Durango Bluegrass Meltdown Blazing Trails and Scales

art entertainment food drink music nightlife Thursday, April 20, 2017

DGO

DURANGO BLUEGRASS MELTDOWN

BLAZING TRAILS AND SCALES »» Banjo legend Danny

Barnes talks punk and metaphysics

»» Weirdo bluegrass:

When misfits pick up old-time instruments

»» Festival information

Also: “Exploration Beyond Tradition” at DAC, strain explosion, a beginner’s guide to edibles, and the history of “420”

dgomag.com

FREE!

256062

DGO Magazine

STAFF

What’s inside Volume 2 Number 26

April 20, 2017

Chief Executive Officer Douglas Bennett V.P. of Finance and Operations Bob Ganley V.P. of Advertising David Habrat V.P. of Marketing Kricket Lewis Founding Editors

16 We’re living through

a strain explosion

4

From the Editor

At this moment, Leafly lists 2,265 (and I am pretty sure that number jumped up during the time it took me to boil three eggs) strains – that’s known as “explosive growth.”

4

Love it or Hate it

5

Vintage Durango

10 Sound Album Reviews 10-11 Downtown 11 Lowdown

Amy Maestas David Holub Editor/ creative director

16 Weed

17 Edibles 101 This may be a primer lesson for those more experienced in the world of edibles, but legal edibles are a lot different than those chocolate chip cookies your buddy made with his own weed butter.

David Holub dholub@bcimedia.com 375-4551 Staff writer Patty Templeton ptempleton@bcimedia.com Contributors Katie Cahill Katie Clancy Christopher Gallagher

17 Where did “420” come

from, anyway?

Alexi Grojean Meggie J Bryant Liggett Jon E. Lynch Cooper Stapleton Cyle Talley Robert Alan Wendeborn Advertising 247-3504 Reader Services 375-4570

DGO is a free weekly publication distributed by Ballantine Communications Inc., and is available for one copy per person. Taking more than five copies of an edition from a distribution location is illegal and is punishable by law according to Colorado Revised Statute 18-9-314.

6

Neal Ambrose-Smith talks contemporary Native art Native American art is more than crafts and ceremonial objects. On Friday, April 21, “Exploration Beyond Tradition” begins at the Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave., with hopes that art can reflect how Native Americans live in a contemporary world and make contemporary work to reflect that.

It all started with a group of kids from California who called themselves The Waldos.

Seeing Through the Smoke 16

Elevated Discourse

17

18 Savage Love 19 Happening 20 DGO Deals 22 Horoscope/ puzzles 22 Pages 23 First Person

/dgomag

/dgomag

@dgo_mag

ON THE COVER No string instruments were hurt during the production of this magazine.

David Holub/DGO

Tell us what you think!

Got something on your mind? Have a joke or a story idea or just something that the world needs to know?

Send everything to editor@dgomag.com

DGO Magazine is published by Ballantine Communications Inc., P.O. Drawer A, Durango, CO 81302

��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Thursday, April 20, 2017 | 3

@dg

dg

[CTRL-A]

[ love it or hate it ]

David Holub |DGO editor

Bicycling Love it

This is what happens when you don’t buy underpants for 12 years

G

ather ’round, kids, because today I’m going to tell a story about underpants. My underpants, to

be precise.

But first, how about that word: Underpants. I just like to say it. Say it right now, out loud. Underpants. Say it to a person – any person – sitting nearby. Be sure not to accidentally put a question mark on the end, especially if you don’t know that person.

I was in a large chain retailer in Durango a couple weeks ago looking for something else (rabbit-shaped candy, if you must know), and I thought I’d take a peek at the underpants (the ones for sale). Now, it had been all but 12 years since I’d last bought underpants, which is not as Ratty McHolerson as it may sound initially. In 2005, I’d just moved to a new town and had to wait six weeks for my lady-at-the-time – along with all of our stuff, washer and dryer included – to join me. What began as laziness and a fear of laundromats, turned into a six-week endeavor to avoid washing any clothes. At the end, I owned at least 42 sets of socks, T-shirts, and underpants. Over the next 12 years, I stowed away most of those, and as my underclothing wore out, I’d replace them with my 2005 stash. Buying underpants nearly became a thing of the past ... until 2017.

So I’m at the large chain retailer in the men’s underpants section. Instead of your standard Hanes or Fruit of the Loom boxer briefs, historically my brands of choice, I decide to go for something nicer (the last 12 years have been good to me). I go for the most expensive underpants I can find and buy six pair.

Once home, after they’ve gone through the wash (I trust you wash your new underpants before wearing them, too), I try some on. I pull the waistband up to, you know, my waist and something feels ... off. The crotch of the underpants is not aligning with my crotch; instead, it sags between my crotch and my knees.

But when I match up both crotches, pulling the waistband as shockingly high as it can go ... it keeps going ... up ... and up ... and up, stopping finally some

3 inches above my bellybutton. I stand there horrified, looking back and forth at the waistband location and the five other pairs of new underpants. I think, “Is this what underpants are these days?

Is this where underpants technology has gone in the last 12 years?”

It seemed plausible. After all, underpants aren’t exactly conversation material. You don’t stand at the Keurig machine at the office and say, “Hey, Bob, how would you describe the location of the crotch on your underpants?” I think about Will Ferrell’s Frank the Tank in “Old School”: “I happen to look over at a certain point during the meal and see a waitress taking an order, and I found myself wondering what color her underpants might be – her panties. Uh, odds are they are probably basic white, cotton, underpants. But I sort of think, well maybe they’re silk panties; maybe it’s a thong. Maybe it’s something really cool that I don’t even know about.”

So I do what any normal man would do: I begin asking bartenders, Uber drivers, and my boxer-brief-wearing friends, “Say, when you pull your underpants up as high as they’ll go, do you have 5 inches of extra underpants above your waistline?”

The answer, across the board, in fact, was “Never.”

Clearly, this particular brand is the problem. Or perhaps it’s just an underpaid, overseas underpants-maker playing some kind of grampy-pants joke. Or maybe some dudes just like a little extra fabric. Nobody knows.

If this saga has taught me one thing, it’s that there are a ton of products we buy – intimate items – that simply never come up, even among the closest of friends: toilet plungers, sleeping pillows, toilet paper preferences, stay-fresh wipes, robes, underpants. We never talk about them and, thus, may or may not know if what we’ve been buying all this time is actually any good, or if there’s something out there much, much better.

I made that mistake, but let’s hope not again. At least it was only six pair, and not 42.

I’ve had some kind of bike ever since I could remember: Tricycle, training wheels, dirt bike, mountain bike. But biking was always for recreation and almost always involved roads. I’d rather get my exercise another way.

And then I moved to Durango and bought a commuter bike. Suddenly, biking wasn’t just for fun, it was to get places. Somehow, this changed everything, like I’d plopped into some romantic European dream.

Biking to work, or to hang out with friends, or to get groceries becomes thrilling; I alone am the sole engine. I love the work required and the questions bike commuting raises: Do I really need to pedal all that way for a doughnut right now? (I did, by the way.)

Because of biking, I now know that deer have a 10-foot radius of stench.

And that riding past apartment complexes, I always catch the aromas of marijuana use.

I love riding next to the train on the river trail and tripping that 25 mph speed-monitoring sign doing 28 riding down College at 3 a.m. I love biking because it allows me to see my community up close in a way that I just can’t when I’m driving in an enclosed glass case with my music on or in silence removed from everything.

Biking gives my commute a sense of purpose, makes me feel good – about my lungs, my legs, and my town.

— David Holub

Hate It Did you know that bears are more likely to attack you if you are on a bicycle?

Also, riding a bicycle leads to chafing warts on your thighs.

Those growths will shed off your body and form gremlins that will steal your debit card and pee acid all over your couch. If that weren’t terrifying enough, it’s long been believed that the 666th time that you ride your bike to work, you summon not the Devil, but a lesser demon. This hellion will steal your bike, morph it into its body, quadruple in size, then ride itself through your town – dripping stink and farting – eating everyone in its path.

OK. OK. That’s all a fat pack of lies.

But I mean, that’s what I tell myself so that I don’t feel bad that I hate bicycling. There is no good reason for disliking it. I just would much rather be sitting on my couch or near a shade tree reading a book.

Have fun on your bike. I’ll be nerding out at home.

—— Patty Templeton

4 | Thursday, April 20, 2017 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Tues - Fri Lunch Specials: 12:00 - 3:30 Lunches under $10

[Vintage Durango]

Pint Day

rs on T Bee ap 8 3

MON & THURS

Al

en

$3.50 PINTS $2.50 DRAWS

eh

ou

s e a n d Kit

ch

TACO TUESDAY

Happy Hour

3-6PM $3.50 PINTS, $2.50 DRAWS & 25% OFF SELECT APPETIZERS

$1 TACOS!

