Obviously, a band named Birds of Play has a penchant for bending words as well as musical notes, which would explain why they call their music “Americawna.” Get it? (Cawm’on. Puns are supposed to make you groan a little … .) But on their fourth album, Birdsongs of the American West, they get down to the serious business of delivering immaculately crafted songs rooted in the finest folk-bluegrass traditions.

This Labor day the Surf Hotel will host internationally acclaimed folk musicians Rising Appalachia to The LAWN. Rising Appalachia performed in the Ivy Ballroom to a nearly sold-out crowd in 2019, however, this will be the band's debut performance on The LAWN. The holiday concert will include two shows with the supporting band Birds of Play opening.

For a band named Birds of Play, it’s no surprise that avian references abound in their work. Hence the title of their new album, Murmurations Vol. 2, releasing Feb. 25 as the follow-up to their September 2021 album, Murmurations Vol. 1. The band will celebrate the release date with a hometown performance at the Sheridan Opera House, 110 N. Oak St. in Telluride. Showtime is 9 p.m. Reserved balcony tickets are $30; general-admission floor tickets are $20 (plus a $5 ticketing fee for each).