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Ongoing Upcoming

Nosotros brings Latin dance to the Abbey
Kenya pays a visit to Durango
Global Funk Council returns to the Summit

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

Red Cliff School , an independent middle school offering small class size and an accelerated curriculum, holds an informational meeting for prospective students and parents at 6 p.m. in Room #23 of the Smiley Building. 749-7333 for details.

Maria's Bookshop, 960 Main Ave., hosts a 6 p.m. talk and book signing with Cortez author Kari Chalker for her new book, Totems to Turquoise . Chalker is the general editor of this companion volume to the traveling exhibition, which opened at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. 247-1438 for details.

The FLC Environmental Center hosts its third annual "A Reel Environmental Experience" film festival and fund-raiser at 6 p.m. at the Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave. The night includes drinks, appetizers, live music, a silent art auction and three films. 247-7676 for details.

"Connecting Through Communication," a free introduction to nonviolent communication for adults and teens, takes place from 7-9 p.m. at the Mason Center, 301 E. 12th St. The workshop's focus is on creating ease, acceptance and possibilities in relationships. 375-1170 for details.

The Fort Lewis College Percussion Ensemble , under the direction of John Pennington, performs at 7 p.m. at the Community Concert Hall. Professor of Music Mikylah Myers McTeer will join the ensemble to perform the Lou Harrison Violin Concerto. 247-7657 for details.

The FLC Life-Long Learning Lecture Series continues with a lecture by Charles Burnham entitled "Drilling for Answers through Ice and Mud in Exotic Places" at 7 p.m. in 130 Noble Hall. Burnham, is a former Harvard University professor. 247-7400 for details.

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

The Sound Liberation Peace Choir meets from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Heartlight Wholistic Health Center, 97 W. North St. in Bayfield. 884-9216 for details.

Scoot 'n Blues, 800 Main Ave., hosts the Open House Dance Party , featuring house and hip hop music, at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

Durango Joe's, 732 E. College, presents Open Mic Night from 9-11 p.m. Sign-ups for the talent contest begin at 8:30 p.m. 375-2121 for details.

DJs Irah and El Beau spin music at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

The Motet brings their Biodiesel tour bus and poly-ethnic groove back to Durango with a show at the Abbey Theatre. Doors open at 10 p.m. 385-1711 for details.

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Registered nurses Brenda Isgar and Debra Betwee don retro nursing caps and uniforms to commemorate San Juan Basin Health's 40th anniversary . The celebration takes place at 12:30 p.m. at the Bayfield Senior Center and includes free blood pressure clinics, cake and punch. A second celebration is scheduled for Dec. 9 at the Durango Senior Center.

Open Shutter Gallery, 755 E. Second Ave., hosts an autograph and "unveiling" party for Operation Healthy Communities' "Mature Men of La Plata County" Calendar . Models and the photographer will be on hand from 5-8 p.m. 382-8355 for details.

The Kirk James Blues Band plays a free happy hour show at Scoot 'n Blues, 800 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

The Fort Lewis College Music Department holds its holiday bash at 7 p.m. in the Community Concert Hall. 247-7657 for details.

The Heartlight Wholistic Health Center, 97 W. North St. in Bayfield, present the film, "Farther Than the Eye Can See," at 7 p.m. The documentary follows blind climber Eric Weihenmayer as he tackles Mt. Everest. 884-9216 for details.

The Mug Club presents "Strange Brew Movie Night" at 8:30 p.m. at the Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College. Plenty of beer will be available from all of the Mug Club Breweries and the classic "Strange Brew" will be screened. The event isfree to Mug Club members and is a nominal charge for nonmembers. 385-1711 for details.

"The World's Greatest Art Exhibit" shows for one night only at Steamworks, 802 E. Second Ave., beginning at 9 p.m. Artists from Durango, Pagosa Springs, Austin, Telluride, Denver, Tucson and Albuquerque will have their work on display. DJ Brian Ess will provide accompanying music at 9:30 p.m. 259-9200.

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The 7th annual Second Avenue Holiday Celebration takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Seventeen businesses take part in the celebration that includes special events, theater performances, holiday goodies, caroling, activities for kids, and discounts and giveaways at many businesses. The Durango Arts Force will give a 1 p.m. matinee performance of the holiday music review, "Forever Christmas," at the Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave. 259-2606 for details.

"Communication Tango," a one-day workshop exploring the principles and practices of nonviolent communication, takes place from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 4

at the Mason Center, 301 E. 12th St. 375-1170 to register.

