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Top Western swing comes to town
Get the ACE Expedition off the ground
‘Defending the Caveman’ plays concert hall

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

Greg Ryder plays a free show at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m. 375-7150.

Durango Motorless Transit sponsors a group trail run for all levels on the Sale Barn Trail. Interested runners should meet at the trailhead near Dietz Market at 6 p.m. 382-8005 for details.

The John F. Reed Library and the Durango Public Library present a panel discussion on “Intellectual Freedom” at 6 p.m. at the Reed Library. A reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. 247-7551 for details.

The J.S. Jazz Trio, including Jeff Sweet, Joyce Simpson and Jeff Solon performs at the Westside Bar & Café, 117 W. College, from 6-9 p.m. 247-9151.

The Fort Lewis College Percussion and Mallet Ensemble present their annual spring concert at 7 p.m. at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Special guest Dr. Rochelle Mann will join the ensemble. 247-7657 for details.

The Thought and Inquiry Forum’s Film Night takes place at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 E. Third Ave. This month’s film is “Dear Frankie” and discussion topic is love. 884-7277 for details.

Professor John Ninnemann presents “The Power of the Sky: Ancient Astronomy of the Southwest” as part of the Mesa Verde Centennial Lecture Series at 7

p.m. in the Center of Southwest Studies. The talk includes numerous photographs of archaeological sites in the Four Corners. 247-7595 for details.

The Patio Restaurant, 475 Wolverine Drive in Bayfield, presents Open Mic Night from 7-9 p.m. Sign-ups begin at 6:30 p.m. 946-8765 for details.

The Jeff Strahan Band returns to Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave., with a show at 8 p.m. Lisa Blue & Brant Leeper perform in the Sidecar Jazz Lounge at 7 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

The Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., hosts College Night, including a performance by DJ DRE, at 8 p.m. 375-2568 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.

Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., hosts Undertow, featuring  Dirtheadz of Albuquerque and Artikle of Durango, for Pint Night at 10 p.m. 259-9200.

DJ Fat P spins for Ladies Night at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 10 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

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Earth Week draws to a close at Fort Lewis College with a Barnyard Days petting zoo for all ages from 9 a.m. to noon near the campus Clock Tower. 247-7676 for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts the Third Annual Edible Book Show and Tea in the Arts Library. Viewing of work will begin at 5 p.m., with consumption of the art and tea from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 259-2606 for details.

Singer songwriter Tim Guidotti plays a free show at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., hosts Blu Friday with chill, down-tempo music from Santa Fe’s BLU 102 from 6-9 p.m. and the Badly Bent playing their traditional bluegrass at 9:30 p.m. There will be a keg give away at 6 p.m. 259-9200 for details.

The Jeff Strahan Band plays two sets of Texas blues at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave.,

at 5:30 & 8:30 p.m. Teresa Ross and Actual Proof play in the Sidecar Jazz Lounge at 7 p.m. 259-1400.

A special Contra Dance, in conjunction with the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, takes place at the VFW hall, 1550 Main Ave., with music from Denver band Skean Dubh. Beginner instruction is at 7 p.m. with dancing from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. 259-2606 for details.

The Fort Lewis College Concert Band performs at 7 p.m. at the Community Concert Hall. 247-7657 for details.

The Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave., hosts its Prohibition Repeal Party beginning at 9 p.m. The event includes a “speak easy door,” mock protesters, live bluegrass, a talk from historian Duane Smith and the tapping of the Durango Bootleggers’ “Spring Tonic Elixir.” The event is a fund raiser for the Animas Museum. 259-2545 for details.

The Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., presents an evening of “Top 40” beginning at 9 p.m. 259-0430 for details.

The Hot Strings play their high-energy bluegrass at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324.

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Excel Charter School freshmen and sophomores hold a yard sale, bake sale, car wash, and dog wash from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school. Proceeds will pay for outdoor education trips. 259-0203 for details.

Dance in the Rockies presents its annual recital at 3 & 7 p.m. at the Community Concert Hall. 247-7657 for details.

A Partner Prenatal Yoga Workshop takes place at 3 p.m. at the Durango Yoga Center. The event includes helpful poses and practices for pregnant women. 382-3804 to register.

The sixth and final biannual Ultimate Chair Racing Championships take place at 4 p.m. on the sidewalk between Noble Hall and the College Union Building at Fort Lewis College. Customized racing chairs, helmets and pads will be provided.  

