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Ongoing Upcoming

Hot Strings play Concert Hall stage
Abbey hosts 'End of the Century'
Superhero Snowdown readies for kick off

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. 759-9537 for details.

Citizens dismayed by the prospect of Four More Years will gather at 4:15 p.m. at Buckley Park for a peaceful procession expressing determination to work toward policy changes in the government and a more peaceful world. Many marchers plan to carry candles and wear black. 259-0285 for details.

The Children's Museum, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts Parent's Night Out from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The evening includes dinner and play in the museum for potty-trained children. 259-9234 to register.

Turtle Lake Refuge offers a Chi Foods Class at 6 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain Retreat, 848 E. Third Ave. The gourmet living foods class takes place for four Thursdays through Feb. 17. 247-8395 to register.

San Juan Mountains Association hosts an orientation for new volunteers from 6-8 p.m. at the Dolores Public Lands Center, 100 N. Sixth St. 385-1310 for details.

The FLC Life-Long Learning Lecture Series continues with Grammy winner Tom MacCluskey discussing "Cool Jazz and West Coast Cool Jazz in the 1950s" at 7 p.m. in Roshong Recital Hall. MacCluskey will demonstrate the music of Claude Thornhill, Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker, and others in a PowerPoint, CD and live music format. 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 Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts an "artist gathering" at 7 p.m. to discuss potential workshops, salons, needs and ideas. 259 -2606 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.

Carvers, 1022 Main Ave., hosts a benefit for brewer Erik Maxson at 7:30 p.m. The get-together includes live music, appetizers and a silent auction. 259-2545 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.

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.

DJs Zen Ken, 6 Star General and Revelation spin reggae for Pint Night at Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave. 259-9200 for details.

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

The Fraught Run House, 562 E. First St., hosts a show featuringmusic from anti-folk experimentalist "Peety L," local indie-pop band "Transistor Radio Sound" and Ian Cooke, an indie rock musician from Denver. Local art will also be on display courtesy of the FLC Art Club. The show gets under way at 6:30 p.m. and donations are encouraged. 769-0199 for details.

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

Local hip-hop band Dialogue plays at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

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The La Plata Democratic Party holds a "Grassroots Council" meeting from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Durango Rec. Center. The meeting will discuss important issues facing the county and state, and meaningful change and is open to everyone.

Durango Mountain Resort hosts Expression Session Series: Jib Jam beginning at 1 p.m. The event is open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages and registration takes place at 8:30 a.m. 247-9000 for details.

Tim Guidotti plays acoustic soul and funk at Christina's Grill and Bar, 21382 US Hwy. 160 W., at 5:30 p.m. 382-3844 for details.

Robert Burns Night, "a night of Celtic arts," takes place from 7-9 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel. The evening will feature bagpipes, harpists, dancers, poetry and of course, haggis. 759-4658 for details.

Austin singer-songwriter Kim Townsend returns to Durango with a 7 p.m. show at Haggard's Black Dog Tavern, located 10 miles east of Durango on Florida Rd. 259-5657 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.

The Explorers Club in Silverton hosts an evening of Brazilian Jazz from Thom Rader at 9 p.m. 387-5006 for details.

Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., presents "Pimpin' Hoedown V" with DJs Fat-P and Shawn Patrick spinning music for Ladies Night. 259-9200 for details.

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The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College hosts the Super Scientific Circus at 3 p.m. The creation of former Big Apple Circus clown and variety artist, John Lepiarz, the Super Scientific Circus employs circus techniques, utilizing boomerangs, bubbles, beach balls, bullwhips and magic to introduce scientific principles to audiences. 247-7657 for details.

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

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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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.

The Fort Lewis College Jazz Ensemble performs a pre-tour concert at 7 p.m. in the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. 247-7657 for details.

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Lasso Tobacco Coalition, a tobacco prevention and education community group, meets at 11:30 a.m.at San Juan Basin Health Department, 281 Sawyer Drive. New members are welcome. 247-5702 x227 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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"Superhero Snowdown," Snowdown 2005 kicks off and runs through Jan. 30.

