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Getting DOWN for hurricane relief
A weekend devoted to the arts
The Gourds blow back into Durango

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Twenty-eight American, 11 Mexican and two Nepalese activists raising awareness and funding for U.S.-Mexico border issues will pass through Durango on a bicycle charity ride. The seven-day tour stretches between Santa Fe and Telluride.

Durango Motorless Transit hosts a group trail run on the First Fork Trail at 6 p.m. Runners should meet at the trailhead off Florida Road. 385-2664 for details.

The Durango High School Theatre presents a free performance of the one-act play ?Competition Piece? to kick off the season at 7 p.m. in the DHS Auditorium. 259-1630, Ext. 2141 for details.

Raven?s Word Writers Center, 620 E. 7^th St., hosts a 7 p.m. reading from the new book, Comeback Wolves: Western Writers Welcome the Wolf Home. Pamela Uschuck, William Pitt Root, B. Frank and Rob Edward will be on hand to read from their contributions. 884-8623 for details.

The Fort Lewis College Life-Long Learning Lecture Series continues with Professor of Geology Emeritus Rob Blair dis

cussing ?The Sumatra Tsunami: The Wave that Circled the Globe? at 7 p.m. in 130 Noble Hall. Blair will explain the nature of the earthquake, causes of tsunamis, their effects and lowering the risk of future disasters. 247-7401.

The Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., offers a Texas Hold ?Em Poker Tournament with sign-ups at 7 p.m. 375-2568 for details.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., present 3-Ball Pool Tournament at 7 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

Durango Acoustic Music presents a roots country/rockabilly performance by Katy Moffatt and Rosie Flores at 7:30 p.m. at the Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave. Moffatt and Flores have collaborated off-and-on since they worked with Dwight Yoakam in the early 1980s. 259-2606.

Author Allen Nossaman kicks off the Animas Museum?s Fall Lecture Series with the slide-presentation, ?20^th Century Ghosts: A Photographic Journey Through Colorado?s Vanished Historic Sites.? The free program takes place at the Museum, 3065 W. Second Ave., at 7:30 p.m. 259-2402.

The Kirk James Blues Duo plays at Scoot ?n Blues, 900 Main Ave., at 8 p.m. The Tom Maynard-Brant Leeper Duo plays downstairs at the Sidecar Jazz Lounge at 7 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 music and poetry begin at 8:30 p.m. 375-2121 for details.

DJ Mateo spins music for ?80s NIght at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., at 9 p.m. 259-0430 for details.

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The San Juan Mountains Association offers a free, guided naturalist hike at Durango Mountain Resort from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 385-1210 for details.

Formula 151 plays its original acoustic music at El Patio, 600 Main Ave., beginning at 4 p.m.

The Chamber of Commerce hosts Business After Hours from 5-7 p.m. at NA Charters & Great Western Journeys? offices at 779 Tech Center Drive. 247-0312 for details.

Sugarhouse plays rock and blues at Scoot ?n Blues, 900 Main Ave., with shows at 5:30 & 8:30 p.m. The Jeff Solon Jazz Trio plays the Sidecar Jazz Lounge from 8-11:30 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

The Durango Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave., offers Parent?s Night Out from 6-9 p.m. The program is for kids ages 3-10 and pre-registration is required. 375-7306 for details.

The Friends of the Durango Public Library host a brainstorming session at 7 p.m. at the Durango Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave. The workshop will address community priorities regarding the new library. 375-3380.

Fort Lewis Psychology student Justin Morath discusses ?The Pit Bull Paradigm? at 7 p.m. in 130 Chemistry Hall. The talk will address local and state controversies, facts vs. myths and include public discussion. 247-7881.

The 8^th Ave Trio plays bluegrass and more at the 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., at 7 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

DJ Shoe spins a contemporary club mix at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., at 9 p.m. 259-0430 for details.

The Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., presents an evening of alt-country and rock with local bands, the Lawn Chair Kings and the Beautiful Losers, and Dave Insley?s Careless Smokers of Flagstaff. The music gets under way at 9 p.m. 375-2568 for details.

