Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Ongoing Upcoming

Climbing legend gives slide-lecture at Carvers
Revered Celtic band plays concert hall
Signal Path 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

The Fort Lewis College Music Department hosts an all-day jazz festival in the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College beginning at 8 a.m. The festival climaxes with a concert by legendary jazz drummer Peter Erksine, the Fort Lewis jazz ensemble and the winning high school jazz band at 7 p.m. in the Community Concert Hall. 247-7657 for details.

The Forest Service centennial film, "The Greatest Good," shows at 6:30 p.m. in 130 Chemistry Hall at Fort Lewis. The evening begins with a reception, food and drinks, and a talk by Forest Service Supervisor Mark Stiles. 247-7327.

The FLC Life-Long Learning Lecture Series continues with a lecture by Glenn Rodey, M.D., entitled "Stem Cell Research: The Colliding of Science, Ethics, Beliefs and Politics" at 7 p.m. in 130 Noble Hall. 247-7400.

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

Scoot 'n Blues, 900 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, hosts Open Mic Night from 8:30-11 p.m. Sign-ups for music and poetry 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.

DJ Shawn Patrick and Matthew spin disco, funk and Motown for Pint Night at Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., at 10 p.m. 259-9200.

top

Mug Club Movie Night returns to the Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, with an 8 p.m. screening of the 1980s ski-bumming classic "Hot Dog the Movie." The event features beer and door prizes from all Mug Club breweries. 385-1711 for details.

Scoot 'n Blues, 900 Main Ave., hosts a special blues and soul revue with the Johnny Rawls Band at 8 p.m. 259-1400.

The Summit, 600 Main Ave., hosts the Battle of the Bands at 8 p.m. Local bands Non-Sense, Aftergrass, M-Theory, Formula 151, Frank Trio, Louis Cypher and The Satones will square off for top honor. No cover charge. 247-2324 for details.

The Badly Bent performs traditional bluegrassat 9 p.m. at Steamworks Brewing, 801 E. Second Ave. Earlier in the evening, Steamworks will sponsor a St. Baldrick's Day Celebration from 7-9 p.m. where locals will shave their heads to raise money for childhood cancer research. 259-9200 for details.

top

Oakhaven Permaculture Center and the FLC Environmental co-host a two-day workshop entitled, "A Home Design Project" beginning at 8 a.m. at Noble Hall 140. Participants will design a small home using A Pattern Language. 259-5445 for details.

Snowmobiles take over downtown Silverton as the WSA Regional Sno-Cross & Drag Races takes place at 10 a.m. Classes include:pro, semi-pro, women, sport, long track, masters and juniors. 387-5512 for details.

The American Association of University Women hosts its annual Book and Author Luncheon on at 11:45 a.m. in the Fort Lewis Student Memorial Lounge on the north side of the Student Union. Kate Niles, an award-winning author who is also a writing instructor at FLC, will speak about her book, The Basket Maker, during the event. Niles will also give a writers' workshop March 6. 247-3890 for details.

The 10th annual Hops & Hopes takes place at Bistro JP, 701 E. Second Ave., from 6-9 p.m.Admission includes live music by Bluegrass Mayhem, free local microbrews, food from Durangourmet and Kat's Custard, and silent and live auctions. All proceeds benefit Durango Early Learning Center, a nonprofit developmental early childhood school. 259-1483 for details.

The monthly Contra Dance takes place at the VFW Hall, 1515 Main Ave., with beginner instruction at 7 p.m. and dancing from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Local Kitchen Jam Band provides live music and no partner is necessary. 259-6820 for details.

The Johnny Rawls Band brings its soul and blues back to Scoot 'n Blues, 900 Main Ave., for a second special engagement 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 Summit, 600 Main Ave., hosts a second night of the Battle of the Bands at 8 p.m., featuring local bands Non-Sense, Aftergrass, M-Theory, Formula 151, Frank Trio, Louis Cypher and The Satones. No cover charge. 247-2324.

