Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College announces 2015-2016 season
Tickets for confirmed shows in performing arts series on sale July 1
Durango, CO – The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College will bring the world to Durango, featuring an eclectic mix of performers from the far reaches of the globe as well as from across the United States during its up-coming 2015-2016 performing arts series. Tickets for confirmed shows are set to go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 on-line at www.durangoconcerts.com, by phone at 970.247.7657, or in person at the Ticket Office inside the Durango Welcome Center at 8th St. and Main Ave.
The line-up of confirmed shows for 2015-2016, including brief show descriptions, follows below. This line-up is subject to change.
The Community Concert Hall is a not-for-profit, multi-use performance venue located on the campus of Fort Lewis College. Its ability to bring a diverse spectrum of shows to Southwest Colorado is made possible through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, and through financial and in-kind contributions from generous members of the community.
Tinariwen
With Special Guest Insects vs. Robots
Saturday, August 22, 2015
7:30 p.m.
$44/$34
For members of the North African Saharan blues band Tinariwen, the desert is their home, and the complex realities of this homeland is reflected in the band’s hypnotic and electrifying guitar rock. Tinariwen’s band members are Tuareg, descended from nomadic people who have wandered the dunes for millennia. Tinariwen’s inaugural album, recorded in the Algerian desert, won a Grammy for best world music. Special guest Insects vs. Robots is a self-proclaimed psychotropicturesque quasi-nomadic music tribe roaming the jungles of Los Angeles. The dance floor will be open.
Hard Working Americans
Made possible by Boedecker Foundation Rock&Roll&Read
Sunday, August 30, 2015
7:30 p.m.
$25
Hard Working Americans is a quintet formed by singer-songwriter Todd Snider, featuring Dave Schools (of Widespread Panic), Neal Casal, Duane Trucks, Chad Staehly and Jesse Aycock. The sound is a canny fusion of folk, rock and a remembrance of jam bands at their best. Hard Working Americans is a mission as much as a band, sporting a bold rallying cry for true American individualism, freedom and community. As the band notes, “The deepest thing music does is make people dance, and Hard Working Americans is here to make folks move.” The dance floor will be open.
Jazz on the Hill
Featuring Joyce Lyons and Friends
A fundraiser for the Russ & Bette Serzen Endowment Fund for Concert Hall operations
Saturday, September 12, 2015
6 p.m.
$100
Jazz on the Hill features an evening of fine food and music in support of the Community Concert Hall. Guests dine on the Concert Hall stage, and are treated to a performance from Joyce Lyons. Lyons’ rich alto has been compared to Dianne Reeves and Oleta Adams as she digs into the lyrics and meaning of a song, whether it’s classic Broadway, the Great American Songbook or hard-swinging Jazz. Elaine Stritch, Bobby Short and Jonathan Schwartz all have highly praised Lyons’ talent, and according to Tony Award-winning composer Stephen Flaherty, “Joyce Lyons makes each and every song truly her own. Her performances are both timeless and timely. Joyce is a true original.” Lyons will be backed by Graydon Peterson (bass), Jay Epstein (drums) and Phil Aaron (keyboards). Seating is limited.
Matuto
Brazil Meets Appalachia
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
7:30 p.m.
$24/$19
Matuto’s rocking combination of Brazilian forro and American bluegrass music creates an infectious and engaging rhythm, earning the group the well-deserved reputation as one of the most innovative groups in world music today. The songs sway hips and spark insights, and on stage, the instruments (accordion, guitar, bass, drums, cavaquinho, zabumba and triangle) whirl around the core of Matuto’s sound – an unlikely combination on paper, but on the dance floor, it feels just right. The dance floor will be open.
The Lone Bellow
With Special Guest Anderson East
Thursday, October 1, 2015
7:30 p.m.
$30/$24
A band described by NPR as one “that’s climbed the Van Morrison family tree straight to its highest branch,” The Lone Bellow mixes folk sincerity, gospel fervor, and heavy metal thunder. The heart of the band is harmony: three voices united in a lone bellow. Special Guest Anderson East is a new American artist, known for his songwriting and unique vocal ability, as well as collar-grabbing performances that are both nuanced and passionate. The dance floor will be open.
Dustbowl Revival
Thursday, October 8, 2015
7:30 p.m.
$19/$15
Based in Venice, California, Dustbowl Revival brings together a variety of American music styles – from old school bluegrass and gospel, to pre-war blues and the hot swing of New Orleans. Known for roaring live sets, Dustbowl Revival was named “Best Live Band in L.A.” by The L.A. Weekly. No matter what venue the band plays, it’s an old-time dance party made fresh by some of the best musicians in the business. The dance floor will be open.
Las Cafeteras
Monday, October 12, 2015
7:30 p.m.
$24/$19
Born in the streets of Los Angeles, Las Cafeteras formed as a band in 2008 with the purpose of documenting the histories of their neighborhoods through music. The musicians were students when they launched their mission at the Eastside Café, a Zapatista-inspired community space in East Los Angeles. There, the band members were influenced by the culture, storytelling and poetic music of Son Jarocho, a traditional music from Veracruz, Mexico. Las Cafeteras has taken the music scene by storm with its infectious live performances, crossing genres and musical borders. The dance floor will be open.
