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by
Welcome to “The Goods,”
the weekly entertainment lowdown that dares to ask the question,
“Why is Bruce Willis still allowed to make movies?”
His latest, the hilariously titled war epic “Tears of
the Sun,” seems ready to be his best work since Hudson
Hawk. Yes, I know Willis was in the masterpiece “Pulp
Fiction,” but for every one of those there is a “Mortal
Thoughts.” I cannot believe that after last week’s
incredible film festival you could be duped into another Bruce
Willis blockbuster but if you are, don’t say you weren’t
warned.
 There
is real entertainment all over town this week, enough to keep
you away from the Hollywood machine for a little while. Tonight,
March 13, and tomorrow, March 14, marks the return of the “Mambo
Explosion” that is Cabaret Diosa. This hi-fi Latin sensation
will be taking the stage at the Summit both nights. Anybody
who has caught the high-energy, multi-instrumental effort that
is Cabaret Diosa knows that there is never a sad face or slow
foot in the house. The Diosa plays the sort of infectious can’t-help-myself
rhythms that will make you stay all night.
Authentic bluegrass music returns to Durango on Friday, March
14, at the Diamond Circle Theater. The evening will feature
the fabulous return of the Stoney Creek Ramblers for one set
and two sets by perennial favorites Badly Bent. In a recent
 conversation
with Stoney Creek guitar guy, David Smith, he mentioned that
he thought the bluegrass scene in town had become insular and
urged me to emphasize that everyone is invited to come and enjoy
the tunes. True bluegrass is somewhat uncommon in Durango and
deserves our support. Plus, cover is only 5 dollars.
Also on March 14, Durangoans have the chance to experience
what was once called the “three chord shriekings”
of the Lawn Chair Kings for themselves at Storyville. That is
hardly a fair description though, as they have several songs
with four chords in them. Really, they are a fun band that attracts
a fun crowd and are worth the effort. The music is up-beat countrified
rock, and this show promises the “return of full gimmicks.”
That sounds like fun, even though I’m not really sure
what it means. See ya there!
I am sure you are all aware that this coming Monday is St.
Patrick’s Day. That’s the day where everyone is
at least a little Irish and seems to celebrate it by getting
stinking drunk and doing things that take a whole year to live
down. Since I happen to be Irish all year long, I’m not
all that fond of St. Patty’s, but there are a few fun
things to do this year. Saturday, March 15, is the first annual
Celtdown at the Durango Arts Center. A celebration of all things
Irish, the Celtdown will feature music by Silvia Zurko and local
favorites Beltaine, among others. There also will be a cash
bar, door prizes and an all-inclusive Irish jam session after
the performers finish their sets. The party gets started at
7 p.m. Best of all, it’s not on the actual St. Patrick’s
Day, so you can celebrate the holiday while avoiding all the
nut jobs who will be littering the streets Monday.
Speaking of nut jobs, if you happen to be out on March 17,
be sure to drop in on the cast of KDUR kooks who will be doing
a live remote from Carver’s from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Not
only is this live remote in honor of the holiday, but it also
signals the kick-off of KDUR’s spring membership drive.
Bring tomatoes.
This Week’s Sign the End Is Near: Leave it to the failed
ex-owner of one of Major League Baseball’s most troubled
franchises, the Texas Rangers, to potentially ruin my favorite
month in sports. Both March Madness and the opening of the professional
baseball season may be over-shadowed and pre-empted on TV by
boring old war coverage. I remember the first televised war
in Iraq and how it made me actually stop watching TV for a couple
of years. I can only hope that doesn’t happen again.
This Week’s Record You May Want to Own: For nearly 10
years now, the independent label Bloodshot RecordsA0has been
providing record buyers with a viable alternative to the pap
being peddled buy the major labels. To commemorate its 100th
release, it has put together a compilation of many of the early
recordings that helped make Bloodshot what it is today.
“Making Singles, Drinking Doubles” is mostly made
up of B-sides of early singles and provides a glimpse into the
sense of humor that underlies most of what the label does. For
example, The Meat Purveyors turn in a bluegrass take on three
of Madonna’s biggest hits that will leave fans laughing,
and Rex Hobart and His Misery Boys add the pone to the already
corny “Every Rose has its Thorn.”
All in all, “Making Singles, Drinking Doubles”
provides a sturdy jumping off point for those unfamiliar with
the Bloodshot output and a great collection for those already
in on the joke.
What’s goin’ on? mpsheahan@yahoo.com
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