‘The Dame of Durango’ comes to StraterWhat: 2014 Melodrama and Vaudeville
To find out, check out “The Dame of Durango,” directed by Jenny Fitts Reynolds, the main act of this year’s installment of the annual Strater Melodrama. Based on the Victorian stage formula, the production features six stock characters: the hero, villain, heroine, an aged parent, a sidekick, and a servant of the aged parent, all engaged in an exaggerated plot with themes of love and murder. Often the good – but not very clever – hero is tricked by a scheming villain who has eyes on the damsel in distress until fate intercedes to guarantee the triumph of good over evil. Orchestral music and song accompanies the action, adding extra drama to the scenes. In addition to the main act, there will be plenty of vaudeville to keep things rolling, including dancers, comedians and acrobats, to name a few. Referred to as “the heart of American show business,” vaudeville once was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in North America. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. with shows starting at 7:45 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are available at HenryStraterTheatre.com and DurangoMelodrama.com; the Henry Strater Theatre Box Office at 375-7160; and Durango Welcome Center Community Concert Hall Ticket Office at 8th and Main Ave. Tickets range from $18 - $30. |
Welcome to the humble mining town of Durango, circa the late-1800s. The main event of this year’s Strater Melodrama takes place shortly after the town’s founding, as we learn that the masked “Dame” is not who or what she seems to be. Blackmail, disguise and intrigue abound as our heroine, Miss Jenna Rossity, battles the villainous Judge Lou Natick in an effort to salvage her family name and restore peace to the town. Enter our hero, Will E. Duett, but can he save the day? And what of the young lovers, Sadie and Avery? Will they forever remain apart or thwart the evil villain and join hearts and hands in marriage?Thursday03
“Fizz, Boom, Read!” reading program, 11 a.m., Durango Public Library. www.durangopubliclibrary.org or www.prlibrary.org.
Game Night, 4 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave. 247-5440 or derailedpourhouse.com.
First Thursdays Art Walk, 5-7 p.m., event runs the first Thursday of each month, meet at Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
Burger and a Band, 5-8 p.m., James Ranch, Highway 550. www.jamesranch.net.
Terry Hartzel performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
The Tyller Gummersall Band performs, part of The Concert Hall at Buckley Park series, 5:30 p.m., Buckley Park. www.durangoconcerts.com.
Dustin Burley performs, 6 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.
Evening Book Club, 6 p.m., Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
Drop-in Tennis, 6 p.m., Durango High tennis courts. 769-3772.
Jazz duet with Chad MacCluskey and Jack Maynes, 6-9 p.m., Cyprus Café, 725 E. 2nd Ave. 385-6884.
Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. www.powsci.org.
Bingo, 6:30 p.m., Elks Lodge, 901 E. 2nd Ave.
Tim Guidotti performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
Salsa Night, 7 p.m., Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.
Jack Ellis performs, 7 p.m., The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Friday04 Fourth of July
All-American Gourmet Pancake Breakfast, presented by Rotary Club of Durango, 7:30-11 a.m., Rotary Park. www.durangorotary.org.
The Star Spangled Shuffle, non-competitive fun run-jog-walk, 3K and 5K, 8 a.m., downtown Pagosa Springs. 398-0612.
Freedom 5K, presented by Durango Parks and Recreation, 9 a.m., Rotary Park.
American Voices: Public Readings of The American Declaration of Independence and other founding documents, presented by Fort Lewis College, 11 a.m. - noon, Buckley Park.
Pick-up basketball, noon - 2 p.m., Durango Recreation Center. 799-0173.
Kids Flea Market, presented by Durango Toy Depot, noon - 3 p.m., Buckley Park. 403-8697.
Durango Elks Lodge Family BBQ, noon - 4 p.m., Elks Lodge, 901 E. 2nd Ave.
Family Picnic in the Park, presented by City of Durango, noon - 5 p.m., Buckley Park.
Odie and the Heartstops perform, 1 p.m., Buckley Park.
The Jeff Solon Jazz Trio performs, 5-9 p.m., Animas River Café, DoubleTree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio. 259-5680.
Terry Hartzel performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
4th at the Fort, 6 p.m., Chapel lawn on Rim Drive, Fort Lewis College. www.fortlewis.edu/alumni.
