DAC hosts renowned Creede improv group

What:  “Boomtown,” a one-night only comedy performance by the Creede Repertory Theatre
Where: Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave.
When: 7 and 9:30 p.m., Fri., Sept. 12

The highly acclaimed Creede Repertory Theatre is taking its comedy show on the road.

Local audiences can catch the well-repected improv troupe when it hits the Durango Arts Center stage for two performances of “Boomtown,” at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 12.

Armed with only an audience suggestion and the performers’ overactive imaginations, “Boomtown” takes off on a rollicking and often hilarious hour-long, completely unscripted journey.

For more than 48 summers, the CRT has been entertaining audiences, many of whom travel to the tiny mining hamlet for a chance to see the nationally recognized troupe. With the 1984 closing of the Homestake Operation, Creede’s last mine, the theatre has become the area’s largest summer attraction, pumping an estimated $2.7 million to the area’s economy.

For several years, the CRT has been awarded The Denver Post’s Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Year by a Company” and in 2011, CRT’s former Executive/Artistic Director Maurice LaMee was named “Theatre Person of the Year” by the Post. In 2012, CRT received the El Pomar Foundation’s Award for Excellence in Arts and Culture.

Tickets are $10 for DAC members, $15 for nonmembers and are available at the Durango Arts Center Box Office; online at www.DurangoArts.tix.com or by calling the DAC Box Office at (970) 259-2606 Ext. 19.

Grand Canyon past, present and future

What:  Kevin Fedarko, author of The Emerald Mile and contributor to Outside magazine
When/Where: 6 p.m., Thurs., Sept. 11, Vallecito Room, Student Union, Fort Lewis College and 5:30 p.m., Fri., Sept. 12, Four Corners River Sports

Acclaimed author Kevin Fedarko returns to Durango this week for two appearances that should appeal to everyone from river rats and environmentalists to history buffs, avid readers and adventurers.

Fedarko wrote 2013’s The Emerald Mile, the acclaimed true story of 1983’s epic El Niño event, which, while nearly devastating Glen Canyon Dam, also resulted in the fastest-ever speed run down the Grand Canyon. Despite an illustrious career with Time magazine, Fedarko, a part-time Grand Canyon guide, earned popular notoriety for his tales as “groover boy” in Outside magazine. However, the Santa Fe resident also has become a fierce critic of development in the Grand Canyon as well as an informed voice on water use in the West.

He detailed two of these latest threats to what he – and others – call “America’s Cathedral” in a recent op-ed in the New York Times. The first threat, at the South Rim community of Tusayan, entails an approved plan by Italian developers for 2,200 homes and 3 million square feet of commercial space including shops, hotels, a spa and a dude ranch.

The second threat, “Grand Canyon Escalade,” is a proposal from Navajo leaders and developers from Scottsdale to build a 1.4-mile tramway from the North Rim to the canyon’s floor. The trams would carry 4,000 visitors a day to the Colorado River’s confluence with pristine turquoise waters of the Little Colorado River. The plan also calls for an elevated walkway, restaurant and amphitheater.

“Both would desecrate one of the country’s most beloved wilderness shrines,” wrote Fedarko.

Fedarko will speak more to these threats, and what effects they could have on the fragile canyon ecosystem, on Thursday as he kicks of the Center of Southwest Studies’ fall lecture series. He will also be on hand Friday night for a book signing and slide show at Four Corners River Sports in an event co-sponsored by Maria’s Bookshop.

For more information, go to www.swcenter.fortlewis.edu or call Four Corners at 259-3893.

Thursday11

Scrapbooking Group, 1 p.m., groups meets each Thursday, Ignacio Community Library.
 
Black Velvet performs with special guest Julia Popham, 5 p.m., The Balcony Bar and Grill, 600 Main Ave.
 
The Lisa Blue Trio performs, 5-8 p.m., Inside Edgewater Lounge at the Doubletree Hilton, 501 Camino del Rio. 259-6580.
 
Sue Keller performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
 
Terry Rickard performs, 6 p.m., 6512’ Restaurant and Lounge, 152 E. College Dr.
 
Drop-in Tennis, 6 p.m., Durango High tennis courts. 769-3772.
 
Presentation by Kevin Fedarko, author of The Emerald Mile, 6 p.m., Center of Southwest Studies, Vallecito Room, at Fort Lewis College. swcenter.fortlewis.edu.
 
Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. www.powsci.org.
 
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.
 
Four Corners Backcountry Horsemen meet, 7 p.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds. www.4cbch.org or 382-0980.
 
San Juan Basin Archaeological Society meets, 7 p.m., Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College.
 
