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Ongoing Upcoming

Alt-country takes the stage at the Summit
Abbey Theatre screens offbeat ‘The Wackness’

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 Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts Kindred Spirit Art classes from 9:30-11:30 a.m. A Kindred Spirit Outreach Class also meets in the West Building from 1-3 p.m. Materials are supplied and the class is open to everyone. 759-5246 for details.

Ignacio Bike Week kicks off at 10 a.m. The event continues through Sept. 1 and includes concerts, poker runs, a beer tent and numerous contests and events. www.ignaciobikeweek.com for details.

Durango’s weekly Critical Mass ride leaves Buckley Park, located at the corner of 12^th St. and Main, at 5 p.m.

Jack Ellis & Larry Carver play high-altitude blues, rock and folk at El Patio, 600 Main Ave., from 5-9 p.m. 

The Mancos Farmers Market, featuring live music, meets at Boyle Park from 5-7 p.m. 533-7725.

Cocina Linda, 311 W. College in the Albertson’s parking lot, hosts music from The Assortment, an

eclectic mix of strings and percussion, at 6 p.m. 259-6729 for details.

Durango Motorless Transit hosts a group trail run on the Lion’s Den and College Loop. Interested runners should meet at the Chapman Hill trailhead at 6 p.m. 946-5557.

Lacey Black performs on piano at the Mahogany Grille, 699 Main Ave., at 6:30 p.m. 247-4433.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., offers Salsa Night. The evening includes salsa lessons from 7-7:30 p.m. and DJ Twelfth Night spinning on the patio until 11 p.m. 259-9018 for details.

The Tibetan Monks of Gaden Shartse give the 7 p.m. lecture, “Medicine Buddha Empowerment,” at the Durango Dharma Center, 2350 Colorado Ave., Suite 1B. The monks will be in Durango through Aug. 29 and will present a variety of events and lectures. 749-0739.

Dave Mensch, of Formula 151, performs at the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., starting at 7 p.m.

The Infamous Stringdusters and Anne and Pete Sibley play a 7 p.m. benefit concert at the Pagosa Springs High School in support of the new Fine Arts Magnet Academy. 264-0264 for details.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., offers karaoke from 8 p.m. to close. 259-8801 for details.

The Summit, 600 Main Ave., hosts DJs NoEgo and Mateo spinning for a Revenge of the Nerds back to school bash at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324.

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The Family Center of Durango kicks off its Tumbling Tots class for parents and their 14-month to 3-year-old children. The class

meets Fridays from 9-10 a.m. 385-4747 to register.

The River Rat Café, located in the DoubleTree Hotel, hosts open mic night from 4-7 p.m. 749-7299 for details.

The Southwest Colorado Peace and Justice Coalition holds a peace vigil from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the corner of Main Ave. and 11th St. Signs will be available or bring your own. 259-4185 for details.

Cosmic Accident plays at El Patio, 600 Main Ave., from 5-9 p.m.

Singer-songwriter David Earl Pfeiffer plays swing and blues from 5-9 p.m. at the Quaking Aspen Cafe and Gallery in Bayfield. 884-2002 for details.

The One Wheel is Better Unicycle Club meets at 6 p.m. on the Animas River Trail near the BMX track. 769-1244 for details.

Singer-songwriters Nina Sasaki & Lisa Blue play a 6-9 p.m. show at Christina’s Grill and Bar, 21382 U.S. Hwy 160 W.

Three Springs Plaza Pics, a free outdoor movie night, returns to the Three Springs Plaza at 7 p.m. with a free showing of “October Sky.” The La Plata Family Centers Coalition will offer free popcorn. www.threespringsdurango.com for details.

The Tibetan Monks of Gaden Shartse give the 7 p.m. talk, “The Path of the Bodhisattva,” at the Fort Lewis College Student Memorial Union. The public event includes a question and answer session. 749-0739.

Freeplay plays classic rock and originals from 8 p.m.-midnight at Virginia’s Steakhouse in Vallecito. 884-9495 for details.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., presents live jazz on the patio from 5:30-8:30 p.m., and a DJ spinning for late night happy hour from 9 p.m.-close. 259-9018 for details.

Singer-songwriter Terry Rickard plays Serious Texas BBQ South, 650 S. Camino del Rio, from 6-9 p.m. 259-9507 for details.

