It’s that time of year: The spring snowmelt is starting and the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown is coming to town. The three-day music festival runs April 15-17, kicking off Friday afternoon with a free, two-hour concert by the Colorado College Bluegrass Ensemble and Running Out of Road at the super-cool Powerhouse Science Center.

Saturday and Sunday are the big days for big bluegrass. The strains of pluckin’ and pickin’ will float over Durango as bands perform concerts and musicians gather for jam sessions. Venues all over town provide stages for a long lineup of performances from the likes of Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley,  Chris Henry and Hardcore Grass, Sideline, Wood & Wire, Foghorn Stringband, Grant Farm, Steel Pennies — the list goes on (for another 15 or so acts, to be inexact). Venues include the Henry Strater Theatre, the Durango Arts Center and the Wild Horse Saloon along with the Elks Lodge for the Band Showcase.

In addition to a full roster of concerts, the Meltdown’s annual Superjam runs 1-10 p.m. Saturday. The Superjam is a longstanding tradition and a fan favorite. This is where it gets crazy and creative as local, regional and national musicians come together for free-form jam sessions on the Henry Strater Theatre stage. Or check out the Band Showcase from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday with free performances at the Elks Lodge in downtown Durango.

Six Dollar String Band will play during the Old Time Barn Dance at the Elks Lodges on Saturday night, and a gospel set at the Durango Arts Center on Sunday morning may help you right any wrongs. Ahem. Amen. Throughout the Meltdown, you can also enjoy informal jamming at various locations — indoors and out — along with bar gigs Friday and Saturday nights.

Music lovers in general and bluegrass fanatics in particular shouldn’t miss the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown. We here at the Durango Quality Inn  can help you make the most of your weekend. Book your room for the weekend at the Quality Inn Durango today! We like music, and we like people who like music — people like you.