There’s a new music festival in town this weekend, and it’s brought to you by two Animas High School seniors.
Where The Stars Collide Music Festival will kickoff Friday night with a show at 11th Street Station. The fest carries over into Saturday, where it will be held at Santa Rita Park.
Boasting bands such Mojo Birds and Kid Astronaut, the event is an AHS event, said founder and AHS senior Desmond Tsosie by email. The fest is organized with the help of senior Julian Dugas.
The two made it their mission to host a local music festival that is open to all ages, Tsosie said.
AHS requires seniors to complete a project before graduation that accounts for a large part of their final grades.
If you go
WHAT: Where The Stars Collide Music Festival.
WHEN: 4-9 p.m. Friday and 3-9:30 p.m. Saturday.
WHERE: 11th Street Station, 1101 Main Ave. (Friday); Santa Rita Park, 111 South Camino del Rio (Saturday).
TICKETS: Free Friday; $10-$25 kids and adults Saturday.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit https://tinyurl.com/6ha7z6dn.
Inspired by the iAM MUSIC Festival and the iAM MUSIC’s institute, Tsosie first had the idea to display “an hourlong exhibition of my musical talents and songwriting strengths.” His idea was to put on a small performance that would be opened by Mojo Birds. However, he quickly realized the importance of bringing together local musicians, saying it’s “just as important and impactful.”
Luckily for the students, who decided one day wasn’t good enough, there was little trouble acquiring sponsors and willing local businesses eager to support the community, Tsosie said.
“I’ve learned so much, it’s all been sort of a tutorial on life,” he said, citing financial navigation, planning, staff management and more as important things he’s learned. He also points to fellow Dugas as an integral part of the mission.
“All of this couldn’t have been done without Julian Dugas, our secondary director,” he said. “His work ethic and motivation has made the idea into a reality.”
While working with Tsosie to make the project happen, Dugas helped with much of the fundraising and marketing. He also spent time working to map out the event.
And the amount of details that went into execution of the festival was difficult, he said.
“Almost every part of the process was a challenge.” he said by text message. “(It was) disappointment and frustration throughout, and confusion.”
Bands scheduled to play the fest include: Mojo Birds, Kid Astronaut, Mystical Isfer, Jude Monroe and others. There will also be food trucks, vendors, games, special guests and more.
Finley Jeansonne is an intern at The Durango Herald. He is a junior at Animas High School.
