June 2, 2021: Santa Fe Reporter: Summer Guide 2021 magazine

2021

Summer Guide

Santa Fe’s Best Patio Dining

The rooftop pool at Eldorado Hotel & Spa

HHandR.com Estevan Restaurante at Hotel Chimayó de Santa Fe

Market Steer Steakhouse at Hotel St. Francis.

Douglas Merriam

Luminaria Restaurant & Patio, and below, Crafted Cafe, both located at the Inn and Spa at Loretto

TM

NOMADIC CARAVAN ~ HANDMADE WITH L VE DOWNTOWN SANTA FE ~ 75 W. Marcy Street Follow us on Instagram @ World_of_Bohemia Shop us online www.WorldofBohemia.com Call/Text us ~ 646.510.2882

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart WORLD PREMIERE

THE LORD OF CRIES

Music: John Corigliano, Libretto: Mark Adamo

EUGENE ONEGIN Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Benjamin Britten

ANGEL BLUE IN CONCERT

Follow our Reopening Plans

For more information visit santafeopera.org or call 505-986-5900

Photo by © Hidenao Abe, StudioAbe

INSIDE

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EATING OUT

BRINGING THE PATIO TO LIFE

More Black Widow, more jams in space, just plain more movies

NO-BUMMER SUMMER CAMP

ODE TO DIABLO

Maximize your outdoor space with edible and/or beautiful plants

BIG SUMMER MOVIES

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RIDE THE RIVER

HUNTING FOR TREASURE

SUMMER MUSEUM MAYHEM

GIVE GOLF A CHANCE

THE LIVE MUSIC COMEBACK

Wherein we tout some of our favorite restaurant patios right now

River runs for the rafting faithful from easy to hard

Geocaching oughta keep you outdoors and active for a few months

A small smattering of don’t-miss summer shows

Where to send your kids (or even yourself) for summer camp

We know it’s been a racist sport, but things are changing— including who wins

As long as we’re sharing the public land, it might as well be gorgeous

Local artists talk pandemic ups and downs, plus what it means to return to performance

Visit us online at

SFREPORTER.COM OR AT:

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER JULIE ANN GRIMM

COPY EDITOR CHARLOTTE JUSINSKI

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER AND AD DIRECTOR ANNA MAGGIORE SUMMER GUIDE EDITOR ALEX DE VORE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS LEAH CANTOR RILEY GARDNER KATHERINE LEWIN WILLIAM MELHADO JEFF PROCTOR

ART DIRECTOR ANSON STEVENS-BOLLEN

DIGITAL MANAGER BRIANNA KIRKLAND

PRINT MANAGER AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER SUZANNE S KLAPMEIER ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE ROBYN DESJARDINS CIRCULATION MANAGER ANDY BRAMBLE

@SantaFeReporter

@sfreporter

COVER PHOTO MARK COREY

THE SUMMER GUIDE IS A PRODUCT OF THE SANTA FE REPORTER, ISSN #0744-477X. THE WEEKLY EDITION IS PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY. DIGITAL EDITIONS ARE FREE AT SFREPORTER. COM. CONTENTS © 2021 SANTA FE REPORTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. MATERIAL MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION.

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SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

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Downtown Delights

With Santa Fe restaurants upping capacities and summertime in full effect, we pick our favorite patios (right now) from across town.

Iconik Coffee Roasters Lupe 314 S Guadalupe St., 505-428-0996; 7:30 am-5 pm daily

Iconik Coffee Roasters (iconikcoffee.com) so gradually and so masterfully wound up in three locations around Santa Fe, we barely even noticed, and it’s kind of hard to recall a time without our town’s leader in third-wave coffee. And while the original Lena Street location will always hold a special place in our hearts, and you know we’ll be ordering up an Americano next time we get a chance to visit the Collected Works Bookstore location, something about Iconik Lupe—the company’s newest, though not new location— makes it the can’t-miss location of the three. And

Fire & Hops 222 N Guadalupe St., 505-954-1635; Dinner daily

Setting aside the challenging parking near one of the busiest sections of Guadalupe Street, the gastropub fare from Fire & Hops co-owners Joel Coleman and Josh Johns has always been one of the most reliable bets for a solid meal, and its totes adorbs outdoor patio space wows alongside its commitment to sustainability. Fire & Hops (fireandhopsgastropub. com) isn’t one of those massive-menu kind of places, it’s a testament to chef Coleman’s focused selection of items made well. Fried brussels sprouts ($9) are a more flavorful and exciting appetizer or light snack than you ever thought possible, and by applying the theory of salt and vinegar chips to actual potatoes

it’s expanding. Nobody really knows when the Guadalupe Street shop’s patio grew from a snug few tables behind a gloriously private white wall, but the larger brick-laden patio that’s now available feels just right for drip coffee daydreamers, espresso-laden laptoppers or latte-swilling buds coming together at long last following a year of loneliness. Find delectable menu items as well, from affordable breakfast tacos ($4.50) and prosciutto eggs Benedict ($9) to a seasonal salad ($9.50) and homemade pasta ($6.75). That’s not even mentioning the award-winning coffee in any variety you like, all of which is served under those trademarked Santa Fe summer skies. Roll on, clouds. We’re just getting caffeinated. ­­

($7), Coleman creates a flavor that’s somehow all at once familiar but brand new. As summer rolls on, small plates like ceviche ($12) and kalua pork tacos ($10-$13) won’t weigh you down in the heat, but will leave you feeling satisfied for a post-dinner downtown stroll. Miso ramen and sesame udon ($16 each) bookend the dinner mennu, but find a burger ($15) or Cubano sandwich, too ($15 each).

