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Ongoing Upcoming

Abbey screens 'Lightning in a Bottle'
"A Common Sense Approach to Avalanches"
Carlos Washington blows back into Durango

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

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts "Hearts Apart," an after-school art class for children with family members serving in the military or children who are otherwise being affected by the war. The class includes music, dance, painting, drawing, writing and storytelling. 759-9537 for details.

The Fort Lewis College Mainstage Theatre hosts auditions for Shakespeare's "Much Ado about Nothing" from 3-5 p.m. in the Theatre Building. The play will be staged from March 31-April 10. A one- to two-minute Shakespeare monologue is preferred for auditioning. 247-7165 for details.

The Durango Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual awards ceremony in the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. The evening includes a reception at 5:15 p.m., an awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m., and a performance by acclaimed comedian Tim Cavanagh at 8 p.m. 247-7657 for details.

The Friends of the Canyons of the Ancients are holding an informational meeting, including updates of group activities, new projects, an unveiling of the new website, andpizza and salad from 6-8 p.m. at the Main Book Co., 34 Main, in Cortez.759-9716 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., presents the Four Corners Crosscut Sessions, a local jam hosted by blues rock musician Jeff Strahan, at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

Oklahoma alt-country band, Cross Canadian Ragweed, returns to Durango with an 8:30 p.m. show at the Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave. 375-2568 for details.

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

DJs El Beau and Irah spin music at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 10 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

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The Fort Lewis College Mainstage Theatre hosts auditions for Shakespeare's "Much Ado about Nothing" from 3-5 p.m. in the Theatre Building. The play will be staged from March 31-April 10. A one- to two-minute Shakespeare monologue is preferred for auditioning. 247-7165 for details.

Lee Bartley plays piano at Christina's Grill and Bar, 21382 US Hwy. 160 W., at 5:30 p.m. 382-3844 for details.

Terry Rickard and the Chills play a free show at Scoot 'n Blues, 800 Main Ave., beginning at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

Local jam band favorite, Freewill Recovery, returns to the stage with a 9:30 p.m. show at the Summit, 600 Main Ave. 247-2324 for details.

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Local jam band Sol Vista plays at Purgy's at the Durango Mountain Resort base area from 2:30-5:30 p.m. 247-9000 for details.

Lacy Black plays piano at Christina's Grill and Bar, 21382 US Hwy. 160 W., at 5:30 p.m. 382-3844 for details.

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

The 8th Avenue Tavern hosts karaoke from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. at 509 E. 8th Ave. 259-8801 for details.

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Auditions for the Snowdown Gong Show take place from 1-5 p.m. at the Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College. The event takes place Jan. 26 and will be emceed by the Telegraph's own Ted Holteen. 259-0226 for details.

Local jam band Sol Vista plays at Purgy's at the Durango Mountain Resort base area from 2:30-5:30 p.m. 247-9000 for details.

The Alexander Murray Faculty Recital Series continues with a performance by violinist Mikylah Myers McTeer and pianist Lisa Campi at 3 p.m. in Roshong Recital Hall in the FLC Sage Hall Building. The pair will perform works by Bela Bartok, Gabriel Faure, Camille Saint-Saens and Eugene Ysaye. 247-7657 for details.

Scoot 'n Blues, 800 Main Ave., hosts music from a TBA local singer-songwriter 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.

An all-ages show featuring music from Uzi Suicide and Letdowns takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the FLC Xtreme Room. 259-0637 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 8th Avenue Tavern hosts karaoke from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. at 509 E. 8th Ave. 259-8801 for details.

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Martin Luther King Day will be observed at Fort Lewis College with a series of events including "Remembering Dr. King Through Words and Music," on KDUR from 9 a.m. - noon; a series of films including "Eyes on the Prize," a documentary on the Civil Rights Movement, and "Rosa Parks Story"; and a Martin Luther King observance ceremony in the FLC Chapel. For more information, call Bill Bolden, Office of Student Affairs, at 247-7508.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts "Kindred Spirits Music and Movement" a performance group class for adults with disabilities, from 10 a.m.-noon. 759-9537 for details.

A Kryon Reading and Metaphysical Discussion group meets at Durango Joe's, 732 E. College, at 5:15 p.m.

Chick Flick Night returns to the Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, with a screening of "Whale Rider," the critically acclaimed film from New Zealand.Doors open for the Women's Resource Center event at 5:30 p.m. with drink specials and a door prize. Movie starts at 6 p.m. 247-1242 for details.

