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Ongoing Upcoming

Holidazzle makes its return to downtown
DMR unveils the new Purgy’s day lodge

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

Thanksgiving Day

The 22nd annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be served at no charge from noon-2 p.m. Everyone is invited to this community gathering, especially those who don’t like to cook or don’t want to eat alone. Meals are also delivered upon request. 259-4061.

Singer-songwriter Greg Ryder plays the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., beginning at 5 p.m.

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

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

The Durango Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Singing With Santa” Caroling Walk and Tree Lighting takes off from the corner of College and Main at 5:30 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will lead the procession to Buckley Park where the town Christmas Tree will be lit. 247-0312 for details.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., presents live music

from The Good Neighbors from 5:30-8:30 p.m. 259-9018 for details.

The Jeff Solon Jazz Duo performs its weekly gig in the bar at Mutu’s, 701 E. Second Ave., from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Terry Rickard plays the first of two shows at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 6 p.m.

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

Stone 66 plays the 8th Avenue Tavern, 509 E. 8th Ave., starting at 8 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

Wild Country plays country dance tunes at the Billy Goat Saloon on Highway 160 in Gem Village starting at 8 p.m. 884-9155 for details.

The Kirk James Blues Band plays Blondie’s Pub and Grub in Cortez at 8 p.m.

Local bands The Formless and Versa Vice play a free show at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

The Durango Arts Center Paint Bar, 802 E. Second Ave., is open from noon-4 p.m. 259-2606 for details.

Dave Brown, solo balladeer, plays Steamworks in Bayfield, 442 Wolverine Dr., from 5-8 p.m. 884-7837 for details.

Jack Ellis & Larry Carver play high altitude blues, rock and folk at La Tazza in Pagosa Springs at 5:30 p.m.

Dave Mensch performs solo for The Festival of Trees at the Durango Train Museum at 6 p.m.

Terry Rickard plays an encore show at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 6 p.m.

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

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

The Kirk James Blues Band plays the Schankhouse Bar & Grill, located in Vallecito, at 8:30 p.m.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., presents a DJ spinning dance music from 9 p.m.-close. 259-9018 for details.

Niayh, a Front Range rock band, returns to the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324.

The Olde Schoolhouse, located in Needles, hosts a triple-bill rock show at 9:30 p.m. The Lawn Chair Kings, the Freeman Social and In a Day will perform.

Cyclocross racing returns to the Fort

Lewis College Stadium at 10 a.m. There are categories for male, female and masters racers along with prizes for each category. http: //cycling.fortlewis.edu for details.

Durango Exopolitics meets at 1 p.m. at Dragonfly’s Book Garden, 929 Hwy 3, Suite A. Email gaiatribe.niara@gmail.com 

The Durango High School Music Department presents a free community Messiah Sing-a-long at 6 p.m. at St. Columba Church, 1830 E. Second Ave. 259-1630.

Joel Racheff plays 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.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 E. Third Ave., commemorates World AIDS Day with a non-denominational service of remembrance, hope and healing at 12:15 p.m. People from around the globe will come together within a single effort to raise awareness about HIV and to express global solidarity in the face of the pandemic. The service is open to all.

A reception and ribbon-cutting grand opening for the new Durango Public Library begins at 4 p.m.

Joel Racheff plays at The Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., beginning at 5 p.m.

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

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

Singer-songwriter Terry Rickard plays an 8 p.m.-midnight show at Joel’s, 119 W. 8^th St.

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.

Mac Lethal bring hip-hop back to the Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, at 10 p.m. The member of Rhymesayers is touring in support of his debut album. 385-1711.

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.

The Durango Arts Center’s Paint Bar, 802 E. Second Ave., offers Supermud, clay for kids. Ages 4-7 meet from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Ages 8-12 meet from 4:40-5:40 p.m. The Paint Bar also offers after-school hours from 3:30-5:30 p.m. 259-2606 for details.

The new Durango Public Library hosts “High Tea,” a celebration of Durango’s book clubs, at 4 p.m.

Singer-songwriter Terry Rickard plays at The Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., beginning at 5 p.m.

The American Red Cross, 1911 Main Ave., offers an 4

Adult CPR/AED class from 6-10 p.m.  

