In this episode I'll be talking about the upcoming production of The Old Man and the Old Moon written by PigPen Theatre Company and performed by the students at the Fort Lewis College Theatre Department. Joining me in the studio is Melissa Firlit, a guest Director and Educator who is the Artistic Director of Resolve Productions in New York City committed to developing new work and holds an MFA in Directing from Rutgers University. Also joining me is Malcolm Payne, a guest Musical Director, teacher and performing artist, singer and musician in opera, musical theatre, gospel, blues, jazz and pop bringing classical music to a modern audience having performed at Carnegie Hall and the Dallas Opera among others. Both have won many awards around the country and internationally and make it a priority to mentor the next generation of young theatre artists. Working with the Fort Lewis college students they will be bringing this musical to life about an old man who is the keeper of the moon lured away by the song of a forgotten love which takes him on a fantastical journey. With a cast of fourteen, these directors and educators empower students to act, design, create and be fully involved in the process on stage and beyond. The shows begin March 27th and run through April 4th with five evening performances at 7:30pm and one matinee at 2:00pm at the Mainstage Theatre here at Fort Lewis College.Tickets can be purchased by visiting durangoconcerts.com. This is something you won't want to miss!

Today I'm excited to be talking about the upcoming production of the Wizard of Oz performed by the Animas High School Playmakers theatre group here in Durango, Colorado. Joining me in the studio today is Dallas Padovan, director, choreographer and teacher in the theatre department at Animas High School. Also joining me are four of his very talented students who are actors in the play. Penelope Cartwright as Dorothy, Kyle Lhomi as the scarecrow, Balen Rehman as the tin man and Sam Brown as the lion. With hard work and many rehearsals these students are bringing this classic story to life through the magic of live theatre. We talk about what goes into creating a big production like this with lights, sound and choreography and how to balance school work and other responsibilities with their commitment to theatre. This will take place in the Animas High School Commons starting this weekend March 6 & 7 and again March 13 & 14. You can purchase tickets for $10 at the door or reach out to any Animas High School theatre student. This is not to be missed!

Today I'm excited to be speaking about an upcoming event for Manna Soup Kitchen called Empty Bowls Fundraiser creating an opportunity for artists to generously support food insecurity. Joining me in the studio is Joseph Kuzma, Development Director for Manna and Ally Bloom a local artist, potter and educator who is working in partnership with Manna Soup Kitchen to bring the global Empty Bowls movement to Durango, Colorado. For the event local potters donate their handmade bowls and Manna's culinary team will fill them with soup and bread. You have the option of buying the beautiful custom made bowls by artists such as Lisa Pedolsky and Deb Rogers or simply coming to make a donation to the organization which addresses so many important needs in our community. This fundraiser will be happening at 5pm on Sunday March 1st at 11th Street Station located at 1101 Main Avenue in Durango. There will be live music as well. To learn more about this fun and important event you can visit the website at mannasoupkitchen.org

Durango's art scene has continued to grow and become more exciting each year and that includes theatre! Joining me in the studio this morning are Dallas Padovan, Zachary Chiero, Tara Demmy and Conor Sheehan all local professional actors who will be talking about the new theatre company they are creating in town called the OddBall Theatre Company with the mission of enriching the cultural life in our community and across Colorado. There will be opportunities for community members to collaborate with industry professionals through performances, classes and workshops. Dallas is Artistic Director, Zachary is Associate Director and Tara and Conor bring their amazing performing and teaching skills. This year they will introduce the community to OddBall with two to three small productions and look to the future in expanding to a full season of professional theatre. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram @oddballtheatrecompany.

Joining me in the studio are two very talented Durango locals Mandy Irons and Tara Demmy both with the Merely Players Theatre Company. We're talking about the upcoming production of Silent Sky, a play written by Lauren Gunderson which is based on the true story of the life and discoveries of astronomer Henrietta Leavitt in the early 1900s at a time when women battled for recognition in a man's world. Mandy is directing the play with her incredible vision bringing the story to life on stage. She has directed and acted in many other Merely Players productions and in addition to all this she is a Minister at Christ the King Lutheran Church and sings in the Durango Women's Choir. Tara Demmy is playing the lead role of Henrietta Leavitt bringing her talents as comedian, teacher and historian to yet another Merely production. Tara has also co-created 5 shows with the award wining theatre company Tribe of Fools based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Merely Players has been bringing high quality theatre to the Durango community since 1994 when it was founded by Mona Wood-Patterson and her husband Charles Ford. Silent Sky begins this Friday February 13 and runs through Sunday February 22nd with six evening performances at 7pm and two matinees at 2pm. These performances are always popular and although the shows are sold out you can join a wait list online or come 30 minutes before a show to grab an extra ticket! The Merely Underground is located at 789 Tech Center Drive, in Durango, Colorado. For more information on current and upcoming shows you can visit the website merelyplayers.org.

