Have you ever watched “America’s Got Talent”? You know that special “golden buzzer” moment, when someone exceptional is automatically recognized as being a stage superhero? I get shivers every time it happens. We all love a good Cinderella story and there’s nothing better than someone who made it to the top by determination and hard work, who humbly bows while the audience roars in applause.
The first time I saw the Durango Snowdown Kids Follies, I felt that way. The talent was unbelievable. You may think that all Durango kids do is bike and ski. Not true. They’re artistically talented, too.
Recently, the Kids Follies tryouts were being held while I was working at my desk. What I heard coming from the theater made me hurry downstairs. The music was loud, professional and it sounded live. I had to go see what was going on.
There was a 14-year-old playing the electric guitar almost as good as Robby Overfield or Jimi Hendrix. No kidding, he was so good I thought the music was recorded while I watched his fingers fly. I felt instantly bad for whoever had to follow his act, and then I didn’t feel bad at all as the dancers, the singers, and the routines of each subsequent youngster showcased a unique talent that knocked my socks off. The neat part about Durango kids is they are pretty humble. They rarely toot their own horns, so I’ll do it for them: This is a variety show you won’t want to miss.
The adult Snowdown Follies are in a league of their own. Local legends make up this show and its pure ribaldry. Get tickets now if you can.
Here to share the scoop with us on what to expect in 2023 is Janalee Hogan, the volunteer extraordinaire with 31 years of Snowdown service under her belt, and the Follies producer for the past decade. She graciously let me ask her a few questions:
Q: What are you most excited about for this upcoming Follies?
A: I’m hopeful that as a community we are finding our new normal. I’m always excited to see the “newbies” interested in being on stage sharing their talents and laughter with us.
Q: What’s the best part of your job?
A: Sharing laughter and friendship for months on end as we work to get the job done preparing for this crazy thing we call Snowdown Follies.
Q: Has there ever been an act that you will never forget?
A: Honestly dozens of them! Durango French Chef (aka Julia Child), The “F” word (a grammar lesson about a word), Rindercella, Swine Lake, U h-Live (how lip sync can go very wrong), Snow News, Nelson’s Ready and Jeanette’s Hot, anything the Zinks brought to the show, Put’n on the Fritz, and I could go on and on.
Q: What is the biggest community impact of Snowdown?
A: The boost to the economy. As a banker when I first volunteered for Snowdown, I truly understood what this winter festival did to keep from rolling up the sidewalks between Christmas and the first train of summer.
Coming up next at the Durango Arts Center:
Questions? Email [email protected]
Donate, become a member for discounts and to be a patron of the arts, register for classes, buy tickets, and keep in touch at DurangoArts.org.
Brenda Macon has been executive director of Durango Arts Center since 2018. Her background includes executive leadership training, business and art instruction. She celebrates the inspiration, joy and meaningful engagement that the arts bring to our town.