Void Where Prohibited performs, 6 p.m., Balcony Bar and Grill, 600 Main Ave.
Stars & Stripes Parade, 6-6:45 p.m., along Main Avenue.
Tim Guidotti performs, 6-9 p.m., Fox Fire Farms in Ignacio. 563-4675.
Tim Telep performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
Street Dance on Main, Hi-Rollers perform, 6:45-9 p.m., along Main Avenue.
Alex Paul performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Funked Up Fridays, Splatapus performs, 7-10 p.m., Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.
Neil Nelson & the Saloonatics perform, 8:30 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.
Salute to America Fireworks, 9:15 p.m., downtown.
Saturday05
Durango Farmers Market, Pete Giuliani performs, 8 a.m. - noon, First National Bank parking lot, 259 W. 9th St.
Drop-in Tennis, 10 a.m., Durango High tennis courts. 769-3772.
The Jeff Solon Jazz Trio performs, 5-9 p.m., Animas River Café, DoubleTree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio. 259-5680.
Terry Hartzel performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
Chad MacCluskey performs, 6-9 p.m., Cyprus Café, 725 E. 2nd Ave. 385-6884.
Tim Guidotti performs, 6-10 p.m., Seven Rivers Steakhouse at Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio.
Tim Telep performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
Greg Ryder performs, 7 p.m., The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Jack Ellis performs, 7-10 p.m., The View in Pagosa Springs.
“Pippin: the Musical,” 7:30 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
Void Where Prohibited performs with Larry Carver, 8 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.
Trivia Night, 8 p.m. - close, Bottom Shelf Brewery in Bayfield.
The Intelligents perform, 8 p.m. - close, Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.
DJ Kaztro, 9 p.m., Pongas, 121 W. 8th St. 382-8554.
Northwest Intuition Tour Kickoff Party and Live EP Release Show with Hello Dollface, 9:30 p.m., El Rancho Tavern.
Sunday06
Traditional Irish Music Jam, 12:30-4 p.m., Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
Soul River performs, 1-4 p.m., Trimble Hot Springs.
“Pippin: the Musical,” 3 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
The Assortment performs, 4-7 p.m., Wines of the San Juan in Blanco, N.M. 505-632-0879 or www.winesofthesanjuan.com.
Tim Guidotti performs, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Swing Restaurant at Dalton Ranch.
Jazz Church, 7 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.
Terry Rickard performs, 7 p.m., The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Blue Moon Ramblers perform, 7 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
Latin Music Night, 8 p.m. - close, Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.
Monday07
Maker Mondays open art studio, 2-6 p.m., Ignacio Community Library.
Storytime for Kids, 3 p.m., Fort Lewis Mesa Branch Library. 588-3331.
Free Acupuncture for veterans and families, 3-5 p.m., 635 E. 5th Ave. 403-4150.
“Movement” class, exercise and how the body moves, 4 p.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-2222.
“Green Drinks” with the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado, 5-7 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio.
Adam Swanson performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
Dale Elliott performs, 6 p.m., Pura Vida Café, 14810 CR 501, Vallecito. 884-2766.
Ace Revel performs, 6-8 p.m., Eno Wine Bar, 723 E. 2nd Ave.
Mondays on Main singing and dancing performance, 6:30-8 p.m., Cold Stone Creamery and Starbucks patio, Main Ave. www.durangoarts.org or 259-2606.
Pete Giuliani performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
“20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” part of the Science Cinema series, 7 p.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. www.prlibrary.org or 884-2222.
Tim Guidotti performs, 7 p.m., The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Tuesday08
Feathering the Nest: A Campus Beautification Day, 5-7 p.m., Animas High School. 247-2474.
Adam Swanson performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
Drop-in Tennis, 6 p.m., Durango High tennis courts. 769-3772.
Greg Ryder performs, 6 p.m., Pura Vida Café, 14810 CR 501, Vallecito. 884-2766.
Dustin Burley performs, 6 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.
Rotary Club of Durango meets, 6 p.m., Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave. 385-7899.
The Jeff Solon Jazz Group featuring vocalist Alison Dance, 6-9 p.m., The Cyprus Café, 725 East 2nd Ave. 385-6884.
