Marfa Myths 2017: Holy cow! We can’t believe it really happened — a year in the making and over in a magical flash. Big love to our partner Mexican Summer; all of the local heroes that worked so hard to create an amazing experience; and all the folks who came from near and far, who made it so special. Some of our highlights…

During the festival, Marfa Public Radio graciously hosted an East-meets-West on-air partnership with Brooklyn’s The Lot Radio. A slew of incredible artists stopped by for interviews, DJ sets, and live performances (we currently have Chulita Vinyl Club‘s DJ set on repeat).

Watch the full archive.

Our artist-in-residence, Matt Craven, held an awesome children’s collage workshop on Saturday morning during the festival. Big thank you to all the children who attended, Marfa Studio of Arts, and Rae Anna Hample, who helped guide the workshop. We hope the future is a little brighter with collage artists.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for a night of dirty gay movies, yoga,and song.
Extra gratitude to Rae Anna Hample and Eileen Myles for helping us kick off Marfa Myths in such fine style. Read more about Dirty Gay Movie Night here. All photos by Alex Marks.

Hear ye hear ye, the full Marfa Myths 2017 schedule is now available! Latest additions: Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith! No Nombres! Paul Drummond! We’ll continue to add delights as we get closer to the festival, so keep your eyes peeled. Many thanks to all the artists performing, and our wonderful partners and sponsors.

Buy tickets here.

(Residents of Presidio, Brewster and Jeff Davis counties may purchase a la carte Marfa Myths tickets at a 50% discount. Please see the Facebook Marfa Group for more details.)

Ballroom Marfa is thrilled to announce that Leo Villareal, a member of our board of trustees and El Paso native,has received the 2017 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Visual Arts.
The Texas Medal of Arts Awards is the Texas Cultural Trust’s signature event and the state’s most prestigious arts gala,honoring amazing Texans who have made powerful contributions to the arts here at home and around the world. Villareal is known for his iconic light sculptures including the now permanent installation on the San Francisco Bay Bridge, Bay Lights.
Villareal has deep family roots in Marfa and West Texas and we are proud to have him as part of the Ballroom leadership team. Full coverage of the Texas Medal of Arts 2017 can be found here.

BIG THANKS to everyone who joined us for the opening reception of Arturo Bandini’s Grey Goo Gardens. GGG was made possible in part by the generous support of the City of Marfa, National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, the Ballroom Marfa Board of Trustees, and Ballroom Marfa members. Special shout outs to Nick Fisher for once again making the long haul from L.A. to serve his creatively curated cocktails; Jessica Koslow and Scott Barry of Sqirl for the amazing tasty treats; Hotel Brotherhood for an epic performance; and Michael Dopp and Isaac Resnikoff, the brains behind Arturo Bandini. Here are some images from the opening, courtesy of Alex Marks. More photos to come.

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“the [Marfa Myths] festival is perhaps the most extreme example in a recent trend toward intimate, meticulously curated music events” – NY Times

“no VIPs, no velvet ropes, just long brambles called ocotillo, which look like the kind of menacing weeds you expect to find on your way into hell – which is to say, Marfa Myths is a music adventurer’s dream.” – Billboard

Marfa Myths expands in size and mind as Ballroom Marfa and Mexican Summer bring the festival back to Far West Texas for four days in March 2017. So pleased to announce the amazing lineup, which includes Pharoah Sanders, a collaborative performance by Weyes Blood & Perfume Genius, Allah-Las, Roky Erickson, and much more.

