thursday friday saturday sunday monday tuesday wednesday
ongoing upcoming
Blues legend Guitar Shorty brings his Fender to Durango
Four Corners Commission returns to DAC
The Summit present the world beat of Boulder-based Jaka

Submit items for On the Town to: 534 Main Ave., Durango, CO, 81301; fax: ( 970) 259-0448; e-mail: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com ; or fill out this form

Nina Sasaki plays covers at the Palace Restaurant, 1 Depot Place, from 6 to 9 p.m. 247-2018 for more info.

Pongas, 121 W. Eighth St., presents a singles, 8-ball pool tournament at 7 p.m. 382-8554 for more info.

Lady Falconburgh’s, 640 Main Ave., presents Beer Bingo Night at 9 p.m. 382-9664 for more info.

World Beat, Afro-pop groove band Jaka plays the Summit, 600 Main Ave. 247-2324 for more info.

Suzanna Ninichuck & Joe Gilbert play smooth jazz at Christina’s Grill and Bar, 3416 N. Main Ave. 382-3844 for more info.

Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave., hosts Studio 54 Ladies Night at 10 p.m. 259-1400 for more info.

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Studio 3 plays its blend of blues, reggae, rock and country from 3 to 7 p.m. at Purgy’s at Durango Mountain Resort.

Mysto the Magi does tableside magic from 7 p.m. until close at East by

Southwest, 160 E. College. 247-5533.

Oklahoma’s Cross Canadian Ragweed plays alt-country fused with roots rock at Storyville, 1150 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 259-1475 for more info.

Steve Vanbuskirk and Amy LaRochelle play folk and rock at Christina’s Grill and Bar, 3416 N. Main Ave. 382-3844 for more info.

Guitar Shorty plays a special blues engagement at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave. 259-1400 for more info.

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Studio 3 plays its blend of blues, reggae, rock and country from 3 to 7 p.m. at Purgy’s at Durango Mountain Resort.

Mysto the Magi does tableside magic from 7 p.m. until close at East by Southwest, 160 E. College. 247-5533 for more info.

Austin’s Zach Parrish brings his blues back to Storyville, 1150 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 259-1475 for more info.

Jeff Strahan and the Strangers rock out at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave. 259-1400 for more info.

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Studio 3 plays its blend of blues, reggae, rock and country from 3 to 7 p.m. at Purgy’s at Durango Mountain Resort.

Pongas hosts free pool after 6 p.m. at 121 W. Eighth St. 382-8554 for more info.

The Sweet Ross Quartet plays jazz at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave. 259-1400 for more information.

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The Summit, 600 Main Ave., hosts open mic night. 247-2324 for more info.

Native son and Nashville talent Sand Sheff plays the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., from 6:30-10 p.m. 382-2648 for more info.

Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave., presents Durango Dot Comedy and Comic Kazi. 259-1400 for more info.

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Tuesday Trivia takes place at Lady Falconburgh’s, 640 Main Ave., at 8 p.m. 382-9664 for more info.

Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave., hosts the King Karaoke Show beginning at 8 p.m.. 259-1400 for more info.

Tim Sullivan plays country at the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., from 6:30 to 10 p.m. 382-2648 for more info.

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Pongas, 121 W. Eighth St., hosts a scotch doubles pool tournament at 7 p.m. 382-8554 for more info.

Channel 61, the Point and the Durango Songwriters Expo present “Downtown Live,” a public television broadcast with a radio simulcast of live music, at 7 p.m. at Solid Muldoon’s, 117 W. College. The band for the third “Downtown Live” has yet to be announced. 259-9151 for more info.

Terry Rickard plays acoustic rock at Christina’s Grill and Bar, 3416 N. Main Ave. 382-3844 for more info.

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“The Fast Runner,” an award-winning Canadian film written, produced, directed and acted by Inuit, shows at the Abbey Theatre, 123 E. College Ave. The “Fast Runner” will show once nightly at 6:45 p.m. through Jan. 17.

The Open Shutter Gallery, 755 East Second Ave., is exhibiting a “Best of the Year” holiday show through Jan. 16. The show features a selection of 2002’s best photographs as well as exciting new work from locals Jenny and Greg Gummersall, Karin Becker, and Kirk Norlin. The gallery also is presenting an installation of work by acclaimed New York photographer Lois Greenfield at the Cafe of Life, 925 Highway 3, through Jan. 31.382-8355 for more info.

The Center of Southwest Studies presents, “Potters and Painters: The Artistry of Mata Ortiz.” This collection features contemporary pottery from the village of Mata Ortiz in northern Mexico. The center is also hosting “Ranch Families: Culture of America,” a celebration of ranching’s multicultural heritage featuring Jenny Gummersall’s photographs and Greg Gummersall’s paintings, through January. 247-7456 for more info.