LADIES NIGHT WEDNESDAY - 6PM $1 MARGARITAS!

Try Our Famous Lady Falcon Burger (970) 382-9664 • DOWNSTAIRS AT 640 MAIN AVENUE

BUBBLE HASH $25/G* »» Advertisement for “How Great Thou Art,” by Elvis Presley, in the March 19, 1967, Durango Herald.

Elvis and the gospel Elvis may have brought rock ’n’ roll to the masses with his wigglin’ hips and self-titled album in 1956, but 11 years later, he was passé.

1967 brought “Cool Hand Luke,” “The Graduate,” “Bonnie and Clyde,” the Summer of Love, Vietnam, pot, hippies, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” and the Grateful Dead’s debut, self-titled album. Ain’t no way a 30-something Elvis was going to be able to connect to the counter-culture. So he didn’t try.

“How Great Thou Art” was Elvis Presley’s 28th album. It went to number 18 on the pop charts and the title song grabbed a Grammy. Elvis was grown up and earnest. He’d just married Priscilla and calm Christianity with occasional rock ’n’ roll piano suited him instead of the loud, wild life of the swingin’ ’60s. ... until the next year. When he would dress in a black leather jumpsuit and perform the televised “’68 Comeback Special.”

—— Patty Templeton DGO Staff Writer

Made Locally in house *While Supplies Last

Other Western Slope Locations

Ridgway & Silverton

Follow us on Instagram for 10% OFF @acmedurango NEW HOURS 8AM-7PM • 7 DAYS A WEEK 1644 CTY RD 203 - OLD SWEENEYS BLDG (970) 247-2190 • ACMEHEALINGCENTER.COM

��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Thursday, April 20, 2017 | 5

[visual]

NEAL AMBROSE-SMITH TALKS CONTEMPORARY NATIVE ART

FREE WITH THE BRUSH »» “Exploration Beyond Tradition”

opens at the Durango Arts Center

Native American art is more than crafts and ceremonial objects. On Friday, April 21, “Exploration Beyond Tradition” begins at the Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave., with hopes that art can reflect how Native Americans live in a contemporary world and make contemporary work to reflect that. Curated by artist and educator Michael Billie, the opening will be a representation of indigenous artists (mostly) from the Four Corners.

Billie has been a longtime member of DAC, taught workshops there, won best in show at the annual juried exhibit, and works toward promoting local indigenous artists through grant work with The Native Project. “Native art is becoming more contemporary. A lot of the up-and-coming young ones are not doing the same cowboys and Indians stuff. They’re becoming more Ambrosefree with the brush,” Billie said.

Smith The exhibit will have local and nationally-recognized More online! artists like Jaune Quick-toExtended interview @ See-Smith, Roxanne Swentzell, DGOmag.com. and Baje Whitethorn. There Neal Amwill also be work from Neal brose-Smith Ambrose-Smith, whom DGO on not asking spoke to about his art, politics, permission, art and the upcoming show. feeding political conversation, and dialoguing with the canvas.

You have a very striking aesthetic. It almost looks like humorous, dystopic graffiti.

I grew up with a lot of humor. The coyote stories from my tribe are humorous, and I think it is pretty common in Native communities that laughter is the best medicine. If you let the weight of the world bring you down, you’ll poison yourself. Being angry is toxic. That’s always there with me.

I think a horrible way to deliver information is to beat someone over the head. I much more enjoy the conversation with another person. Whether we agree or disagree doesn’t matter to me.

Your work is infused with pop culture and sci-fi.

What’s going on with that?

First and foremost is the composition. The composition has to be Continued on Page 7

»» “All New Stories,” by Neal Ambrose-Smith

6 | Thursday, April 20, 2017 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

[visual] From Page 6

GO!

dead on. Anything after that is gravy.

“Exploration Beyond Tradition: Contemporary Native American Artists Invitational” opening reception

I do like the idea of science fiction, and it can be ironic and the politics that come with it, especially the dystopian novelists from the ’50s with their futuristic science fiction. We are now in an Orwellian time. It has come to pass. Maybe it wasn’t going to happen in 1984, but it is certainly here today, in a lot of ways. Maybe it is scary and maybe it is tragic, but I also see it as pretty humorous. You sort of have to see it that way.

In the 1980s, the new “Star Trek” series – they were using iPads. Everyone thought that was amazing. They thought, “Wow, one day in the future, way in the future, not in our life time,” but now you can’t do anything without some sort of touch screen. Everything is becoming reality.

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 21 Where: Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave. Cost: Free Information: http:// durangoarts.org/exploration-beyond-tradition Artist lectures w/ Sally Black and Gloria Emerson When: 6 p.m. Saturday, May 20 Where: Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave. Cost: Free »» “Before Now and After,” by Michael Billie

Are politics always present in your work?

Not 100 percent of the time, but in the majority of my work there’s something in there that I slip in that’s cultural or political. I grew up in a house with a very strong feminist and political activist. It is sort of hard for me to not have feelers for that. I’m more aware of masculinity and sexism and cultural appropriation and a lot of things that other people don’t pay attention to. Those things are on my radar all of the time. I know that has to do with my upbringing. It comes out of my household culture.

To me, I think tradition is a living thing just like culture. Tradition changes every generation. When I go back to the reservation, traditional ceremonial food for the elders is Wonderbread and baloney. They eat baloney sandwiches at ceremony. That’s tradition.

It wasn’t for their grandparents or the grandparents before them, but that’s what’s traditional food now.

I think tradition is a colonial construct. In a way, I would call my work traditional because as a Native person it’s mine. I made it. It must be. It can’t be anything else. It’s a reflection of myself and what’s going on around me.

They’re giant prints. 64x39 (inches) and there are four of them. These four pieces are alluding to comic book covers. There’s kitschy stuff in there. There’s the Star Ship Enterprise. Three of them are like portraits. I got my mug in three. They’re a reflection of me in the comic book world.

In fact, in one of them I replace the image of Captain Kirk and I become the first Native American Star Ship captain on the 1966 series. Which is kinda funny.

4 .4 ain 477 501B M

A

AnimasUnderground.com

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

$20 Off

15% Off

your electronic repair

any purchase

—— Patty Templeton DGO Staff Writer

DGO

Phone & Computer Repair Electronic Accessories & Gift Store

What kind of work are you bringing to the exhibit?

DEALS

9

70 .76

Beyond Tradition.”What does that mean to you?

ve

The DAC exhibit is called “Exploration

»» “HiYo,” by Neal Ambrose-Smith

Expiration Date: 04/30/2017 Must present or mentino this coupon at time of purchase.

Not Valid with any other offer.

250269

��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Thursday, April 20, 2017 | 7

Pick the perfect ensemble and enjoy the pickin’!

[ democracy ] Can presidents get sued?

FROM THE FILES OF

·Flirty blouses & dresses ·Casual mens wear ·Stylish hats & scarves ·Purses, jewelry and more

News you need to know In regard to a recent lawsuit about allegedly provoking the assault of protesters, President’s Trump’s lawyers stated, “Mr. Trump is immune from suit because he is President of the United States.”

Why this is not normal

y purchase itional 10% off an eive an add Bluegras c e r s r e d l o h s Meltdown wristband

5 1 0 1 5 M a i n A v e . • D u r a n g o, C O • 9 7 0. 3 8 5.4 2 6

253594

NOT NORMAL

USA Today counted 75 ongoing suits against Trump directly before he took office. The president and his lawyers believe that he should be immune to these civil suits for the remainder of his term. The logic: Lawsuits would distract a president from his public duties.

You know, like golfing for over 63 hours in his first three

months in office.

The president and his lawyers’ logic is skewed. According to 1997’s Clinton v.

Jones, the Supreme Court stated that a sitting president does not have immunity from civil litigation for crap they did before they got in office.

Presidents are not above the laws of the land. Clinton wasn’t hidden from a sexual harassment suit that eventually led to his impeachment. When Trump took office, there were suits against him on tax issues, sexual harassment, restaurant dealings, personal injury, and more. He has been sued 4,095 times in his life – and he can still be sued while president.

HOME OF THE COOLEST MARGARITAS IN TOWN!

—— Patty Templeton

HAPPY HOUR

Monday - Friday 2:30pm - 6pm 948 Main Ave · Durango, Co 970.259.7655 255904

$7 LUNCH SPECIAL Mon-Fri · 11am-4pm BRUNCH Sat & Sun · 10am-2pm HAPPY HOUR Mon-Thurs 3-7pm BOGO Cheeseburger Tacos $2.50 Cans - $3 Wells

HERE’S TO ANOTHER YEAR OF LEGALIZATION! Come in on 4/20 & join the celebration!

