Meltdown celebrates 17 years
Kicking off spring with three days of bluegrass

Sierra Hull

The Durango Bluegrass Meltdown celebrates its 17th year this weekend. Since 1994, the festival has quietly attained a reputation as a small and well-organized festival and become a favorite for many performers. This weekend, April 8-10, the Meltdown returns to Durango and will fill the Henry Strater Theatre, the Durango Arts Center and the Wildhorse Saloon with local, regional and national talent.

The festival opens with a free concert in the Durango & Silverton Railroad Museum on the afternoon of Friday, April 8 and dozens of performances follow through the festival-closer on the evening of April 10. In addition to shows in intimate venues, the Meltdown presents a Celtic Jam, the ever-popular Super Jam on Saturday night and Gospel Shows on Sunday morning along with a variety of workshops throughout the weekend.

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

The Meltdown schedule follows:

Fri., April 8:

The Durango Bluegrass Meltdown launches with a free bluegrass roots show from Colorado College Bluegrass Ensemble, Giant’s Dance and the Duke City Swampcoolers at 5 p.m. at the D&SNG Railroad Museum

Mashville Brigade plays a 6 p.m. show at the Durango Arts Center and goes on again at 9 p.m. at the Henry Strater Theatre.

Bluegrass Patriots play the Henry Strater Theatre at 7 p.m. and the Durango Arts Center at 9 p.m.

Wild Mountain plays a 7 p.m. show at the Durango Arts Center.

Loose Cannon Bluegrass goes on at 8 p.m. at the Durango Arts Center.

Sat., April 9:

Freight Hoppers play at 10 a.m. at the Henry Strater Theatre.

Loose Cannon Bluegrass plays the Durango Arts Center at 10 a.m. and the Henry Strater Theatre at 2 p.m.

Mashville Brigade plays the Henry Strater Theatre at 11 a.m. and the Wild Horse Saloon at 5 p.m.

Sierra Hull and Highway 111 play the Durango Arts Center at 11 a.m. and the Henry Strater Theatre at 5 p.m.

Old North State plays the Wildhorse Saloon at 11 a.m.

Duke City Swampcoolers play a noon show at the Henry Strater Theatre and the Wild Horse Saloon at 4 p.m..

Whistle Stop goes on at the Durango Arts Center at 1 p.m.

Bluegrass Patriots play at noon at the Durango Arts Center and the Henry Strater Theatre at 3 p.m.

The Scrugglers play at the Wildhorse Saloon at noon.

Salt Lick Scramblers go on at the Henry Strater Theatre at 1 p.m.

Waiting on Trial plays at the Wildhorse Saloon at 1 p.m.

Avery County takes the stage at the Wildhorse Saloon at 2 p.m. and at the Durango Arts Center at 5 p.m.

Freight Hoppers

Avery County takes the stage at the Wildhorse Saloon at 2 p.m. and at the Durango Arts Center at 5 p.m.

The Knockabouts play the Durango Arts Center at 2 p.m.

Mountain Holler goes on stage at the Durango Arts Center at 3 p.m.

The Squash Blossom Boys play the Wildhorse

Rock and Rye plays at the Durango Arts Center at 4 p.m.

Bar D Wranglers perform at the Henry Strater Theatre at 4 p.m.

The Celtdown takes the stage at the Durango Arts Center starting at 7 p.m.

The Superjam begins at 7 p.m. at the Henry Strater Theatre.

An Old Time Barn Dance with The Freighthoppers starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Elk’s Club.

A Celtic Jam Session starts at Irish Embassy beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Sun., April 10:

The A-Men play gospel at the Durango Arts Center at 10 a.m.

Colorado College Bluegrass Ensemble plays at the Henry Strater Theatre at 10 a.m.

Mountain Holler plays gospel at the Durango Arts Center at 11 a.m.

Sierra Hull and Highway 111 play the Henry Strater Theatre at 11 a.m. and at the Durango Arts Center at 4 p.m.

Avery County brings gospel to the Durango Arts Center at noon and the Henry Strater Theatre at 3 p.m.

Mountain Holler plays at noon at the Henry Strater Theatre.

The San Juan String Band plays the Durango Arts Center at 1 p.m.

Wild Mountain goes on at the Henry Strater Theatre at 1 p.m.

Blue Moon Ramblers play at the Henry Strater Theatre at 2 p.m.

The Freighthoppers play at the Durango Arts Center at 2 p.m. and at the Henry Strater Theatre at 4 p.m.

The Squash Blossom Boys play the Durango Arts Center at 3 p.m.

For information, visit www.durangomeltdown.com.