Get the Led Out
The American Led Zeppelin
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
7:30 p.m.
$37/$29
From the bombastic and epic, to the folksy and mystical, Get the Led Out (GTLO) has captured the essence of the recorded music of the renowned Led Zeppelin, bringing it to the concert stage. The band’s accomplished musicians recreate Zeppelin’s songs in all their depth, including the studio overdubs that Zeppelin never performed live. Whether it’s the passion and fury with which GTLO delivers the blues-soaked, groove-driven rock anthems, or the delicate nature of the band’s intimate, sit-down acoustic set, GTLO’s attention to detail and nuance makes a Get The Led Out performance a truly awe-inspiring experience. The dance floor will be open.
ENRA
Thursday, October 22, 2015
7:30 p.m.
$49/$39
“ENRA” is a one-of-a-kind stage presentation that combines elements of dance, performance art, graphics, light, music and more. Advancements in technology have allowed for this unique fusion of images and live performers. The troupe features some of Japan’s most talented artists, masters in a variety of genres including Kung-fu, acrobatics, ballet, juggling, rhythmic gymnastics and animation dance.
Nagata Shachu
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
7:30 p.m.
$34/$28
Rooted in the folk drumming traditions of Japan, Nagata Shachu’s goal is to rejuvenate the ancient art form of taiko through innovative and exciting music. Under the direction of Kiyoshi Nagata, the ensemble has become renowned for its exciting, straightforward, yet physically demanding performances, as well as for its diverse repertoire. Nagata Shachu features a vast array of Japanese taiko (including the massive O-Daiko), gongs, bells, wooden clappers, shaker and bamboo flutes, ultimately producing a wide spectrum of sound.
Chris Cagle
Saturday, October 31, 2015
7:30 p.m.
$49/$39/$29
Chris Cagle’s self-proclaimed version of “redneck rock ‘n’ roll,” has been firing up audiences for more than a decade. Raised in Houston, Cagle is said to be one of the hardest working performers in country music and known for giving his fans a memorable show. Whether it’s a club or a much larger venue, Cagle knows what it takes to be an entertainer as he performs a non-stop mix of country, rock ‘n’ roll, and emotional ballads.
BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
Saturday, November 7, 2015
7 p.m.
$38/$28
For the past 40 years, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet has been creating potent and popular Cajun music. Born out of the rich Acadian ancestry of its members, and created and driven by bandleader Michael Doucet’s spellbinding fiddle playing and soulful vocals, BeauSoleil is known for bringing even the most staid audience to its feet. BeauSoleil’s distinctive sound derives from the spirit of New Orleans jazz, blues rock, folk, swap pop, Zydeco, country and bluegrass.
David Sedaris
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
7 p.m.
$49/$39
NPR humorist and bestselling author of Naked, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls, David Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers. The great skill with which he slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that Sedaris is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today. For Sedaris, laughter isn’t just a facet of life – it’s the quintessential lifeblood of it.
An Evening with Suzy Bogguss
Friday, November 20, 2015
7 p.m.
$35/$25
Walking the line between critical acclaim and commercial success, Suzy Bogguss remains one of the rare artists who has pleased fans and critics alike with her vocal style, musicianship and meaningful lyrics. One of the most acclaimed female country singers of the late ’80s and ’90s, she blends songs of substance and depth with mass-market appeal and balanced country tradition with a contemporary mainstream sensibility.
State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara
“Nutcracker”
Featuring the San Juan Symphony
Friday, December 11-Sunday, December 13, 2015
2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
$39/$29
As has become tradition at the Community Concert Hall, the magical holiday ballet, “Nutcracker,” performed by the highly-acclaimed State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, will usher in the holidays with two matinee and two evening performances. Artistic Director Rodney Gustafson holds true to the original classical ballet in this Tchaikovsky masterpiece, creating a traditional “Nutcracker” set in Victorian times and suited for all ages. For the first time at the Community Concert Hall, the ballet will feature a live orchestra, as the San Juan Symphony is set to perform.
Bar D Wranglers Christmas Jubilee 2015
Thursday, December 17, 2015
7 p.m.
$28/$18
Durango’s much-beloved cowboy crooners come off the Bar D and return to the Community Concert Hall stage for their traditional cowboy Christmas show. 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 inspires the entire family to remember the true meaning of the holidays.
The Peking Acrobats
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
7 p.m.
$34/$24/$19
Called a modern-day kaleidoscope of entertainment and wonder, the Peking Acrobats defy the laws of gravity and leave audiences spellbound. Accompanied by an exotic, live Chinese orchestra, the 26-member troupe of elite athletes – gymnasts, jugglers, cyclists and tumblers – perform the 2000-year-old traditions with astounding grace and agility, and offer a fast-paced, flawlessly choreographed show to mesmerize all ages.
So Good for the Soul
A tribute to the Music of Motown®
Thursday, February 4, 2016
7 p.m.
