Email this article
Let's Party!
There is a name for every kind of fanatic, so this one is for all of you festivarians. Here is Inside/Outside Southwest magazine's 2008 preview of upcoming music festivals in the Four Corners (and slightly outside the official bounds - only because we like to color outside the lines).
Festivarians are a special lot - they suffer from a music addiction that is made all the easier to endure when done in a community setting. Some of the festivals listed here attract the same audience every year, because what they have to offer can't be replicated on your iPod or satellite radio. In researching the festivals going on this year, Inside/Outside Southwest came across a place where these die-hards hang out when there isn't a festival going on - Festivarian.com. These people are serious. And they have all kinds of information you could possibly want about attending a festival. Miki Leppert, a resident of Golden, Colo., keeps going back to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival because of the size of the crowd. That's right - the crowd. For some, the en masse in Telluride every June is a reason to choose to stay away. But Leppert likes Telluride's wide-open park location that allows festivarians to dance.
"The crowd has a lot to do with the vibe," Leppert says. "People that keep coming back year after year, are beautiful familiar faces everywhere, like one big joyous family!"
Leppert says she has too many favorite moments at the festival to pick just one, but she divulges: "Mr. Johnny Cash and his wife did a show that gave me goosebumps for what felt like an eternity. He is swingin' and I would have never known."
Durango resident Pam Briley also likes the crowd and community feel. Briley is a self-professed former Dead Head who has kept that fire alive by scheduling her life as much as possible around festivals. Briley says she makes that possible by volunteering at festivals. That accomplishes two things: she gives help to people who put on the festivals, and she gets tickets in the process.
No matter your motivation for choosing one of these highlighted festivals, there is plenty to attend in the upcoming year. Plan wisely and you may dance your way through the summer having attended a handful.
(Disclaimer: The list here is not complete and exhaustive of all festivals taking place. It is not meant to be the definitive and representative list of all in the Four Corners. Also, make sure you visit Web sites for each festival to get updates and changes that have been made since this publication.)
ARIZONA
Sedona Jam
June 20 - 21
Sedona (sedonajam.com)
Sedona Jam likes to lure festivarians in by promising to "honor the renegade, the truthteller, the iconoclast in all of us" with music from emerging artists. The bonus is the so-called vortex vibe of Sedona. The promoters are big on pulling in talent that is roots-based, free of corporate music labels and pigeonholes. Like other small-scale festivals in the Four Corners, this is probably one at which you can discover new artists and in the near future be able to say, I remember when I saw him/her/them in Sedona. Check the Web site later to learn about the artists playing at this year's jam.
Flagstaff Music Festival
June 21 - 22
Heritage Square, Flagstaff
(flagstaffmusicfestival.com)
The Flagstaff Music Festival brings in local and regional musicians to celebrate their various types of talent. This festival also includes artists, craft-makers and other types of vendors. This year's lineup has not yet been finalized. Proceeds from the festival help support the Mary Crawley Student Aide Scholarship at Northern Arizona University Cline Library.
Flagstaff Folk Festival
June 28 - 29
Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff
(ffotm.net/folkfest)
Solos, bands, trios, duets, workshops and jams are how the folk festival likes to tout itself. There is plenty of folk entertainment at a low-key, no-pretenses festival.
Red Rock Music Festival
August 23
Sedona (redrocksmusicfestival.com)
In the shadow of the red-rock landscape of Sedona, the aptly named festival delivers unique and thoughtful music. The 2008 lineup shows that. A new addition this year is Paradisa!, a trio (cello, flute, piano) that plays classic and jazz music. Other programs will include Music Under Totalitarian Regime, with works composed during communist Russia and during the Holocaust, and one with "classical meets jazz" with the Russell Schmidt (chairman of the jazz department at Bowling Green University) David Ehrlich (Virginia Tech), Rami Solomonow (De Paul University) and Nancy Buck and Thomas Landschoot (Arizona State University).
