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Ongoing Upcoming

Steep Canyon Rangers return What: A show by the spirited, traditional bluegrass band
Krishna Das to share the blessing of music

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

A "Weeds in Natural and Agricultural Areas" tour takes place from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in West La Plata County. 385-1210 for details.

The La Plata County Democrats hold a "Get Out the Vote" training session from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Democratic Party Headquarters, 1063 Main Ave. 247-2392 to RSVP.

Terry Rickard performs on the patio at Christina's Grill and Bar, 21382 US Hwy. 160 W., from 5:30-9 p.m. 382-3844 for details.

Maria's Book Shop, 960 Main Ave., hosts a 6 p.m. reading and book signing with Earth First! founder Dave Foreman for two new books: The Lobo Outback Funeral Home , and Rewilding North America: A Vision for Conservation in the 21st Century . 247-1438 for details.

Durango Motorless Transit sponsors a group trail run on the Perins Peak Trail at 6 p.m. Interested runners should meet at the trailhead at the end of the Rockridge subdivision. 385-2664 for details.

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

John Sebastian , original Lovin' Spoonful member and Woodstock alumni, plays a solo concert at the Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show beginning at 8 p.m. 385-1711 for details.

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

Storyville, 1150 Main Ave., kicks off its last hurrah weekend with a 9:30 p.m. show from jam rock band and Battle of the Bands winner Sweet Jones . 259-1475 for details.

DJ Morning Bear spins reggae, dance-hall and hip-hop for pint night at Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave. 259-9200 for details.

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The San Juan Mountains Association holds a volunteer trail work day from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. to help eliminate erosion problems along the first mile of the Colorado Trail. Volunteers will assist in the construction of two rock retaining walls along impacted areas. 385-1242 to register.

Music on Main, a weekly concert at 8th Street and Main, presents the final concert of the summer season with music from the Catch 22 Blues Band . The 5-7 p.m. performance is put on by the City of Durango and is free to the public. 385-2850 for details.

Christina's Grill and Bar, 21382 US Hwy. 160 W., hosts music from Dean Murphy & Kevin Blaum (patio) and Holly Hieronymous (lounge) from 5:30-9 p.m. 382-3844 for details.

The Fred James Band plays Scoot n Blues, 800 Main Ave., with shows at 5:30 and 8 p.m. James wrote many of Johnny Winter's classics. 259-1400 for details.

The Kirk James Blues Band plays at the Buffalo Gap in Vallecito at 8:30 p.m. 884-2259 for details.

Storyville, 1150 Main Ave., continues its farewell weekend with Supper Club with Brown Brother Greg Oldson from 6-9 p.m. At 9:30 p.m., Dialogue, Suitcase and Nuff Said take the stage. 259-1475 for details

Paul Gebo performs his "Songs of Revolution" in a benefit for Turtle Lake Refuge at 8 p.m. at 1511 County Rd. 205 (Katrina's house). The evening will include a 7 p.m. potluck. 247-0514 or 247-8395 for details.

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

Local jam band Sol Vista plays a 9 p.m. show at the Billygoat Saloon in Gem Village. 884-9155 for details.

Little Hercules brings its hardcore funk back to Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 259-9200 for details.

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The Durango Farmers Market , a community-based organization of local agriculturalists and artisans, gathers in the First National Bank of Durango parking lot, 259 W. 9th St., from 8 a.m.-noon. This week's market includes a special Garden Project kids booth, where local children are invited to plant small herb/flower gardens to take home and learn about the Garden Project. 946-5269 for details.

San Juan Citizens' Alliance hosts its 2nd annual Yard Sale from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 495 Florida Rd. People interested in donating items to the yard sale should contact 259-3583.

Trails 2000 holds a volunteer trail work day from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the East Animas Road Climbing Area. Volunteers will help build a new trail for permanent public access and a new parking area. 259-4682 for details.

The Eleventh Street Wordshop sponsors a one-day writers' workshop with Taos author Christina Nealson from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nealson is the author of two books, is also a professional photographer, and teaches both writers' and publishing workshops. 385-5452 for details.