Singer songwriter Tim Guidotti plays a free show at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

Local bluegrass legends, the Badly Bent, play the Meltdown at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave., at 8:30 p.m. Terri Wells & Actual Proof play in the Sidecar Jazz Lounge at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., hosts a karaoke party at 8 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

The Lawn Chair Kings bring their suburban rock to the Explorer’s Club Southwest in Silverton at 8 p.m. 387-5006 for details. 4

Mountaintop hip hop returns to the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., at 9 p.m. 259-0430 for details.

The Lymbyc System returns to the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

The Hot Strings play the Meltdown and Ladies Night at Steamworks, 801 E. 2nd Ave. at 9:30 p.m. 259-9200 for details.

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In observance of the Week of the Young Child, the Children’s Museum, 802 E. Second Ave., will be free to the public from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 259-9234 for details.

Brian DeMarco plays rock and blues the Explorer’s Club Southwest in Silverton at 5 p.m. 387-5006.

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

Singer-songwriters Nina Sasaki and Jason Thomason perform at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., from 6-10 p.m. 259-0430 for details.

Pete Pheteplace and Richard White play jazz guitar at the Mahogany Grill, 699 Main Ave., from 6-9 p.m. 247-4433 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 at 8 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

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Two Salvadorans will discuss their country and why they had to leave it to escape life-threatening gang violence at 9 a.m. at Fort Lewis College’s El Centro de Muchos Colores. The presentation will open with a video. 247-7654 for details.

The Children’s Museum, 802 E. Second Ave., offers a bead stringing workshop for children ages 5-10 at 10 a.m. 259-9234 for details.   

Anders Beck of Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band fame plays a free show at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

A free seminar on doing your own divorce takes place at 6 p.m. at the offices of Colorado Legal Services, 1474 Main Ave., Suite 200. 247-0266 for details.

A candidates forum for the La Plata County Health Service District Board of Directors takes place from 7-9 p.m. at Durango City Council Chambers, 949 E. Second Ave. The forum will be broadcast live on 930 AM and City Span 10.

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

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Durango High School Imaginarium classes present the annual one-act festival at 4:30 p.m. in the DHS auditorium. The one-act plays are student directed, and three original student works will be featured. 259-1630, ext. 2105 for details.

The Durango staff of American General Media and 99.7 The Point FM host the Business Women’s Network at 5:30 p.m. at 1911 Main Ave. Suite 100. 247-1242 for details.

Donny Johnson plays a free show of acoustic music at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

Singer songwriter Nina Sasaki performs in the Sidecar Jazz Lounge at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave., at 7 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

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

A candidates forum for the two District 3 seats on the La Plata County Health Service District Board of Directors takes place at 8 p.m. at the Pine River Public Library, 395 Center Drive in Bayfield. The forum will be broadcast live on 930 AM.

The Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., hosts the American Hunks Male Review beginning at 9 p.m. 375-2568 for details.

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

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The Green Business Roundtable returns to the Diamond Circle Theatre, 699 Main Ave., at noon. Lawrence Flowers, National Technical Director of Wind Powering America, will discuss Wind Powering the Southwest. 259-3583 to register.

The Durango Independent Film Festival kicks off monthly screenings at the Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, with the acclaimed documentary, “The Boys of Baraka.” The film follows four at-risk boys at an experimental boarding school in Kenya and shows at 3 & 7 p.m. www.durangofilm.org for details.

Lions Den Unlimited Soundz, featuring DJs vision, aka Zen Ken and Gnomesane, spin roots, reggae, dub and hip hop at  J. Bo’s on Tap, 1301 Florida Rd., at 4:20 p.m. 259-0010 for details.

Durango High School Imaginarium classes present a second show of the annual one-act festival at 4:30 p.m. in the DHS auditorium. 259-1630, ext. 2105 for details.

Greg Ryder performs on acoustic guitar at 5:30 p.m. at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.

The Women’s Resource Center Reading Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. at the Rochester Hotel, 726 E. Second Ave. Anyone interested in discussing Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card, is invited to attend. 247-1242 for details.

Chimney Rock Archaeological Area hosts a pre-season full moon program with Glenn Raby of San Juan National Forest. Gates are open from 5:30-6 p.m. 264-2287 for details.

“Wind Powering the Southwest,” a free, alternative-energy forum, takes place from 6-8 p.m. in Fort Lewis College’s Noble Hall. The event explores the future of rural economies and renewable energy development.

