Buddy Guy’s latest album sums up his legacy: “The Blues Is Alive and Well.” The celebrated guitarist and singer is synonymous with Chicago blues and is credited with influencing the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and many more. Ranked 23rd on Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” Buddy Guy’s talents are unmatched by the blues musicians who came before (and after) him. This eight time Grammy winner is still in his prime and performing sold-out shows across the country.

Fresh off a Grammy win for their 2018 album “All Ashore” (Folk Album of the Year), the Punch Brothers return to Beaver Creek July 29th. Mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny and violinist Gabe Witcher formed the Punch Brothers in 2006. They’ve garnered plenty of praise during their career. The Washington Post had this to say: “With enthusiasm and experimentation, Punch Brothers take bluegrass to its next evolutionary stage, drawing equal inspiration from the brain and the heart.” In May the group performed at Carnegie Hall along with Nickel Creek.

In Jamaica, there’s no other artist with as many No. 1 hits as Toots & The Maytals. The group holds the Guinness Book of World Records for their incredible 31 No. 1 hits in Jamaica. As one of the true architects of reggae — their 1968 song “Do the Reggay” is credited with giving the genre its name — Toots & The Maytals is a band that’s forever drenched in soul, rooted in gospel, and still breathtakingly powerful after nearly six decades in the spotlight. This summer, the Grammy winning group plans to release a new album. The Gladiators featuring Droop Lion will open the show.

With a voice that’s instantly recognizable, Michael McDonald’s career has endured through the changing face of pop music. Fans are just as enamored with classics such as “What a Fool Believes” and “I Keep Forgettin’” today as they were when the songs were first released. A former member of Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers, McDonald as garnered five Grammy awards throughout this career. In 2016 he released “Wide Open,” his first album of new material in over 17 years — proving he’s still got it and isn’t done cranking out the hits.

Hailing from the famed music city of Muscle Shoals, Ala., Shenandoah is one of the most respected bands in country music, beloved by fans for their late ‘80s and early ‘90s hits like “The Church on Cumberland Road,” “Sunday in the South,” “Two Dozen Roses,” “Next to You, Next to Me,” and “If Bubba Can Dance (I Can Too)” — all of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Original members Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire have reunited to write a new chapter in the Shenandoah story. The band’s 30th anniversary tour is an opportunity to see these celebrated and Grammy award winning country music stars on stage together again.

It’s impossible not to move when The Mavericks perform. The eclectic American band combines Tex-Mex, neotraditional country music, and Latin, all with a magnetic rockabilly influence. Founded in Miami, Florida in the late ‘80s, the band has produced top country hits like “O What a Thrill,” “There Goes My Heart,” and “Here Comes the Rain,” which won the band a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance with Vocals in 1995. The band most recently released “Brand New Day” (2016), which exhibited the same exhilarating style that has defined the Mavericks over their storied career.

Acclaimed TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling author, TV and movie voice-over artist and pioneering car mechanic, Jay Leno is widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business.”  His late night television ratings domination included two decades as the host of the #1-rated “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” – he never lost a ratings year in which he served as host. Leno, currently produces and is host of the CNBC Television series “JAY LENO’S GARAGE” now in its third season. “Jay Leno’s Garage” explores the world of cars, never forgetting that it’s the people behind the wheel who provide the real stories.

An Army vet-turned-country singer, Craig Morgan garnered his first big hit in 2005 with “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” which spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Hot Country chart. Morgan’s other Top 10 country hits include “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “Little Bit of Life,” “International Harvester,” “Love Remembers” and “Bonfire.” In 2016, Morgan released his latest album, “A Whole Lot More to Me,” which Rolling Stone praised for valuing “poignancy over pop country.” He’s also been a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2008.

The Los Angeles-based company Troupe Vertigo is known for its inventive and eclectic approach to circus, dance and theatre. The troupe’s latest show, “Cirque,” showcases impressive physical feats that have been choreographed into works of art. Prepare to be mesmerized by the acrobatic artistry Troupe Vertigo excels at. “Cirque” is an enthralling mix of high-caliber cirque acts, theatrical performances, dance, music and so much more.

Memorial Day, May 27th at 4pm, head to the Vilar Performing Arts Center for a FREE screening of Peter Jackson’s (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) 2019 documentary film, “They Shall Not Grow Old.” Using state of the art technology to restore original archival footage that’s more than 100 years old, Jackson brings to life the people who can best tell this story: the men who were there. With a 99%Rotten Tomatoes score, the film premiered to rave reviews from critics across the world. SEE THE GREAT WAR. IN COLOR AND 3D this Memorial Day.