MARFA MYTHS 2017 LINEUP

Roky Erickson
Perfume Genius & Weyes Blood (Collaborative Performance)
Pharoah Sanders
Julia Holter
Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids
Jenny Hval
Allah-Las
Cate Le Bon
Connan Mockasin presents: Bostyn ‘n Dobson
Zomes
Lonnie Holley
Rose Kallal
Tonstartssbandht
Botany & Shingetsu Billy White
Chulita Vinyl Club

Starting things off on Thursday, Texas psychedelic royalty Roky Erickson performs and is honored in a 13th Floor Elevators gallery retrospective curated by Boo-Hooray. Afterward, poet Eileen Myles and Ballroom Marfa curator Laura Copelin host Dirty Gay Movie Night at the illustrious Crowley Theater. On Friday, Baltimore duo Zomes perform at Wrong Marfa, and that evening, visual artist and musician Lonnie Holley performs solo and as part of a special collaboration with Florida duo Tonstartssbandht at the Strange Attractor opening at Ballroom Marfa. The group exhibition is curated by Gryphon Rue, and features historical works that take sound, site, and technology as their point of origin. Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids bring their spiritual San Francisco sound to an after party following the Strange Attractor opening. On Saturday, join us for a late afternoon of transcendent free jazz and experimental pop from Pharoah Sanders and Julia Holter. The marquee Saturday night concert at The Capri features Cate Le Bon, Allah-Las, Jenny Hval, and a Perfume Genius / Weyes Blood collaboration alongside a surprise or two. Marfa Myths closes out on Sunday with the premiere of Connan Mockasin’s new sitcom Bostyn ‘n Dobsyn with a surprise performance to be announced in the new year. In addition to unique installations and performances, Marfa Myths also hosts music and art residencies resulting in limited edition recordings and the annual Marfa Myths journal. This year’s participating visual artist is Matthew Craven, while Gustav Ejstes and Reine Fiske of the Swedish band Dungen collaborate with Jeremy Earl and Jarvis Taveniere of Woods for the recording residency. Marfa Myths is an annual music festival and multidisciplinary cultural program founded in 2014 by nonprofit contemporary arts foundation Ballroom Marfa and Brooklyn-based music label Mexican Summer.

Ballroom Marfa and Mexican Summer are presenting the fourth Marfa Myths over March 9-12, 2017 (buy tickets ). If you’re considering the journey, here are tips on how to get here.

MAKING THE VOYAGE
You can get to Marfa via plane; car; and train.

FLYING
The closest airports are El Paso and Midland, both about three hours away (directions from each here). Air travel to Marfa can be an all-day affair (unfortunately, there are no direct flights from the East Coast), so just steel yourself. Other notes:

• If you fly into El Paso, rent a car, pick up a snack at Taco Cabana or Pho Tre Bien, and blast the radio (El Paso’s Fox Jukebox is awesome; as you get closer to Marfa, tune in to Marfa Public Radio/KRTS 93.5). Driving after dark can be a bit grueling: if you can schedule it, roll into Marfa around sunset.

• If you are traveling to Marfa from El Paso, please be aware that the time zone changes from Mountain Time Zone to Central Standard Time, and you lose one hour.

• There is a municipal airport in Marfa (three miles from Marfa) and one in Alpine (26 miles from Marfa), which can service most private jets (for a list of charter companies, please see this list). The Marfa Visitor Center offers free pickups to anyone staying in a Marfa hotel or a city-taxed VRBO; and there’s a rental car service at both the Marfa and Alpine municipal airports.
Marfa Municipal Airport: (432) 729-4452
Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport: (432) 837-5929

 

Ballroom Marfa and Mexican Summer are presenting the fourth Marfa Myths over March 9-12, 2017 (buy tickets ). Check out our tips on getting to Marfa and read on about lodging options.

HOTELS
Marfa has five hotels (and one B&B):

El Cosmico
432.729.1950
El Cosmico is an 18-acre trailer, tent and teepee hotel and campground. Bicycles and wood-fired hot tubs are available to rent. A hammock grove and an outdoor kitchen with a fridge, sink and barbecue grills add to the bohemian vibe. Camping can be risky business in March in West Texas, but why not live dangerously?

Hotel Paisano
432.729.3669
West Texas gem. Restored hotel with original architectural details, plus an outdoor pool and a restaurant. The cast of Giant — Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean, and Rock Hudson — stayed here during filming.

