The musical heat still on
Not-to-miss shows this September around Durango

Greetings, dear readers! What an incredible summer of music we’ve had in Durango. As fall quickly approaches, we have several not-to-miss events rounding out the month in our growing little hamlet by the Animas. Let’s keep our music scene thriving and vibrant by not only showing up for acts we know and love but committing to see something that’s new, different and totally unexpected. And, as always, be sure to buy merch if you can to support artists directly. This is the way.

• Unison Fest at Tico Time – Sept. 7-10

Calling all ecstatic dancers on their paths to healing through the marriage of music and movement! Unison Festival – the brainchild of hometown hero Cody Reinheimer (DJ CodeStar) and his partner in smiles, Cody Edwards (Smiley Coyote) – is leveling up this year. Get yourself a ticket and go see the Polish Ambassador on a ridiculously sick sound system. Unison has become known as a safe, playful space for all stripes of humanity to come and unite around the power of music and dance. More information is available at www.unisonfest.com

• Ska Brewing 28th Anniversary Party – Sept. 9, 3 p.m.

Fishbone is coming to Durango. Why is Ska so good to us?! We should be giving them presents for their birthday, and here they are showering us with one of the most legendary ska-punk bands of all time. Not to mention Denver’s The Dendrites and Philly’s Catbite rounding out the bill. And, dig this: proceeds benefit the La Plata Open Space Conservancy. We’re not worthy, Ska! The event is sold out, but it’s not uncommon for a ticket to fall from the music gods on social media or through friend groups.

• Mama’s Broke and Westfield at Toast Records – Sept. 10, 5 p.m.

Well, hell’s bells. Mama’s Broke is going to burn down Toast Records on Sunday. A huge thank you to Josh Bensik, owner of Toast, for hosting this intimate session with two incredibly talented musicians on the rise. The evening will include banjos, fiddles, mandolins and divine two-party harmonies. Go check out their NPR Tiny Desk Concert. Now, imagine yourself in that audience. Local support from Westfield, Annie Brook’s “Spaghetti Eastern” solo project. Congratulations to the first 30 or so people who can get a spot in this incredible shop.

• Steely Dead at Animas City Theatre – Sept. 15, 7 p.m.

OK, let’s be honest, Durango will emit a fair amount of love for jam bands. Durango is jam band safe space, you might say. Back in the days of the San Juan Room, STS9, String Cheese and moe., the heavyweights of the jam band scene were regulars in our town. Steely Dead is known for its playful mix of Steely Dan and Grateful Dead sets. This is your chance to hear “Bad Sneakers” into “Eyes of the World” on Durango’s best sound system. More information is available at www.animascitytheatre.com

• Ezra Bell at Animas City Theatre – Sept. 20, 7 p.m.

Portland. A word that has become both a clarion call for all the lefties and a scourge for all the folks on the other side of the political spectrum. One thing is for sure, this working-class city on the coast has produced some of America’s most defining rock music in recent decades. Ezra Bell is pound for pound one of the finest indie bands to come out of the city in recent memory, and it’s bringing its dreamy folk-punk to the big stage in Durango. Don’t sleep on this one, it will sell out, and you’ll have to hear all about it from your favorite barista in town! More information is available at www.animascitytheatre.com

• Jimmie’s Chicken Shack at Animas City Theatre – Sept. 28, 7 p.m.

The Animas City Theatre is out of control. Who has given them license to bring us so many wide-ranging, badass musical acts?! Hailing from Maryland, Jimmie’s Chicken Shack signed with Elton John’s Rocket Records in the ’90s, pushing out two major releases. After years of squabbling with the label, Jimmie’s set out on its own path with mixed commercial success. Don’t be fooled though, these guys kick serious ass and are enjoying a reunion tour that Durango is lucky to host for a night. More information is available at www.animascitytheatre.com

• Get the Led Out at the Community Concert Hall at FLC – Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m.

You know ’em, you love ’em. The world’s best Led Zeppelin cover band is coming to the Concert Hall to rock you like it’s 1976. We are asking in advance that you please do not trash the place, rip out the seats or set up a lot scene in the lobby area. Thank you for your understanding. Rock on. More information is available by visiting www.durangoconcerts.com.