Texas troubador, getting the Led out and Todo Mundo

by Chris Aaland

The legendary Robert Earl Keen plays two shows at the ACT, next Tues. - Wed., July 22-23.

This is one of those cosmic weeks where the planets align musically for the Four Corners region. There’s everything from Brahms to the blues, with Zep impersonators, Texas twangbangers and Latin reggae thrown in for good measure.

Legendary Texas troubadour Robert Earl Keen returns to Durango for a pair of shows Tuesday and Wednesday at the Animas City Theatre. Doors open at 8 p.m., with local singer-songwriter Tom Chacon opening each night. Because the Concert Hall was booked for a summer ballet camp, REK moved downtown. No worries … I’ve seen him more than a dozen times, including gigs at the ACT (when it was known as the Abbey several owners ago) and the Concert Hall. Trust me, the intimate venue works much better.

Notoriously prolific, Keen hasn’t released an album since 2011’s “Ready for Confetti.” He’s currently working on his 12th studio album (to go along with four live CDs and two best-of compilations), one that’s rumored to be a bluegrass project that involves banjo player Danny Barnes. Bluegrass is nothing new to REK; 1988’s “The Live Album” featured such tunes as “Stewball” and “The Bluegrass Widow,” where Keen is accompanied by mandolin, fiddle, upright bass and acoustic guitar. His current touring outfit is the same band you’ve likely seen in the past: Rich Brotherton (guitar), Bill Whitbeck (bass), Tom Van Schaik (drums) and Marty Muse (pedal steel).

Get the Led out at 8:30 p.m. tonight (Thurs., July 17) at the Animas City Theatre with Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience. Formed in 1995, Zoso embodies Page, Plant, Bonham and Jones in their spirit, tightly wound talent, authenticity and, of course, sound. Live shows aren’t just about simply playing the right notes; they’re about aura and feeling, harkening back to the unique atmosphere Zeppelin created. The only thing this show is missing is a mudshark, a redheaded groupie and a room at Seattle’s Edgewater Hotel.

KSUT and Music in the Mountains team up for the station’s annual Party in the Park featuring Southern California-based world music act Todo Mundo on Friday in Buckley Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with music by jazzy local funksters Bacon at 6 and Todo Mundo at 7:30. Comprised of musicians from Colombia, Jamaica, Israel, England, Canada and the U.S., Todo Mundo blends such musical flavors as rumba, reggae, samba and Middle Eastern into one that moves dance floors across the Americas and Europe. Save $5 by purchasing tickets online in advance of the show at musicinthemountains.com. Ska suds, Guy Drew wines, Montanya Distillers cocktails and Zia Taqueria grub will be sold on-site. Preview Todo Mundo’s sound when they play in-studio at KSUT at 1 p.m. Friday.

Of course, Music in the Mountains has plenty going on this week. Among the highlights is Tuesday’s 7 p.m. Sounds of Summer chamber concert at the First Baptist Church, featuring Carol Wincenc (flute) and Guillermo Figueroa (violin). The duo tackles Debussy, Paget and Brahms.

Down Aztec way, the ninth annual Animas River Blues & Brews Fest takes place Saturday at Riverside Park. Headliners include Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps, Studebaker John & the Hawks, Bad Brad & the Fat Cats and the Todd Tijerina Blues Band. If any of these sound familiar, it’s because most of them have played Crash Music at the Aztec Theatre this past year. Crash Music hosts a Friday night kickoff event featuring the Pleasure Pilots from New Mexico and Durango-based One Roof Blues. Friday’s tunes start at 7:30.

Lawn Chair Kings travel the San Juan Skyway this weekend. Head west to the Dolores River Brewery to see the fun bunch at 8:30 p.m. Friday, then north to Telluride’s Last Dollar Saloon at 9 p.m. Saturday. Deadheading is so passé … but beheading those who won’t bow to the Kings is all the rage.

Moe’s madness this week includes Bootyconda doing a Funked Up Friday jam at 6 p.m. and dancing on the patio with the Pint Night Boys and Sonar (CD release party!) at 8 p.m. Saturday.

The Black Velvet duo of Nina Sasaki and Larry Carver get their own paragraph this week. Why? They’ll play four times: 5:30 p.m. tonight at the Dalton Ranch Golf Club; 5 p.m. Saturday at the Animas River Café at the Doubletree Hotel; 5 p.m. Sunday at the Balcony; and 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Derailed Pour House.

Elsewhere: Pagosa Springs’ Elder Grown brings rock, reggae and blues to Buckley Park for tonight’s free Concert in the Park from 5:30-7:30; the Pete Giuliani Band plays the Balcony at 5:30 p.m. tonight and Vallecito’s Schank House tomorrow night; and Kirk James does solo blues at the Sporting News Grill in Holiday Inn at 6 p.m. tonight.

While missing out on what I hear was a stellar Ride Festival in Telluride, I did manage to mix fun with work last weekend at the PMDMC Conference in Denver – an event public radio and television folks to learn how to fundraise more efficiently. Yes, I did squeeze in some real life learning. Nine seminars, four keynote speakers and a session with a software developer, in fact. But late night was where the real fun began. After weaving through panhandlers, pickpockets (both of whom nailed me), fratboys and yuppies, I arrived at three truths:

1. The Satellite Bar rules. Located on Capitol Hill, this dive serves up ice-cold $2 Hamms and adorns its walls with countless classic punk concert posters. Just say no to $6 microbrew draws and always trust Liggett. Always.

2. Second, the Rialto Café on the 16th Street Mall, builds the greatest burger on the planet. Their $16 Hangover Cure is nearly 10 inches tall, complete with a giant ground beef patty, fried egg, American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickle and hash browns. All on a warm, buttery, delicious bun. It even came with hand-cut coleslaw or truffle fries.

3. The Rival Sons are even better the second time around. I caught the Long Beach hard rock quartet a year ago at The Ride, but missed their Saturday Telluride set because of work. As fate would have it, they were doing a $15 show at the Marquis Theatre across from Coors Field. Mix in a handful of cheap 24-oz. PBRs and some chocolate edibles and you’re living the rockstar dream.

A hotel by the water and a quart of Bombay gin?  Email me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.