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Maria’s Bookshop hosts an Edward Abbey party
Colorado Mountain Club showcases the Grand
Grupo Fantasma plays Community Concert Hall
The Gourds blow back into 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

Wanderers, Walk-Ins & Starseeds, a new group, meets from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Dragonfly’s Book Garden, 929 Hwy 3, Suite A. gaiatribe.niara@gmail.com for details.

Mark Simons, Chad MacCluskey, and Bob Newnam play the Jean Pierre Wine Bar, 605 Main Ave., from 6:30 p.m. to close. 247-7700 for details.

Cherryholmes, a band considered “the American bluegrass dream,” plays a 7 p.m. show at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Local favorites, the Badly Bent, open the show. www.durangoconcerts.com for details.

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 until 11 p.m. 259-9018 for details.

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

Judge Sharon Hanson discusses the history of women in the legal profession at 7 p.m. at the Cortez Cultural Center. The event is in honor of Women’s History Month. 565-7272 for details.

Radio La Chusma , of El Paso, plays Latin rock and reggae at Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., at 9 p.m. 259-9200 for details.

The Motet returns to Durango for a

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The 6th annual Durango St. Baldrick’s gets under way at 6 p.m. at the D&SNG Train Museum. Local residents will have their heads shaved for donations to help children with cancer. www.stbaldricks.org for details.

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

Former Durango resident Ray Parker discusses his new book, Down in Flames: A True Story, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Durango Public Library. Visit www.durangopubliclibrary.org for details.

Mark Simons plays jazz and classical at the Jean Pierre Wine Bar, 605 Main Ave., from 6:30 p.m. to close. 247-7700 for details.

Jack Ellis and Larry Carver play high-altitude blues, rock and folk at Rubio’s in Aztec at 6:30 p.m.

The Center of Light Dolores screens “Dalai Lama: The Soul of Tibet” for its Conscious Movie Night at 7 p.m. 882-2123 for details.

The Edgar Mack Blues Band plays the 8th Avenue Tavern, 509 E. 8th Ave., starting at 8 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

The Jelly Belly Boogie Band plays rock and blues at the Billy Goat Saloon, located off U.S. Hwy. 160 in Gem Village, at 8 p.m. 884-9155 for details.

Local favorites Formula 151 play a free show of acoustic rock at the Derailed Saloon, 725 Main Ave., at 9 p.m.  

The Austin band Champagne with Friends plays “Fright Night” at Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., at 9 p.m.4 

Jam band RedEyedJinn plays the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

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Rebecca Atkinson discusses “Forgotten Founders: Women Homesteaders of Southern Colorado” from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Durango Public Library. Members of the public are encouraged to share their family stories and a second session is set for March 13 at Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School. www.DurangoPublicLibrary.org for details.

The High Desert String Band plays bluegrass at Steamworks Bayfield Beer Factory from 5-8 p.m. 884-7837 for details.

The Durango Early Learning Center hosts its annual fundraiser Hops and Hopes from 6-10 p.m. at the D&SNG Train Museum. The event includes a beer and wine tasting, food, live and silent auctions and music from Jack 10 High. 259-1483.

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

Dennis Wakeman hosts open mic at Guiseppe’s Restaurant, located on Goddard Ave. in Ignacio, from 6-8 p.m.

Mark Simons returns to the Jean Pierre Wine Bar, 605 Main Ave., from 6:30 p.m. to close. 247-7700 for details.

Jack Ellis and Larry Carver play high-altitude blues, rock and folk at Rubio’s in Aztec at 6:30 p.m.

Durango DOT Comedy, Durango’s improv comedy troupe, performs “Vintage Homegrown Comedy” at the Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. 259-6004 for details.

The Jelly Belly Boogie Band plays an 8 p.m. show at Legends Lounge and Grill, 331 S. Camino del Rio. 385-5533 for details.

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

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

Jaki and The Joysticks plays rockabilly and punk-influenced rock at the Hollywood Bar in Dolores at 9 p.m. 882-9998 for details.

Mountain Standard Time brings bluegrass to the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9: 30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

The Oakland-based hip-hop duo Zion I plays the Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, at 10 p.m. 385-1711 for details.

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The Durango chapter of Food Not Bombs serves free vegetarian/vegan food starting at 1-4 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.

