Part of the 20th annual NewWestFest celebration, Bohemian Nights will feature nearly 60 Colorado bands performing on five stages in the Historic Downtown Fort Collins area. The three-day Bohemian Nights music program is free to the public and runs August 15 -17. The Friday night kick-off concert starts at 7 p.m. in Old Town Square with local favorite, 12 Cents For Marvin. National acts, two-time Grammy winner Taj Mahal Trio and the legendary band Little Feat, headline the Mountain Avenue Stage on Saturday and Sunday.

"We are excited to once again present the musical portion of the festival to the citizens of Fort Collins and surrounding areas," Merry Hummell, executive director of Bohemian Foundation said. "We are looking forward to filling the streets of Downtown with Colorado musicians who will provide the musical soundtrack for NewWestFest as we celebrate Fort Collins' birthday."

In addition to the Taj Mahal Trio and Little Feat performances, a total of 23 Fort Collins, three Northern Colorado, 17 Denver, five Boulder/Longmont area and two Southern Colorado bands will perform during the three-day outdoor festival. Seven agency signed artists are incorporated in the lineup, including the Otis Taylor Band, Eufórquestra, Tickle Me Pink and Railbenders. A variety of music genres are represented.

"Showcasing Colorado artists is our goal," Hummell said. "We are proud each year to offer a diverse lineup that exposes the community to different kinds of music they may not otherwise hear. It is impressive to witness the depth and breadth of Colorado musical talent and we are so pleased to be able to share the experience as a community."

Musical highlights include the Friday night kick-off concert, music running on five stages starting at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and Kids' Music Adventure (KMA), designed to expose school-aged children to music. KMA is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and hosts music workshops, an instrument petting zoo and special performances suited for children of all ages.

"We want kids to be exposed to music in every way possible. At KMA, kids can learn about the science of sound, how to play an instrument, how to write a song and how to appreciate music all in one place that's fun and just for them," Hummell said. Please call 970/484-6500 for additional information.