Did we mention the varied beer list? It’s a real chef’s-kiss situation with brews from Bow & Arrow, La Cumbre and more. That’s not even getting into Coleman’s other project—La Lecheria ice cream.

Special flavors arrive with the seasons depending on what’s fresh, and you can get it by the pint at Fire & Hops. You might wanna take that home, though—it might otherwise melt as you linger on the patio.

The Shed: 113 E Palace Ave., 505-982-9030; Lunch and Dinner Monday-Saturday

The true classics never go out of style, and after more than six decades serving up New Mexican dishes, The Shed (sfshed.com) remains a musthave dining experience for locals and visitors alike. With the type of patio people write home about, the house the Carswell family built serves up the massive margarita list and chile-infused super-menu one dreams about, and it’s excellent for either lunch or dinner. As a stop-off between errands or shopping, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable or Santa Fe-centric restaurant.

When it comes to dinner under the stars? The Shed weaves downright magic with its focused offerings,

COURTESY FIRE & HOPS

EATING OUT

BY ALEX DE VORE, RILEY GARDNER & JULIE ANN GRIMM PHOTOS BY KATHERINE LEWIN

be they a simple #5 enchilada plate smothered in famous Shed red ($10.50-$12.25) or the pollo adobo ($15.25). Our perfect summertime Shed patio nosh? The summer-only chilled raspberry soup ($5-$8), blue corn burritos (smothered X-mas; $10.50-$12.25) and a slice of the ice-cold mocha cake with fresh-made whipped cream ($4.75). Toss in the winning service and a Silver Coin margarita with El Tesoro tequila and Cointreau ($10.50), and we might have won summer. Oh, sure, there’s much to be said of the patio and expansion at The Shed’s sister spot La Choza, but when we’re looking to immerse ourselves in old-school Santa Fe feels or even just impress some out-of-town friend with our iconic culinary institutions, almost nothing else will do. Heads up: The Shed fills up fast for dinner and doesn’t take lunch reservations. (Alex De Vore)

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

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EATING OUT

Meals from Midtown Cafecito 922 Shoofly St., 505-310-0089; Monday 8 am-7 pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday 8 am-3 pm; Thursday-Saturday 8 am-9 pm

Cafecito (cafecitosantafe.com) is one of my favorite places in town—probably the world.

A unique blend of Argentine and eastern European fare, Cafecito’s Andres Paglayan and staff are the kings, queens and nonbinary rulers of local empanadas, be it the verdura with baked spinach and ricotta or the humita with sautéed onions and cheese. Vegans will find a black bean and sweet potato option, too, all at $3.95; and Cafecito’s specialty options, like the tango empanada with beef, onion and a mix of

Tortilla Flats 3139 Cerrillos Road, 505-471-8685; Lunch and dinner daily

Old-timers from the pre-Meow Wolf days might recall when Tortilla Flats (tortillaflats.net) marked the heart of the then-barren Rufina Circle area, even if it was under the haze of self-induced New Mexican food comas and second margaritas.

A staple of easy Santa Fe dining, Tortilla Flats remains unchanged even as Meow Wolf and other startups bring more traffic into the neighborhood.

Tortilla Flats has just always been there. Of course, you can find a similar joint anywhere in the Southwest, but Santa Fe’s version comes with the no-mess promise of solid meals done well.

Does Tortilla Flats boast the kind of patio for a

spices for $4.95 seals the deal. A patio platter of empanadas goes great with the two outdoor dining spaces hugging the periphery of the Midtown café. Well-shaded amidst a gently lulling water feature, it practically screams relief from the summer heat, and the chance to stretch your legs away from the busier parts of town comes with clinking glasses, singing birds and soft chatter from the patrons. Yes, it really is so nice that you won’t even remember you turned off bustling Cerrillos Road to get into this little hideaway. Beneath a pergola roof, one can sip away selections from Cafecito’s espresso menu, or order a pot of botanico andino tea ($4.75)—a unique option of Patagonian blends. Try the frutos rojos red tea with berries for a refresher.

We all need one after this last year.

marriage proposal or a first date? Maybe not, but its sea of wrought-iron tables and cushioned seats under drooping string lights makes for a winning combo where eavesdropping on your fellow locals on a light summer evening is the custom, and a plate of stuffed sopaipillas ($11.99, and you better smother it in red) pairs well with everything.

Throughout the day, proper shading invites diners to dive deeper into Tortilla Flats’ dishes without working up a sweat. Find marinated red chile caribe pork ($15.95) or the sizzling fajitas ($17.29) served to you on a skillet, and while it’s technically not unique in presentation, Tortilla Flats proves you don’t need fancy clothes or big bucks to say “I made it past the pandemic.” We just need a little night air on Tortilla Flats’ patio, watching confused tourists trying to find Meow Wolf.