The 7th annual Snowdown Fire and Ice Run begins with runners and walkers leaving Hermosa at 9 a.m. 259-4444 for details.

Snowdown Fashion Do's & Don'ts takes place at the VFW Hall, 1550 Main Ave., at noon. The event is a truly tasteless luncheon/fashion show. 247-1666.

The official Snowdown cocktail will be chosen at Solid Muldoon's, 117 W. College, at the Snowdown Bartender's Celebration at 4 p.m.. 247-9151 for details.

The first round of the Snowdown Magical Musical Mystery Tour takes place at 5 p.m. at Scoot 'n Blues, 900 Main Ave. 259-1400 for details.

The Chamber of Commerce hosts a special Snowdown Business After Hours from 5-7 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel. The event will be a "Superhero" good time and includes "refreshments." 247-3500 for details.

The Southwest Colorado Renewable Energy Society (SWCRES) holds its monthly meeting from 5:30-7 p.m. at Durango City Hall, 949 E. Second Ave. Anyone interested in advocating for greater local support of energy efficiency and renewable energy is encouraged to attend. 259-8090 for details.

Red Cliff School, an independent middle school offering small classes and an accelerated curriculum, holds a 6 p.m. informational meeting for prospective students in room #23 of the Smiley Building. The school is discussing a possible expansion for next year. 749-7333 for details.

Cyclists go head to head at the Snowdown Bicycle Roller Races at the Smiley Building, 1309 E. Third Ave., at 6 p.m. 247-4621 for details.

The Children's Museum, 802 E. Second Ave., offers a new parenting program from 6:30-8 p.m. The program is an extension of the exhibit and will focus on healthy play for children. 259-9234 for details.

Snowdown Spellabration takes place at the Diamond Circle Theatre, 699 Main Ave., at 7 p.m. The event is a spelling showdown. 385-4354 x12.

The Snowdown Scotch Doubles Pool Tournament takes place at Pongas, 121 W. Eighth St., at 7 p.m. 382-8554 for details.

The first round of the 9th annual Lady F's Lunacy trivia contest takes place at Lady Falconburgh's, 940 Main Ave., at 7 p.m. 382-9664.

Durango's Most Eligible Singles Auction, a second-year Snowdown event, takes place at the DoubleTree Hotel, at 7:30 p.m. Singles will bid on Durango's most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. 375-3237 for details.

Carvers, 1022 Main Ave., presents the 3rd annual Polar Beer Plunge for Snowdown with contestants bobbing in beer at 8 p.m. 946-2459 for details.

Farquahrts, 725 Main Ave., hosts the 17th annual Snowdown Jokedown at 8:30 p.m. This humor contest is not for the easily offended. 259-0397 for details.

The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, presents the 2nd annual Snowdown Gong Show at 8:34 p.m. Wild and wacky talents will square off against the gong on the Abbey stage. Doors open at 7:03 p.m. 259-0226 for details.

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A slice of musical history is currently showing on the screen at the Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College. Blues documentary "Lightning in a Bottle" features performances from musicians like B.B. King, Solomon Burke, Ruth Brown, Mavis Staples, Buddy Guy and Dr. John. The film from director Antoine Fuqua also integrates a comprehensive history of the blues genre. "Lightning in a Bottle" shows most nights at 6:20 & 8:45 p.m. and will continue to play through Jan. 25. 385-1711 for details.

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. 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 for details.

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. 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 for details.

The Silverton Avalanche School offers a Level 1 avalanche class on Jan. 21-23 and limited spots are still available. The school is renowned for educating skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, ski patrollers, search and rescue personnel, and law enforcement officers about the hazards of avalanches. For more details visit: www.silvertonavalancheschool.com.

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 for details.

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

Earthrise Community will hold an introductory meeting and open house Feb. 1.

Durango High School Students will present a Mock Trial on Feb. 2 at the La Plata County Courthouse. The event is a fund-raiser and a large crowd is encouraged.

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) will hold its 16th annual conference on Feb. 3 & 4 at Fort Lewis College.

Formula 151, a local acoustic band, will play a CD release party Feb. 4 at the FLC Community Concert Hall.

John Lee Hooker Jr. plays Scoot 'n Blues on Feb. 4.