Grand Canyon Music Festival
September
Grand Canyon National Park
(grandcanyonmusicfest.org)
For about three weeks, the festival puts on chamber music concerts in Grand Canyon National Park. The concerts are a diverse selection of music that rejoices in one of the world's overwhelmingly beautiful places. The festival also does an outreach program to the Grand Canyon School and schools on American Indian reservations in Arizona. This year celebrates the festival's 25th season. Though the line-up is still to come, it likely will live up to its past years of showcasing world-renowned musicians. Visit the festival's Web site later to view the final schedule.
Sedona Jazz Fest on the Rocks
September 23 - 28
Sedona (sedonajazz.com)
This nonprofit helps promote jazz with artists both famous and up and coming. Combined with concerts, the jazz fest has programs that help promote young Arizona musicians. This year's lineup of this festival that has been around since 1981 is still to be announced.
COLORADO
Durango Bluegrass Meltdown
April 11 - 13
Durango (durangomeltdown.com)
A favorite among Durango locals, the Meltdown heats up the shoulder season in Colorado with a range of national and hometown musicians. The lineups always give audiences a good dose of no-frills, non-ersatz bluegrass entertainment, energizing the masses for other like-festivals about to come in the summer. Bluegrass nuts roam the Durango streets making it from one venue to the next to find a new way to appreciate the kind of music that is so popular in this region. Gear up this year to hear music from Jim Lauderdale Bluegrass Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Chris Stuart and Backcountry Hurricane Creek Bluegrass, Badly Bent, Rock and Rye, Down the Road, Howard Cattle Company, Deep Blue Creek, Bluegrass Patriots, Spring Creek Bluegrass Band, Sweet Sunny South, and Blue Canyon Boys.
Telluride Jazz Celebration
June 5 - 8
Telluride (telluridejazz.com)
Since 1977, the Telluride Society for Jazz has been putting on this event under the imposing landscape of the San Juan Mountains. It's a small affair when compared to the town's other music festival, which gives the jazz celebration that much more intimacy and connectedness to the type of music that almost demands it. Concerts take place on the outdoor stage during the day and in clubs at night. The lineup this year includes, so far, The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, McCoy Tyner, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman Group, Bettye LaVette, Simone, Grupo Fantasma, Chuscales, Maelstrom Trio featuring Skerik, Crescent Super Band. It also has the special Telluride Student All-Start Jazz Ensemble, which is a program for students age 13 and older. The program does a national talent search for young jazz musicians, who then spend a week in the program and finish it off with a performance at the jazz celebration - give them exposure that can't be bought. What's more - this year's festival coincides with the annual Telluride Balloon Rally.
Pagosa Bluegrass and Folk Festival
June 6 - 8
Reservoir Hill, Pagosa Springs
(folkwest.com/folk_bluegrass_festival/index.htm)
Pagosa's other equally popular festival - with bluegrass added - draws rootsy bands from around the country. Besides the performances, there also are workshops and a kids program. While the adults groove on the music, kids can settle into the tent to see performances specifically for them, hear stories told and do arts, crafts and other activities to wear them out for a good night's sleep at the campground. The PBFF lineup this year includes The Waybacks, Russ Barenberg & Bryan Sutton, The Biscuit Burners, Martha Scanlan, The Belleville Outfit, Cadillac Sky, Red Stick Ramblers, Boulder Acoustic Society, Shannon Whitworth, Jayme Stone, The Badly Bent and Rock and Rye.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 19 - 22
Town Park, Telluride (bluegrass.com/telluride)
Telluride is known for many things, this bluegrass festival among them. It draws music fanatics from all over the country to hear a consistently stellar lineup of musicians young and old, known and less-known. It's the time when Telluride, a town of a couple thousand, balloons to nearly five times its size. People who attend plan year-round for the festival, partly because they enjoy the anticipation and partly because the popularity of the festival demands it (tickets sell out early and fast). Bonnie Raitt, who has played at the festival, put it best once by saying, "I loved the vibe of playing the festival . . . so eclectic, tribal and such a wild celebration. It's like the whole town is one big partying tribe, and in one of the most stunning settings you could imagine." The confirmed lineup so far this year includes Sam Bush Band, Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder, Ani DiFranco, Yonder Mountain String Band, John Cowan & Darrell Scott Band, Tim O'Brien, Bela Fleck, Peter Rowan, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Brett Dennen and the Spring Creek Bluegrass Band. A bonus: this year's festival coincides with the Summer Solstice. Prepare for a full moon, solstice celebrations and music.
