Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Ongoing Upcoming

Eats, drinks take over Main
DSCPA presents Greg Trooper
Seeds of Consolation'
Abbey screens Windhorse'

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

Durango Motorless Transit sponsors a group trail run on the Haflin Creek Trail at 6 p.m. Interested runners should meet at the trailhead 5.5 miles north on County Road 250. 385-2664 for details.

The San Juan Mountains Association sponsors a free, two-part GPS class at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at the San Juan Public Lands Center and on Saturday in the field. 385-1210 for details.

Canyon Music Jam Night , an open acoustic and bluegrass writers in the round, returns from 7-10 p.m. at Beaujo's Mountain Bistro, 400 S. Camino del Rio. 259-1622 for details.

Pongas, 121 E. Eighth St., hosts a singles, 8-ball pool tournament at 7 p.m. 382-8554 for details.

The Durango Community Recreation Center hosts Open Kayak Night in the pool from 7-8:45 p.m. 375-7310 for details.

The Miller Middle School Drama Club presents "Around the World and Back Again" at 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium.247-1418, ext. 112 for details.

Beer Bingo takes place at Lady Falconburgh's, 640 Main Ave., at 9 p.m. 382-9664 for details.

Airborne plays jazz at Scoot n Blues, 800 Main Ave., from 6:30-9:30 p.m. DJ Erik James and a special guest spin music downstairs for Femme Fatale at 10 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

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The La Plata County Community Summit takes place from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Fort Lewis College ballroom and will discuss topics including planning, health care, water and children.

A Psychic Festival , featuring mini-readings, numerology, food, raffles and more, takes place at the Blue Ray, 115 W. 11th St., from 3-8 p.m. 382-5955 for details.

The Dance Center presents "Hollywood," a dance tribute celebrating the great movies of the 20th century and the acclaimed stars of the silver screen. Performances take place at 7 p.m. at the Smiley Theater, 1309 E. Third Ave. 259-4122 for details.

Jane Voss and Hoyle Osborne celebrate the release of three new albums with a night of live Cabaret Americana at 7:30 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain Retreat Center, 848 E. Third Ave. (505) 334-9716 for details.

The Brown Brothers plays a CD release party at the Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College. Doors open at 7 p.m. 385-1711 for details.

A DJ spins a hip-hop mix at Solid Muldoon's, 117 W. College, at 9 p.m.. 247-9151 for details.

The Frank Trio performs experimental compositions in a hip-hop, nu jazz style at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

Nite Owl plays country rock at the Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave. 375-2568 for details.

Jeff Strahan and the Strangers play rock and blues at Scoot n Blues, 800 Main Ave., with shows at 5:30 and 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details. 4

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Oakhaven Permaculture Center and the FLC Environmental Center co-host a half-day workshop on " Managing Water in an Arid Climate" from noon to 4 p.m. at Oakhaven Permaculture Center in La Plata Canyon. 259-5445 for details.

The Dance Center presents "Hollywood," a dance tribute celebrating the great movies of the 20th century and the acclaimed stars of the silver screen. Performances take place at 7 p.m. at the Smiley Theater, 1309 E. Third Ave. 259-4122 for details.

Local jam band Aftergrass and special guests play the Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College. Doors open at 9 p.m. 385-1711 for details.

A DJ spins a hip-hop mix at Solid Muldoon's, 117 W. College, at 9 p.m.. 247-9151 for details.

Lymbic System plays rock and punk at Storyville, 1150 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 259-1475 for details.

Sandpaper Love, a six-piece ska/funk/rock band, plays at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

Nite Owl plays another show at the Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave. 375-2568 for details.

DJs Sean Patrick, Pat Fee and El Beau spin music for "Deep and Funky" at Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., at 10:30 p.m. 259-9200 for details.

Jeff Strahan and the Strangers play a second show at Scoot n Blues, 800 Main Ave., at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

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Storyteller Sara Ransom will tell "The Epic of Gilgamesh" at 7 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain Retreat Center, 848 E. Third Ave. The ancient story tells of a tyrant king who seeks immortality in the land now known as Iraq. The audience will be welcome to join the conversation. 247-5718 for details.