St. Mark'sChristmas Bazaar returns from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with over 20 vendors, homemade baked goods, chili, hot dogs and more. The event takes place at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 910 E. Third Ave. 247-1129 for details.

The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, hosts the Excel Charter School's Steel Pan Band Winter Concert from 1-4 p.m. 385-1711 for details.

The monthly Contra Dance takes place at St. Marks Church, 910 E. Third Ave., with beginner instruction at 7 p.m. and dancing from 7:30-10 p.m. Artie Shaw, from Albuquerque, will call the smoke and alcohol-free dance, with music provided by the Kitchen Jam Band. No partner is necessary. 259-6820 for details.

Scoot 'n Blues, 800 Main Ave., hosts Saturday Nite Live, the "world's best karaoke" beginning at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

DJs Rem-E and Essence spin music for Ladies Night at Steamworks, 802 E. Second Ave., at 10:30 p.m. 259-9200 for details.

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"Holiday Miss or Holiday Bliss," a free family-centered communication workshop on making the most of the holidays, takes place from 1-5 p.m. at the Mason Center, 301 E. 12th St. 375-1170 for details.

The Durango Choral Society hosts its "Traditional Family Christmas" at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. The DCS will be joined by the Durango Women's Choir, Durango Children's Chorale and special guests, the Bar-D Wranglers, for this annual musical kickoff to the holidays. 247-7657 for details.

Local singer-songwriter Terry Rickard plays Scoot 'n Blues, 800 Main Ave., from 6-9 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

Pongas hosts free pool after 6 p.m. at 121 W. 8th St. 382-8554 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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Auditions for "Seussical: The Musical" take place from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave. Auditions are open to young performers ages 8-18. 259-2606 for details.

Country singer Michael Martin Murphey brings "A Cowboy Christmas" back to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College at 7 p.m. Best known for his 1975 hit "Wildfire," Murphey is a writer, singer, instrumentalist, actor, filmmaker, rancher and Western studies scholar. His holiday performance has become a Durango tradition. 247-7657 for details.

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The 3rd Avenue Dance Company hosts an open audition for the 2005 season for company members and apprentices from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Dance Center, 1309 E. Third Ave. Dancers must be over 18, well versed in all styles and should prepare a two-minute solo. 259-4122 for details.

Earthrise Community holds an introductory meeting with a potluck at 6 p.m. and the meeting at 7 p.m. Earthrise is Durango's first consensus-based, pedestrian-oriented, co-housing community. 259-9488 for details.

The Durango Wheel Club, Durango BMX and Fort Lewis College Cycling host the 1st annual Durango Cycling Awards Night at 7 p.m. at the Smiley Theater, 1309 E. Third Ave. There will be a slide show, raffle and each organization will give out awards to its outstanding members. Ron Kiefel, veteran of the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, will be the guest speaker and local cycling legends Ned Overend, Tom & Kristin Danielson, John Tomac, Bob Roll, Elke Brutsaert and Ruthie Matthes, will also be on stage.

Pine Needle Mountaineering, 835 Main Ave., offers a free Nordic wax clinic from 7-8:30 p.m. Participantswill learn about base preparation, base structure,waxingforskating or classic for all budgets andabilities, and how to protect your skis after the snow melts. The event includes a raffle and tech manual. 247-8728 for details.

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

Legendary singer-songwriter John Prine performs a sold-out concert at 8 p.m. at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.

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 Green Business Roundtable meets at noon at the Diamond Circle Theatre, 699 Main Ave. Holly Zink, owner of Sunnyside Farms Market, will discuss selling local products and marketing local agriculture. 375-3099 to register.

The Southwest Colorado Renewable Energy Society (SWCRES) holds its Annual Membership meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Durango City Hall, 949 E. Second Ave. The meeting will adjourn to Carvers to celebrate the passage of Amendment 37. Anyone interested in energy efficiency and renewable energy in the Four Corners area is encouraged to attend. 259-8090 for 4 details. 4

The Women's Reading Circle discusses "Welcome to Temptation," by Jennifer Cruise, at 5:30 p.m. at the Rochester Hotel, 726 E. Second Ave. Anyone interested in discussing the book is invited to attend.259-9442 for details.

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

The FLC English Department presents "Stressed Out - Let it Out," an evening of live music, from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. at the Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave. 903-8670 for details.

