March madness
Musical month kicks off with ska-punk, Mancos triple bill and Skii Tour

In a wholehearted attempt to live more in gratitude and not feel repelled by compliments, I’d like to get this out of the way: Thank you.  Thanks to the fervent readers of the Durango Telegraph and the feedback I received on last month’s Kill Yr Idols. I’m consistently surprised by this paper’s readership. Given the ways and means our community can show up for the arts, I really shouldn’t be. Most months, I approach my column with a relative shouting (OK, perhaps more of a blasé “in case anyone is curious”) into the void of music- and record-adjacent topics, and happenings about town with a more than healthy dose of non sequiturs. Jefe Missy allows me serious width and breadth, and I’m appreciative to her as well. This is no way self-deprecating; I’d truly hate to edit me.

Let’s stay focused and get to it. There are a handful of music and art offerings in the coming days. If you’re one of the many loyal readers that swoop up The Telegraph the day it hits the newsstand, you’re in luck. On Thurs., Feb. 29, at 7 p.m., ride your bike, walk or kick-push yourself over to Anarchy Brewing to catch Hans Gruber and the Die Hards with local openers Acid Wrench. To call this Austin, Texas, quintet(-ish) a ska-punk band seems reductive – but their albums are released on Ska Punk International Records, sooo yeah. Guess it’s OK to call them the s-p descriptor (and I don’t mean shit-poop, though I get the impression the band might appreciate me referring to them as that). Their songs come in short, frenetic bursts of fury, and according to the overwhelming majority of online commentors, their live show is not to be missed. I was sold by the skronk of the saxamaphone and “The Ballad of Burro the Man.”

Fri., March 1, has a bevy of options. You can hit up the 19th annual Durango Independent Film Festival with screenings at the Durango Arts Center and Gaslight Twin Cinema. The festival runs through Sunday, and as a regular attendee, I can attest there is no wrong program to catch. But get there early, as seats are limited. See the full schedule of events and buy passes at durangofilm.org.

For those looking for what’s likely to be a sweat-fueled dance party, the Animas City Theatre is bringing SkiiTour featuring BåbÿD?l & RED (sponsored by an energy drink I’m purposely refusing to mention) out of Whistler, B.C., for a night of “feel-good house music that keeps the vibe groovy as well as channeling a retro ski aesthetic.” Get tickets online at animascitytheatre.com and do NOT fall for second- or third-party ticket resellers to the show. Ever.

The best bet in my estimation for Sat., March 2, is to head over to Montezuma County for the first-ever “Mixed in Mancos” at The Mancos Opera House. Featuring a heavyweight lineup of local bands: The Crags, Farmington Hill and Little Wilderness, the night of music will benefit the Mancos Creative District. Per the press release, this event will be recorded, and a live album will later be released on CD and vinyl. The bands playing are incentive enough and – while stylistically diverse – they are all arguably in the conversation around the tightest, most cohesive bands regularly gigging in the area. Desert psych, country-fried garage twang, and hard charging, indie-pop rock and roll: there’s something for just about any music lover. Get tickets and preorder your media of choice at www.eventbrite.com. I also recommend getting a room at the recently refurbished Mesa Verde Motel if you plan on imbibing. 

For Sun., March 3, I’ll be recharging, and with all intent, getting to a bit of life choring. That isn’t to say I won’t make it to a DIFF film, the recently wrapped show at Studio &, some of the San Juan Symphony Bach Festival Student Recitals (check the schedule at durangoconcerts.com), to Farmington for “Dune Part Two” or even skiing. But I’m shit-pooped just thinking that far ahead. Did I miss your event? My bad. There’s usually a lot going on in our quaint mountain town, and in the words of The Parting Gifts, I’m bound to let you down. Feel free to let me know way in advance about the thing you’re most excited about at my email. And, as always, reach out with questions, comments and gripes. Especially the gripes. KDUR_PD@fortlewis.edu. ?