Pongas hosts free pool after 6 p.m. at 121 W. 8th St. 382-8554 for details.

Singer-songwriter Sand Sheff plays solo at Scoot n Blues, 800 Main Ave., at 6 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

The Durango Choral Society concludes its season with "Majesty and Splendor" at 7 p.m. in the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. This performance will highlight celebrated composer Cyprian Consiglio, who returns to Durango for another world premier. 247-7251 for details.

The Blue Moon Ramblers play bluegrass at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., from 7-10 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

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The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, screens "Calendar Girls" for the Women's Resource Center's Chick Flick Night. Doors open at 5 p.m. for free pizza, door prizes and drink specials, and the movie starts at 6 p.m. 247-1242 for details.

Durango High School music students will perform their end-of-the-year concert at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.The concert will feature the Colours, the Concert Choir, and the girls a capella group Pearls.259-1630, ext. 101 for details.

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Firewise hosts a free panel discussion on insurance and legal issues for homeowners in areas prone to wildfire at 6:30 p.m. at the La Plata Electric Association, 45 Stewart in Bodo Park. 749-7267 for details.

The Durango Community Recreation Center hosts Open Kayak Night in the pool from 7-8:45 p.m. 375-7310 for details.

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

Solid Muldoon's, 117 W. College, hosts College Night with a DJ spinning hip-hop. 247-9151.

Scoot n Blues, 900 Main Ave., presents king karaoke with Steve Kahler beginning at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

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The Durango Chamber of Commerce hosts its Lunch and Learn program at noon at the Bank of Colorado, 1199 Main Ave., featuring a talk by Alex Arribau of Phoenix Recycling/Data Protection on protection against identity theft . 247-0312 to RSVP.

Durango Citizens for Responsible Growth hosts a meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the La Plata County Fairgrounds to enlist the help of city voterswilling to circulate a "responsible growth" petition fora city-wideNovember ballot initiative.The group is a newly formed branch of Friends of the Animas Valley.259-2303 for details.

The second annual Singles Mingle in the Park takes place at Buckley Park, 12th and Main, at 6:30 p.m. Singles are invited to bring lawn chairs, coolers, dogs and kids to the open-format opportunity to meet other area singles. 375-6235 for details.

The Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., hosts a live DJ with no cover. 375-2568 for details.

Bike Night returns to Scoot n Blues, 900 Main Ave., with live music and specials. 259-1400. 4

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The Adaptive Sports Association launches a new fund-raising event, "A Lift for Charity" on May 16 at the Taste of Durango. Chairlift chairs from the original Purgatory Lift 1 have been turned over to a number of local artists and transformed into porch swings and patio benches. The chairs will be available for viewing and bidding at the Main Mall through July 4. 259-0374 for details.

The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, screens the Academy Award winning documentary "The Fog of War" beginning May 13. The Errol Morris directed movie profiles Robert McNamara, secretary of defense for the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, and president of the World Bank. The film features revealing interviews, archival footage and a score by Philip Glass. The Abbey will also continue to screen the French animated Feature "The Triplets of Belleville." Showtimes vary. 385-1711 for details.

The Durango High School Thespian Troupe 1096's presents a production of William Shakespeare's "Othello" on May 13 & 14. The play follows the celebrated Moor of Venice and his young bride Desdemona as they fall prey to the evil machinations of the once-faithful Iago. The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. 259-1630, ext. 105 for details.

The Open Shutter Gallery, 755 E. Second Ave., presents "Perspectives," an exhibit of black and white photographs by Durango photographers Katherine Barr and Jill Headington through May 19. Barr's landscapes include many Southwest scenes and Headington's work features exotic locations in Ethiopia, Mali, Morocco and Greece. 382-8355 for details.