Tom MacCluskey performs on piano at the Mahogany Grille, 699 Main Ave., from 6-9 p.m. 247-4433 for details.4

The Jelly Belly Boogie Band plays rock at the 8th Avenue Tavern, 509 E. 8th Ave., starting at 8 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

The Elizabethan Report, high-energy funk from Pittsburgh, join local band, the Good Neighbors, at the Summit, 600 Main Ave. 247-2324 for details.

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The Durango Farmers Market meets from 8 a.m.-noon at First National Bank of Durango, 259 W. 9^th St. The event includes produce from local farmers, prepared food items and locally made crafts. Food stamps accepted.

A free workshop on Fly Casting & Fly Fishing with Physical Limitations meets at Santa Rita Park from 8:30-10 a.m. www.proflyfishers.com or 385-9048 to register. Donations appreciated.

The Arts & Crafts Market of Durango meets at Buckley Park from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Partial proceeds from the market benefit the San Juan Symphony. www.acmdurango.org for details.

The 2008 FLC Fall Community Service Project meets at noon on the west side of the College Union Building. This year’s project will focus on trail improvements with help from Trails 2000 and Outdoor Pursuits. The community is invited to take part. 247-7183 to register.

The Durango Discovery Museum at the Powerhouse, 1333 Camino del Rio, offers Powerhouse Playdays from noon-3 p.m., featuring free electric shows, tours, music, food and pedal-powered Wi-Fi.

Jack Ellis & Larry Carver play high-altitude blues, rock and folk at El Patio, 600 Main Ave., with shows at 1 & 8 p.m.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., offers the Paint Bar in the Garage Art Studio from noon-4 p.m. 259-2606 for details.

Singer-songwriter David Earl Pfeiffer plays swing and blues from 5-9 p.m. at the Quaking Aspen Cafe and Gallery in Bayfield. 884-2002 for details.

Singer-songwriter Donny Johnson plays Serious Texas BBQ South, 650 S. Camino del Rio, from 6-9 p.m. 259-9507 for details.

Singer-songwriters Nina Sasaki & Lisa Blue play a 6-9 p.m. show at Christina’s Grill and Bar, 21382 U.S. Hwy 160 W.

Tom MacCluskey performs on piano at the Mahogany Grille, 699 Main Ave., from 6-9 p.m. 247-4433 for details.

The Durango Discovery Museum at the Powerhouse, 1333 Camino del Rio, continues its free open–air movie nights at 8 p.m. with a screening of “Back to the Future.” Participants are asked to leave the car at home. The free screenings continue on Saturdays through Sept. 13.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., offers karaoke from 8 p.m. to close. 259-8801.

Freeplay plays classic rock and originals from 8 p.m.-midnight at Virginia’s Steakhouse in Vallecito. 884-9495 for details.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., presents dancing on the patio from 9 p.m.-close. 259-9018 for details.

The Kirk James Blues Band plays a 9 p.m. show at Blondie’s Pub and Grub in Cortez.

The Felonious Groove Foundation, funk from Albuquerque, at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

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A free Introduction to Fly Fishing meets from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Santa Rita Park. Visit www.proflyfishers.com or call 385-9048 to register. Donations appreciated.

The Durango chapter of Food Not Bombs serves free vegetarian/vegan food starting at 1 p.m. at Riverfront Park in conjunction with a drum circle. Volunteers, donations and potluck dishes are welcome at the weekly event. durangofoodnotbombs@gmail.com for details.

Durango BMX hosts racing just south of Gateway Park with sign-ups from 1-2 p.m. and racing to follow. 799-1780 or www.durangobmx.com for details.

Dave Mensch, of Formula 151, performs solo at Blondie’s Pub and Grub in Cortez beginning at 1 p.m.

Local ceramic artist Rebecca Barfoot culminates her summer artist’s residency with a 3-7 p.m. open house and exhibit of new work in porcelain at the Powerhouse at the Durango Discovery Museum. Refreshments will be 4 served and work will be for sale.

Durango Exopolitics hosts its monthly meeting at 3 p.m. The event features films and/or discussion about UFOs, extraterrestrials and their impacts on society and the world. 749-4292 for details and directions.

Singer-guitarist Jane Voss and pianist Hoyle Osborne present a laid-back afternoon of Cabaret Americana from 4-7 p.m. at Wines of the San Juan in Turley, NM. 505-632-0879 for details.

The Chills, featuring Terry Rickard, play El Patio, 600 Main Ave., from 5-9 p.m.

