Flames, flamenco and leftover fish

by Chris Aaland

Just as Steve Martin’s Vinnie Antonelli character said in “My Blue Heaven’,” let’s face it, an underappreciated comedic gem, “I saw opportunity where others see none,” so too do Karen and Wayne Barger in their sixth annual “Burning Down the House” fundraiser. Instead of closing their doors after the 2008 fire that claimed Seasons and two other businesses in the 700 block of Main Ave., Seasons Rotisserie & Grill literally rose from the ashes. The opportunity that presented itself: raising money for the very same men and women who risked their lives to put out the blaze.

 From 5:30-10 p.m. Sunday, all proceeds from food and beverage sales at Seasons will benefit Durango’s emergency responders through the 100 Club. That group’s mission is to provide financial assistance to families of public safety officers and firefighters who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty and to provide resources to enhance their safety and welfare.

“As we are reminded each year, we cannot do enough to help our firefighters and emergency personnel,” said Karen Barger. “This continues to be both a celebration of Seasons as a literal Phoenix from the flames and a thank you to those who put their lives on the line every day to protect us.”

Flamenco dance troupe Carlota Santana bring its Latin moves to the Concert Hall tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Each year, to keep with the fire theme, Seasons’ special dinner menu for the evening will feature smoky and spicy offerings prepared by Chef David Stewart. Proceeds will be presented to the not-for-profit 100 Club following the event. Seasons’ staff, under the direction of Erin Pozzi, will donate their time for the event. Reservations are required and space is limited. Call 382-9790 to reserve your spot.

So eat. Drink. Be merry. And support the folks who might save your life someday.

When Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana comes to the Community Concert Hall at 7 p.m. tonight (Thurs., Feb. 19), expect graceful, sensuous, passionate dance. The troupe is known for the purity of its work and the unique and creative way in which the dancers have enriched the art of flamenco. The group was founded in 1983 as the Spanish Dance Arts Co. by Roberto Lorca and Carlota Santana, who had the vision that new Spanish dance should not only find a permanent home in the United States, but also an environment in which its creation and performance would thrive. Though Lorca succumbed to AIDS in 1987, Santana was determined to carry on the tradition the pair established. By the early ‘90s, the company had instituted a lasting relationship with New York’s premiere dance venue, the Joyce Theatre.

In case you may have missed them during their two Durango performances this week, you still have a chance to catch Leftover Salmon in concert. The quintessential polyethnic Cajun slamgrass sextet plays back-to-back dates at the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride tonight and tomorrow ‘ perfect for après ski or to kick off a big weekend in the less-than-T-Ride-standard powder that Ma Nature has scattered in the northern San Juans. Family and work commitments prevented me from catching Salmon live at the ACT the past two nights, although I did have a front row seat for their live performance and interview at KSUT this past Tuesday. Let’s just say peering over Andy Thorn’s shoulder while Little Feat’s Bill Payne tickled the ivories qualifies as a goose bump moment.

In beer news, BREW recently tapped one newbie and will uncork another as yet unnamed today. Already on tap is the lovely Peggy, a medium- to full-bodied, rich, creamy, American Stout served on nitro. And coming just in time for BREW’s second anniversary is a very special batch of their barleywine, Gwendolen, which has been aged in a Woodford Reserve oak bourbon barrel for three months. Rumor has it there will be a limited number of bottles for sale beginning March 5, two days before their anniversary bash.

Music in the Mountains hosts its latest “A Bite of Jazz” friend raiser at 6:15 tonight at St. Mark’s Church, located at 910 E. 3rd Ave. The $25 per person ticket gets you dinner, wine and beer. The Mac Jazz Trio – Chad MacCluskey on seven-string guitar, Evan Suiter on bass, Bob Newman on trumpet and flugelhorn – performs at 7:30.

The third annual School Music Extravaganza takes place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Community Concert Hall. Hear aspiring musicians from elementary school through college, with scheduled bands to include those from Bayfield Elementary; Bayfield, Escalante and Miller middle schools; and Durango High School, plus the FLC Drumline. It’s free, as is the post-concert lobby reception featuring Mickey D’s.

The folks on the east side of the county can get their fill of the Kirk James Blues Band this weekend, first at the Billy Goat Saloon in the heart of Gem Village at 8:30 p.m. Friday, then at the Lake House Bar at Vallecito at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Also of note: DJs CK and Baby Bel spin at Moe’s Friday from 8 ‘til close; the Black Velvet duo plays the Diamond Belle Saloon at 5:30 p.m. Friday and the 6512 Restaurant & Lounge at 6 p.m. Saturday; and DJ Noonz and Mountain Menace take over Moe’s dance floor at 8 p.m.   Saturday.

When I saw “flamenco” on this week’s entertainment calendar, I first thought of the fiery, gut-string Spanish acoustic guitar treatment, a la Rodrigo y Gabriella. So I prepared a six pack of my favorite acoustic guitarists of all-time. The catch: I had to have seen these guys perform live, thus leaving out the obvious choices of Django Reinhardt, Chet Atkins and Michael Hedges. Little did I realize that the flamenco at the Concert Hall this week is of the dance variety.  

Oops.

1. Leo Kottke. The sheer bounce of Kottke’s playing took John Fahey’s lead to another level.

2. Tony Rice. The gold standard by which all other bluegrass guitarists are measured.

3. Teye. If you caught Joe Ely’s live act between 1994 and 2000, you caught flamenco mastery in the Dutch-born Teye. Give Ely’s version of “Gallo del Ciello” a listen and you’ll understand why.

4. Bryan Sutton. Rice’s heir apparent.

5. Ross Martin. If Ross isn’t Colorado’s finest musician, I don’t know who is.

6. Michael Gulezian. Wonderfully bizarre, from his manipulation of metre to his unconventional two-handed approach.

Time for jumping overboard? Email me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.