Live Show S U M M E R 20 1 7
Viva Big Bend
July 27-30 Alpine/Marfa/Fort Davis/Marathon vivabigbend.com eager to escape the stifling Texas heat during late July should head west — to West Texas, that is, where the Viva Big Bend music festival, now in its sixth year, is held. The brainchild of Texas Music publisher Stewart Ramser, who also serves as tourism director for the city of Alpine, Viva Big Bend features more than 50 acts spread around four cities — Alpine, Marfa, Marathon and Fort Davis. And while some parts of West Texas are known for their summer heat, the festival’s dozen or so venues are in the higher elevations (approx. 4500 feet), meaning temperatures can be 10 to 15 degrees cooler than in Texas’ major cities. And there’s something for everyone. “Similar to Texas Music, Viva Big Bend is diverse, showcasing a range of musical styles — blues, country, rock, Latin, bluegrass and Americana,” Ramser says. “Also, the communities play a big role in making the festival special. Each city has its own unique character and is a great place to visit. And Big Bend National Park is a little over an hour away. Some of our attendees like to come early — or stay late — and explore the area.” MUSIC FANS
TANYA SO
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The festival continues to grow — adding venues like Saint George Hall in Marfa and Crystal Bar and Come and Take It BBQ in Alpine this year — but aside from the inclusion of day shows in Fort Davis and Marathon, which began in year two, Viva Big Bend has remained largely consistent. And that’s just fine with the performers, many of whom have played the festival multiple times. “To me, it’s the perfect-sized festival,” says Mike Harmeier of Mike and the Moonpies, which will play Viva Big Bend for the fifth time this year. “More and more, folks from all over the state are talking about it and showing up.” It’s not uncommon for performers to bring their families and make a vacation of the trip. In addition to Mike and the Moonpies, this year’s lineup also includes, among others, Aaron Watson, The Peterson Brothers, Shinyribs, Gina Chavez, The Bluebonnets, Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution, Dale Watson, Chubby Knuckle Choir, Lisa Morales, Dirty River Boys, Graham Wilkinson, Harvest Thieves, Tomar and the FCs, The O’s, Star Parks, The Nightowls, Shane Smith and the Saints, Ricky Espinoza and Mitch Webb and the Swindles. The area’s noteworthy venues will again play host, like Railroad Blues and the Granada Theatre in Alpine and Marfa’s Lost Horse and Planet Marfa, attracting visitors to the far west corner of the state. “I was a little nervous leading up to the inaugural event in 2012,” Ramser recalls. “However, the first day of the first year was a huge success, and I haven’t had to worry since if people will come.”
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