“Dear Governor Hickenlooper” screening, a collection of short films, 7 p.m., Fort Lewis College, Chem 130.
 
Rob Webster performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
 
Ecstatic Dance with DJ CodeStar, 7:30-10 p.m., Yoga Durango on Main.
 

Friday12

Durango Earlybird Toastmasters meet, 7-8:30 a.m., event runs each Friday, Christina’s, Highway 160. 769-7615 or www.earlybirdtoastmasters.org.
 
Coffee & Conversation with the Business Improvement District, 8:30-9:30 a.m., City Hall, 949 E. 2nd Ave.
 
Pick-up basketball, noon - 2 p.m., Durango Recreation Center. 799-0173.
 
32nd Street Farm Stand, 3-6 p.m., 821 E. 32nd St.
 
Eat Local Celebration Kick Off event, 3 p.m. - close, Carver Brewing Co., Main Ave.
 
Jeff Solon Jazz Trio performs, 5-9 p.m., Animas River Café, DoubleTree Hotel.
 
Sue Keller performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
 
Steampunk Snowdown Kick-Off Party, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Grange. snowdown.org.
 
Art Auction for Wolfwood Refuge, 5:30-9 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. wolfwoodrefuge.org.
 
“Spanish Experience,” series on Spanish and social issues in Latin America, 6 p.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-2222.
 
Joel Racheff performs, 6 p.m., 6512’ Restaurant and Lounge, 152 E. College Dr.
 
Lacey Black performs, 6-9 p.m., Fox Fire Farms in Ignacio.
 
Pete Neds performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
 
“Dear Governor Hickenlooper” screening, a collection of short films, 7 p.m., The Annex Building in Cortez.
 
Boomtown, improvisational comedy troupe from Creede, 7 and 9:30 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org or 259-2606.
 
Light Up the Night 5K Run/3K Walk to raise awareness of sexual assault, 7:30 p.m., Fort Lewis College Clock Tower. www.fortlewis.edu.
 
Funked Up Fridays, Little Wilderness performs, 8 p.m., Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.
 
Carbon Red performs, 8:30 p.m., Billy Goat Saloon in Gem Village.
 
DJ Soul Atomic performs, 10 p.m., El Rancho Tavern.
 

Saturday13

Durango Farmers Market, 8 a.m. - noon, First National Bank parking lot, 259 W. 9th St.
 
Drop-in Tennis, 9 a.m., Durango High tennis courts. 769-3772.
 
National Public Lands Day, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. 385-1310.
 
Tweak & Critique Writer’s Group, 10-11:30 a.m., second Saturday of each month, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
 
Fly Fishing Workshop, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Durango Nature Center. 382-9244.
 
Sue Keller performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
 
Pete Neds performs, 6 p.m., 6512’ Restaurant and Lounge, 152 E. College Dr.
 
Tim Telep performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
 
Greg Ryder performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
 
Commedian Roy Zimmerman performs, 7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.laplatadems.org.
 
Billy Kim and the Korea Children’s Choir perform, 7:30 p.m., Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. www.durangoconcerts.com.
 
“Time to Schooled,” JBones performs, 8 p.m. - close, Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.
 
Trivia Night, 8 p.m., Bottom Shelf Brewery in Bayfield.
 
DJ Kaztro, 9 p.m., Pongas, 121 W. 8th St. 382-8554.

 

Sunday14                              

32nd Street Farm Stand, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., 821 E. 32nd St.
 
Traditional Irish Music Jam, 12:30-4 p.m., Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
 
Billy Kim and the Korea Children’s Choir perform, 2 p.m., Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. www.durangoconcerts.com.
 
Marcy Freestone and the “Close Enuff” Jazz Combo perform, part of the Music & Dinner series, 4-7 p.m., Wines of the San Juan in Turley, N.M. 505-632-0879.
 
Joel Racheff performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
 
Blue Moon Ramblers perform, 7 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
 
Jazz Church, 7-10 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.
 
Whale Logic performs, 8 p.m., Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.
 

Monday15

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.
 
Fiesta on the Mesa, 5-8 p.m., Student Union Plaza at Fort Lewis College. www.fortlewis.edu/elcentro.
 
Sue Keller 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.
 
Pete Giuliani performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
 
Ace Revel performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

 

Tuesday16

Artist Reception for Britt Gordon, 4-6 p.m., show runs through Sept. 30, The Steaming Bean, 915 Main Ave. 385-7901.
 
Sue Keller performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
 
Drop-in Tennis, 6 p.m., Durango High tennis courts. 769-3772.
 
Rotary Club of Durango meets, Jim Harvey and the Sugar Creek Bluegrass Band performs, 6 p.m., Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave. 385-7899.
 
