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Snowdown Festival & 150th Birthday Bash: Celebrate with Live Music, Karaoke, Painting Parties, Cocktails, and More!
Snowdown Festival & 150th Birthday Bash: Celebrate with Live Music, Karaoke, Painting Parties, Cocktails, and More!
Snowdown Festival & 150th Birthday Bash: Celebrate with Live Music, Karaoke, Painting Parties, Cocktails, and More!
Discover the best events from the mountains to the mesas in this week's newsletter! Plus, get ready for the Snowdown Festival, live music, painting parties, and more. Don't miss out on all the fun happening near you!
Mountain to Mesa Staff
Jan 22, 2026
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Before You Get Started...Please Read Below!!! |
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This Week: From the Mountains to the Mesas |
Welcome back to the Mountain to Mesa Journal, a weekly snapshot of what’s happening across the towns, trails, and gathering places that make the Four Corners region feel alive. This newsletter exists for a simple reason: there is always more going on around you than you think—and the best moments are often the easiest to miss if no one points them out.
This edition is focused on connection. Local events, small-town happenings, and community-driven experiences that don’t always make the big calendars, but define the rhythm of life from mountain valleys to high desert mesas. This journal helps you discover new things happening this weekend, whether you're a local or a visitor wanting an authentic experience.
Inside, you’ll find a curated mix of events, seasonal highlights, and timely ideas meant to get you out the door and into the community. Markets, music, outdoor gatherings, and the kinds of experiences that feel better because they’re shared. No hype. No filler. Just what’s worth knowing right now.
Let’s take a look at what’s happening. |
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Early Mining In The Southern San Juan Rockies |
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Chimney Rock National Monument |
Located in the San Juan National Forest of southwestern Colorado, Chimney Rock National Monument is one of the most culturally significant ancestral sites in the Four Corners region. The towering twin rock spires that give the monument its name rise above a landscape that once served as an important ceremonial and residential center for the Ancestral Puebloan people.
Between approximately AD 900 and 1150, Chimney Rock was a thriving community marked by carefully constructed stone dwellings, kivas, and a prominent Great House. Archaeological evidence suggests the site held strong spiritual and astronomical importance. The Great House precisely aligned with the northern lunar standstill, a rare celestial event occurring every 18.6 years, showing an advanced knowledge of astronomy and ceremonial planning. . For many modern Pueblo tribes, Chimney Rock remains a place of deep cultural meaning. People view it not just as a historical ruin, but as part of a living cultural landscape connected to migration stories, spiritual practices, and ancestral identity. Today, people are encouraged to experience Chimney Rock respectfully, acknowledging it as both an archaeological treasure and a sacred place that continues to be significant for Native communities across the Southwest.
Please note: Chimney Rock National Monument is open from May 15th through October 15th from 9:00am - 4:30pm. |
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Bisti Badland Trail - Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness |
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🎭 Activity: Bisti Badlands Trail |
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BOOze and Bites Light Food Tour |
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🎭 Activity: BOOze and Bites Light Food Tour |
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Sip & Stitch - Craft and Wine |
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🎭 Activity: Sip & Stitch - Craft and Wine 📅 Date: Thu, January 22, 2026 📍 Place: Durango Winery 🕒 Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Durango Winery 📞 Contact: (970) 903-4375 📄 Details: Join us for Sip & Stitch, an evening of crafting and enjoying wine. Bring your craft project to work on while sipping on wine, with a special 25% discount on glasses of wine. Please avoid projects involving paint or glitter! |
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Bluegrass Jam - Durango Beer and Ice Company |
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🎭 Activity: Bluegrass Jam 📅 Date: January 22nd, 2026 📍 Place: Durango Beer and Ice Company 🕒 Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Durango Beer and Ice Company 🎫 Admission: Free 📞 Contact: (970) 764-4466 📄 Details: Local bluegrass musicians gather every Thursday about 6pm to pick and play great bluegrass music. Join us for award-winning beer and the great Americana sounds from Durango's best. |
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Tito's Cocktail Class |