St. Mark’s Church, 910 E. Third Ave., hosts the Second Annual Durango Bach Festival beginning at 2 p.m. with Bach’s Lunch. The series of noon recitals runs every day through March 20. Bach’s Birth Bash, the festival finale, plays on March 21 at 2 & 7 p.m. Dozens of musicians will play in the festival’s eight concerts. www.DurangoBachFestival.com for details.

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

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Ballroom. Gov. Bill Ritter will participate in the event. www.scoredenver.org 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.

The Lavenia McCoy Public Library in Bayfield offers story time from 10-11 a.m. and all ages are welcome. 884-2222 for details.

The Referral Market Chapter of Business Network International meets from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Prudential Triple S Realty, 700 Main Ave. 375-7794 for details.

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

Women’s History Month continues at Fort Lewis College with the talk, “Gender, Politics and American Art Criticism, The Case of Cecilia Beaux,” at 6 p.m. in 140 Noble Hall.

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.

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

Bob Demmon performs his junior jazz recital at 7 p.m. in Roshong Recital Hall.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., hosts a St. Patty’s party beginning at 7 p.m. 259-9018 for details.

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

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 Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave., hosts an all-day St. Patrick’s Day Party capped off with an 8 p.m. concert from Celtic band Giant’s Dance. 259-2545 for details.

Wild Mountain plays well-crafted folkicanagrass with a Celtic twist for a special St. Patrick’s show  at the Derailed Saloon, 725 Main Ave., from 8 p.m.-midnight.

Dave Mensch, of Formula 151, performs at Joel’s, 119 W. 8th St., starting at 8 p.m.

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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 for details.

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

Durango Nature Studies hosts its spring Volunteer Naturalist Training for its Children Discovering Nature from 6-9 p.m. The training continues all day on March 20 & 21. www.durangonaturestudies.org or 769-1800 for details.

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.

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

Serving Life Chiropractic Studio, 1040 Main Ave., offers a free Wellness Wednesday Talk on health, life and well-being from 6-7 p.m. 422-2032 to reserve a spot.

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

Dave Mensch, of Formula 151, returns to the Derailed Saloon, 725 Main Ave., at 7 p.m.  

Brendan Sheldon performs his senior recital on percussion at 7 p.m. in Roshong Recital Hall.

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

Joseph Israel and the Jerusalem Band play conscious roots reggae at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

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Joel Salatin, sustainable farming pioneer, will address the annual meeting of the La Boca Center for Sustainability on March 22 in the Fort Lewis College Ballroom. www.labocacenter.org for details.

Maria’s Bookshop will host a March 24 booksigning with local historian and educator Mary Ruth Bowman and her new book, Those Darlin’ Demons.

Bump in the Road, a new local group designed to provide support, education and resources for expectant mothers, new mothers, and women considering having children, meets on March 25 and the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.

Gloria Benally, Raymond Deal, and Ethel Lawson, official Navajo Peacemakers, will discuss the tradition on March 26 at the Cortez Cultural Center.

Fort Lewis College Theatre will stage “Chicago: The Musical” on March 26-28 and April 2-4.

The 12th Annual Aztec UFO Symposium meets on March 27 & 28. www.aztecufo.com for details.

Habitat for Humanity will host a March 31 Volunteer Orientation at the Habitat Home Supply Store.

Bruce Cockburn will play an April 8 concert at the Mancos Opera House. 759-9716 for details.

The Stephen Stills Band will play the Community Concert Hall on April 11. Tickets go on sale on March 2.

Applications for vendor booths for the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta will be accepted through April 17. 382-9693 for details.

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Maria’s Bookshop hosts an Edward Abbey party What: A celebration of the writer on the 20th anniversary of his death Where: Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave.   When: Mon, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. Durango pays homage to Cactus Ed this week. Maria’s Bookshop hosts a celebration of Edward Abbey’s life and work on Monday, marking the 20th anniversary of his death. When Edward Abbey died in 1989 at the age of 62, the American West lost one of its most eloquent and passionate advocates. Through his novels, essays, letters and speeches, Abbey consistently voiced the belief that the West was in danger of being developed to death, and that the only solution lay in the preservation of wilderness. The evening will include raucous readings from Abbey’s work as well as discussion about the relevancy of his words and ideas to our modern Western lives today, featuring speakers Ken Wright, M. John  Fayhee, Kate Niles, Art Goodtimes, Michael Rendon and B. Frank. Other special guests will likely join the event, and audience members are invited to come with their favorite Abbey passages, memories and stories to share. The evening gets under way at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Maria’s at 247-1438.