The Bruce Hayes Band plays at the Explorer's Club, on Blair Street in Silverton, at 9 p.m. 387-5006 for details.

The Lion's Den Unlimited spins reggae, soul and hip hop for ladies night at Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., at 10:30 p.m. 259-9200.

top

A second day of snowmobile racing hits downtown Silverton as the WSA Regional Sno-Cross & Drag Races continue at 10 a.m. 387-5512 for details.

The Children's Museum, 802 E. Second Ave., offers Pay What You Wish Day. Visitors are encouraged to donate what they can for admission to the exhibit "Playing to Learn: Learning to Play. 259-9234 for details.

Singer songwriter Tim Guidotti plays at Scoot 'n Blues, 900 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.

Sara Ransom, storyteller, presents Stories of Transformation From the Ancient Hindu Texts at 7 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Retreat, 848 E. Third Ave. Ransom will give a personal telling about the Night of Shiva and the Black Goddess Kali. 247-5718 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.

top

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

Maria's Bookshop, 960 Main Ave., hosts the first of its monthly in-store reading group discussions at 7 p.m. The group will discuss Christian Parenti's unsanitized look at the war in Iraq: The Freedom: Shadows and Hallucinations in Occupied Iraq. Anyone who has read the book is encouraged to join the discussion. 247-1438.

top

This month's Business Women's Network takes place at 5:30 p.m. at Horizon Properties, 1129 Main Ave. The Women's Resource Center sponsors the informal networking event. 247-1242 for details.

Maria's Bookshop, 960 Main Ave., will host a 6 p.m. book signing with New Mexico author Martha Egan for her new book, Clearing Customs. The thriller is based on Egan's own experiences as an importer and dealer in Latin American folk art and antiques. 247-1438 for details.

The La Plata Democrats Environment Committee meets from 6 to 7 p.m. at conference room 100 at the Durango Office Suites, 1073 Main Ave. 375-0911.

The local chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) celebrates International Women's Day at 6:30 p.m. at the home at 465 E. Sixth Ave. The event is open to the public. 375-7822 for details.

The San Juan National Forest presents a book signing by Char Miller on Gifford Pinchot and the Making of Modern Environmentalism at 7 p.m. in 130 Noble Hall at Fort Lewis. Miller will discuss the Forest Service's complicated past and the influential people who have led it. 564-1463.

The League of Women Voters hosts a City Council Candidate Forum at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 949 E. Second Ave.

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.

top

The Green Business Roundtable meets at noon in the Diamond Circle Theatre, 699 Main Ave. This month's topic is "Local foods - Growing, Buying and Supplying." Alison Dance, owner of the Cyprus Café, and Katrina Blair, founder of Turtle Lake Refuge, will speak. 375-3099 for details.

The Rain Dance Gallery, 945 Main Ave., hosts a reception and exhibition of works by Durango Film Festival Artist Bob Canning from 5:30-8 p.m. The event includes a poster signing, sealed bid auction, food and live music. 375-2708 for details.

The Women's Reading Circle discusses Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight - An African Childhood, by Alexandra Fuller at 5:30 p.m. at the Rochester Hotel, 726 E. Second Ave. 247-124 for details.

The Children's Museum, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts its Parenting Program from 6:30-8:00 p.m. with a focus on the social benefits of play and language development. Free child care and refreshments provided. 259-9234 for details.

Formula 151 plays its "American pop music" at Durango Joe's, 732 E. College, at 7 p.m. 375-2121.

Scoot 'n Blues, 900 Main Ave., hosts the Men of Playgirl on their North American Outlaw Tour at 8 p.m. The event is open to ladies only through 10:30 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

top

The Adaptive Sports Center presents the 7th annual Dave Spencer Ski Classic on March 4-5 with teams of five racing for fun and glory at Durango Mountain Resort. Prizes will be awarded for most money raised, costumes and predicted times. All proceeds benefit Adaptive Sports. 259-0374.