Rowley Farmhouse Ales 1405 Maclovia St., 505-428-0719; Lunch and dinner daily

If your brewhouse isn’t tucked away on some side street smack-dab in the middle of a residential area you’ve never before had a reason to visit, is it really worthwhile? That’s the first score for Rowley Farmhouse Ales (rowleyfarmhouse.com), a gastropub and brewery specializing, shockingly, in sour and farmhouse ales. From the dedicated minds of John Rowley, Jeffrey Kaplan and Darrick Williams, Rowley’s patio is like a night out at a classic German brewery right here in little Santa Fe. Head Brewer Rowley is a Los Alamos chemist and Kaplan boasts decades in the hospitality biz, but the staff’s expertise doesn’t mean the brews are lab-tested or hastily made for the broadest

appeal possible—Rowley Farmhouse Ales uses a mixed-culture fermentation process, taking inspiration from centuries-old Belgian and French brewing techniques so people can find their niche tastes on tap. Don’t worry, stout-heads and IPA nuts, Rowley has enough for you, too; 4-oz. draughts range from $1.25-$5, with 10-oz. glasses running $5-$12. Most brews peak around $8, but you’d pay more, and sucking down a pork belly corndog ($8) or the famous chicken biscuit sandwich ($15) pairs well with Belgian ales. Just remember Rowley isn’t packing a huge space even before social distancing guidelines, so maximize your visit during off hours, especially if you’ve got a hankering for an Impossible burger ($15), farmers market salad ($12) or other vegetarian meal. Ales in the summer sun (while catching up after a disastrous 2020)?

We think yes. (Riley Gardner)

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

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NORTHERN NEW MEXICO’S FOOD BANK

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SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

EATING OUT

Santa Fe Brewing Company 35 Fire Place, 505-424-3333; Monday-Wednesday noon-9 pm; Thursday-Sunday noon-10 pm

Travelers on I-25 who followed the billboard to the brewery south of Santa Fe once found themselves at the end of a dirt road with no actual glasses of beer in sight. It’s come a long way, baby. Santa Fe Brewing Company’s (santafebrewing.com) full-fledged beer hall venue is connected to its actual brewery and canning line at the HQ on Fire Place, just off Highway. 14 north of the intersection with 599. Ample parking, wide views and choices for your whole gang are the theme of our

San Ysidro Crossing Zafarano Drive west of Cerrillos Road; Various days and hours

A handful of restaurants have held down the San Ysidro Crossing shopping center since it opened.

In recent years, as the anchor Regal movie theater shuttered, the pandemic upped an already righteous patio game that’s hidden enough from Cerrillos Road but pretty much on the way to everywhere—especially if your date night/lunch also includes a trip to Lowe’s. We love the accessible, expanded seating on the tree-lined plaza bordered

by Plaza Café Southside (plazacafesouth.com, 424-0755), Santa Fe Capitol Grill (capitolgrillsantafe.com, 471-6800) and Pizza Centro (pizzacentronys.com, 471-6200). Each restaurant has its

picks of Southside patios for al fresco dining, drinking and soaking up the summer vibes.

This place has all of that.The grand opening in December 2019 was all but lost a few months later when you-know-what went down, so the beer hall comes with all the new-venue smells, plus the earthy odor of beer brewing nearby. Thank the water reclamation system for the green grass in the courtyard and the curtain of green hops vines that creep higher each day through the season. Find a variety of picnic tables and comfy lounge chairs for a moveable feast, or perch on one of two second-story balcony seating areas, where hanging out offers south-facing vistas of the Cerrillos Hills and Sandia Mountains.

own designated outdoor service area, but there’s also an open space for takeout from any of the center’s other nearby offerings such as Cleopatra and ­Milagro, with plenty of tables spread out. A few steps away is the Tribes Coffeehouse (tribescoffeehouse.com, 473-3615), which has added sails to its southern wall and increased the number of outdoor tables to two sides of its storefront. On the menu are a highly praised chai ($3), a smattering of house-baked goods and breakfasts to die for, among much more. If you’re looking for more recommendations, go for the ­Impossible burger ($14.95) and a milkshake ($5.25) at the ­Plaza Café followed by the Diva cocktail with vodka, lime, blood orange and a sugar rim next door at the grill ($9).

The Pantry Dos and Oshara Plaza 20 White Feather, 505-365-2859; Breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday-Monday

Not only do diners at The Pantry Dos (thepantrydos.com) avoid long lines and the Cerrillos Road main drag of the OG spot, the location south of Rodeo is also adjacent to a nice park and plaza adorned with colorful sculptures. The restaurant’s patio faces the bricked space and offers a straight-line view of the Sangre de Cristos. Those inclined

JULIE ANN GRIMM

See the Southside

toward bicycle adventures from the city might consider heading south on the Rail Trail to Rabbit Road and then making the short jaunt through the Oshara subdivision.

Just a stone’s throw away from the Santa Fe Community College and Santa Maria de la Paz church, and not too far from the Genoveva Chavez Community Center, find dos times the fun, but be forewarned, it’s closed on Tuesdays. Order all your Northern New Mexico favorites, but also try the avocado toast with two eggs for any meal ($10.50).

(Julie Ann Grimm)

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

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Land of Enchantment.

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5/17/21 1:03 PM

YLANITE KOPPENS

Bringing the Patio to Life

Native plants and foods max the summer pleasure

BY JULIE ANN GRIMM

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ummer has always been synonymous with outside to a certain set, but with outdoor seating and hanging out also in vogue for public health, this could be the year that Santa Feans get more out of their patios.

Wendy Wilson, president of the Santa Fe Extension Master Gardeners, says doing so will make outdoor spaces a haven for more than just human companions. One easy way to start, she says, is with a few simple sunflowers.

“It is the number one flower for bringing in butterflies and moths, and what that does is it provides food for the birds’ hatchlings...You just get this wonderful web of plants, and birds and butterflies and bees and all the things we want in our yard,” she says.

Plant sunflower seeds when you can feel the warmth of the soil through your pants as you kneel on it—or, right about now. Most varieties will drop enough seeds to return “volunteers” next year nearby.

Feeling like a bigger commitment?