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The Circle of Friends planning group meets at 1 p.m. at the San Juan Basin Health Department to discuss a recent grant to help women in higher smoking-prevalence populations. 247-5702, Ext. 227 for details.

The Durango-Area Home-Based Business Association meets from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Durango Rec. Center. Massage therapist Chris Furer will demonstrate ways to relieve repetitive stress injuries. 884-6175 for details.

The 12th annual Trails 2000 Benefit Dinner and Live Auction takes place at 6 p.m. at Olde Tymers, 1000 Main Ave. Tickets are available at Mountain Bike Specialiests and sell out quickly. 247-4066 for details.

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

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 Chamber of Commerce's first Lunch and Learn of 2005 takes place at noon at the Bank of Colorado, 1199 Main Ave. Joe Lankau, of State Farm Insurance, along with Nelson Evans, of Phoenix Wealth Management, will speak about Business Continuation Planning. 247-0312 to register.

Oakhaven Permaculture Center and the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center are co-hosting a series of workshops on practical home design, beginning with a free one-hour overview at 6:30 p.m. at 140 Noble Hall. The first workshop "Elements of Practical Home Design" will be held Feb. 9. 259-5445 for details.

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

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The Children's Museum of Durango, 802 E. Second Ave., presents its new exhibit, "Playing to Learn: Learning to Play." The show explores the importance of play for children by wandering through the illusions area, swinging and tumbling, shopping in the grocery store, pumping water in the water environment, and creating art and crafts in the fine motor area. There will also be a special toddler fun room. An "Opening Exhibit Reception" takes place Jan. 14 from 6-8 p.m. During the month of January, the museum will also offer European-themed workshops on stained glass cathedral windows from France, soccer jerseys from Spain, Italian pasta necklaces, and English crowns. 259-9234 for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts the Four Corners Commission through Feb. 5. Now in its 10th year, this regional juried exhibit celebrates the uniqueness of the life, land and history of the Four Corners region, and all artwork selected for the exhibit by the juror reflects the Four Corners theme. In addition to the Four Corners Commission, the Durango Arts Center is hosting "Books and Beyond" in the DAC Art Library. The exhibit features books by local artists Tara Churchill, Maria Kompare, Bev Taylor and Janey Vann. The books explore everything from grandmothers and kids, to the sun, moon and stars, and Frida Kahlo. 259-2606.

Recent works by the Fort Lewis College art faculty will be exhibited in the FLC Art Gallery, located southwest of the Community Concert Hall, through Thursday, Jan. 27. An artists' reception is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 14. The gallery is open weekdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 247-7167 for details.

Karyn Gabaldon Fine Arts, 680 Main Ave. "on the corner," hosts its January show, the 2005 Snowdown Art Exhibition for the La Plata Open Space Conservancy. Featured artists includeSharon Abshagan,Maryellen Morrow,Paul Folwell, John Cogan,Mike Desatnick, Karl Brenner,Don Cooke,Eileen Fjerstad,Karyn Gabaldon,Connie Morse,Bill Randall and Dave Sime. 247-9018.

The San Juan Mountains Association, San Juan Public Lands and Durango Mountain Resort are offering guided snowshoe treks at Durango Mountain Resort. The treks are held upon request and can accommodate groups or individuals. Free guided nature tours also are offered every Sunday during the ski season. Tours are 1½ hours long and meet at 9:45 a.m. at the base of the Twilight Lift (#4). Skiers and boarders should have beginner to intermediate ability. Call 247-900, Ext. 147.

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The Southwest Colorado Peace and Justice Coalition will host a demonstration against "Four More Years" on Jan. 20, Inauguration Day.

The FLC Life-Long Learning Series returns Jan. 20 with a talk by Tom MacCluskey entitled, "Cool Jazz and West Coast Cool Jazz in the 1950s."

The Turtle Lake Refuge will offer a Chi Foods Class for four Thursday evenings beginning Jan. 20. 247-8395 for details.

The Durango Arts Center will host a Jan. 20 "artist gathering" to discuss potential workshops, salons, needs, ideas and more.

Dance for Unity, a Dance Co-Motion production, takes place Jan. 20-22 at the Smiley Building.

The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College and SPOT present the award-winning Pagosa Hot Strings on Jan. 21.

The Silverton Avalanche School offers a Level 1 class from Jan. 21-23. www.silvertonavalanche school.com for details.

KDUR's Ramones Cover Night takes place Jan. 22 at the Abbey Theatre. In conjunction, the acclaimed documentary, "End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones," will be screened on Jan. 21 & 22.

