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2009 Festival Preview
Get Your Love On
(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.)
NEW MEXICO
Summer of Love
May until September
Taos (taossummeroflove.com)
Groovy.
Summer of Love celebrates the 40th anniversary of this classic flick that tells the story of two bikers who travel through the Southwest and South to get to know the landscape, culture and people of the two regions. It stars some of Hollywood's finest stars ? Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson. The film celebrates counterculture and has been tagged as being a "touchstone for a generation" that "captured the national imagination." Not to mention that some of the best movie lines ever on screen and most oft-repeated come from "Easy Rider." The film is No. 88 on the list of 100 Years, 100 Films by the American Film Institute.
Because Hopper lived in Taos at the time the film was made (he still spend time there) and some of the shots in "Easy Rider" were filmed in the small northwest New Mexico town, the festival is centered there. That the significance of the film's aesthetics is one of the reasons the film was added to the United States National Film Registry is a tribute of sorts to Taos' beauty.
The entire town - and some surrounding areas - is celebrating all of this for the summer. The bulk of activities celebrate the 1960s era, with special attention to those years in Taos and the people who were on the scene at the time. Besides Dennis Hopper's presence in Taos for the summer, the actor will have on display at the Harwood Museum of Art his photography, including a selection of portraits of artists and paintings made in the medium of silver gelatin. Along with that exhibit will be work by Hopper Curates: Larry Bell, Ron Cooper, Ronald Davis, Ken Price and Robert Dean Stockwell. These five artists arrived in Taos from Los Angeles in the early 1960s, and during that time, Hopper often visited the galleries where these artists hung their work. Over the years, he added their pieces to his collection.
Other '60s-era artists will also have shows various galleries. For instance, Douglas Johnson will show new and old miniature gouache paintings of exotic scenes along the Hippie Trail, from Cuzco to Bangkok to Taos. During weekends, sculptor Harriet Greene will work at a project to carve in marble the word "peace" and quotes by peace activitists from throughout the world.
Musically, every Thursday night there will be live music on the Taos Plaza. May 26-31 will be World Peace Week, June 21-Aug. 6 will be the Taos School of Music Chamber portion of the festival, July 3-11 will be the Toast of Taos Wine Festival. And there will be mountain and road cycling events, motorcycle rides, Native American celebrations, feast days and so much more.
Sadly, for those of you who may have looked forward to the Summer of Love at the Taos Solar Music Festival, the sluggish economy turned the festival into a victim. Organizers called off this year's event.
While this preview is truly a preview, one that is meant to dangle a carrot in front of you, suffice it to say there will be a lot of peace and love in Taos this summer. And who doesn't like peace and love?
July 19-August 24
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 Bach, Schubert, Mozart, Bartok, Haydn and much more. Check the festival Web site closer to the date to see the full schedule.
Santa Fe Traditional & Bluegrass Music Festival
August 28-30
Santa Fe (southwestpickers.org/festivals.html)
Small but traditional - just like the name says. This is a gathering of die-hard bluegrass musicians who truly appreciate the artistry of their style. On the schedule this year are: Alan Munde & Gazette, Blue Canyon Boys, Adobe Brothers, Lee Stripling Trio, Dirk Powel and Riley Baugus. There also will be several Santa Fe and regional bands.
Thirsty Ear Festival
June 12-14
Eaves Movie Ranch, Santa Fe (thirstyearfestival.com)
This year's festival moves up a month as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Thirsty Ear 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. Big names this year include Keb Mo, Bela Fleck and Steel Pulse.
ARIZONA
Flagstaff Music Festival
June 20-21
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. To boot, it's a free festival. Sunday morning is a Reggae fest, featuring: Casper and the Might 602 Band, The Skanksters, Summit Dub Squad, The Foot Solejahs and Charlie Williams. The Sunday lineup is to be determined.
Flagstaff Folk Festival
June 27-28
Coconino Center for the Arts and Pioneer Museum, Flagstaff
(http://flagfolkfest.org/)
One hundred acts, four stages, workshops, one dance (at least organized; spontaneous ones are sure to bust out during a good jig or two) and much more are on tap for this hometown shindig. Prices are low, too: $3/person, $9/family.
Red Rock Music Festival
April-September
Sedona (redrocksmusicfestival.com)
This summerlong event showcases some of the best talent in their music genres ? flamenco, jazz, classical and family songs). Concerts are at various times throughout the summer, beginning April 10. Performers: Un Corazon Flamenco, and radio personality, Michael Dixon, narrator, David Ehrlich, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Rami Solomonow, Michael Dixon, Nancy Buck, Teresa Ehrlich, Russell Schmidt and Jan Simiz.
