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The Pilates Connection hosts an open house all day with free one-on-one, semi-private and group sessions. 259-0089 for details.

The Lavenia McCoy Public Library hosts storytime from 10-11 a.m. at the Vallecito Church on County Road 501. The event is free and open to the public. 884-2222, ext.17 for details.

The Spruce Tree Coffeehouse in Cortez hosts a reading and book-signing with David Feela, author of How Delicate These Arches, from 5-7 p.m. www.sprucetreecoffeehouse.com for details.

Freeplay plays The Ska-B-Q at Ska Brewing Co., 225 Girard St. in Bodo Park, from 5-7 p.m.

Katrina & Cook play Desperado’s Bar & Grill, 351 S. Camino del Rio, from 5-8 p.m.

Mountain Middle School hosts its first student Exhibition of Learning from 5:30-7:30 p.m. 828-5600 for details.

The River Protection Workgroup for the Animas River meets from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Silverton Town Hall. 759-3110 .

Bear Smart Durango’s Bryan Peterson gives a slideshow “Wolves, grizzly poop and sand in your teeth: Studying bears in Kobuk Valley NP, Alaska” at 6:30 p.m. at the Durango Colorado Elks Lodge, 901 E. 2nd. Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. 749-4262 for details.

The Bar D Wranglers Christmas Jubilee begins at 7 p.m. at the Community Concert Hall. The Jubilee returns to Durango on Dec. 24 for Christmas Eve Caroling on Main Avenue. 247-7657 or 247-5753 for details.

The Durango Photography Club holds its regular meeting at 7 p.m. in the Pine Room at the Fairgrounds Extension Building. www.DurangoPhotographyClub.org for details.

The Bat plays The Derailed Saloon, 725 Main Ave., from 7-11 p.m.

Moe’s, 937 Main Ave., hosts beer pong from 8 p.m. -close. 259-9018 for details.

Thirsty Thursday & The Roommates present DJ Brenmar at The Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9 p.m. www.durangosummit.com for details.
 

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The Earlybird Toastmasters meet at 7 a.m. at Christina’s, 21382 Highway 160. www.earlybirdtoastmasters.org for details.

“2012 International Energy Conservation Code, What’s Coming Next?” an all-day presentation with Jim Meyers from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project takes place from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Durango Rec Center. The event is free and open to the public. 799-7718 for details.

Ruth Cutcher plays classical and holiday music at 11 a.m. at the Durango Public Library. 375-3387 or www.durangopubliclibrary.org for details.

The Lavenia McCoy Public Library in Bayfield hosts “Drop-In Tech Help,” with the library’s resident computer expert, from 4-6:30 p.m. 884-2222, ext. 10 for details.

Goodnight Trail Gallery of Western Art in Mancos hosts its third annual “Christmas on the Trail” celebration from 4-7 p.m. www.goodnighttrailgallery.com or 533-1177.

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.

The Open Shutter Gallery, 735 Main Ave., presents photography of the Weston family at 5 p.m. with an artist’s reception featuring Cara Weston from 5-8 p.m. The event continues through Feb. 9. 382-8355 or www.openshuttergallery.com for details.

Dave Luna plays the El Rancho, 975 Main Ave., from 5-8 p.m.

Christmas in Vallecito opens with the Festival of Trees Tour, benefiting the Vallecito Service League and Project Merry Christmas, from 6-9 p.m. Events continue through the weekend. 884-7253 for details.

The Center for Light hosts Conscious Movie Night with “Women, War and Peace: Peace Unveiled” at 7 p.m. at the Sophia Peace Center in Dolores. 882-2123 for details.

The Moe-Tones play Desperado’s Bar & Grill, 351 S. Camino del Rio, from 7-11 p.m.

“Hark the Neville Angel Sings,” a comedic musical, shows at the Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave., at 7 p.m. 259-2606 or www.durangoarts.org for details.

Mike Rasmussen highlights a singer/songwriter showcase at the Mancos Valley Distillery at 8 p.m. 946-0229 for details.

