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March 2-6, 2022

durangofilm.org

DURANGO FILM FESTIVAL

The 17th annual Durango Independent Film Festival will be back in Durango theaters March 2-6, 2022. This festival believes in the power of gathering for a shared artistic experience, providing an opportunity for film lovers to connect with visiting directors, actors, producers, and composers. Engaging and entertaining filmmaker Q&A sessions following film screenings offer an inside look at the filmmaking process.

Festival organizers are excited to bring new and thought-provoking films of all genres to Durango venues. The festival will also be offering a virtual component, in addition to theatrical presentations. Coffee talk with filmmakers, panel discussions, workshops, and parties are just a few of the events planned for festival week.

The festival is a collaborative effort involving a dedicated group of volunteers, local business partners, donors, grantors, and the community that appreciates the opportunity to see unusual films in a rare setting like Durango.

Free opening-night films, early-bird pass prices, virtual film offerings, and plenty of opportunities to meet filmmakers are just a few of the ways the festival hopes to share the world of independent film with everyone in the community. For 2022 information and passes, please visit durangofilm.org.

DURANGO BLUEGRASS MELTDOWN

If absence makes the heart grow fonder, then the 2022 Durango Bluegrass Meltdown will inspire some mighty strong passion. The world-class music festival returns April 22-24 for the first time since 2019, with old standbys and new twists converging.

The Bluegrass Meltdown takes over many of Durango’s stages for the weekend, with live music at the Durango Arts Center, Animas City Theatre, Wild Horse Saloon, Durango Elks Lodge, and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Grange Building. Plus, folks can hear (and join in with) numerous jams in public spaces and party at the barn dance.

For 2022, the Meltdown is adding its first-ever band contest. Ten bands will compete for a main-stage slot at the 2023 festival during Saturday’s events, and the finalists will stand off on Sunday morning. The competition emphasizes traditional bluegrass—and there’s no telling how the stars of tomorrow will play with the demands of the genre.

Kids 12 and under always attend the festival for free. For those of us older than that, the Meltdown offers day tickets and weekend passes that promise access to all the shows, all festival long.

The schedule of artists, as well as ticket sales, will be posted on the new durangomeltdown.com website as details become available.

FORT LEWIS COLLEGE SKYFEST

Skyfest is back for 2022! Skyfest is an annual music festival presented by Student Union Productions at Fort Lewis College. Student Union Productions (SUP) is the student programming board at the college. This group of students is committed to providing diverse and engaging events for the Fort Lewis community. Skyfest is entirely organized and executed by students in SUP.

At Skyfest, you’ll be able to enjoy a mix of student musicians and up-and-coming artists. This festival brings the Fort and Durango communities together for a day filled with music, friends, and good times. Student organizers change from year to year, so attendees get a hometown music festival with a unique experience each year.

As the snow begins to melt off the mountains, make your way up to the mesa and join SUP for Skyfest 2022! Mark your calendars for Saturday April 16. Keep an eye out on the Skyfest webpage for updates on artists, locations, and tickets. You can also keep current with SUP events on Instagram and Snapchat @flcsup. Student Union Productions is eager to invite the community back to Skyfest and can’t wait to see you there!

FORT LEWIS COLLEGE CONCERT HALL

The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College has hosted artists from around the world in Durango for over 20 years. When the State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara and the San Juan Symphony begin with four shows of The Nutcracker Ballet, and the Bar-D Wranglers arrive in December, you’ll know the holidays are in full swing! Visit Durango’s premier performing-arts venue that seeks to “Bring the World to Durango.” This winter and spring will connect us to artists from throughout North America, Europe, and China.

In addition to the forever-loved Nutcracker Ballet and Durango’s own Bar-D Wranglers’ Christmas Jubilee, the Concert Hall will also welcome Denver’s groundbreaking band DeVotchKa, along with Augusta, Georgia’s inspirational Trey McLaughlin and The Sounds of Zamar. February through May, Durango hosts family favorites Cirque Mechanics; The Golden Dragon Acrobats; the legendary artists Peter Kater and R. Carlos Nakai; Croce Plays Croce; Close to You, the Music of the Carpenters; Jazz master Stefon Harris and Blackout; and country music star Suzy Bogguss.

Winter and spring are always packed with great performances at the Community Concert Hall, and this season is no different. With the ongoing generous support of many individuals and businesses, who appreciate and value what the arts bring to our vibrant community, the Concert Hall continues to bring musical excellence to Durango.

Visit the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis, and hear for yourselves the artists on their journeys, who bring entertainment, excellence, and enlightenment through their music.

SALT 360 FLOAT STUDIO: THE ULTIMATE RESET FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY

Imagine yourself floating in saltwater while you escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life and your everyday concerns simply melt away. Welcome to Salt 360 and the wonderful world of floating. Whether you’ve spent a long, hard day at work, or you want to unwind after enjoying some of southwest Colorado’s many popular winter activities, a float at Salt 360 is just what you need to give your brain and body a much-needed break. Floating quiets the mind and provides ultimate relaxation. Salt 360’s top-of-the-line flotation tanks with state-of-the-art filtration systems, along with the staff’s outstanding personal service and stringent hygiene procedures, result in the ideal floating experience. Free from external stimuli, such as noise, light, and even the effects of gravity, you’ll float effortlessly in 95.5-degree water (which blurs the sensory boundary between skin and water) that contains 1,000 pounds of magnesium-rich Epsom salt. The absence of sensory input, along with the buoyancy of saltwater, creates a unique environment that relieves stress, reduces pressure on muscles and joints, boosts creativity, and much more. Visit Salt 360 today to relax and reenergize your mind and body.

Cover design and Sound of Resilience tagline by Cindy Coleman, Duck Girl Art. Cover art work by Bradley Kachnowicz.

SAN JUAN SYMPHONY

After an online season like no other in its history, the San Juan Symphony is thrilled to re-emerge in 2021-22 to present The Sound of Resilience. The 36th season celebrates the return of live music to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, under the baton of Music Director Thomas Heuser. Of the many lessons learned during the pandemic, one is the incredible power of live performance, and the magic of live music seems more evident now than ever before. The San Juan Symphony is grateful to have endured last season with such incredible support from the community; but still, it is hard to describe the ebullient feelings that this season brings. They did it! They proved their resilience, navigated incredible obstacles, and now it’s time once again to deliver the world’s great music to live audiences.

This season features an array of composers that includes both the unfamiliar and the dearly beloved. From Albert Roussel and Florence Price to Schubert, Beethoven, and Borodin, the diversity of music on the symphony’s programs and the energy in the orchestra provide a fantastic experience for audiences with a variety of tastes. Each program serves as a first-hand reminder that The Sound of Resilience is the symphony’s passion and their mission. www.sanjuansymphony.org.