“Your best bet is to install native plants and trees and to make your yard hospitable to insects,” Wilson says. Those could include shrubs such as apache plume, barberry, chamisa or even serviceberry, which is a small tree, perfect for some shade.

Wilson also suggests incorporating food along with flowers—a tomato plant next to the agastache and a chile pepper in the shade of the rose bush. It’s not too late to start any of them in early June, especially given this year’s cold spring. (And hummingbirds like the tubal flowers as much or more than the artificial red of a feeder.)

Members Wilson’s group take seriously their mission to provide “current research-based horticultural information to the public through Top Ten Perennials for Your Santa Fe Patio Sunflowers Rocky Mountain bee plant Goldenrod Coneflower Asters Yucca Penstemon Switchgrass Bluestem grass Geranium Flax False indigo Yarrow

­education and outreach, promoting horticultural best management practices, sustainability and environmental initiatives‚” from New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service through an annual internship program. They’re also on hand to offer one-on-one advice at “Ask a Master Gardener” tables throughout the spring and summer on Saturday mornings at Newman’s and Payne’s nurseries, the Railyard Farmers Market, the Reunity Farm in Agua Fría and other locations.

Though the trained volunteers most often work on community spaces such as parks and historic gardens, they are also increasing the focus on private spaces with the coming launch of a backyard certification program aimed at encouraging native plants and wise water use.

A spinoff called Friends of SFMGA helps support new endeavors.

It’s been a tough go for the group, Wilson says, and members are looking forward to caring for neglected plants and each other.

“With COVID last year, just from a physical point of view, a lot of our projects really were kept just barely maintained because we could only have five people working at a time.

That is something we are really working to remediate, get things mulched, weeded, plants replaced,” she says. “I think the bigger concern though is we just need to reconnect with each other. It has been very difficult to try to run an organization of gardeners, who just want to have their hands in the soil, by Zoom and email connections. Every time I am out at the projects this spring, people are just so darn excited to be there and talking gardening and doing gardening.”

Not in the mood for getting your hands dirty, but want to get into some plant habitat? Visit the Randall Davey Audubon Center at the end of Upper Canyon Road and take a short stroll through two gardens the group maintains, one focused on native plants and one intended to attract maximum pollinators. On the Southside, check out the cactus demo garden at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds.

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

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Big Summer Movies

BY ALEX DE VORE

Seems that we as a people didn’t quite realize how badly we’d miss going to the movies during the yearand-change of COVID-19. Things are changing, though, and, as theaters like Violet Crown reopen to the public and streaming services like HBO Max and Disney+ continue to lock down movies that would previously have only become available in our homes months after release, ­Hollywood continues to churn out cinema gold (and lead and, frankly, all points in between). We know New Mexicans will surely lean hard into the great outdoors this summer, and that’s wonderful, but for the pasty types, the nerds, the goths, the tranqs, zipheads and lobos—start your cinema planning now with this look at upcoming releases, some of which will reportedly (and hopefully) open in ­real-life theaters. Some are exciting in a good way. Some in a cheesy way.

Some just are. Just note that release dates can and do change, and nobody can promise health orders won’t be in flux. For now, though, here’s what we know.

A QUIET PLACE PART II MAY 28, PG-13 John Krasinski returns to the writer/ director’s chair with the sequel to his surprisingly fun 2018 film A Quiet Place.

As you can tell, Mr. K has been clever in the title department, and the follow-up continues its focus on the Abbots, a family living in a world destroyed by monsters who can’t see for shit but can hear, like, SO well. Emily Blunt takes the lead on this one with Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) and Djimon Hounsou (Guardians of the Galaxy) tagging along in some capacity. We also see Krasinski on the IMBd cast list, so maybe his character isn’t as dead as we thought?

Possible spoiler: They win, I bet.

SAMARITAN JUNE 4, NOT YET RATED, BUT PROBABLY PG-13; MAYBE R Those who would trash Sylvester Stallone probably never saw Copland, but either way—the Italian Stallion is back with Samaritan, yet another “twist” on the superhero genre. In the film, a young boy discovers that a superhero

CRUELLA MAY 28, PG-13 In Disney’s never-ending campaign to eschew original thought by transforming properties it already owns into highfalutin complicated messes of visual flair and narrative disaster, find this year’s Cruella on the list. Starring Emma “I once played an Asian woman for some baffling reason” Stone, the movie follows a young Cruella De Vil in the lead up to her becoming a would-be dalmatian slaughtering maniac. This one’s reportedly coming to theaters, but will at least be on Disney+—probably with that $30 surcharge they tack on for newer releases.

IN THE HEIGHTS JUNE 11, PG-13 Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created a little show called Hamilton that you’ve probably never heard about, goes full-on real-life movie with his one-time stage musical In the Heights. The tale of a New York City bodega owner who just plain wants a better life, the movie version has a pretty stacked cast and was directed by Crazy Rich Asians filmmaker Jon M. Chu. Expect spectacle and tears and probably a few musical bits to which you could flawlessly sing Hamilton lyrics!

AMERICA: THE MOTION PICTURE JUNE 30, NOT YET RATED, BUT PROBABLY TV-MA Netflix continues its quest to be the service that makes you think “What the hell is that?” with America: The Motion Picture, an animated affair from director Matt Thompson about the American Revolution. This one’s got the yuks, though, as George Washington (voice of Channing Tatum) packs a chainsaw to fight ye olde British and folks like Simon Pegg, Judy Greer, Killer Mike and Amber Nash come along for the ride. Expect to be all like “Well, that probably didn’t happen that way, historically speaking!”

