Friday nights in Aspen can be pretty hopping, but during the Winter X Games, the vibe becomes truly electric. Belly Up is, in an of itself, one of the best intimate music venues anywhere, and the fact that it’s in Aspen puts it even higher on my list of favorite places to watch a show. On Friday night, a lucky set of invitees (myself included) were treated by Mountain Dew to a stellar night of hip hop. Professional athletes, industry people, and their friends were graced with an open bar (Gran Patrón Platinum included) while we watched energetic and inspired sets by Zion I and Talib Kweli. Both acts definitely capitalized on the energy of the crowd, as the night concluded with a no holds barred dance party on the stage with Talib Kweli. Belly Up has played host to a wealth of talented performers over the years, and that’s not going to change– it’s a great venue, and lets face it, it’s in a beautiful town.