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Show v i San Juan Room fights to keep doors open and mics on By Missy Votel Maybe youve seen acoustic guitarist Tony Furtado there. Or you paid your respects to the Jerry Garcia Band. Or you did the lambada with Cabaret Diosa. Whatever your musical tastes, chances are if you like live music, youve relied on the San Juan Room in Durango to please your palate at least once. The San Juan Room is only among a handful of bars in the Four Corners that features national music acts on a regular basis. Among the others are the Rico Theater in Rico, the Fly Me to the Moon Saloon in Telluride, and the Millwood Junction in Mancos. However, after almost two years in business, the San Juan Room is struggling to keep the music alive. Stephan Lazare, right, of the San Juan Room in Durango serves co-own- er a beer to a The image is that were raking money owns the San Juan Room with three othin somehow, he said. Its hard to combat. ers. With the biggest shows running up to However, since opening, the San Juan Room has struggled to stay afloat. Lazare $4,000 and monthly rent of $4,500, said it is a constant batde to balance prof- Lazare said it is a very fine line between its with overhead. staying in business and shutting down. None of us IF YOU GO: He said he often have taken a dime home out of the place, said Lazare, who said he only takes home the tips he makes as a bar- All-da- y WHAT San Juan Room Fundraising Party Where: San Juan Room, 602 College Ave., Durango . tender. When: In addition to noon - 2 a. m., Sat., March 27 How much: trying to make ends donations encouraged Lazare said no cover, meet, (970) the bar has been with plagued rumors speculating about its ownership crowd, the show only drew about half of and financial gains. He said he wanted to that. Now, San Juan Room owners are set the record straight that the bar is not scrambling to pay rent and keep the mics for sale. Secondly, he said some people on. In an effort to stay open, they have are under the false impression that the Missy Votel is the editor of Cross San Juan Room profits quite nicely.. turned to the community they serve for Currents magazine. 382-988- When it opened in June 1997, the San Juan Rooms goal was to offer live music most nights of the week, specializing in national and college bands. There seemed to be a dearth of music and a need for not another country bar at the time, said Stephan Lazare, who co gambles with big names, hoping the crowds offset the cost. However, as was the case with last Merl months Saunders show, sometimes the odds arent in his favor. After expecting a customer March 9. support. A fundraising concert is slated to start noon, Saturday, March 27, and will feature several live bands and door prizes. Lazare said the outpouring of help has come from near and far. He has already signed on The Joy Wilson Band, Runaway Truck Ramp, the Full Dogs and Black Honey. Local companies have donated door prizes ranging from, winning your weight in beer from Ska Brewery to a health club membership from Animas City Rock Gym. And a California snowboard company even donated a snowboard. There will be no mandatory cover charge, but voluntary donations will be encouraged. Lazare said the response has turned his bleak oudook rosy and that he has hope will work. the fund-raisIve got a lot of faith in people. I believe we are an asset, he said. 0 close-to-capaci- ty er Are Your u NEWiMEXICO.SlUARGESTlPARTS Q MMWSjjfr HGUQWBAMaJEK k SINCE 1963 Over 37,000 Bilk Too High? c .c ... Ask about The Party Room! Serving Lunch and Dinner Tues - Thur Fri & Sat 1am - 8pm 1 1am 9pm 6 Free weatherization services I are available to Coloradans. Call 1 332 W. MAIN 111 o 564-144- 0 Homemade Breads and Pies Cross Currents - March 1 9, 1 999 TJ " PARTS IN STOCK RECREATIONAL MON. - FRI. 8:00AM - 530PM SAT. 8:00AM - 1:00 PM TRAVEL TRAILERS 5 WHEEL TRAILERS RV BODY SHOP EAZ-UF- HfTCHES T low-inco- Ron 301 S. MILLER AVE, (DOWNTOWN FARMINGTON, N.M 87401 MALLARD VEHICLES & Judy Jennings SINCE 1963 ' fZISWr |