WELCOME to a decade of Thirsty Ear! New Mexico's premier roots music festival features dozens of blues, folk, bluegrass, alt-country, roots rock & world music artists on 4 stages all weekend long. Plus camping, kids' activities, zydeco dance lessons, small-batch NM microbrews & wine, healthy local food, arts & crafts, educational demonstrations, sustainable energy exhibits & more. All of the information you need for the festival (tickets, schedule, camping & hotel info, etc.) is, or will soon be, on this website. So please take a few moments to read this page and to peruse the links at the top left of this page.

NEW THIS YEAR: For our 10th anniversary, longtime festival-goers will see some changes. The biggest, of course, is that we've moved to June and Thirsty Ear is now the first major NM festival of the summer season, rather than the last. You'll also see more ticketing options, including a stagefront seated section. We're starting off with a bang this year. Friday evening festivities kick off at 5:00 and feature 6 bands, including reggae greats STEEL PULSE, Woodstock Nation icon RICHIE HAVENS, Native blues band INDIGENOUS, the great Mississippi Hill Country guitarist KENNY BROWN (of RL Burnside & Junior Kimbrough fame), and more. Saturday's performances include banjo virtuoso BELA FLECK teaming with TOUMANI DIABATE, the great kora player from Mali. KEB' MO' is making his first Thirsty Ear stop. Also making an appearance: singer-songwriter MARY GAUTHIER, the gorgeous, sometime eerie folk melodies of SAMANTHA CRAIN, zydeco by Louisiana's reigning outfit NATHAN & THE ZYDECO CHA CHAS, and more. We're also deferring to all those people who have hollered for us to reinstate our late-night jams, with a sessions planned for Saturday night for those who like to stay up late. CLICK HERE FOR A SCHEDULE.

SUNDAY IS COMMUNITY DAY at Thirsty Ear, featuring an afternoon of New Mexico's best local bands and lots of family and kids' activities. Main stage sets feature the world-folk of ROUND MOUNTAIN, blues by SOULMAN SAM & SOUL EXPLOSION, and FELIX y LOS GATOS' zydeco-tejano-roots stew. The Kids' Corral and Grand Hotel stages will be teeming with great local talent. Admission is just $5 (all of which goes to local bands) and 2 cans of food (which goes to a local food bank).

BRING THE KIDS: Kids under 12 get in free. So bring the young ones for two days of programming in the Kids' Corral, featuring arts & crafts 3:00 to 8:00 Saturday and all day Sunday. This year's corral features Mexican folk songs & storytelling with MICHAEL KOTT & VICTOR AVILA, hands-on African drumming workshops, and more.

New at the fest this year: our GREEN VILLAGE featuring a mix of green and sustainable businesses and non-profit organizations. Green Village is free to the public and will be placed for maximum visibility just outside the festival entrance. If you are a green organization and would like to participate, please contact Deena Klein, 505-319-1131.

WHAT TO EXPECT & WHAT TO BRING: The festival takes place at an Old West movie ranch where more than 100 westerns have been filmed—an entirely unique setting. There's plenty of opportunity for a cool drink in the saloon and to get out of the sun, but the main stage is outdoors. So remember to bring lawn chairs (full size is fine), sunscreen, blankets, umbrellas, warm clothes for the evening, and anything else you might need for an outdoor event. We do not allow tents or anything that might obstruct the view, coolers, alcohol, glass, flash cameras or pets. You can bring in food, but must leave coolers in your car (you will have open access to your car in the adjoining lot). We care about our patrons' health; the festival is a non-smoking event. Like any festival, our lineup is subject to change.

LIVE BROADCAST: This year's festival will be broadcast live nationally on community & public radio stations around the country. Hosted by KSFR Santa Fe public radio & sponsored by NV1 and Southwest Stages. In the Santa Fe area, tune in to KSFR 101.1FM from 7pm to 11pm on Saturday and Sunday, June 13 & 14.

There's music everywhere. Enjoy.