Meltdown celebrates 12 years: Kicking off spring with

The Durango Bluegrass Meltdown celebrates its 10th year this weekend. Since 1994, the festival has quietly attained a reputation as a small and well-organized festival and has become a favorite for many performers. This weekend, April 7-9, the Meltdown returns to Durango and will fill the Diamond Circle Theatre, the Durango Arts Center, the Elks Club and the Abbey Theatre with local, regional and national talent.

The festival opens with a free concert in the Durango & Silverton Railroad Museum, featuring Raising Cane, at 5 p.m. on the afternoon of Fri., April 7. Dozens of performances follow through the festival-closer on the evening of Sun., April 9. This year’s headliners are Open Road, Steep Canyon Rangers, Foghorn String Band and Chatham County Line.

In addition to big talent in small venues, the Meltdown presents a Band Showcase, Band Scramble, Celtic Jam and the ever-popular Super Jam. There also will be a Gospel Show on Sunday morning, along with a variety of workshops throughout the weekend, and an acoustic instrument show and sale.

Many of Durango’s restaurants and bars also will present bluegrass concerts, and look for impromptu jams to spring up in coffee shops, restaurants, street corners and all around town.

Tickets are available at Canyon Music Woodworks and online at www.durangomeltdown.com. A complete schedule is also available at www.durango meltdown.com.