"Seussical the Musical" brings a world where anything's possible to the Durango Arts Center stage. The adaptation of Dr. Seuss' beloved works shows March 3-5. Following a successful 18-month copyright struggle, "Seussical the Musical" is now being performed locally. The musical production combines the talents of the Durango Lively Arts, a group of adult actors, and the Durango Arts Force, a children's theater group. All of the actors in "Seussical" come from the Durango Arts Force and range in age from 8 to 17. Durango Lively Arts contributed talents in the form of set design and direction. The curtain goes up each night at 7 p.m. and a 1 p.m. matinee performance is scheduled for March 5. 259-2606 for details.

Internationally acclaimed fiber artist Susan Klebanoff brings her multi-layered tapestries to the Fort Lewis Art Gallery for an exhibit that runs through March 29. Her sculptural tapestries are created by hand-dyed yarn and painted threads that interplay with space, light and shadows. She creates her tapestries by weaving three or more layers simultaneously on a loom. 247-7167.

Karyn Gabaldon Fine Arts, 680 Main Ave. "on the corner," presents Katherine Barr's black & white photography through March 30. 247-9018.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., in conjunction with the Open Shutter Gallery, 755 E. Second Ave., presents the exhibit, "Children of the World" by Betty LaDuke. LaDuke's paintings and drawings will be on display in the Barbara Conrad Gallery at DAC and her photography will be at the Open Shutter Gallery. LaDuke is an acclaimed artist and scholar and resides in Ashland, Ore., where she teaches at Southern Oregon State College. Both exhibits run through March 19. DAC is also hosting an exhibit of new work by Los Angeles photographer Mike Slack through April 30. There will be an opening reception on March 4 from 5-7 p.m. 259-2606.

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 with the illusions area, swinging and tumbling, shopping in the grocery store, the water environment, a special toddler room and creating art and crafts. During the month of March, the museum will offer workshops on Origami creations from Japan, Indian candles, Chinese stuffed fish, and Nepalese weaving.259-9234 for details.

The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College hosts "Light and Scene," an exhibit of the photography of Tom Till, through March 11 in the Exhibit Gallery. Till's photography has appeared in Backpacker, Outdoor Photographer, Camera & Darkroom and other publications. The center also presents "Evolution of Durango Man," an exhibit of 40 political cartoons by Judith Reynolds, through March 11 in the Exhibit Gallery. Reynolds has served as a local political cartoonist since 1995. 247-7494 for details.

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.

top

Maria's Bookshop will host a March 10 book signing with local author and therapist Carolyn Hobbs for her new book, Joy, No Matter What.

The Community Concert Hall presents a sold-out concert by the legendary Los Lobos on March 11.

Latin band Nosotros returns to Durango on March 11 with a show at Scoot 'n Blues.

A Durango Community Vision Workshop is scheduled for March 11 & 12 and will include a presentation by the Sonoran Institute.

The Colorado Mountain Club will sponsor a public lands seminar on March 12 at the Durango Rec. Center.

North Carolina's Acoustic Syndicate plays the Durango Arts Center on March 15.

The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College hosts the big band sounds of the Artie Shaw Orchestra on March 16.

The Frank Trio plays St. Patrick's Day at theSummit on March 17.

Freewill Recovery plays St. Patty's Day at the Abbey Theatre on March 17.

The distinctive country trio Blackhawk plays the FLC Community Concert Hall on March 17.

Jazz legends the Brubeck Brothers Quartet play March 19 at the FLC Community Concert Hall.

Maria's Bookshop will host a March 24 talk and book signing with best-selling author Pam Houston.

The Fort Lewis College Mainstage Theatre will present Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" beginning March 31.

