Think you’ve seen it all? Then you haven’t seen Dritty Pope or Durango’s hottest new boy band, Community Pancake. This weekend and next, you have a chance to see some talent that may not come this way again, and I wager it’s because as soon as they are discovered, Durango is going to be in their rearview mirrors.
The first time I saw Dritty Pope he was onstage wearing safety goggles, a shiny bowl cut that would have made Jackson Browne jealous, and knee pads suggestive of a mysterious purpose. He claimed the stage swinging his arms and pumping his mic in the air. Jumping around to a heavy rap beat, Pope hammered out a clever song about gout and insisted that we all get up and dance to the instructed moves. While we collectively “got out the gout” in the most imaginative way possible, I was dying of laughter. The man is a living dichotomy: Absurd and real, serious and funny, but in the end, exceedingly smart and entertaining. Originally from New York, Pope has performed at the NYC Marathon, and repeatedly hosted his own music fest block party. That’s how it feels when he performs – like you’ve been invited to a block party in a collective celebration of all things awesome. Pope has been writing and publishing music for years and has made professional-level music videos with a zero budget all with the help of friends. His newest collaboration will debut the second weekend of the variety show with Community Pancake, featuring the music of Luca Sandoval and Conor Sheehan.
The second annual “That’s So Durango!” Adult Variety Show takes over the DAC stage the next two weekends and is a true showcase of talent. While suitable for ages 13 and older, there is a burlesque act and we can’t say what the comedians might do. Under the spotlight, you will enjoy singing, dancing, performance painting, comedy and a few gags – but what you leave with is a once in a lifetime chance to see performers before they hit mainstream.
Local favorites include Chris Lyle, Sharina Ramsey, Riki Tselthlikai, Malissa Mossinhoff and Jade Sophia. New to the stage are Andrea Rossi, Julia Stock and many more. Support your community theater and your talented friends at the Durango Arts Center this weekend and next. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults.
- “That’s So Durango!” adult variety show: 7:30 p.m. May 26-27 and June 2-3. Tickets $10/$15.
- A Night of Improv: 7 p.m. June 9.
- 13th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival Readings: 7:30 p.m. June 16. Free.
- Youth Theater Performances of “Mr. Groundhog Wants the Day Off” and “How to Survive Being in a Shakespeare Play”: 7 p.m. June 23-24 and 2 p.m. June 25. Tickets $10/$15.
- Durango Playfest: Various events and showtimes begin June 27. Visit durangoarts.org for tickets and passes.
- The Looking Glass Collective exhibit “Art Inspired by Nature” featuring 14 established local artists: Runs through June 16. Free.
- Pastel Workshop by Yvonne Holland: May 30-31, $90.
- Shop the Artisan’s Market: noon-6 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday.
- Adult summer classes from painting to improv, and youth summer camps for theater and visual arts are open for online registration. Scholarships available.
Buy tickets, donate, become a member, find audition details, register for classes and keep in touch at DurangoArts.org or find things fast at https://linktr.ee/durangoartscenter.
Brenda Macon has been executive director of Durango Arts Center since 2018.