Singer-songwriter Donny Johnson plays an encore at Serious Texas BBQ South, 650 S. Camino del Rio, from 6-9 p.m. 259-9507 for details.

Dave Mensch, of Formula 151, performs at the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., starting at 7 p.m.

The Blue Moon Ramblers play their weekly gig at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., offers karaoke from 8 p.m. to close. 259-8801 for details.

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The Bayfield 3000 Soapbox Derby returns to Bayfield’s Dove Ranch Speedway from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. More than 40 races are scheduled to take place throughout the day. www.doveranch.com or 799-9700 for details.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., hosts open mic night from 8 p.m. to close. 259-8801 for details.

An open-level Latin/Salsa Dance Party takes place at 8:30 p.m. at the Durango Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave. No partner necessary. 903-9402 for details.

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The San Juan Mountains Association offers a guided nature walk at Durango Mountain Resort from 10 a.m.-noon. The walks are free and participants should meet outside Guest Services at DMR. 385-1256 for details.

A Kindred Spirit Art Class meets at the Four Corners Health Care Center from 10:15-11:15 a.m. Materials are supplied and the class is open to everyone. 759-5246 for details.

Kirk James plays solo blues at the River Rat Café, located in the DoubleTree Hotel, from 4-7 p.m.

A Durango Welcomes Fort Lewis College and Pueblo Community College Block Party meets at 5 p.m. in the 1000 block of Main Avenue.

Durango BMX hosts practices from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the track just south of Gateway Park. 799-1780 or www.durangobmx.com for details.

Ultimate Frisbee takes place at Miller Middle School at 5:30 p.m. and is open to all comers.

The Jeff Solon Jazz Group, along with vocalist Alison Dance, plays the Cyprus Café, 725 E. Second Ave., from 6-9 p.m. 385-6884 for details.

The Southwest Chapter of the Colorado Native Plant Society offers a native plant garden visit at 7 p.m. at a home in north Durango. 769-3319 for details and directions.

The Summit, 600 Main Ave., presents open mic night from 7 p.m.-midnight. Bands and DJs are welcome. 247-2324.

Acoustic folk/pop/indie troubadours Annie Brooks and Cyle Talley split a set of originals at the Durango Coffee Co., 730 Main Ave., from 7-9 p.m.

The Billy Goat Saloon, located on Highway 160 in Gem Village, hosts karaoke with Crazy Charlie starting at 7:30 p.m. 884-9155 for details.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., hosts live music on the patio from 8:30-10:30 p.m.-close. 259-9018 .  

Dave Mensch, of Formula 151, performs solo at Joel’s,119 W. 8th St., at 8 p.m. 385-0430 for details.

The Columbine Bar, located on Grand Ave. in Mancos, hosts its Tuesday Night Jam beginning at 8 p.m. The session is open to all musicians.

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The River Rat Café, located in the DoubleTree Hotel, offers open mic night from 4-7 p.m. 749-7299.

The Wednesday Durango Farmers Market meets at the Smiley Building, 1309 E. Third Ave., from 4:30-6 p.m. The market features locally grown foods, and food stamps are accepted.

An open bluegrass jam meets from 6-8 p.m. at the Durango Brewing Co., 3000 Main Ave. The circle gathers every Wednesday. 247-1264 for details.

The Jeff Solon Jazz Duo plays the Cyprus Café, 725 E. Second Ave., from 6-9 p.m. 385-6884 for details.

The Durango Chess Club gathers for its weekly meeting at Durango Joe’s, 732 E. College, at 6:30 p.m.

A 10-week Divorce and Beyond workshop kicks off from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 255 E. Fifth Ave. 247-0435 for details.

A free class on mysticism and meditation meets from 7-8 p.m. at Chiropractic Durango, 555 Rivergate Lane, Suite B1-108. The ongoing class is hosted by the Center of Light. 882-4920 for details.

Dave Mensch, of Formula 151, performs solo at Joel’s starting at 8 p.m.

An open-level East Coast Swing Party takes place at 8:30 p.m. at the Durango Recreation Center. No partner necessary. 903-9402 for details.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., hosts DJs spinning dance music on the patio from 9 p.m.-close. 259-9018 for details.  