Deep Ecologist Dolores LaChapelle leads an all-day course on harmonizing lives and relationships with the earth and the human need for rituals, at Silverton Mountain starting at 9 a.m. 387-5706 for details. 4

Katzin Music, located in the Crossroads Center at 14th & Main, hosts its annual Free Musical Instrument Try-Out from 1-4 p.m. The event offers locals and students an opportunity to try out instruments with the help of Katzin's teaching staff. 259-2211 for details.

A new Respite Care Program for families of children with special needs holds an open house from 4-6 p.m. at the Mason Center 333 E. 12th St. 247-5702 ext. 205 for details.

The Children's Museum of Durango hosts a Mars viewing party from dusk to 10 p.m. at the Lion's Den, located across from Hillcrest on Rim Drive. The event celebrates the planet's closest approach to Earth in recorded history and will include telescope viewing, hands-on activities and a talk and slideshow. 259-9234 for details.

Christina's Grill and Bar, 21382 US Hwy. 160 W., hosts Lee Bartley on piano in the lounge from 5:30-9 p.m. 382-3844 for details.

The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, hosts a free showing of "The Last Great Wilderness Project," a slide presentation about threats to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, at 6 p.m. The program will be presented by Jeff Barrie, producer of the documentary "Arctic Quest: A search for truth" and Peter Solomon, a member of the Gwich'in Nation. 385-1711 for details.

The Dances of Universal Peace take place at 7 p.m. at the Mason Center, 301 E. 12th St. 385-7375 for details.

The finale continues at Storyville, 1150 Main Ave., with music from the Hounds of Purg , the Brown Brothers , the Lawn Chair Kings and Pop Shuv It . The multi-band extravaganza gets under way at 7 p.m. 259-1475.

Durango Dot Comedy presents a night of improv entitled "Any Other Bright Ideas?" at 8 p.m. at the Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave. 259-2606 for details.

The Fred James Band plays an encore show at Scoot n Blues, 800 Main Ave., at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, hosts a free screening of "Downhill Speed" at 8:30 p.m. The film documents the lives of three professional downhill mountain bike racers and the ups and down of the racing season. 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.

Sol Vista brings its local jam rock to the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

Little Hercules plays a second show of New Orleans-style funk at Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 259-9200 for details.

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The farewell celebration and five years in business come to a close at Storyville, 1150 Main Ave., with a Punk Rock-Hip Hop Breakfast . Doors open at 9 a.m. with the music beginning at 10 a.m. 259-1475.

Christina's Grill and Bar , 21382 US Hwy. 160 W., hosts music from Tim Guidotti on the patio at 10 a.m. 382-3844 for details.

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

Kirk James plays a 6 p.m. solo show at Scoot n Blues, 800 Main Ave. 259-1400 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.

The Explorers' Club Southwest in Silverton hosts a party for Silverton Mountain's Freeride Gravity Downhill Bike Fest at 8 p.m. The event features live music and free beer for competitors. 387-5706 for details.

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Silverton Mountain hosts its first annual Freeride Gravity Downhill Bike Fest with riders judging one another on style, air and flow. "Best of the Fest" goes home with a bunch of prizes. 387-5706 for details.

A "Cost of Growth/Development Impact" workshop takes place from 10 a.m.-noon at the La Plata County Courthouse, 1060 E. Second Ave. A question-and-answer session takes place from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Swing Shift plays melodic and lyrical jazz standards at the Cyprus Caf`E9, 725 E. Second Ave., from 6-9 p.m. 385-6884 for details.

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Maria's Book Shop, 960 Main Ave., hosts a two-author book signing at 6 p.m. with husband and wife Tom Wolf and Christina Nealson from Taos. The discussion is titled "Wolves, Wildfires, and Living on the Land." 247-1438 for details.

The Jeff Solon Jazz Group plays on the patio at the Cyprus Caf`E9, 725 E. Second Ave., from 6-9 p.m. 385-6884 for details.

As part of the Mesa Verde Artists-in-Residence Program, David Nighteagle performs Native American Flute music from 6-8 p.m. at the Morefield Campground. 529-4465 for details.

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

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

Honey Tongue , Seattle's "Touring Artist of the Year," brings its rock n' roll to the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

Solid Muldoon's, 117 W. College, hosts College Night with a DJ spinning hip-hop. 247-9151 for details. 4

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David Nighteagle performs a second show of Native American Flute music from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Mesa Verde's Far View Terrace. 529-4465 for details.