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🎭 Activity: Tito's Cocktail Class 📅 Date: Thu, January 22, 2026 📍 Place: Union Social House 🕒 Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Union Social House 📞 Contact: (970) 759-4144 📄 Details: Join us for Tito's Cocktail Class where you'll learn how to craft delicious cocktails and pick up useful tips for home. Perfect for cocktail enthusiasts or those just looking for a fun night out while savoring some great drinks! |
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Live Music at The Strater Hotel |
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🎭 Activity: Live Music Schedule at The Strater Hotel |
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Live Music with Andrew Schuhmann - Barons Creek |
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🎭 Activity: Live Music with Andrew Schuhmann 📅 Date: Fri, January 23, 2026 📍 Place: Barons Creek Vineyards 🕒 Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Barons Creek Vineyards 📞 Contact: (970) 317-2880 📄 Details: Join us for an evening of live music featuring Andrew Schuhmann at Barons Creek Vineyards. Enjoy the ambiance and taste great wines while soaking in the melodies. |
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Music Trivia - Durango Beer and Ice Company |
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🎭 Activity: Music Trivia 📅 Date: Fri, January 23, 2026 📍 Place: Durango Beer and Ice Company 🕒 Time: 6:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Durango Beer and Ice Company 📄 Details: Dust off your vinyl knowledge, your guilty-pleasure playlists, and that random lyric you’ve had stuck in your head since 2007, it’s Music Trivia Night! |
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Moonrise in Winter - Picasso & Vino |
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🎭 Activity: Painting Party - Moonrise in Winter 📅 Date: Fri, January 23, 2026 📍 Place: Picasso & Vino 🕒 Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Picasso & Vino 🎫 Admission: $44 📞 Contact: (970) 335-8189 📄 Details: Join us for a session of fun & creativity while you follow along step by step to create your own masterpiece! Everything's included for you to paint along. Drink & snack options available for purchase. |
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Snowdown Festival 2026 |
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🎭 Activity: Snowdown Festival 2026 📅 Date: January 23 - February 1, 2026 📍 Place: Durango, Colorado 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Durango, Colorado 📄 Details: Join the Snowdown celebration in Durango, Colorado, where over 100 events and activities take place in a 5-day extravaganza. From beard growing contests to a light parade, there's something for everyone including family-friendly fun! |
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Snowdown Murder Mystery Event |
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🎭 Activity: Snowdown Murder Mystery Event |
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Snowdown Mustache Roulette |
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🎭 Activity: Snowdown Mustache Roulette |
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Snowdown Left Foot On Gold Twister |
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🎭 Activity: Snowdown Left Foot On Gold Twister 📅 Date: Fri, January 23, 2026 📍 Place: Union Social House 🕒 Time: 6:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Union Social House 🎫 Admission: Free 📞 Contact: (970) 759-4144 📄 Details: Join us for a fun night of Snowdown Twister, where balance is everything and dignity is optional! Twist, stretch, and laugh your way through this unique game night experience. One wrong move and you’re out! |
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Snowdown Match Game: Durango Edition |
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🎭 Activity: Snowdown Match Game: Durango Edition 📅 Date: Fri, January 23, 2026 📍 Place: Black Heron Lounge 🕒 Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Black Heron Lounge 📞 Contact: (970) 880-1112 📄 Details: Join us for the Snowdown Match Game, inspired by the hit 1970s game show! A fun night for Snowdown fans, game show enthusiasts, and comedy lovers with vintage flair. |
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Snowdown Kickoff Blacklight Dance Party |
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🎭 Activity: Snowdown Kickoff Blacklight Dance Party |
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Snowdown Jolly Rancher UV Dance Party |
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🎭 Activity: Jolly Rancher UV Dance Party Join us for a Jolly Rancher-themed dance party packed with bold colors and sweet vibes! Dress loudly, show skin for UV body paint, and get ready for nonstop energy! |
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Cascade Winter Train |
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🎭 Activity: Cascade Canyon Winter Train |
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Snowdown Colorado Quickdraw: Sketch Contest |
