Join me for a conversation with Durango artist Marie McCallum whose paintings done in the classical realism style bringing to life images of clothing, shop windows, store fronts and automobiles. He work is influenced by her years as a dressmaker, sign artists and Trompe l'oeil painter. She studied painting at Otis College of Art and Design and sign graphics at Los Angeles Trade Tech. This Saturday June 13th from 3-7pm Marie will be showing her work at Thrive Artisan Boutique for a pop-up show and sale located at 809 Main Avenue. There will be an artist talk at 5pm. Marie has won awards for her work and has shown extensively in Arizona, California and Colorado. For more information about Marie and her work you can visit her website at mariemccallumart.com.

In this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Aimee Morse and Allison Wall, both founders of the SW Mahj Club offering beginner lessons, guided games and open play events for American Mahjong. Their mission is to spread the love of the game of Mahjong across the Four Corners. In addition to Durango, they also host events in Santa Fe and Telluride offering special gatherings for birthdays, Mother's Day, corporate events and other special occasions. This community based organization brings people together where they can make new friends while learning a new skill. What started small has continued to grow to include many members who play the game at many locations and businesses around town. Allison and Aimee recently opened the SW Mahj Clubhouse in the Main Mall at 835 Main Avenue, suite 214 as a home base hosting regular games. For more information or to join the SW Mahj Club you can visit the website at swmahjclub.com You can also follow them on Instagram and FaceBook.

In this episode I'm excited to be speaking with a group of six of the artists who are involved in creating and donating pieces of art to the KDUR Furniture As Art auction, an annual fundraising event that has taken place for over 25 years. The artists joining me in the studio are Miki Harder, Bill Grimes, Nancy Byers, Jonas Grushkin, Amy Vaclav and Rich Stewart all local creators of beautiful and functional pieces of art for this fundraiser. With over 30 artists total there will be both a live and silent auction for bidding on their unique and fun furniture items while enjoying drinks and appetizers. Don't miss the chance to see these amazing things created by folks in our community! The event takes place this Friday May 29 beginning at 6pm in the Student Union Ballroom at Fort Lewis College here in Durango. For more information about the artists and tickets you can visit the website at kdur.org and go to the events page.

Joining me on the program today is Blake Boles, a traveling writer, speaker, partner dancer, lover of adventure and experiential educator building exciting alternatives to traditional schools for self-directed young people, leading Unschool Adventure trips for teenagers. He himself lives a non-traditional life with no particular home base, Blake has two bicycles and no car but with is lifestyle he finds himself full of a sense of community, purpose and meaning. We'll be talking about his most recent book "Dirtbag Rich" which is also the name of his podcast. There will be an author event where you can meet Blake at Maria's Bookshop on Tuesday May19 from 6-8pm located at 960 Main Avenue in Durango. For more information you can visit the website at mariasbookshop.com also Blake's website at blakeboles.com.

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Tom Myers, author of the "The Grandest Trek" his most recent book about his journey hiking the length of the Grand Canyon and the people stories and life lessons he learned and the bond created with his son who joined him on this 600 mile trek. Tom has co-authored the best selling book "Over The Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon" and "Grand Obsession". Since 1990 Tom has been practicing medicine at the clinic in Grand Canyon Village as an expert in wilderness medicine and advisor to the park's search and rescue program. Growing up in Flagstaff, Tom has had a life long obsession and love for the Grand Canyon. Maria's Bookshop will be hosting a free author event where you can meet Tom on Thursday May 14from 6-8pm. Maria's is located at 960 Main Avenue Durango. For more information you can visit the website at mariasbookshop.com

Joining me on this episode is Anna Knowles, the Executive Director of the Durango Farmer's Market. The market opens for the season this Saturday May 9th on Main Avenue from 8am until noon with vendors and live music as well as an opening day chef competition called Let Them Cook! using market sourced ingredients. On the other three Saturdays of each month the market will take place at the TBK Bank parking lot. The farmers market is a program of the non-profit Onward Foundation which in addition to hosting weekly markets and educational programs for farmers and ranchers, addresses food insecurity in the community with various programs and SNAP benefits. There are also seasonal and holiday events such as Farmers Table and Seeds of Success. For 30 years The Durango Farmers Market has been an invaluable organization in the region "growing community through local food and connections". There are many ways to become involved either as a volunteer or to become a Friend of the Market with a donation. For more information you can visit the website at durangofarmersmarket.com.

