Coming soon

Western Swing isn’t dead, it’s just Asleep at the Wheel. Texas-based Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel will take the stage at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Wednesday, August 13, 8 p.m.

Formed out of reverence for the freewheeling, eclectic sensibility of Western Swing Godfather Bob Wills, Asleep at the Wheel and founder Ray Benson have boldly defied the fickle lures of mainstream – and thrived – by keeping the distinctly American art form of Western Swing, alive and kicking.

August 14, 8:00 p.m., $40/$50

The Taj Mahal Trio

You could call him a singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, ethnomusicologist, two-time Grammy-winner, world-class musical collaborator, musicians' advocate, world traveler, fisherman, or cigar aficionado. These titles are all accurate, yet none convey the warmth, humor, and soulfulness of Taj and his music.

October 2, 7 p.m., $30/$40

The Legend, Ian Tyson

presented by The Durango Cowboy Gathering

Tickets on sale now!

A Canadian icon reflects on the things that matter to him: The prairies, the legends of the West, and the changing life of a veteran artist Tyson has long been one of Canada’s most respected singer-songwriters. A pioneer who began his career in the early days of the first folk boom in the ’60s, he was one of the first Canadians to break into the American popular music market. In the years that followed he hosted his own TV show, recorded some of the best “folk” albums ever made, quit the music business and became — after years of backbreaking work — a rodeo rider and a successful rancher. But with his songs covered by Neil Young, Judy Collins, Suzy Bogguss, Gordon Lightfoot, Bobby Bare and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, among many others, he returned to music with a vengeance in the mid-’80s. He found himself able to combine his two separate lives in new songs that explained the reality of “western culture” and the mindset of a cowboy in a sometimes-alien world. Tyson considers himself a very fortunate man. His music career takes him to concerts all over North America, where he is able to ride the deserts and sage hills with his friends from Alberta to Durango, Colorado!

Opening Act: Patty Clayton

October 3, 7:30 p.m., $25/$32

Booker T. Jones

Booker T. Jones is a legendary performer, producer and songwriter perhaps best known for the million-selling instrumental "Green Onions," recorded by Booker T. and the MGs. His career highlights, however, also include recording with everyone from Otis Redding, Ray Charles and Wilson Pickett to Bob Dylan, Boz Scaggs and Barbra Streisand.

Booker produced Willie Nelson's multi-platinum Stardust album and Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine, as well as co-writing the classic hit "Born Under a Bad Sign." He's also performed live with Neil Young, Eric Clapton and George Harrison to name only a few.

October 8, 7:30 p.m., $30/$40

The Capitol Steps

Music and political satire by The Capitol Steps, the Washington-based troupe of Congressional staffers turned songwriters. We put the MOCK in Democracy.

Celeste Golden, violin

Copland                      Fanfare for the Common Man
Beethoven                   Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 61
Brahms                        Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68

October 12, 3:00 p.m.

$42-$178 (season tickets)

Tickets on sale May 19th!

Since the time of Haydn and Mozart, the symphony is the form composers have chosen for their most ambitious artistic statements. It has inspired them to erect magnificent structures expressing their most intimate sentiments, extravagant visions and lofty ideals. By harnessing emotions within the symphonic form, the great composers make our unruly feelings comprehensible and make life itself, for a brief moment, appear orderly. Their flawless creations assure us that there is indeed a divine hand at work in the world.

This season, with Symphonic Visions, the San Juan Symphony turns to masterpieces of the symphonic repertoire − the giants of classical music. Each piece is a journey of soaring ambition, of dreams, striving and yearning. With passion superbly balanced by form, these great symphonies sound inevitable − as if they’ve been playing from some distant corner of the universe since before the beginning of time. Listening to them in the concert hall with others is a unique experience that takes us beyond ourselves. Join us this season for an encounter with greatness.

October 12th, "Where Giants Dare to Tread" ($16 - $49)

Beethoven’s nine symphonies cast a long shadow over generations of composers to come. Awed by their depth and perfection, the composers who dared follow Beethoven’s example were often giants themselves. With Beethoven’s thunderous footsteps still echoing in his ears, Brahms finally completed his own First Symphony at the ripe age of forty-three. It had taken him at least fourteen years, but its monumental and flawless design declared Brahms to be Beethoven's worthy successor on the loftiest symphonic heights.

October 18, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., $25/in advance & $30/at the door

Women United in Christ Conference

"Women of Truth"

Speaker, Sylvia Harney of Nashville, Tennessee, is a Bible study teacher and an author of several books.

The doors will open at 8:00 am with a complimentary Continental Breakfast at 8:30

October 20, 7:30 p.m., $27/$37

Kathy Mattea: Moving Mountains

“Mattea remains one of Nashville’s most spiritual singers, and the songs she sings about love lost and humility are as fine as any she has recorded.”

–Brian Mansfield USA TODAY

"The West Virginia-born singer and acoustic guitarist… has finally eased herself out of the Nashville mainstream, and it suits her well.”

Bill Ellis, MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL

November 6, 7:00 p.m., FREE

Wilma Mankiller

Wilma Mankiller served for two years as the first female elected deputy chief and for ten years as first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Her areas of expertise include governance, community development and the conceptualization and development of an extensive array of projects ranging from basic infrastructure and enterprises to health clinics and programs for children and youth.