Wild Country plays country dance at the Billy Goat Saloon on Highway 160 in Gem Village at 8:30 p.m. 884-9155.

Moe’s, 937 Main Ave., hosts Disco Night with DJ Double D from 8 p.m. - close.

The Bat plays The Derailed Saloon, 725 Main Ave., from 8 p.m. -midnight.

Eric Kiefer plays The Summit, 600 Main Ave., from 6-9 p.m. and Summit Dub Squad with A Dub Rock Band plays at 10 p.m. www.durangosummit.com for details.

DJ CK spins dance beats at Pongas, 121 W. 8th St., from 9 p.m.-close. The DJ returns at the same time Saturday. 382-8554 for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave., presents “The Eight: Reindeer Monologues” at 9:45 p.m. Doors open at 9:15 p.m. 259-2606 for details.

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The Schank House Bar & Grill at Vallecito Lake hosts Sunday Brunch from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. to celebrate Christmas in Vallecito. 884-9150 for details.

The Center of Light hosts an Advent Sunday Series at 9:30 a.m. at the Sophia Peace Center in Dolores. 882-2123 for details.

The Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave., hosts its traditional Irish music jam from 12:30-4 p.m. 403-1200 or www.theirishembassypub.com for details.

The Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., hosts its Gospel Brunch at 1 p.m. The Blue Moon Ramblers play their weekly gig beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Durango Food Not Bombs (FNB) offers its weekly free vegan/vegetarian meal from 1-3 p.m. in Riverfront/Iris Park. www.foodnotbombs.net for details.

A sign language practice group meets from 4-5 p.m. at Durango Joe’s, 6 Town Plaza, and again from noon-1 p.m. on Wednesdays. Participants must be able to sign without using their voices. 903-1524 for details.

Patrick Crossing plays the Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave., for a Celtic Christmas celebration at 6 p.m. www.theirishembassypub.com or 403-1200 for details.

Joel Racheff plays The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., from 7-11 p.m.

Moe’s, 937 Main Ave., hosts live music and dancing with Musica del Mundo from 8-10 p.m. 259-9018 for details.

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The Summit, 600 Main Ave., hosts an open mic/jam session from 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. www.durangosummit.com for details.

Moe’s, 937 Main Ave., hosts open mic night from 8 p.m.-close. 259-9018 for details.

Lady Falconburgh’s, 640 Main Ave., hosts beer bingo from 9-11 p.m. with prizes for each game.

The Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave., offers beer pong from 9-10:30 p.m. www.theirishembassypub.com for details.

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Treatment or post-treatment for cancer yoga meets weekly at Yogadurango, 1140-A Main Ave., from 4-5:15 p.m. 946-8961 or www.yogadurango.com/yogatherapy for details.

The Mancos Library hosts Facebook 101 for beginners at 5 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room. Bring your laptops or computers provided. www.mancoslibrary.org or 533-7600 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.

The Durango Public Library hosts a free information session for adult learners from 6-7 p.m. in Program Room 3 for anyone interested in beginning, continuing or completing their education at Fort Lewis College. 247-7670 for details.

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

The Durango Fencing Club meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Durango Sports Club, 1600 Florida Road. The club meets every Wednesday. 759-1883 for details.

Joel Racheff plays The Derailed Saloon, 725 Main Ave., from 6-9 p.m.

Moe’s, 937 Main Ave., hosts ping pong and poker tournaments from 7:30 p.m. - close.

Merely Players presents "Stocking Stuffers," an evening of “short and sweet theatre” at 7:30 p.m. at the Durango Arts Center.  Four 10-minute plays will be presented, desserts and drinks available.

The Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave., hosts its weekly Pub Quiz with trivia and prizes beginning at 8:30 p.m. www.theirishembassypub.com for details.

DJ Double D hosts the weekly Karaoke/Gong Show at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9 p.m.

