KARMA Fest offers seven hours, six bands, and two stages at Kayenta
Kayenta Acoustic Roots Music Fest is your can’t-miss day of refueling, renewing, and resetting
By Merrie Lee
Can you even imagine a better way to release the buildup of bad karma that’s got you down? Just being outside (and inside) in one of the most heavenly places on earth while listening to live music, hanging with friends, sipping beverages, and eating tasty food … it’s everything a body needs to feel all better. On Oct. 6 from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta, six live bands will alternate performances on both our indoor and outdoor stages while you enjoy food, drink, friends, and lovely weather.
About the bands
The Native Grass Band is from southwest Utah. They write and perform original music in a bluegrass style with western influences. Their creative compositions and unique vocals and instrumentals give a fresh and exciting take on bluegrass. This unique blend of musicians play Native Grass songs that make for an unforgettable experience. Lindsey Short is on banjo and vocals, JD Thompson holds down the bass and vocals, Dave Holder handles the six-string and vocals, and Walter Josey plays mandolin and vocals.
Lacey & Drew have shared the stage with top recording artists like John Rich, Randy Houser, Cowboy Troy & Jodee Messina, LeAnn Rimes, Big & Rich, Ryan Shupe, and many more. Having toured extensively throughout the United States and in Europe, the band often features guest performers dubbed “The Crew”.
The Canyoneers perform original songs inspired by western landscapes, history, and wild rivers. Peter McLaughlin and Chris Brashear — both multi-instrument virtuosos — will perform songs on acoustic guitar, mandolin, and fiddle from their latest release, “The Colton House Recordings: Music Inspired from Southwestern History and The Colorado Plateau.”
The Jon Stone Desert Duo features “Jon the String Master” on guitar, mandolin, and fiddle and Byron “Purveyor of Percussion” on spoons, suitcases, and the musical saw. Super strong and emotional vocals broadcast a full spectrum of sounds from Appalachian to Cajun, mountain Americana, folk, jazz, gypsy, and old time. Inspired by their native surroundings of Kanab, Jon and Byron put on an inspirational show reminiscent of street performers from a bygone era.
The Lindsey Short Band comprises Lindsey and Zach Short and Thales Smith. Lindsey’s prodigious talent was evident at age 4, and she’s been refining her gifts ever since. She sings and plays guitar, fiddle, and banjo. Thales and Zach are highly skilled and accomplished musicians in their own right and provide the backing instrumentals to Lindsey’s vocal and musical talent. The band plays music in genres ranging from bluegrass to swing, and they put their own spin on popular old-time tunes.
The Washburn Family Band carries on its family’s bluegrass traditions, which started with Father Paul, who passed on the music he learned at an early age. Like Dad, the Washburn family members learned to play their instruments and sing when they were young, too. The Washburns are a talented family whose love and enjoyment of playing is evident in their amazing sound.
Tickets are $30, or $20 if purchased before Sept. 20, and are available from the Kayenta Center for the Arts at (435) 674-2787 or at kayentaarts.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free. The Kayenta Center for the Arts is located at 881 Coyote Gulch Ct. in Ivins.
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