Hotel Saint George
432.729.3700
The Hotel Saint George offers 55 rooms, great views, two restaurants, and a bar/lounge, right in the heart of downtown Marfa. Texas Monthly voted it one of the ten best places to stay in Texas. The great Marfa Book Company is located in the lobby.

Riata Inn
432.729.3800
Roadside motel with big rooms and a cold pool. Cheapest option in town. Note: It’s easier to have a car if you stay here, though you can also rent a bike from Bike Marfa or Bizarro Bikes.

Thunderbird Hotel
877.729.1984
1950s motel converted into minimalist-chic retreat with modern art-laden rooms, a pool, and fire pits. Bicycles also available to rent. The cozy Capri restaurant and bar conveniently located across the street.

Marfa also has one bed and breakfast, the Arcon Inn, owned by Mona Garcia, who runs Marfa’s International Women’s Foundation (and reportedly is cousins with Dan Blocker, who played Hoss Cartwright on Bonanza).

Ballroom Marfa and Mexican Summer are presenting the Marfa Myths festival over March 9-12, 2017 (buy tickets ). Learn how to get here and where to stay, and check out our Marfa FAQ.

Where is Marfa?
Marfa is a small town of 2000 in Far West Texas, about three hours southeast of El Paso. For general info about Marfa, download our visitor guide — which has details about eating, tours, and shopping — or visit visitmarfa.com and Marfalist, where you can find event postings, ride shares, and more.

How much are tickets?
All-access passes are $160. A la carte tickets to individual shows range from $30 to $45. Visit the Marfa Myths ticket page for details.

How do I get to Marfa?
You can get to Marfa via car; plane; and train. If flying, fly into the Midland or El Paso airport, then rent a car to drive the remaining distance. Check out our Getting Here page for more info.

Where should I stay?
Marfa has five hotels — El Cosmico, Hotel Paisano, Hotel Saint George, Thunderbird Hotel, and Riata Inn — as well as many AirBnBs and VRBOs. There are also good options in both Fort Davis and Alpine. See our lodging recommendations for suggestions.

Are you selling a la carte event tickets?
Yes, individual tickets to each performance are available online. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the show per availability.

Where are my tickets?
All tickets are available at will call only – no tickets will be mailed. Please print or save your confirmation email for your records and bring it with you.

Can I get a refund?
Tickets are non-refundable, but we are happy to transfer your ticket to someone else’s name if you can no longer attend. Please email [email protected] to transfer a ticket.

Is it all ages?
Yes, Marfa Myths is an all-ages festival. Remember to bring your ID to all venues should you want to drink alcohol.

What is your photo policy?
You are welcome to take photos and video for personal use – just be sure to tag us with #marfamyths. For press, please email us at [email protected] for more info. (Note: absolutely no drones allowed.)

Are you looking for volunteers?
Not at this time, but feel free to email us at [email protected].

What should I bring?
We recommend bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks, water bottle, layers (weather in March can fluctuate), maybe a hat, and a great attitude.

Can I camp?
Yes, El Cosmico offers camping. Just be aware that the temperatures in March can be chilly, so come prepared. Don’t have gear? El Cosmico has huckleberry tents for sale and sleeping bags to rent, or you can rent one of their safari tents (which have beds with heated mattress pads, in case the temperatures drop).

Can I bring my RV?
Please do! There are three RV camping locations in the area — Apache Pines RV Park, Tumble In RV Park, and El Cosmico. See our lodging page for more details.

Are there discounts for locals?
Yes! Tri-County residents can receive half-off a la carte tickets online with a special promo code, which is only available locally. Not valid on bundles.

What if I have more questions?
Email us at [email protected] — we’re happy to help. And during the fest, stop by Marfa Myths headquarters at Ballroom Marfa to get info, pick up maps, buy merch, and more.

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For general info about Marfa, you can download our visitor guide — which has more details about eating, tours, and shopping — or visit visitmarfa.com and marfalist.org, where you can find housing suggestions, ride shares, and more.