Good times flow with Animas River Days 2015What: Animas River Days 2015
This year, organizers have breathed fresh life into the event, with more than $4,000 in competitor prizes donated from local businesses and sponsors. There are also a few new events this year, including nighttime freestyle kayak rodeo finals as well as a SUP Cross/Slalom. Things get rolling Thursday night at the Smiley Building with the annual Movie Night and Kickoff Party, featuring the best in national and local paddling films as well as food and drinks from the Smiley Cafe. Saturday, it’s full-steam ahead starting at 8:30 a.m. at Santa Rita Park, with a full slate of events, including boatercross, a riversurf competition, the Last SUP Paddler Standing contest and the Smelter Smackdown raft sprint. The party kicks into high gear starting at 11 a.m. with live music, beer and food. At 3:30 p.m. attendees can battle it out for a new NRS paddleboard and paddle at the Yellow Ducky Race. And of course, no River Days would be complete without the all-important River Parade, which takes off Saturday at 5 p.m. from the 32nd Street put-in. Those who are not part of the action can catch plenty of carnage at the parade viewing party, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Santa Rita. DJ Soul Atomic will play for listening and viewing pleasure and the beer/food garden will be open. Once the parade is over, it’s time for the main event (playhole TBD): the kayak and inflatable rodeo finals, which get under way at 6:30 p.m. This is the first time the rodeo has been held prime time under the lights at Santa Rita, and food and beer will be flowing. As the sun sets, the party moves indoors, with a late night dance party at the Balcony Backstage featuring L.A.’s DJ divadanielle and others. Animas River Days attendees are reminded that parking is limited at Santa Rita Park and that walking, driving or car-pooling to the festivities is highly recommended. Additional parking is also available at Cundiff Park, and anyone parked on Hwy 550 or Hwy 3 will be ticketed and/or towed. To register for events, email Stacy at eventsard@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.animasriverdays.org. |
In June 1982, local paddling legend Nancy Wiley put on Durango’s first whitewater rodeo at Santa Rita Hole, and Animas River Days was born. Fast forward a few decades, and Animas River Days has evolved, as well as the town and whitewater park itself. Today, events are held upstream at Durango’s newly renovated Whitewater Park, and hundreds of river rats convene for one night for the “unofficial” river parade.Thursday28
Storytime, 10 a.m., Pine River Library, Bayfield. 884-2222.
Durango Shred Day, fundraiser for Trails 2000, 10 a.m.-noon, Durango Chamber offices in Santa Rita Park. www.trails2000.org.
Here to Hear: Office Hour with Councilor Dick White, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., City Hall, 949 E. 2nd Ave.
“Doc Swords,” PTSD Social Club for Combat Veterans, 4-6 p.m., VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Ave.
Green Drinks, 5 p.m., Carvers Brewing Co., Main Ave. www.greendrinks.org.
La La Bones performs, 5 p.m., James Ranch, 33800 Highway 550.
The Lisa Blue Trio performs, 5-8 p.m., Animas River Café at Doubletree, 501 Camino del Rio. 259-6580.
Kirk James performs, 5-8 p.m., Dalton Ranch Patio.
Animas River Days, film night and Kick-Off Party, 5:30 p.m., Smiley Building. animasriverdays.org.
Donny Johnson, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
Drop-in Tennis, after 5:30 p.m., Durango High School. 769-3772.
GED Graduation Ceremony for Durango Education Center, 6 p.m., Durango Public Library. 385-4354.
Rob Webster performs, 6 p.m., 6512' Restaurant and Lounge, 152 College Dr.
Jack Ellis, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Protect Our Winters Fundraiser, 7 p.m., El Rancho Tavern.
Ecstatic Dance with DJ CodeStar, 7:30-10 p.m., Yoga Durango, Main Ave.
Friday29
Durango Blues Train, May 29-30, train depot, Main Ave. www.durangotrain.com.
Mulch Mania, free mulch weekend, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., event also runs May 30, pick up at old Van Dal landfill, past the end of Tech Center Drive. 375-5004.
Free Garden Tours, 9:30 a.m., meet at library demonstration garden lobby, 1900 E. 3rd Ave. Durangobotanicalsociety.com.
