MON, 9/27
Will Durst is ready to burst pompous politicians for
KGNU.
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In his most recent online column, "Durst Case Scenario," comedian Will Durstoffers an Onion-like article under the headline "'Stupid People Love Bush' New Study Proves." Quoting a fictional think-tank member, Durst writes, "It has to do with intellectual curiosity. Folks see Bush in front of a stream talking about the environment and they assume he's in favor of it, even though if you read his legislation, I'd be surprised to hear him endorse shade." Durst then goes on to point out a direct correlation between the number of pre-set country-Western stations on car radios and Bush's approval rating. Despite his obvious liberal leanings, Durst has been called "the ultimate equal-opportunity offender," skewering both sides of the American political landscape with a keen wit and commonsense observations on hypocrisy. Although critics can't seem to pinpoint exactly whom Durst reminds them of -- he's been compared to everyone from Will Rogers to Mort Sahl to Hunter S. Thompson -- they all agree that he's one of America's premier political comics, both on stage and in print.
The good people at KGNU are fans, too. They've tapped Durst, along with Emergency Vetsveterinarian/comedian Kevin Fitzgerald, to do two benefit shows for their community radio station. Tonight the two comics will hit the stage at the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California Street, beginning at 7:30 p.m.; tomorrow they'll be at Trilogy Wine Bar, 2017 13th Street in Boulder, at 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets, available at the door or by calling 303-449-4885, are $15 ($10 for KGNU members). -- Adam Cayton-Holland
Rhythm Nation
Eva Ayllón brings her Peru soul to town
SUN, 9/26
The music of Peru isn't all Andean pan pipes and guitar-derived charangos, and it doesn't always dress in alpaca. More indicative of Peru's true cultural nature are the Afro-Peruvian rhythms. With its instrumental blend of percussion and guitar, some of it brought down from the highest Andes, some shipped overseas, Afro-Peruvian music is the country's true sound. Some years ago, David Byrne introduced a taste of it on the sensuous and astounding compilation The Soul of Black Peru, but outside of the worldbeat community, it barely left a blip.
That's why beloved Peruvian singer Eva Ayllón, whose work appeared on that album, tours the U.S. repeatedly. "I'm not going to stop what I'm doing until every American has heard these songs," she's been quoted as saying. Americans would do themselves a favor by delving into Ayllón's upbeat festejo and seminal landó rhythms.
Now she's coming to Denver, on the tail of her first U.S.-produced CD release, Eva! Leyenda Peruana. Ayllón performs tonight at 7 p.m. in the Seawell Ballroom, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets; for tickets, $30 to $35, call 303-595-3232. -- Susan Froyd
