Indian Hot Springs Idaho Springs, CO Words & Photos by J. Picard | Originally Posted on MusicMarauders
I’ve always enjoyed hosting music in unique and special locations and Saturday’s solo piano performance with Blake Mobley in the sunroom at the historic Indian Hot Springs was no exception! With a storied history extending back hundreds of years, Indian Hot Springs is located on Soda Creek or what was the dividing line between the Ute and Arapahoe tribes. As the story goes, the two tribes used to commune, worship and heal at the majestic hot springs, fed by an aquifer that extends down 750 feet into the earth. The main building itself has a history of over 160 years and seemed the perfect setting for some beautiful piano with one of Colorado’s best, Blake Mobley.
Blake arrived and loaded in his gear to the intrigue of hotel and hot springs guests and staff alike. Our goal was to place Blake’s set in-between a couple of the hot springs’ newly announced weekend pool time slots. As couples and families came up the stairs following their soaking experience in the resort’s gem, our Natural Mineral Pool that is enclosed in a jungle-like atrium, smiles overtook their faces as they realized the music that they were hearing was being performed live. Blake shared beautiful compositions that included “Gymnopedies” by L. Dre that went into Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature,” My Morning Jacket’s “Golden,” “Yesterday” by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix’s “Wind Cries Mary,” Everything in its Right Place” by Radiohead, as well as songs by The Bad Plus, Arcade Fire, Nirvana, Tears For Fears, Dr. John and more, all beautifully executed in Blake’s eloquent style.
The performance was masterful, the vibes were immaculate and it was clear that this was the beginning of something special, not only for the hot springs itself, but for the community of Idaho Springs, which feels somewhat starved for live music. As I posted a photo of Blake all set up and ready to play on my personal social media outlets, I began to receive messages from musicians inquiring about the prospect of playing music and getting involved at Indian Hot Springs.
Early arrivers for the following pool time slot checked-in and made their way to the dining room and sun room to enjoy the music as the pool was being cleaned. The historic space felt immediately like community was taking shape and there was a sense of lightness that further elevated the Saturday mountain vibes as the sun shined through the window filled room. In hosting live events, my take-aways are often the little moments - the wonderful sequences of life unfolding, when the music perfectly integrates and elevates a space or experience. There is an alignment that is palpable and an energy that is perfectly positive. That moment was achieved on that beautiful Saturday in Idaho Springs and in that moment, I could see our future. A future that includes site-wide preservation and development that includes new outdoor pools, soaking tubs positioned in the mountain, green spaces with fire pits and maybe the most exciting addition, a stage and grassy area for which to host concerts and community events. If you’ve heard of Indian Hot Springs, if you’ve driven by it on I-70 or if you’re just now discovering the magical site, come and experience a true diamond in the rough that is the Rocky Mountains, just a thirty minute drive west of Denver!
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