Local jam band Freewill Recovery rocks out at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 10 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

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The Five Rivers chapter of Trout Unlimited hosts an Animas River cleanup day from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers interested in cleaning up trash along the river banks should meet at Santa Rita Park. 382-9978 for details.

Sunnyside Elementary School hosts a Community Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with all proceeds going to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Community members are welcome to donate items in good, usable condition at the school by Sept. 23. 259-8868 for details.

?The Dog Days of Mancos,? an event including low-cost vaccinations, dog costume contests and an agility play course, takes place in Boyle Park from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 533-1030.

The member organizations of the Red Mountain Project host the third annual Red Mountain Heritage Day at 10 a.m. in the historic Red Mountain Mining District. Ten historic mine sites will be accessible and staffed with guides. Visit www.redmountainproject.org for details.

Oakhaven Permaculture Center and the FLC Environmental Center co-host the workshop ?Managing Water in an Arid Climate? from noon to 4 p.m. at Oakhaven. www.oakhavenpc.org for details.

A Durango Sidewalk March in support of the March on Washington opposing the War in Iraq meets at Rotary Park at 3 p.m. with talks and kids activities; march starts at 5 p.m.

Formula 151 plays its final show of the summer season at El Patio, 600 Main Ave., beginning at 4 p.m.

Your Favorite Accident, History Of ? and Arvella play an all-ages show at the Fort Lewis College CUB Pub (formerly the Xtreme Room). Doors for the drug- and alcohol-free show open at 5:30 p.m.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., hosts a ?Karaoke Party? from 8 p.m. until close. 259-8801 for details. 4

Sugarhouse plays a second show at Scoot ?n Blues, 900 Main Ave., at 8:30 p.m. The Animas Jazz Trio plays the Sidecar Jazz Lounge from 8-11:30 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

DJ Mowgli spins at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., at 9 p.m. 259-0430 for details.

C.C. Swing plays a second show at the Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., at 9 p.m. 375-2568 for details.

The Frank Trio performs its original nujazz/funk/triphop at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 10 p.m. This is the local band?s first show since returning from an East Coast tour. 247-2324 for details.

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Trimble Hot Springs hosts a special concert to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina at noon. The show includes performances from Teresa Ross, Joyce Simpson, Laurence Nass, The Hot Strings, Mark Simons, The Lawn Chair Kings and more. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit New Orleans musicians. 247-0111 for details.

Singer-songwriter Tim Guidotti play the tiki bar at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., at 5 p.m. 259-0430 for details.

Lacey Black plays jazz piano at the Sidecar Lounge at Scoot ?n Blues, 900 Main Ave., from 5-7 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

Singer-songwriter Terry Rickard plays El Patio, 600 Main Ave., at 5 p.m.

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

The Alexander Murray Faculty Recital Series begins with the ?Faculty Collage Concert? at 7 p.m. in Fort Lewis College?s Roshong Recital Hall. Performers include music faculty members. 247-7657 for details.

The Blue Moon Ramblers play free bluegrass at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 7 p.m. 375-7150.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., hosts a ?Karaoke Party? from 8 p.m. until close. 259-8801 for details.

Flagstaff?s Brian DeMarco plays original blues and rock at 9 p.m. at the Explorer?s Club Southwest, located on Blair St. in Silverton. 387-5006 for details.

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The Chills play the Tiki Bar at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., beginning at 8:30 p.m. 259-0430 for details.

Pongas, 121 E. Eighth St., hosts a 9-ball pool tournament at 7 p.m. 382-8554 for details.

Singer-songwriter Tim Guidotti plays a free acoustic show at the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., at 7 p.m. 375-7260.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., presents an arm wrestling tournament at 7 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

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The Summit, 600 Main Ave., presents open mic night from 7 p.m.-midnight. 247-2324 for details.

Singer-songwriter Tim Sullivan plays a free acoustic show at the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., at 7 p.m. 375-7260.