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The Rocky Mountain Retreat, 848 E. Third Ave., offers by donation yoga on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. www.turtlelakerefuge.org or 382-2101 for details.

Cafe of Life Chiropractic hosts Donation Thursdays from 9 a.m. - noon every Thursday. 385-0321 or www.cafeoflife durango.com for details.
Pathways hosts Yoga with Michelle at the Pathways Healing Center in Bayfield from 5:45-7 p.m. every Monday and Thursday. 884-4718 for details.

8th Avenue Tavern, 509 E. 8th Ave., hosts karaoke from 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave., hosts the Winter Solstice Market, a fine arts and crafts sale. The market is open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily and runs through Dec. 24 in the Barbara Conrad Gallery. www.durangoarts.org for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave., presents "Myth: A Celebration of Legends, Cryptids, & Tall Tales” in the upstairs library. The exhibit runs through Dec. 24. www.anddurango.com for details.

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s The Polar Express makes runs starting at 5:15 p.m. nightly through Dec. 28. www.durangotrain.com.

Advantage Physical Therapy & Wellness, 3600 Main Ave., holds its annual Blanket and Coat Drive through Dec. 30, benefiting the Durango Community Shelter and the Southwest Safe House. 259-7829 for details.

Works by artist Bob Zahner show at Starbucks, 558 Main Ave., through December.

The Rochester Hotel, 721 E. 2nd Ave., hosts an art show featuring paintings by Cindy Coleman, Elizabeth Kinahan, and Amy Vaclav-Felker through Jan. 8.

Photographs from Durango photographer Howard Rachlin are on display at Kassidy’s Kitchen, 171 Suttle Drive in Bodo Park, until Jan. 14. 375-7877 or www.HowardRachlin.com for details.

The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College presents “Frontier Blues: The Legacy of Fort Lewis College,” an exhibition commemorating Fort Lewis College’s Centennial. “Fiber Celebrated 2011” and “Cutter World Maps” are also on display. 247-7456 for details.

What: Fort Lewis College Winter Commencement
Where: Whalen Gym
When: Sat., Dec. 17, 10 a.m.

 

The time has come to toss those caps. Fort Lewis College celebrates 100 years of watching graduates walk the stage with its Winter Commencement ceremonies starting at 10 a.m. Saturday in Whalen Gym.

 

This Centennial graduation class of around 180 seniors will get their words of wisdom from Professor of Geosciences Gary Gianniny, this year’s featured scholar and speaker.

 

Gianniny has studied topics ranging from sedimentary records in limestone to the energy potentials of microbial deposits. A graduate of Colorado College and avid skier, he earned his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

 

A researcher to the core, Gianniny continued his work in geology and geophysics at Fort Lewis involving his students in studies aimed to give invaluable experience and provide society with invaluable insights.

 

Families, friends and students are welcome to this free event. For additional information, visit www.fortlewis.edu or call 247-7100.

What: Morning with Santa
Where: The Henry Strater Theatre
When:  Sat., Dec. 17, 9 - 11:30 a.m.

 

Santa’s coming to town, and he’s making a stop at the Strater Hotel. Kids get the chance to meet the jolly man himself, and tell him exactly what they want during “Morning with Santa” from 9-11:30 a.m. this Saturday.

 

A buffet breakfast from 1887 Catering begins at 9 a.m. followed by a Holiday Sing-Along performance titled, “How Santa Got His Christmas Tree,” at 9:30 a.m. Kids can get their pictures with Santa Claus starting at 10 a.m.

 

Celebrating its second year, the event also includes craft-making, pancake decorating and a visit from Santa’s helpers.

 

“While the event is geared for children that are 2 to 9 years of age, kids of all ages can enjoy the festivities and be a part of history at the Strater,” said Michelle Thom, general manager at the Strater Hotel.

 

Donated items like gloves, hats and blankets will be accepted for Project Merry Christmas during the event. For additional information, visit www.henrystratertheatre.com or call 375-7124.
 

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It’s Wranglin’ time at the FLC Concert Hall

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