shake that reputation, hoping to draw crowds to the charming and historic Tabor Opera House for a night of independent short films.
“Upon learning about the event, I immediately recognized its perfect alignment with our community’s goals and priorities,” expressed Adam Ducharme, tourism director for Visit Leadville/Twin Lakes. “We must find a means to bring this exceptional festival to our area.”
The festival originally began in Golden, but as of last year, it has relocated to Leadville. This new location is slightly farther away from the Front Range crowd, but the festival firmly believes it is an ideal community to showcase their screenings.
The nonprofit organization’s mission is to honor and embrace talented individuals who express their passion and capture the essence of the human experience through the art of storytelling.
The stories include a Colombian girl navigating life in the U.S., a rock star enamored with a herd of buffalo, and teenagers showcasing their tap-dancing skills in New Orleans. Ducharme noted that these narratives seamlessly blend with the grounded community residing in the highest incorporated city in North America.
Ducharme mentioned that our town has been a mining community since the 1860s, but it also boasts a significant history as a bedroom community. We have always embodied a sense of resilience and perseverance, setting us apart from the more established resort communities. We are proud to be known as the down-to-earth, hardworking individuals who make up the backbone of our town.
Regarding the location, although it may not resemble the grandeur of an Aspen concert hall, that is precisely where its allure lies. The Tabor Opera House, constructed in 1879, has recently completed the restoration of its exterior brick walls, with plans underway for the interior’s renovation.
The stage remains untouched, and the seats are the very ones where you could have sat over a hundred years ago.
There, the films will be projected.
Sarah Dae, the executive director of the Tabor Opera House, emphasized that this season could potentially be your final opportunity to witness the grandeur of the house.
Dae added, “After this, we winterize to ensure everything is neatly organized.”
If you are interested in checking out the festival, doors open on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 5:00 P.M.
