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Ongoing Upcoming

Red Grammer plays the Concert Hall
Ye Olde Snowdown celebrates three decades
Steep Canyon Rangers return to Durango

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 Great Decisions Discussion 2008 Series, hosted by the La Plata League of Women Voters, meets in the Durango Recreation Center’s Twilight Room from 12:30-2:30 p.m. 247-1692 for details.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., presents live jazz from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and a DJ spinning starting at 10 p.m. 259-9018 for details.

Singer-songwriter Greg Ryder plays a free show at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., beginning at 5:30 p.m. www.strater.com for details.

Durango Nature Studies offers 10 hours of free training for “Surviving and Thriving in Winter” volunteers. The training begins from 6-9 p.m. and continues on Jan. 25 from 8: 30 a.m.-4 p.m. 769-1800 to register.

Students from REACH Skills for Living and Learning School host a 6 p.m. meeting at the Sun Ute Community Center in Ignacio. The students will ask community members to discuss existing and future educational opportunities in La Plata County. 903-9285 for details.

The Southwest Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1911 Main Ave., Suite 282, offers an Adult CPR & AED class from 6-10 p.m. The class includes a one-year certification. 259-5383 to pre-register.

Kati B. and David Earl Pfieffer perform live jazz and blues standards from 6-8 p.m. at Guiseppe’s Restaurant in Bayfield. 884-7135 for details.

The Fort Lewis College Life-Long Learning Lecture Series continues with “The Politics of Endangered Species: Who Makes It To ‘THE LIST?’” at 7 p.m. in 130 Noble Hall.

The Durango Independent Film Festival hosts an orientation for new volunteers from 6-7 p.m. at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Visit www.durangofilm.org for details.

Cuckoo’s Chicken House hosts Fury Night featuring guest bartenders from the Durango Fury all-women hockey team. Come drink a pint of Ska Pinstripe, watch the Avalanche take on the Minnesota Wild and support women’s hockey in Durango.

Dave Mensch, of Formula 151, plays a free solo show at the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., beginning at 7 p.m.

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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.

The Commons hosts an Open House to showcase the remodeled “Old Federal Building,” 701 Camino del Rio, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Appetizers, drinks and music will be provided on every floor, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony and donor acknowledgement is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. 385-4354 for details.

An opening reception for the “Home” exhibition begins at 5 p.m. in the Fort Lewis College Art

Gallery.

Singer-songwriter Tim Sullivan plays at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m. www.strater.com for details.

The Kirk James Blues Band plays a free, 6-8 p.m. happy hour set at the Summit, 600 Main Ave. 247-2324 for details.

Gary Walker plays jazz piano at the Mahogany Grille, 699 Main Ave., from 6-9 p.m. 247-4433.

The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College hosts Paramount’s Original Laser Spectacular Featuring the Music of Pink Floyd for two shows at 7 & 10 p.m. www.durangoconcerts.com for details.

The Center of Light in Dolores screens “Romero” for its free Conscious Movie Night at 7 p.m. 882-4920 for details.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., presents “You’re the DJ” with free jukebox beginning at 8 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

The Chills bring their rock ‘n roll back to the Billy Goat Saloon, located off U.S. Hwy. 160 in Gem Village, beginning at 8 p.m. 884-9155 for details.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., presents a DJ spinning starting at 10 p.m. for late night happy hour. 259-9018 for details.

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“Baby Coming?” a daylong workshop for soon-to-be parents, meets from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The informational day is being presented by Suzanne Arms, the author of seven books and pregnancy and parenting. 884-4005 to register.

Tara Mandala Buddhist Retreat Center, located near Pagosa Springs, hosts Saturday Morning Meditation from 10 a.m.-noon. Drop-ins welcome. 731-3711 for details.

Tim Sullivan plays an encore show at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Guiseppe’s Restaurant, 871 CR 501 in Bayfield, hosts open mic with Handsome Dan from 6-8 p.m. 884-7135 for details.

Gary Walker plays jazz piano at the Mahogany Grille, 699 Main Ave., from 6-9 p.m. 247-4433.