Mill Street Brews, 25 Mill St. in Bayfield, hosts an open jam session beginning at 6 p.m. The event meets every Tuesday evening. 884-7070 for details.

True Life Coaching presents a free teleseminar, “Sovereignty Circles: A True Life of Your Own,” at 6: 30 p.m. Both men and women are invited to attend but space is limited. www.truelifecoach.net/sovcircles.htm.

The Durango Youth Coalition meets at 7 p.m. Participants will help strategize and develop a mission and vision for this new organization that will help channel the youth voice in Durango for positive change. Email durangoyouthcoalition@gmail.com for location or details.

The Summit, 600 Main Ave., presents open mic night with Matt Dyer of Mr. Nobody Productions 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.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., hosts live music from 8 p.m.-close. 259-9018 for details.  

The new Durango Public Library celebrates “Creativity Day” with children’s storytime at 10:30 a.m.; Pam Uschuk leading a Poetry Retreat at 4:15 p.m.; and Will Gray discussing “The Writing Life” at 6:45 p.m.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., offers pre-school paint hours at the Paint Bar from 11 a.m.-noon. 259-2606 for details.

Animas SDS (Students for a Democratic Society), Durango’s only independent, radical, anti-authoritarian student & youth collective, meets every Wednesday from 5-6 p.m. in a top-secret location. Email animas-sds@riseup.net 

The Miller Middle School choirs and orchestras present their Winter Concert at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. A fund-raising dinner is set for 5-6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. 247-1418, ext. 2528 for details.

Greg Ryder returns to The Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5 p.m.

The American Red Cross, 1911 Main Ave., offers a Standard First Aid class from 6-10 p.m. 259-5383 to register.

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.

A panel discussion on “Obama Elected: Are We Living in a Post-Racial Society?” meets at 6:30 p.m. in 115 Noble Hall at Fort Lewis College. The event is free and open t the public. 247-7582 for details.

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

Lacey Black plays solo piano at the Mahogany Grille, 699 Main Ave., beginning at 6:30 p.m.

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

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 DJ Bank spinning dance music from 9 p.m.-close. 259-9018.  

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Durango’s Festival of Trees is on display at the D&SNGRR Train Museum daily through Dec. 6. Guests can bid on 60 decorated wreaths and trees (with presents underneath) at the silent auction and drawing, and a Murder Mystery Dinner is set for Dec. 5. All proceeds benefit Community Connections. 259-2464 for details.

A Local Artists Holiday Sale meets from Nov. 28-Dec. 24 at 473 College. The sale is open daily from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. and includes tie-dye, handblown glass, photography, jewelry and more.

The Fort Lewis College Art Gallery presents the Senior Art Major’s Exhibition from Dec. 1-18. The show is a culmination of the students’ FLC coursework, with senior-level Art majors participating. The work includes a mixture of traditional and non-traditional media, with sculpture, ceramic, blown glass, drawing, painting, graphic design, printmaking and photography among the selections.

Durango Lively Arts Company presents “A Christmas Story,” a play by Philip Grecian based on the film of the same name, at the Smiley Theatre, 1309 E. Third Ave. Showtime is 7 p.m. on Nov. 28 & 29 and 1 p.m. on Nov. 29. 382-8584 for tickets or details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts the Holiday Art Olé exhibit. The boutique of juried art offers unique handmade holiday gift items by local and regional artists. A mixed media show by artist Mike Brieger will be on display at the Arts Library gallery through the end December. 259-2606 for details.

The Open Shutter Gallery, 735 Main Ave., exhibits the black and white fine art photography of Paul Caponigro through Dec. 10. Caponigro’s prints are some of the finest ever created in photography. 382-8355.

Pure Soul Coffee House, 40 Town Plaza, hosts a photography/poetry show from Paul Pennington and Greg Moore through the end of December. 259-5499.