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

Scoot ?n Blues, 900 Main Ave., presents The Legends of Karaoke with Steve Taylor beginning at 8 p.m.   in the Sidecar Lounge at 7 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

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Durango High School hosts a ?Bike-to-School? Day, and students who ride will be entered into drawings for athletic equipment. 259-1630, ext. 2266 for details.

Junior Wheel Club meets at 4 p.m. in front of the Durango Recreation Center. Mountain bike riders ages 10-18 are welcome to ride with Chad Cheney, Sarah Tescher and other locals. 247-8355 for details.

The Southwest Colorado Renewable Energy Society (SWCRES) Board meets from 5:30-7 p.m. in Durango City Council Chambers, 949 E. 2nd Ave. Anyone interested in advocating for greater support of energy efficiency and renewable energy is encouraged to attend. 259-8090.

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

The local chapter of Amnesty International meets at the Mason Center, 301 E. 12^th St., at 6:30 p.m. The non-partisan group advocates for human rights. 946-1255 for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts the premiere of the Stanton Englehart video, ?A Life on Canvas,? at 7 p.m. The film features the life and work of the accomplished local artist and the event is free and open to the public. 259-2606 for details.

Wendy Keefover-Ring of Sinapu will present ?Mountain Lions in the West: Natural History, Conservation & Co-Existence? at 7 p.m. at the FLC Center for Southwest Studies. The talk will focus on the great cat?s place in Southwest Colorado. 385-1210 for details.

Singer-songwriter Terry Rickard performs a free acoustic show at the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., at 7 p.m. 375-7260 for details.

The Kirk James Blues Duo plays college night at the 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., at 7 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

The Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., presents ?70s Retro Night with DJs Tim & Johnny at 9 p.m. 259-0430 for details

M-Theory, one of Durango?s newest bands, plays the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9: 30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

Joel?s, 119 W. 8^th St., hosts ?Underground Lounge? with DJ Claytanik spinning music for Ladies Night. 385-0430.

The Open Shutter Gallery, 755 E. Second Ave., presents ?On this Earth,? an exhibit of portraits of East African wild animals by photographer Nick Brandt, from Sept. 23-Nov. 30. The show portrays the animals with an intimacy and elegance in their natural state of being without the use of a telephoto lens. Brandt has had solo exhibitions in many major cities around the world, and his work is sold in limited editions of 35. An opening coinciding with the fall Gallery Walk takes place Sept. 23 from 5-9 p.m. 382-8355 for details.

The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, begins screening ?Me and You and Everyone We Know? on Sept. 23. The surreal comedy follows a lonely artist as she reaches out for passion with her art and a shopping mall shoe salesman who is running out of things to say to his two sons. The film has earned critical acclaim and won the prize for ?originality of vision? at this year?s Sundance Film Festival. It shows most nights at 4:45, 7 & 9:10 p.m. 385-1711 for details. 4

The annual Appletime Antiques Fair takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 24 and noon to 4 p.m. on Sept. 25 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Highlights will include appraisals by area antique dealers and authorities. There will also be antiques for sale, clinics, a live auction, food and entertainment throughout the weekend. 259-2402 for details.

The Diamond Circle Melodrama, 699 Main Ave., presents a one-act comedy and a jazzy musical revue nightly except Sundays through Sept. 24. Artistic Director Eric Hoit has gathered a professional cast of three men and three women from around the country for this limited run. Beginning the evening is ?The Test of a True Heart,? a farce that explores what happens when a husband makes a wager with his maid that he can entice his wife into a dalliance with himself in disguise. The second half of the evening will be filled with the sounds of music as the talented cast sing and dance their way through ?All That Jazz!? Doors open at 7:30 p.m. 247-3400 for details.

The Eating Disorder Awareness Art Show continues at the Durango Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave., through Sept. 30. The show features the work of 16 local artists. Pieces include sculptures, collages, paintings, drawings and mosaics all reflecting the emotional expression of eating disorders.

