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

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

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

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 administrative 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.