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🎭 Activity: Snowdown Colorado Quickdraw: Sketch Contest 📅 Date: Sat, January 24, 2026 📍 Place: Blue Rain Gallery 🕒 Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Blue Rain Gallery 📞 Contact: (970) 232-2033 📄 Details: Join the Snowdown festivities with a fun, fast art challenge! Artists of all skill levels are invited to create Colorado-inspired landscapes in just 10 minutes at Blue Rain Gallery. |
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Painting Party - Starry & Snowy Night Over The Animas |
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🎭 Activity: Painting Party - Starry & Snowy Night |
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Snowdown Treasure Hunt |
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🎭 Activity: Snowdown Treasure Hunt |
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Snowdown Edition - Name That Tune Bingo |
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🎭 Activity: Snowdown Edition - Name That Tune Bingo |
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GlowDown Snowdown Yoga |
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🎭 Activity: GlowDown Snowdown Yoga 📅 Date: January 24, 2026 📍 Place: Gravity Lab Climbing 🕒 Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Gravity Lab Climbing 📄 Details: Join us for a vibrant Yoga Flow with Chloe + Live DJ session with DJ Space Bunz. Wear your brightest neons and let's flow, glow, and dance the afternoon away! Stay for an evening packed with fun climbing activities, community vibes, and sweet beats by DJ Space Bunz! |
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Miners Luau |
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🎭 Activity: Miners Luau 📅 Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026 📍 Place: Union Social House 🕒 Time: 5:30pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Union Social House 🎫 Admission: Free 📞 Contact: (970) 759-4144 📄 Details: Celebrate Colorado’s birthday with a mashup of hard hats and hula skirts. Throw on a lei, raise a drink, and toast to 150 years of partying with pickaxes and palm trees. |
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Karaoke with Kimmy |
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🎭 Activity: Karaoke with Kimmy 📅 Date: Sat, January 24th, 2026 📍 Place: Durango Beer and Ice Company 🕒 Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Durango Beer and Ice Company 🎫 Admission: Free 📞 Contact: (970) 764-4466 📄 Details: Join us for a fun karaoke night with Kimmy! Play karaoke roulette for a chance to win a free pint. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for themes and updates. |
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The Durango Collective Grand Opening |
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🎭 Activity: The Durango Collective Grand Opening 📅 Date: Sat, January 24, 2026 📍 Place: The Durango Collective 🕒 Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: The Durango Collective 📞 Contact: (970) 880-1565 📄 Details: Join us for the grand opening of The Durango Collective, a new community dance and event space in downtown Durango, created to support connection, creativity, and celebration. |
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Snowdown Chess Tournament |
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🎭 Activity: Snowdown Chess Tournament 📅 Date: Sun, January 25, 2026 📍 Place: The Subterrain 🕒 Time: 12:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: The Subterrain 🎫 Admission: $10 📄 Details: It’s a quiet duel at High Noon! Saddle up for a high-stakes showdown where sharp minds meet Rocky Mountain chill. The tournament features a single-elimination format with 3 competitive categories: 13 and under, 14+ Beginners, and 14+ Advanced. |
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Snowdown Kickoff Party, Parade |
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🎭 Activity: Snowdown Kickoff Party, Parade 📅 Date: Sun, January 25, 2026 📍 Place: Purgatory Resort 🕒 Time: 12:30pm - 4:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Purgatory Resort 📄 Details: Join us for the Snowdown Ski Parade! Meet at the bottom of lift 1 at 12:30 and wear your Snowdown costume or just come join the family-friendly fun! Kids are welcome as we ride the easy way down. |
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Snowdown Third Annual Hamster Derby |
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🎭 Activity: Snowdown Third Annual Hamster Derby 📅 Date: Sun, January 25, 2026 📍 Place: Creature Comforts 🕒 Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Creature Comforts 📞 Contact: (970) 259-2847 📄 Details: Join us for the Third Annual Hamster Derby, a Snowdown-inspired, Colorado cowboy-themed event you won’t want to miss! |
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Irish Jam |
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🎭 Activity: Irish Jam |
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10-Day Forecast - Durango, Colorado |