The Durango Sangha sponsors an Introduction to Mahamudra Retreat led by Lama Palden at the Durango Dharma Center from Sept. 23-25. 375-7822 for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts its annual members? exhibit through Oct. 1. This year?s non-juried exhibit features work by DAC members including visual art and written work in the form of poetry or short stories. The art library hosts an exhibit of artists? books from the Santa Fe Book Arts Group (BAG). Opening reception for both exhibits take place on Sept. 2 from 5-7 p.m. The Santa Fe artists will also be on hand on Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. 259-2606.

The Fort Lewis College Art Gallery displays ?Geometric,? an exhibition of paintings from a group of faculty and students at Brigham Young University, through Sept. 28. In the exhibition, the artists use art to explore contemporary reality. Complexity and beauty are used to engage viewers and pull them into visual investigations related to everyday life. The gallery is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 247-7167.

The Children?s Museum, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts the exhibit, ?Now You?re in Their World.? In the exhibit, children of all ages will have an opportunity to use their sensory, thinking, physical and imaginative skills to interact with the creatures of long ago. There will be many hands-on activities, fine motor and gross motor fun, ?Dinosaur Ridge? and extinction dioramas. The museum also will feature dinosaur materials from other regional museums. 259-9234 for details.

Karyn Gabaldon Fine Arts, 680 Main Ave. ?on the corner,? presents ?Ideas and Images,? watercolors from Durango artist Susan Tait through the end of October. 247-9018.

The Center of Southwest Studies presents ?Circle of Spirit: Navajo and Tibetan Wisdom for Living? through Oct. 21.  The new exhibit was produced by the Center of Southwest Studies? Exhibition Committee in conjunction with Peter Gold, author of Circle of the Spirit: Navajo and Tibetan Sacred Wisdom, and other project partners. 247-7456 for details.

Durango BMX, located off Camino del Rio just south of Handlebar Cycles, hosts gate practices every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to dusk; races every Sunday with sign-ups from 1-2 p.m.; and Todd Burdick BMX clinics on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Durango BMX will also celebrate an ?End of the Season? party on Oct. 2. All events are weather permitting. www.durangobmx.com for details.

Johnny Maddox plays ragtime piano at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., every night except Sunday at 5 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

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The La Plata County Volunteer Fair takes place on Sept. 29 at Christ the King Lutheran Church.

Duane Smith?s program, ?Sagebrush and a Few Lofty Pines: Durango?s First Year,? has been rescheduled for Sept. 29 at the Animas Museum. 

Dr. John Shivik will present ?Living with Predators, Minimizing Conflicts with Predators in the Urban-Wilderness Interface? on Sept. 30 at the Durango Arts Center.

The National Solar Tour returns to La Plata County with an introduction on Sept. 30 and the tour on Oct. 1. 247-3119.

Blues diva Kelley Hunt plays an Oct. 1 concert to benefit the La Plata Family Centers. www.lpfcc.org for details.

An all-day building inauguration and celebration for the Tara Mandala Buddhist Retreat Center outside Pagosa Springs takes place Oct. 1. The event includes a concert/performance by Krishna Das and Zuleikha. www.taramandala.org for details.

An estate sale benefiting Alternative Horizons takes place Oct. 1. In accordance with Gayle Maloy?s wishes, the contents of his home will be sold to benefit the organization.

The San Juan Mountains Association is seeking volunteers to serve as trail information specialists in Canyons of the Ancients with training on Oct. 1. 759-1170 for details.

An inaugural household chemical collection day for Durango and La Plata County takes place Oct. 1 at the La Plata County fairgrounds.

Oktoberfest returns to downtown Durango on Oct. 1-2 and includes food; drink; a mechanical bull;  music from Warsaw, Drew Emmit, the Alpiners and others; and much more.

The La Plata County Humane Society will hold its 5th annual Mutt Strut & Adoptathon on Oct. 2.

Durango Acoustic Music brings singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky back to Durango on Oct. 2.

The Duchess of Coolsville, Rickie Lee Jones, performs Oct. 5 at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.