Pickin' in the Pines
September 18-20
Flagstaff (www.pickininthepines.org)
Pine trees are a prime place for listening to rocking bluegrass music in the aptly named Pine Mountain Amphitheater. The venue holds up to 2,500 people, so the event is large enough to ensure you'll get tickets yet small enough to make it an intimate affair. In Flagstaff this year, the music will be delivered by the Gibson Brothers, the Claire Lynch Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, Crooked Still and Burnett Family Bluegrass and more.
Sedona Jazz Fest on the Rocks
September 22-27
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 17-19
Durango (durangomeltdown.com)
Back again and sure to be as good, the Meltdown puts down bluegrass roots in five places during its few days in Durango. Besides concerts, there will be workshops a Celtdown, an Old Time Barn Dance, a Gospel Show and a Super Jan.
Telluride Jazz Celebration
June 5-7
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,
Ozomatli, Bill Frisell Trio, Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Jimmy Herring, Lizz Wright, Donald Harrison, Rebirth Brass Band, Christian Scott, Kenny Walker, On the One, The Duo, Telluride Student All-Star Jazz Ensemble and the Young Razzcals Jazz Project Once again, this year's festival coincides with the annual Telluride Balloon Rally.
Pagosa Bluegrass and Folk Festival
June 5-7
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. The PBFF lineup this year includes The Belleville Outfit , Bearfoot Band, Tony Furtado Band, Sweet Sunny South, The Boston Boys, The John Jorgenson Quintet, Missy Raines and the New Hip, Sarah Jarosz, Badly Bent, The Infamous Stringdusters, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Expedition Quartet, Jeff & Vida. New to this year's festival offerings is the Bearfoot Bluegrass Camp for Kids, for youngsters 5-17 years. The camp precedes the festival and is held June 3-5.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 18-21
Town Park, Telluride (bluegrass.com/telluride)
The famous and much-loved Telluride Bluegrass Festival coincides this year with Summer Solstice ? the longest day of the year. What better way to spend it than under the full moon of the San Juan Mountains listening to a bit longer concert and celebrating the beginning of summer? Fest-fave Jerry Douglas this year celebrates his 25th consecutive year of playing at the TBF and to celebrate, he has invited Elvis Costello & The Sugarcanes to do a bluegrass set. The entire list of musicians is too long to put here, so check out the festival Web site. But to pique your interest, we'll throw out a goodie: David Byrne.
Crested Butte Music Festival
July 4-26
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 36 events in 23 days that include entertainment for children. This year's conductors are Benjamin Wallfisch and David Syrus.
Music in the Mountains Classical Music Festival
July 10-August 2
Durango (musicinthemountains.com)
¡Pasion! will be on tap in Durango this summer as the 23rd annual Music in the Mountains heats up. 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. Once again this year, conductors Gregory Hustis, Guillermo Figueroa and Arkady Fomin line up top-notch classical musicians.
Silverton Jamboree
June 12-14
Silverton (www.silvertonjamboree.net)
You can get high on music and altitude at this festival. Nestled in the high mountains of the mining town, the Jamboree will be a weekend of strumming and crooning. Performers are still being added to the weekend, but so far Papa Mali, Aftergrass, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers, Mama's Cookin', U.S. Pipe, Strange New Shoes, Honey Don't, Mountain Heart and SCOTS! will take the main stage and the various juke joints throughout this tiny town.
Four Corners Folk Festival
September 4-6
Reservoir Hill, Pagosa Springs (folkwest.com)
For 13 years, the Four Corners Folk Festival has been steadily moving up in the ranks of festivals in the Four Corners. In the small-town of Pagosa Springs, the weekend becomes a long family-style party that encourages nontouring 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.
UTAH
Desert Rocks
May 22-24
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 you can see David Gans from the Grateful Dead Hour, hip-hop act Tha Alkaholiks, String Cheese legend Bill Nershi will be playing with Head for the Hills, Nathan Moore of Surprise Me Mr. David and The Slip, The Motet Tribute to Herbie Hancock, Lion Vibes, The Band of Annuals, Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers, Spearit, Equal Eyes and Bryon Freidman.
Women's Red Rock Festival
August 7-8
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 2009 lineup.
Moab Music Festival
September 3-14
Moab (moabmusicfest.org)
This month-long festival celebrates year 17, again putting on 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 long list of concerts.
Moab Folk Festival
November 6-9
Moab (moabfolkfestival.com)
The festival this year highlights the 2008 People's Choice Artist Ferron to headline. Held at five different places throughout Moab, the folk music rings throughout the surrounding red rock country. The performers are still being lined up, so check out the Web site as the year goes on.
Amy Maestas is feeling and giving the love for the summer of 2009.
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