LoS, Kwahtro & Celtic Fest

by Chris Aaland

Some weeks are diamonds, others are coal. Thankfully, this week is the former. Durango’s love affair with Leftover Salmon continues Tuesday and Wednesday at the Animas City Theatre (rare early shows, too, starting at 8 p.m.). LoS is still touring behind last year’s “High Country,” although this time around they come as a stripped-down quintet. Vince Herman (guitar) and Drew Emmitt (mandolin, fiddle, electric guitar) still drive the bus, with Greg Garrison (bass), Andy Thorn (banjo) and Alwyn Robinson (drums) rounding out the ensemble. Recorded during Little Feat keyboardist Bill Payne’s short residency with LoS, “High Country” became an instant jam-band classic, rivaling the band’s other masterpieces, “Euphoria” and “The Nashville Sessions.” The first 40 people through the door each night will also get a limited-edition poster of the event.

Keller Williams is a bit of an enigma. No musical style is off-limits for his explorations, as electronic, bluegrass, jazz, funk and new age work their way into his musical stew. His use of loops and effects, combined with his pyrotechnics on guitar and bass, allow him to work the crowd into a frenzy. When augmented by bluegrass acts like the Travelin’ McCourys or the Keels, American roots music steps to the forefront. This Friday at 9 p.m., the Keller Williams Kwahtro, featuring Gibb Droll, Danton Boller and Rodney Holmes, comes to the ACT. His latest album, “Vape,” continues with his string of one-syllable album titles (“Pick,” “Bass,” “Funk,” “Freek” and “Grass” are just a few of the others). His Kwahtro features some ringers: Droll plays guitar for Brandi Carlile and Bruce Hornsby, Boller slaps bass for the Jazz Mandolin Project and Roy Hargrove, and Holmes has drummed for Santana and Steve Kimock. The quartet reinterprets some of Williams’ originals and some choice covers in such varied genres as new disco, reggae, drum and bass, and jazz afro trap.

Perennial local favorite Leftover Salmon plays the ACT Tuesday and Wednesday at 8 p.m.

The Main Squeeze returns to the ACT at 9 p.m. tonight (Thurs., March 10) in a CeleFunktion pre-party. Seamlessly blending funk, soul and rock & roll, The Main Squeeze gets folks moving with their feel-good musical gumbo. Founded in Bloomington, Ind., they’ve been leaving their audiences “freshly squozen” since 2010. With a handful of albums to their credit, including last year’s “Mind Your Head,” they bring out the groove much like party bands like Lettuce and Monophonics. They’ve shared stages with the likes of the Roots, Jane’s Addiction and the Meters. CeleFunktion itself takes place from Thurs.-Sun., March 17-20, but if you buy your weekend pass early, you’ll get free admission to the Main Squeeze. Bacon opens tonight’s show.

The fourth annual Durango Celtic Festival runs tonight through Sunday at the Henry Strater Theatre and Irish Embassy Pub, and this year’s lineup is the best yet. Dáimh (pronounced “dive”), a Gaelic supergroup and unchallenged champions of straight-in-the-eye Highland music, come all the way from West Lochaber and the Isle of Skye. RUNA, which features members from Ireland, Canada, Pennsylvania and Kentucky, is back for the second year in a row. Regional and local talent round out the bill, including Singing Pilgrims, Truckely Howe, Makhbeth, Westwind Pipes & Drums, Big’ns, Kitchen Jam Band, Patrick Crossing, Gypsyfire and Better Knot. Highlights include the Ceilidh kickoff (6 p.m. tonight at the Hank, featuring RUNA), Friday and Saturday evening concerts at the Hank, a Saturday afternoon concert at the Hank, and late nights at the Embassy (9 p.m. Friday & Saturday).

The Telluride Tribute Fest returns to the Sheridan Opera House for the third time. This year, tributes to U2 and the Eagles are on tap. Under a Blood Red Sky performs at 8:30 p.m. Friday, while The Long Run plays at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Single-night and weekend passes are available for both general admission and reserved balcony seats.

20MOONS dance theatre presents original choreography and live music in “Human Nature Machine” Thursday - Sunday in the Vallecito Room at FLC (7:30 p.m. performances Thursday, Friday & Saturday; 5 p.m. matinees Saturday & Sunday). Their fifth production is directed and created by Jessica Perino in collaboration with the performers (Anne Bartlett, Katie Clancy, Nan Cresto, Julia Fisher, Michaela Knox, Jen Painter, Clay Lowder, Ryan McCurry, Evan Suiter and Jeroen van Tyn, the latter of whom also composed the music.) “Human Nature Machine” investigates the intersections of human nature, the natural world we originate from, and the world of technology we have created.

KSUT’s annual spring membership drive begins Sunday and runs through Sat., March 19. Each day, donors who pledge will be entered into morning and day prize drawings. For the 18th year in a row, KSUT will send one lucky winner and their guest to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, complete with four nights’ lodging at the Prince Conti Hotel and round trip airfare. This year’s Jazz Fest bill is ridiculous, with Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Young, Snoop Dogg, Paul Simon, Van Morrison and Steely Dan among the hundreds of acts performing. KSUT gets about a thousand listeners who pledge during its spring drive. Just think – you have a better than a one-in-a-thousand chance of winning the musical vacation of a lifetime. Online pledges happen 24/7/365 (or 366 in this leap year) at www.ksut.org, or you can call the station at 563-0255. And if you pledge by noon this Friday, you’ll also be entered into the earlybird drawing for an iPad Mini 3 WiFi courtesy Connecting Point Durango.

Of note: Moe’s madness this week is highlighted by a 9 p.m. Monday hip-hop show featuring Glife, Black Socks and Scenic Byways; Kirk James has a couple of solo blues performances this week, first at Durango Craft Spirits from 5:30-7 tonight, then at Purgatory’s DMC Saturday; and DJ Noonz spins from 9 ‘til close Saturday.

As many of you know, I’m the development director and a DJ at KSUT. This week’s Top Shelf list includes a few things I’ll miss out on because of the long days and nights of the membership drive:

1. Leftover Salmon

2. The Motet

3. The first three days of March Madness

4. Nights with more than six hours of sleep

5. Otto & Rosie

There are thirsty drunks in China? Email me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.