Riverfest
Music Schedule
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
NOTE:Â All times and information are subject to change
Friday, May 26
River Reach Terrace Only
5:00pm – 6:45pm – Majik Ham
7:15pm – 9:00pm – Tim Sullivan
Saturday, May 27
River Reach Terrace
10:00am – 11:30am – Shawn Arrington Band
11:00am – 12:00pm – Weiner Dog Races
12:30pm – 2:00pm – Joe Tohonnie Jr. and the White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers
2:30pm – 4:00pm – Breezin’
4:30pm – 6:00pm – Funkified
6:30pm – 8:00pm – Jokers Wild
Boyd Park
10:00am – 11:30am – Zia Chicks
12:00pm – 1:30pm – Desert Thunder
2:00pm – 3:30pm – Myrrhine & the Big Suitcase / Brant Leeper Band
4:00pm – 5:30pm – Spaghetti Western Band
6:00pm – 8:00pm – Ben Gibson Band
Courtyard by Marriot
12:00pm – 8:00pm – Andean Tradition
Sunday, May 28
River Reach Terrace
11:00am – 12:30pm – Black Velvet
1:00pm – 2:30pm – Sandstoners
4:30pm – 5:00pm – San Juan Chorale
Boyd Park
11:00am – 12:30pm – Julie and the Boyz
1:00pm – 2:30pm – Kirk James Band
3:00pm – 3:30pm – Duck Race
3:30pm – 5:00pm – F.A.B.
Courtyard by Marriot
12:00pm – 5:00pm – Andean Tradition
MUSIC SPONSORS
Please thank these sponsors!
Who Are They?
(in alphabetical order)
Andean Tradition
Alfredo Saravino is the leader of the Andean Tradition band which was started in 1993 in Ecuador before they moved to the USA. Their music reflects the Incan music culture & is very soothing. They perform at many arts & music festivals around the country.
Ben Gibson Band
The Ben Gibson Band is a rock and roll band consisting of:
- Ben Gibson – Guitar / Vocals
- Jim Belcher – Bass / Vocals
- Ben Simpson – Drums / Percussion / Vocals
They are based in Durango, CO
Black Velvet
Nina Sasaki and Larry Carver have been performing together full time as the core duo of Black Velvet since 2009. They play 75-80 shows a year at venues throughout southwest Colorado and northern New Mexico, and are often joined at the larger venues by guest musicians, to play as a trio or band.
Their sound blends Nina’s velvety smooth vocals and acoustic rhythm guitar with Larry’s melodic and passionate electric lead guitar work, and covers a wide range of rock, blues and jazz.
Breezin’
Breezin’ is a talented group of musicians based out of the Four Corners area. The 7-piece band plays a wide variety of music genres including country, rock, and blues. The band began 34 years ago, and has had many great local musicians as members. The Breezin’ members are Shannon Farrell, Sheryl Jones, Jeff Boddy, Emmett Fowler, Dana McGarrh, Dean Foust and Glenn Keefe. The band caters to all age groups, and plays a wide selection of dance music. Breezin’ plays the music from back when the music- was real music!!
The Desert Thunder Band
The Desert Thunder Band is a Country/Western and Rock’n’Roll band that plays throughout the Four Corners since 1995. We play new country, old country, and rock n roll dance songs. We love to play songs that take the audience to different era’s of music.
Paul New is one of the founding members of The Desert Thunder Band. He is the lead singer, plays rhythm guitar, and some lead guitar. He has been playing music in the area for over 40 years.Â
Jason Roberts plays bass, sings lead, and backup vocals. He has been playing music for over 25 years. He has been in The Desert Thunder Band since 2016. Â
Rick Gilbreath plays lead guitar and also sings lead vocals. He has been playing music for over 25 years. He has been in The Desert Thunder Band since 2016.
Jesston New plays drums and sings lead vocals. He has been playing music for over 20 years. He has been in The Desert Thunder Band since 2007.
Funkified
New Orleans Mardi Gras Funk Band
Teun B. Fetz – Drums
Simone Sanchez – Vocals
Alex Olivas – Saxophone
Delbert Anderson – Trumpet
Chris Argotsinger – Trombone
Tom Maddox – Bass
Joseph Quackenbush – Guitar
Jokers Wild Band
Jokers Wild Band is owned by Tony Delgado, Sr. Tony has played with many, many musicians over his 40 years as the band’s owner. Jokers Wild plays a variety of music, country, classic rock, and northern New Mexican music.
Northern New Mexican music is the band’s signature style. Tony, Sr. has written and recorded a number of original songs in this style. Jokers Wild prides itself as a tight group with talented musicians dedicated to bringing New Mexican music to San Juan County and its neighbors.
Julie & The Boyz
Julie & The Boyz are a dynamic and fun local cover band. The band covers a wide genre of music, from classic rock, country and NM Spanish music.
The goal of the band is to entertain, bring happiness and of course, create a fun atmosphere.