This Week’s Events THURS 4/20 The Scrugglers - 8pm

FRI 4/21

Secondhand Strings - 5:30pm Shaky Hand String Band - 9:30pm

SAT 2/22

Meltdown Band Showcase - 12pm Still House Junkies - 4pm Meltdown Barn Dance with The Freight Hoppers & Six Dollar String Band - 7:30pm Late Night Super Jam - 10:30pm GREAT STRAIN SELECTION • HASH & CONCENTRATE • EDIBLES • SEEDS • CLONES PIPES • SMOKING ACCESSORIES • APPAREL • MJ LITERATURE & CONSULTING • ATM ON SITE

TUES 4/25

Salsa Night - 8pm $2.50 Tacos & $5 Margs

RECREATIONAL 9am-9pm • MEDICAL 9am-6:45pm • 72 SUTTLE ST. UNITS F & G 970.259.3674 • 7 DAYS A WEEK

600 Main Ave, Suite 210, Durango, CO 970-422-8008 255921

The Alternative Resource durangoorganics.com

facebook.com/durangoorganics 255907

BOOK YOUR NEXT PARTY HERE! email: allison@balconybarandgrill.com

8 | Thursday, April 20, 2017 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

20% OFF All buds* 4.20 . 4.21

Add 420mg cartridges for $3200 + free charger 1/2 Gram pre-rolls $500 - 2 days of 420 *excludes any in-store specials

145 EAST COLLEGE DRIVE . 970.764.4087 ACROSS FROM STARBUCKS . OPEN 9AM - 9:30PM durangorecroom.com

[sound] Record Store Day at

This Saturday, April 22, is the 10th anniversary of Record Store Day, where we get together and celebrate the evolution of recorded music beyond the wax cylinder. Vinyl is a special thing; the ritual brings listener and sound together in a way that no other listening experience can. So, to celebrate, this week I’ll talk about five releases that I am excited to get my greasy little grabbers on, too.

David Bowie,“Bowpromo” In 1971, David Bowie was in the midst of riding the wave of art rock to becoming the enigmatic starman. The mix of songs on this release is part of what caused that propulsion. These tracks, including “Eight Line Poem” and “Queen Bitch” helped get the major record labels’ collective attention, and ended up being some of the defining

*

parts of the classic “Hunky Dory” album. Demo recordings are important for a couple reasons, especially in regard to a mind such as Bowie’s: They allow a valuable insight into the creative process and how ideas change over time. With Bowie, we can also see exactly what it was that got a label like RCA to embrace a new type of music.

Vangelis,“Blade Runner OST” With a maybe unnecessary but still unreasonably exciting sequel coming a mere 35 years after Ridley Scott’s original adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s story, it seems as good a time as any for a vinyl reissue of the soundtrack.

The original run of vinyl for Vangelis’ soundtrack is still fairly easy to find, but a picture disc is always fun. Vangelis gets a bad rep for being cheesy, noodly synthesizer music or whatever genre you would call that “Chariots of Fire” song, but the man has made some iconic music over the years. I blame “Blade Runner” for getting me into synthesizer music, and yeah, its vision

of the future is kind of dated. But that’s part of the charm.

Venom “At War With Satan” This is the Venom album that most ignore. It came right when Metallica started to gain a foothold in thrash and Venom was losing their own. But this one is supremely underrated. The first track is a 20-minute epic that blew away conventions at the time. Though it is a bit bloated, it is so epic and ridiculous that I couldn’t help but love it. The record is another really cool insight into a band trying something bold, and while it didn’t quite grab their audience at the time, I think more people can appreciate the attempt at something beyond a genre nowadays.

Danny Brown,“Ain’t It Funny” I talked about this track a bit when I reviewed “The Atrocity Exhibition” a few months ago, but that was before the release of the amazing music video for “Ain’t it Funny,” by Jonah Hill. Seriously, go watch it. If the theme for these

releases is “insight,” this is an astounding look into what most consider “drug rap.”

We watch a man self-destruct and laugh and even fund it to an extent. The suffering artist is an all-too-real stereotype that is glorified so much it baffles me.

Just go watch the video. “I’m [effed] up and everyone thinks it’s a joke”.

Pink Floyd,“Interstellar Overdrive” Another bit of insight into one of the biggest groups of musicians of all time, “Interstellar Overdrive” is, according to one of their biographies, one of the first improvised psychedelic rock recordings, and the first foray Pink Floyd had into space rock as a genre. It is 10 minutes long and sounds like a circus slowing floating into the sun. It is bonkers, even for Floyd. Though not the triumph that “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” is, it is still a rocking bit of music, and a really cool piece for fans that want a bit of history beyond the first Pink Floyd album.

—— Cooper Stapleton

Fear not, fine people, Robert Alan Wendeborn’s “First Draughts” will return next week.

255924

10 | Thursday, April 20, 2017 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

[sound]

Downtown Lowdown | Bryant Liggett

High-level pickin’: Barnes embodies Bluegrass Meltdown’s music-first mentality

What’s new Slowdive,“Slowdive” Available: Friday, May 5, via Dead Oceans Records on cassette, compact disc, and standard black vinyl LP. Also available at your local independent record store. Special, limited-edition pre-order CD and vinyl bundles are also available directly from Dead Oceans and include a T-shirt, record player slip mat, enamel badges, and limited-edition silver vinyl and CD. The reunion of highly-influential independent rock bands from the ’80s and ’90s continues. Unlike some of their contemporaries, the English down-tempo shoegaze act still sounds fresh and relevant as ever. Considering it has been 22 years since the last Slowdive full-length, that is no small feat.

When questioned as to “why now,” principal songwriter Neil Halstead quips, “It was just nice to realize that there was a decent amount of interest in it.” Co-vocalist and guitarist Rachel Goswell agrees and calls it as she sees it, suggesting the return to a band that formed in the last year of the ’80s feels like “a trip down memory lane.”

The self-titled album was recorded in Oxfordshire and mixed in Los Angeles by Chris Coady, who has worked with a slew of bands that owe a sonic debt to Slowdive: Grizzly Bear, The Antlers, TV On The Radio, and Smith Westerns to name a very, very few.

The tracks build on layered guitars and minimal echoes, just as the genre permits.

Recommended for fans of Ride, My Bloody Valentine, Mojave 3, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and newer acts such as Beach House or DIIV. —— Jon E. Lynch KDUR_PD@fortlewis.edu

D

anny Barnes finally did it. He’s practiced playing the banjo for 40-some years, was the 2015 recipient of the Steve Martin Award for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, and has churned out a wealth of records of varying sounds. Yet he hadn’t released a straight up bluegrass record until earlier this year. His solo work, and as a member of seminal Austin band The Bad Livers, all dance around the genre, and he’s been a side-man in many bluegrass projects, but “Stove Up” is his first true record that’s solely bluegrass.

Barnes will be in town this weekend picking bluegrass for the 23rd Annual Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, which kicks off Friday, April 21.

“I have this theory of ‘the secret music,’” said Barnes. “If I go on the road with a band, and it’s me opening for a bigger act, they have their record, and I have my record, there’s this music we play for each other sitting around the dressing room.

It’s this music that musician’s play that’s the ‘secret-music’ and people don’t get a chance to hear that. So my whole record is built around the music I sit around with my friends and play.”

Barnes is a humble, heck-of-a-nice guy with an eternal to-do list, a strong work ethic and a life-long desire to learn. He talks highly of those he regards as “masters,” people like Vassar Clements, Tim O’Brien, Santiago Jimenez Jr. or Ronnie Lane, while stating he’s still a music student. He’s also quick to express as much love for The Butthole Surfers as he does for Chubby Wise.

Listen to any Bad Livers records, his solo outings, or his punk-noise duo Test Apes, and you’ll learn that he’s a genre-less musician, a man who exists on his own level pursuing all sorts of sounds. The Steve Martin award wasn’t awarded to him by a bunch of talentless executives or given to him

Courtesy of www.durangomeltdown.com

»» Artwork from the official Durango Bluegrass Meltdown poster. because of album sales; it was awarded for innovation, coming from J.D. Crowe and Noam Pikelny, Bela Fleck and Steve Martin, people who have proved a banjo in the right hands can be a limitless instrument.

“I always considered myself an underdog’s underdog,” said Barnes.

“I never thought I’d be on the radar of those guys. It was really an honor, like the true definition of the word.

It let me know that there are people listening and appreciative of what I’m doing.”

The Durango Bluegrass Meltdown remains a gem in the festival world.

It’s void of a lot of nonsense at festivals that put party first and music second. This is a scene to show up, shut up, and listen. In that order.

