Statement of Solidarity
The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College is proud to unequivocally stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter -- as well as other marginalized peoples and communities around the world who are standing up for their human rights.
BLM’s statement on arts and culture resonates with us and we echo their sentiments: “We disrupt the status quo of the art world by uplifting emerging Black artists who speak audaciously, who are unafraid, and who stand in solidarity with the most marginalized among us. Artists who call on us to change the way we see ourselves and one another. Artists who center love, joy, dignity, and freedom.” While we have showcased talented artists of color as well as reaching out to underrepresented people to enjoy our offerings, we know there is more to do.
Even though we are closed until July 2021, we are developing plans with community input to increase our support of BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and LatinX artists while creating safe and brave spaces where communities can connect cross-culturally with each other. We aspire to build upon the inroads related to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in our community and beyond.
Take some time to listen to the creative and inspiring voices who have shared their talents in our Concert Hall to continue amplifying their messages since touring has been paused all over the world:
Black Violin, Christian McBride, Ruthie Foster, The Holmes Brothers, Dancing Earth Indigenous Contemporary Dance, Las Cafeteras, Take Me to the River: The Music of New Orleans, Ranky Tanky, Ailey II Dance, The New Colossus, Adonis Puentes, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Los Lobos, Eric Bibb, A Tribe Called Red, Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles, Hot 8 Brass Band, Guy Davis, Taj Mahal, Tiempo Libre, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Joanne Shenandoah, Saakumu Dance Troupe of Ghana, Toots and the Maytalls, R. Carlos Nakai, Joyce Lyons, Robert Mirabal, Keb’ Mo’, The Wailers, Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli de Veracruz, Winona LaDuke, Sean Jones, Levi Platero, The Nile Project, Paa Kow, Hasan Minhaj, Blind Boys of Alabama, Jarabe Mexicano, Afrosonics, Baracutanga, Dealfeayo Marsalis
We also honor those who are no longer with us:
Allen Toussaint, Richie Havens, Wilma Mankiller, Oliver Mtukudzi
By honoring past artists, we are touched. By honoring our present ones, we are energized. In planning for the future, we are inspired. Art in any shape or form can improve humanity and we strongly believe that our investment in performance arts can break down barriers amongst us, and we will continue to increase our efforts to use the arts for peace, justice and equality.
About Us
Following the collapse of the roof due to heavy snow in January 1993, Durango was left without a performing arts facility that could house community performance groups as well as college groups. As a result Fort Lewis College (FLC) developed a plan with state and local officials to replace the auditorium with a first class facility that would be available to community groups as well as college music performances. The Community Concert Hall (CCH) was opened in 1997.
Originally planned to house the San Juan Symphony, Music in the Mountains, the Durango Choral Society and FLC performances, community interest grew and the CCH became host to many other community performance groups including the Durango Poetry Gathering, Durango Arts Center, Dance in the Rockies, Bella Dance Company and KSUT public radio. This model lasted about two years as interest in the facility grew to include touring artists. Along with the groups mentioned above, the CCH added a presenting season consisting of an average of 35 performance per year. In addition, community use has grown to include the San Juan Symphony Youth Orchestras, Durango Dance, Ballet Durango, Southwest Business Forum, Wells Group Realty annual meeting, FLC Native American Center, Southwest Civic Winds, FLC Admissions, FLC Common Reading Experience, Durango Dharma Center, Animas High School, Pueblo Community College, KDUR Community Radio and a variety of community renters. The CCH also serves as a ticket outlet for users of our facility along with the Strater Theatre, Merely Players Theatre and the Durango Arts Center. With 600 seats and state-of-the-art sound and lighting, the CCH is the premiere and largest performing arts facility in the nine county region.