Mountain Bike Specialists, 949 Main Ave., hosts a free, ladies-only clinic from 6-8 p.m. Ladies are asked to bring their front wheel. 247-4066 to reserve a spot.

The Fort Lewis College Choirs perform at 7 p.m. at the Community Concert Hall. 247-7657 for details.

The Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., presents Ladies Night, including dance lessons from 7-9 p.m. followed by karaoke with Crazy Charlie. 375-2568. 4

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

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

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Dance CoMotion, a Durango dance production troupe, performs “Ballet on Belay” at Animas City Rock Gym, 1111 Camino del Rio. Dancers will be suspended in the air on belay while the audience lies on a padded floor below. The performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. on April 6, 7 & 8 and at 5 p.m. on April 13,14 & 15. Seating is limited. 259-5700 for details.

Fort Lewis College Theatre presents the final chapter of Tony Kushner’s masterwork, “Angels in America” on the Mainstage Theatre. In Part II, Kushner’s diverse characters either demonstrate unforeseen compassion and forgiveness, or break free from their self-imposed restrictions. Kushner shows us a staunch Mormon mother rescuing a gay man dying of AIDS, a black, former drag queen, helping prolong the life of a conservative racist, and a drug-addicted, delusional wife breaking free from the strictures of her life. The play shows April 6-8 & 13-15 at 7:30 p.m. and April 9 at 2 p.m. 247-7089 for details.

The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, continues to screen Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, “Why We Fight.” The film asks some pertinent questions about the economic necessities of war and shows most nights at 4:30, 6:45 and 9 p.m. 385-1711 for details.

The Fort Lewis College Art Gallery presents the Senior Art Majors Exhibition through April 13. The exhibit shows eclectic works that have spanned the college careers of 33 graduating art students in a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry and woodworking. The Fort Lewis College EXIT Gallery presents the sophomore student art show, “Patent Pending.” 247-7167 for details.

The Center of Southwest Studies hosts the Mesa Verde Centennial exhibit featuring 11 sections on a variety of themes, including archaeology, rock art (with Hopi interpretation), fire, park ranger life, Navajo stone masonry, pottery (both ancient and contemporary) and tourism bring the story to life. The exhibit will run through late October. 247-7456 for details

The Open Shutter Gallery, 755 E. Second Ave., exhibits the new work of California photographer Roman Loranc through May 3. Loranc’s images of landscapes, marshes, woods and sacred places show their beauty and propensity to heal. All of Loranc’s photographs were taken with medium-format film and printed in his darkroom. 382-8355 for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., presents the annual Members’ Exhibit, and this year’s theme is “Critters.” The DAC Art Library exhibits the work of visual journal artist Joan Macdonald of Pine, Colo. 259-2606 for details.

Karyn Gabaldon Fine Arts, 680 Main Ave., exhibits the pit-fired pottery of local artist Boots Brown. The show runs through April 30. 247-9018 for details.

The Children’s Museum, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts the dinosaur exhibit, “Now You’re in Their World.” There will be many hands-on activities, fine motor and gross motor fun, “Dinosaur Ridge” and extinction dioramas. Workshops are available anytime during museum hours and include dinosaur stuffed animals, dinosaur face masks and alphabet coloring dinosaurs. 259-9234 for details.

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A Founders’ Gala, commemorating Durango’s 125^th anniversary, takes place April 13 at the Train Museum and features a special re-enactment, live entertainment and a special founders’ lager.

Scoot ‘n Blues will host the Spring Fever Lingerie & Bikini Show on April 13.

The 5^th annual Wet N’ Wild Egg Hunt takes place on April 14 in the Leisure Pool at the Durango Recreation Center.  

Cowboy poet Baxter Black plays an April 14 fund-raiser for KSUT at the FLC Community Concert Hall.

The Tri the Rim Triathlon returns to Fort Lewis College on April 15. Registration forms are available now.

The 3rd Ave Dance Co. presents “Dancing Through The Decades” for one-performance only on April 15.

Country legend David Allan Coe will perform April 15 at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.

Dr. Lisa Floyd-Hanna discusses “Drought and Fire Impacts to Piñon-Juniper Woodlands: Lessons from Mesa Verde” on April 18 at the Center for Southwest Studies.

Swadeshi Seminars for Women continue on April 18 & 23 at Oakhaven Permaculture Greenhouse.

“Critical Choices for Durango’s Future,” a Smart Growth Symposium, takes place April 19 at the Durango Rec Center.