It’s also a musician’s festival, a gathering of folks who have fun when onstage, and dig what they are seeing when offstage.

Billed as “The Danny Barnes Trio,” he’s joined by Grant Gordy, who logged time playing guitar with David Grisman, and mandolin player Joe K. Walsh. They’ll be digging into some cuts off “Stove Up” and listeners should expect some traditional bluegrass but always with a foot on the gas pedal.

“They are some high-level picker dudes,” said Barnes. “We’re just friends, and we like to play together, and run around in a rental car.

They’re advanced musicians and really fun to play with.”

The festival will also feature Town Mountain, David Parmley and Cardinal Tradition, Kathy Kallick, Ragged Union, along with regional and local bands.

Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager. liggett_b@fortlewis.edu.

������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Thursday, April 20, 2017 | 11

[ Durango Bluegrass Meltdown ]

DANNY BARNES:

A BANJO LEGEND TALKS PUNK AND METAPHYSICS »» At Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, it’s where

ancient tones, metal, and old-time music meet

D

anny Barnes is a charismatic son of a gun, exuding a humble humor and deep understanding for not only how music touches him, but how it reaches into the world’s psyche.

If you don’t know Barnes, he’s been playing banjo for 45 years in outfits like ’90s punk-roots band the Bad Livers. He’s worked with the Dead Kennedys, the Butthole Surfers, Ministry, Bill Frisell, Dave Matthews, and a helluva lot more. Barnes’ newest album, “Stove Up,” is an acoustic bluegrass album perfect to grill and good-time to in the backyard. You can hear him play from it at the Bluegrass Meltdown, April 21 to 23.

DGO talked to Barnes about the new album and his thoughts on musicians outside about roots music picking up old-time influences.

How do you view the banjo?

If you look back at the antecedence throughout history of the banjo, its primary function was, I would say, to alleviate the stress of day-to-day duality. I think that it has a spiritual role or a metaphysical role, if you will. It bridges the melodic and the rhythmic. It’s a drum with strings. It bridges two different sections of the orchestra.

In that regard, it acts as a portal or something into this place. I’ve heard the phrase the “ancient tones” in what’s referred to as modal music. It has a certain psycho-acoustic effect that reaches back into people’s subconscious. I think that’s why when people hear bluegrass, the banjo, old-time music or Delta blues or certain types of traditional music from different parts of the world, there is this sense that you’ve heard it before. It speaks to this other part of you that you don’t have access to in a linear way.

HELLTONS MORE! Extended interview at DGOmag.com. Barnes talks about his favorite Don Stovers song, the sonic art of jubilant playing, and musical upand-comers of interest.

Why wait 45 years to do an acoustic bluegrass album?

One reason is, I’ve always thought of myself as a context generator. I make up context with songs. I’ve been practicing the banjo and trying to learn the banjo all my life. I have a lot of friends who are in acoustic bands and bluegrass bands and I’m a fan, but in terms of my art, I was trying to make up my own music, really. Especially with songs.

Records to me are like making a movie. You come up with this set of characters when you write the songs.

The songs are kind of like scenes ... When you’re doing that, you’re figuring out what to play while you are trying to play it. When you play music like a bluegrass record – you’re just playing. It’s a little different. I didn’t really write hardly any of the music on this record. It is mostly covers I’ve been playing since I was a kid.

Another reason, is that the grading curve in that

12 | Thursday, April 20, 2017 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

world is really, really high. It’s like saying, “Oh, I’m going to be a professional golfer,” and even though you’ve golfed all your life, being in a tournament and really trying to dice with those guys is a whole other trip. Same with the banjo. There are so many amazing players, guys like Béla Fleck and Noam Pikelny and Rob McCoury, who have these amazing records that are compendiums of technique and composition.

GO!

I’ve always, I don’t want to say hid behind the songs, but if you make your own songs, you’re a step ahead of everyone because there’s nothing to grade it against. It’s your song. They haven’t heard it before and then you own it because it is your thing. Kind of like playing pool on your table.

Where: Performances held at five venues - Balcony Backstage, Durango Arts Center, Henry Strater Theatre, Powerhouse Science Center, and Wild Horse Saloon.

It was kind of nerve-racking in a way, to be honest.

What was it like blazing the trail from alt rock/punk to folk?

It was pretty lonely. There wasn’t that much going.

When the Bad Livers started in 1990 or ’89, right around there, you never saw a rock band with an acoustic guitar, let alone a banjo. The only time you saw an acoustic guitar was in pop or country music.

The whole left-of-the-dial was not there at all.

What did you dig about punk rock that connected with roots music?

What I’ve always found with metal and avant-garde and punk rock and bluegrass or old time, there’s an unspoken concept of dignity for poor people. I always really liked that. It’s easy to be in a good mood when things are going you’re way. It’s easy to think your doing a good job at life when you have a lot of money.

It’s a whole other thing if you have challenges. I think that dealing with conflict is the real test of people’s humanity and to me, bluegrass, metal, punk rock, and old country, really speak to that. There is a non-materialist vantage point that I find cohesive even though on the surface those genres might seem like disparate entities.

Bluegrass Meltdown When: The Bluegrass Meltdown runs from Friday, April 21, through Sunday, April, 23.

Cost: Weekend pass $90, Saturday only $60, Sunday only $40 Bands: Town Mountain, David Parmley and Cardinal Tradition, Kathy Kallick Band, Danny Barnes Trio, plus 20 more Also: Be sure to check out the open jams and workshops!

Information: www. durangomeltdown.com

Catch the Danny Barnes Trio at the Bluegrass Meltdown When: 7 p.m., Friday, April 21

There’s a whole lot of punk rockers coming across bluegrass and morphing the genre, like speedgrasss or brass and grass. Any thoughts on that?

Where: Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave.

The guy I’m interested in now is my buddy Jeff Pinkus.

He’s been playing a bunch with the Melvins and the Butthole Surfers, and he’s got this banjo record that’s coming together that is going to be amazing.

When: 9 p.m., Friday, April 21

There is also this sludge doom band that’s really cool called Weedeater out of North Carolina. They got Dixie Dave and he’s a great banjo player. I wanna get a record together with him. He has a whole different trip on it.

There’s a lot of good stuff. I feel like what interests me is when somebody is getting interested in something and mastering something. You have to master something: Your instrument, songwriting, ideas – something. If there’s no mastership or great idea then it’s tough to get excited about it. I like seeing someone who can play or really took a lot of time on arrangements or is a good performer.

And again on

Where: Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. And the third time is a charm When: 8 p.m., Saturday, April 22 Where: Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave.

The interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

—— Patty Templeton DGO Staff Writer ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Thursday, April 20, 2017 | 13

[ Durango Bluegrass Meltdown ]

WEIRDO BLUEGRASS When misfits pick up old-time instruments, the music gets magically mutated The phrase “know your roots,” used to be tossed around a lot. The idea of musicians and fans alike appreciating music from the ground up – the story arcs of the genres we know today. You can get to know your roots down at the Bluegrass Meltdown and then keep walking the bluegrass line to see what’s being birthed off the beaten path.

Punk rockers and all manner of musical hooligans have been pickin’ into their history. The underground roots music world is full of cats digging back to master and lovingly mutating oldtime music. Here’s a few must-listen albums from interstitial bands who put their own spin on bluegrass.

“AKA the Mad Cat Trio,”

by Bad Livers The Bad Livers was the band Danny Barnes was in before he went solo. “AKA the Mad Cat Trio” is arguably the Bad Livers’ chilliest, most traditional album. You’ll find standards like “Down in the Willow Garden” played straight next to the jauntiest version of “Ace of Spades” that exists. It’s a good entry point to the Bad Livers building up to their more experimental, alt-country work.

“Cattle in the Cane,”

by J.D. Wilkes with Charlie Stamper When J.D. Wilkes isn’t on tour with his Southern Gothic roots and blues band, The Legendary Shack Shakers, or writing books like “The Vine that Ate the South,” he’s making solo albums like “Cattle in the Cane” with fiddler Charlie Stamper – yes, the brother of Art Stamper who played with the Stanley Brothers. The album has damn fine banjo pickin’ and even quicker fiddlin’.

“The Devil Makes Three,”

by The Devil Makes Three Standup bass, guitar, banjo and dark hearts that have traveled hard roads, that’s The Devil Makes Three. They got a stack of atmospheric albums, so start at the beginning, with their self-titled album. It’s the kind of music you soak in while dancing with a shadow at midnight.

—— Patty Templeton DGO Staff Writer

“Feast or Famine,”

by Urban Pioneers

“Fire and Hail,”

by The .357 String Band

“Hatchetations,” by Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy

The Urban Pioneers create music equally fitting to a Tennessee Sunday porch stomp or a Malört-drinking dive night in Chicago. Jared McGovern has gas-station gravel in this throat balanced by the high-toned joy of Sloan while she plays fiddle so hot it’ll give YOU blisters.

