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Performing Arts

[click "Play" to hear Susan's conversation with Philip Glass]

Portrait2a There is nothing minimalist about Philip Glass when it comes to loving.

Last year, the iconic musical wizard came to town for the Telluride Musicfest just to watch his ladylove, bravura cellist Wendy Sutter, perform. Caught up in the electrifying energy of the world-class chamber music event, he wound up giving an impromptu performance in the Mais' living room at the old Skyline Guest Ranch, home base for the concert series. At the end of the season, Glass asked artistic director, virtuoso violinist Maria Bachmann, if he could return as the 2009 Composer-in-Residence. Who would turn down the man described by renowned New Yorker critic Alex Ross as  "Without a doubt, America's most famous living composer of classical music?"

03 July, 2009 /

Tpf_logo_1 On Wednesday, July 1, the Telluride Playwrights Festival opens with a reading, 6 p.m., in the Gallery Room of the Sheridan Opera House.

Nicholas Day and local Jennie Franks will read "DR. FREEMAN & HILDA," a 40 minute one act black comedy written by Franks about the famous lobotomist Dr. Walter Freeman, who specialized in frontal lobotomies from the 1930's to the late 1960's. The dark doc performed over 6000 lobotomies.

$10 Donations accepted.

29 June, 2009 /
[click "Play" to hear Mark Galbo on Rock 'n Roll Academy]

Ladies Rock n Roll at SOH 085 These 10 Telluride ladies have always rocked. But until last October, they never rocked out.

Last fall, under the expert guidance of Mark Galbo, founder/CEO, Telluride Rock & Roll Academy, the women began a journey of self-empowerment that culminated in a performance on the stage of the historic Sheridan Opera House last  January. Tuesday, June 30, 7 – 11p.m., is their long awaited encore.

Join  “Mach Schau”  – Suzanne Cheavens, Baerbel Hacke, Molly Papier, Cindy Carver, Kathleen Erie – and "Mamalicious"  – Suz Remec, Melissa Plantz, Libby Ball, Melanie McDonald, Wendy Fulton – for  their second full-tilt rock 'n roll show and dance party.

"Being in a band and playing rock and roll is all I've ever wanted to do. I love the work and how making music makes me feel: exhilarated, happy, whole. Like I've hooked into some divine mystery. I wish I could do nothing except play my guitar," said Suzanne Cheavens, writer/KOTO's music director – and lead guitar.

28 June, 2009 /
[click "Play" to hear "John Lennon" (Tom Coburn) talk about the group and the Telluride set]


Telluride's historic Sheridan Opera House welcomes "Imagine," a Beatles tribute band.

2009 Promo Pic Imagine we are all one country, one world, one people. John Lennon did – then he put his thoughts into the words of a song ranked #3 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. "Imagine" is part of a holy trinity that includes The Rolling Stone's "Satisfaction" and Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone."

As famous as John Lennon was in life  – he famously said he and The Beatles were more famous than Jesus – he remained a folk hero after his untimely death.

Now imagine John Lennon returned to life and coming to Telluride to perform. He did and is, sort of, in the form of Tom Coburn of the Beatles tribute band, "Imagine," in concert Thursday, July 2, 8 p.m., at the historic Sheridan Opera House for an evening of family entertainment.

28 June, 2009 /
[click "Play" to hear Citizen Cope]

123032810001 Telluride Mountainfilm and Telluride Bluegrass are known far and wide as festivals for folks with a come-to-the-neighborhood feel. On the other hand, the Telluride Wine Festival, this weekend, June 25 – June 28, is perceived to be highbrow, for a sleek, well-heeled fraternity, who are all about Reidel, not KOTO plastic beer cups. It's for "them," not "us." Right?

Wrong. What better proof of the event's parochial bent than beer – yep, brews as well as wine and spirits this year – and another Telluride Wine Fest first: a concert Saturday evening, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., featuring brooding urban poet and musical mixologist Clarence Greenwood, aka, Citizen Cope, a uncommon performer with a common touch.

27 June, 2009 /
click "Play" to hear Maria Bachman on the Festival and Philip Glass]


Telluride 2009 5 Devotees of the Telluride Musicfest have already gotten their tickets. For Festival virgins, the following is the schedule:

All Concerts at 7:30PM
    •    June 24 CONCERT #1 at Mai Home (at Skyline Ranch)
    •    Featuring Trio Solisti, founding ensemble
    •    Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op 49
         Schoenfield Cafe Music
         Mendelssohn Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op 66

    •    June 28 CONCERT #2 at Mai Home (at Skyline Ranch)
    •    Artists: David Harding, viola; Wendy Sutter, cello; and Trio Solisti
         Beethoven Duet with Obligato Eyeglasses for viola and cello Woo 32
         Ravel Sonata for violin and cello
         Mendelssohn Sonata in D major for cello and piano
         Brahms Piano Quartet in C minor

27 June, 2009 /
[click "Play" to hear Maria Bachman on the concert series]

Telluride 2009 5
The seven year itch may ring true for marriages, but fans of the Telluride Musicfest have grown more ardent over the years – and with good reason. The heavy breathing always begins when the Hungarian beauty picks up her 18th century instrument, a Niccolo Gagliano violin, and starts fiddling: The ensuing pyrotechnics mesmerize.

She is Maria Bachman, artistic director of the Telluride Musicfest and a member of the Trio Solisti, recently described by The New Yorker as "the most exciting piano trio in America." The musical materiality between her and her colleagues,  Alexis Pia Gerlach on cello and Jon Klibonoff on piano, is the reason: their complicity is perfect and other-worldly. They play as one.

23 June, 2009 /

by Daiva Chesonis

Otdofsccoversmall[1] Penguin Books author Kaya McLaren is touring Colorado. She will be in Telluride at Between the Covers Bookstore & Café on Tuesday, June 23, 7-9 p.m. to read from and discuss her latest novel “On the Divinity of Second Chances.”  This is our first-ever Book Clubs Mixer. A store full of women who like to read-'n'-discuss plus some wine … what could be more fun, right?"

If you’ve ever been given (or given someone else) a second chance, you’ll relate. If you live in a ski town, you’ll relate. (She actually started the novel on a snow day!) If you have children going in a multitude of directions, you’ll relate. If you think dancing can save a relationship, you’ll relate. If you’re menopausal, you’ll relate.

Kaya McLaren's previous book is "The Church of the Dog."  She’s as enthusiastic about living as she is about dogs. (Can you relate?) With weekly closings of some of America’s finest independent bookstores, gathering at creaky floored shops and talking about books is more important than ever. Thanks for your continued support of Telluride’s indie bookstore … We’re only as good as our readers!
 
22 June, 2009 /

Thursday night's closer for Telluride Bluegrass was David Byrne. OK, skeptics, maybe David Byrne doesn't represent bluegrass for you, but what a show! Everyone was dressed in white- David, the band, the three very energetic dancers, and at the end of the evening the crowd,...

20 June, 2009 /