A new music festival will take place Aug. 26-27 in Dolores.

The iAM MUSIC Fest features 13 bands alternating between two stages.

The evening performances will take place on a lot next to Kokopelli Bike and Board, and at the Dolores River Brewery outdoor stage across Central Street.

On Aug. 26, the lineup is Lavalanche, Tone Dog, DJ Panacea, Haro in the Dark, Niceness and Hello Dollface.

On Aug. 27, performances are by Bentley Monk, Loki Moon, Cousin Curtiss, Sean Farley, Baracutango, Liver Down the River and Elder Grown, with Dolores local Sam Kelly on saxophone.

Durango-based iAM MUSIC Fest started eight years ago to promote live music and youth music education, said director Jesse Ogle.

“We’re branching out to local towns, providing opportunity for professional musicians and artists,” he said. “We like to keep it creative, and not do the same thing every year.”

So far this year they have put on eight regional music festivals. Last year, they hosted 12 concerts and artist galas.

A portion of proceeds go toward music programs and workshops at local schools, Ogle said. The Dolores festival will benefit the Dolores schools music programs.

The organization hosts regular concert series in Durango, and recently expanded its events to Mancos, Silverton and now Dolores.

iAM MUSIC Fest events typically feature the artistic expression world, which may include artwork, dancers, comedians, circus acts and poets, although the Dolores event will not include that aspect.

At the Dolores shows, the audience will appreciate the variety of music genres the festival brings, Ogle said, and there are some hidden gems.

“It is a chance for people to be exposed to new music they may not have heard, this is a great chance for that,” he said.

Styles include blues, soul, reggae, singer-songwriter, electronic dance music, funk and Americana.

Tickets are $15 Friday and $20 for Saturday. A two-day pass is $30.

Visit iammusicfest.us for more information, tickets and to volunteer.