Geezus H. Generous Christ, The .357 String Band helped form the insurgent country scene with their self-proclaimed “streetgrass.” Listen to “Down on a Bender” and tell me you don’t want to holler along. You can’t catch ’em live – they broke up – but you can still catch hella-active solo albums by banjo player Joseph Huber and mandolin maniac Jayke Orvis.

What the hell is brass and grass? It’s Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy.

“Hatchetations” is a full-tilt boogie of bluegrass, ska, punk, and Dixieland done at breakneck speeds. They’re anarchically brilliant, high-energy hellions who could soundtrack rug-cutting as easily as revolutions.

14 | Thursday, April 20, 2017 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

256949

[ weed ] Seeing Through the Smoke Christopher Gallagher

When it comes to strains, we’re experiencing an explosion

S

o, you’d like a pure indica, a pure sativa, an 80/20 indica, a 60/40 sativa, a 50/50 cross, and something CBDheavy? No problem – we have this Northern Lights at 18 percent THC, some Durban Poison at 21 percent, an Afgoo, some Lemon Skunk, and for that straight cross, it looks like we could go with Purple #1, The Ultimate, a nice Ultimate/White Widow cross, California Orange, Bubblegum, Chronic, Burmese Kush, Liberty Haze, Ice, AK-48, and about a half dozen others, and then we’ll grab you some Colorado Pure Charlotte’s Web – that should keep you busy for a bit.

The study of cannabis strains, like any good topic of interest, gets deep quick. If you start with a full-hearted willingness to learn, and a solid dedication of time, you can learn to grow reasonably good weed within a couple years. You’ll need dirt, light, and water; there’s a wide range to what the procurement and use of these three elements might entail, but that is the basic formula. You won’t get invited to the Cannabis Cup or anything, but you’ll get yourself a nice cyclical hobby that affords you relaxing hours among beautiful plants and rewards you with a nice payoff every couple/few months. Depending on your space and supplies, you could have a jar of cured bud of each of the strains listed above by, say, Christmas.

If you want to create your own strain and name it whatever tickles your fancy, there’s going to be quite a bit more involved. As we’ve moved through April here in DGO, we have discussed the history of cannabis strain development from

Genesis through about 1970 in a couple columns. There is, of course, always more detail to flesh out the basics of this 4.5-billion-year span (or 6,000, depending on your proclivities), but I would posit that the ensuing 46 years would fill a volume many times larger than the “Eternal History of Cannabis to the Time of Nixon,” – like a Kevin-Hart-to-Shaquille-O’Neal-size difference. By the time Tricky Dick was placing our beloved herb into Schedule I, there were a couple dozen or so strains being cultivated worldwide. And at this moment, Leafly lists 2,265 (and I am pretty sure that number jumped up during the time it took me to boil three eggs) strains – that’s known as “explosive growth” (pun intended?).

For a cannabis breeder to create a stable, distinct strain requires hundreds to thousands of plants, each requiring a growing cycle of at least a third of a year, essentially endless care for and investigation of phenotypes (different structural traits which dominate plants within a line of a genotype – or gene pool. To wit: my brother, my sister, and I are all product of the genotype created from my parents’ breeding; my brother and I are 5-foot-9; my sister is 5-11 – she’s a sativa) in order to select and then continue to breed the desired traits and strongest plants.

Christopher Gallagher lives with his wife and their four dogs and two horses. Life is pretty darn good. Contact him at chrstphrgallagher@gmail.com.

»» Can you guess which strain this represents?

16 | Thursday, April 20, 2017 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

[ weed ] Elevated Discourse Meggie J

EDIBLES B

What to know for new or first-time users

rownies, cookies, candies, cakes, sodas, energy drinks, and sweets of all kinds line the counters of local dispensaries across the state. Colorado companies, large and small, are jumping into the kitchen to create a veritable smörgåsbord of confections for the cannabis connoisseur. State regulations suggest a standard adult dose of THC is 10 milligrams. However, in a new statewide campaign, www.firsttime5.com, encourages first-time users to go slow, starting at 5 mg. After all, you can always have more the next time, but you can’t eat less this time. So what does all this mean for your average Mary Jane Doe and what’s important to know before taking that first bite? This may be a primer lesson for those more experienced in the world of edibles, but legal edibles are a lot different than those chocolate chip cookies your buddy made with his own weed butter.

When legal edibles first hit the scene, consistent dosage was a bit hit or miss. Brownies, cookies, and other candy bars were anywhere from 50 to 200 mg whole and it was up to the customer to figure out how to divide it up into 10 mg pieces, forcing one to make fractions out of their confections. And while some products claimed their pieces were 10 mg, after testing, their true efficacy could range anywhere from 5 mg to 15 mg! Other larger edibles had problems with inconsistent concentrations throughout their product. In other words, of the 100 mg in a 100 mg bar, 75 mg could be in one corner. So much for just taking a bite! Tighter regulations in the Marijuana Enforcement Division have worked toward shoring up issues in production and dosing of edibles. Almost all edibles that are mass produced in Colorado for recreational sales are dosed at 10 mg or less in user-friendly packaging, making it fairly easy to know exactly how much to eat in that first bite.

And after your first bite? WAIT! And then, wait some more – it can take up to 90 minutes to feel anything at all from ingesting marijuana. The effects of smoking or vaporizing cannabis are usually felt within the first five minutes. This is because smoke and vapor is absorbed into the blood stream via the lungs, while edibles are processed either through in the gastrointestinal tract, or sublingually (meaning,literally, under the tongue). Any type of edible made to dissolve in your mouth, such as suckers, lozenges, or gum, as well as tinctures are absorbed through your sublingual glands. Sublin-

gual edibles can be faster absorbing and can kick in anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes and last several hours. Edibles that are delivered via a fatty treat need to be processed through the GI tract. Because every person’s metabolism and chemical makeup is different, absorption can take anywhere from one to two hours, and the effects can last four, six, sometimes eight hours.

Because of harmful associated carcinogens, some might choose an edible as an alternative to smoking.

Edibles can be especially beneficial to medical users who cannot smoke or want to lengthen cannabis’ healing effects; many edibles can also be infused with extra CBDs for more pain relief and healing properties. While it is generally healthier than smoking, ingesting marijuana can be an entirely different experience.

New or first-time users are cautioned to take it slow and easy, starting with just one 5 or 10 mg edible and stopping for the day. It is a good idea to be in a safe and comfortable atmosphere with trustworthy friends. And remember that everyone’s experience is probably going to be different. Most people feel a slight euphoria, along with lessening of pain and tension.

Some people’s reaction is stronger, and with higher dosages can bring on mild hallucinations, but this is rare in low doses. These people can have out-of-body type experiences and extreme ranges of emotions. There are also a few people who, for some reason, cannot break down and process the THC in edible form, and feel nothing at all.

Because of the great range in possible reactions, it’s a good idea to be prepared by asking questions and getting educated before you take that first bite!

Meggie J is a published poet and freelance writer living in the Four Corners. She is an avid reader, rafter, and connoisseur of cannabis. She can be reached at coxwell.meggiej@gmail.com.

Where did ‘420’ come from, anyway?

In the early 1970s, a group of boys at a high school in San Rafael, California, self-named the Waldos, heard a rumor of patch of marijuana growing wild in the woods that a young man had left unattended because he’d been drafted.

The boys decided to meet up after school – at 4:20 – by a statue of the French scientist Louis Pasture, to go out in the woods, smoke, and look for the patch. After their initial search came up unfruitful, they continued with the code “4:20 Louis” to mean they would meet up after school.

Sometimes they continued on their search for the mythical plot of weed, which they never found, but mostly to gather to either smoke pot or try to score some. Eventually dropping the “Louis,” the Waldos’ use of their code “4:20” spread around their school, to their friends, and even their parents and beyond. Rumor has it that one of the Waldo’s fathers worked sound for the Grateful Dead and used the term around them, passing off this popular nomenclature like a joint, and spreading throughout the cannabis counterculture.

By the 1990s, although the term was well known, its origins were pretty hazy. Many thought it was a code the police used to bust people for possession, or the number of cannabinoids in marijuana. “High Times” did some investigating and turned up the Waldos and their story. The Waldos have a collection of letters and other memorabilia from the ’70s with references to 4:20, establishing them as the first ones to coin a term that went from a time to get high with your friends to a “High” holiday.

Happy 420, everyone!