The Jeff Solon Jazz Group plays on the patio at the Cyprus Caf`E9, 725 E. Second Ave., from 6-9 p.m. 385-6884 for details.

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

Scoot n Blues, 900 Main Ave., presents a second night of King Karaoke with Steve Kahler at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

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A free Electronic Recycling Drop-Off will be available through Sept. 6 at Office Depot, 331 S. Camino del Rio. Residents are encouraged to drop off computers, monitors, digital cameras, fax machines, cell phones, and other electronics and permitted to drop off one component per person per day. The drop-off will be available during regular business hours. 247-5702 ext. 220 for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts the exhibit "Next Wave" through Aug. 28. The show features the work three Durango artiststhe acrylic paintings of Monica Goldsmith, oils and acrylics from painter Barbara Heinrich and photographs by Tony Schweikle. Meanwhile, "The Cameras of Paul Pennington," a unique exhibit of the photographer's many cameras, takes place upstairs at the center from Aug. 31-Oct. 2. 259-2606 for details.

The Open Shutter Gallery, 755 E. Second Ave., presents "Seduced by Color," an exhibit featuring the work of New York photographer Pete Turner. Turner is noted for his instantly recognizable work that uses saturated color as a graphic element. He has won numerous awards including "Professional Photographer of the Year 2000" and was listed as one of the 20 Most Influential Photographers. The exhibit will be on display through Sept. 22. 382-8355 for details.

Recipients of Fort Lewis College art scholarships will exhibit two and three-dimensional works in various mediums at the Fort Lewis College Art Gallery from Aug. 30 through Sept. 9. Art scholarship recipients include Breezy Beckler, Sarah Eller, Abby Holmes, Noah Lindgren, Chris Lyon and Sadie Short. An artists' reception is scheduled for Sept. 3. 247-7167 for details.

The Diamond Circle Melodrama , 699 Main Ave., celebrates its 43rd season withthe productions of "Under the Gaslight," a 19th century tale of an interrupted engagement, and "Hazel Kirke," a family drama set in Scotland. "Under the Gaslight" shows on odd-numbered dates and"Hazel Kirke" shows on even-numbered dates. Both shows are followed by a Vaudeville Revue with singing, dancing and slapstick. The melodrama shows at 7:45 p.m. and is closed Sundays. 247-3400 for details.

The Children's Museum, 802 E. Second Ave., presents "Nature and Me" an exhibit about the indigenous trees in the area. Included in the exhibit will be a puppet tree house, forest campsite, mini forest, bugs that help and hurt trees, video information about the effects of the Missionary Ridge Fire, a walk, and more. 259-9234 for details.

The Durango Public Library will offer Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Manhattan, 5th Edition as August's eBook of the Month. The book will be available to library patrons through Aug. 31. For more information, visit www.netlibrary.com.

The Adaptive Sports Association offers new summer recreational activities for people with disabilities . They include trips to Mesa Verde, explorations of the Animas Forks ghost town, ropes courses and overnight camping. ASA will continue to provide flatwater canoeing and kayaking, fishing, biking and other activities. 259-0374 for details.

The Center of Southwest Studies presents the exhibits "Today's Navajo Weavers," "A Stirring Story: Navajo and Pueblo Spoons" and "Presence with Abandonment." "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 Navajo and Pueblo spoons and other flatware. "Presence within Abandonment: Photography, Archaeology and Western Historic Sites" is a photographic exhibit by Thomas Carr. 247-7494 for details.

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A Poverty Roundtable meets at Christ the King Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. on Sept. 2. The event will discuss low-income/high risk families in La Plata County. 375-1433 for details.

The Durango Arts Center kicks off its annual members' exhibit, "Eclectic" with a Sept. 3 opening reception.

Seattle singer-songwriter Jill Cohn plays a free concert Sept. 3 at Carvers.

The ninth annual Four Corners Folk Festival takes place Sept. 3-5 on Reservoir Hill in Pagosa Springs.

Earthrise Community will hold an introductory meeting and open house on Sept. 7.

