The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College presents an intimate evening with Durango, Colorado’s balladeer, Thom Chacon as part of their ‘Live @ the Smiley Café’ series Friday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. at the Smiley Café located in historic downtown Durango. 

With an acoustic guitar and a weathered voice, Thom Chacon, breathes life into the characters he creates on paper. His latest nine-song manifesto, “Marigolds and Ghosts” is filled with his one-of-a-kind, hardscrabble American storytelling and has the type of inviting melodicism that will sweep listeners into his deeper meanings.  

Chacon delivers his poetic verse and all-American sentiment with the kind of memorable characters you just can’t shake. He takes listeners by mule into the high country to fly-fish for trout in his prayer, “Church of The Great Outdoors.” “Borderland” answers Neil Young’s 2018 call for artists to highlight the plight of children at the U.S.-Mexico border. “Angel Eyes” pays tribute to, as Chacon puts it, “One of my favorite western movie villains,” Lee Van Cleef. 

Chacon has landed on the cover of the legendary Italian music magazine, “Buscadero” and travels around the world playing his songs: from the intimidating confines of Folsom Prison (“a life- changing experience”) to Thailand, India and Europe. 

The Smiley Cafe offers a small, intimate experience for an audience of 50 – creating the perfect “listening room” venue. Beer and wine along with special coffees will be available for sale throughout the evening. Charles Leslie, CCH Director says “we are excited to continue this series to introduce Durango to artists they may not know and vice-versa – and welcome our new sponsor, KDUR – Fort Lewis College Community Radio.” Tickets are $25 and on sale at www.durangoconcerts.com, or by phone at 970-247-7657. 

The Community Concert Hall is a not-for-profit, multi-use performance venue located on the campus of Fort Lewis College. Its ability to bring a diverse spectrum of shows to Southwest Colorado is made possible through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, and financial and in-kind contributions from generous members of the community.