Bangkok Happy Bowl and Phat Pho n Sushi, two adjacent restaurants in Aspen, Colorado, are continuing their 12-year tradition of hosting a live music series in collaboration with the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS). The series, which runs from July 2 through August 23, 2027, features AMFS student musicians performing on the restaurants' garden patios every Thursday through Monday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The outdoor dining experience, with over fifty seats across the adjoining patios, combines Thai, Vietnamese, and Japanese cuisine with live performances by emerging classical musicians. The musicians are part of AMFS's Hire A Musician program, which places student ensembles in venues throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. Participants, selected from AMFS's summer programs, perform in rotating configurations including solo, duo, trio, and quartet ensembles, with instrumentation primarily consisting of strings and occasional woodwinds.
Veronica Janet Lopez, Education and Community Programs Coordinator at AMFS, emphasized the program's value: "The Hire A Musician program provides our students with meaningful performance opportunities in community settings. This long-standing collaboration continues to be an important way for students to share their work outside the classroom and connect with local audiences."
Kirk Coult, owner of both restaurants, highlighted the series' significance: "This series has become an important part of our summer programming. It brings together live music and dining in a way that supports young musicians while offering guests a unique experience in Aspen."
AMFS offers intensive summer programs in orchestral, chamber, opera, and solo performance disciplines. Students study and perform alongside faculty and visiting musicians from major orchestras and institutions across the United States. The program includes orchestral training for advanced students as well as chamber music and private instruction for younger participants.
The live music series is a key component of the restaurants' summer offerings, providing an intimate setting where guests can enjoy high-quality performances while dining. Select Saturdays may also feature additional guest musicians, adding variety to the schedule.
For more information about Bangkok Happy Bowl, visit https://www.bangkokhappybowl.com/. For details on Phat Pho n Sushi, visit https://www.phattphonsushi.com/.
