Power-tool percussion, Mars & Venus, and Pools & Pints
by Chris Aaland
The changing of the sports seasons couldn’t have worked out any better. First off, my Dukies survived March Madness and earned Coach K one for the thumb – his fifth national championship. Deal with it, haters.
This came just hours after my Pet Rocks pounded the hapless Milwaukee Brewers 10-0 on Opening Day, looking like the New York Yankees’ Murderers’ Row of the 1920s as Cargo, Tulo, Nolan Arenado and Corey Dickerson roughed up the Brew Crew’s Kyle Lohse to the tune of eight earned runs in less than four innings … and all of this while Colorado’s cleanup hitter Justin Morneau – last year’s NL batting champ – took an 0-for-5 day. Sure, Monday’s shutout was an anomaly for the Rockies’ fragile rotation. But with even mediocre pitching (which may be a far-fetched wish), this lineup can keep things interesting for a few months.
 Recycled Percussion comes to the Community Concert Hall tonight at 7:30 p.m. |
The high-energy Las Vegas entertainment group Recycled Percussion comes to the Community Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. tonight. This four-man band pounds on percussion instruments more likely found at a junkyard than in a band room, including power tools, car parts, vacuums and jumbo aluminum ladders. Formed by Justin Spencer in 1995 for a high school talent show in rural New Hampshire. Since then, they’ve risen to national and international acclaim, spurred by a successful run during the 2009 season of “America’s Got Talent.”
The Community Concert Hall also hosts a one-man theatre and stand-up comedy at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when it stages “Men Are from Mars – Women Are from Venus,” starring Peter Story. The show is a light-hearted theatrical comedy based on the New York Times No. 1 best-selling book of the last decade. Moving swiftly through a series of vignettes, “Men Are from Mars – Women Are from Venus” covers everything from dating and marriage to the bedroom. When Mars and Venus collide, the adventures are earth-shatteringly hysterical.
Three of Durango’s finest bands perform at the third annual Spring Hoedown Fundraiser to benefit the Montezuma School-to-Farm Project from 5-11 p.m. Saturday at the Mancos Opera House. At 5 p.m., the Six Dollar String Band plays old-time music. Carute Roma brings gypsy swing at 7, followed by the traditional bluegrass sounds of the Badly Bent at 9. Enjoy local food, beer and wine and bid on more than 50 farmy, homesteady and locally focused silent auction items. Save $5 by buying tickets in advance at Maria’s Bookshop in Durango, Zuma Natural Foods in Mancos, the Dolores Food Market or FB Organics in Cortez.
Crash Music in the historic Aztec Theatre hosts Santa Fe-based Anthony Leon & the Chain on Saturday night. This group, winners of Best of Santa Fe awards three of the past four years, plays rocking honky-tonk with a touch of indie pop. Critics say they land somewhere between Steve Earle and Social Distortion. With two albums under their belt and a third on the way, Leon & Co. have opened shows for the likes of Billy Joe Shaver, the Supersuckers, Reckless Kelly and others.
Lawn Chair Kings rise from the ashes of the Kansas Jayhawks’ crash landing in this year’s March Madness to take the stage at the Balcony Backstage at 10 p.m. Friday. What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.
Lipbone Redding returns to Ignacio in a benefit for Dancing Spirit Community Arts Center (755 Goddard Ave.) at 7 p.m. Friday. Redding is a singer/songwriter who accompanies himself on guitar and by mimicking a variety of brass instruments. Redding will join me live on KSUT shortly after 1 p.m. Friday for an in-studio performance.
Music in the Mountains hosts another Bite of Jazz dinner and concert friendraiser tonight at St. Mark’s Church. Dinner starts at 6:15 p.m., with a performance by the Mac Jazz Quartet featuring special guest vocalist Alison Dance at 7:30. Food, wine and beer are included in the $25 ticket.
The Durango DOT Comedy improv troupe hosts “I Want to Pay Your Taxes … But Come & Laugh First!” at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Durango Arts Center. Ska beers cost just a buck at these things.
The Mancos Valley Distillery presents Kyle Tischler at 8 p.m. Friday. Originally from northeast Georgia, Kyle has brought his country sounds to the Florida beaches and Colorado mountains.
Partake in the season’s first craft beer festival at Pagosa Springs’ Pints & Pools Saturday. Sample beers from a host of Colorado and New Mexico breweries from 1-4 p.m. at the Ross Aragon Community Center, then soak at the Springs Resort & Spa from 5-9. This is an interesting combination, medically speaking. Hot tubs dehydrate your body, as does alcohol. The high temperatures of a hot tub can lower blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness; drunks already tend to stumble about on their own. But hey … who hasn’t slammed a half-dozen margaritas and cannonballed into a hot tub?
In a safer drinking realm, BREW’s newest offering is an English summer ale named Quinn. This lass is easy on the palate and very refreshing, but packs a little more punch than most sessions. I opted to float an orange wedge in mine. My little brother Billy says I over-fruit my beers and cocktails. I’ll admit the errors in my ways: don’t dress up Quinn like Carmen Miranda.
There are still two more days left in KDUR’s Spring into Summer Fun membership drive. Pledge your support by calling 247-7262 and pick yourself up one of those groovy Castro hats or camouflage trucker caps. Liggy thanks you.
Many of you hate Duke. I don’t, but I feel your pain. This week’s Top Shelf list recounts five teams that perennially worthy of my ire:
1. Oakland Raiders. It’s actually been tough to hate these guys this past decade, as they took suck to an epic low.
2. Minnesota Wild. Has the State of Hockey advanced past the second round since the North Stars bolted for Dallas? And does anyone aside from a few thousand Lutherans really care?
3. Los Angeles Dodgers. An underappreciated highlight of Chevy Chase’s movie career is when he punched that photo of Tommy Lasorda in “Fletch.”
4. Oklahoma City Thunder. It looks like a Klan gathering or Tea Party rally every time the cameras pan the crowd.
5. Nebraska Cornhuskers. The “N” on the football helmet stands for “knowledge.”
Hit the ball and touch ’em all? Email me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.