thursday friday saturday sunday monday tuesday wednesday
ongoing upcoming
Big-wall climbing in Patagonia, Tibet and the Black Canyon
Children’s Museum unveils “Great Explorations”
Acoustic Syndicate returns to Durango with special guest

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

Fort Lewis College and Wells Fargo Durango sponsor the 11^th annual Southwest Business Forum from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Room 130 Noble Hall at Fort Lewis College. Three economic experts will discuss the short- and long-term impacts of drought, fires, terrorism, war, budget deficits, record-low interest rates and stock market decline. 247-7294 for more info.

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.

Fort Lewis College presents a lecture on conflict resolution by three associates of the Durango-based Mediation Group at 7 p.m. in Room 130 Noble Hall. The discussion will hit such topics as hidden conflict, constructive difference, and interpersonal, organizational and community conflict.

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

Haggard’s Black Dog Tavern, 10 miles east on Florida Road, hosts Canyon Dog Jam, an open, acoustic free-for-all. 259-5657.

Thicker Than Thieves plays at Christina’s Grill and Bar, 3416 N. Main Ave. 382-3844.

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

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Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave., will host a reading and booksigning by Durango resident Tekla Miller of her memoir A Bowl of Cherries, which chronicles her triumph over a tragedy-filled youth. 247-1438.

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

An opening reception for the Four Corners Commission exhibit will take place at the Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m. 259-2606.

Desert Thunder plays country rock at the Wild Horse Saloon, 601 East Second Ave. 375-2568 for more info.

Pete Giuliani brings his acoustic stew to Christina’s Grill and Bar, 3416 N. Main Ave. 382-3844 for more info.

The Bruce Hayes Band will break out the blues side of its repertoire with special guest Bob Hemenger on sax. Two shows, 5:30 to 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.to midnight, will take place at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave. 259-1400 for more info.

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The second Coca-Cola Nordic Race takes place at the DMR Nordic Center with skate races with distances of 1, 3, 5 and 10km. The event begins at 10 a.m. 385-2114.

The Dances of Universal Peace continue at 7 p.m. at the Mason Center, the corner of 12^th Street and East Third Avenue. The theme of the evening will be “The Names of God,” mantras from spiritual traditions around the world.

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

Dixie Wrecked plays punk-ass country at the Summit, 600 Main Ave. 247-2324.

Desert Thunder plays country rock at the Wild Horse Saloon, 601 East Second Ave. 375-2568 for more info.

The South Austin Jug Band plays country-fried bluegrass at Storyville, 1150 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 259-1475 for more info.

Mark Wilner plays folk and country at Christina’s Grill and Bar, 3416 N. Main Ave. 382-3844 for more info.

Steamworks, 801 East Second Ave., spins hip-hop tunes for ladies night. 259-9200.

The Gagan Brothers Band plays blues/rock at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave., at 8 p.m. Meanwhile, the Jackie Gino Band plays funky rock downstairs at Liquid. 259-1400.

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Wolf Creek Ski Area slashes ticket prices for College Day.

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

G.P.S., a newly formed band comprised of some of the former members of Earthtone, will be premiering at 8 p.m. at the Olde Schoolhouse in Needles. The band plays funk, soul and danceable grooves and includes Tim Guidotti, Jim Belcher and David Sachs. 385-0684 for more info.

The Jeff Solon Quartet plays jazz at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave. 259-1400.

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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 to 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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The Women’s Resource Center, 723 East Second Ave., will host a Ready>Set>Go! informational meeting from noon to 1 p.m for women striving for economic
self-sufficiency. Call 247-1242 to register.

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.

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” will be the Lawn Chair Kings. 259-9151.

Northern California alternative rock/punk band Every Seven plays at Storyville, 1150 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 259-1475 for more info.

Wild Country plays wild country at the Wild Horse Saloon, 601 East Second Ave. 375-2568.

Sand Sheff plays original and classic country at Christina’s Grill and Bar, 3416 N. Main Ave. 382-3844 for more info.

Multi-instrumentalist Hamilton Loomis plays a special engagement at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave., beginning at 8 p.m.. 259-1400 for more info.

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For its seventh year, the Four Corners Commission runs at the Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave., through Feb. 1. This regional, juried exhibit celebrates the uniqueness of the life, land and history of the Four Corners region with art in all media. Cash prizes are awarded, and the “Best of Show” award-winning art will be reproduced on postcards. 259-2606 for more info

The Fort Lewis College Art Gallery will host the Faculty Group Exhibition from Monday, Jan. 13 - Thursday, Jan. 30. The work of graduating Fort Lewis College art faculty will be displayed. An exhibit reception will be held Thursday, Jan. 16. 247-7167.

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

The Open Shutter Gallery, 755 East Second Ave., is exhibiting a “Best of the Year” show through Jan. 16. The show features a selection of the last year’s photographs as well as exciting new work from locals Jenny and Greg Gummersall, Karin Becker and the Up Close series from 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 also is hosting “Ranch Families: Culture of America,” a celebration of ranching’s multi-cultural heritage featuring Jenny Gummersall’s photographs and C. Gregory Gummersall’s paintings, through January. 247-7456 for more info.

