New Year’s Eve – African Dance Party

Ring in 2026 with an electrifying night of rhythm, song, and celebration at the Durango Arts Center. Zimbabwean percussionist, vocalist, and bandleader Blessing Bled Chimanga headlines an unforgettable New Year’s Eve, with soulful support from the Eli Emmitt Band and late-night grooves by DJ Panacea. Dress to shine, bring your friends, and dance your way into the new year!

When: Wednesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve)
Time: Doors 8:00 PM • Music 8:30 PM
Where: Durango Arts Center
Lineup: Blessing Bled Chimanga (headliner) • Eli Emmitt Band• DJ Panacea

Tickets:

$50 Pre-sale
$55 Day Of Show
$75 VIP- Tickets include: front row seating, 1 bottle of champagne per table for 2 (two tickets/seats), an authentic African souvenir.

Secure your spot early—this night sells itself. Let’s dance into 2026! 🎉🪘

Blessing Bled Chimanga

Blessing “Bled” Chimanga is an internationally acclaimed Zimbabwean musician, singer, and songwriter, celebrated for his electrifying stage presence and remarkable talent as a multi-instrumentalist. A virtuoso on the marimba, drums, and vocals, Blessing seamlessly blends Afro-jazz, traditional Zimbabwean sounds, and contemporary rhythms to create music that resonates globally. As a dynamic bandleader of the group Dreams, his performances are vibrant, interactive, and deeply soulful, captivating audiences with his infectious energy and passion.Blessing has toured extensively, gracing stages at major festivals across Africa, Europe, Asia, and America, earning recognition as a true cultural ambassador. His ability to connect with audiences transcends language and borders, making him a perfect fit for festivals seeking an artist who can inspire joy, unity, and celebration. A storyteller and crowd-pleaser, Blessing Chimanga is more than a musician—he is an unforgettable experience.

Blessing's Website

Eli Emmitt Band

My name is Eli Emmitt, and this is my new project! In the band we have Evan Stambler on Drums, Carlo Fourzan on Bass, Matt Kolbe on Keys, and myself on Electric Guitar and Vocals, and we are all Durango local musicians! This is a passion project of mine created to play my original music with some of my favorite musicians. Our music is focused on Neo-soul/ jazz fusion, vocals, and improvised jam sections.

Eli Emmitt Band Website

DJ Panacea

Brady is a vocalist, songwriter, performance poet and DJ. His musical ear was tuned in utero as his parents sang carols on the Snowmass mall with him warmly nestled in his mother’s womb. His childhood was blessed with children’s choirs and music camps, and he performed in many musical productions along the way. After college, Brady took center stage as lead vocalist for Durango’s premiere Reggae band , A Dub Rock. Additionally, he was honored to provide backup vocals for the foundational beginnings of J-Calvin’s Funk Express. A special events DJ specializing in global dance music, Brady currently produces and performs Soma Sound Space, a twice monthly ecstatic dance experience in Durango, endearingly known as Dance Church, in room 208 of the Smiley Building on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month.