The work of the Plein Aire Painters of the Four Corners will be on display at the Fort Lewis College Art Gallery through May 26. The group of professional artists meets once a month to paint out of doors "en plein aire" at various locations in the Southwest. All mediums are represented in this group of 33, including oil, watercolor, acrylic and pastel. 247-7167 for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts "Enigma: Longitudes and Latitudes," the first group exhibit of the year through May 29. Jennifer Neff of Durango shows her ceramic vessels and stone sculptures; Kimberly Sheek of Mancos displays her abstract prints; and S. Leela Sugnet of Durango shows her photographs of Granada, Nicaragua. An opening reception takes place on Friday, May 7 from 5-9 p.m. 259-2606 for details.

Durango Public Library offers online access to the full text of "Allies at War" through May 31. Selected as netLibrary's ebook of the Month, "Allies at War" offers a thorough analysis of U.S./European relations. 385-2970 for details.

The Center of Southwest Studies presents the exhibits "Today's Navajo Weavers" and "A Stirring Story: Navajo and Pueblo Spoons." "Today's Navajo Weavers" features the work of nearly 40 Navajo weavers. "A Stirring Story" is a traveling exhibit from the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian and features spoons and other flatware that were among the earliest products of Navajo and Pueblo silversmiths. 247-7494 for details.

The Children's Museum of Durango, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts "Destination Mars," a 600-square-foot national traveling exhibition, through May 15. Exhibit highlights include an actual piece of Mars, a scale model of NASA's new Mars Exploration Rover, a computer station providing MER mission updates, the Mars Weather Station and more. The museum reopens on May 26 with the exhibit "Nature and Me." 259-9234 for details.

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The Durango Chamber of Commerce and the City of Durango will sponsor "Clean Day" on May 21 in an effort to spruce up downtown before the busy summer season.

The Open Shutter Gallery will present "Testimonials," an exhibit of the black and white photography of Keith Carter and Janet Woodcock, beginning May 21.

Andrew Tosh and the Reggae Angels will play a tribute to Peter Tosh at the Abbey Theatre on May 21.

Durango Agility Dogs Club is hosting a three-day nationally sanctioned dog agility trial in Bayfield on May 21-23. 799-1632 for details.

A world dance and music concert to benefit Alternative Horizons takes place May 21 at the Durango Arts Center.

Durango Nature Studies will offer a free native plants and wildflowers walk at the Durango Nature Center on May 22.

Kulu and Tribal Rhythm Quest will play a fun'raiser for Community Space on May 22 at Fort Lewis College.

Southwest Natural Resource Alliance will present "A Night of Comedy" featuring renowned comedian Rocky LaPorte and opening act Jeff Wozer on May 22 in the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.

The South Austin Jug Band returns to Storyville on May 22.

The Explorer's Club Southwest will bring the Wayward Sons featuring Benny Galloway to Silverton on May 29.

Eats, drinks take over Main What: The annual Taste of Durango celebration Where: Downtown Durango on Main between 7th & 10th streets When: Sunday, May 16, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The annual Taste of Durango will provide locals and tourists alike a sampling of Durango's cuisine, music and flavor this weekend. A section of Main Avenue will be closed to traffic, and more than 40 food and beer booths from various local restaurants and breweries will take the place of cars. The event will also feature a cooking stage displaying the talent of chefs from East by Southwest, the Cyprus Cafe, Bistro 701, Durango Mountain Resort and other restaurants. Awards will be given in categories such as: "Definitely Durango" for a taste that reflects "the spirit of the town"; and "Most Tantalizing Taste" for the most intriguing dish. Another stage will feature live music throughout the day. The Catch 22 Blues Band goes on at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Excel Steel Pan Band plays at noon and the Durango High School Jazz Ensemble closes out festivities beginning at 2 p.m. For younger tasters, activity booths will be set up featuring Shan Wells' puppeteer skills, the Catch It Quick Jugglers and activities from the Durango Children's Museum. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Manna Soup Kitchen. Participants are asked to leave their four-leggeds at home and to "Eat, Drink and be Merry, For on the Morrow Tis Back to Work we Go!" For more information on Taste of Durango, call 759-5422 or log onto www.tasteofdurango.com.

