Viva Big Bend is underway, bringing four days of live music, community celebrations, art, food and family activities to venues across Alpine, Marfa, Marathon, Fort Davis, Presidio and Terlingua.
The regional festival continues through Sunday, July 26, with performances scheduled at Railroad Blues, The Ritchey, Granada Theatre and Amigo in Alpine; Planet Marfa and The Pool in Marfa; Lucia in Marathon; and numerous locations offering free daytime and early-evening programming.
Admission to the main evening concerts requires a festival wristband or individual cover charge paid at the venue. Admission to the activities identified as free does not require a wristband. Organizers said schedules are subject to change and venue capacity limits apply.
Thursday, July 23
Thursday’s main concert schedule begins at The Ritchey in Alpine, where Marijuana Sweet Tooth performs from approximately 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The Zach Walther Band takes the stage at Railroad Blues from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m., followed by Hamilton Loomis from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Summer Dean closes the venue’s schedule from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Swifts perform at Lucia in Marathon from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m.
At Planet Marfa, Proyecto D performs from approximately 8 to 9:30 p.m., followed by Jeff Crosby from 10 to 11:30 p.m.
Free Thursday programming includes Grupo Alegre from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Holland Hotel in Alpine, followed by Will Dupuy and Noah Jeffries from 3 to 4 p.m. and Scrappy Jud Newcomb from 4 to 5 p.m.
TexPop Alpine will hold its welcome street party from 4:20 to 6 p.m. at 110 N. Sixth St. in Alpine. The event will feature food and refreshments, music from The Latecomers and other activities.
Thursday’s VIP schedule includes Silverada from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Gage Hotel in Marathon and Bob Schneider from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Cibolo Creek Ranch. VIP admission is required.
Friday, July 24
Friday’s schedule features performances across five principal venues.
At Railroad Blues, Patrice Pike performs from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m., Jackie Venson from 9:30 to 11 p.m. and Soul Bridges from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
At The Ritchey, Rubber Revolver performs from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m., followed by Chasen Wayne from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
The Ransom Brothers perform at Granada Theatre from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m. Silverada follows from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
Planet Marfa hosts Hamilton Loomis from approximately 7 to 8:30 p.m., Walt Wilkins & the Ramble from 9 to 10:30 p.m. and West Texas Exiles from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
At The Pool in Marfa, David Beebe 3 performs from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m., followed by Lew Apollo from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
Free Friday programming begins with Summer Dean from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. at Ritchey Bros. in Marathon. Two Tons of Steel performs there from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m., followed by the Zack Walther Band from 4 to 5:15 p.m.
A barbecue and tailgate party is scheduled from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Murphy Street in Alpine. The event will include food, refreshments and live music.
In Presidio, Los Musicos perform from 8 to 9 p.m. at Casa Agave Cantina y Cocina, followed by Los Desechos from 9:30 to 10:45 p.m. Both performances are free and open to the public.
Friday’s VIP performances include Bob Schneider from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Gage Hotel and Jackopierce from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Cibolo Creek Ranch.
Saturday, July 25
Saturday offers the festival’s largest main-stage schedule, with performances at five venues.
At Railroad Blues, Nakia & the Never Not Now perform from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m. Jordan Matthew Young follows from 9:30 to 11 p.m., and Donovan Keith performs from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
At The Ritchey, Peso Supreme performs from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m., followed by Will Dupuy & La Tampiqueña from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
At Amigo in Alpine, Getocowboys perform from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m., followed by Anthony Ray Wright from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
Planet Marfa hosts Chasen Wayne from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m., Texas String Assembly from 9:30 to 11 p.m. and Bidi Bidi Banda from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
At The Pool in Marfa, Company L performs from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m., followed by Los Desechos from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
Saturday’s free activities begin with a cowboy breakfast from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Big Bend Saddlery in Alpine. The event will include a program on the art and innovation of instrument making.
A second instrument-making presentation is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Far West Guitars in Alpine.
Doug Moreland performs from noon to 1 p.m. at the Audrey and Tyrone Kelly Outdoor Theater in Fort Davis. Mr. Will presents children’s programming from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Alpine Visitor Center.
The Ransom Brothers perform from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. at the Kelly outdoor theater. Anthony Ray Wright performs from 2 to 4 p.m. at the 5th Street Gallery in Alpine.
West Texas Exiles perform from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. at the Kelly outdoor theater, followed by Rum Party Allstarz from 5 to 6:15 p.m.
A VIP happy hour featuring Walt Wilkins and Rhyder is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine.
Saturday evening’s additional VIP schedule includes Walt Wilkins and Brandon Rhyder from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Gage Hotel and Butch Hancock from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Cibolo Creek Ranch.
Sunday, July 26
The festival concludes Sunday with performances at Railroad Blues and Planet Marfa.
Texas String Assembly performs at Railroad Blues from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m. Frontera Bugalu follows from 9:30 to 11 p.m., and The Doodlin’ Hogwallops close the venue from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Planet Marfa hosts Primo Carrasco and David Beebe from approximately 7:30 to 9 p.m., followed by The Meagles from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Sunday’s Planet Marfa performances are open to the public.
Sunday’s free activities include “Sunday Morning Coming Down” from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Artwalk Plaza in Alpine.
A “Sip & Stretch” event featuring a mimosa bar is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. at Alpine Fitness.
Doug Moreland performs from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Rendezvous in Fort Davis.
Additional free programming
Festival-related activities began Wednesday with Anthony Ray Wright at The Rendezvous in Fort Davis, Moses Martinez at the Starlight Theatre in Terlingua, the Alpine Community Music Circle at Artwalk Plaza and Jeff Crosby at the Starlight Theatre.
Throughout the festival, free programming is being hosted at several locations.
The Starlight Theatre, located at 631 Ivey Road in Terlingua, offers live entertainment, food and beverages.
The Holland Hotel, located at 209 W. Holland Ave. in Alpine, is hosting Thursday afternoon performances.
The Rendezvous, located at 105 W. Second St. in Fort Davis, is hosting public performances Wednesday and Sunday.
Ritchey Bros., located at South Main and First streets across from the Gage Hotel in Marathon, is hosting Friday afternoon music.
The Kelly Pavilion at Memorial Square in Fort Davis is presenting Saturday performances free to the public.
Casa Agave Cantina y Cocina, located at 101 W. O’Reilly St. in Presidio, is hosting Friday night performances.
Other participating Alpine locations include TexPop Alpine, The Ritchey, Big Bend Saddlery, the Alpine Visitor Center and the 5th Street Gallery.
Box office hours
Festival box offices are operating at the Holland Hotel in Alpine and Planet Marfa.
The Holland Hotel box office is scheduled to operate Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m.
The Planet Marfa box office is scheduled to operate Thursday from 1 to 11 p.m., Friday from 1 to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m.
Wristbands do not guarantee admission after a venue reaches capacity. Individual admission may also be available at the door, depending on space.