— Meggie J

»» DANK BEEEEEEEEEEEER! Have a hoppy, hazy day with Lagunita’s The Waldo’s Special Ale. Sitting at 11.9 percent ABV, this imperial IPA celebrates four friends, the “Waldos,” who created 420 as cannabis culture. Waldo’s is a tangerine-colored, heady sipper that pairs well with stoner snacks, like beer-battered Twinkies or cheesey puffs.

������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Thursday, April 20, 2017 | 17

[love and sex]

Savage Love | Dan Savage

Threesomes, moresomes, and when to tell someone to leave I’m a queer girl living with a male partner. This weekend, we found ourselves in an after-hours club, made some new friends, and ended up at a house with two other guys and a girl. Things were pretty playful with everyone except for one of the guys. We all wanted him gone, but he wouldn’t take the hint. He bought the booze for the after-party, so we were a little unsure of the etiquette of asking him to leave. Neither I nor the other girl was interested. I made it clear that penetration was off the menu for me, and everyone respected this – except the one guy. He asked if I would do anal, and I refused. He shoved his fingers in my ass, and I stopped him. I positioned myself away from him, but he somehow got behind me again and put his bare dick in my ass – though barely. The host pulled him off me. We were admittedly all a bit [effed] up from partying. I had a stern talk with him about respecting consent – but when I felt his dick enter me from behind a second time, I got upset. My boyfriend threatened him, and the guy punched my boyfriend and broke my sweetheart’s nose. The host threw the guy out with no pants, so he had a well-deserved walk of shame. We don’t know the guy’s last name, so we can’t charge him. My question is this: As a couple, we enjoy threesomes/moresomes/swingers clubs, etc., and this wasn’t the first time a fun night was ruined by a persistent dick monster. Do you have any suggestions for dealing with pricks like these? Sober and not horny me has all the answers, but when I’m feeling violated and vulnerable, and distracted by whatever dick/pussy is in my face, I’m not the loudmouthed feminist bitch I usually am. We all agree he should have been kicked out before the offenses added up.

Maybe he should have been kicked out when we all agreed we weren’t comfortable with him playing with us. What’s the etiquette of telling someone they can’t join in? I’m done dancing around assholes’ feelings.

Queer Unicorn Exhausted Entertaining Numbskulls “Persistent dick monster” (PDM) is putting it mildly, QUEEN. This guy sexually assaulted you and physically assaulted your boyfriend – that guy is a VSP (violent sexual predator), not a PDM. And even if you don’t know his last name, report the night’s events to the police. It’s possible this asshole is already known to the cops – hell, it’s possible he assaulted someone else on his pantsless way home and they’re already holding him and they’d be happy to add more charges to the ones this asshole is already facing.

I’m not saying you have to report him, of course.

It’s estimated that only 15 to 35 percent of all sexual assaults are reported to the police, and only 9 percent of all accused rapists are prosecuted. While recog-

nizing some folks have legitimate reasons for not going to the cops, we need to get those numbers up – because unreported rapes and sexual assaults can’t be prosecuted.

to 5 a.m. – provided no power tools are involved – and reserve the early evening hours for romps and creative bondage scenes.

As for preventing a PDM/VSP from ruining your future threesomes/moresomes, etc., advance planning – and familiarity among participants – is the best way to ensure a good experience. Spontaneous can be fun, but it’s difficult to pull off safely with groups – spontaneous fun can be difficult to pull off safely in pairs.

Another lesson to be learned from this encounter: Getting shitfaced/shtoned/shwasted may not be the best plan. It’s often the worst plan – getting [effed] up rarely results in good sex, even between people who [eff] on the regular. Plus, it’s easier to ignore red flags/ gut feelings when you can barely shee shtraight. Having to remind someone about consent is a major red flag, QUEEN, and one we’re likelier to overlook when we’re shwasted. In a situation where you’re receiving unwanted touches, your polite dismissal of them should be enough. If this reminder has to be repeated twice, that participant should have their pass to moresome mountain revoked immediately.

My husband and I have been together for six years and are quite happy, much to the chagrin of his family. They are Islamophobic, antichoice, Fox News–watching, conservative Catholics. They began writing us letters about how they disapproved of us when we moved in together before marriage. One launched a campaign to break us up because they figured my then-boyfriend didn’t know I was bisexual. (He did, and I’m out very publicly.) They boycotted our wedding because it was not in a Catholic church. They would not come to a party we had because a Muslim friend would be there. They’ve realized that in order for us to even rarely see them, they need to cool it, but they don’t think they have anything to apologize for. After Trump’s election (#ITMFA), I’ve found it difficult to stomach them even in small doses. I grew up Catholic myself and was sent through gay conversion therapy, so I have a visceral reaction to this kind of bigotry, especially when it is directed toward my family of choice. My husband is also appalled by them and always puts us first, but the idea of not retaining a connection to his family of origin hurts him. Do I suffer the occasional visit? Help!

Two final takeaways: Even kind and decent people can be terrible about taking hints – especially when doing so means getting cut out of a drunken F-fest. So don’t hint, tell. There’s no rule of etiquette that can paper over the discomfort and awkwardness of that moment, so your group’s designated speaker-upper will just have to power through it. And if you’re going to drink and group in the future, QUEEN, hew to a strict BYOB policy. You don’t ever want to be in a position where you hesitate to show someone the door because they brought the booze.

My wife and I are newlyweds. My wife wants sex two to three times a week, which matches up perfectly with my desires. But her desire for sex peaks around 3 to 5 a.m. She’s a morning person with insomnia, and I’m a night owl and a heavy sleeper.

She’s tried to wake me up for sex, and my unconscious self has rejected her multiple times (I never remember this). When I do wake up, the half-conscious romps we have aren’t really satisfying. My sexual desire peaks midday and after work when I have more energy to have sex or come up with a fun bondage scene. But when she gets home, she usually has a series of chores or projects that take up all her attention.

Insomnia Now Suspected Of Making Nights Incredibly Awkward Your wife needs to save chores and projects for 3

Shouldn’t Hubby Unload These Outrageously Unenlightened Turds For the sake of your marriage, SHUTOUT, you should suffer the occasional visit – whether your husband sees his family on his own or you’re along for the ride – without punishing your husband for it.

Remember: You’re in this together, and private jokes, surreptitious eye-rolls, and pot lozenges can go a long way toward making these events not just bearable but (mischievously) pleasurable. And seeing as you’ve already trained his family to cool it by cutting back on your time with them – a strategy I recommend – you can train them to keep things civil, hate-free, and non-biphobic by warning them in advance that you will get up and leave if they say anything shitty or unkind to you, about you, or in front of you. Then follow through.

Dan Savage is a nationally syndicated sex advice columnist writing for The Stranger in Seattle. Contact him at mail@savagelove.net or @fakedansavage on Twitter and listen to his podcast every week at savagelovecast.com.

18 | Thursday, April 20, 2017 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

[happening] What’s up with vegan and vegetarian life?

Find out at Durango Veg Fest in people who don’t consume it. There’s also cultural, ethical, and political reasons. Heck, the damage that massive factory farms do to the environment is a big reason people stop eating meat.

You, over there, dude with the burger. Ever wonder about your meat? Yeah, it’s juicy and grill-tasty, but where does it come from?

There are over 7 million vegetarian Americans ... why are so many folks switching to a non-meat diet?

Some folks don’t eat meat for health reasons. Studies have shown that there’s a lower percentage of cancer Thursday Self-awareness for high-potential employees, 11 a.m., $97, First National

Bank of Durango, 259 W. Ninth St., 2473020.

La Plata County Luminaries Toastmasters, noon, La Plata County Admin-

5 p.m., Sorrel Sky Gallery, 828 Main Ave., 2473555.

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, 5 p.m.,

Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio, www.durangomeltdown.com.

Elle Carpenter, 5 p.m., Joel’s Bar, 119 W.

Eighth St., 385-0430.

The 2nd Annual Durango Veg Fest will be held in the Vallecito Room in the Student Union at Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive.

Speakers such as vegan

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown The Freighthoppers with Six Dollar String Band, 7:30 p.m., $10, Balcony Back-

stage, 600 Main Ave., www.durangomeltdown. com.

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown latenight show, 8 p.m., Durango Arts Center,

802 East Second Ave., www.durangomeltdown. com.

istration Building, 1101 East Second Ave., 382-6305.

Pete Giuliani, 5-8 p.m., El Rancho Tavern,

“Dance for Balance” dance class for seniors, 3 p.m., donations welcome, Abso-

PAWS for Celebration, 5:30 p.m., $20, La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave., 749-5582.

Sunday

Secondhand Strings, 5:30 p.m., Balcony

lute Physical Therapy and Wellness, 277 East Eighth Ave., 764-4094.