$44/$34
Featuring a cast of eight veteran entertainers plus a live band, So Good for the Soul is a non-stop, high energy trip down memory lane featuring the classic songs and sounds of Motown. Recreated down to the slightest vocal and musical nuances, the show remembers the iconic music created by Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and many more. With full-scale theatrics, nearly 30 hits are on the play list. The dance floor will be open.
“Tap Factory”
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
7 p.m.
$49/$39
A spirited, rhythm-based theater show, “Tap Factory” showcases urban tap dance and percussion, hip-hop, comedy and acrobatics. On stage, the performers utilize props such as oil barrels, a stepladder, trash bins, a toolbox, brooms, cans, mallets and more for a “toe-tapping” evening of entertainment. With a cast of eight talented performers, “Tap Factory” has been called “fun, powerful, poetic and sexy.”
Adonis Puentes and the Voice of Cuba Orchestra
Thursday, February 18, 2016
7 p.m.
$34/$24
Compelling singer and elegant composer and lyricist grounded and nourished by his Cuban roots and worldly experience, Adonis Puentes’ mission in life is to share his music. When the other players join in with their tight, multi-layered groove, it becomes clear that this is also a consummate and skilled bandleader. Fronting an all acoustic band, joined by syncopated Cuban rhythms, deep bass lines, jazzy horn arrangements and melodic piano or guitar, Adonis Puentes offers a joyous musical experience. The dance floor will be open.
California and Montreal Guitar Trios
Saturday, February 27, 2016
7 p.m.
$29/$22
The evening will feature six virtuoso guitarists from California Guitar Trio and Montreal Guitar Trio performing arrangements of classical works and innovative takes on rock standards. Collectively, the guitarists represent four countries and fuse more than 40 years of combined performing experience into one unique six-by-six-string “phenomensemble.” Imagine surf music next to psychedelic, classical music next to Spaghetti Western themes, and Pink Floyd next to Bach – a delight for the music enthusiast.
Sean Jones Quartet
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
7 p.m.
$39/$29
A thrilling hard bop trumpeter and composer, Sean Jones balances technical virtuosity with the music of his gospel-embedded upbringing. Jones, who served as the lead trumpet for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra until 2010, stands out from the horn-blowing pack with his bright, muscular tone and impeccable sense of swing. As a bandleader, Jones is noted for his compositional fortitude. A passionate educator, he is currently the chair of the Brass Department at Berklee College of Music.
State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara Presents
Carmen
Saturday, March 19, 2016
7:30 p.m.
$44/$34
Inspired by Georges Bizet’s popular score, State Street Ballet offers a full-length production of Carmen, a riveting drama of love, jealousy and the hands of fate. Carmen is the story of Don Jose, a young military officer, who is drawn to the earthly charms and magnetic beauty of Carmen, the fabled temptress of Seville. Exquisite choreography, intricate storytelling and Bizet’s passionate, immortal music make Carmen a show unlike any other.
Zap Mama
Saturday, April 9, 2016
7:30 p.m.
$45/$34
Congo-born/Belgium-reared vocalist Marie Daulne, known worldwide as Zap Mama, creatively expresses sound and storytelling, nurturing a new generation of singers and beat-boxers. Melding Afro-pop with American urban music, Zap Mama is a world-music revue that promises to transport the audience around the globe in the course of a song. A one-woman multi-cultural movement, Zap Mama melds African percussion, American soul and European urbanity. The dance floor will be open.
The World Famous
Glenn Miller Orchestra
Thursday, April 14, 2016
7:30 p.m.
$34/$24
The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all dance bandleaders back in the Swing Era of the 1930s and 1940s. Today, the 18-member ensemble continues in the tradition established by Miller, with the band now under the direction of Nick Hilscher. Expect all the classic swing hits of the era, as well as the distinctive theme song, a musical signature of Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, “Moonlight Serenade.”
The Johnny Clegg Band
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
7:30 p.m.
$45/$34
Johnny Clegg, one of South Africa’s most celebrated sons, is singer, songwriter, dancer, anthropologist and musical activist whose infectious crossover music, a vibrant blend of Western pop and African Zulu rhythms, has exploded onto the international scene. Long before Paul Simon introduced Ladysmith Black Mambazo to the world, Clegg had formed his unique multi-cultural band performing African jazz-pop music, Zulu chants and choreography and multilayered vocal harmonies – songs which feature English lyrics alongside South African musical structures. The dance floor will be open.
Croce: Two Generations of American Music
Friday, May 13, 2016
7:30 p.m.
$39/$29
The son of legendary singer/songwriter Jim Croce, A.J. Croce brings to the stage a new show featuring a complete set of classics by his father including the timeless songs, “Operator,” “Don’t Mess Around with Jim,” “Time in a Bottle,” and more. A.J. Croce, an accomplished performer in his own right, strikes a fine balance between paying heartfelt homage to his father’s artistic legacy and injecting the songs with his own spin and personality. The anecdotes A.J. shares about his father’s songs, like the songs themselves, are all the more touching coming from the son who has grown to become every bit his dad’s artistic equal.
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