How Bazaar
Every holiday season since they opened Studio & in Durango, co-owners of the downtown art cooperative and gallery have been preaching the message of giving the gift of local art. Last year, they put their preaching into practice when they created The Bizarre Bazaar. The BizBaz, which is part American holiday market, part Turkish market and all locally made art, returns to Studio &, 1027 Main Ave., this weekend. The event will feature the work of 22 local and regional artists crammed into the small downtown gallery from Friday through Sunday. On hand: funky rings, hand-printed carts, sculptures, amusing soap sculptures, framed paintings, tote bags, monoprints and more from artists such as Dawn Adams, Brett Masse and Darcy Alden. “It’s jam-packed, make no mistake,” said Studio & co-owner Tim Kapustka, adding that by and large, the pieces will be affordable – $100 or less. Kapustka said the BizBaz is where people kind find gifts that are memorable and one-of-a-kind while supporting Durango’s art scene. The event is Studio &’s way of walking the talk. “It’s not just saying: Buy local art. This is the way to do it,” he said. Artists will be hawking their wares from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Bon-bons and ballerinas
What are the holidays without the magical twinkle of Tchaikovsky, the patter of scampering rat soldiers and the twirling of sugar plum fairies? The State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, California, will return to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive, this weekend with four performances of “The Nutcracker.” Toys will come to life, snowflakes will dance, and ballerinas will leap and whirl to the timeless brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s waltzes and overtures. Also, several young local dancers will join the professionals on stage in roles such as mice, party guests, bon-bons and angels. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.durangoconcerts.com to get your tickets.
Strictly brass
A gaggle of brass musicians will gather Saturday in Durango to blow their way through an afternoon of classic holiday songs. The Best Brass of Christmas – a group of 11 brass players from around the Four Corners – will perform at 2 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 East Third Ave. Musicians hailing from Santa Fe, Durango, Cortez, Farmington and Los Alamos, New Mexico, will bring everything from tuba to trombone to piccolo trumpet to the stage for the instrumental performance. As euphonium player Connie Schulz put it, “It’s hard to imagine Christmas music without great brass.” Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, visit www.durangorecitals.com to get yours.