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Colorado Mountain Club showcases the Grand What: Péter Bodig’s presentation, “Rafting the Grand Canyon,” Where: The Durango Public Library, Program Room #1   When: Tues., March 17, at 7 p.m. Durangoans can venture into the “big ditch” next week. The local chapter of the Colorado Mountain Club hosts Péter Bodig and his presentation, “Rafting the Grand Canyon,” on Tuesday. Bodig recently undertook a self-supported, two-week journey covering 225 miles on the Colorado River through the majestic Grand. Bodig’s tale will relate the whitewater, flat water, hikes and logistics of his noncommercial, nonmotorized trip in March of 2007.  The Colorado Mountain Club ‘s mission is to unite the interest and knowledge of students, explorers and lovers of the mountains; collect and distribute Rocky Mountain information representing science, literature, art, and recreation; encourage environmental preservation; and make our beautiful, alpine attractions available to all. The CMC offers to its members hundreds of outdoor adventures annually, and a club meeting will follow Bodig’s talk. For more information, contact 385-1814.

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Grupo Fantasma plays Community Concert Hall What: A show from the acclaimed jazz/funk band Where: The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College When: Sat., March 14, at 7 p.m.   The “funkiest, finest and hardest-working Latin orchestra” plays Durango’s biggest stage this weekend. Grupo Fantasma goes on at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College on Saturday as part of the “Jazz on the Hill Remembers Russ Serzen” series. A highly popular band on the Austin music scene, Grupo Fantasma was “discovered” and has been repeatedly endorsed by the music icon Prince. Though Prince no longer dominates the pop charts, he maintains significant industry clout, and his endorsement has propelled the soulful, take-no-prisoners rhythm machine that is Grupo Fantasma onto the international stage. From the critically acclaimed performances with Prince in London to a national airing on PBS’ “Austin City Limits,” the 10-piece group continues to expand its musical horizons. As described on Indyweek.com, “Grupo Fantasma is definitely a dance band, and any live show of theirs should probably come with a note from the Surgeon General: ‘Warning: Groove build-up could lead to house-quake conditions.’” The show is a tribute to Concert Hall patron Russ Serzen, who was a tremendous fan of all types of jazz. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are available online at www.durangoconcerts.com, by calling 247-7657 or at the downtown ticket office behind Magpies.

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The Gourds blow back into Durango What: A show from the Austin-based, alt-country band Where: The Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. When: Fri., March 13. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Back-porch, high-octane roots music takes the spotlight in Durango this week. The Gourds make their long-awaited return this Friday. The Austin-based, alt-country wizards will play the Henry Strater Theatre. On the one hand, the Gourds defy musical categorization. On the other, the band seems to slip into every category, paying homage to bluegrass, country, roots, folk, blues, rock, punk and more. As testament to the Gourds’ capabilities to turn out innovative, inspiring music is the fact that, after several years, the band has made it to the fore of the Austin music scene. They were even named best live act by the Austin American-Statesman, no small feat in a city that has spawned the likes of Robert Earl Keen, Joe Ely and the late, great Doug Sahm. However, the band’s reputation and success extends far beyond the Texas capitol’s city limits. The Gourds have been featured in a story by the Wall Street Journal, and Q Magazine commented, “The Gourds are a strange but wonderful Texas-based quintet, blending plaintive folk and country with good-time rocking and striking imagery.” Perhaps The Gourds themselves understand the experience best of all. Guitarist Kevin Russell, who founded the band along with bassist Jimmy Smith, called a Gourds show, “a good, uplifting, energetic experience for most people, at least that’s what I’ve been told. People often tell me, Aw man, this week sucked. I got all these problems and I came to the show and, man, I just forgot it all and I feel so much better.’ And they thank us for the musical therapy.” The musical therapy will get under way this Friday at 8 p.m. Doors to the show open at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.henrystratertheatre.com.

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