October at Fort Lewis College will bring a wealth of arts offerings to the community, from theater productions and gallery openings to political comedy and music from choirs, bands and soloists.
The Theatre Department has four major events on tap this month, starting with an Isadora lighting workshop with Alex Oleszewski on Oct. 10-11. Next up, opening Oct. 17, is a production of "All My Sons" directed by Mona Wood-Patterson, with sets and lights designed by Charles Ford and in association with Durango Arts Center. A staged reading of the play "Dead Man Walking" will take place Oct. 22, and an audition workshop with Gina Novish will take place Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
The Art Gallery will feature "Exploring the Terrain" by Jennifer Ghormley from Oct. 15-Nov. 14, with an opening reception from 4:30-6 p.m. on Oct. 15. Exhibits are free and open to the public.
On the Music Department side, cellist Katherine Jetter and pianist Lisa Campi Walters will perform a recital Oct. 19 that will include solo cello works from American composers, a Romantic showpiece by Popper and a Beethoven sonata.
The fall band concert Oct. 20 will feature music from different geographic areas beginning with the British military march "The Mad Major" by Kenneth Alford. Also featured will be James Barnes's "Trail of Tears," which pays homage to the brutal relocation of tribes like the Cherokee, Choctaws, Creeks and Chickasaws. The Jazz Ensemble will take the stage for the second half of the concert, performing a variety of standard and contemporary jazz tunes.
On Oct. 24, the choirs will take their audience on a journey through a day with pieces about sunrise, afternoon and evening. The Chamber Choir will bring in the season with selections from Jaakko Mantyjarvi's "Four Shakespeare Songs," including "Double Double, Toil and Trouble." The Men's Choir will add their charming mix of luscious voices and crowd-pleasing entertainment, and Hawkappella will entertain with expressive contemporary arrangements.
The Concert Hall is bringing a comedy act and three great music events to the stage. "Capitol Steps - How to Succeed in Congress without Really Lying," a hilarious political parody performed by a troupe of Congressional staffers-turned-comedians, will take place Oct. 18 - just in time to give you a good laugh at politics before the elections. American singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega, revered as one of the most gifted songwriters of her generation, will perform Oct. 23. ABBA MANIA, which hails from London's West End, will recreate Abba tunes Oct. 28. And Nov. 1 will bring country-soul singer Shelby Lynne.
Tickets for Concert Hall, Theatre Department and Music Department performances are available at the Durango Welcome Center, 802 Main Ave., at www.durangoconcerts.com or by calling (970) 247-7657.
blaylock_sl@fortlewis.edu. Shauna Blaylock is the publicist/event coordinator for the Fort Lewis College Music Department.
More happenings
An Enduring Wilderness
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, the annual nonjuried DAC members exhibition runs through Nov. 15, illuminating the splendor and the grandeur, the fragility, the vulnerability, the overwhelming magnificence of our natural world. .
Speaking of the Wilderness Act, here's the Act itself, 'To establish a National Wilderness Preservation System for the permanent good of the whole people, and for other purposes.' It passed Congress in September 1964, and now we, the American people have millions of protected acres to enjoy. Lucky us. Thank you, Congress.
So, if you haven't seen the aspen parade this fall, hurry up the mountains before the wind and rain take them away. I try to go every year and just marvel at the colors. I always take a few pictures, but they turn out pale by comparison.
Dian Law