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The Break Room Brewing Company - Karaoke Night |
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🎭 Activity: Karaoke Night at The Break Room Brewing Company 📅 Date: Friday, January 23 2026 📍 Place: The Break Room Brewing Company 🕒 Time: 8pm-12am 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: The Break Room Brewing Company 📄 Details: Join us for a fun-filled karaoke night at The Break Room Brewing Company, hosted by DJ Hart. Enjoy delicious food and beverages while showcasing your singing talents! |
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Cork & Board Wine + Eats 2 Year Anniversary Party |
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🎭 Activity: Cork & Board Wine + Eats 2 Year Anniversary Party |
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Picasso & Vino Studio - Painting Party |
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🎭 Activity: Picasso & Vino Studio - Painting Party |
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Buckaroos Dinner Sleigh Ride |
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🎭 Activity: Buckaroos Dinner Sleigh Ride 📅 Date: Friday, Jan 23rd & Sat Jan 24th, 2026 📍 Place: Buckaroos Horse-Drawn Rides 🕒 Time: 4:00pm and 6:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Buckaroos Horse-Drawn Rides 🎫 Admission: $87 - $117 📞 Contact: 720-231-5424 📄 Details: Snuggle up and take a horse-drawn ride to a cozy dining cabin where you will enjoy a hearty three-course ranch menu paired with live guitar music. Advanced reservations required. |
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Pagosa Puzzle Palooza |
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🎭 Activity: Pagosa Puzzle Palooza 📅 Date: Sat, Jan 24 📍 Place: Pagosa Springs, CO - Ross Aragon Community Center 🕒 Time: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Ross Aragon Community Center 🎫 Admission: $40 per team 📄 Details: Join the inaugural Pagosa Puzzle Palooza, a team jigsaw puzzle contest benefiting Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and local senior meal programs. Teams of two to four will race to complete a 500-piece puzzle, with awards and prizes for top finishers. |
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Live Music at the Springs Resort |
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🎭 Activity: Live Music at the Springs Resort 📅 Date: Every Saturday 📍 Place: Springs Resort 🕒 Time: 5pm-7pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Springs Resort 📞 Contact: 800-225-0934 📄 Details: Enhance your day with Live Music in the Lodge Atrium every Saturday from 5pm-7pm. |
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Live Music & Events at Coyote Moon Lounge |
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🎭 Activity: Live Music & Events at Coyote Moon Lounge |
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Live Music & Events at Uncle's Bar and Social Club |
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🎭 Activity: Live Music & Events at Uncle's Bar and Social Club |
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Live Music & Events at the Pagosa Bar |
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🎭 Activity: Live Music & Events at the Pagosa Bar |
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Live Music Events at the El Camino Lounge and Grill |
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🎭 Activity: Live Music at the El Camino Lounge and Grill |
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Live Music Events at Dublin Crust & Brew |
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🎭 Activity: Live Music Events at Dublin Crust & Brew |
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10-Day Forecast - Pagosa Springs, Colorado |
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Objects Tell Stories |
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🎭 Activity: Objects Tell Stories 📅 Date: January 22nd through March 31st 📍 Place: Farmington Museum 🕒 Time: 10am-5pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Farmington Museum 🎫 Admission: Free 📞 Contact: (505) 599-1174 📄 Details: The Farmington Museum’s collection is filled with fascinating treasures that capture the spirit of our community’s past. From antique furniture and vintage clothing to retro technology and unique works of art, each piece reveals a glimpse into the lives, creativity, and culture that shaped Farmington. Many of these artifacts are rarely displayed—explore our staff’s favorite picks and discover the stories they have to tell. |
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Celebrating 45 Years of Anthony Chee Emerson |
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🎭 Activity: Celebrating 45 Years of Anthony Chee Emerson 📅 Date: Jan 22nd - Feb 13th, 2026 📍 Place: Henderson Fine Art Gallery 🕒 Time: 4 - 6pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Henderson Fine Art Gallery 📞 Contact: (505) 566-3464 📄 Details: Join us at the Henderson Fine Art Gallery for a celebration of 45 years of Anthony Chee Emerson’s artistry. The event showcases a collection of traditional and contemporary media intertwined with Diné culture and storytelling, as Emerson brings his colorful masterpieces to life. |