Crested Butte Music Festival
July 4 - 31
Crested Butte (crestedbuttemusicfestival.com)
This festival is a combination of performances of opera and dance, and orchestra, chamber, jazz and bluegrass music. In nearly a month, the festival puts on more than 40 events that include entertainment for children. Though the town of Crested Butte is small, this festival is anything but. During the years it has been going on, several works of dance and music have made their world premieres at this festival - starting with Dana Gioia's "Nosferatu," an operatic rendition of the masterpiece of German Expressionist drama.
Music in the Mountains Classical Music Festival
July 11 - August 3
Durango (musicinthemountains.com)
Music in the Mountains has been taking place for 22 years in and around Durango. For three weeks, dozens of orchestra and chamber music concerts are put on in various venues, including the giant white tent at Durango Mountain Resort. A favorite for the classical music lover, MIM always draws big names to help people appreciate the grandiosity of the pieces performed. This season, MIM musicians will be lead by the new music director and conductor Guillermo Figueroa, who replaces the festival's founder and conductor Mischa Semanitzky. This year, the Mambo Kings return to MIM to deliver high-powered Latin music. Others to join MIM include violinists Vadim Gluzman and Philippe Quint, Celtic fiddler Eileen Ivers, pianist Aviram Reichert, and conductor Carl Topilow.
Four Corners Folk Festival
August 29 - 31
Reservoir Hill, Pagosa Springs (folkwest.com)
For more than a decade, the Four Corners Folk Festival has been steadily moving up in the ranks of festivals in the Four Corners. It's still a smallish festival with big-name draws (John Hartford, John McEwen, Bela Fleck, Delbert McClinton). In the small-town of Pagosa Springs, the weekend becomes a long family-style party that encourages non-touring musicians to join in campfire jams. Each year, the festival has some mainstay performers that are equally powerful in drawing people back each year as the big names. They are Hot Strings, Nickel Creek and Eddie from Ohio. This year's big-name big draw is the Legendary Earl Scruggs with Family & Friends. Others in the 2008 lineup include The Infamous Stringdusters, The Greencards, Crooked Still, The Belleville Outfit, Boulder Acoustic Society, Anne and Pete Sibley - and more still to be announced.
Santa Fe International Festival of Electroacoustic Music
March 28 - 29
College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe (sfifem.csf.edu)
Yes, there are such festivals in the Southwest that extend beyond folk, bluegrass and classical. The Santa Fe International Festival of Electroacoustic Music (SFIFEM) is such a one. The annual festival celebrates "the interface between music and technology." The festival has a reputation of cutting-edge international electroacoustic music performances, broadcasts, installations, lectures, workshops, and master-classes.
Taos Solar Music Festival
June 27 - 29
Kit Carson Park, Taos (solarmusicfest.com)
By official proclamation, Taos is known as the solar capital of the world, so it's no wonder that the Solar Music Festival blends music with educating festivarians about alternative energy. Big-name musicians like Michael Franti and Spearhead, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, the Robert Mirabal Band and smaller musicians like Thrift Store Cowboys and Last to Know are the music part. The energy part is in the Solar Village, where organizers have demonstrations like solar ovens, adobe building and hydrogen-fuel technology.
Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
July 20 - August 15
Museum of Fine Art, Santa Fe (sfcmf.org)
On stage since 1973, this Santa Fe music festival brings chamber music to the city for about a month. The concerts are in the 430-seat St. Francis Auditorium in the Museum of Fine Art. Here, you'll hear works from such esteemed composers as Shostakovich, Britten, Chopin, Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart. Check the festival Web site closer to the date to see the full schedule.
Santa Fe Muzik Fest
August 8 - 10
Santa Fe (santafemuzikfest.com)
Last year was the first for this festival. It is another such festival that goes beyond the traditional music found in this region. The 2008 lineup is still in the works, but for an idea, last year the festival musicians were RBD, Everclear, Wu Tang, Public Enemy, War, George Clinton, Blue October, Hiero glyphics, Burning Spear, Blues Traveler, Citizen Cope, Dark Star Orchestra . . . and more.
Santa Fe Traditional & Bluegrass Music Festival
August 22 - 24
Santa Fe (southwestpickers.org/festivals.html)
Small but traditional - just like the name says. It's a gathering of die-hard bluegrass musicians who truly appreciate the artistry of their style. Check the Web site closer to the date to see who is playing.
Thirsty Ear Festival
August 29 - 31
Eaves Movie Ranch, Santa Fe (thirstyearfestival.com)
This festival provides an impressive selection of world-class folk, blues, alt-country, Cajun, zydeco, bluegrass, reggae and roots rock music over a three-day period (not to mention microbrews, wine, food, camping and entertainment for kids). Thirsty Ear each year is put on at Eaves Movie Ranch, an icon of western films - new and old. It remains a working film set and a draw for movie enthusiasts.
Taos Chamber Music Festival
November - May
Taos (taoschambermusicgroup.org)
Taos Chamber Music Group extends its festival over several months, during which it has concerts of chamber music in the form of baroque and classic, as well as compositions by Latin American, Spanish, American Indian, female and jazz artists. The group presents imaginative and inspirational programming at about a dozen concerts each year.
UTAH
Desert Rocks
May 22 - 26
Kane Creek Canyon, Moab (desertrocks.org)
Billed as a festival with rock, bluegrass and funk music, it has a slew of musicians playing over Memorial Day weekend. This year's lineup hasn't been announced - but for a small taste, last year showcased the likes of Gigi Love, Kan'nal, Eric McFadden Trio and Delta Nove.
Torrey Music Festival
August 1 - 3
Torrey (torreymusicfestival.com)
Last year festival had 22 performers - an impressive count for a small festival in a small town. Now in its fourth year, the festival proves that bluegrass and folk music is reaching a wider demographic. Torrey is next to Capitol Reef National Park, so prepare for a double-dose of fun if you attend this festival.
Women's Red Rock Festival
August 8 - 9
Torrey (redrockwomensfest.com)
Simply put, this festival celebrates female musicians. For festivarians, some of the artists will be familiar names and faces. But regardless of recognition, it's a powerhouse festival that shows how much women rock. Check the Web site for the developing 2008 lineup.
Moab Music Festival
Aug. 18 - Sept. 13
Moab (moabmusicfest.org)
This month-long festival puts classical music in a spectacular setting. Imagine masterpieces among a red-rock landscape. The festival includes concerts of chamber, classical, traditional, vocal and jazz music. Venues are diverse, but among the most stunning are those performances on the Colorado River. Visit the Web site for this year's concerts.
Moab Folk Festival
Nov. 7 - 9
Moab (moabfolkfestival.com)
Though this year's lineup is still being solidified, you can count on a festival that has, in its past years, invited such folk artists as Bruce Cockburn and Peter Rowan. It's a popular festival that draws folk-music lovers from a wide region to see intimate performances in intimate settings - a formula that often inspires the musicians' new songs.
Contributing editor Amy Maestas's middle name is Fiesta.
Post a comment
insideoutsidemag.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Read our full policy.