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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 and the Bruce Hayes Band. There will be a silent auction and door prizes.

The Durango Society of Cultural and Performing Arts presents Katy Moffat Jan. 17 at the Diamond Circle Theatre.

A motorcycle run and silent auction fund-raiser will be held at Scoot ‘n Blues on Jan. 18 in memory of Judi Purcell and will benefit ABATE (A Brotherhood Active in Teaching and Education). 259-1400 for more info.

The Ouray Ice Festival returns Jan. 16-19. The weekend includes ice climbing demonstrations and competitions, gear demos, bazaars, clinics and more. (970) 325-0344 for more info.

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

Big-wall climbing in Patagonia, Tibet and the Black Canyon What: A slide show by acclaimed climber and Durango resident Jared Ogden Where: Animas City Rock, 1111 Camino del Rio When: Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. Local climber Jared Ogden will unveil a new slide-show on big-wall climbing in Patagonia, the Black Canyon and Jarjinjabo Towers, in the Tibetan borderlands of China. Last winter, Ogden was a first-hand witness to one of Patagonia’s most incredible climbing seasons ever. In fact, it’s widely believed that there were more first ascents completed in one season last year in Patagonia than ever before. Ogden partnered up with Topher Donahue, of Allenspark, near Estes Park, for a three-week trip to the Fitzroy Massif in December 2001 and climbed four towers, including new routes on Guillamet and Aguja Mermoz. But the story doesn’t end there – the pair pushed themselves to the point of exhaustion to keep up with the good weather they were having. As they cut out rest to pursue their opportunity, they repeatedly found themselves fighting for survival. The slide show also will focus on the super-remote region of the Tibetan borderlands on the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau. There lies the impressive Jarjinjabo Massif, which had only been visited by one party of climbers prior to Ogden’s trip this past August. The Jarjinjabo Massif offers some incredible climbing, so much so, it can honestly be called a climber’s dream. It’s filled with multiple unclimbed granite towers reaching 17,500 feet and up to 2,000 feet in length. Fellow climbers Mark Synnott and Pete Athens joined Ogden to climb seven virgin summits through mixed weather. If you’re a climbing enthusiast, this is one region that will literally take your breath away. Long routes in Colorado’s Black Canyon will be the other segment. This portion of the slide show will cover the climbing history of the area, everything from first ascents in the ’60s to cutting-edge climbs of today. For more information call 259-5700.

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Children’s Museum unveils “Great Explorations” What: A new Children’s Museum exhibit Where: Upstairs from the Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave. When: Jan. 15-April 6 The Children’s Museum opens its new exhibit, “Great Explorations,” on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The exhibit will run through April 6 and contains features designed to appeal to all ages. “We called it Great Explorations, because it runs the gamut from scientific exploration and how things work all the way to encouraging imagination,” said Development Director Kelly Quach, explaining the exhibit’s name. The exhibit includes favorites like the grocery store, lightning room, magnet table, fishing dock and robotics. New displays also have been added like a toddler area to help develop motor and cognitive skills. In conjunction with the Durango Film Society, there also will be a display that explores the film-making process with hands-on cameras and props. The Children’s Museum also offers a variety of interactive and educational exhibits, activities and workshops for children of all ages. Call the museum at 259-9234 for more information.

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Acoustic Syndicate returns to Durango with special guest What: A three-set newgrass extravaganza Where: The Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave. When: Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Durango newgrass fans should mark Monday, Jan. 13, on their calendars, as Acoustic Syndicate returns to town, only this time with a special guest. Vince Herman, lead singer and guitarist for Leftover Salmon, will join the band for a three-set extravaganza. Herman will open the evening with a solo, acoustic set at 7:30 p.m. After a short intermission, the Syndicate will perform a set. Herman will join the four-piece band for a final set. Beginning with an idea of fusing a variety of acoustic roots-music genres into a high-energy and original sound, Acoustic Syndicate was born in 1992. With four CDs to its credit, the tight ensemble is beginning to earn national attention. Acoustic Syndicate blends bluegrass, rock, jazz, funk and reggae to produce an explosive mix of original modern music. Bluegrass Unlimited says bands like Acoustic Syndicate hold the future of the genre in their hands. “If young adults are ever going to take an interest in bluegrass, there has to be something there to attract them. Acoustic Syndicate has found it.” No stranger to Durango, Acoustic Syndicate has earned strong praise for past performances at Haggard’s Black Dog Tavern. Like the Syndicate, Herman also is no stranger to Durango. His weeklong sets with Leftover Salmon at Farquahrts in the early 1990s are the stuff of legend. As Leftover Salmon grew in popularity, its stops in Durango have become fewer and farther between. Tickets for the show are available at Southwest Sound, the Durango Arts Center and Canyon Music Woodworks. The show is sponsored by the Durango Society of Cultural and Performing Arts, a Colorado nonprofit organization that produces bluegrass, blues and folk concerts. 375-1753 for more info.

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