The Taos Roundup happened by happy accident — maybe. Kristeena Smith simply wanted to hear some live music and celebrate the one year anniversary of the Hitching Post Barber Shop. The grand opening the year before (2020) — which was meant to be a swirl of ribbon cutting and 200 tacos and fun — was cancelled two hours before the shindig due to a new COVID order stating no more than five people could gather together. Whomp.
So, last year, Smith approached her friend who owned the now-closed Salto about having shows in each of their spaces. Once Revolt Gallery owner, Steve McFarland, got involved, the two locations quickly evolved into eight and a whole day-long hop spot to spot on the Fourth of July.
The free, almost-like-a-scavenger hunt showcase unfolded, featuring local artists — like Gary Blackchild and Katherine Saint — at small businesses on the main strip. Country punk band, Poor Man’s Blood, brought a loud, rowdy riot to the packed crowd at Smith’s Hitching Post. Music went late into the night with Jack Lorang spinning a warped wonder of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Revolt Gallery.
“I’d never been a part of something like this before,” says Smith, who’s lived in Taos since June 2020. “I’m not an event planner. I’m a barber.”
This year, the Taos Roundup is back on July 3 with the full day’s lineup starting at the World Cup at noon with feel-good bluegrass trio, The Arcane Ramblers. Later, the family-oriented walk will wander to The Rolling Still, where vocalist Audra Rodgers will play the front and Last to Know will rootsily disco-funk-it-up on a stage in the back parking lot, which will be open to jams after their set. (Sonny’s Hot Dogs will be back there, too. Nom.) Eventually, the Spud Gun Bandits will shake the shears at Smith’s shop, where Taos Tin Type will also be set up. (See full lineup below.)
“This year, it’ll be like a pregame for the Lyle Lovett and Chris Isaak show happening in the park,” said Smith of the summer series at Kit Carson.
“I could see [the Roundup] turning into something much bigger than this,” she added.
Taos Roundup
Arcane Ramblers - World Cup at 12 p.m.
Jojo James - Lun Ojo at 1 p.m.
Audra Rodgers and Last to Know - Rolling Still at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Collin Morlock - Underground at 4 p.m.
Desert Prose - Gypsy Jane at 6 p.m.
Spud Gun Bandits - Hitching Post at 7 p.m.
The Dissolves and Gary Blackchild - Revolt Gallery at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
All comment authors MUST use their real names. Posts that cannot be ascribed to a real person
will not be moderated.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.