5 Reasons Paonia’s ‘Blue Sage’ Is Your Entertainment Headquarters

Do you enjoy live music performed in a historic atmosphere? Stop what you're doing and make your way to Paonia, Colorado, and visit the amazing Blue Sage.

Later tonight I'll be performing there with Clark Gault's Swing City Express for the "Saints, Sinners, and Superheroes" dance. I can't wait. Don't ask me how, but until last year I'd never played this venue. After 30 years of performing in Western Colorado, I had never been to the place.

This is good stuff. Imagine if you will a two-story brick building with more history than you can shake a stick at. If I were to guess, I would bet the bricks were handmade. The building is awesome, the stage is awesome, and the atmosphere is awesome. The stage was more than adequate to accommodate a 16-piece big band.

Check out the photo above. Do you see the pianist, the tenor sax player, and the lead alto player? Look at those smiles. They're delighted to be playing this room. You'll love it, too.

The Blue Sage Center for the Arts showcases several expressive mediums, everything from Big Band music, classical music, creative writing, and artwork. The venue sports an impressive schedule of events. November 2019 includes concerts, a wine tasting event, and an ornament making class.

I regret not having visited this venue before. Here are five reasons why you should stop by the first chance you get:

• The entertainment and educational lineup is fantastic
• The patrons are probably the nicest people you'll ever meet in your life
• This is a true center for the arts, rooted in a community with a strong tradition of supporting creative endeavors
• The building is perfect. I'll take it over a new venue any day.
• This is Colorado at its finest

After playing the room last year, we (Swing City Express) heard rumors they'd have us back in 2019. Well, those rumors proved true, and we are delighted.

The Blue Sage Center for the Arts is well worth the drive. Google Maps puts the drive at 79.9 miles and just shy of two hours from Grand Junction. Trust me, it's time well spent.