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IMG_0454 Cold, snow and wind are pre-empting fall in Telluride and elsewhere in America. Telluride Inside...and Out is in Pittsburgh, where rain washed out plans for grandkids' soccer games. On Friday, however, we visited the extraordinary Carnegie Museum, whose must-see permanent collection – two Van Goghs in one of the Impressionist galleries are worth the price of entry, not to mention one of the best of Monet's waterlilies series – includes a new Alex Katz, given star billing in the lobby. The Alex Katz depicts trees in fall, irresistible given TIO's ongoing coverage of the colors of a season fast coming to a close.
19 October, 2009 /

When it comes to the arts, Telluride puts its money where its mouth is, lending support in substantive ways such as an artists' cooperative known as the Stronghouse Studios. Pittsburgh has the Mattress Factory, an artists' co-op and museum featuring installation art in room-sized...

18 October, 2009 /
10-19 TFF The Telluride Film Festival Cinematheque is a program of free films, food and discussion produced in conjunction with Telluride's Wilkinson Public Library for cinephiles in the greater Telluride community who want to enjoy the art of filmmaking all year 'round, not just  Film Festival weekend. The event is programmed by Telluride Film Festival co-director Gary Meyer. The next program is Monday, October 19.

Last season, the theme was French New Wave. This second season, the subject is film noir, a genre that emerged post WWII in the late 1940s when the mood in the country was dark. Post war malaise is the result of the atrocities of war and deeper understanding of the human nature's dark underbelly.

A defining characteristic of film noir is fatalism, one small step that leads to doom: an "ordinary Joe" protagonist, a predatory femme fatale.
18 October, 2009 /

9big Intheloopbig The main movie at Telluride's Nugget Theatre for the week of October 16-22 is the animated "9" with one showing next Thursday of "In the Loop."

"9" (Rated PG 13 for animated violence and scary situations) paints a picture in somber tones of a post-apocalyptic world. The machines have won and it is up to nine handmade puppets to meld their strengths to prevent the total end of humanity. The effects are meant to be worth the price of admission. Showtimes are 7:00 pm nightly except for Thursday, October 22 at 6:30.

"In the Loop" (not rated) is a smart movie about how words matter, especially in the world of politics. In this case careless words push the US and Great Britain toward war with an unspecified Middle Eastern country. "In the Loop" shows at 8:30 on Thursday, October 22.

(editor's note: TIO apologizes for posting this article late. We are on the road and a few things slipped through the cracks. Mea culpa.)

See below for showtimes, and the Nugget website for more information, trailers and reviews.

17 October, 2009 /
[click "Play" to hear Susan's conversation with Valerie Madonia]

IMG_6708 Valerie Madonia is a Telluride local who, for years, commanded the world stage as a prima ballerina with The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Earlier, she was in the corps de ballet of the National Ballet of Canda and danced solo roles with American Ballet Theatre under the direction of Mikhail Baryshnikov. Madonia still makes guest appearances at ballet galas and teaches around the globe. The pointe is the lady knows her stuff.

IMG_6952 Madonia founded, with Shirley Fortenberry, the nonprofit that eventually became the Telluride Dance Academy. For the past month, she has been rehearsing 30 young dancers from the Telluride region, including members of the Telluride Dance Academy, to perform in the cast of the State Street Ballet's production of Sergei Prokofiev's "Cinderella." The composer completed the popular ballet in 1944, first performed in 1945 at the Bolshoi in Moscow.
17 October, 2009 /
Michael_d_palm Telluride may have been his second home, but our mountain hamlet was one of his great loves. The gravitational pull of the wandering planet called Michael D. Palm was irresistable. Michael was, by any measure, a remarkable man: gifted educator, musician, athlete, businessman, and philanthropist. Michael and another long-time, part-time Telluride local, Steven Gluckstern  (Steven first visited Telluride in 1976 and in 1980, became superintendent of school) founded reinsurance company Zurich Centre Group. Throughout their highly successful business association, Michael, Steven and Steven's wife Judy remained the best of friends. After Michael's death from complications from AIDS in Telluride in August 1998, Steven and Judy dedicated themselves to ensuring the causes Michael embraced in his lifetime would continue to receive his support.
09 October, 2009 /
Signatures Theinformant_smallposter The Nugget Theatre in Telluride is showing "The Informant" the week of Friday, October 9-Thursday, October 15. Showtimes for "The Informant" are 7:00 pm nightly except Saturday, October 10. On Saturday, it will play at 6:30 pm, with a special viewing of "Signatures" at 8:30.

"The Informant" (rated R for language) stars Matt Damon as a whistle-blower at Archer Daniels Midland. You don't have a story unless there are problems. In this one, the problem is Mark Whitacre (Damon). When you want to blow the whistle make sure your own situation is very clean.

"Signatures" looks like a must-see: snow-porn at its best. Shot on the northern Japanese island of Hokaido, the movie is poetry in motion.

See the showtimes schedule below, and check out the Nugget website for trailers and reiviews.
08 October, 2009 /
[click "Play" to hear what's happening at Ah Haa this Fall]

Ahhaa_hp_middle Fall in Telluride is a colorful time of year as aspens turn gold and local institutions  such as the Ah Haa School for the Arts announce their kaleidoscopic Fall/Winter season.

Abstract paintings and drawings pulsing with the energy of the Telluride region by artist Meredith Nemirov are on display throughout the month of October in Ah Haa's newly renovated Daniel Tucker Gallery. In November, the exhibition space will feature the work of the winner's of Ah Haa's Youth Arts Awards. (Submissions from 7 – 12 graders due by October 26.)

07 October, 2009 /
[click "Play" to hear Susan speaking with Dave Wakeling]

Image001  He describes himself as "The happiest man in ska." Tonight, October 6, Telluride welcomes back Dave Wakeling and The English Beat. The band is performing at Telluride's historic Sheridan Opera House, resplendent in its re-stenciled glory.

Doors/box office open at 7:30 p.m. Show time is 8 p.m.

The English Beat is celebrating its 30th anniversary...For Crying Out Loud. The set includes a medley of the band's greatest hits such as "Stand Down Margaret," "MIrror in the Bathroom," covers such as "Tears of a Clown" and "Can't Get Used to Losing You," and chestnuts-in-the-making such as "The Love You Give Forever."

06 October, 2009 /

[double click to view in larger format]

OK, Telluride: dress for the occasion, thinking caps and party shoes, when singer/songwriter Dave Wakeling and The (reincarnated) English Beat perform Tuesday, October 6, at Telluride's historic Sheridan Opera House.

English Beat in Concert Margaret Thatcher may be out of the spotlight, but Dave Wakeling's band, (they blasted on to the scene in 1979, the year she became PM) is still making news – and tracks, on tour to  celebrate the band's 30th anniversary...For Crying Out Loud. (Still, the band's "Sit Down Margaret has relevance as more and more Americans embrace the power of one.) Since then, Wakeling has never met a challenge he didn't want to take on: Greenpeace, Rock the Earth, CND, Amnesty International, The Smile Train, and Heal the Bay to name a few headliners.

05 October, 2009 /