Ouray County’s Performing Arts Venues: The Sherbino and The Wright
By Sara Sharpe
Ouray County, with a population of less than 5,000 people, is fortunate indeed to have not one but two performing arts venues offering all kinds of entertainment from live music concerts to murder mystery dinner theater and game nights.
The Sherbino, dubbed "Ridgway's Living Room," was founded in 1915, and since 2012 has been owned and operated by the Ridgway Chautauqua Society. Located at 604 Clinton Street in downtown Ridgway, the Sherb, as it is affectionately called, is a short walk from Alpenglow CoHousing. Consisting of a theater with a generous lobby and an inviting bar offering adult beverages, the Sherb has hosted concerts, weddings, plays, New Year’s Eve parties, art openings, and many other events too numerous to mention.
The following is a sample of events to look forward to this winter.
The National Geographic film “Torn,” about the recovery of the body of the legendary mountaineer Alex Lowe who died in an avalanche in the Himalayas, will be shown January 18 at 7 p.m. Of similar interest in a mountain community, “La Liste, Everything or Nothing,” documents the ambitious undertaking of two world-famous steep skiers who set out to free-ski down some of the most intimidating mountain ranges on Earth. Shown on February 1, at 7 PM, this film combines stunning scenery with adrenaline-pumping danger as the boundaries of human possibility are tested. Another ski movie, “The Stomping Grounds,” is scheduled for January 27, also at 7 p.m. A more detailed description of all these films is found on the Sherbino website, www.sherbino.org.
For something completely different, comedian Monte Montepare takes the stage on January 19 at 7 p.m. for "An Evening of Jokes, Stories, and Not Being on Zoom." (I don't know about you, but I like it already!) Monte has been featured on NPR and The Moth as well as participating in some international tours.
Live concerts are in the offing at the Sherb as well this winter. Robert Francis and the End Times are scheduled for January 28 at 7:30 p.m. Cousin Curtiss will appear on February 9, also at 7:30. Little Giant, an eight-piece world music band, will be playing on February 11 at 8 p.m.
Joint Point will be the featured band for a Mardi Gras party scheduled for February 25 at 8 p.m. This band formed in Telluride and has a strong local following.
There is a charge for all these events, and the Sherb has a vaccination policy in place. Attendees must present proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test. Home test results are not acceptable.
The Sherbino website, www.sherbino.org, has a wealth of information on it concerning history of the organization, upcoming events, and policies.
The historic Wright Opera House is found a mere 10 miles south of Ridgway in Ouray, at 472 Main Street. Established in 1888 to serve the miners who populated Ouray, the now beautifully restored building was virtually derelict until a determined and committed group of locals raised vast sums of money and worked tirelessly to restore the Wright to grandeur in the early 2000s.
An ongoing film series on Wednesday evenings has been a mainstay for years to the delight of locals. This January “Dream Horse” will be shown on the 12th and “Dear Evan Hansen” will be viewed on the 19th. “Space Jam, A New Legacy” will be shown on the 26th.
The Wright presents a foreign film on the fourth Friday of each month. “Pinocchio” will be the offering on January 28. Start times are 7 p.m. for all. Tickets are $5 and they may be purchased online at www.thewrightoperahouse.org.
For years the Wright has presented a number of well-regarded educational lecture series. This winter's WrightED delves into Climate and the Weather. The lecturers are all international, national, and local experts in their fields and many are residents of Ouray. The series is presented on Zoom and runs on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 from January 12 to February 23. The cost is $15 per lecture or $85 for the whole series. As the lectures are recorded, interested folks may sign up for them and view them at a time more convenient for them if necessary.
The ground floor of the Wright is dedicated to a comfortable lobby, which accommodates a changing art display as well as a delightfully cozy tavern and party space. On Tuesday evenings a Happy Hour starts at 5 p.m. as well as live acoustic music provided by David Nunn.
Trivia Nights are offered on an ongoing basis, the next one being held on January 27. Poetry at the Tavern highlights readings by established regional poets as well as opportunities for local poets to share their work in a supportive environment. On January 13 Samantha Tisdel Wright is the featured poet with Kierstin Bridger taking the stage on February 10. On March 10 Wendy Videlock of Palisade will present her work.
On Friday, January 14 Murder at the Disco, an interactive theatrical experience including a three-course dinner, will be the evening's entertainment. Tickets run from $40 to $45 and a cash bar will be available.
Check the Wright's website, www.thewrightoperahouse.org, for greater detail on these and other events. Masking is strongly encouraged and patrons' temperatures will be taken upon entering the facility.
With all these opportunities for fun, education, and expression, it can truthfully be said that Ouray County residents self-entertain very well! A person would have to work at being bored here, there is so much to do!
Photo courtesy of Ridgway Chautauqua Society
Wright Opera House in Ouray, Colorado