The Jeff Solon Jazz Trio performs, 5-9 p.m., Animas River Café at Double Tree, 501 Camino del Rio. 259-6580.
The Cannondolls, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
Funked Up Fridays with Stoner Blues Band, 6:30 p.m., Moe’s, 937 Main Ave.
Pete Giuliani performs, 6:30-10 p.m., Farview Lodge at Mesa Verde National Park.
Jenny Winegardner, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Staged Readings for Durango 10-Minute Play Contest, 7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
The Jean Pierre Gypsy Jazz Trio performs, 7-9 p.m., Jean Pierre's Cafe, Main Ave.
The Ben Gibson Band performs, 8:30 p.m., Billy Goat Saloon in Gem Village.
DJ Soul Atomic performs, 10 p.m., El Rancho Tavern, 975 Main Ave.
Saturday30
Durango Farmers Market, 8 a.m.-noon, First National Bank parking lot, 259 W. 9th St. www.durangofarmersmarket.com.
Birds of the Durango Nature Center Workshop, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Durango Nature Center. www.durangonaturestudies.org.
Celebrate Life Skateboard and BMX competition and music festival, 9 a.m., Parque de Vida, Cortez. 739-4944.
Drop-in Tennis, after 9 a.m., Durango High School. 769-3772.
Yoga 12-Step Recovery, 10 a.m. – noon, YogaDurango, 1140-A Main Ave.
Animas River Days, live music and whitewater events start 11 a.m., Santa Rita Park. www.animasriverdays.org.
Third-hand Build MakerSpace Session, 1-3 p.m., Ignacio Library. 563-9287.
End-of-the-School-Year Performance, hosted by iAM Music, 2-7 p.m., The Rochester Hotel Secret Garden, 726 E. 2nd Ave. 799-7450.
Jack Ellis performs, 5-8 p.m., Serious Texas BBQ East.
Jenny Winegardner performs with Gary Watkins, 5-9 p.m., Animas River Café at the Double Tree. 259-6580.
Mike Testa, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
Animas River Days Parade and Viewing Party, 5:30 p.m., Santa Rita Park. animasriverdays.org.
Last Nickel performs, 6 p.m., Mancos Brewing Company.
Kirk James performs, 6 p.m., Seven Rivers at Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio.
Dance in the Rockies’ 26th annual recital, 6 p.m., event also runs 3 p.m., May 31, Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. www.durangoconcerts.com.
Meet the Author featuring Anne Hillerman, author of Rock With Wings, 6:30 p.m., Smiley Theater, 1309 E. 3rd Ave. www.mariasbookshop.com.
Greg Ryder, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Al Mafra Belly Dance, 7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
The Ori Naftaly Band performs, 7:30 p.m., Crash Music in Aztec. 505-427-6748.
DJs Imperfect and CK, 8 p.m., Moe’s, 937 Main Ave.
Trivia Night, 8 p.m., Bottom Shelf Brewery in Bayfield.
The Lindells with special guest Stan Davis, perform, 8 p.m., Mancos Valley Distillery.
Hip Hop with GeorgeLife, DJ Pookie, Honey and more, 9 p.m., Blondies in Cortez. 739-4944.
Foxfeather performs, 10 p.m., El Rancho, 975 Main Ave.
Animas River Days Late Night Dance Party, with Diva Danielle, 10 p.m., Balcony Backstage. www.animasriverdays.org.
Sunday31
Stillwater Foundation’s “Party in the Park,” 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Buckley Park. www.stillwaterfoundation.org or 247-5095.
Food Not Bombs serves free lunches, noon-4 p.m., Iris Park.
Traditional Irish Music Jam, 12:30-4 p.m., Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave.
The Pete Giuliani Band performs, 1-4 p.m., Trimble Hot Springs.
Blue Moon Ramblers, 7 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
Jack Ellis, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Jazz Church, 7-10 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.
Monday01
Free Nada Acupuncture for Veterans and their families, 3-5 p.m., Durango Acupuncture Alliance, 635 E. 5th Ave. 403-4150.
Third-hand Build MakerSpace Session, 3-5 p.m., Ignacio Library. 563-9287.
Triathlon Training Clinic, 5:30 p.m., Durango Rec Center. 375-7313.