975 Main Ave., www.petegiuliani.com.

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown gospel set, 10 a.m., Durango Arts Center, 802

Trails 2000 Project Sky Steps, 4 p.m., Nature Trail, 978 East Sixth Ave., 259-4682.

Bar and Grill, 600 Main Ave., 422-8008.

East Second Ave., www.durangomeltdown. com.

Greg Ryder, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Sa-

La Plata County multi-event center master plan public meeting, 4 p.m.,

loon, 699 Main Ave., 247-4431.

Pete Giuliani Band, 10:30 a.m., $15-$25,

La Plata County Administration Building, 1101 East Second Ave., 382-6305.

United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive, 247-4213.

Tim Sullivan, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., 247-4431.

Robby Overfield, 7 p.m., Office Spiritori-

Bakery and Wine Bar, 601 Main Ave., 2477700.

um, 699 Main Ave., 375-7260.

Second-annual Vegfest, noon, Fort

Lisa Blue, 5:30 p.m., Durango Craft Spirits,

Shaky Hand String Band, 9:30 p.m., Bal-

Lewis College, Student Union, Vallecito Room, 1000 Rim Drive, 247-7657.

1120 Main Ave., 247-1919.

Durango New to Town, 6:30 p.m., Ska

Brewing Co., 225 Girard St., 247-5792.

“Feelin’ Good” choir concert, 7 p.m.,

$5-$15, Fort Lewis College, Community Concert Hall, 1000 Rim Drive, www.durangoconcerts.com.

Divorce Care Group, 6 p.m., $25, First

cony Backstage, 600 Main Ave., 422-8008.

Saturday Metropolitan Opera in HD: Tchaikovsky, 10:30 a.m., $20-$23, Fort

Rotary Park, 1565 East Second Ave., www. petegiuliani.com.

Henry Stoy piano, 11 a.m., Jean-Pierre

Sunny and the Whiskey Machine,

2:30 p.m., Balcony Bar and Grill, 600 Main Ave., 422-8008.

Ukulele jam, 4 p.m., Magpies Newsstand

Cafe, 707 Main Ave., 259-1159.

Lewis College, Student Union, Vallecito Room, 1000 Rim Drive, www.fortlewis.edu.

Bluemoon Ramblers, 7 p.m., Diamond

Henry Stoy piano, 11 a.m., Jean-Pierre

Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., 247-4431.

Joel Racheff, 7 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699

Laugh Therapy Open Mic Comedy,

Bakery and Wine Bar, 601 Main Ave., 2477700.

Main Ave., 375-7260.

8 p.m., Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave., 4031200.

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown band showcase, noon, Balcony Backstage, 600

Monday

The Scrugglers, 8 p.m., Balcony Backstage,

Main Ave., www.durangomeltdown.com.

600 Main Ave., 422-8008.

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown super jam, 1 p.m., Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main

Jose Villareal, 7 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave., 375-7260.

Four Corners Arts Forum, 9 a.m., KDUR

91.9/93.9 FM, www.kdur.org.

People’s Practice in the Park, 12:30

Friday

Ave., www.durangomeltdown.com.

“Building Great Futures” fundraising breakfast and lunch, 7:30 and

StillHouse Junkies, 2:30 p.m., Balcony Bar

11:30 a.m., Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County, 2750 Main Ave., 375-0010.

Andy Janowski, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle

Gear sale, 11 a.m., Fort Lewis College, Student Life Center, 1000 Rim Drive, www. fortlewis.edu.

Travis Tritt, 7 p.m., $30-$45, Sky Ute Casino Resort, 14324 Highway 172, 563-7777.

Greg Ryder, 7 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699

Brewing Co., 225 Girard St., www.skabrewing. com.

Sorrel Sky Gallery 15th anniversary,

Main Ave., 375-7260.

Spoken Word, 7-9 p.m., Steaming Bean, 900

and Grill, 600 Main Ave., 422-8008.

Saloon, 699 Main Ave., 247-4431.

chef and author Tess Challis will provide facts and conversation on the how, what, and why of vegetarian life.

Benjamin Franklin, Prince, and Einstein didn’t eat meat. Learn why not from noon to 4 p.m., on Sunday, April 23.

Free. All ages.

More information: www.facebook.com/ events/609931742531286 Main Ave., 403-1200, www.thebean.com.

Tuesday Free Transit Day, 6 a.m., Durango Transit Center, 250 W. Eighth St., 259-5438.

Master’s Men Colorado, 6:30 a.m., DoubleTree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio, 259-6580.

Durango Nonprofit Summit, 9 a.m., $20-$80, Durango Community Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave., 375-7300.

Gardening workshop, 5:30 p.m., Ohana

Kuleana Community Garden, 564 E. 30th St., 259-3123.

Useless Knowledge Bowl Trivia+, 7 p.m., Durango Brewing Co., 3000 Main Ave., 247-3396.

MOMIX Opus Cactus dance, 7:30

p.m., $30-$45, Fort Lewis College, Community Concert Hall, 1000 Rim Drive, www.durangoconcerts.com.

Wednesday Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 9 a.m., Durango/La Plata Senior Center, 2424 Main Ave., 382-6428.

Floor Barre conditioning class, 3 p.m., donations welcome, Absolute Physical Therapy and Wellness, 277 East Eighth Ave., 764-4094.

Trails 2000 Trails and Ales, 4:30 p.m., Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave., 2592545.

“Stand Up Drink Down” comedy night, 8 p.m., Durango Brewing Co., 3000

Main Ave., 247-3396.

Open Mic, 8 p.m., Balcony Backstage, 600

Main Ave., 422-8008.

p.m., Buckley Park, 247-8395, www.turtlelakerefuge.org.

Submissions

History Movie Club, 5 p.m., Ignacio

To submit listings for publication in DGO and www.dgomag.com, visit

Community Library, 470 Goddard Ave., 5639287.

Happy Hour Yoga, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Ska

www.swscene.com, click “Add Your Event,” enter the event info into the form, and submit.

Listings at www.swscene.com will appear on www.dgomag.com and in our weekly print edition. Posting an event on www.swscene.com is free and takes one day to process.

������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Thursday, April 20, 2017 | 19

HERCULES

RENTAL & SALES

DEALS

STORAGE CONTAINERS | MODIFICATIONS Do you need on-site storage for your home or business? Call Hercules Storage Containers!

Hercules is a company that rents weather tight, portable, steel containers; whether you’re looking to store your tools, office supplies or personal belongings. Hercules Containers has a variety of container sizes that can accommodate any need.

970-385-8597 · HERCULESCONTAINERS.COM

1 MONTH FREE on container rental with a minimum 3 month rental for new customers.

Expiration Date: 4/28/2017 Must present or mention coupon at time of purchase. Not good with any other offer. Delivery fees apply.

254021

SPRING SERVICE SPECIALS! LUBE, OIL & FILTER

OPEN SATURDAYS FOR FULL SERVICE 8AM-5PM Any Make/Any Model (970) 259-3940 • 20704 Highway 160 West Durango

2995

$

ONLY ONE COUPON PER VISIT. MUST BE PRESENT AT TIME OF WRITE UP. EXCLUDES TAX AND SHOP SUPPLIES. UP TO 6 QTS SYNTHETIC BLEND CONVENTIONAL MOTOR OIL. INCLUDES OIL, FILTER & LABOR. EXCLUDES DIESELS. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES 04/30/17

15%OFF ANY SERVICE

ONLY ONE COUPON PER VISIT. MUST BE PRESENT AT TIME OF WRITE UP. EXCLUDES TAX AND SHOP SUPPLIES. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES 04/30/17 254255

D G O

In Bloom We Trust

309 W. College Dr. • Durango (by Albertsons) 970-426-4276 •Carpet Cleaning •Tile & Stone •Water Damage Restoration •Mold Remediation •Fire & Smoke Cleanup •Wood Floor Cleaning – Much More! –

970-385-8444 or 970-759-2395 24 hours a day • ultrasteamcleaning.com

Bloom Buck

$1 off purchase of $10 or more Expiration Date: 04/30/17 Not valid with any other offers, must present coupon.

256302

April Carpet Cleaning Special!

Every 3rd Room Cleaned for FREE! (rooms measured largest to smallest)

Expiration Date: 4/30/17 Limited time offer. One coupon per household. Coupon must be present and cannot be combined with other offers.

250111

To advertise in DGO Deals contact us at 970-247-3504 20 | Thursday, April 20, 2017 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

FREE DELIVERY

*

Choose from

THE LARGEST PATIO SELECTION IN THE FOUR CORNERS! See the entire collection at www.americanhome.com.

FaRmIngton 1001 W. Broadway | (505) 326-3393 WWW.AMERICANHOME.COM ENDS 04.30.17

*See store for details.