New Monsoon brings its world funk/rock back to the Summit on Oct. 6.  

The Durango Songwriter?s Expo returns to Durango for its 10^th anniversary on Oct. 6-8. Featured talent this year includes Michelle Shocked and Al Anderson of NRBQ. www.durangosong.com for details.

The Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering returns Oct. 6-9.

The third annual Mesa Verde Country Wine Festival will be held Oct. 7-8.

?The Indy Media 500? benefiting DCAT and KDUR takes place Oct. 8 at the Durango Fun Park. Space in the go-cart/mini-golf event is limited to 18 teams. 247-7634.

The workshop ?Extending Your Growing Season? takes place Oct. 8 at Oakhaven Permaculture Center. www.oakhavenpc.org for details.

The 3rd Ave. Dance Company will present its annual fall performance, ?Love Letters,? at the Smiley Theatre on Oct. 14-15 & 21-22.

Roger Clark, of the Grand Canyon Trust, will present ?Clean Energy for the Colorado Plateau? on Oct. 17 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.

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A weekend devoted to the arts What: Colorfest Gallery Walk and Artist Studio Tour Where: Downtown Durango When: Sept. 23 from 5-9 p.m. (Gallery Walk) and Sept. 24 & 25, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Studio Tour)  Local fine art galleries will again open their doors for the annual Colorfest Gallery Walk this Friday. Each fall and spring, the Durango Gallery Association provides a chance for art lovers to spend the night strolling in and out of the many receptions that coincide with the event. Gallery-goers will have a lot of ground to cover between 5 and 9 p.m. This fall?s walk will, as always, include appetizers, beverages and entertainment at each of the galleries. Walkers can obtain a free ?passport? at any of the participating venues. Throughout the next week, participants will have the opportunity to complete the walk, validating their passports with stamps from each gallery. Completed passports will be entered in a drawing for gallery items and certificates at local restaurants. The Gallery Walk has earned a strong reputation over the last 19 years and consistently brings people from throughout the region to downtown to view the latest exhibits. Members of the Durango Gallery Association are dedicated to the promotion of original and professional art in Durango. Local and visiting art lovers have another rare opportunity this weekend. In addition to the Gallery Walk, the second annual Artist Studio Tour takes place Sept. 24 - 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seventeen area artists are opening their studios to the public this weekend. In conjunction with the Gallery Walk, there will be an artist preview from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the Strater Hotel. Brochures with maps are also available at the Durango Arts Center. For more information on the events, call 259-2606.

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The Gourds blow back into Durango What: A show by the renowned, alt-country band from Austin, Texas Where: The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College When: Sunday, Sept. 25, at 9 p.m. The Gourds make their long-awaited return to Durango this Sunday. The Austin-based alt-country wizards will make their first appearance at the Abbey Theatre at 9 p.m. The Gourds seem to slip into every musical category, paying homage to bluegrass, country, roots, folk, blues, rock and punk. Paying testament to their capability to turn out innovative, inspiring music is the fact that, after several years, they have made it to the fore of the Austin music scene. They even have been named best live act by the Austin American-Statesman, no small feat in a city that has spawned the likes of Robert Earl Keen, Joe Ely and the late, great Doug Sahm. However, the band?s reputation and success extends far beyond Austin city limits. The Gourds have been featured in a story by the Wall Street Journal, and Q Magazine commented, ?The Gourds are a strange but wonderful Texas-based quintet, blending plaintive folk and country with good-time rocking and striking imagery.? Perhaps The Gourds themselves understand the experience best of all. Guitarist Kevin Russell, who founded the band along with bassist Jimmy Smith, called a Gourds show, ?a good, uplifting, energetic experience for most people, at least that?s what I?ve been told. People often tell me, ?Aw man, this week sucked. I got all these problems and I came to the show and, man, I just forgot it all and I feel so much better.? And they thank us for the musical therapy.? Durango has an opportunity to give thanks this Sunday at 9 p.m. For more information, call 385-1711.

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