A recruitment meeting for Leadership La Plata, the organization designed to educate and train current and aspiring leaders, takes place April 19 at the Bank of Colorado.

Central City Opera House Association and the University of Colorado Opera Studies program present “America On Stage” at Fort Lewis College on April 20.

The La Plata County Health Service District Campaign Committee will give an April 20 presentation for the National Organization for Women.

Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County will hold a Family Selection Orientation/Application Meeting on April 22. 382-9930 for details.

Internationally acclaimed author and lecturer Jean Shinoda Bolen addresses the event “Save the World: A New Consciousness” on April 28-29.

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Top Western swing comes to town What: Two shows benefiting the Durango Cowboy Gathering Where: The Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave. When: Fri. – Sat., April 7 & 8 at 9 p.m. Durangoans have an opportunity to inject a little twang into a weekend packed full of bluegrass. The Durango Cowboy Gathering is bringing the 2004 Western Swing Group of the Year, Ted Scanlon and the Desperados, for a two-night show at the Wild Horse Saloon. The Durango Cowboy Gathering has traditionally been held during the first weekend of October for the past 18 years. Now the gathering is shooting for year-round, bringing top Western swing bands to Durango. The hope is to help encourage the important musical form that was first started by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. Scanlon and his band, from Las Cruces, N.M., are famous for three decades of rousing Western swing music. Scanlon is a member of the Western Swing Hall of Fame and won the 2004 Western Swing Group of the Year. The dance will be a fund-raiser for the Durango Cowboy Gathering and happens to coincide with the Four Corners Backcountry Horsemen’s annual Tack Sale, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  at the La Plata County Fairgrounds on April 8. For more information, log onto www.durangocowboygathering.org.

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Get the ACE Expedition off the ground What: A fund-raiser for the Outdoor Pursuits program at Fort Lewis College Where: The DoubleTree Hotel Ballroom When: Wed., April 12 at 7 p.m. Local students are aiming for the highest points on two continents and looking for a little help from Durango to get there. The Outdoor Pursuits program at Fort Lewis College is in the final preparation stages for an expedition to Russia and Tanzania this July. The trip will focus on climbing the highest points in Europe and Africa and participating in service-learning projects in the local villages surrounding each mountain. On Wednesday, the OP–ACE Expedition, which includes eight students and two staffers, is holding a fund-raiser to help get the team to Europe and Africa and to mitigate the costs of the service projects. The event includes gear giveaways, silent and live auctions of more than $6,000 in gear and outdoor services. Durango bluegrass band Rock and Rye will provide entertainment for the happening. Some of the items included in the giveaway and auctions include: a Gore-Tex shell, paco pad and dry bag, an alpine climbing pack, snow and skate boards, a day of guided ice-climbing in the Ouray ice-park, glider rides, train tickets, cat skiing, ski/board tuning, lodging packages, many gift certificates at local eateries, and much more. Outdoor Pursuits is a student-funded organization intended to introduce students to the world of outdoor recreation in the Four Corners region and beyond and just celebrated its 29th anniversary, making it one of the longest-running programs on campus. The fund-raiser gets under way at 7 p.m. For more information, visit the expedition web log at http: //opaceexpeditions.blogspot.com.

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‘Defending the Caveman’ plays concert hall What: A local performance of the off-Broadway play Where: The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College When: Sun., March 9 at 7 p.m. Described as a “nationwide comic phenomenon” by the New York Times, a unique one-man show is coming to Durango this Sunday. “Defending the Caveman” establishes – with compassion and humor – that differences between the sexes really do exist. The show is at 7 p.m. at the Community Concert Hall. Written by Rob Becker and launched in 1991, “Defending the Caveman” is an internationally renowned comedic play that analyzes men’s and women’s differing outlooks based on primal roles as male hunters and female gatherers. As the longest-running one-man show in Broadway history, it now boasts both a New York street name – Caveman Way – and an honorary “Caveman Day” on July 18, as declared by former  Mayor Rudy Guiliani in 1996. Former Durangoan Cody Lyman is one of several “cavemen” performing in the show’s national tour and will perform this Sunday at the concert hall. Lyman has, since leaving Durango, enjoyed continued successes as a comedian and entertainer, including performing with the Second City Conservatory in Chicago, the Boston Chamber Theatre’s Encore!, and as Darth Vader in the award-winning independent film, “The World According to Darth.” Tickets for the performance are available online at www.durangoconcerts.com, at the Concert Hall’s new Ticket Office, 707½ Main Ave., or by calling 247-7657.

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