The gospel of hip-hop
It was KRS-One who first proclaimed that “rap is something we do; hip-hop is something we live.” Between creating a prolific body of music, rejecting commercialization of the genre, lecturing at universities, publishing books and establishing the Temple of Hip-hop, he has done just that. The lyricist, emcee, teacher, rapper, activist and philosopher will perform a show today at the Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Drive. KRS-One, who first appeared on the hip-hop scene in the 1980s with Boogie Down Productions, went on to craft a wide-ranging collection of incisive, smart hip-hop, blending reggae dance hall and rock influences into his sound. Spurred by the shooting death of his musical partner in 1987, he also launched the Stop the Violence Movement, and has lectured widely on hip-hop and social issues. The Durango Massive Production show, which will also feature APOC, Ill Methods, Obi One and Concept Musik, will start at 9:15 p.m., tickets are $34. Visit www.animascitytheatre.com for more information.
And it goes like this
Occupying that transitional era of American music that sat between bubblegum crooners and boundary-shattering rock ’n’ rollers was Chubby Checker, doing the twist. Checker, who was barely 20 years old when he had his first platinum hit (“Let’s Twist Again”) is still going strong, more than 50 years after “The Twist” hit American pop culture and forever altered the way people dance. (Sounds a little crazy, but it’s true. The music helped introduce the then-provocative concept of dancing apart to the beat. Oh yes. Risqué stuff.) Checker, who reportedly still performs with boundless gusto, will play a show with The Wildcats at 8 p.m. Saturday at Sky Ute Casino, 14324 Colorado Highway 172, Ignacio. Tickets are $20 general admission and $30 VIP. Visit www.skyutecasino.com for tickets.
Riding, rhyming, ranching
Durango’s 26th annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering is honoring the grit, grace and understated strength of ranch women this weekend with a panel discussion and film screening from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Drive. On tap: a screening of “Ridin and Rhymin,’” a documentary about the life of barrier-breaking cowgirl and poet Georgie Sicking, followed by a panel discussion about women and ranching. Participating on the panel will be a host of impressive guests, including Teresa Jordan, the acclaimed author of Riding the White Horse Home, Barbara Van Cleve, who grew up on a Montana ranch and went on to be an accomplished photographer, and Trinity Seely, a rancher and performer. Local women will also appear. Visit www.durangocowboygathering.org for more information.