Chad MacCluskey performs, 6-9 p.m., Eno, 725 E. 2nd Ave. 385-6884.
Circle of Health Presentations, 6:30 p.m., 3160 E. Animas Village Dr., Cedar View 1. 442-0925.
Mondays on Main, weekly musical performance by local students, 6:30-8 p.m., outside at Cold Stone Creamery, 598 Main Ave. www.durangoarts.org/.
Contiki, 7 p.m. - close, Moe’s, 937 Main Ave.
Tuesday02
“Minecraft vs. Roblox,” for 1st-5th-graders, 3:30 p.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-2222.
Inklings: Book Club for 2nd and 3rd Graders, 4-5 p.m., Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
Drop-in Tennis, after 5:30 p.m., Durango High School. 769-3772.
Becoming a Gmail Ninja, 5:30 p.m., Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
Rotary Club of Durango meets, presentation by travel agent Katherine Burgess, 6 p.m., Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave. 385-7899.
Informal Tango Practice, 6-8:30 p.m., Gazebo at Rotary Park. 533-7231.
The Jeff Solon Jazz Group performs featuring vocalist Alison Dance, 6-9 p.m., The Cyprus Café Patio, 725 E. 2nd Ave. 385-6884.
Open Mic Night, 7 p.m. - close, Moe’s, 937 Main Ave.
Bingo Night, 9 p.m., Lady Falconburgh’s, 640 Main Ave.
Wednesday03
Bird Walk, 8 a.m., meet at Rotary Park. 382-9396.
Free Kids Yoga, ages 3-7 with Joy Kilpatrick, 9-9:45 a.m., Pediatric Associates of Durango, 1199 Main Ave, Ste. 205. www.breathworkswithjoy.com.
Summer Reading Kickoff Party, 10 a.m., Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
Jammin’ Juniors, 10-11 a.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-2222.
Manna Garden Workdays, 10 a.m.-noon, Manna Soup Kitchen, 1100 Avenida del Sol. www.thegardenprojectswcolorado.org.
Storytime for Kids, 3 p.m., Fort Lewis Mesa Branch Library. 588-3331.
Trails 2000 Public Trailwork Day on Zipline Trail, 4-7 p.m., meet at Horse Gulch Trailhead. www.trails2000.org.
The Jeff Solon Jazz Duo, 6-9 p.m., Cyprus Café Patio, 725 E. 2nd Ave. 385-6884.
Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 7 p.m., BREW Pub & Kitchen, 117 W. College Dr. 259-5959.
Pub Quiz Trivia, 8:30 p.m., Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave.
Ongoing
Paintings by Autumn Cameron and Cheryl Berglund, thru May 30, Durango Rec Center.
“Fluidity,” photography by Barbara Grist, thru May 31, Farm Bistro in Cortez. 565-3834.
“Skyscapes of the West,” photography by Howard Rachlin, thru May, Durango Coffee Co., 730 Main Ave. howardrachlin.com.
The Fine Art of Pat Knight, thru June 1, Pine River Valley Bank, 1701 Main Ave. 385-9583.
“Sirens: The Mountain Mermaids,” photography by Alexi Hubbell, show runs thru June 15, The Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave.
“The Language of Gesture,” thru June 20, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
“Korea: A Nation Divided,” works by Mark Edward Harris, thru June 24, Open Shutter Gallery, 735 Main Ave.
“Life on Wheels: The New American Nomads,” works by David Gardner, thru June 24, Open Shutter Gallery, 735 Main Ave.
“Pivot Point,” thru June 27, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
Paintings by Bradley Kachnowicz, thru June 30, Rochester Hotel, 726 E. 2nd Ave.
Art works by Dan Groth, thru June, Raider Ridge Café, 509 E. 8th Ave.
“Skyscapes of the West,” photography by Howard Rachlin, show runs thru June, Durango Coffee Company, 730 Main Ave. 375-7877 or howardrachlin.com.
“Tough Men in Hard Places: The Electrification of Colorado’s Western Slope,” thru Sept. 18, Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College. swcenter.fortlewis.edu.
“Rare II: Imperiled Plants of Colorado,” exhibit runs thru December, Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College. swcenter.fortlewis.edu.
Tryouts for Durango Swim Club, 3:30-4:15 p.m., Monday-Thursday, Durango Rec Center. Suzanneschieltz@hotmail.com.
