Weekend Happenings Oct. 16-18

Multi-media show at Cardiff

“Wild Utah: America's Red Rock Wilderness,” a multi-media show featuring stunning images by noted wilderness photographers and narrated by Robert Redford, will be presented at the Cardiff School House's Camp Chair Theater, 4018 Sky Ranch Drive in Park East, Glenwood Springs, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at 7:00 p.m.

This breathtaking journey through the famous red rock country of Southern Utah will be presented by Barbara Eubanks, Western Regional Organizer of Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA).

Discussion following the presentation will focus on the threatened red rock country and the recent re-introduction of the American Red Rock Wilderness Act. The bill was originally introduced in 1989, but received its first hearing Thursday, Oct. 19, 2009 by Congressman Wayne Owens (D-Utah). The Act calls for the protection of 9.4 million acres of Utah red rock country in southeast Utah on the Colorado Eastern Plateau.

Admission at the door is $5 (16 years and younger free) or a donation. For more information, call Jack Green, 618-0911, or Marice Doll, 947-1389.

Pride and Prejudice at CMC

Local and national talent share stage in adaption of Austen's classic novel

Jane Austen comes to the high country this month as Colorado Mountain College Theatre presents “Pride and Prejudice,” Jon Jory's popular stage adaption of the classic novel. This adaptation is widely regarded as true to the spirit of Austen's story.

Cast in the starring roles are a favorite of the local stage, Ryan Fleming, as Mr. Darcy, and an actress from New York City stages, Leigh Rogers, as the independent Miss Elizabeth Bennett. Rogers is also teaching an improvisation class this fall at CMC.

The play showcases the up-and-coming talent of six Colorado Mountain College students in addition to more local favorites, Wendy Tennis and Chip Winn Wells, plus film and stage actress Laetitia Leon from Los Angeles in the role of Jane Bennett. The play is directed by CMC Theatre veteran Wendy Moore.

Also sharing the spotlight in this performance will be the remarkable costumes designed by Christine Chapman to reflect the nineteenth-century English setting of the story. English-born CMC staffer Annie Stephens is serving as a dialect coach.

Performances are at 7:00 p.m. nightly, Oct. 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24, in the New Space Theatre at Spring Valley, in addition to a matinee at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25. The campus is located at 3000 County Rd. 114 in Glenwood Springs.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors.

Please call 947-8252 for more information and 947-8177 to reserve tickets.

Beau Jo's music

Buffalo Valley Sports Bar and Beau Jo's are featuring The Strays on Friday, October 16 and Dead Cowboyz on Saturday, October 17. Show Times 8:30pm with a $5 cover. Call 945-5297 for more info.

Carbondale Celtic & Oktoberfest

Carbondale goes from Ireland to Germany in the span of 24 hours this weekend, with the annual Celtic Fest on Friday night and continuing with Oktoberfest on Saturday.

Celtic Fest takes place from 5-11 p.m. Friday under the tent on the 4th Street Plaza in downtown Carbondale. There will be food and beverage, and bagpipe music from the Roaring Fork Highlanders to open the evening.

The music line-up continues with fiddler Ann Federowicz joined by Robert Rosenberg on acoustic guitar and friends, followed by locals Jimmy Byrne, Ted Frisbie and Chris Harrison.

Closing out the evening will be a group of string players from Grand Junction and Paonia, known as FEAST. The band features fiddle, cello, harp and keyboards playing Irish ballads and more. At 9 p.m. they'll move inside to nearby Steve's Guitars.

Steve's also hosts a scotch tasting at 7:30 p.m.

A new feature this year is a “Kids Fest” at the Carbondale Recreation and Community Center, starting at 5 p.m. on Friday with Highlander games for ages 3 to 8, caber toss contests (noodles not spears), Haggis Throwing (bean bags), a bounce house, obstacle courses and other sporting games for the kids.

The Rec Department will also have a Scarecrow Contest on Saturday. Bring home-made creations to the Gordon Cooper Library from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday to be judged. Winners will be announced that afternoon. Call 704-4190 for more information.

Saturday's Oktoberfest will take place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., also under the tent on the 4th Street plaza.

High Point Brewery will be providing the brews, and there will be a variety of traditional food including beef gulash, brats, dumplings, cheese spatzle and more.

The Bratwurst Eating Contest will be at 2 p.m., and Nail Driving Competition will go on all day.

Live music starts at 11 a.m. with the Average German Band, followed by Bavarian dancing with Alpine Echo from 2-5:30 p.m. The evening's music will be provided by local favorites The Redtones.

Music at the Eagles

Alan Cotton will be performing a mix of new and classic rock Saturday October 17th at the Eagles Lodge in Glenwood Springs. Show time is 7 p.m. Jimmy "Jams" Thurston will be Cotton's special guest.