The Entrepreneur Lounge, 6-7:30 p.m., back room of the Himalayan Kitchen, 10th and Main, www.meetup.com/Durangos-Entrepreneur-Lounge/
Pete Giuliani performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
Tim Sullivan performs, 7 p.m., The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Tango Milonga, 7-9 p.m., Four Leaves Winery, 528 Main Ave. www.tangodurango.com.
Open Mic Night, 7 p.m. - close, Moe’s 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.
Beer bingo, 9-11 p.m., Lady Falconburgh’s, 640 Main Ave.
Wednesday09
Bird Walk, 9 a.m., Rotary Park. 382-9396.
Weekly Wee Walk About, preschool nature walks, 10-11 a.m., meet at the Pavilion at Rotary Park. 769-1800.
Mothers Wisdom Circle for women of all ages, noon - 1:30 p.m., Smiley Building, Room 12, 1309 E. 3rd Ave. 946-6994.
Pick-up basketball, noon - 2 p.m., Durango Recreation Center. 799-0173.
Toddler Storytime, 2:30 p.m., Ignacio Community Library.
Storytime for Kids, 3 p.m., Fort Lewis Mesa Branch Library. 588-3331.
Writers and Scribblers meets, presentation on “Marketing Tips for a Book: Before and After Publication," 3:30-5 p.m., Pine River Valley Bank, 1700 Main Ave.
Game Night, 4 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave. 247-5440 or derailedpourhouse.com.
Open House for The Southwest Center for Independence, 4-6:30 p.m., Cornerstone Building, 3473 Main Ave. #23. 403-1463.
The Lisa Blue Band performs, 4:30-7:30 p.m., The Rochester Hotel, 726 E. 2nd Ave. www.rochesterhotel.com
Chess Night, 5 p.m., Ignacio Community Library.
Durango Devo Zia Town Race Series, BMX Short Track, 5:30 p.m.
Adam Swanson performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
Bocce Ball, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Buckley Park. 375-7324.
Durango Running Club group trail run, 6 p.m., meet at Horse Gulch trailhead, E. 8th Avenue and E. 3rd Street. 206-856-1063 or www.durangorunningclub.org.
Larry Carver Duo performs, 6 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.
The Jeff Solon Jazz Duo performs, 6-9 p.m., The Cyprus Café, 725 E. 2nd Ave. 385-6884.
Durango Chess Club, 6:30 p.m., Durango Joe’s, 732 E. College.
Durango Fencing Club, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Durango Sports Club, 1600 Florida Road. 759-1883.
Tim Guidotti performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
Terry Rickard performs, 7 p.m., The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Pub Quiz Trivia, 8:30 p.m., Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
Ongoing
Works by Sandy Martin and Melissa Silversmith, exhibit runs through July 19, Feat of Clay Gallery in Aztec. 505-334-4335.
Paintings by Chad Clewley, exhibit runs through July, Raider Ridge Café.
Durango Melodrama & Vaudeville, 7:45 p.m., show runs Tuesday-Sunday each week through Aug. 30, Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. 375-7160 or henrystratertheatre.com.
Guided Nature Walk led by San Juan Mountains Association, 10 a.m. - noon, Durango Mountain Resort, meet ouside Backcountry Experience in plaza. 385-1288.
“Behind the Scenes” Tours, 2 p.m., Thursdays, through Oct. 30, Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores. 882-5600 or www.co.blm.gov/ahc.
“Beauty and Necessity: The Rio Grande Collection,” through Dec. 17, Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College.
Meditation and Satsang, 7 p.m., first and third Sundays of each month, Smiley Building, 1309 E. 3rd Ave., Room 10. www.craigholliday.com.
Four Corners Beekeeper’s Association “The Buzz Club," 6 p.m., third Monday of each month, Florida Baptist Church near Elmore’s Corner. 903-1877.
Peace and Justice Fellowship meeting, 6-7:30 p.m., first and third Mondays of each month, 111 Linda Court. 403-9309.
Evening Book Club, 6 p.m., event runs third Thursday of each month, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
Pub Science, 6 p.m first Friday of each month, Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. www.durangodiscovery.com.
BID Coffee & Conversation, 8:30-9:30 a.m., second Friday of each month, City Council Chambers. 375-5068 or www.downtowndurango.org.