Reading of the Names for the AIDS Memorial Quilt Display, 6 p.m., quilt on display through Sept. 20, Durango Public Library.
 
The Entrepreneur Lounge, 6-7:30 p.m., back room of the Himalayan Kitchen, 10th and Main.
 
Informal Tango Practice, 6-9 p.m., Rotary Park Gazebo. www.tangodurango.com.
 
Pete Giuliani performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
 
Tim Sullivan performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
 
Open Mic Night, 7 p.m. - close, Moe’s 937 Main Ave. 259-9018.
 
DJ Listen performs, 10 p.m., El Rancho Tavern.
 

Wednesday17

Bird Walk, 8 a.m., meet at Rotary Park. 382-9396.
 
Storytime for Kids, 3 p.m., Fort Lewis Mesa Branch Library. 588-3331.
 
32nd St. Farm Stand, 3-6 p.m., 821 E. 32nd St.
 
“Hops Harvest & Beer Brewing,” 4-7 p.m., Environmental Center Garden at Fort Lewis College. 247-7091.
 
The Lisa Blue Trio performs, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Rochester Hotel, 726 E. 2nd Ave. www.rochesterhotel.com.
 
“Meet the Farmers,” 5-7 p.m., 6512’ Restaurant and Lounge, 152 E. College Dr. 247-9083.
 
Sue Keller performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150.
Empowerment Workshop, hosted by Women’s Resource Center, 5:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center Theatre, 1333 Camino del Rio. 247-1242.
Group trail run, 6 p.m., meet at Horse Gulch trailhead. www.durangorunningclub.org or 206-856-1063.
 
Presentation by Lloyd L. Lee, editor of Dine Perspectives: Revitalizing and Reclaiming Navajo Thought, 6 p.m., Center of Southwest Studies Lyceum at Fort Lewis College. swcenter.fortlewis.edu.
 
Tim Guidotti performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Far View Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
 
Jose Villareal performs, 6-9 p.m., 6512' Restaurant and Lounge, 152 E. College Dr. 247-9083.
 
Terry Rickard performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
 
Pub Quiz Trivia, 8:30 p.m., Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
 

Ongoing

Sacred Arts Festival submission deadlines: art - Sept. 19. Artists’ reception 5-7 p.m., Sept. 26; poetry reading and reception, 7 p.m., Sept. 27; concert and reception, 2 p.m., Sept. 28. Exhibit runs through October; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 E. 3rd Ave. www.sacredartsfestival.com.
 
“Exhibit 970 – Generations,” through Sept. 13, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
 
Artist Ryan Doty, through Sept. 15, Raider Ridge Café.
 
Aztec Does Art, through Sept. 19, Feat of Clay Gallery, Aztec, N.M. 505-334-4335.
 
Works by Peter Ladd Berriman, through Sept. 26, Pine River Valley Bank, 1701 Main Ave. 385-9583.
 
Photography of Jimmy Williams, through Oct. 8, Open Shutter Gallery, 735 Main Ave.
 
“Cross Currents,” show runs through Oct. 7, Fort Lewis College Art Gallery. 247-7167 or www.fortlewis.edu/art/ArtGallery.
 
Call for Entries for Durango City Limits – A Juried Photography Competition, application deadline Oct. 15, Pine River Valley Bank. www.prvb.com or 403-8268.
 
Mark Montgomery’s “Junk in the Trunk” and Barbara Grist’s “Fluidity,” shows run through Nov. 1, Olio Restaurant in Mancos. 533-1381.
 
Tryouts for the Durango Swim Club, 3:30-4:15 p.m., Monday-Thursday, Durango Rec Center. 779-8643 or Suzanneschieltz@hotmail.com.
 
BID Coffee & Conversation, 8:30-9:30 a.m., second Friday, City Hall Council Chambers. www.downtowndurango.org.
 
Mother's Wisdom Circle with Suzanne Arms, noon-1:30 p.m., Mondays, Smiley Building, Room 12. 946-6994 or BirthingTheFuture.org.
 
Heartbeat Durango, support group for individuals affected by suicide, 6-8 p.m., second and fourth Wednesday, Fire Station 1, 142 Sheppard Drive. 403-4103.
 
Pub Science, 6 p.m. first Friday, Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. www.durangodiscovery.com.
 
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, Florida Baptist Church near Elmore’s Corner. 903-1877.
 
Peace and Justice Fellowship, 6-7:30 p.m., first and third Mondays, 111 Linda Court. 403-9309.
 
 “Exposure: International Juried Exhibit,” call to artists deadline Oct. 17, Open Shutter Gallery, 735 Main Ave. www.openshuttergallery.com.
 