Greg Ryder plays a free solo show at the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., beginning at 7 p.m.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., offers karaoke from 8 p.m. to close. 259-8801 for details.4

The Chills take their show on the road for an 8 p.m. show at the Columbine Bar in Mancos. 533-7397 for details.

The Summit, 600 Main Ave., hosts reggae and jazz from Plant the Corn at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

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The San Juan Mountains Association and Durango Mountain Resort offer a ski naturalist trek beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the base of chairlift #4. 385-2147 for details.

The Center of Southwest Studies celebrates the opening of the “Old Spanish Trail” exhibit with a reception at 1 p.m. in the Lyceum.

Joel Racheff plays acoustic at the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., from 7-11 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.

EOTO, featuring Jason Hann and Michael Travis of String Cheese Incident, plays an improvised trip-hop project at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

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P is for Peanut, 473 E. College, hosts free kids’ storytime at 1 p.m. 385-4525 for details.

Robin Davis plays the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m.

The Durango Independent Film Festival hosts an orientation for new volunteers from 6-7 p.m. at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. The festival runs Feb. 27-March 2. Visit www.durangofilm.org for details.

Singer-songwriter Tim Guidotti plays acoustic at the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., from 7-11 p.m.

Terry Rickard plays acoustic rock at Joel’s, 119 W. 8^th St., starting at 8 p.m.

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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P is for Peanut, 473 E. College, offers free kids’ storytime at 11 a.m. 385-4525 for details.

Singer-songwriter Terry Rickard plays at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m.

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

The Durango Choral Society hosts rehearsals for singers, and tenors and basses in particular, from 7-9:30 p.m. Those auditioning should have choral singing experience. 247-1129, ext. 14 to register.

Tim Sullivan plays acoustic at the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., from 7-11 p.m.

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.

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 I-Gene spins for Trenchtown Tuesdays at Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., starting at 9 p.m. 259-9018 for details.

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Snowdown begins

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., presents Art Spot, a live art demo, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. 259-9018 .

Greg Ryder plays the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m.

Focus the Nation, a nationwide teach-in on solutions to global warming, kicks off at 6 p.m. in the Fort Lewis College Ballroom with a live webcast from Washington, D.C., featuring climate scientist Stephen Schneider, human rights activist Van Jones, and author Hunter Lovins. The event continues on Jan. 31 with 22 lectures, discussions and films. http://envcenter.fortlewis.edu for details.

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

Lacey Black plays jazz piano at the Mahogany Grille, 699 Main Ave., at 6:30 p.m. 247-4433 for details.

Singer-songwriter Terry Rickard plays acoustic rock at the Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., from 7-11 p.m.

Dave Mensch and Kevin Blaum perform at Joel’s, 119 W. 8^th St., 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.

The Good Neighbors bring their jam rock to the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324.

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The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College exhibits the Fifth Annual Juried Photography Show: “Images of the Southwest” in the Center’s gallery. The show was open to amateur, semi-professional, and professional photographers alike, with a special category for students and was judged by Denver photographer Tom Carr. The photography show first began in 2003 to recognize the great number of excellent visual artists in Durango and the Four Corners area. 4

Steaming Bean Coffee, 915 Main Ave., hosts the Chloe Cards photography exhibit. Chloe is a 16-year-old Golden Retriever and Durango native who has been posing for the camera all of her life. The mostly black-and-white photography exhibit depicts her adventures as a mountain biker, skier and professional dress-up artist. www.chloecards.com for details.

The Open Shutter Gallery, 755 E. Second Ave., hosts its community exhibit, “The Art of Animals,” through Jan. 30. The show features both black-and-white and color photographs from local photographers. The work is varied and unique and captures animals as art and/or in their natural environments. The show is also a celebration of the upcoming Mancos Mush Sled Dog Race, which begins on Feb. 8 in Mancos. www.openshuttergallery.com for details.