BLACK WIDOW JULY 9, PG-13 Here in the year of our lord 2021 do we finally get a non-Wonder Woman ­lady-led comic book movie, this time with the Avengers’ Black Widow Cruella

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thought lost or killed or whatever might not be lost or killed or whatever. Martin Starr (Silicon Valley) is in this, too, so maybe it’ll be OK?

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

(Scarlett Johansson). Marvel/Disney is digging into the Russian assassin’s past this time out, including ties to characters like Red Guardian (Stranger Things’ David Harbour) and other hangers-on played by Florence Pugh (Midsommar) and Rachel Weisz (The Favourite). If you’ve ever seen a Marvel movie, it’ll be like that, and if you recall what we said about that extra Disney+ new release charge, it’ll also probably be like that.

SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY JULY 16, NOT YET RATED, BUT PROBABLY PG; MAYBE PG-13 The somehow long-awaited sequel to the movie your friends all lie about loving because they don’t actually remember how bad it was, this “new” take on the basketball-star-somehow-joins-cartoons-for-basketball narrative finds LeBron James somehow joining cartoons for basketball. There will be riffs for adults and tired jokes for kids.

If you’re a parent—brace yourself.

THE GREEN KNIGHT JULY 30, R The inimitable Dev Patel returns to the big screen alongside Alicia “Tomb Raider” Vikander and Joel “Umm...

Who?” Edgerton for a retelling of the legend of Sir Gawain. Who the heck is that, you ask? Well, according to Arthurian legend, he was the nephew of King Arthur and did a bunch of knight stuff under the moniker Gwalchmei, so you might call him an early kind of

The Suicide Squad

superhero. British/Welsh/sword stuff abounds in this one from Pete’s Dragon director David Lowery.

THE SUICIDE SQUAD AUGUST 6, NOT YET RATED, BUT PROBABLY PG-13 Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn joins the DC side of the endless comic book movie onslaught with the bafflingly titled followup to 2016′s Suicide Squad. If you don’t know, this series focuses on baddies who have to be goodies because what good is it being bad if there’s no good Earth on which to be bad? International treasure Margot Robbie reprises her Harley Quinn role while Michael Rooker, John Cena, Idris Elba and other international treasure Taika Waititi come along for the ride. Bet it’ll feel just like Guardians and have a few crass jokes, a few moments of emotional clarity and that

DC movie universe bummer feel.

FREE GUY AUGUST 13, NOT YET RATED, BUT PROBABLY PG-13; MAYBE R Ryan Reynolds is Guy, an everyday bank teller who suddenly realizes he’s actually a non-playable character in a Grand Theft Auto-style video game and decides he wants more out of “life.” What does this mean for the non-gamers? Well, he’s basically background immersion material, the kind of in-game asset you don’t really think about and whom you probably wouldn’t want becoming sentient. It sounds pretty bogus, but Taika Waititi is in this one, too, so maybe at least give it a chance?

CANDYMAN AUGUST 27, R

In the Heights

Normally the thought of yet another remake/reboot/retelling/really tired take on an already-existent property sounds tiresome, but with Jordan Peele on co-writing duty with Little Woods director/writer Nia DaCosta, who also directs here, maybe this so-called spiritual successor to the 1992 horror flick might be worth it. Details are a little scarce, but from what we’ve found, the story takes place in present-day Chicago where gentrification is every bit as scary as a supernatural beard of bees. If you don’t get that reference, maybe go into your bathroom and say “Candyman” into the mirror five times.

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

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LOCAL CONFIDENCE

No-Bummer Summer Camp

The great outdoors (or safe not-hot indoors) are calling you

BY RILEY GARDNER

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one of us wants another summer of staring out the window waiting for everything to pass, but a few short weeks ago, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham set June 30 as a target date for re-opening the state on a broader level. And classic summertime activities are on the rise too, especially the age-old fun of getting your children out of the house and sending them into the wilderness with strangers!

Behold! A mini-list of summer camp activities!

A Bunch of Focus-Schmocus

The Past Comes Alive at El Rancho de las Golondrinas Living History Museum Explore New Mexico’s traditions and cultures from the 1700s–1800s at this one-of-a-kind destination where the past comes to life and weekend programs are fun for the whole family.

Open Wednesday through Sunday, June through October, with free admission for New Mexico residents on Wednesdays.

For more information, go to golondrinas.org.

Join Los Amigos del Museo and daily and special event admission is free for a full year!

After more than a year of health protocols and doomscrolling, taking a breath to focus on the steps before you is kind of exhilarating. We’ve all been forced into self-discovery, what could be more empowering than kids discovering that inner acrobat with Wise Fool New Mexico (1131 Siler Road, 992-2588)?

The company recognizes everyone is capable of the extraordinary with just a little focus and, as Santa Fe’s finest social circus troupe that also advocates for social justice and individual wellness via the circus arts, Wise Fool not only shapes its students physically and emotionally, but with a sense of justice.

“Our summer camps allow your kiddos to run away with the circus,” says Kristen Woods, youth activities organizer at Wise Fool. “Students learn stilt-walking, unicycling, aerial fabric, trapeze, juggling and puppet-making.”

Woods further describes the nonprofit’s Midtown location as a safe and non-competitive environment which focuses more on the mental aspects of acrobatic movement.

“It helps kids gain confidence and resilience [with] active and fun activities,” she continues. “Circus fosters human connection and belonging. It’s collaborative and interdependent.”