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Zak Mirz - "Kid @ Heart" |
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🎭 Activity: Zak Mirz - "Kid @ Heart" 📅 Date: January 24, 2026 📍 Place: Henderson Fine Arts Center 🕒 Time: 2:00 p.m 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Henderson Fine Arts Center 🎫 Admission: $5 📞 Contact: (505) 326-3311 📄 Details: World-renowned magician Zak Mirz officially announces his brand-new tour, Kid at Heart. A groundbreaking, fully interactive magic experience designed for families, skeptics, believers and anyone ready to take part in the impossible. |
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10-Day Forecast - Farmington, New Mexico |
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Consider Sponsoring the "Mountain to Mesa Journal!" |
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Gavin DeGraw - Live |
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🎭 Activity: Gavin DeGraw - Live |
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Drew Emmitt, John Cowan, and Eli Emmitt - Live |
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🎭 Activity: Drew Emmitt, John Cowan, and Eli Emmitt |
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Telluride Gold Kings - Live Music |
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🎭 Activity: Telluride Gold Kings - Live Music |
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Andy Frasco & The U.N. |
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🎭 Activity: Andy Frasco & The U.N. 📅 Date: January 23, 2026 📍 Place: Club Red (Mountain Village, Telluride) 🕒 Time: 7:30 PM 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Club Red (Mountain Village, Telluride) 🎫 Admission: $45 📄 Details: Join Andy Frasco & The U.N. for a night of exhilarating music as this band-fronting party animal takes the stage, reminiscent of a blend between John Belushi and Jimmy Buffett. Expect a high-energy performance that will have you dancing and singing along. |
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Bass Camp |
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🎭 Activity: Bass Camp 📅 Date: January 23, 2026 📍 Place: Tomboy Tavern (Mountain Village, Telluride) 🕒 Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Tomboy Tavern (Mountain Village, Telluride) 📞 Contact: 970 728-7467 📄 Details: Super groovy vibes on the patio with one killer view. Head to Tomboy Tavern on Fridays for apres with MVE. |
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Harlem Quartet |
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🎭 Activity: Harlem Quartet 📅 Date: January 24, 2026 📍 Place: Historic Sheridan Opera House (Telluride) 🕒 Time: 7:00 PM 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Historic Sheridan Opera House (Telluride) 🎫 Admission: Adult/$45, Student/$20 📞 Contact: 970 728-6363 📄 Details: Experience the Grammy-winning Harlem Quartet, known for their dynamic performances and innovative approach to classical music. Praised by major publications for their fresh style, this quartet is not to be missed. |
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Mind Blown - Ty Gallenbeck |
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🎭 Activity: Mind Blown |
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10-day Forecast - Telluride, Colorado |
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Ouray Colorado's 150th Birthday! |
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🎭 Activity: Ouray’s 150th Birthday |
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Sunny Gable and Guy Ewing Live Music |
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🎭 Activity: Sunny Gable and Guy Ewing Live Music 📅 Date: Thursday, January 22nd 📍 Place: Columbine Bar & Grill, Mancos, CO 🕒 Time: 6 PM 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Columbine Bar & Grill 📞 Contact: 970-239-7314 📄 Details: Join us for a memorable evening of award winning music and great food and drink. |
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Family Paint & Sip - With Hot Cocoa |
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🎭 Activity: Family Paint & Sip - With Hot Cocoa 📅 Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026 📍 Place: Dancing Spirit Center - Ignacio Colorado 🕒 Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm 🌐 Website: Learn More 🗺️ Directions: Dancing Spirit Center 📞 Contact: (970) 903-7727 📄 Details: Join us for a fun and creative Family Paint Night! This class is perfect for ages 7 and up, where families can gather to paint an adorable winter fox with guidance from local artist Tiffany Clark in a relaxed environment. |
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Puttin on the Ritz - For Seekhaven Family Crisis Center |
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🎭 Activity: Puttin on the Ritz |
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