Ear to the ground

“We’re ready to travel again. We used to be with the circus and really miss the road.”

– Local couple on their decision to leave Durango

Free flicks

Who says film festivals are for people living on Hollywood budgets? The Durango Independent Film Festival is kicking off March 1 with something everyone can get behind – free movies. In an effort to help locals through the front door, the resurrected festival is offering its opening night screenings free to the public.

“One of our goals with the festival is to make it accessible to local Durango area citizens of all economic means,” said Jeanne Costello. a Durango Independent Film Festival board member.

Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis except for “All Access” pass holders, who will be seated first at both the Abbey and the Gaslight theaters, about 25 minutes prior to the start of the movies. The Durango Independent Film Festival will then seat all people in the regular ticket line until the theaters are full – at no cost.

“While we want to have full houses for both screenings at both venues of our opening night, we felt we did owe it to people who purchased our All Access Passes to give them the first crack at the best seats,” said Wally White, DIFF Board member.

Durangoans can keep the cheap flicks rolling through the March 1-5 festival. DIFF is offering an “Early Screening – Two for $10” offer. For the festival’s 9 a.m. to noon screenings, coupon holders can see a film for just $5.

For more information on the Durango Independent Film Festival see the centerfold pull-out in this week’s Durango Telegraph or log onto www.durango film.org.

Members only

With the money saved at the Durango Film Festival, locals can help keep another Durango institution alive and kicking. KSUT Public Radio’s fund drive begins Mon., Feb. 27, and Volume 3 of the CD series “Roots & Rhythms” is available for pledges.

Like the two previous volumes, the CD captures the intimacy of live radio with 19 unique recordings by artists who have visited KSUT while in the area for concerts and festivals. The Roots & Rhythms’ series serves as a memento of the area’s live music scene in recent years.

All but one of the songs were recorded live on KSUT, and performers include Rodney Crowell, Darrell Scott, Bill Miller, Sam Bush, BR549 and many others. Original artwork featured on the cover and throughout the CD booklet was done by Durango artist Maureen May, who also produced designs for the previous volumes. This limited-edition collection is available with a $60 membership pledge to KSUT. The station’s annual membership drive takes place through March 4. Membership can be pledged on-line @ksut.org or by phone, 563-0255.