Alpine, TX: Heart of the Big Bend

Chris and Heather explore the schedule of events around the Smithsonian "Spark! Places of Innovation" on display at the Museum of the Big Bend through August 8. Companion events during the exhibit's run covering the arts, history, technology and cultural heritage can be found in Alpine, Fort Davis, Marfa, Big Bend National Park, Presidio, San Elizario and El Paso! See the full schedu...

Chris talks with Stewart Ramser about the 15th annual Viva Big Bend music festival, bringing more than 65 live music performances to more than 20 stages in 6 communities: Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis, Marathon, Terlingua and Presidio! Full event info, wristbands and hotel packages available at vivabigbend.com .

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the Big Bend region with celebrations in Alpine, Fort Davis and Marathon! Chris talks with Kirsten Moody of Alpine Community Projects about Alpine's July 4th Celebration and then to Pam Bilbrey of the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center about Fort Davis' Coolest 4th of July . Marathon's...

Chris and Heather talk with Museum of the Big Bend Director Emily Wilkinson about an upcoming traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute. "Spark! Places of Innovation" comes to Alpine July 3-August 8 through a partnership with the Smithsonian and the Texas Historical Commission. A busy schedule of companion events are being planned throughout the entire Texas Mountain Trail Region....

Chris talks with Jody and Castine McIntyre about their efforts in support of Alpine’s music industry. They are building a business to provide services for Big Bend region venues and musicians, currently including booking and sound for the Granada Theatre, Alcove Social and Cow Dog. www. FarWestTalentTx.com

Chris and Heather talk about the array of events coming up in Alpine for Summer 2026! One big highlight is " Spark! Places of Innovation " a Smithsonian Institute traveling exhibit coming to the Museum of Big Bend from July 3-August 8. The exhibit is part of the Museum on Main Street program with the Texas Historical Commission. There will be companion activities to the Spark! exhibit th...

Chris talks with Tony Curry, the nephew of Jim Kitchen – who, as a Sul Ross State University student, first carried "The Desk" up Hancock Hill back in 1981. Chris and Tony discuss the history of this quirky Alpine landmark, and the network of hiking trails on Hancock Hill leading to it. https://visitalpinetx.com/attractions/#hancock-hill-trails

April 17-20 is a jam-packed weekend in Alpine! Chris talks with Lisa Nix about the Alpine Gem & Mineral Show, which (what a coincidence!) is also hosting booths and activities for Alpine's Earth Day and Dark Skies Festival. Adelina Beall of Keep Alpine Beautiful fills us in on April 18 Earth Day events at the Gem & Mineral Show as well as at the Alpine Public Library and the Patty Mann...

Chris talks with Saul Garza about the return of Alpine's Cinco de Mayo Celebration on May 1 & 2 for its 30th year! Enjoy a parade, car show, and two days of street dances with live music featuring Tejano headliners La Diferenza, folklorico dancers, a "gran mercado" of vendors and much more! See more details on the event's Facebook page.

Chris talks with Alpine Mayor Catherine Eaves about: A resolution recently passed by the Alpine City Council opposing the proposed border wall in the Big Bend region, Alpine's commitment to protecting the Big Bend's Dark Skies, including the upcoming deadline to begin enforcement of the City's night sky friendly lighting ordinance, and The City's pending purchase of an iconic downt...

Chris talks with brand new Museum Director Dr. Emily Wilkinson, and Curator of Temporary Exhibits Karina Canteñs about the Museum of the Big Bend and its current / upcoming exhibits and events. Get more info at museumofthebigbend.com

Tejano legend Ruben Ramos is returning to Alpine! "El Gato Negro" is headlining a Valentine's Day Black & White Gala fundraiser for Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church at the Alpine Civic Center on Saturday, February 14. Chris talks with Berta Martinez about the event, featuring dinner with the Mariachis Aguila from 6-8pm, Fly on the Wall DJ from 8-10pm and Ruben Ramos and the Texa...

Chris talks with Sul Ross State University classical guitar instructor Nick Hurt about Guitar in the Big Bend, an annual free concert series bringing world-class performers to Alpine and Marfa. https://www.guitarinthebigbend.com/

Chris talks with Connie Santillan and Isaac Gutierrez of The Magical Warehouse about the 2nd Annual Far West Comic Con, returning to Alpine Saturday, January 24 at the Alpine Civic Center. Anime voice actors, cosplayers (and a cosplay contest!), K-pop dancers, Hot Wheels races, Super Smash Bros and Magic the Gathering tournaments, and an array of vendors with original art, handmade treasures, gami...

Chris and Heather look back a the year in Alpine, and then ahead to the 2026 calendar of events.

Chris talks with Dr. Maureen Frank and Eliana Goodwin of Borderlands Research Institute about Alpine's upcoming 3rd annual Wildlife Weekend , January 30-February 1, 2026! The event celebrates Texas wildlife with science, art, film, photography, family activities and guided hikes/walks. Find full event details here . Programming will include experts from Borderlands Research Institute , Texas P...

Chris talks with his dear friends Eden Hinshaw and Amelie Urbanczyk about their Italian restaurant, Lucia , a distinguished new addition to Alpine's dining offerings. The three also discuss the origins of The Swifts, their band that has entertained Alpine audiences for the last 10 years.

Chris talks with Kay Tscheyka, Board President for the Alpine Public Library, about Alpine's most excellent little library and their Silent Auction fundraiser for ArtWalk, Nov. 21 & 22. For more information about ArtWalk, see our previous episode on the subject !

Chris talks with ArtWalk Director Lance Johnson and the event's co-founder and Board President John Davis about this year's event, coming up Nov 21-22 (always the weekend before Thanksgiving!) Enjoy two days and nights of free family-freindly fun with local and visiting artists and musicians! More information at artwalkalpine.com

Chris and Heather discuss the state of visitor access to Big Bend National Park during the current federal government shutdown as well as some alternate destinations and activities in the region.

Chris talks with Sul Ross State University music professors Andrew Alegria and Nicolas Hurt about their October 11 recital of music for guitar and voice, as well as additional upcoming performances by visiting musicians, SRSU students and faculty, and members of the community.

Chris talks with Alpine Historical Association President Wendy Little and historian and long-time AHA Board member Matt Walter. Matt shares his journey to becoming a regional historian as well as some stories of the creation of Alpine and Sul Ross State University. To become a member of the Alpine Historical Association, visit historicalpine.org

Chris talks with Dr. Maureen Frank and Dr. Alex Chavez of Sul Ross State University about seasonal migration patterns and what they mean for the birds that you are likely to see as summer turns to fall in the Big Bend. What is the best online bird resource for beginners and experts alike? What birds like to hang out with prairie dogs? What hawk pretends to be a turkey vulture? Maureen and Alex ans...

Chris talks with Cyndi Perdue, founder of the Big Bend Bluegrass Association, and bandleader Edgar Loudermilk about the 2025 Big Bend Bluegrass Festival, coming to Alpine October 3 and 4!

Chris talks with Pam Knapen, Director of the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce, about a wave of new activity in town, with new restaurants, a gallery, and the long-awaited reopening of Indian Lodge! Get details from the Fort Davis Chamber at fortdavis.com