The Fort Lewis College Art Gallery hosts the “Home Exhibit” from Jan. 21-Feb. 13. In the show, 15 local visual artists, writers and performance artists interpret the theme of “home.” The gallery is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday-Friday. 247-7167 for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Show, hosts the Four Corners Commission, its 32^nd annual juried exhibit, through Feb. 2. Juror Mary Ellen Long selected works that celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of life, of land and the artists within the Four Corners Region. 259-2606 for details.

The Family Center of Durango offers PAT – Parents as Teachers – a free, ongoing home visitation program for parents and their children. The free program offers specific developmental information for parents and children up to 3 years of age, and visits can take place weekly or monthly depending on interest and need. 385-4747 for detials..

The Animas Museum, 3065 W. Second Ave., host the exhibit “Boots & Saddles: Historic Foot Gear and Horse Gear from Southwestern Colorado.” This show contains artifacts including Gus Ambold’s “Olathe Cow-Boy Boots” and Olga Little’s saddle and pack saddle. The museum is also collecting stories about descendants of prominent Durango men and women between 1881-1910.259-2402 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 is the largest business networking organization in the world. Call 422-2032 or e-mail servinglife@hotmail.com for details.

The Children’s Museum, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts the exhibit, “Living off the Land.” The museum offers a hands-on exploration of the Rocky Mountain ecosystem and is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wed.-Fri. and 1-5 p.m. on Sat. and Sun. 259-9234 for details.

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The 14th annual Snowdown Wine Tasting and Fine Art Exhibition will be held Jan. 31 to benefit the La Plata Open Space Conservancy.

The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College will host the free conference, “Living on the Razor’s Edge” Pathways to Solutions With Suicidal & Self-Harming Adolescents, on Jan. 31.

Focus the Nation, a national teach-in on global warming involving more than 1,100 universities, colleges and high schools, lands at Fort Lewis College on Jan. 31.

The Tara Mandala Buddhist Retreat Center hosts Phowa Teachings with Lama Wangdu Rinpoche from Feb. 1-3.

A Ye Olde Contra Dance takes place in conjuction with Snowdown on Feb. 2 at the VFW.

The all-womens Durango Fury hockey team takes on the Colorado Springs Timberwolves in a two-game series for Snowdown Weekend, Feb. 2-3, at Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Come support the home team, and wear Snowdown attire for a chance at fabulous prizes.

The San Juan Mountains Association will offer a free Feb. 5 “Collaboration Skills” workshop for nonprofit program managers, natural resource professionals, and non-formal educators. 385-1256 to register.

The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival lands at Fort Lewis College on Feb. 6.

The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Co. will bring a mixed repertoire to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College on Feb. 6

The Sexual Assault Services Organization will host free trainings for prevention education volunteers on Feb. 6 & 7.

The fourth annual Mancos Mush Dog Sled Races return to the region Feb. 8-10.

Durango Nature Studies hosts a Wild Words event on Feb. 9 at the Abbey Theatre with performances and stories from singer-songwriters Sally Shuffield, Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin.

The American Association of University Women will host a book and author luncheon with Tekla Dennison Miller on Feb. 9 at the FLC Memorial Lounge. 259-5671 for details.

The Miserabillies will play neo-trad country music Feb. 9 at the Bayfield Steamworks.

Lyndee White & Marie Hornickel, voice and piano artists from Denver, play a Feb. 9 special event at Wines of the San Juan.

Fort Lewis College Theatre will present Win/Lose/Draw: A Night of One Acts on Feb. 14-16 and 21-23.

A three-band bill of local music will play the Henry Strater Theater on Feb. 28 with Waiting on Trial, Carute Roma, and Rock & Rye all taking the stage.

The Adaptive Sports Association will present the 10th annual Dave Spencer Ski Classic on Feb. 29 and March 1 and teams are forming now. 259-0374 for details.

George Thorogood & the Destroyers play the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College on March 2.