The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College exhibits Ruben Archuleta sculptures for a Dia de los Muertos exhibit. Transitions: Navajo Weaving 1880-1920, and Wish You Were Here: Postcards from the Southwest are also on display along with 100 Contemporary Works from Native Artists and selections from Ben Nighthorse Jewelry. Visit http: //swcenter.fortlewis.edu or call 247-7456 for more information

The Animas Museum, 3065 W. Second Ave., host the exhibit “Durango’s Strangest Shootout- The Day the Marshal Killed the Sheriff.” This show reveals one of Durango’s most tragic events, when two lawmen shot it out on Main Avenue. 259-2402.

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The Fort Lewis Music Department plays its annual Holiday Bash on Dec. 5.

Karyn Gabaldon Fine Arts will open its 26th anniversary Holiday Show on Dec. 5.

The 34^th annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival returns to the La Plata County Fairgrounds on Dec. 5-7.

The monthly Contra Dance returns to the Senior Center on Dec. 6 with music from the Virginia Creepers.

The Dolores River Brewery Holiday Arts & Crafts Show is set for Dec. 6.

The La Plata Unity Project presents World Dance Night on Dec. 7 at Moe’s Starlight Lounge.

The Durango Youth Symphony will perform a Dec. 8 concert at the Community Concert Hall.

Magician Ann Lincoln will perform at free Dec. 10 show at the Lavenia McCoy Public Library.

The Yule of the Arts arts and crafts fair lands in the Durango Mall Commons Area on Dec. 10-24.

The Durango Farmers Market will hold a special holiday market on Dec. 13 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.

The Community Concert Hall will host the Bar D Wranglers Christmas Jubilee on Dec. 13.

The Durango Performing Arts Company will host the Snowdown KIDS Follies Auditions on Dec. 16-17. 749-4445 for details.

The Community Concert Hall will host the State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara’s “Nutcracker” on Dec. 19-21.

Sideshow Emporium & Gallery in Dolores is seeking new work for its annual Chinese New Year Poster Art Show, “The Year of The Ox,” through Jan. 3. 565-4170 for details.

The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College will accept entries for the sixth annual Images of the Southwest from Jan. 8-15. 247-7456 for details.

The 16th annual Trails 2000 auction fund-raiser is set for Jan. 13 at Olde Tymer’s. 259-4682 for tickets.

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Holidazzle makes its return to downtown What: The annual holiday promotion of the Central Business District Where: All over downtown Durango When: Beginning this week and running though Christmas Eve   The holidays are sweeping back into Durango. The fourth annual Holidazzle – designed to boost retail traffic and sales revenues in and around downtown – officially kicked off this week. Given the challenges to retail sales this holiday season, organizers are coordinating efforts to step up “the dazzle” for 2008. Holidazzle will help promote 42 events or activities taking place in and around downtown Durango during the holiday season. The event kicks off this Friday with the “Singing with Santa” caroling procession, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the D&SNG Depot. One general theme of the promotion is “Look Local First,” a campaign to encourage shoppers to enhance the local economy by spending their dollars at home instead of on the internet or in other cities. In this spirit, more than 75 businesses in the Central Business District are offering gift drawings, with sign-ups being taken throughout the five-week promotion. Merchants are also taking part in the Window Decorating competition. And Noel Night, a one-day showcase of downtown featuring sales, specials and drawings, is set for Dec. 11. For a complete Holidazzle listing, visit www.downtowndurango.org.

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DMR unveils the new Purgy’s day lodge What: A grand opening celebration for the new Purgy’s day lodge Where: Purgatory Village When: Sat., Nov. 29 from 3-6 p.m. Snow or no snow, Purgatory will celebrate a grand opening this weekend. The local ski area cuts the ribbon on the new Purgy’s day lodge this Saturday. A grand opening celebration is set for 3-6 p.m. Last season, Durango said goodbye to the legendary day lodge, which had been a fixture at Purgatory since the 1960s. The new Purgy’s is almost doubled in size. During the day, a new food cart and coffee bar will offer skiers and riders a variety of lunch and liquid options. A new “log” bar area also has been created, and the white tablecloths will come out at night for distinctive dinners. During this Saturday’s celebration, Ralph Dinosaur, Durango’s favorite cross-dressing classic rocker, will help christen the new lodge. Special beers will be on tap, drink specials will be flowing and Purgy’s will serve up complimentary apps.  For more information, visit www.durangomountainresort.com

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