Snowdown after-hours
Everything from Buffet and The Dead to late-night raves

Greetings, dear readers, and happy Snowdown! I thought I’d take a break from planting my garden, working on my tan and other spring-related activities to give you the line on this week’s musical happenings. Yes, that’s right, Durango’s beloved winter ritual returns for its 47th annual celebration, once again transforming what has traditionally been the coldest week of the year into a costumed, music-filled blur of carnival, sweaty dance floors and the reminder that this town knows how to party. 

This year’s musical offerings span jam bands and funk freakouts, bass-heavy dance parties, intimate DJ sets, and national acts that highlight Durango’s ever-evolving creative ecosystem. Whether you’re pacing yourself through the week or diving headfirst into the revelry, here are 10 shows to help guide your Snowdown adventure from opening weekend through Sunday night’s wind-down. As always, see you on the dance floor! 

• Andy Frasco & The U.N., Sat., Jan. 24, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre – If Snowdown has an official musical conductor this year, Andy Frasco might be it. Known for chaotic, brass-laced funk rock shows that blur the line between performer and audience, Frasco literally turns every set into a communal celebration. Expect singalongs, crowd surfing, the return of Sam Kelly and an anything-goes atmosphere that sets the tone for Snowdown’s joyful irreverence. 

• Easy Jim (playing the music of the Grateful Dead), Tues., Jan. 27, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre – A serendipitous booking given the recent passing of founding Grateful Dead member Bob Weir earlier this month, Easy Jim brings a more relaxed but equally communal energy to Snowdown with a night devoted to the Dead’s expansive catalog. Come celebrate Bob by reconnecting with your favorite Deadhead friends midweek. Expect long jams, familiar melodies and that unmistakable sense of shared musical exploration with just a touch of grey.

• Ecstatic Dance with DJ Codestar, Wed., Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m., American Legion – For those seeking a different rhythm during Snowdown, ecstatic dance offers a substance-free space centered on movement, mindfulness and personal expression. It’s one of my favorite audiences to DJ for in town, personally. The one and only DJ Codestar is slated to guide dancers through a curated musical journey, creating room for release, connection and deliciously embodied bass-music joy before the intensity ramps up.

• FlamingoSOS with DJs Harry and Matteo, Thu., Jan. 29, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre – FlamingoSOS blends live electronic funk with dancefloor-forward energy, joined by DJs Harry and Matteo to keep the momentum flowing. This is a prime Thursday option for colorful costumes, a packed dance floor and two of our region’s greatest DJs on direct support.

• Frnz-n-Lvrs, Thur., Jan. 29, 9 p.m., Black Heron Lounge – Tucked into the late-night Snowdown schedule, the Frnz-n-Lvrs party brings underground house and techno to the Black Heron. Hosted by local favorite Soul Atomic, this party is ideal for those looking to avoid the bigger crowds while leaning into top-notch sound, serious dancing and a stacked lineup of local and international DJs they are bringing with them from their home in Berlin.

• Nu Bass Theory (post-parade party), Fri., Jan. 30, 8 p.m., EsoTerra – Once the Snowdown Parade wraps, the energy funnels straight into EsoTerra for Nu Bass Theory’s bass-forward electronic takeover. Expect masterful and deep low-end from Jesse Ogle and rhythm guitar from Guillaume Metz that would make Nile Rodgers blush. 

• Spark Madden and Posh Josh, Fri., Jan. 30, 9 p.m., Black Heron Lounge – This back-to-back DJ pairing delivers high-energy house and tech house grooves with two of our local favorites well into the night. Expect Spark Madden and Posh Josh to keep things moving with polished selections designed for Snowdown’s late-night crowd.

• Rez Bats, Bad Fix, Treaty, Heart Museum, and Oroku Saki, Sat., Jan. 31, 6:30 p.m., The Hive – A stacked, genre-spanning local lineup takes over The Hive, showcasing punk, experimental rock and DIY energy. This multi-band bill highlights Durango’s grassroots music scene and offers a raw, high-impact alternative to bigger Snowdown stages.

• Raving Railroad: Varsity Crew Productions’ Train to Infinity, Sat., Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m. – Equal parts rave and immersive art experience, Raving Railroad invites attendees to step into a fully realized steampunk fantasy. Costumes encouraged, expectations suspended and dance energy turned all the way up. You know it’s going to be a party anytime Varsity Crew Productions is at the helm. No one is doing more in our community to keep parties popping several times a month.

• Jammy Buffet, Sun., Feb. 1, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre – Snowdown closes this year with Jammy Buffet. Expect everything from the classic sing-a-longs to deep cuts with some of Colorado’s greatest musicians. I think you’ll be fine to wear your flip-flops and best Panama Jack shirt.