Wilma Mankiller serves on the Board of Trustees of the Freedom Forum and the Board of Directors of the Newseum, a $400 million museum of the news in Washington, D.C. She also serves as an external diversity advisor to Merrill Lynch.

Wilma Mankiller was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, the International Women's Hall of Fame, the Minority Business Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. She has l8 honorary doctorates from universities, including Yale, Dartmouth and Smith Colleges.

November 8, 7:00 p.m., $30/$35

Louden Wainwright III

Louden Wainwright III is a singer-songwriter who injects his music with wry humor and piercing insight, Loudon Wainwright III has recorded more than 20 albums while frequently composing work for other artists.

and

Leo Kottke

Leo Kottke is a legendary acoustic guitar virtuoso who has developed a cult following of fellow guitarists and fans over the span of a 30-year career of recording and performing.

Blending folk, jazz, and blues influences into a signature finger-picked style of syncopated, polyphonic music, Kottke’s work pre-dated and predicted much of the New Age instrumental music movement.

November 22, 7:00 p.m., $25/$30

The Queen of Bingo

In the tradition of the hilarious Harvey Korman and Tim Conway sketches from the old Carol Burnett Show, comes the stage comedy The Queen of Bingo! "Sis" and "Babe," two sisters on the other side of 50, want to add a little fun and excitement to their lives...but where to find it? BINGO!

Jeanne Michels and Phyllis Murphy's The Queen of Bingo explores the worlds of Bingo, family ties, diet crazes, widowhood, hot flashes and winning! The audience joins in the fun during the "Middle Bird Special" - a real Bingo game where some lucky audience member wins a FREE 10 lb. frozen turkey at every performance! Theatregoers young and old will howl with laughter as two zany guys, playing two crazy gals, light up the stage in the comedy hit The Queen of Bingo!

"The laughs are plenty…
a terrific group outing, suitable
for the entire family!"
-Chris Jones, VARIETY

Rochelle Mann, alto flute
Rosalind Simpson, harp
Side-by-Side with high school musicians

Mozart Symphony No. 36 in C major, K. 425, Linz
Bizet Carillon and Farandole, from L’Arlésienne,

                                            Side-by-Side
Toru Takemitsu          Toward the Sea II
James P. Johnson      Harlem Symphony

November 23, 3:00 p.m., $16-$49

The Bar D Wranglers' Christmas Jubilee 2008

November 23rd, "New Wine: Same Bottle"

The Symphony first germinated in Haydn’s hands, then bloomed in new colors and proportions in Mozart’s. Since then the symphonic form has enticed composers of all types to flex their compositional muscles. In 1932, to depict the rich street life of Harlem, jazzman James P. Johnson poured lively syncopations and soulful hymns into the symphonic form. The result is an intoxicating brew.

December 13, 7:00 p.m., $15/$20

State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara's "Nutcracker"

Founded by Cy Scarborough in 1969, the Bar-D Wranglers offer their own unique style of Western music, cowboy poetry, and humor. The Christmas Jubilee is a warm-hearted and fun-filled show that will inspire the entire family to remember the true meaning of the holidays.

December 19, 7 p.m.; December 20, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; December 21, 2 p.m.; $25/$30

The Adams Foundation Piano Recital Series

Clara, her prince, and all your favorite characters are brought to life among tinsel and glamour in this holiday must-see. Music by Tchaikovsky. Choreography by State Street Ballet Artistic Director Rodney Gustafson, with additional choreography by Gary McKenzie.

January 18, 3:00 p.m., $9-$20

San Juan Symphony

Tickets on sale to the public on July 14th

Ian Hobson, pianist

Ian Hobson’s international career was launched in 1981 when he won First Prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition; he has since established himself as a musician of tremendous versatility with an international reputation as a pianist, conductor and teacher.

Philip Mann, guest conductor
Benjamin Kamins, bassoon

Schubert                      Symphony No. 8 in B minor, Unfinished
Vivaldi                        Concerto for Bassoon in E minor, RV484
Daugherty                   Dead Elvis
Tchaikovsky               Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture

February 14, 7:30 p.m., $16-$49

The Adams Foundation Piano Recital Series

February 14th, "Sketchy Business"

Schubert lived a full six years after stopping work on his Eighth Symphony in 1822. What could have possessed him to abandon his B minor Symphony which, even in its shortened form, has been his most cherished work? Also on this program, American composer Michael Daugherty resurrects another famous musician whose life is shrouded in mystery, and Tchaikovsky breathes life into Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers.

March 22, 3:00 p.m., $9-$20

San Juan Symphony

Tickets on sale to the public on July 14th

Ann Schein, pianist

About Ann Schein, the Washington Post has written “Thank heaven for Ann Schein…what a relief it is to hear a pianist who, with no muss or fuss, simply reaches right into the heart of whatever she is playing – and creates music so powerful you cannot tear yourself away.”

Gemma Kavanagh, soprano

Nan Nelson Wagner, mezzosoprano

Christopher Bengochea, tenor

Steven Meredith, bass-baritone

Durango Choral Society, Linda Mack, director

Sebastian Currier        microsymph
Beethoven                   Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

April 18, 7:30 p.m., $16-$49