Marfa Myths is more than just a music festival. The partnership between Brooklyn music label Mexican Summer and non-profit contemporary arts foundation Ballroom Marfa combines music, film and visual arts during a weekend-long festival in Marfa.
“The festival was conceived in Marfa and is very much informed by the town’s creativity, resourcefulness and also it’s limitations,” said Sarah Melendez, Ballroom Marfa public programs associate. “There is so much thought and consideration put into every detail from the line-up, down to the event production.”
This year’s festival is April 12-15, a month later than previous years. With Marfa as a tourist destination, the small town’s hotels and vacations rentals can fill up quickly.
“We found ourselves competing a bit with the spring break traffic and decided to move the festival to April,” said Melendez. “April also tends to be a bit warmer, so we are encouraging more camping as hotels and Airbnbs fill up.”
What started in 2014 with a line up of 5 bands for a one day performance at El Cosmico, has now evolved into a long weekend with exhibitions, workshops, residencies, performances and the Marfa Myths journal dispersed throughout the town. The schedule is set up so festivalgoers won’t have to decide which event to attend.
“There is so much thought and consideration put into every detail from the line-up down to the event production,” said Melendez. “Last year the festival collaborated with over 20 local partners and is continuing this tradition in 2018.”
Legendary Texas musician Terry Allen headlines Friday night with Canadian folk music band The Weather Station at the Marfa Visitor Center, followed by “Hello I’m Dolly: Best Little Drag Show in Texas.” But first, The official Marfa Myths Zine will be released and Anthology Editions will present Imaginary Concerts with New York artist Peter Coffin at Marfa Studio of Arts, next to Marfa Public Radio.
The Judd Foundation starts Saturday morning with a self-guided tour of La Mansana de Chinati/The Block, home to artist Donald Judd’s first installations, followed by an afternoon performance by singer-songwriters Jessica Pratt and Ryley Walker at the Capri.
“On Friday of the festival, Ballroom is also hosting a performance with Laaraji with Arji Oceananda during the opening of its fall exhibition ‘Hyperobjects.’ The exhibition is co-organized by philosopher and Rice University professor Timothy Morton, and Ballroom Marfa director and curator Laura Copelin, engaging ideas from Morton’s theory to confront the overwhelming scale of today’s ecological crisis,” said Melendez.
El Cosmico will host the after party with Detroit dance producer Omar-S and Moroccan trance sextet Innov Gnawa. Copelin and Morton and select artists will guide a walkthrough of the exhibition at Ballroom Marfa on Saturday morning.
“First Female Synth Hero” Suzanne Ciani will perform in the Arena at the Chinati Foundation, following a performance by Helado Negro with Ensemble and Tom Zé at Saint George Hall. Drugdealer will play an afternoon show at the Lost Horse and Reverberation Radio will DJ a set at Bar Nadar Pool + Grill. British post-punk band Wire will join the stage with Circuit Des Yeux and Amen Dunes at the Capri with an afterparty with Equiknoxx.
Wrapping the festival on Sunday is Austin band Thor & Friends at Building 98, a historic US army officers club and quarters, and a live score of “Self Discovery for Social Survival” by Gravity Hill Sound + Image and the Allah-Las at the Crowley Theater.
This year’s recording residency features Cate Le Bon and Bradford Cox of Deerhunter and Atlas Sound. Jesse Moretti is the visual artist in residency. “Participants are encouraged to explore and meditate on the town through the unique performances and exhibitions the festival offers,” said Melendez.
Melendez also suggests for those making the trek to Marfa Myths to come prepared. Book accommodations as soon as possible. Pack a pair of boots and check if your cell coverage reaches the area and bring a water bottle. Marfa is nearly a mile high in elevation and after all, it is the desert.
For the full schedule and to purchase tickets, go to marfamyths.com.
