Topic: Arts & Entertainment

Once the winter kicks into high season, those cozy, free Wednesday night concerts will start up again and organizers of the Bud Light Street Beat series want you to help them pick an artist.

From left, Bob Boulding, Keith Roberts and Chas Waltz of The Young Dubliners rocked Vail's Street Beat on March 19, 2008.

So far, bands already booked to play this winter's series include Marc Ford & Neptune Blues Club (formerly of the Black Crowes) on Jan. 21, Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band on March 4 and John Brown's Body on March 25.

Other performances are yet to be announced, but the Vail Valley Foundation and The Vail Daily are leaving the stage open for April 1, awaiting your decision.

So, if you're in Vail on April 1 and want to take your pick of free music, here are your options:

Particle
Shakedown Street
Panjea
Bedouin Soundclash
Great American Taxi
Papa Mali
Oakhurst
Jamie McClean Band
Homeslice Band
Big daddy Lee
Crown City Rockers
Tishamingo

All you have to do is go here to vote before Nov. 20. Rock the vote and vote for rock!

Not many ski towns are equipped with a high-end performing arts theater or graced by a season full of A-list musicians, stage productions, orchestras and comedians.

The winter lineup at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek reads like something you’d find off Broadway.

Star-studded from start to finish with the likes of Sugarland, Lyle Lovett, The Beach Boys and Lily Tomlin, the Vilar is the place to catch your fix of cosmopolitan culture this winter.

Get ready for Vail's newest rock music venue.

The Sandbar Sports Grill is literally raising its roof in preparation for a winter of national musical acts.

The Story of Mayhem String Band

The Sandbar, a staple of West Vail for years, has a new booking manager, Dick Dime, who has made a point of bringing in a variety of rock, bluegrass, reggae and hip-hop artists, many of which rarely play such intimate venues.

Widely recognized as one of Vail's most popular sports bars - filled on any given Sunday with avid NFL fans - the Sandbar is also home to a thundering sound system and small stage (two feet off the dance floor). Plus, the establishment is heightening its ceiling to make room for broader acoustics.

Check out who's coming in the next couple of weeks:

Nov. 4: Collie Buddz (dance hall, hip-hop, Columbia recording artist).
Nov. 6: Devin the Dude (rapper, has worked with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Jay Z ...).
Nov. 9: 40 Oz. to Freedom (Sublime tribute band).
Nov. 14: Dressy Bessy (high-energy power pop from Denver).

Also keep an eye out for rock-a-billy icon Reverend Horton Heat and ho-down punk favorite Slim Cessna's Auto Club.

Most shows begin around 9 p.m. For tickets and more info, visit the Sandbar's site.