Ear to the ground:

“My FOMO is immense.”
– Local woman discussing her “fear of missing out” over last week’s sold-out Ska anniversary party

Music to our ears

Ewing Mesa is about to be filled with the sound of music.

Next Sat., Sept 26,  is the inaugural, and hopefully annual, Meltdown on the Mesa, a day of local bluegrass music followed by camping on the newly purchased land south of town.

The 1,800-acre property was bought last spring by Mercury co-founder and former owner Marc Katz. An active member of the local bluegrass scene – he plays mandolin for the Lost Souls Trio – Katz is hosting the event as a fund-raiser for the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown.

Gates for the Meltdown on the Mesa open at noon, with music from 2 – 8 p.m:

- Six Dollar String Band, 2 – 2:45 p.m.
- Lost Souls Trio, 3 – 3:45 p.m.
- Mtn. Top Pocket Pickers, 4-4:45 p.m.
- La La Bones, 5 – 5:45 p.m.
- Badly Bent, 6 – 6:45 p.m.
- And last but not least, Running Out of Road, runners-up for the 2015 Telluride Bluegrass band competition, 7 – 8 p.m.

Tickets are a screaming deal at $20 and include parking and camping. They are available in advance at Animas Trading Co. or at the gate on the day of the festival. Kids 12 and under are free.

Parking is limited and carpooling is recommended. Camping is limited to tent or car-camping only – no trailers or vehicles larger than 20 feet. In addition, fires are prohibited – only propane fires will be allowed – and smoking is permitted in designated areas only.

Although people may bring their own food and drink (no glass, please), food and beverage will be available from Rick’s Chix International. Also, attendees are asked to please leave their furry four-leggeds at home.

For more information on the Meltdown on the Mesa, directions or an in-depth look at the bands, go to: www.durangomelt down.com/meltdown-on-the-mesa/

Devo diva

There’s a new face at the handlebars of Devo. Durango native Jamie Wienk has been chosen to take over as administrative director effective next Wed., Sept 23.

Jamie, who has extensive experience in nonprofit management not to mention the world of fat tires, was chosen to replace former director Amy Haggart, who stepped down last spring.

Wienk (formerly Morehart) graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman and earned a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Regis University in Denver. (And as a little known factoid, she even worked as the Telegraph’s first photographer back in the day.)

Jamie and her husband, Eric, and daughter Samina, 6, returned to Durango four years ago. Jamie can be reached at jamie@durangodevo.com.