The Cali Shaw Band (photo: Cali Shaw)

Free Music Festival Returns to Sipapu on Saturday

Vadito, NM – Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort’s 3rd annual Music on the Rocks (MOTR) music festival returns to the northern New Mexico ski area this Saturday and will feature two of the most popular performers in Taos as well as some of best musicians in the region. Entry to the resort’s largest music festival is free.

Taos standouts Last to Know and the Monkey Feeders (named 2012 Best Band of Taos by the Taos News) will be headlining the event.

The Cali Shaw Band (photo: Cali Shaw)
The Cali Shaw Band (photo: Cali Shaw)

Local singer and songwriter Jenne McIntosh will open the family-friendly festival at 1 p.m. with Albuquerque favorite The Cali Shaw Band and MOTR alumni Main Street Garage Band of Boulder, Colo. rounding out the festival lineup.

Located just 20 miles southeast of Taos on New Mexico Highway 518, the festival takes place in Sipapu’s base area, next to the Rio Pueblo, which makes for an ideal festival setting, said event director Deborah Lake.

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“Our venue is spectacular: the stage is right next to the river, and guests are seated in a grassy meadow while surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo mountains,” she said. “It’s a beautiful, one-of-a-kind setting for an amazing festival, and we’re thrilled to make this family-friendly event free for everyone again this year.”

Last to Know is a six-piece band blending world rhythms with jam-band passion, while muddying the lines between Americana roots music, disco, funk and bluegrass. LTK has shared the bill with Hot Buttered Rum String Band, The Motet, Buckwheat Zydeco, Culture, The Vince Herman Trio, The Skatalites, and Leftover Salmon. This is the second year LTK has headlined at Sipapu’s annual music festival.

Monkey Feeders showcases everything from country and soul to blues and pop, all weaved together with a unique rock and roll sound. The band’s extensive repertoire covers songs by Aretha Franklin, Dr. John, Stevie Wonder, The Pointer Sisters, Bonnie Raitt, Edie Brickell, Kings of Leon, Tina Turner, Etta James, Pink Floyd, Cindy Lauper, The Cure, Kings of Leon and Jerry Garcia. This year marks the first time Monkey Feeders have graced the MOTR stage.

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In addition to the musical lineup, the festival will include a beer garden, wine tastings, artist booths and more.

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