The Duhks, living oracle and two-steppin’ head-bangin’

by Chris Aaland

This is one of those perfectly aligned entertainment calendars where fans of rootsy music can take in a show per night for four straight days … all for under $50 per person, total.

The Duhks fly back into town at 7 p.m. tonight (Thurs., Nov. 6) when they’ll play the Community Concert Hall. The Canadian folk group blends Celtic fiddles, Irish reels, old-time banjo, gospel vocals and Latin percussion into a contemporary interpretation of bluegrass and Americana. Favorites of festival crowds in Pagosa Springs and Telluride the past decade, the Duhks rose from the ashes of banjo player Leonard Podolak’s former group, Scruj MacDuhk, more than a decade ago. They recently released their fifth studio album, “Beyond the Blue,” a few months ago. The group has undergone inevitable member changes through the years, but Podolak and original lead vocalist Jessee Havey remain from the classic lineup, and the sound on “Blue” is classic Duhks. Local bluegrass outfit Running Out of Road opens.

Canadian folk group The Duhks play the Concert Hall at 7p.m. tonight, Thurs., Nov. 6.

The Durango Bluegrass Meltdown presents the Badly Bent in concert with special guests La La Bones on Friday at the Henry Strater Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m., with La La Bones taking the stage at 6:30 and the Badly Bent at 8. For those of you who were lucky enough to catch the Badly Bent’s resurrection last winter, the five-piece has grown more powerful. When they released their last album, “Olive or Twist,” seven years ago, Cindi Trautmann’s vocals were the missing ingredient in an already potent bluegrass roux. The band had plenty of instrumental chops, some great songwriting and loving reverence to classic songs that were buried deep in the bluegrass canon. Fast forward a few years and the harmonies are tighter, Mark Epstein has picked up a new instrument (the dobro), guitarist Pat Dressen’s leads are crisper, and the rhythmic duo of Robb Brophy (mandolin) and Jimmy Largent (upright bass) packs an even firmer punch. Get your tickets in advance and save five bucks at the door.

Cahalen Morrison & Country Hammer play the Dolores River Brewery at 8 p.m. Sunday.  Bluegrass fans might remember Morrison as one half of the duo that included Eli West … one that graced past Meltdown and Reservoir Hill stages. He’s back with a new alt-country ensemble that features both his own great songwriting and a twangier sound. His newest release, “Flowers of Muscle Shoals,” is packed with honky tonk. There’s steel guitar here, fiddles there, Ray Price shuffles everywhere.

The fifth annual Living Tarot Oracle returns to the Durango Arts Center Friday through Sunday. The weekend starts with “Tarot in 3 Parts” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, as three Tarot professionals – Lisa de St. Croix, Julia Hesse and Dylan Hoffman – share their wisdom and insights ($5-$10 donation suggested). Then, on Saturday (5-8 p.m.) and Sunday (4-7), the Tarots will provide readings. The $10 admission includes one card reading, with additional cards (maximum of three) available for $5. This popular annual event utilizes the divination tool of the Tarot cards. Tarot evolved out of the familiar playing card deck in Italy during the mid-15th century Renaissance era. Its use as a divination tool began in Europe in the 1700s.

Two-steppin’, head-bangin’ alt-country band Anthony Leon & the Chain perform at Crash Music in the Historic Aztec Theatre on Saturday. They’ve been together for more than four years, garnering “Best of Santa Fe” awards three times while opening for the likes of Billy Joe Shaver, the Infamous Stringdusters and the Supersuckers.

Steamworks uncorks its Pumpkin Spruce firkin at 3 p.m. Friday. “Our unique, seasonal Spruce Goose Ale served as the base for this rich and tasty holiday firkin,” said brewmaster Ken Martin, who added that this year’s Goose was brewed with fresh spruce tips harvested from Ophir Pass. Martin’s partner-in-crime, Spencer Roper, said Chimney Rock pumpkins were roasted with brown sugar and spices. The resulting caramelized mixture was then added to this year’s Goose. The result is expected to be a craft brew with hints of pumpkin pie or banana bread, given the candy-like quality of the spruce beer base.

There’s also a new seasonal specialty beer named Olivia on tap at BREW Pub & Kitchen this week. Olivia is a prickly pear braggot – a hybrid of beer and mead – made with Honeyville honey, fresh prickly pear and love. What sets this batch aside is it was a collaborative brew made by both Erik and Lainie Maxson. (Hence the love … especially for those of you lucky enough to be Facebook friends with them. Married couples should never exhibit such endearment toward one another. It just ain’t right.)

Got beer’d? It’s that time of the year again! Those who are facial-hair endowed are encouraged to get beer and beard at Carver’s at 8 p.m. Friday. It’s the official kick-off to the 2015 Snowdown Beard Growing Competition. Contestants entering the three-month-long beard race must show up to Carver’s back pub clean shaven to have their mug shot taken as proof they didn’t get a head start. Then, on the Thursday evening of Steampunk Snowdown (Jan. 29, 2015), these considerably furrier lads will present their faces to a panel of judges to win bragging rights and fabulous prizes to beards of all ages for best color, longest beard, greatest beer absorption beard and, for the ladies, best leg hair.

Moe’s Madness this week includes usual happenings like Thirsty Thursdays and Funked-Up Fridays. DJ Ralphsta spins from 8 ‘til close Saturday, while Booty Conda gets the people dancing on Sunday.

Elsewhere: The Black Velvet duo of Nina Sasaki & Larry Carver return to the 6512 Restaurant & Lounge at 7 p.m. Friday; Bayfield’s own the Transplants play the Hideaway Grill at Vallecito from 8 ‘til midnight Saturday.

After watching Bill Belichick and the blood-sucking New England Patriots destroy my beloved Broncos this past Sunday, it became painfully obvious by halftime that John Fox was simply outcoached … in every aspect of the game. I turned to ESPN to provide this week’s Top Shelf list: the Top 10 NFL coaches of all-time, according to its panel of experts.

1. Vince Lombardi
2. Bill Walsh
3. Don Shula
4. George Halas
5. Chuck Noll
6. Paul Brown
7. Bill Belichick
8. Tom Landry
9. Joe Gibbs
10. Curly Lambeau

And Bear Bryant wore a cool lookin’ red checkered hat and won football games? Email me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.