Local band, the Good Neighbors, play a free show at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

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The Fort Lewis College Art Gallery hosts the Art Faculty Group Exhibition featuring work from teachers that has been shown nationally and is part of private and public collections. The show runs through Sept. 19, and the gallery is open on weekdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Open Shutter Gallery, 735 Main Ave., along with Arts Perspective magazine, showcases the vanishing art of Polaroid Film through Sept. 5. The show features acclaimed Polaroid artist Mike Slack from Los Angeles, along with artists from all over the United States and the Durango area. Polaroid will be retiring this year, and the media has been used less and less in recent years. 382-8355 or www.openshuttergallery.com for details.

The Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum hosts a living, cultural treasures exhibit. Ten Ute women and the baskets they weave are the focus of the show, which features 40 pieces accompanied by video of the White Mesa, Utah artisans. www.southernutemuseum.org .

Pure Soul Coffee House, 40 Town Plaza, displays the paintings of Jeremy Moore through the end of September. 259-5499 for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts the new exhibits, “High Drama,” a show by visual artists delivering their interpretation of drama; the Regional Invitational Book Arts Show; and Play Posters and Wood Sculptures by Cindy Coleman and Dave Sipe. The three shows run throughout August. 259-2606 for details.

The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College hosts “Connections: Earth + Art = A Tribute Art Show in Resistance to Desert Rock” through Sept. 28. The Center is also exhibiting “Transitions,” a Navajo textile show, “100 Contemporary Works” by native artists from the Hensler Collection, and selections of the jewelry of Ben Nighthorse. Visit http://swcenter.fortlewis.edu or call 970-247-7456 for more information.

Singer-songwriter Greg Ryder plays at The Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m. and 8 to 10:30 p.m. every day except Sunday.

The nature photography of Durangoan Howard Rachlin is on display through August at the Ignacio Community Library. 375-7877 for details.

The Diamond Circle Melodrama continues its 47th season in the newly renovated Durango Arts Center Theatre, 802 E. Second Ave. “The Spoilers” and “Whoop-Ti-Ay!” show nightly (except Mondays) at 8 p.m. The performances continue through Aug. 31. www.diamondcirclemelodrama.com for details.

The Animas Museum, 3065 W. Second Ave., host the exhibit “Eskimo Artifacts from Arctic Alaska.” This show features clothing, masks, hunting and fishing tools, dolls, toys, fetishes and other items. The museum is also hosting “Boots & Saddles: Historic Foot Gear and Horse Gear from Southwestern Colorado.” 259-2402 for details.

Professional Business Builders, a chapter of Business Networking International, meets every Thursday from 7-8:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Church in Durango. BNI Referral Matrix meets every Thursday from 7-8:30 a.m. at the Wells Group. The BNI Referral Market meets from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Prudential. BNI Business Connections meets every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Durango Rec. Center. BNI is the largest business networking organization in the world. Call 422-2032 or e-mail servinglife@hotmail.com for details.

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The Life-Long Learning Lecture Series returns to Fort Lewis College on Sept. 4 with the talk, “Endangered Species Sighted!”

Great American Taxi, featuring Vince Herman from Leftover Salmon, will play a free show Sept. 4 at the Fort Lewis College Amphitheater.

Thom Rader and Das Samba will perform Brazilian music at Cocina Linda on Sept. 4.

Durango Scottish Dancers will offer Scottish Country Dance Classes on Fridays beginning Sept. 5. 382-9593 for details.

The 4th annual Durango Coffee Festival, a fund-raiser for the Durango Adult Education Center, returns to downtown Durango on Sept. 6. The event will feature drinks, food and entertainment for the entire family.  

The Tour de Farms Durango Bike Tour, an educational bike tour of local farms, leaves the Durango Farmers Market on Sept. 6.

The monthly Contra Dance returns to the Durango La Plata Senior Center on Sept. 6 with music from the Hot Tops.

WholeExpo, the Holistic Health and Ecological Conference & Exposition for Your Whole Life, returns to Durango on Sept 6 & 7. www.wholeexpo.com for details.

The Silverton Colorfest Quilt Show and Sale meets from Sept. 6-7 in the Silverton School Gym.

The Durango Karate Club’s fall session begins on Sept. 9. The club trains in the Okinawan martial art of Shotokan Karate and meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. 385-4064 for details.

The Lipizzaner Stallions will perform for one show only Sept. 9 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.

The Green Business Roundtable returns to the Henry Strater Theater on Sept. 10 with a discussion of Durango’s Complete Streets.

The Women’s Resource Center will sponsor a free “Be Art Smart” tour of Durango galleries on Sept. 11. 247-1242 for details.