Wise Fool’s youth summer camps are open to all experience levels. Wee Kids Camp (ages 5 to 7, $260) safely teaches little ones how to fly on the trapeze, do some of that stilt walking, make some circus-y art and overcome their fear of clowns. Teens can check out the camp for seventh- to 12th-graders with the same fare and a heavier focus on performance skills, capping off with an end-of-camp showcase.

Wise Fool Summer Youth Camps: $260-$285. 992-2588. wisefoolnewmexico.org

Climb and Dime PARTIALLY FUNDED BY THE CITY OF SANTA FE ARTS COMMISSION AND THE 1% LODGERS’ TAX, COUNTY OF SANTA FE LODGERS’ TAX, AND NEW MEXICO ARTS

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SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

If acrobatics don’t appeal, the Santa Fe Climbing Center (3008 Cielo Court, 986-8944) offers another avenue, and it’s not just climbing one wall after another for hours. The center offers skill-building sessions like belaying, rappelling

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and lead climbing for 5- to 15-year-olds, along with yoga, obstacle courses, zip-lining, advanced knot tying, slacklining and even first aid. Kids are grouped ages 5 to 8, 9 to 13 and 12 to 15, and morning and afternoon sessions are available.

Santa Fe Climbing Center Sessions: $149-$250 per week. climbsantefe.com

Like Hitchcock, Minus the Terror and Tippi Hedren If your little one seems fascinated by flying beasts, the day camp programs from New Mexico’s Audubon Society at the Randall Davey Audubon Center (1800 Upper Canyon Road, 983-4609) might tickle their fancy. Curriculum ranges from learning about our feathered friends, a deep dive into the brains of birds, being little nature detectives and more. Any and all animal lovers from the ages of 5 to 12 can get their kicks here.

Cafes serving burritos, pastries, doughnuts & more Gift Shop at the Market & Online

Go to Our Website for Market Info, Dates & Times

Don’t forget about our

Railyard Artisan Market SUNDAYS 10 - 3

SantaFeFarmersMarket.com

New Mexico Audobon Society Day Camps: $265 per week. nm.audubon.org/camp-programs

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Rocks, Water, Mud and Magic

pecializing in issues related to anxiety/ depression and increasing the capacity for intimacy and sexual expression

For kids working off that nervous pandemic energy, Mountain Kids! takes care of the gritty stuff while keeping it outdoors. With sessions on archery, camouflage, wilderness survival and even a few dedicated to witchcraft and wand-making, the various programs run from May into August with a handful offering overnight opportunities and/ or after-program care. This one’s for the mountain biking and kayaking kids and teens.

Mountain Kids! Sessions: $250-$550. sfmountainkids.com

Ho-Hum for Little Drums

For youths who prefer the artsy or musical path, Queen Bee Music Association has three options. The Summer Jam Camp (Aug. 2-6) is for beginner or intermediate players who want to write songs, dabble in electronic music and participate in group concerts with a focus on guitar or ukulele. If bluegrass is big in your household, the Bluegrass Camp (July 12-16) should unlock the mysteries of acoustic stringed instruments courtesy of working bluegrass musicians. Finally, for the little ones, the Impact Music Camp (July 26-30) teaches music fundamentals that’ll stick with them for a lifetime. Locations haven’t been locked down just yet, but slots are already available.

Queen Bee Music Association Summer Youth Camps: $275-$300. queenbeemusicassociation.org/ summer-camps

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SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

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Jennifer Esperanza

EXHALE! IT’S GONNA BE A GRE AT SUMMER IN THE RAILYARD!

RAILYARD PARK SUMMER MOVIE SERIES RETURNS! Every Friday in June

Saturdays in July/August

June 4: TOY STORY 4 June 11: BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC June 18: AKEELAH & THE BEE June 25: ROCKETMAN (WITH PRE-SHOW KARAOKE)

July 10: BRING YOUR DOG TO THE MOVIE NIGHT FOR LADY & THE TRAMP July 24: MILAGRO BEANFIELD WAR August 7: JUMANJI

SEATING BY RESERVATION ONLY – distanced and limited under Covid protocols.

Free admission! Reserve your group at www.AmpConcerts.org

RAILYARD SUMMER CONCERT SERIES RETURNS JULY 9!

START YOUR WEEKEND EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT July 9 – August 27 (Take a break August 20 for Indian Market) Stay tuned to www.ampconcerts.org and www.railyardsantafe.com for concert line-up!

★

COMING SOON! This fall brings the return of excursion train rides on SKY RAILWAY IN THE RAILYARD, NEW BREWERIES, DINING & MORE to celebrate during our RAILYARD BLOCK PARTY and the arrival of the beloved SANTA FE CENTURY – New Venue – Same great ride!

RETURNING AND CONTINUING: SANTA FE FARMERS MARKET • TUESDAYS & SATURDAYS • 7AM – 1PM • FARMERS MARKET HALL & PLAZA • #6 IN USA TODAY’S NATIONAL 10 BEST FARMERS MARKETS! SANTA FE ARTISTS MARKET • TUESDAYS & SATURDAYS • 8AM – 2PM • ACROSS FROM REI RAILYARD ARTISANS MARKET • SUNDAYS • 10AM– 4PM • FARMERS MARKET HALL LAST FRIDAY ART WALK • LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH • 5 – 7PM • RAILYARD ART GALLERIES • #9 IN USA TODAY’S NATIONAL 10 BEST ARTS DISTRICTS! • JAZZ FROM SWINGSET UNDER THE WATER TOWER ALL OUTDOOR EVENTS ARE FREE !