Joining me on the program today is the multitalented Durango local Thom Chacon. Thom is an award winning actor, musician, songwriter and screenwriter as well as local fly fishing guide. As musician he regularly tours in Europe and in 2025 he released his most recent CD called Lonely Songs for Wounded Souls which was recorded live in Italy in 2021. He won Best Actor in a Short Film at the 2025 SISFA Film Festival of Southern Colorado for his leading role in the movie Ghostown. Thom was also a finalist for best screenplay at the Santa Barbara International Screenplay awards for the short screenplay Borderland. Today we'll also be talking about an exciting upcoming event where you can see Thom perform and hear his music at the Indigo Room at iAM Music on Friday February 13 at 8pm. Tickets are available at iammusic.us. Cost is $25 in advance and $28 the day of the show. To find out more about Thom you can visit his website at thomchacon.com.

Joining me in this episode is Mary Fuller, owner of the Turquoise Raven Art Gallery in Cortez, Colorado. Mary is originally from Wisconsin where she received a degree centered around textile and interior design from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In her late 20s she went back to University and received a teaching degree, doing her student teaching in England and then returning to the US to take a job in Shiprock, New Mexico. She found teaching to be a creative career in shaping the class environment and creating the curriculum. Mary has lived in Cortez since 1993 and opened the gallery in 2021. Not only does the Turquoise Raven Art Gallery highlight the Fine Artwork of many professional artists in the region and beyond but she also exhibits work by the unhoused population in a program she founded called "No Fixed Abode". Through art she supports marginalized communities including the homeless, immigrants and the queer community in and around Cortez. Turquoise Raven Art Gallery is located at 104 East Main Street and to find out more you can visit the website at turquoiseravenartgallery.com

It's my pleasure to be speaking with Denise Leslie, owner and publisher of Arts Perspective Magazine, an independent arts and culture magazine for Southwest Colorado. The magazine produces a free weekly digital newsletter called Eye on the Arts which connects the reader to artists and creatives in the region. There will also be an annual spring print edition coming out in late April in partnership with Ballantine Communications highlighting music, theatre, film visual arts and creative place making. When Denise is not working on the magazine she is teaching ukulele classes at the Stillwater Music school or doing freelance PR and marketing work with her company Hideaway Marketing, Denise encourages people to stop by her office which is located in the Smiley Building at 1309 East 3rd Avenue. You can find out more by visiting her website at artsperspectivemag.com.

Joining me in the episode today is Beth Lamberson Warren the new Executive Director of the Durango Arts Center. Beth is a long time Durango local having lived in the area for 43 years and is known by many as an experienced grant writer, fundraiser and community engagement professional. She spent many years leading KSUT Public Radio and the Adaptive Sports Association. Beth received a Masters in political science with a focus in non-profit management in 2007 from the University of Colorado in Denver. In this episode we talk about all of the exciting events happening in 2026 at the Durango Arts Center, a non-profit supporting and promoting the visual and performing arts in our community. The Arts Center is located at 802 East 2nd Avenue and can also be found online at durangoarts.org

In this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Bruce Allsopp a professional musician and luthier known in the region for his dedication to doing quality work in repairing all kinds of stringed instruments. His first job as a luthier was in Boulder, Colorado at OME Banjos at which time he also found himself playing guitar or banjo with many bands in the area. After moving to Durango he opened his own retail music store called Canyon Music Woodworks where he sold musical instruments as well as providing repair services. He continued to play music in Durango founding bands such as the Stillhouse Junkies and the Badly Bent. Although he has closed Canyon Music he still works as a professional luthier in his workshop called The Luthier at the Smiley Building at 1309 East 3rd Avenue here in Durango.