In this episode I'm speaking with Mona Wood-Patterson co-founder and Artistic Director of the Merely Players theatre company here in Durango and actor Joey Panelli. We're speaking about their exciting upcoming production of "Into The Woods", a musical journey with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim, bringing together everyone's favorite fairytale characters. Mona is directing the musical and Joey is playing one of the leading roles as the Baker. Joey began his acting career here in town at Durango High School and the Durango Arts Center and has recently been spending his time in Chicago to pursue improve comedy. Merely Players was founded in 1994 by Mona and her husband Charles Ford and has been bringing the magic of theatre to Durango ever since. "Into The Woods" begins this Friday April 24 and continues through May 10 with 8 evening performances at 7pm and 3 matinees at 2pm. For those people who have tickets, there will be a pre-show chat 45 minutes before the show. All performances are currently sold out but you can put your name on the online wait list to be notified if tickets become available through cancellations or show up at the door 30 minutes prior to the show! The Merely Underground theatre is located at 789 Tech Center Drive, Durango. For more information you can visit the website at merelyplayers.org

Joining me on this episode is Durango musician Adam Swanson to talk about the exciting 7th Annual Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival. Adam, an award winning ragtime pianist who has performed around the world is hosting the event which takes place beginning Thursday April 16 and running through Sunday April 19 here in Durango, Colorado. The Festival features concerts, seminars, silent film accompaniment and the inaugural Ragtime Train Experience. There will be internationally recognized performers featured including Grammy Award-Winner Danny Coots, New York pianist Richard Downing, renowned concert pianist and silent film accompanist Frederick Hodges, pianist Domingo Mancuello and internationally celebrated ragtime guitarist and vocalist Craig Ventresco. These events will take place at the Historic Strater Hotel, the Durango Arts Center and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The festival is four days of celebrating American Musical Heritage with a variety of genres including ragtime, blues, early jazz, stride, novelty, boogie boogie and so much more. For tickets and information you can visit the website at durangoragtime.com and to learn more about Adam you can visit his website at adamswanson.com.

Joining me in this episode is is Marty Saunders, a co-Creator of the West Slope Westies. This non-profit movement organization has just found a new home on Main Avenue together with the Durango Collective where they offer open dance sessions and classes in West Coast Swing, Country Swing and other styles as well. The new larger space will make it easier for the dance community in Durango to get together and will also serve as a rental venue for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and other special gatherings. Weekly Lessons and workshops are available for all levels and may include special guest instructors. You are invited to just stop by at 1315 Main Avenue #204, Durango to meet some of the very inclusive dance community members who are passionate about sharing movement with those who have never tried before but are curious. To check out their exciting schedule of classes and events you can visit the website at westslopewesties.com and durangocollective.com. Classes are popular and may sell out, so don't wait too long!

Guest host Bryant Liggett interviews local artist Mike Brieger about his exciting upcoming solo exhibit titled "Stations Of The Cross". The show runs from Friday April 3rd thru Sunday April 12, 2026 at Studio & Gallery located at 1027 Main Avenue in Durango, Colorado. Mike, one of Durango's favorite artists has been working over the last year to bring this epic story of Christ's final day in 16 pieces which he has created as his interpretation of this story. There will be an Opening Reception on Friday April 3rd from 5-9PM Good Friday, and an Artist Talk Sunday April 12th at 2PM. Don't miss the opportunity to see another one of Studio & Gallery's amazing exhibits. To find out more visit the website at www.anddurango.com.