Desert decker.
Sometimes, a somber, dark, folky, gospel song is just what the doctor ordered, and decker. aspires to fill the prescription. One reviewer called the band from Sedona, Arizona, “tailor-made for a Coen Brothers Western.” If you’re driving south on U.S. Highway 550 through New Mexico, decker.’s music is exactly what you need for the trip. You can hear and feel the desert in the band’s sound. “As much as I like being in a city, I like being on a mountain,” the band’s founder, , said while en route to a show in Des Moines, Iowa. “I love the smells of a desert, the sunsets, its openness. It requires you to have this kind of toughness to survive. Also, I really like the sun happening most days.” See decker. at 10:30 p.m. Saturday at El Rancho Tavern and from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Balcony Bar & Grill. Both shows are free.
High-country blues
Purgatory Resort is switching things up this weekend and introducing its first Blues, Brews and BBQ festival. And that’s a pretty straightforward description of what’s happening. Six local bands will perform – Stoner Blues Band, Soul What, Kirk James Blues Band, Durango Funk Allstars, Elder Grown and Bacon, in that order. Along with the music, attendees can enjoy a barbecue by Purgy’s and beer from . The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults ages 21 and older, $15 for ages 13 to 20, $10 for ages 6 to 12 and free for 5 and younger.
A piece of the pie
Few things in life are as enjoyable as growing your own food. It’s a very human, natural thing to do, and to share that activity of life-giving sustenance with the people in your own town can add to the enjoyment. Ohana Kuleana Community Garden, whose name means “family sense of responsibility” in Hawaiian, is hosting a pie-tasting contest, and you’re invited. Bring a pie to enter into the contest and bring a fork to dig in. “Pies in the Garden” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at 564 East 30th St.
Stillwater Foundation
Studies have shown that music can help children to learn other subjects such as math and science, and many agree that it’s just an inherently nice thing to be able to play an instrument or sing. For these reasons, the Stillwater Foundation is helping Durango’s kids to hone their musical abilities and become involved in their community. This weekend, the Stillwater Foundation All Stars will kick off the Telluride Jazz Festival Tour in Durango. They’ll perform a mix of funk, Latin jazz, swing, soul, calypso and Brazilian samba tunes, including Paul Simon’s “Late in the Evening” and “Whatever Happened” by local favorite Robby Overfield. The show starts at 6 p.m. Sunday at Durango Arts Center. A donation is recommended. The group will perform again on Aug. 1 and 2 at the Telluride Jazz Festival.
mhayden@durangoherald.com