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Red Grammer plays the Concert Hall What: A show by the Grammy-nominated family entertainer Where: The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College     When: Sunday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m.   One of the nation’s premier family entertainers takes the stage in Durango this Sunday. Red Grammer plays a 4 p.m. matinee at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Grammer gears his performances to 4- to 11-year-olds, while including multiple songs also enjoyed by adults. Said to write and perform music that “playfully reconnects us with our best and truest selves,” he is a Grammy nominee and winner of numerous Parents’ Choice Awards. Grammer began his performing career by replacing Glenn Yarborough as the lead tenor in the renowned folk trio, The Limeliters. At the same time, he and his wife began writing songs for their young sons, which resulted in his first children’s recording, “Can You Sound Just Like Me?” featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” Grammer’s second release, “Teaching Peace,” was named by The All Music Guide as “one of the top five children’s recordings of all time.” His most recent effort, “BeBop Your Best! … Music to Build Character By,” is a Grammy-nominated collection of songs for children of all ages. Family Fun called Grammer, “A sure cure for the blahs: his energy and enthusiasm are contagious.”   Tickets for the show are available on the web at www.durangoconcerts.com, by calling 247-7657, or in person at the Ticketing Offices on Main Avenue behind Magpies.

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Ye Olde Snowdown celebrates three decades What: Durango’s annual celebration of winter Where: All over the greater Durango area When: Jan. 30 through Feb. 3 Durangoans will once again raise their tankards and celebrate winter this week with the beginning of the 30th annual edition of Snowdown. The medieval-powered theme of this year’s celebration is “Ye Olde Snowdown,” and all the favorite events will be back on tap, joined by a handful of new ones. More than 60 contests, events and gatherings will take place starting Wed., Jan. 30, and running through Sun., Feb. 3. And as the event suggests, participants will have the opportunity to “Don thy finest, pull on thy armor, give up thy hankies to thy Knight, and head out to find fun in ways thou hast never seen!” On Jan. 30, look for the Ye Olde Scavenger Hunt, the ever-popular Fashion Dos and Don’ts; the Polar Beer Plunge; Lady F’s Lunacy; the 20th annual Snowdown Jokedown; the bartender’s contest; cribbage; foosball and pool tournaments; the annual Bicycle Roller Races; and a performance of the Kid’s Follies. A special 25th anniversary Snowdown Follies is also on tap for Jan. 30. Follies favorites from the last 25 years have been handpicked for the greatest hits performance. Old MCs and Chorus Lines will also be revived for the shows. For a complete listing of Snowdown events, stay tuned to the Durango Telegraph or visit www.snowdown.org.

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Steep Canyon Rangers return to Durango What: A local show by the noted North Carolina bluegrass band Where: The Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave.   When: Sat., Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. Energetic, traditional bluegrass takes center stage at the Henry Strater Theatre this Saturday. The Steep Canyon Rangers are making the journey from North Carolina back to Durango for the 7 p.m. show. Local bluegrass mainstays the Badly Bent will open the show. The Steep Canyon Rangers first came together at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The band features Woody Platt (guitar), Mike Guggino (mandolin), Graham Sharp (banjo) and Charles Humphrey III (bass). Initially, the band members shared an interest in bluegrass, especially the progressive variety. However, as they sharpened their skills and matured musically, the Rangers found themselves drawn more to the sounds of the genre’s early era. From informal living room picking sessions, the Rangers moved on to playing at clubs, pizza shops and other venues around the Chapel Hill area. In 2001 the group released its first CD, “Old Dreams & New Dreams” and followed it with a victory at the Rockygrass festival’s band competition during the first festival the Rangers had ever attended. The year 2002 saw the release of the group’s second album, “Mr. Taylor’s New Home,” and a return to Rockygrass as main stage performers. The Steep Canyon Rangers also threw themselves into a busy touring schedule that alternated between bluegrass festivals and concert halls and clubs. In 2006, the International Bluegrass Music Association voted Steep Canyon Rangers the Emerging Artist of the Year, and the Grand Old Opry also welcomed the Rangers for a debut performance at the Ryman Auditorium. Tickets for the show can be purchased at Animas Trading Co., Canyon Music and Southwest Sound in Durango. For more information, visit www.durangoacousticmusic.com.

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