FOR TIMES, DETAILS & INDOOR EVENTS GO TO: RAILYARDSANTAFE.COM & SANTA FE RAILYARD FACEBOOK PAGE Come have fun and please be safe, following all current COVID-19 guidelines

Ode to Diablo Santa Fe’s closest public lands offer everyone space to do just about anything

BY WILLIAM MELHADO

M

TOM COPLEN / SFR PHOTO CONTEST HONORABLE MENTION

ost public lands in the United States come with a host of rules to follow: Camp only in designated sites, stay on trail, pack out any trash. In case there was any confusion, the rules ensure these spaces maintain a degree of purity we have come to expect from nature. But for public lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management— which make up 10% of the country— users have a bit more wiggle room when it comes to regulation.

“BLM land is public land, we share it. Every person in the United States owns it,” Bill Tefft of the New Mexico Public Lands Information Center tells SFR. “The land belongs to you, me and everyone else, so we have to share it.”

Blessed with some pretty great BLM land only 30 minutes from downtown, Santa Feans flock to Diablo Canyon and the surrounding area for all their public land pleasures.

The spot leaves space for activities of all types and users of all interests

to congregate. For some, the minimal regulations of BLM land provide the ideal setting for target practice; shooting, while prohibited in the canyon, is legal on the surrounding BLM land and one of the few places in Santa Fe where gun enthusiasts can fire at will. Beyond this, “virtually anything is allowed” says Tefft, though within reason. No need to be a jerk—read the posted signage, follow the rules and don’t go creating new trails with an ATV. But do take some time (in the early morning or late afternoon, because it gets hot as hell in the summer) to explore this arresting landscape through whatever means necessary.

“It’s a free-for-all out here,” says Henry Lanman, a mountain biker who has been riding the trails around Diablo for over two decades. People of all different types use the land for both recreation and living, though more recently, he says, “It’s gentrified a lot, which is interesting for an outdoor space like that.” Lanman explains this shift has mirrored the explosion in Santa Fe’s population over the last 20 years.

Regardless of the shifting dynamic, “If people are going to be using public land, they need to share. And they need to also insist that other people share it,” Tefft says of the area. This tragedy of the commons plays out when everyone’s shared responsibility becomes no one’s responsibility—a reality Tefft has witnessed over the years, primarily in the form of trash dumping.

For decades, New Mexicans have enjoyed Diablo Canyon for its untamed wilderness and the freedom that comes with land that was turned over to BLM after it remained unclaimed by colonists at the conclusion of the Homestead Act, Tefft explains. Though, prior to the US government’s staking of the land, pueblos used the area as a migration and trade route, explains Tim Martinez, cultural resource advisor of San Ildefonso Pueblo’s Department of Environmental and Cultural Preservation.

“Every land, no matter where it is, is sacred to our Indian people and we have to respect that,” Martinez tells SFR. “If you find something in that area, leave it where it is. Don’t touch it, because it doesn’t belong to you.”

To access and enjoy this nearby wilderness, one option besides trekking in the canyon itself is the established Dead Dog Trail. A short, steep path transports you to the top of the mesa for spectacular wildflowers and sweeping views. For those who want to extend their trip, continuing northwest for some miles will land them at the banks of the mighty Rio Grande.

The stark basalt cliffs are also home to some of the highest-quality rock climbing around Santa Fe, with unbeatable accessibility for climbers of all levels and interests. Even if scaling the crags at the popularly close Winter Wall isn’t of interest, there’s scrambling for anyone who wants to get up close and personal with the landscape. Keep your eyes peeled for a trail off the gully floor that leads into the recesses of the canyon for even more exploring.

No matter the activity, there are some pro tips to keep in mind: Keep a lookout for rattlesnakes and bring lots of water (and then bring some more).

Look at a map of the area beforehand to avoid unintentionally entering private land.

Tefft encourages users to leave the area better than they found it.

“Then we all become tuned in to the idea that it belongs as much to me as it does to you,” he says.

Diablo Canyon Recreation Area

If you like the outdoors, you’ll like Diablo Canyon.

From Santa Fe: Take Buckman Road to Paseo Nopal; Camino La Tierra/Hwy. 77, then straight on ’til morning SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

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831 S St. Francis Dr. • Santa Fe (505) 501-7791 OPEN 8AM - 7PM, seven days a week

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SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

Get wet this summer

BY LEAH CANTOR

R

afting the Rio Grande can offer an adrenaline-soaked ride through rapids, or even just time to float in the sunshine.

There are several rafting companies in Santa Fe, Taos, and the surrounding areas, and while most have similar packages—plus experienced guides, life jackets, and other necessary gear— each offers slightly different perks.

Most are still operating this year, but might have modified details due to the pandemic. We suggest a call to ask about COVID-specific practices or trip requirements.

Easy: The Family Float

Orillo Verde A half-day float through the Orillo Verde recreation area along a stretch of the Rio Grande just south of Taos is perfect for families with small children, or seniors or those who prefer a more mellow ride—with the exception of some mild Class II rapids toward the end of the route. Find plenty of opportunities for swimming.

New Mexico River Adventures Orilla Verde Family Float: $56 adult, $46 child. Half-Day. Minimum age: 3.

800-983-7756 With guides schooled on history and nature in the area, the Orillo Verde float is also part of a full-day trip that includes more intense rapids in the second half. The fam could do this first part of the river together and adventurous members can continue in the afternoon. New Mexico River Adventures also offers a sunset float that ends in a gourmet meal (including freshly baked dessert) for a price of $95 per person and a minimum of six people.