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Newgrass greats Acoustic Syndicate will return to Durango on Jan. 13 with a special guest. Vince Herman, lead singer and guitarist for Leftover Salmon, joins them for a three-set extravaganza at the Durango Arts Center. Herman will open the evening with a solo, acoustic set, after a short intermission, the Syndicate will perform a set and Herman will join the four-piece band for a final set.

The Children’s Museum will open its new exhibit, “Great Explorations” on Jan. 15. The exhibit will run through April 6 and feature some favorites like the grocery store, lightning room, magnet table, fishing dock and robotics.

A benefit concert for Bryce Henning will take place Jan. 17 at the Abbey Theatre. Bryce must have reconstructive facial surgery after being mugged in Seattle. Various bands will play, including the Blue Moon Ramblers, Beltaine, the Blanco Basin Boys, the Badly Bent and the Bruce Hayes Band. There also will be a silent auction and door prizes.

The FLC Concert Hall will present the antics of the Gizmo Guys as they demonstrate their juggling skills and original routines Jan. 19.

Blues legend Guitar Shorty brings his Fender to Durango What: Two concerts by bluesman Guitar Shorty Where: Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave. When: Friday, Jan. 3, 5:30 & 8 p.m. Guitar Shorty, aka David Kearney, joined Ray Charles and his band for a year at the age of 16. He then was lured away to play with Guitar Slim and moved to New Orleans. In New Orleans, Shorty fronted his own group that became the house band at the legendary Dew Drop Inn. There he played with greats such as T- Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner and Little Richard. However, it was a job with Sam Cooke that got 19-year-old Shorty on the bus and on his way to the West Coast. Shorty lived and worked in Los Angeles and Canada until 1961. He later met his wife, Marcia, in Seattle. When Shorty married, he also got Jimi Hendrix, Marcia’s brother, for a brother-in-law. The young Hendrix came to see Shorty play often, and they were friends until Hendrix’s death. Since that time Shorty has recorded several albums for the Black Top label and is currently signed to Evidence Records. He often jams at local clubs with former members of the Eagles and Steely Dan, and calls local blues artist Keb Mo a personal friend and fan. He continues to capture audiences with his sincerity, energy and rocking, blues style. Guitar Shorty has been electrifying audiences for more than four decades with a blistering combination of guitar, soulful vocals and wildman stage antics. Call 259-1400 for more info.

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Four Corners Commission returns to DAC What: Annual juried art exhibit of regional works Where: Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave. When: Jan. 7-Feb. 1 The Four Corners Commission returns to the Durango Arts Center for its seventh year on Tuesday, Jan. 7. This regional, juried exhibit celebrates the uniqueness of the life, land and history of the Four Corners region with art in all mediums. This year’s jurors were artists John Maxon and Judith Graham. Cash prizes are awarded, and the “Best of Show” award-winning art is reproduced on postcards. New this year, the Durango Area Tourism Office (formerly a part of DACRA) will be sponsoring a special prize in association with this exhibit. The DATO chosen artist will receive 12 months of on-line promotion on the front page of DATO’s Web site and have the opportunity to display work at the visitor’s center. The winning image also will be reproduced to become the official postcard for the Tourism Development Center. An opening reception will take place at the Durango Arts Center on Jan. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m.

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The Summit present the world beat of Boulder-based Jaka What: Afro-pop groove band from Boulder Where: The Summit, 600 Main Ave. When: Thursday, Jan. 2 Jaka is a world-beat dance band based in Boulder that is blazing its own musical path. Jaka’s Afro-pop can be described as Rusted Root and Mickey Hart meet African artists, King Sunny Ade’, Johnny Clegg and Thomas Mapfumo. The group has a driving percussive sound layered with bright, soaring melodies and vocal harmonies in three languages. The band’s polyrhythmic sound is a rich brew of the ancient mbira traditions of Zimbabwe and Congolese soukous, spiced with Caribbean rhythms and instruments including the steel drum or “pan.” Touring consistently throughout the West, their highly original, relentlessly upbeat sound has garnered a growing fanbase. Spanning the spectrum from the “hippie-jam” festival scene to the culturally-oriented performing arts arena to universities and even elementary schools, a Jaka performance appeals to all audiences. While focused on its loyal fans and touring (more than 100 shows per year), Jaka has still managed to release two well-received independent CDs in the past three years and released its third in the fall. Jaka’s recorded music also has been enthusiastically welcomed by public and college radio, as well as specialty shows in selected AAA stations across the West. Its music is regularly ranked in the top 10 under “New World” in the College Music Journal at reporting stations across the West. In 1999 and again in 2000, Jaka was honored by being voted “Best Band” in the Santa Fe Reporter. The band also has opened for acts that include The Wailers, Merl Saunders, Toots & the Maytals, Babatunde Olatunji and Yellowman. Jaka will play the Summit, 600 Main Ave., on Thursday, Jan. 2. Call 247-2324 for more information.

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