Taos Solar Fest…A Weekend to Remember
Solar Fest turns 10
Fans of all ages flock to Kit Carson Park for three days of music and fun under the sun. Photo by Rick Romancito
Three-day event at Kit Carson Park features Susan Tedeschi, Collective Soul, The BoDeans, Plena Libre, Steve Earle and more
By Deonne Kahler
Saturday, June 28, 2008 6:30 AM MDT
The Taos Solar Music Festival hits the decade mark this year, and since it began in 1999 the event has garnered fans from all over the country with its big name musicians and hot up and comers, family friendly atmosphere, and commitment to raising awareness about environmental issues. This year should be as excellent as ever, and it happens Friday through Sunday (June 27-29) at Kit Carson Park, right in the heart of downtown Taos.
Putting on an event of this size has its challenges, including getting Taoseños used to having a giant weekend-long party in the middle of town. Event co-organizer Dawn Richardson explained, “We went from a place where people were saying ‘What is that noisy thing? What’s going on?’ to ‘Oh yeah, that happens every year.’ For example, instead of people who live close by complaining about the noise, most people now sit out on their porches and listen to the music.”
Here’s who’s playing the main stage …
Friday (June 27)
Taos’s “mountain gothic roots rock” band Bone Orchard kicks the event off at 3 p.m. with songs ranging from Appalachian murder ballads to more punk-inspired fare. At 4:30 p.m., it’s Sharon Gilchrist, mandolin player-singer extraordinaire, and member of popular bands Mary & Mars, Uncle Earl and Santa Fe All Stars. Lately she’s been touring with bluegrass legend Peter Rowan.
Hal Ketchum, who performs at 6 p.m., has what “USA Today” calls “the most effervescent voice in country music.” His first hit was “Small Town Saturday Night,” and he’s been racking up hits and honors ever since. Artists like Trisha Yearwood and Neil Diamond have covered Ketchum’s songs, but there’s nothing better than hearing him do them himself.
Ketchum will be followed by the always outstanding Michael Hearne and his dance band South by Southwest at 7:15 p.m.
Headlining the night is the folk rocking BoDeans at 8 p.m. Well known for their song “Closer to Free” which was chosen as the theme for TV series “Party of Five,” the band’s signature sound is built around a preternatural ability to make gorgeous harmonies and write catchy songs with heart.
Saturday (June 28)
Start your Saturday with a bang when the drum and percussion troupe Concepto Tambor take the stage at 11:15 a.m. with their Afro-Latin grooves, call and response vocals in both Spanish and English, and plenty of rock and roll attitude.
Taos loves reggae, and fans won’t be disappointed with Taj Weekes & Adowa at 12:45 p.m. Their latest album is called “Deidem,” or “all of us,” and it’s a meditation on our fragmented world and the need for every person to be heard.
Flamenco band Pacifika takes the stage at 2:30 p.m. They are a sexy Latin jazz, hip-hop, pop hybrid that’ll get you out of your beach chair in no time. Pacifika is Silvana Kane, Peruvian-born singer and actress, Adam Popowitz, Canadian-bred guitarist and producer, and Toby Peter, dub bassist born in Canada and raised in Barbados.
At 4:15 p.m. Taos Renaissance man Robert Mirabal and his band brandish their Pueblo-inspired sound, ranging from delicate flute songs to full-blown rock and roll. Mirabal himself is on a roll, having just won his second Grammy for “Johnny Whitehorse Totemic Flute Chants.” He and his band never fail to mesmerize.
The Coup at 6 p.m. may be this year’s breakout act. Oakland emcee Boots Riley and DJ Pam the Funkstress create a sound that’s Sly and the Family Stone meets James Brown meets hip-hop. The band’s 2006 debut album “Pick a Bigger Weapon” is a funky combo of the personal and political, The Coup is all about grassroots activism grounded in danceable beats. Not to be missed.
Multiple hit wonder band Collective Soul headlines at 8 p.m. with their catchy guitar rock and high-energy live show. The band released “Afterwords” last year and seems poised to take over the rock airwaves once again.
Sunday (June 29)
Start your day with tribal songs from the Taos Pueblo Singers at 11 a.m., then kick back for well-loved community member and fine singer, songwriter, musician and producer Don Richmond at 11:45 a.m., whose countrified songs always satisfy.
Passafire at 1 p.m. blends roots reggae, progressive rock and experimental dub to create an unusual sound that has won them an avid fan base, and it recently opened for bands as diverse as Toots and the Maytals and Van Halen. ‘Nuff said.
At 2:30 p.m. Allison Moorer (wife to Steve Earle and sister to Shelby Lynne) has Southern soul written all over her and a voice that could sing the phone book and still sound fabulous. Moorer’s latest album is the outstanding Mockingbird, where she covers such female powerhouses as Patti Smith, June Carter Cash and Nina Simone.
Plena Libre, which goes on at 3:45 p.m., has been largely responsible for the reinvention of Puerto Rico’s plena tradition, an Afro-Puerto Rican rhythm (Plena Libre means “liberated plena.”) The orchestra modernized the traditional ensemble with bass, keyboards, timbales, congas, trombones and percussion, making it even more danceable.
Steve Earle, who plays at 5:45 p.m., is known for rough around the edges country rock and strong opinions. His latest album, Washington Square Serenade, seamlessly combines songs of love and protest, a gift he’s been honing since his 1986 debut “Guitar Town” burst on the scene and took country music to a whole new level.
Closing out the weekend is the outstanding Susan Tedeschi at 7:30 p.m. She sings the blues with a folk, gospel and R&B tinged heartache, and backed by her crack band this set is not to be missed.
Bring sunscreen and layers, car pool, and don’t forget your ID if you plan to visit the beer garden.
Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Friday (June 27), and 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday (June 28-29). Children 10 and under get in free. A three-day pass is $95; Saturday-Sunday pass is $85; Friday is $25; Saturday and Sunday each $45. To buy tickets or for more details, visit www.solarmusicfest.com.
Icing on the cake
As if all the great music wasn’t enough, here’s more fun stuff happening this weekend:
Dancing
Folks can dance anywhere on the grounds, and do, but this year festival organizers are getting a little more, well, organized about it. Friday night (June 27) folks can two-step and swing at the Solar Cantina (on the Solar Stage) for Hal Ketchum and Michael Hearne’s sets.
It’s salsa Sunday (June 29) with Rigoberto Trejo at 3:15 p.m. Trejo, a DJ with KXMT-FM 99.1 has a fan base of women from 8-80 years old and he’s not only charming, he also happens to be an expert salsa dancer. He’ll give a group lesson right before Plena Libre’s set.
After party
If you’re not ready to head home after Collective Soul on Saturday night (June 28), there’s an after party happening at the Don Fernando Hotel with Taj Weekes & Adowa — and it’s free. Tickets are first come, first serve, and you can only get them at Solar Fest at the KBAC radio booth. It’s likely that a few other Solar Fest artists will show up as well, so don’t miss it.
Art
Ed Sandoval did the spectacular festival poster this year, and local artists including George Chacón, Pat Woodall, Randy Pijoan and Rich Nichols will be putting their own artistic stamp on painted sun catchers throughout the weekend. Look for them by the main stage.
Solar Village
Stop by the free Solar Village where more than two dozen exhibitors will educate and inspire about all things solar, and pick up a solar-baked cookie or croissant while you’re at it. Conscious Alliance is hosting a food drive for Shared Table, and all festivarians donating 10 non-perishable food items (no ramen noodles, please) receive a free limited-edition poster by artist Chris Huang. The Solar Village is open to the public Friday from 1-6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
