STRATA: An Evening of Storytelling & Music with Craig Childs & Beth Quist
About this Event
STRATA is presented by Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch.
On the evening around the Autumnal Equinox, Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch welcomes STRATA, an unforgettable performance featuring acclaimed author Craig Childs and award-winning vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Beth Quist.
STRATA is a spoken, musical journey through layers of history and geology led by our storyteller, Craig Childs. You'll come away entertained and having learned something. Starting at the stroke of sunset on September 19th, this outdoor performance will be a mix of Prairie Home Companion, a TED talk, and a desert ritual with a live soundtrack. This year's musician is Beth Quist on vocals, hammered dulcimer, and a variety of instruments. Quist has long toured with Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra and was lead singer and multi-instrumentalist in Cirque du Soleil's Las Vegas performance of Kà.
This will be a night under a wide sky that fills the senses and the mind, and if stars align, the soul.
Join us for an evening where stories and music come together beneath the stars in one of Colorado's most remarkable desert settings.
About the Performers:
About Craig Childs
Craig Childs is an award-winning author, explorer, and storyteller based in southwest Colorado. He has written more than a dozen books exploring wilderness, science, archaeology, and the ancient cultures of the American Southwest. His work has been featured by The New York Times, NPR, and National Geographic.
Known for his captivating live performances that blend narrative, place-based history, and poetic insight, Childs brings a deep reverence for the land and its stories. For STRATA, he joins award-winning vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Beth Quist to create an immersive evening where storytelling and music intertwine beneath the desert sky.
Learn more about Craig at houseofrain.com.
About Beth Quist
Beth Quist is an award-winning vocalist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist whose work draws inspiration from musical traditions around the world. Blending expressive vocals with an array of instruments, she creates richly textured performances that are both intimate and adventurous. Her collaborations span concert stages, film, television, and live performance, earning acclaim for her unique ability to connect music, culture, and storytelling.
For STRATA, Quist joins Craig Childs in an evening that weaves music and story into an unforgettable experience beneath the stars.
Learn more about Beth at bethquist.com.
This show will not be recorded or streamed — it is designed to be experienced live, in the moment, surrounded by canyon walls and equinox twilight.
Date: Saturday, September 19th, 2026 – Autumnal Equinox
Time (Mountain Time):
5:30 PM – Gate opens for parking & shuttles (or enjoy a 10-minute walk!)
6:45 PM – Last shuttle departs for performance site
Sunset (7:15 PM) – Show begins
Location:
Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch
4907 County Road G, Cortez, CO 81321
McElmo Canyon (between milepost 5 & 6)
Directions:
From Cortez: Take S. Broadway/US-491 south to County Road G (same road as Cortez Airport). Head west ~20 miles. Look for “Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch” signage between mile markers 9 & 8. Then drive 3.5 miles further west, you will see a sign "Sky Village"
From the Utah Border: Ismay Trading Post Rd turns into County Rd G. From the border, drive about 6.5 miles. Entrance will be on your left.
What to Bring:
- Outdoor concert seating (low chairs/blankets) just in case
- Water
- Warm fall weather gear
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Cash if you’d like to purchase food
Food & Drink:
Some food trucks below will be on-site to provide food and beverage for purchase
- Sutcliffe Vineyards
- Untamed Grill -
- Ya Ya - local gyros
Lodging:
Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch is booked for the evening, but you may call to be put on a waitlist in case of a cancellation.
Dry camping spaces are available for an additional $25 per tent or vehicle. There is free camping available on surrounding BLM land, and additional accommodations may be found in Cortez .
🐾 Please, no pets.
SPONSORS: We cannot do this event without our sponsors: Shoreline Digital Marketing, Holly Lake Films. We really appreciate their steadyfast support.
Agenda
Gates Open
Info: Gates will be open at 5:30pm for entry. Please follow the signs for parking.
Last Shuttle to Stage
Info: A shuttle will be provided from 5:30pm-6:45pm. It is approximately a 10-15 minute walk depending on where you park to the stage if you do not take the shuttle.
🕑: 07:00 PM
Show Begins
Info: The show will begin promptly at sunset (Scheduled at 7:15pm).
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 28.52 to USD 39.19
