The Lucky 13th year of the Dolores River Festival takes place Saturday, June 11, at Joe Rowell Park from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
All the luck is happening this year for the popular music festival put on by Dolores Greater Action.
There was a weeklong whitewater release below the dam, McPhee Reservoir is full, farmers are happy, and bands will fill two stages for just $20 online, $25 the day of the show.
“The bands are arriving, and all looks good, including sunny weather,” said promoter Ryan Robison. “Buy online and save $5 on tickets.”
Headlining the festival at 7:15 p.m. is the Honey Island Swamp Band from New Orleans.
“Think Allman Brothers Band meets The Band meets Little Feat with a twist of swamp boogie and a dash of hot sauce,” Robison said.
The band is coming off a tour that included New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Its new album is produced by Luther Dickinson, Black Crowes’ guitarist and North Mississippi All Stars frontman.
At 6:45 p.m., local rock reggae group Wake Up Laughing will perform. The Cortez band consists of Kevin Frazier (lead guitar, vocals, songwriter), Isaac James Kimbro (drums, vocals, songwriter), Mary Hess (bass, ukulele, vocals, songwriter) and Snyder (lead vocals, songwriter, rhythm guitar, trumpet).
At 5:15 p.m., don’t miss The Workshy, an eclectic six-piece funk group from the Denver area. It provides an incredibly energetic live show by pulling influences from jazz, blues, funk and more to create an infectious blend of music. With members from Los Angeles, Washington, New York, Iowa,and South Korea, The Workshy creates a sound that is unique as their roots. They have opened for Jazz is Dead, Euforquestra, Great American Taxi, Fruition, Radio Moscow, and Juno What?! The Workshy is captivating crowds and building a strong following around the national music scene. As Mary Buck of the Des Moines Music Coalition put it, “Don’t be surprised if you find yourself smiling unwittingly. It just sounds fun.”
At 3:15 p.m., Niceness will perform their positively grounded roots-reggae, blending a mix of soulful reggae, dancehall, latin, hip hop and funk.
“Our goal as a band is to spread positive vibrations with our music,” says lead vocalist Koral Delatierra. “We share words of wisdom and gratitude to inspire and empower our fellow brothers and sisters to know thyself and to stand in truth and love.”
At 1:30 p.m., Sky Pilot takes the stage. Founded in 2012, Sky Pilot describes itself as an electro-fusion jam funk band. Hailing from Durango members are Aaron Lombardo, Jim Belcher, Ryan McCurry and Chad MacCluskey. These seasoned musicians are a don’t-miss act.
At noon, Farmington Hill brings you country-fried indie rock from Durango. Paul “Bubba” Iudice (acoustic guitar) and Erik Nordstrom (telecaster) have been collaborating since 2006, dusting off old songs and creating new music about drinking, driving, friends that have passed away, love, heartbreak, the good life and the not-so-good life. Kelly Rogers adds lap-steel to the mix. Mary Hess lays down the bass, and Logan Miller provides tasty drum licks.
Kicking off the day at 10:30 a.m., Last Nickel, of Dolores, will drive a freight train of bluegrass, gospel and the lyrical folk songs.
“Last Nickel sits the traditional and the contemporary down at the table to arm wrestle,” according to the band’s Facebook. Members are Bobby Wintringham, mandolin; Nikki Sargent, bass fiddle; Chris Bouton, lead guitar; John Chmelir, rhythm guitar; Andy hutchinson, banjo.
Other bands to play include Snyder Fish (11:30 a.m.), Cold Chicken (1 p.m.), Fellowship of the Strings (2:45 p.m.) and Hui Aloha (4:45 p.m.).
The Roadrunner Stage Lines will be providing transportation to and from the festival from Durango, Cortez and Mancos. Riders are dropped off at 8:15 a.m. and picked up at 6:30 p.m.
There will be free raft rides, food and merchandise vendors, river costume parade, craft beer and margaritas for sale, camping on festival grounds, and a large kids activity area. Well-behaved dogs and leashed dogs are allowed.
Also new this year is a light show by Night Circus Lighting for the evening act. Niceness will play at late night show at the Dolores River Brewery.