The Southwest Writers Institute will host an April 7 fund-raiser at the Abbey Theatre celebrating the publication of Leonard "Red" Bird's Folding Paper Cranes: An Atomic Memoir.

top

Climbing legend gives slide-lecture at Carvers What: A talk/book signing/slide show with Gerry Roach Where: Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave. When: Thurs., March 3, 7 p.m. Outdoor adventurer Gerry Roach is the second person ever to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents including Mount Everest. He's also the first person to climb the 10 highest peaks in North America. And he was the first director of Fort Lewis College's Outdoor Pursuits program. Roach will return to his beginnings this Thursday, when Maria's Bookshop will co-host a slide show and book signing at Carver Brewing Co. for Roach's new book, Transcendent Summits: One Climber's Route to Self-Discovery. The event gets under way at 7 p.m. Roach greatly influenced the Colorado climbing scene of the 1950s and '60s by putting up revered routes with such legendary climbing greats as Layton Kor. Among the many climbs recounted in Transcendent Summits is his 1963 Denali ascent. Roach and his "Track Team" were the youngest team to tackle Denali and only the 34th team to make the ascent. However, the 61-year-old world-class climber may be best known for the guidebooks he's written during the past 22 years. His Colorado's Fourteeners, about climbing his home state's highest peaks, has more than 120,000 copies in print and is one of the few guidebooks to rank on the New York Times Best-Seller List. Roach took a different direction with his new autobiography, Transcendent Summits. "I'd already written about the most well-known local climbs," says Roach. "And although Transcendent Summits has many climbing stories, it's primarily the story of my coming-of-age as a world-class climber. I'm able to reflect on my climbing career using the vital perspective of time, allowing me a unique level of introspection." Roach will tell part of this compelling story Thursday at Carvers, and the event is free to the public. For more information, call Maria's at 247-1438.

top

Revered Celtic band plays concert hall What: A show by Celtic music group Colcannon Where: The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College When: Sat., March 5. Doors open at 6 p.m. Colcannon, the Celtic musical group known for its distinctive and inventive mix of traditional and contemporary styles, takes the local stage at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College this Sat., March 5. Doors to the Concert Hall and the new Spotlight Lounge open at 6 p.m. with the band following at 7 p.m. Colcannon is one of few groups performing today that has found its own recognizable niche while still keeping firmly in touch with the heart and essence of traditional Celtic music. Knight Ridder News Service wrote, "Colcannon plays powerful, original music that embraces tradition and makes it meaningful to a new generation of listeners." That sentiment was echoed by Art Menius of the British newspaper The Independent, who called the band's music "some of the most exciting and entertaining Celtic sounds being heard today." Popular on public radio across the U.S., Canada and Europe, Colcannon's recent CD release "Corvus" spent three months in the top 10 of the U.S. National Celtic Radio Chart. The group also has been featured in an Emmy award-winning video, "Colcannon in Concert," which aired as a PBS special.

top

Signal Path returns to the Summit What: A concert by the improvisational band from Missoula Where: The Summit, 600 Main Ave. When: Tues., March 8, 9:30 p.m. Signal Path is a band that prides itself on venturing into uncharted musical territory. The electronica band from Missoula, Mont., returns to Durango this Tues., March 8, with a show at the Summit. Signal Path is made up of Ryan Burnet, of Denver; Minnesotan Dion Stepanski; Damon Metzner and Nathan Weidenhaft, both of New Orleans; and Ben Griffin, from Memphis. The band calls itself a product of musical evolution with deep roots. The five musicians play on two drums, one electronic set, one triggered acoustic set, a stand-up bass, a guitar and keyboards. Each musician also plays through and with computers, modules and synthesizers. The result is what highonsound.com called, "an electronic soundscape." The band has taken its musical exploration on stage with the likes of Nelly, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Wailers, Particle and others. Signal Path also played during the String Cheese Incident's Winter Carnival in Denver last March and has been earning accolades in high places. Jambands.com commented, "A pulsating back beat is the common commodity in today's burgeoning alivetonica scene, beating feverishly like an over-stimulated heart, but unlike some of the genre's more frenetic representatives, Signal Path opts for understated precision." The Dirty Dozen Brass Band also appears to approve of the work Signal Path is doing. After Signal Path recently opened for the Dirty Dozen in Boulder, the two bands shared the stage for two hours and ended with a jam.

top