Heartbeat Durango, support group for individuals affected by suicide, 6-8 p.m., second and fourth Wednesday of each month, Fire Station 1, 142 Sheppard Drive. 403-4103.
Diamond Belle Saloon Gunfights, 7 p.m., each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave.
Karaoke, 8 p.m., Thurs. – Sun., 8th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8th Ave.
Upcoming
Essential Oil Workshop, 1 p.m., July 10, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
The Tim Sullivan Band performs, 4:30-7:30 p.m., July 10, The Rochester Hotel, 726 E. 2nd Ave. www.rochesterhotel.com.
Electric Molly performs, 8 p.m., July 10, Blondies in Cortez.
Astronomy for Everyone, 1 p.m., July 11, Ignacio Community Library.
Free Legal Self-Help Clinic, 2-5 p.m., July 11, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
Annual Juried Exhibit opening reception, 5-7 p.m., July 11, exhibit runs through Aug. 9, Barbara Conrad Gallery, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
“Gathered Spaces” opening reception, works by Leslie Madigan, 5-7 p.m., July 11, exhibit runs through Aug. 30, Art Library, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
Dave Mensch performs, 8 p.m., July 11, Blondies in Cortez.
Montezuma Acoustic Trust performs, 8 p.m., July 12, Mancos Valley Distillery.
Steve Weeks performs, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., July 15, Durango Public Library. www.steveweeksmusic.com.
Informal Tango Practice, 6-9 p.m., July 15, Rotary Park Gazebo. www.tangodurango.com.
Hot Buttered Rum performs, 9 p.m., July 16, Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Drive. www.animascitytheatre.com.
An Evening with the Editors, 6:30 p.m., July 17, Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave. www.mariasbookshop.com.
Blues Festival Kick Off Night, One Roof Blues and The Pleasure Pilots perform, 7:30 p.m., July 18, Historic Aztec Theater in Aztec. 505-427-6748 or crashmusicaztec.com.
Get Off the Beaten Path artist event, noon - 6 p.m., July 19, Gem Village, Highway 160. 903-0090 or 509-0288.
Animas River Blues & Brews Fest, noon - 10 p.m., July 19, Riverside Park in Aztec. 505-330-4616 or www.animasriverblues.com.
Six-person group show at Studio &, show runs July 19-27, Studio &, 1027 Main Ave. www.anddurango.com.
Dave Mensch performs, part of Summer Sounds in the Plaza, 5-7 p.m., July 23, Three Springs Plaza. 764-6000.
Fundraiser and silent auction for The Karma & Jyamu Bhotia Foundation, 5 p.m., July 23, Open Shutter Gallery, 735 Main Ave. bhotiafoundation.org.
Dirty Bourbon River Show’s New Orleans Brass-Rock-Soul Revue perform, July 30, Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Ave. www.animascitytheatre.com.
“Despicable Me 2” screening for Outdoor Movie Night, starts at dusk, Aug. 1, Three Springs Plaza. 764-6000.
11th annual Durango Parks and Recreation Triathlon, 8 a.m., Aug. 2, Durango Rec Center. 375-7317.
Barenaked Ladies perform, 8 p.m., Aug. 2, Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio. skyutecasino.com or 888-842-4180.
Southwest Old Growth Forests Conference, Aug. 4-5, Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College. swcenter.fortlewis.edu/swogf.
Kirk James performs, 5-7 p.m., Aug. 13, Concert in the Park at Three Springs.
Durango Railfest, Aug. 14-17, downtown Durango.
6th annual Girls Night Out, presented by The Women’s Resource Center, 5:30-8 p.m., Aug. 22, LePlatt’s Pond in Bayfield. 247-1242 or www.wrcdurango.org.
Kirk James performs on Durango Blues Train, 7 p.m., Aug. 23.
8th annual Three Springs Fall Festival, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Oct. 25, Three Springs Plaza. 764-6000.
In this week's issue...
- January 25, 2024
- Bagging it
State plastic bag ban is in full effect, but enforcement varies
- January 26, 2024
- Paper chase
The Sneer is back – and no we’re not talking about Billy Idol’s comeback tour.
- January 11, 2024
- High and dry
New state climate report projects continued warming, declining streamflows