Karaoke, 8 p.m., Thur.–Sun., 8th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8th Ave.
Upcoming
First Thursdays Art Walk, 5 p.m., June 4, meet at Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
Pub Science, 6 p.m., June 5, Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. www.durangodiscovery.com or 403-1864.
Meet the Author event featuring Todd Fahnestock, author of Fairmist, 6:30 p.m., June 5, Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave. www.mariasbookshop.com/.
National Trails Day, June 6. www.trails2000.org.
Annual Book Sale, hosted by Friends of the Pine River Valley Library, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield.
Men Who Grill, fundraiser for Women’s Resource Center, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., June 6, Buckley Park. 247-1242.
Meditation and Satsang, 7 p.m., June 7, Smiley Building, 1309 E. 3rd Ave., Room 10. www.craigholliday.com.
Linux 101 (Is That a Penguin on My Desktop?), 5:30 p.m., June 9, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
“Heroes in the Community: Firefighters,” part of the Summer Reading Program, 10 a.m., June 10, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
Heartbeat Durango, support group for individuals affected by suicide, 6-8 p.m., June 10, Fire Station 1, 142 Sheppard Drive. 403-4103.
Clothing & Gear Swap, sponsored by DNF and Durango Outdoor Exchange, 5:30 p.m., June 11, Durango Natural Foods, 575 E. 8th Ave. www.durangonaturalfoods.coop.
BID Coffee & Conversation, 8:30-9:30 a.m., June 12, First National Bank Conference Room, 259 W. 9th St. www.downtowndurango.org.
Free Legal Clinic, 2-5 p.m., June 12, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
Fee-free day, June 13, U.S. Forest Service day-use recreation sites.
Tweak & Critique Writer’s Group, 10-11:30 a.m., June 13, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
8th annual TIU4Tyler Memorial Skate Competition, 11 a.m., June 13, Durango Skate Park. 946-7799.
3rd annual Global Climb Out of the Darkness, hike to raise awareness for maternal mental illnesses, 10 a.m., June 14, Animas Mountain. 946-7279.
Job Searching Online, 5:30 p.m., June 16, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
“The Green Scene,” performance by Playground Theater, part of the Summer Reading Program, 10 a.m., June 17, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
Adult Computer Classes, 1:30-3 p.m., June 18, Mancos Public Library. 533-7600.
Barista Training, 2 p.m., June 18, Desert Sun Roasting, 284 Sawyer Drive, Unit C.
Evening Book Club, 6 p.m., June 18, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
“Always … Patsy Cline” opening nights, 7:30 p.m., June 18, show also runs June 19-20, 25-27, and 2 p.m., June 20-21, 27-28, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.
Colorado Trail Work Weekend, June 20-21. www.trails2000.org.
7th annual Wild Roots Feral Futures encampment, June 20-28. Feralfutures.wordpress.com.
3rd annual Bayberry Jam, fundraiser for Bayfield Music Programs, 1 p.m., June 20, Eagle Park in Bayfield.
“Building a Calendar from Watching the Skies,” presentation by Ray Williamson, part of the Four Corners Lecture Series, 7 p.m., June 24, Sunflower Theatre in Cortez. www.swcocanyons.org.
Open Technology Session, 5:30 p.m., June 23, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
“Heroes in the Community: Policemen,” part of the Summer Reading Program, 10 a.m., June 24, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
“Agave is Life” screening with presentation by Sharon Edgar Greenhill, part of the Four Corners Lecture Series, 7 p.m., June 24, Sunflower Theatre in Cortez. www.swcocanyons.org.
Andrew Wynne performs, 5 p.m., June 25, Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St. 247-5792.
Market Your Business with Social Media, 5:30 p.m., June 30, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.
Thrasher Thursdays, 5-8 p.m., July 9 and 23, Aug. 6 and 20, Sept. 3 and 17, Durango Skate Park.
Andrew Wynne performs, 5-7 p.m., Aug. 5, 6512’ Restaurant and Lounge, 152 E. College Dr. 247-9083.
La Plata Quilters Guild Show and Sale, to benefit Project Linus, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Sept. 20, La Plata County Fairgrounds Extension Building.
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