Ear to the ground:

"The higher we get, the better the schools get."
– The strange paradox that is Colorado's recreational pot law

The Eagle Scout has landed

It may be Girl Scout cookie time, but for local purveyors of guerilla performance art at its finest, there's something even more exciting than the annual return of Thin Mints.

Dan Groth will be resurrecting his critically acclaimed one-man show "Eagle Scout" for a limited-edition one night engagement at 7 p.m. this Thurs., Jan. 23, at Animas Trading Co.

Fans may or may not remember Groth when he first brought his Eagle Scout to the big stage in 2003 at the now-defunct Buzz House. Originally scripted to be a two-man show with co-conspirator Aaron Shipps, Groth was forced to improvise when Shipps was unable to fulfill his obligations at the last minute.

Fortunately, a full-fledged Eagle Scout of nearly 20 years, Groth had plenty of material to work with that year, playing to a semi full house of friends and curious onlookers alike.

For his latest installment, Groth said fans can expect more of the same, hopefully with fewer surprises. "It's mostly scripted at this point," he said. "The big challenge will be timing. It's all timed with a mix tape."

Yes, tape, as in Maxell cassette and a boom box.

Groth said the tape is meant to set the tone for the play, a roughly semi-autobiographical look back at simpler times of station wagons, building fires, skinning squirrels and shooting sling shots.

"It's an imagined mix tape based on what little Boy Scouts were listening to on their way to camping trips in ’90-91," he said. "Late ’80s rock is pretty much the norm."

And while listeners can expect some post-David Lee Roth Van Halen, he said – as with any mix tape – there will also be a few surprises (no Jefferson Starship, which could be good or bad depending on one's pain threshold.)

As for the plot, expect a crisis, dramatic realization and climax, all neatly wrapped up like a plaid sleeping bag in 25 minutes.

Seating is limited for this exclusive engagement. Entrance is free but donations will be accepted, not expected, said Groth. After all, helping people out is all part of the Boy Scout oath.

"Once you're an Eagle Scout, you never stop being an Eagle Scout," he said.