Performing Arts

George Clinton, and Parliament-Funkadelic to Rock Telluride Town Park July 11th

Yes, Telluride funksters and funksterettes, the godfather of Funk himself, George Clinton will headline the 13th annual KOTO Doo Dah today, in Town Park, with opening act Rusted Root.  The legendary architect of P-Funk has  also been called one of the most important innovators of funk music, next to James Brown and Sly Stone.  Clinton came from a background in R and B and went on to create a new genre of music.

His leap from doo wap to psychodelic space rock was influenced by many artists, including James Brown, Jimi Hendrix.  According to his bio, "Parliament and Funkadelic dominated and revolutionized the music scene in the latter half of the Seventies—particularly in 1978 and 1979, when they racked up four #1 R&B hits: “Flash Light,” “One Nation Under a Groove,” Aqua Boogie” and “(Not Just) Knee Deep.” Clinton’s main collaborators during Parliament-Funkadelic’s heyday included keyboardists Bernie Worrell and Walter “Junie” Morrison and bassist William “Bootsy” Collins."  George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on May 6, 1997.   Clinton recently released a solo album titled George Clinton and His Gangsters of Love, which is largely a cover with many great songs such as Fever, Gipsy Woman and Let the Good Times Roll.  Gangsters features guest appearances from many artists including Sly Stone, Santana  and Red Hot Chilly Peppers and gospel great Kim Burrel.

3rd annual Telluride Playwrighting Festival opens with reading July 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.

Telluride Rock & Roll Academy presents Ladies Night Rock, June 30

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.

Beatles tribute band at Telluride’s Sheridan Opera House July 2

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

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.