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The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, screens the picture "p.s." beginning on Dec. 3. The film is a romantic comedy/drama that follows the relationship between a divorced, unfulfilled thirtysomething and a young graduate student who bears an uncanny resemblance to her deceased high school boyfriend. The film is rated R for some language and sexuality and shows most nights at 6:20 & 8:30 p.m. 385-1711 ford details.

Open Shutter Gallery, 755 E. Second Ave., hosts its annual Holiday Exhibit beginning Friday, Dec. 3. More than 20 photographers show work in this exhibit which features selected photographs from past exhibits as well as new work from local and national photographers, 382-8355 for details.

The "Skins" Theatre Project is seeking qualified performers and production crew to audition and interview for the production at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York City from March 3-13 of next year. Auditions will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Fri., Dec. 3, and 1-3 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 4, at the Fort Lewis College Mainstage Theatre. Actors should prepare a one-minute monologue of their choice and be prepared to demonstrate their movement ability. 247-7410 for details.

The Fort Lewis Art Gallery's one-week-only silent auction takes place through Dec. 3. Donations by Stanton Englehart, Louden Kiracoff, Leon Arledge, Fort Lewis art faculty and students include paintings, photography, jewelry, ceramic, sculpture and glasswork. Bidding ends at 1 p.m. on Dec. 3. Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each Monday-Friday. 247-7167 for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts "Visions From the Edge," an exhibit of outsider art, through Dec. 10. Creativity is the real theme of the show, which focuses on work from unschooled artists including the internationally renowned art of Howard Finster; Tony Pernciaro's drawings; Roy Benze Miller's mixed media sculpture; an installation by William Dixon; paintings by Tom Darnell; and a series of photographs by Paul Pennington. On Dec. 8, DAC will also begin showing its annual "Spirit in Hand Holiday Boutique." 259-2606 for details.

The Ellis Crane Gallery, 131 E. 8th St., presents "Small Works," a holiday show of new work, from Dec. 3-26. The exhibit features contemporary art by Judith D'Agostino, Cynthia DeBolt, Carol Martin, John Maxon, Joan Levine Russell, Julie Shaw, Phyllis Stapler, Shan Wells, Diane West and Jeff & Susan Wise. An opening reception takes place on Dec. 3 from 5-7 p.m. 382-9855 for details.

Silverton's "A Theatre Group" presents "A Night Before Christmas" at the Miners Union Theater, 1069 Greene St., for the holiday season. Showtimes are set for Dec. 3, 4 & 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 5 & 12 at 3 p.m. 387-5337 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 is 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. December is Gift Making Month at the Museum. Workshops on building music boxes, ornaments, birdhouses and more will be offered for a small fee throughout the month. 259-9234 for details.

The Center of Southwest Studies hosts its second annual "Images of the Southwest" Juried Photography Show through Dec. 15 in the Exhibit Gallery. The theme of this year's contest, which was open to the public, was "Women, Weather and Water." An exhibit of 40 years of political cartoons entitled "Evolution of Durango Man," is also on display. 247-7494 for details.

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Park Elementary will celebrate the completion of the school's construction program with a Dec. 9 ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Thom Rader will perform original bossa-nova & samba tunes at Southwest Sound for the Dec. 9th Noel Night.

A Holiday Celebration for Southwest Colorado Nonprofits takes place Dec. 10 at the Durango Arts Center and feature music by the Broke Mountain Trio and Benny Galloway.

"Dancin' With Pep," a dance party in memory of former Fort Lewis coach and professor Carol "Peppy" Seale, takes place at Dec. 10 at the College Union Building Ballroom.

The Abbey Theatre begins screening "Being Julia," a film starring Annette Bening, on Dec. 10.

The Mancos Valley Chorus will perform its seventh annual Christmas concert on Dec. 10 & 11.

The FLC Community Concert Hall hosts David Taylor Dance Theatre's performance of "The Nutcracker" on Dec. 10-12.

The "Good Spirits" Art & Gift Show , featuring work from 20 area artisans and benefiting the Southwest Safehouse, takes place at the Abbey Theatre on Dec. 11.

Local bands Formula 151 and the Frank Trio will play the Summit on Dec. 11.

Storyteller Sara Ransom will present "A Sadhu's Christmas in India" on Dec. 12 at the Rocky Mountain Retreat.