Sand Sheff, local favorite, and Thomas Sneed, of the Reeltime Travelers, play a Sept. 12 show at the Henry Strater Theater.

The Hammer Smith Band, a harmonica-based blues trio from L.A., plays a Sept. 12 show at the Summit.

Bayfield’s 9th annual Heritage Days is set for Sept. 12-14 and vendor space is still available. 884-233.

The annual Trout Unlimited Animas River Cleanup is scheduled for Sept. 13.

The 4 Corners Dressage & Combined Training Association will present a Sept. 13-14 symposium on “Biomechanics of Horse and Rider.” 382-3485.

The third annual Reel Rock Film Tour, an international climbing film festival, plays the Abbey Theatre on Sept. 16 & 17.

Trimble Hot Springs will host an evening of sacred chanting with Shantala –  Benjy and Heather Wertheimer – on Sept. 17.

Tour de Fat, New Belgium’s traveling bike festival, returns to Durango on Sept. 20.

International Peace Day will be celebrated Sept. 21 at Rotary Park.

Michael Franti & Spearhead play a Sept. 24 benefit show at Cottonwood Park in Mancos.

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Alt-country takes the stage at the Summit What: A show from Cory Branan, two members of Drag the River and The Lawn Chair Kings Where: The Summit, 600 Main Ave.   When: Sunday, Aug. 31 at 9:30 p.m. An alt-country triple bill goes on stage at the Summit this Sunday. Two members of Drag the River and local favorites, the Lawn Chair Kings, will join cult singer-songwriter Cory Branan at 9:30 p.m. The Lawn Chair Kings need no local introduction and Drag the River has sold out several Durango shows. Cory Branan, on the other hand, is a rising singer-songwriter who is steadily gathering international acclaim. Last November, Branan teamed up with Drag the River’s Jon Snodgrass for a series of Front Range shows. For their Durango appearance, they’ve added DTR’s Chad Price and the Lawn Chair Kings to the line-up. Born in Southaven, Miss., Branan has garnered comparisons to Ryan Adams, Pete Yorn and Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst. In 2000, he was awarded with the Phillips Award for Newcomer of the Year and two years later, made his label debut with the release of “The Hell You Say” to critical acclaim. “Intense dynamics, deep humor, brave production and heavy songwriting: A new voice emerges to run with the greats,” Playboy magazine wrote of the effort. Branan and Snodgrass’ collaboration, however it takes shape, will eventually be released on Denver’s Suburban Homes label. After playing Colorado, Branan will continue his 40 date U.S. tour before playing 20 dates in Europe. For more information on the show, contact the Summit at 247-2324.

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Abbey Theatre screens offbeat ‘The Wackness’ What: “The Wackness,” a comedy-drama, directed by Jonathan Levine Where: The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College When: Opening on Friday, Aug. 28 and running two weeks. It’s the summer of ’94, and Luke-the-loner has just graduated from high school in New York City. He’s sad and friendless, although he earns plenty as a pushcart drug dealer. In this odd, offbeat coming-of-age movie, Luke (Josh Peck) finds friendship in odd places. His therapist, Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley), trades commonplace bromides about what men must do to become themselves for weed. Luke is lost in his lonely search for connection, and Squires is lost in an empty marriage and life. They form an unlikely pair, and each comes to an unexpected series of insights as they explore the underside of the city and the sandy stretches of Fire Island. Along the way, we meet Luke’s unhappy parents, Squires’ unhappy wife and Stephanie (Olivia Thirlby), a pretty and popular high school classmate far more experienced than Luke. That she is also Squires’ step-daughter complicates matters. Coming-of-age films, not to mention the world of literature, are full of hapless, depressed young men in search of self and the wider world. That Luke Shapiro becomes a sympathetic hero stumbling on the road of life is something of a miracle. By the end of the film, as Luke passes through some crucial experiential gates, the surprise is that you actually care what happens to him. Writer and director Jonathan Levine brings Luke through the maze to a new understanding of himself and the world. Kingsley is brilliant. Peck is frustratingly sympathetic, and the odd universe around him sorts itself out before the boy embarks for college. Director Levine has truthfully captured a moment in the life of a sad and muffled young man and a moment in the summer of urban America. No wonder the film won the audience award for drama at the 2008 Sundance Festival. Rated R for language, drug use and sexuality.   – Judith Reynolds

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