Like it hot? On Thursday, March 11, 9 p.m., the Telluride Society for Jazz and The Llama present Calle 66, New Mexico's newest and hottest salsa band. Band members include "La Princesa de La Salsa," Jackie Zamora (lead vocals), Paul Gonzales and Dan Jonas...
On Wednesday, March 3, starting at 6 p.m., Telluride's Wilkinson Public Library hosts two back to back writing events chock-a-block with thrills and spills. Promise.
Thanks to the generous support of part-time locals Linda and Peter Bynoe, the world renowned Harlem Gospel Choir appears in concert at Telluride's Palm Theatre on Tuesday, March 2, 6:30 p.m.
The Choir, one of the most famous in America today, was founded in 1986 by Allen Bailey, who had his epiphany while attending a celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Cotton Club in Harlem. The Choir, which features some of the finest musicians and singers from Harlem, New York's black churches and the New York tri-state area, raises funds for childrens' charities.
Editor's note: Tracy Shaffer continues her insider's look at our sister city, Denver. This post is an obituary, sorta, but a hopeful one.
by Tracy Shaffer
I have a feeling except for my inner circle, most of the people who know me will learn of my death on Facebook. That's how I hear of demise these days.
This week the Denver Center Theatre rang the death knell for the National Theatre Conservatory, announcing its closing after the class of 2012 graduates. The Denver community is stunned and angry, begs for answers, yet the optimist in me believes a rebirth is at hand. Perhaps, I tell myself, this "death" is like the death of the legendary Phoenix: a new and improved NTC will rise from the ashes.
Created in 1984, the NTC was the baby of former Denver Center artistic Director Donovan Marley, whose vision for sustaining the future of the theatre involved impeccable training of its actors. The three-year, tuition-free MFA program brought much to the nascent theatre company, raising its national profile and prestige. The bright young students got to work within the Acting Company during their third year to accrue union credits toward equity cards. Mentored by senior company members, they kept us all young and connected to the reasons we began our own journeys in to the acting profession. The impact of the talented alumni on the Denver theatre community and far beyond is quite impressive: NTC students grace the Broadway stages and national touring productions and star in TV shows. More than a few have started thriving theatre companies of their own.
Telluride Blues & Brews Fest favorite, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Kelley Hunt returns to town for a much anticipated return performance at the Sheridan Opera House. Show time is Tuesday, February 23, 8 p.m.
Telluride's SquidShow Theatre Company turns up the heat with its winter production of Charles L. Mee's "Big Love." (No, not that one. It's not HBO.) Performances are February 21, 22, 28, and March 1 at The Ah Haa School for the Arts (300 South Townsend Avenue). Show time is 8 p.m. Admission is FREE.
Joe Pug
Justin Townes Earle
photo:Joshua Black Wilkins
The program at the Sheridan Opera House on February 20, (doors and box office 8:30 p.m. for 9 p.m. show) features two clear-voiced populist troubadours. Top billing goes to Justin Townes Earle, the son of Steve Earle, who in turn learned his craft from two Lone Star legends, Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt.
Since the release of his The Good Life two years ago, which charted on Billboard Country as soon as it debuted, Earle has been hitting the boards all over the world: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Fest, Chicago Country Music Festival, Americana Music Awards, Down Home in Norway and his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. The chip off the old block has also performed in the UK, Australia, and Scandinavia.