The undisputed heavyweight champions of a cappella, The Persuasions, will play the FLC Community Concert Hall as part of a Feb. 5 community "thank you" hosted by the hall.

Maria's Bookshop will host a Feb. 8 book signing with local author Shane Ellison for his first book Health Myths Exposed.

The Hesperus Ski Patrol will present its 9th annual Avalanche Awareness and Avoidance Class on Feb. 9, 10 & 12. 247-4617 for details.

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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Hot Strings play Concert Hall stage What: A benefit concert from the Pagosa newgrass band Where: The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College When: Friday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. A longtime, Four Corners bluegrass fixture takes the stage this Friday at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. In addition to lighting up the biggest stage in Durango, the Hot Strings will donate all proceeds from the show to UNICEF in support of Tsunami relief. The Hot Strings is a Pagosa Springs band that is carving out a niche as one of the hottest newgrass band in the Four Corners region. With a strong foundation in traditional bluegrass, the band is creating original music that pushes the envelope and appeals to a broad spectrum of acoustic music lovers. Original members, Josiah Payne (mandolin), Jared Payne (guitar), and Carson Park (fiddle), have been playing music together since they were ages 11, 9 and 7 and have always been a curbside fixture at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. The Hot Strings were also the winners of the 1997 Rockygrass band contest and the 1999 Telluride Bluegrass band contest. In 2000, Josiah Payne was also crowned the National Mandolin Champion. The show gets under way at 7 p.m. For more information, call 247-7657.

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Abbey hosts 'End of the Century' What: KDUR's Ramones Cover Night and a screening of the documentary Where: The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College When: Fri. and Sat., Jan. 21 & 22, 8:30 p.m. Punk phenomenons, The Ramones, will be in the Abbey Theatre's spotlight this week. The Abbey will not only screen the acclaimed documentary, "End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones," on Jan. 21 & 22, it will follow the Jan. 22 screening with KDUR's Ramones Cover Night. "End of the Century" chronicles the rise and fall of the seminal punk band. The Ramones burst onto the scene with a raw sound in 1974 in New York City. The quartet of unlikely rock stars eventually traveled across the country and around the world, connecting with the disenfranchised everywhere. Although the band never reached the top of the Billboard charts, the Ramones endured fleeting success and interpersonal conflicts. The band also maintained a rigorous touring schedule for 22 years. Of "End of the Century," Variety wrote, "What emerges is an encyclopedic chronicle of addictions, lineup changes and the ravaging pressures of two decades spent on the road, in pursuit of a hit record that never really materializes." The LA Times said, "The bittersweet Ramones documentary laid it all on the line: the good, the bad and the ugly truth of life in the rock-star fast lane." "End of the Century" will show only on Jan. 21 & 22 and only at 8:30 p.m. KDUR's Ramone's Cover Night follows the Jan. 22 showing at 10:30 p.m. and will feature 10 local bands giving their renditions of the Ramones repertoire. For more information, call the Abbey at 385-1711.

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Superhero Snowdown readies for kick off What: Durango's 27th annual celebration of winter Where: All over La Plata County When: Jan. 26-30 Durangoans will again gather to celebrate winter beginning this Wednesday with the 27th annual edition of Snowdown. The super-powered theme of this year's celebration is "Superhero Snowdown," and all the favorite events will be back on tap, joined by a handful of new ones. More than 60 contests, events and gatherings will take place starting Wednesday, Jan. 26, and run through Sunday, Jan. 30. And as the event suggests, participants will have the opportunity to "Don your secret identity, super powers and instant decoder ring, and head out for the best ever, fabulous, incredible, super celebration of Snowdown!" On Wednesday, Jan. 26, look for the ever popular Fashion Dos and Don'ts; the Magic Musical Mystery Tour; the seventh annual Fire and Ice Run; Lady F's Lunacy; cribbage, foosball and pool tournaments; and the annual Bicycle Roller Races. The always popular Snowdown Light Parade takes place Friday, Jan. 28, in downtown Durango at 6 p.m. For a complete listing of Snowdown events, stay tuned to the Durango Telegraph's "On the Town" section or visit www.snowdown.org.

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