Robert Burns Night, a celebration of Celtic heritage, returns Jan. 22 at the Doubletree Hotel.

Austin singer-songwriter Kim Townsend plays at Haggard's Black Dog Tavern Jan. 22.

The Community Concert Hall at FLC will host the Super Scientific Circus, proof that science can be fun and funny, on Jan. 23.

U.S. State Department China Specialist Joseph Donovan Jr. will headline the FLC Life Long Learning Series on Jan. 27.

Durango High School students will host a Youth Summit on Feb. 10, covering topics like reducing drug use, sex education, college preparedness and prejudice.

The Badly Bent will release its long-awaited CD at a Feb. 12 party at the Abbey Theatre.

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Abbey screens 'Lightning in a Bottle' What: A showing of the acclaimed blues documentary Where: The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College When: Most nights at 6:20 & 8:45 p.m. through Jan. 25 A slice of musical history goes on the screen at the Abbey Theatre beginning this Friday. The blues documentary, "Lightning in a Bottle," shows most nights at 6:20 & 8:45 p.m. and will continue to play through Jan. 25. On Feb. 7, 2003, an array of blues artists gathered at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. Musicians like B.B. King, Solomon Burke, Ruth Brown, Mavis Staples, Buddy Guy and Dr. John were among the lineup. Plus, the organizers took things a step further and integrated a comprehensive history of the blues genre into the evening's festivities. Director Antoine Fuqua ("King Arthur") was on hand with a full crew to record the event, capturing moments of magic both on stage and behind the scenes for "Lightning in a Bottle." Fuqua also spliced in some of the archival footage that the organizers showed on the night, including many of the Radio City artists performing and speaking at a much younger age. "I wanted Radio City Music Hall to be a moody, dark place that made you feel like you were in a juke joint down south, so you could actually feel it and smell it and see the sweat on the singer's faces," Fuqua said. "That's the blues - it's moody, you've gotta feel it, and you've gotta see it." For more information, call 385-1711 or log onto www.abbeytheatre.com.

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"A Common Sense Approach to Avalanches" What: The Hesperus Ski Patrol's ninth annual avalanche school Where: The La Plata Electric Association and the Hesperus Ski Area When: Two sessions: Jan. 19, 20 & 22 and Feb. 9, 10 & 12 Locals have two upcoming opportunities to acquire a little wisdom before venturing into the backcountry. The Hesperus Ski Patrol is currently taking advance registration for "A Common Sense Approach to Avalanches," its level-one avalanche course. For the ninth year, two separate classes will be offered, one beginning next week and a second in early February. Both classes will include study of avalanche phenomenon, avalanche hazard rescue, emergency survival and mountain weather. In addition to two evenings of classroom work, the courses offer one field day with hands-on study of beacon searches, stability tests, snowpit and terrain analyses, and route selection among other things. Course instructors are: The Hesperus Ski Patrol, Kathy and Don Fritch, Chuck Melvin, and the K-9 Search and Rescue Team. The course costs $40, advanced registration is required, and class size is limited to 20. Applications are available at area sports stores, the San Juan National Forest Supervisor's Office or by calling Kathy Fritch at 247-4617.

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Carlos Washington blows back into Durango What: A concert by Carlos Washington and The "Amazing" Giant People Where: The Summit, 600 Main Ave. When: Saturday, Jan. 15, 9:30 p.m. Jazz/funk master Carlos Washington returns to Durango this Saturday. The former member of Karl Denson's Tiny Universe will take the stage at the Summit with his band, The "Amazing" Giant People, at 9:30 p.m. As a child, Washington was exposed to music through singing in the church choir and experimenting with piano. He eventually developed a passion for the trumpet, courtesy of school bands, orchestra and private lessons. At 18, Washington enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Band. Washington eventually teamed up with Karl Denson, the original sax player for Lenny Kravitz. After a two-year campaign with Denson's Tiny Universe, Carlos partnered with the aggressive Fruition Multi Media Group to create The "Amazing" Giant People Ensemble. The current ensemble consists of Berklee School of music attendee John Milham on Drums; Sean Peterson, of Col. Bruce Hamptons' Codetalkers, on bass; and blues veteran Corky Hughes on guitar. Carlos Washington and The "Amazing" Giant People have recently developed a new live show concept. The band is calling it the "sonic circus." All three rings should be on hand this Saturday at the Summit. For more information, contact the Summit at 247-2324.

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