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DSCPA presents Greg Trooper What: A concert by the singer-songwriter to close the DSCPA season Where: The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave. When: Saturday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. The Durango Society of Cultural & Performing Arts (DSCPA) closes its 14th season with a show by alt-country singer-songwriter Greg Trooper this Saturday at the Durango Arts Center. Known in Nashville, Austin and other music capitals as a "songwriter's songwriter," Trooper's tunes have found their way onto albums by Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Vince Gill, Billy Bragg, Tom Russell and Maura O'Connell. Trooper doesn't rush his craft. Including his 1986 debut album, "We Won't Dance," he has only seven recordings to his credit. But with each album, the New Jersey-born songwriter has gained further acclaim. Critics have embraced his last two studio albums, both produced by Phil Madeira. "Like all the best songwriters, Trooper wrings powerful results from words and melodies that often seem simple and effortless," wrote the Detroit Free Press . The Austin Chronicle noted, "It's a lurking darkness that gives Trooper his edge. Live, he will sweat and scuffle and rivet you in your seat." He honed his performing skills opening for the likes of Joe Ely and John Prine, and apparently their wit wore off on him. A listen to his live album, "Between a House and a Hard Place," reveals a different side of a performer who is best known for dark and introspective lyrics. "Take the Gun out of Your Mouth," "So French" and "Another Shitty Saturday Night" could be at home on a Todd Snider set list. Trooper takes the Durango Arts Center stage this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The DSCPA's 15th season will begin in August with an encore performance by legendary Cajun band BeauSoleil. For more information on the Greg Trooper show, call 259-2606.

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Seeds of Consolation' What: An evening retreat on the life of Thomas Merton Where: St. Columba Church, 1840 E. Second Ave. When: Thursday, May 13, from 7-9:30 p.m. The life of widely acclaimed spiritual writer Thomas Merton will be presented by Jonathan Montaldo this Thursday at St. Columba Church. The evening retreat, entitled "Seeds of Consolation," begins at 7 p.m., lasts for 2`BD hours and will include the screening of the new film "Thomas Merton and The Abbey of Gethsemani." Merton is the author of over 70 books that have inspired a wide community of spiritual enthusiasts of many faiths and is known for his contemplative, deep thinking. Even though Merton passed away in 1968, his spiritual legacy has lived on through his writing, many followers and various movies and documentaries. Montaldo is the former director of the Thomas Merton Center and the president of the International Thomas Merton Society. His new movie documents Merton's life as a monk, which all began at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky, in 1941. After 27 years, he died of an accidental electrocution in Bangkok, Thailand, but only after he met the Dalai Lama. Montaldo has worked with numerous pieces by Merton in the past years from being the general editor of the Fons Vitae Thomas Merton Series to directing movies featuring the life or ideas of Thomas Merton. The appearance of Montaldo is made possible by Judy Campbell, of Durango, an inspired reader of Merton; St. Columba Church; and the Mercy Medical Center. St. Columba will host the first retreat on Thursday at 7 p.m. and donations are suggested. Montaldo will also lead a private retreat in Hesperus and address Mercy Medical Center on May 17. For more information on any of the events, call 259-1228.

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Abbey screens Windhorse' What: A benefit showing the acclaimed film on Tibet's struggle Where: The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College When: Wednesday, May 19, at 7 p.m. Tibetan actress and musician Dadon (pronounced "Dadoon") will be in Durango on May 19 for a one-night screening of the acclaimed film "Windhorse." The screening benefits Durango Nature Studies and takes place at the Abbey Theatre at 7 p.m. "Windhorse" dramatizes the plight of the Tibetan people under Chinese rule , and is set 15 years ago in a small village high in the mountains of western Tibet. There, a family copes with political and cultural oppression in different ways. One member deals by assimilating into Chinese pop culture, another becomes embittered, and a third risks her life to defy Chinese rule. Filmed in 1998 by Academy Award-winning director Paul Wagner, the film was shot secretly on location in Tibet with many actors and participants working undercover for fear of retribution.It is also notable for its exotic locales, including the Himalayas and the streets of Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. Dadon, one of the film's stars, will introduce "Windhorse" and will be available after the screening for questions. Showtime is at 7 p.m. at the Abbey Theatre.For more information or advance tickets, call 382-9244.

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