Riverfest

Music Schedule

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

NOTE:  All times and information are subject to change

Friday, May 24

River Reach Terrace Only

5:00pm – 6:30pm – Zia Chicks

7:00pm – 9:00pm – Julie & The Boys

Saturday, May 25

River Reach Terrace

11:30am – Noon – Luke Renner

Noon – 1:30pm – Brant Leeper

1:30pm – 2:00pm – Luke Renner

2:00pm – 3:30pm – White Mountain Apache Dancers

4:00pm – 5:30pm – Breezin

6:00pm – 8:00pm – Jokers Wild

Rocky Reach Landing

10:00am – 11:30am – Pete Giuliani

Noon – 1:30pm – Sandstoners

2:00pm – 3:30pm – D Thunder

3:30pm – 4:00pm – Mysto the Magician

4:00pm – 5:30pm – F.A.B.

5:30pm – 6:00pm – Mysto the Magician

6:00pm – 8:00pm – Jelly Bellies

Boyd Park

2024 Info Coming Soon!

Berg East

All Day – Andean Flutist

Sunday, May 26

River Reach Terrace

10:00am – 11:00am – Fashion Show

11:00am – 12:30pm – Shawn Arrington

1:00pm – 2:30pm – Majik Ham

3:00pm – 5:00pm – Funkified

Rocky Reach Landing

11:00am – 12:30pm – Black Velvet

12:30pm – 1:00pm – Mysto the Magician

1:00pm – 2:30pm – Ben Gibson

2:30pm – 3:00pm – Mysto the Magician

3:300pm – 3:30pm – Duck Race in Willits Ditch

3:30pm – 5:00pm – Kirk James

Boyd Park

2024 Info Coming Soon!

Berg East

2024 Info Coming Soon!

All Veterans Memorial

2024 Info Coming Soon!

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. 

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.  

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.

Pete Giuliani Band

Pete’s music is founded on his study of classical guitar and his love of Rock, Blues, Folk, Jazz, Country, Bluegrass, and World Music.

His early influences include Bach and The Beatles, but his exposure to progressive rock bands such as Yes, Genesis, and ELP ignited his passion for the guitar. Fusion artists such as Al DiMeola, Jean-Luc, Ponty, and John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra provided further early inspiration. At the same time, the great classic rock artists of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s provided a musical backdrop which strongly influences his playing to this day.

The Sandstoners

The Sandstoners are a five-piece San Juan County-based Americana band that has been together since 2016. The group consists of Deborah Baker on percussion and vocals, Dave Dailey on Cajon, Richard McNeely on bass, Ian Rutter on lead guitar and vocals, and Mike Easterling on rhythm guitar, harmonica and vocals. In 2022, the band released an album of 11 original songs, “Where the Sagebrush Grows.” The group performs regularly all over New Mexico and was a featured act at the 2023 Tucson Folk Festival in Arizona

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

Zia Chicks

The Zia Chicks have been singing together since they were established in 1998. Both born in New Mexico and dedicated to the Land of Enchantment, the Zia Chicks namesake is also a reflection of their New Mexican pride.

They cover a wide range of genres and artists, coffeehouse style, for your listening enjoyment: Beatles, Sting, Elton John, Everly Brothers, Sam Cooke, Bonnie Raitt, Lady Gaga, KD Lang, Plain White T’s, Andy Grammer, Sheryl Crow and Amy Winehouse to name a few. 1950’s-2022!

VISITORS

Use these handy guides to Jolt Your Journey!