An informational meeting for the La Plata County Girls' Coalition has been rescheduled for Sept. 8.

The Adult Education Center hosts a Family and Friends Read-a-Thon from Sept. 8-14. 385-4354 for details.

The San Juan Mountains Association sponsors a free tour of the Missionary Ridge burn area on Sept. 10. 385-1210 for details.

The Women's Resource Center's 2004 annual Gala fund-raiser takes place Sept. 11 and will be a Venetian-style masquerade.

Legendary guitarist and former member of the Allman Brothers, Dickey Betts and his band Great Southern launch the Community Concert Hall season on Sept. 12.

The third annual Bluegrass for the Animas , a full day of bluegrass benefiting the Animas Conservancy and Friends of the Animas River, takes place Sept. 18.

The Bicycle Tour of the San Juans and Pedal for Peace take place along the San Juan Scenic Byway from Sept. 24-26.

San Juan Citizens Alliance will host its 1st annual Authentic Oktoberfest on Oct. 2 in downtown Durango.

"The Corporation" shows most nights at 5:30 & 8:15 p.m. Call 385-1711 for exact showtimes.

Steep Canyon Rangers return What: A show by the spirited, traditional bluegrass band Where: The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College When: Friday, Aug. 27. Doors open at 7 p.m. Energetic, traditional bluegrass takes center stage at the Abbey Theatre this Friday. The Steep Canyon Rangers are making the journey from North Carolina back to Durango for the 8 p.m. show. Founded less than five years ago, the Steep Canyon Rangers came together at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The band features Woody Platt (guitar), Mike Guggino (mandolin), Graham Sharp (banjo) and Charles Humphrey III (bass). Initially, the band members shared an interest in bluegrass, especially the progressive variety. However, as they sharpened their skills and matured musically, the Rangers found themselves drawn more to the sounds of the genre's early era. From informal living room picking sessions, the Rangers moved on to playing at clubs, pizza shops and other venues around the Chapel Hill area. In 2001 the group released its first CD, "Old Dreams & New Dreams" and followed it with a victory at the Rockygrass festival's band competition during the first festival the Rangers had ever attended! The year 2002 saw the release of the group's second album, "Mr. Taylor's New Home" and a return to Rockygrass as main stage performers. The Steep Canyon Rangers also threw themselves into a busy touring schedule that alternated between bluegrass festivals and concert halls and clubs. During that time, the group has appeared alongside the likes of Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Del McCoury, and Rhonda Vincent. In October 2003, the Rangers capped a fruitful year with a triumphant showcase at the International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass trade show. Doors for the Steep Canyon Rangers show open at 7 p.m. For information, call the Abbey, 385-1711.

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Krishna Das to share the blessing of music What: A benefit concert of music and chanting Where: The Smiley Theater, 1309 E. Third Ave. When: Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. Krishna Das is an award-winning kirtan singer and musician who has traveled the world over sharing the blessing of his music. This week, he brings his talents to Durango with an Aug. 31 performance at the Smiley Theatre. Krishna Das has taught with Ram Dass and sung for many saints and yogis both here and in India. Over the years, he has also made numerous pilgrimages throughout India, meeting teachers and saints of many spiritual traditions on his quest to open and purify his heart. Living in jungles, ashrams and holy places throughout India, Krishna Das has worked to absorb ancient truths. Joining Krishna Das on stage will be Tsultrim Allione, M.A., one of the first American women ordained as a Tibetan nun. Tsultrim is the author of Women of Wisdom , a groundbreaking book on the lives of great female Tibetan Buddhist practitioners, as well as articles and various audio programs on the sacred feminine and other Buddhist topics. After four years as a nun, Tsultrim retired her monastic vows, married and raised three children. Inspired by the vision of a western retreat center while living in the Himalayas, Tsultrim founded Tara Mandala in Pagosa Springs in 1993. She is now the resident teacher at Tara Mandala. In addition to the 8 p.m. performance at the Smiley Theater, there will be a day-long retreat of music, chanting and meditation with Krishna Das and Tsultrim Allione at Tara Mandala on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Both events benefit Tara Mandala's capital campaign to raise funds for a new community hall. For more information, call 264-6177 or log onto www.taramandala.com.

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