“Rhythms of Durango-HOLiDAZZLE” release party/show set for Nov. 27

Business Improvement District produces holiday CD featuring local artists

 

DURANGO, Colo. – “Rhythms of Durango-HOLiDAZZLE” – the first compilation CD of holiday songs performed by local musicians and singer/songwriters – is set for release Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, during a free live show and celebration at the Henry Strater Theatre (The Hank). Doors open at 5 p.m., with on-going music from “Rhythms” artists planned until 8:30 or beyond. A cash bar will be available.

“Rhythms” artists scheduled to take the stage in roughly half-hour blocks include Kirk James, Hello Dollface, Tim Sullivan, Women’s Prerogative, Playing in Traffic, The Assortment and CCN (Nina Sasaki with Larry Carver and Randy Crumbaugh).

Those attending the release party will have opportunity to be the first to purchase “Rhythms-HOLiDAZZLE” for $15 (plus tax), which in addition to the aforementioned also features Lisa Blue Trio, Dave Mensch, Gigi Love, Alison Dance & the Cyprus Café Quartet, the Bob-Chad-Tom Trio (Bob Newnam, Chad MacCluskey and Tom MacCluskey), Lee Bartley, Midnight Backhand, Tim Guidotti, Jelly Belly Boogie Band and Wild Mountain.

“It was a tremendous party last year – reminiscent of the old Friday Afternoon Club,” said Indiana Reed, “Rhythms” co-producer with Pam Glasco. “This will also be a terrific way to kick off the holiday season and celebrate the great artists who ensure that these hills are alive with the sounds of music.”

“As is traditional in Durango, ‘Rhythms’ features many singer/songwriters, but it is a wonderful blend that stretches from country and bluegrass to jazz, blues, rock and more,” added Glasco.

“Rhythms of Durango-HOLiDAZZLE” continues the tradition established by the Durango Business Improvement District (BID) in 2006 to showcase Durango’s wide variety of local musicians and vocalists who perform in the Historic Downtown.  The promotional CD is a tool in the BID’s on-going effort to help maintain the economic viability of Downtown Durango.

“The big difference this year is that the CD contains exclusively holiday music – 17 songs, some traditional Christmas carols and some original tunes,” said Reed. “These performers took their time to select and learn a Christmas song, then go in-studio at Scooter’s Place and work with Scott Smith to record them. It was a lot of scheduling and coordination, but the final product is quite fun. We genuinely appreciate Scott’s patience with the project.”

Because the in-studio costs were not covered in the BID budget, community sponsors stepped up to support the musicians including Allen & Associates, Alpine Bank, Bank of Colorado, the Community Foundation, Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Cyprus Café, Durango Area Tourism Office, DoubleTree Hotel, Down to Earth, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge, Durango Coffee, Four Corners Management Systems, Hampton Inn, La Plata Electric Association, Scooter’s Place, Seasons, The Strater Hotel and the Wells Group.

Four Corners Broadcasting also returns to support the CD, helping further the reach of the music and artists on local radio stations KIQX 101.3FM and KRSJ 100.5FM as the “Rhythms” media sponsor.

“We really want to thank our artist sponsors,” said Pam Glasco, urging folks to patronize their businesses. “Without their assistance, we couldn’t have done a holiday CD.”

As in the past, The CD booklet, designed by graphic designer Lisa Morales Eccher, includes biographies of and contact information for all participating artists, with a goal of introducing the performers to the general public and prompting them to drop by live shows in the Downtown, buy their CDs or book them for a future engagement.

Following the release party “Rhythms of Durango-HOLiDAZZLE” will be available at various merchants in the Downtown, including Southwest Sound, Durango Coffee Company, Canyon Music, Steaming Bean and the Community Concert Hall Ticket Office. A complete listing of merchants will be available on the BID web site, www.downtowndurango.org. For further information on “Rhythms of Durango,” including wholesale opportunities, call 970.375.5067.

 

The Durango Business Improvement District was formed in 1997 with a goal and mission to support businesses within the District by assisting with special event marketing, providing research on topics of concern to the District (facilities, special events, best practices), planning and development of new facilities, and providing capital budget for equipment that enhances business in the District. Funding is generated by a 1.5 mill levy on property owners within the district, with additional marketing dollars contributed by the City of Durango and Durango Area Tourism Office. BID Board members are John Wells, presiding officer; Bob Allen, Karen Barger, Rod Barker and Tim Wheeler.

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“Rhythms of Durango-HOLiDAZZLE”

(Playlist)

 

“Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” – Nina Sasaki, Larry Carver, Randy Crumbaugh

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Gigi Love

     “Please Come Home for Christmas” – Kirk James

“Christmas Morning 1969” – Tim Sullivan

“Jingle Blues” – The Bob-Chad-Tom Trio

“O Holy Night (Po Hemolele)” – Lisa Blue Trio

“Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas” – Jelly Belly Boogie Band

“Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting…)” – Alison Dance & the Cyprus Café Quartet

“Naughty List” – Midnight Backhand

Merry Christmas Baby – Hello Dollface

“Light A Candle” – The Assortment

“Jingle Bell Rock” – Playing in Traffic

“Wintertown” – Wild Mountain

“Winter Wonderland” – Women’s Prerogative

“In the Bleak Midwinter” – Lee Bartley

“The Holidays Are Here” – Tim Guidotti

“Old Toy Trains” – Dave Mensch