Trino Camacho has never run a whistling contest before. He’s never even been to one. “First time,” he says. His motivation is both simple and resonant. “People just like to whistle,” he says from his perch in the JC Food Truck, parked off Highway 133 in Carbondale. “It’s universal. Everyone can whistle. You don’t have […]
Crystal Theatre Alliance
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Finding that spark at the Crystal
Apparently, everyone looking for love is tired of the apps, because the No Swipe Social interactive dating game, hosted at the Crystal Theatre on Feb. 12, completely sold out. Fresh suitors and contestants rotated for four rounds, culminating in a winning pair at the end of the night. From fun lines of questioning to riotous […]
Posted inColumns
Will Call: Movie Business 101
As the Crystal Theatre suddenly finds itself the only cinema between Rifle and Aspen, it seems like a good time to publicly address a question I’ve heard almost daily since we went nonprofit last September. Why don’t we show more new movies? Exactly what someone means by that varies a bit, but the answer almost […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Sharing awws and laughs at the Crystal Theatre
The Crystal Theatre Alliance has been busy rolling films for audiences in Carbondale ever since taking over from the esteemed Ezra family last year and converting the beloved single-screen cinema to a nonprofit. The theater isn’t just inviting movie-goers, however, but is hosting various forms of live entertainment. Two such chances are on deck: the […]
Posted inColumns
In a world of streaming services, you still can’t beat the big screen
The Nefud Desert, Saudi Arabia. Searing, shimmering heat. In “Lawrence of Arabia,” T.E. Lawrence (Peter O’Toole in his first major role) and Sharif Ali (world, meet Omar Sharif) lead their soldier band at night through the “Devil’s Anvil.” One man, exhausted, falls off his camel. I saw this film probably in the ‘80s, but still […]
Posted inLetters
Letters – Dec. 25, 2025
Clay Center thanksI’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to the incredible community who made the Carbondale Clay Center’s two-day Cup Auction event a tremendous success. Thanks to the generosity of 246 donated cups from talented artists all over the world, the dedication of our volunteers and the hard work of our staff, we raised […]
Posted inLocal Government
Carbondale Report: Budget approved, $500,000 pledged to Cavern Springs, Artspace exits
Trustees approved a final draft of their 2026 budget at the Dec. 9 meeting which reinstates Park and Rec amenities previously removed. But first, they approved a consent agenda consisting of meeting minutes, accounts payable, a snow removal agreement with Excavation Services and appointment of Brenda Rivera to the Latino Advisory Board. During trustee comments, […]
Posted inSports
One Night Only: Gripping “Girl Climber” to air at Crystal Theatre benefitting GSHS Climbing Club
Thunk. Emily Harrington throws her foot — her heel — up beside her fingers, straining to traverse a two-inch granite edge high on El Capitan, in the wind and weather, where the trees 2,500 feet below look like sprigs. She is trying to climb, as the film “Girl Climber” documents, the demanding Golden Gate route […]
Posted inColumns
Keeping Diné traditions alive with Lupita McClanahan
I first met Diné elder Lupita McClanahan on the morning of her talk at the Crystal Theatre last week, when I picked her up at the Bustang stop in West Glenwood. Until then, we were strangers. I felt instantly self-conscious, realizing how woefully undereducated I was about Diné culture, knowing little more than a few […]
Posted inLetters
Letters – July 31, 2025
Re: Crystal Theatre AllianceI think (since the Crystal Theatre is now a kind of museum), that the way to preserve it and convert it into a money-making entity again would be to feature classic movies from the silent movie days, then the “talkies” and then the first technicolor movies — and, finally, classics of the […]