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Neighbors, folks and funk
Butler has struggled with autoimmune disease for more than a decade. Two strains of E. coli attacked her blood and kidneys in 2005. A series of ailments since have sent her medical bills skyrocketing and her co-payment is excessive by anyone’s standards, let alone a journalist.
But you’d never know it from talking to her. Every phone call or email she’s sent me in the past nine months has always started along the lines of, “How are you and your family doing? You’re in my thoughts and prayers.” Butler is among the kindest souls any of us could ever meet. Music in the Mountains gets a chance to repay a small token of our collective debt when they host a musical fund-raiser in her honor on Sun., Sept. 9, from 4-7 p.m. at the home of Bernie and Diane Welle (6636 County Road 250). A veritable Who’s Who of local musicians has gathered to entertain: Gemma Kavanagh, Half & Half, Alison Dance, Ruth Katzin, Christi Livingston, Lawrence Nass, Linda Mack, C. Scott Hagler, Margi Coxwell and Wild Mountain. Food and wine will be served at this $50 event in which 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Butler. The people of Durango — be they beer buddies, the local music community, my friends in the media, colleagues at Fort Lewis College and random strangers — rallied around my family’s cause in our time of need last winter. I’m sure they’ll do the same in Butler’s case. If you’d like to contribute, donations may be sent to First National Bank of Durango, made payable to the Ann E. Butler Benefit Account. The 17th annual Four Corners Folk Festival brings an eclectic mix of Americana to Reservoir Hill in Pagosa Springs Friday through Sunday. The 2012 lineup is chock full of newgrass, with Railroad Earth, Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas being the heavyweights. There are more big names, too, including Darrell Scott, Loudon Wainwright III, the Wood Brothers and Sara Watkins (formerly of Nickel Creek). Don’t think it’s just bluegrass and singer-songwriters, either. Caravan of Thieves is a Gypsy troupe that’s built a huge reputation; Elephant Revival has become the darlings of Front Range hippie kids; and the Well Pennies and Sarah Siskind are up-and-coming indie faves. The main stage is just an obvious focal point, though. The real fun in Pagosa happens in the packed campgrounds, with picking and grinning going into the wee hours each night. If you’re sticking around town, take a cruise on The Funk Ark at 9 p.m. Friday at the Abbey. This Washington, D.C.-based 10-piece band draws on influences from the African and Latin funk/dance scenes of the 1960s and ‘70s. The result is a gritty and soulful mix of Afrobeat and big band funk. Led by keyboardist and songwriter Will Rast, who played keys on the last Thievery Corporation album, “Culture of Fear,” the Funk Ark has two albums under their collective belt and has shared the stage with the likes of the Rebirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty, Keller Williams and others. The Summit’s slate this weekend is highlighted by GrooveSession, a California power trio that plays at 10 p.m. Saturday. The band’s online hype professes to end the “jammin’ famine” and they’ve opened for many of today’s greatest bands — the Funky Meters, George Clinton’s P-Funk, Little Feat, New Riders of the Purple Sage, the Radiators, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and more. Then on Sunday night, the Dirty River Bourbon Show brings a Crescent City roux of folk, rock, jazz, Latin, Gypsy and circus music to the Summit. They debuted at the legendary Tipitina’s in 2009 and have exploded ever since, putting out two albums along the way. You can also get loopy to the tunes of D. Bess on Friday. Using a cajon as his seat and drums, he records and loops the beat and then adds layers of percussion, guitar, bass (big bass, mind you) and vocals to create a unique, one-man-band sound. Aftergrass’ Eric Kiefer shares Friday’s bill. Perhaps I’m dating myself when I say I’m intrigued by Stax & Sun, which brings its new brand of Americana to tonight’s Ska-B-Q (5-8 p.m., Thurs., Aug. 30). If nothing else, the duo of Ashley Edwards and Caitlin Cannon picked two of my favorite classic roots record labels for their band’s name. Elsewhere: Pete Giuliani works Trimble Hot Springs at 6:30 p.m. tonight and the Durango Farmer’s Market from 8 a.m. - noon Saturday; Robby Overfield & the Breaks play the Summit at 10 p.m. tonight; Psychedelic Mojo celebrates the motorcycle rally with gigs at the Balcony at 6 p.m. Saturday and the Derailed Saloon at 7:30 p.m. Sunday; and Jack Ellis brings acoustic blues to the Doubletree’s Animas River Café from 5-9 p.m. Saturday. In honor of Jerry Douglas at the Four Corners Folk Festival this weekend, this week’s Top Shelf list features my favorite dobro players: |