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Nosotros brings Latin dance to the Abbey What: A return performance by the renowned Latin dance band Where: The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College When: Sat., Dec. 4, at 10:30 p.m. Nosotros, an acclaimed Latin dance band from Albuquerque, will again be making the trip north of the border this Saturday and playing a show at the Abbey Theatre. Nosotros is a seven-member band that draws on flamenco guitars, Latin percussion and Spanish lyrics. The band has toured extensively throughout the Southwest playing various music festivals, nightclubs, private bookings, and television and radio shows. They also have had the opportunity to share the stage with artists like Etta James, Robert Cray, Los Lonely Boys, Dave Mason and the Gipsy Kings. Nosotros features Felipe Ruibal (vocals); David Diaz (vocals, flute, saxophone); Shane Derk (guitar); Randy Sanchez (guitar); Justin McLauchlin (bass); and Dennis Jasso (drums, cajon). The musicians merge individual styles including salsa, jazz, flamenco, funk, Latin-jazz and rock. The band has self-produced two albums, both of which received strong reviews. In 2003, Nosotros signed with the California-based label, Taj Stone Records. The band has since released its third album, the self-titled "Nosotros," with help from noted producer Chris Trujillo. The band also took home honors at this year's New Mexico Music Industry Awards, including best album of the year, best producer and best Latino musical production in the traditional style. John Know, of The New Mexican , described the Nosotros experience, saying, "Listening to Nosotros, you hear the ancient white-hot gypsy flamenco guitars of Spain, James Brown funk, salsa and polyrhythmic Cuban beats layered with original Latin jazz." This experience will hit the Abbey Theatre stage at 10:30 p.m. For more information call the Abbey at 385-1711 or visit www.nosotrosmusic.net .

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Kenya pays a visit to Durango What: A free performance by the Simba Maasai Outreach Organization Where: The Fort Lewis College Ballroom When: Friday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. The local community has an opportunity to sample a far-flung culture this week. Four Maasai representatives from the Kenyan Simba Maasai Outreach Organization (SIMOO) will be giving presentations and performances in Durango throughout the week, culminating in a free public performance this Friday at 7 p.m. at the Fort Lewis College Ballroom. The Maasai are semi-nomadic pastoralists in Kenya who traditionally live off the products of their livestock herds. The restriction of their grazing lands has reduced their reliance on cattle, and some now engage in limited cultivation. The four Maasai who will be visiting Durango are founding members of SIMOO, a registered nongovernmental organization. SIMOO has a goal of improving the living standards of the poorest community members among the Maasai, as well as celebrating and preserving the most valuable aspects of Maasai traditions. During their visit, the Maasai will give presentations at local K-8 schools, address Pueblo Community College and Fort Lewis College classes, talk with local land managers and do an all-community performance and presentation this Friday at the Fort Lewis College Ballroom. The event will include Maasai song, dance and oral history, and a discussion on Maasai culture and contemporary issues that they face. The weeklong series of events is being sponsored by the San Juan Mountains Association, Fort Lewis College FAB & SPOT, FLC Anthropology Club, San Juan Public Lands, Pueblo Community College, Durango 9-R School District and Whole New Concepts LLC. For more information, call the San Juan Mountains Association at 385-1210.

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Global Funk Council returns to the Summit What: Jazz-funk-improv band from California Where: The Summit, 600 Main Ave. When: Fri., Dec. 3 The California-based Global Funk Council returns to the Summit this Friday. The band plays jazz-influenced rock and funk punctuated by moments of improvisation. The combination results in a dance party vibe overlaid with enough musical theory mastery to impress the most well-trained ears. Global Funk is one of the few bands with the Jazz skills to play the Monterey Jazz Festival and retain the feel-good dance vibe for the High Sierra Music Festival. The recipe appears to be working. In a review of the band's first album "Keep on Pushin'," Jambase.com commented, "I hear the sound of 1978 or so, smoothed out, positivity-laden soul jazz that flirts with the current electronic revolution." Global Funk Council is currently touring behind its second release, "Bogo," an album that mixes everything from lengthy progressive compositions to bluegrass ditties and rock anthems. Of the band's live performances, Mountain Times wrote, "Global Funk Council is funky in a way that will encourage unbridled dance floor gyrating but also has a sense of what makes jazz jazz.'" Global Funk Council features Anthony Smith on keyboards, Jonathon Stoyanoff on bass, Josh Suhrheinrich on guitar and Ryan Krieger on drums. A hard-touring act, Global Funk Council has tallied more than 400 shows in the last two years, sharing the stage with Maceo Parker, Bernie Worrell, Melvin Seals, the Radiators, Merle Saunders and others. The band will take the Summit stage on Fri., Dec. 3, and the show gets going around 9:30 p.m. Call 247-2324 for details.

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