Have the cold, dreary winter nights got you down? Revive your spirits by listening to some great acoustic music at the warm and cozy El Rancho Tavern, while you sit near the huge fireplace with good food and drinks at hand. You can dance in front of the fireplace, sing along, or just sit back and relax. On Saturday night, Jan. 12, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Widlund & Ciszek make a return engagement to El Rancho and will entertain with a diverse repertoire of acoustic music from many genre and eras, as well as performing their unique originals.

The group is comprised of Kathleen Widlund (vocals), Ted Ciszek (guitar), and Richard Ball (acoustic bass, tenor sax and flute). They are based in the Evergreen/Conifer area and have performed at a number of local venues including Ravens, the Little Bear, the Ice House, the Brook Forrest Inn, and Your Neighborhood Grill. Kathleen and Ted teamed up about a year and a half ago, and Richard joined them this past summer for some events. Kathleen moved to Colorado from Minnesota a few years ago and resides in Conifer. Ted and Richard are long-time Evergreen residents. They have all been involved in a number of other prior musical endeavors.

Widlund & Ciszek draw from a variety of musical styles in their performance, including folk, pop, old standards, country, and rock. Many time eras are also represented. Some examples: Bye Bye Blackbird - 1926, Dream A Little Dream of Me - 1931, Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain - 1945, Cold, Cold Heart - 1951, Someday Soon - 1964, Vincent, 1972, Pride and Joy - 1983, Fields of Gold - 1993, Otherside - 1999. Their originals also reflect diversity in themes, styles, and tempos.

So come on out and enjoy the music, the good food, the drinks, and the atmosphere (the walls are teeming with mountain lions, elk, and bison, oh my!). El Rancho is located just up the hill from Golden, near the Evergreen Parkway exit 252 off of Interstate 70. It is a great place to unwind, and a convenient stop, after a day on the ski slopes. For more information about El Rancho or this musical event, go to www.historicelrancho.com or call 303-526-0661. For more information about Widlund & Ciszek, and sound clips, please visit www.geolite.com/widlundandciszek.htm.