“Behind the Scenes” Tours, 2 p.m., Thursdays thru 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.
 
Evening Book Club, 6 p.m., third Thursday, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
 
Karaoke, 8 p.m., Thurs. – Sun., 8th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8th Ave.
 

Upcoming

59th annual Pancake Day, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sept. 18, La Plata County Fairgrounds. 247-5011.
 
“Switch Energy Project” screening, 5:30 p.m., Sept. 18, documentary also shows 6:30 p.m., Sept. 19, Fort Lewis College Noble Hall, Room 130. www.fourcore.org or 259-1916.
 
“Yucca Mountain and the Problem of America’s Nuclear Waste,” part of the Life-Long Learning Series, 7 p.m., Sept. 18, Fort Lewis College Noble Hall, Room 130. www.fortlewis.edu/professionalassociates.
 
Pura Vida Healthcare Grand Opening, featuring artwork by Brad Kachnowicz, 5-8 p.m., Sept. 19, 160 E. 12th St. 426-1684.
 
Colorfest Gallery Walk, 5-9 p.m., Sept. 19, downtown Durango. 247-9018.
 
Ralph Dinosaur performs, 9 p.m., Sept. 19, Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
 
Heartfest 2014, Children’s Organ Transplant Association fundraiser for Liam Maddox, Sept. 20, family run/walk, 9 a.m., Animas River Trial; music and silent auction, 5-8 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. www.cotaforliamm.com.
 
“Paperback Picnic” parent/child book club for grades 3-8, noon, Sept. 20, Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-2222 or prlibrary.org.
 
Farmers Market Eat Local Scavenger Hunt, 9-11 a.m., Sept. 20, Farmers Market, First National Bank parking lot.
 
Shootout on the Hill golf tournament for Durango Area Youth Hockey, 12:30 p.m., Sept. 20, Hillcrest Golf Club. durangohockey.com.
 
Ohana Kuleana Community Garden Open House & Pie Competition, 4-6 p.m., Sept. 20, Ohana Kuleana Community Garden,564 E. 30th St. www.thegardenprojectswcolorado.org.
 
Jazz on the Hill, fundraiser featuring Joyce Lyons and the Jeff Solon Trio, 6 p.m., Sept. 20, Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. www.durangoconcerts.com.
 
Joe McMurrian performs, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 20, Historic Aztec Theater in Aztec, N.M. 505-427-6748.
 
Autumn Arts Festival, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sept. 20, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sept. 21, East 2nd Ave. 259-2606.
 
“Glean & Ice Cream!” 3 p.m., Sept. 23, 247-7091.
 
Luke Sweeney performs, Sept. 25, Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.
 
Robby Overfield performs, 9 p.m., Sept. 26, Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
 
Mancos Valley Balloon and Art Fest, vendor booth deadline Sept. 27, event runs Sept. 28, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., in Mancos. 533-7434 or www.mancosvalley.com.
 
Walk for Wilderness and Family Fun Fair, walk begins, 9 a.m., fair begins, 10:30 a.m., Sept. 27, La Plata County Fairgrounds. 385-1310.
 
Harvest Wine Festival, Hello Dollface and After Midnight perform, noon to 7 p.m., Sept. 27, Le Chat Lunatique and One Roof Blues perform, noon to 6 p.m., Sept. 28, Wines of the San Juan in Turley, N.M. 505-632-0879 or www.winesofthesanjuan.com.
 
Blue Lotus Feet Kirtan, 7-9 p.m., Sept. 27, Inhabit-A Center for Learning, Growth & Transformation, 1970 E. 3rd Ave.
 
Dave Mensch performs, 9 p.m., Sept. 27, Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.
 
“Tour de Domes,” 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 28, start at …
 
“The Art of Fermentation Workshop,” 6:30-8 p.m., Manna Soup Kitchen Culinary Training building, 1100 Avenida del Sol. www.thegardenprojectswcolorado.org.
 
First Thursdays Art Walk, 5-7 p.m., Oct. 2, meet at Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
 
Commercial Hazardous Waste Collection Event, 2-5:30 p.m., Oct. 3, La Plata County Fairgrounds. 303-371-1100.
 
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 4, La Plata County Fairgrounds. www.durangogov.org/householdrecycle.
 
Apple Days, Oct. 5, all day event, Buckley Park.
 
Free Legal Self-Help Clinic, 2-5 p.m., Oct. 10, Ignacio Library. 563-9287.
 
Durango Double, trail and road half marathons, Oct. 11-12. Durangodouble.com.
 
Three Springs Fall Festival, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Oct. 25, Three Springs Plaza. 764-6000.

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