Date Night Coupon

2 FREE GLASSES OF WINE with purchase of 2 Entrées

725 E 2nd Ave, Durango, CO 81301 | (970) 385-6884

Expiration Date: 04/30/2017 CLOSED SUNDAYS (seasonally) Must present or mention this coupon at time of purchase.

Not valid with any other offer. Wine choice of house red, white or rose.

D G O

on any outdoor purchase over $499

254895

$2.00 OFF CLASSES $10.00.

WITH COUPON!

Must present coupon at time of class. Not valid with any other offer.

Breakdance Class Monday 7-8 pm @ The Dance Spot

FREE Salsa Class Wednesday 8-9

Hip Hop Class Thursdays 5 PM @ The Dance Spot

w/ Cheo, The Dance Patrol 2980 North Main Avenue | thedancespotdgo.com

Bachata Thursdays 6pm @ The Dance Spot

Friday Salsa & Zumba Dance Lessons Kids Salsa 4pm Adult Zumba 6:30pm @ The Dance Spot

Private Lessons and Studio Space to Rent Available (970)-903-5799

254269

Local, in-plant cleaning of fine area rugs.

IICRC Certified Rug Cleaners

Rug Cleaning Special!

Free Pick-up & Delivery within 20 miles of Durango – or – 20% off Pre-paid Drop off orders.

Call Today! 970-385-5777

Expiration Date: 4/30/17 Limited time offer. One coupon per household. Coupon must be present and cannot be combined with other offers.

DEALS

Expiration Date: 04/30/2017

250105

To advertise in DGO Deals contact us at 970-247-3504 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Thursday, April 20, 2017 | 21

Horoscope ARIES (March 21 to April 19) This is a wonderful week for enjoying the company of friends, as well as the company of groups to which you belong.

People are in a happy mood, and they are glad to see you.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You will be briefly high-viz this week, but this attention will be favorable – so no worries. Enjoy your good press because bosses, parents and VIPs will support you this week.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You’re excited about big travel plans.

Similarly, some of you are just as excited about big plans for further training or education. Yes, you are going to expand your world!

CANCER (June 21 to July 22)

Bizarro

This is an excellent week to discuss

shared property, taxes, debt and inheritances because all parties will be fair and generous to each other. (And you likely will come out smelling like a rose.)

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) This is an excellent week to deal with partners and close friends. It’s also a good week for business and working with members of the general public.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) Work-related travel is likely this week.

Co-workers are supportive; plus, meetings, classes and groups will be positive experiences for you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) This is a lovely week to enjoy the company of others – especially children – because you are in a warm, loving and playful mood. Expect to meet someone from another culture.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) Matters related to home and family will be positive this week. This also is a good week for a family business. A gathering at your home will be a success.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) It’s easy for you to be upbeat and positive this week because you believe in yourself! This is important because for Sagittarians, optimism is a survival issue.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) Business and commerce are favored this week. Any financial arrangements you initiate will lead to future profits.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) This week, the Moon is in your sign, dancing with Jupiter, which is why you feel joyful and content. People will be

happy to meet you and listen to your positive views.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) You are content this week. You realize that appreciating what you have is the key to happiness. (Negativity is wanting things to be different from the way they are.)

BORN THIS WEEK You are an adventurous, confident leader. However, you also are helpful to and supportive of others. Your life often has an air of mystery about it. This year you will be excited as you start to see the fruits of your efforts for the past six years. Expect your well-earned rewards soon! Many of you will be a student and a teacher at some point. © 2017 King Features Syndicate Inc.

weekly bestsellers April 10-15 »»1. Song of the Lion, by Anne Hillerman (Hardcover) »»2. The Funniest Joke Book Ever!, Bathroom Readers Institute (Paperback) »»3. Milk and Honey, by Rupi Kaur (Paperback) »»4. Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher (Paperback) »»5. All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr (Paperback) »»6. Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges, by Patty Wipfler (Pa-

perback) »»7. A Colony in a Nation, by Chris Hayes (Hardcover) »»8. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood (Paperback) »»9. The Emerald Mile, by Kevin Fedarko (Paperback) »»10. Rain Forest Relay: #1 Race the Wild, by Kristin Earhart (Paperback)

22 | Thursday, April 20, 2017 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

[Durango’s stories, told in their own words]

First Person | Cyle Talley

‘It paid off to screw up’ »» Will Baker on blind faith, tattoos, and the value of mistakes The sun is shining and the weather is damned near perfect as I walk through the park where people are laughing, sun-tanning, and doing other ...

Durango-type things. A bearded guy with hair that nearly reaches his baggy, herringbone-patterned pants is throwing a tennis ball for his gigantic-eared dog, who chases it with a frightening, deranged zeal. The young man is Will Baker, and his dog’s name is Scooby-Doo – because of course it is. Will has a tattoo in German that takes up nearly the whole of his forearm, and I ask him what it means as his dog pants and waits for someone to throw the damn ball.

I tell his story here, in his own words.

I

t means “Faith is blind, trust is proven.” My family isn’t super-religious, but we sat down and prayed every night over dinner. At some point I realized that I’d rather trust something wholly than put faith in something blindly. As it started to heal fully and really take shape, I realized, “Oh, this is how this thing is going to be for the rest of my life.” It was sort of exciting to think that if one day I have kids, they’re going to want to know what it says on my arm, and why I think that way.

I’m happy to share with people what I’m about, because I want to hear what they’re about, too.

That’s the cool part about tattoos – they bring people together. The vast majority of people who ask »» Will Baker about my tattoos are people who have ink themselves. We’re sharing stories and learning and sort of honing what we’re about as we go. Really all I want is to be able to lay my head down at night and know that I did all right by me. If that means helping someone, great. Even just walking the dog and making sure that he gets taken care of – I think too many people my age want to put a definition on life and make it play by their rules. “I have to do such and such by the time I’m —” and then when they don’t get there, or it doesn’t come in the way that they think it’s going to, they feel like they failed and then they believe that, because they failed, they should quit. We’re all still sort of reeling from high school, and the tests that can’t

be retaken. We have to relearn how to be OK with failure, learn from it, and get better.

Like the other day at work, I messed up changing the fryer oil.

It had been changed the day before, but I changed it on reflex and then realized after the fact that I’d f—ked up. I had to take responsibility for the mistake, fess up, and then I recommitted myself to being diligent, and checking the things that I do reflexively. It paid off to screw up. My boss was pissed for a few minutes, but then they were on to the next thing.

You can’t succeed without making mistakes. That’s what it comes down to, and that helps me to keep things in perspective. I want to do things – work, fun, whatever – well.

I want to give my full effort so that at the end of the day, I can look at it and say, “Yep, that was me. I did that, and I’m proud of it.” Otherwise, what the f—k are you doing things for? I get that people have jobs that they have to have to make it through the month or the day, but for me, for someone in my spot – I’m not planning on going to school, or furthering my education too much more – I have to work hard to prove my worth, and I like doing that. Like I said, I want to get through the day in a way where I can lay my head down at night and think, “Yep, I did everything I could to do right by me and the people around me.”

Cyle Talley owns and uses a shoehorn. Email him at: cyle@cyletalley.com.

Himalayan Kitchen We serve Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian Cuisine

970-259-0956 • www.himkitchen.com 992 Main Ave. Durango, CO 81301

50% Off

Buy one entrée get second entree 1/2 off.

DGO

Lunch Everyday 11AM-2:30PM Friday & Saturday Dinner 5PM-10PM Sunday - Thursday Dinner 5PM-9:30PM

DEALS

· 95% Gluten Free · Largest Vegetarian Options · Many Vegan Dishes Available

*Equal or Lesser Value Himalayan Kitchen

Expiration Date: 4/30/2017 *Not Valid for buffet. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Must present coupon at time of purchase. One coupon per table per order.

247707

������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Thursday, April 20, 2017 | 23

/ CELEBRATE 4 20 Wednesday, Thursday & Friday!

15% OFF ENTIRE ORDER ALL 3 DAYS (sale items excluded)

Multiple Vendors

Get A Deal!

HOURLY GIVEAWAYS

SPIN THE WHEEL

-ON-

-ON-

4/20 4/20

XROCK

LIVE FROM 3-5PM ON 4/20

Exclusively at SANTÉ

Buy a gram of TR Concentrate get an entry to win a hammock from Elevate Hammock CO

($65 Value) E 2nd Ave

E 7th St

MEDICAL 18+ SUN to SAT 10am-6:30pm

E 8th St

RECREATIONAL 21+ SUN to WED 9am-9pm THUR to SAT 9am-9:45pm

Steamworks Brewing Company

Alley Grassburger

Durango Coffee Co

Main Ave Strater Hotel