photos by David Halterman

With the snow-weighted collapse of the Fine Arts Auditorium nearly 12 twelve years ago, Durango wasted no time in getting a replacement. Ten years later, the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College is Durangos premiere venue for world-renowned musicians as well as the performing arts. Under the guidance of Concert Hall Director Gary Penington, the auditorium was modeled after Carnegie Hall, giving it perfect acoustics. In just 10 years, it has hosted more than 1,000 shows and sold more than 360,000 tickets. And what better way to celebrate such a momentous occassion than with two nights with one of musics most influential families, the Guthries? From the dust-bowl ballads of Woody, which literally spawned a musical revolution, to the sound of his great-granddaughter, 5-year old Olivia Nora, the Guthrie family has endured the strains of popular music over the years to keep their true-to-life sound as alive as their familys legacy. With the familiar story/song format, Arlo Guthrie was backed by his youngest daughter, Sarah Lee Guthrie, on guitar and vocals; his son Abe Guthrie on the keys; as well as son-in-law Johnny Irion on guitar; and Gordon Titcomb, string virtuoso. On and off stage, the Guthries were genuine and personable, sending the Community Concert Hall into its second decade with style.