The Band consists of Julie Marquez (Lead Singer) Tritt Smith (Guitarist) Antonio Velasquez (Bassist) Doug Hodges (Drummer). This year they will also be featuring Jose Villarreal on Bass and vocals. Jose is a lively addition to this exciting group! They love performing live music which will always add that special ambience to your event. The group has performed at Wildhorse Saloon,SunRay Casino, No Worries, Car Shows, Tico TIme, wedding receptions and many other events.
Kirk James Band
Kirk James is solidly grounded in the Texas Blues tradition, playing Texas Shuffles, Ragtime and funky grooves. His unmistakable phrasing mixed with bottleneck slide conjures images of T-Bone Walker, Elmore James and Lightnin’ Hopkins. A blues performer for over 30 years, Kirk is known for his strong blues guitar style and distinctive vocals. James plays both original material and classics from the Blues Masters.
Kirk has opened concerts for Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, John Hammond, Charlie Musselwhite, Tab Benoit, Los Lonely Boys, Eric Johnson, Coco Montoya, Edgar Winter, Arlo Guthrie, Anson Funderburgh with Sam Myers, Richie Havens among others. Kirk performed as the ‘Tweener Act at the Telluride Blues & Brews.
Solo or with the Kirk James Blues Band, Kirk can be found performing at Festivals, Concerts and small venues in Colorado and throughout the Four Corners Region.
photo by Tonny Bennett
Luke Renner
Luke Renner, The New Mexico Yo-Yo Slinger. Mr. Renner has over 30 years of yo-yo performance experience from the streets of Berlin to the coasts of California. He began performing as a yo-yo man in New Mexico after winning a yo-yo contest in Durango, Colorado. In 2013 he was awarded during the World Yo-Yo Contest in Orlando, Florida for both one handed and two handed tricks Sports Ladder Division and won 1st place at the 2014 National Yo-Yo Contest in the Sports Ladder Division in Chico, California. Mr. Renner is a spokesperson for the international Magic Yo-Yo company. Performances are a combination of expert skill on a string with a magical touch.
In Farmington, New Mexico he has hosted the Yo Down Show Down. New Mexico’s longest running yo-yo contest which will be celebrating 18 years in 2023.
Majik Ham
This power trio of 14-year-old musicians out of Durango, Colorado play with expertise well beyond their years.
Alec Bell (guitar), Elias Javier (keyboard), and Taylor Williams (drums) formed a band in Spring 2018 with the direction of Tim Sullivan, and have been rockin’ ever since. They have all participated in various classes and bands through Stillwater Music in Durango, CO.
Mysto the Magi
Mitch Harwood aka Mysto the Magi, fell in love with magic at an early age performing his first professional show when he was just 12 years old. By the time he was 14 he performed for an audience of over 300 for a Cancer Society benefit, in which he levitated an audience member.
Since then, Mysto has performed over 10,000 shows ranging from restaurants, art and renaissance festivals, Hollywood movies, cruise ships, corporate events, fundraisers, theaters, and performing art centers.
A consummate entertainer, Mysto is an award winning magician in both stage magic AND close-up sleight of hand, a unique combination in the world of magic. See his full evening stage illusion at the Animas City Theatre in Downtown Durango every Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday this July through August.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Shawn Arrington Blues Band
Shawn Arrington Blues Band is a three piece band that has been together for 8 years.
- They play local venues such as No Worries, Riverfest, The Museum, Billy Goat in Bayfield, and private parties.
- They play blues and rock-n-roll covers, they even have several originals.
- They play music as a hobby and love what they do.
- Shawn Arrington vocals, lead guitarist
- Fred Brown vocals, drums
- Floyd Johnson vocals, bass, harmonica
The Spaghetti Western Band
Spaghetti Western is a Durango-based honky-tonk country band that plays the best of traditional country from the 40’s and onward. With pedal steel, fiddle, guitar, bass and drums along with vocal harmonies, Spaghetti Western will have you up and two stepping to that great old time country music.Â
Tim Sullivan
Oklahoma-born singer/songwriter Tim Sullivan has been a featured performer at venues throughout the United States and the world. From Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville to Ireland, Australia, France, UK, and Italy. He has appeared on stage with such country stars as Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Glen Campbell and Tammy Wynette. From Carnegie Hall to the Wild Horse Saloon, Tim sings a compelling combination of his own songs and some old and new favorites that audiences love. His accomplished guitar work is a good match to his soaring tenor voice, and he tells a good story that keeps audiences involved and always wanting more.
“Mr. Sullivan’s good-natured folksiness set the stage . . . a guitar-strumming Oklahoma cowboy who led the audience in a jubilant sing-a-long of “This Land is Your Land.” He preceded it with a rhymed catalog of the names of his 100 biggest musical influences, spanning every genre . . . during the opening concert of the 23rd New York Cabaret Convention at the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, gave this annual convocation a reviving shot of adrenaline.”
Stephen Holden/New York Times
“Tim Sullivan is one of those titan talents masked as a good old boy”
John Hoglund/Backstage Magazine (New York)
Wild Country
We are the Wild Country band from Durango, CO. Ted Hockenbury on pedal steel guitar and five string banjo. Shawn Henricks on bass. Matt Beeman lead singer. Charlie Harmer on guitar. Jason on drums.