New Wave Rafting Company No Wave Pilar Scenic Float: $62 adults, $52 child age 6 to 12, $31 child age 4 to 5.

Half-Day. Minimum age: 4.

800-984-1444

NEW MEXICO RIVER ADVENTURES

Ride the River

popular trips down the river. It’s a great option for adventure seekers, so some experience in a raft is recommended but not required.

Kokopelli Rafting Adventures Race Course Half Day: $69 adult. $53 child.

Minimum age: 7. 983-3743.

Big River Raft Trips Race Course Half Day: $80 per person. 800-748-3746.

New Mexico River Adventures Racecourse Half Day: $56 adult. $46 child. Minimum age: 5. 800-983-7756.

Hard: Hit Some Hardcore Rapids

Taos Box

Santa Fe Rafting Company Half-Day Rio Grande Orilla Verde: $68 per person. Half-Day. No minimum age.

Transportation is available to and from Santa Fe. 988-4914.

Rio Chama The Rio Chama is another great option if you want to relax and enjoy beautiful landscapes famously painted

by Georgia O’Keeffe. Chama trips can include up to Class III rapids and options include anything from a half-day trip to a full three-day camping adventure. Trip availability depends on the schedule for the release of water from the reservoir upstream.

New Wave Rafting Company Rio Chama 1 Day River Rafting Trip: $130 Adult, $115 Child 11 and under.

800-984-1444.

New Mexico River Adventures Rio Chama 2 Day River Rafting Trip: $395 adult. Minimum age: 12. Meals included. Camping gear available free of charge. Guides schooled on history and nature in the area. 800-983-7756.

Santa Fe Rafting Company 3 Day Rio Chama Trip: $495 per person.

Minimum age: 5. 988-4914.

Medium: Take a Thrilling Trip

Rio Grande Racecourse The Class III+ rapid-packed, winding route on the Rio Grande known as the “race course” is one of the most

This rafting adventure starts with a mellow stretch of water where you can practice paddling technique on rapids that become increasingly intense. The route includes Class III, IV and V rapids, and this beautiful stretch of the steep canyon of the Rio Grande Gorge is full of wildlife. This trip is more for those who have previous rafting experience and want to take it up a level; participants should be strong swimmers and prepared to paddle hard and assist in their own rescue if they fall out or the raft flips.

New Mexico River Adventures Taos Box Rafting Full Day: $115 per person. Participants must be at least 23 years old and weigh at least 90 pounds. 800-983-7756.

Santa Fe Rafting Company Full-Day Rio Grande Taos Box: $118 per ­person. Minimum age: 12. 988-4914.

New Wave Rafting Company Taos Box: $122 per person. Minimum age: 12. 800-984-1444.

Razorblades New Mexico River Adventures is the only adventure company in the state to offer a trip down this extreme and remote route through the remote Razorblades section of the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico. The trip is only possible May through June. The minimum age is 16 and previous rafting experience is highly encouraged, though all participants will be trained in proper paddling and self-rescue techniques before the trip starts. This full day trip costs $195 per person.

800-983-7756.

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

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SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

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Hunting for Treasure

BY LEAH CANTOR

A

t the end of a dead end road just north of the Santa Fe River, a steep, unmarked path leads to hidden treasure and a spectacular view of the city. The prize is hidden in a place you’d likely never find if you didn’t know it was there and on a hill you’d likely never traverse if you didn’t live in the area.

That’s part of the fun of the high-tech treasure-hunting activity known as geocaching—it takes you off the beaten path while providing a unique way of getting to know the place you live or are visiting. It’s also a smart way to get kids and the whole family outside, and more difficult caches wind up hidden deep in the wilderness or require complex problem-solving skills that can offer a challenging adventure for adults as well.

HOW TO START GEOCACHING: 1. Create yourself an account at geocaching.com and download the app to access a map of geocaches in your area. The description for each cache includes its GPS coordinates, the size of the cache you are looking for, the terrain and difficulty as rated on a scale from 1-5. The app includes a compass view of the cache that should direct you within 30 feet of where it is hidden.

Time to get geocaching

2. Treat geocaching like any other outdoor activity—wear comfortable clothes, sneakers, a hat and sunscreen. Bring water and snacks. You should also make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a flashlight, a pen, a long stick or hiking pole plus trinkets or other small treasures to trade. If you go alone, tell someone when you plan to leave and when you should return.

3. Try out a few level one caches at first so you can get the hang of the game before moving on to more difficult finds. Easier caches are also more likely to be geared toward kids and contain small toys for trade. Caches are usually waterproof containers that can be any size or shape. They can be camouflaged to look like their surroundings and are often hidden in dark crevices that could contain critters, so use your flashlight and your stick to safely retrieve them.

4. The golden rule of geocaching is to leave the cache and its surroundings in the same or better condition than you found it. That means if you take something, leave something of equal or greater value in its place, and make sure to hide the cache exactly where you found it. If you find trash at the site, pack it out with you.

5. Be patient! Geocaches can sometimes be hard to find. Take the time to really search before you give up.

Geocaching along the Santa Fe River At least 17 geocaches are hidden under bridges dotting the Santa Fe River. If you want to spend a day treasure-hunting along the stream, we suggest parking at Patrick Smith Park on the east side of the city, then following the Santa Fe River trail through the heart of downtown and

onward toward Agua Fría Village.

The trail breaks off just after Siler road and doesn’t pick up again until further south, so this might be the perfect place to stop. However, there are plenty of caches hidden along the lower half of the river too. The final cache lies a few miles past the Santa Fe Municipal Airport.

Take the classroom outside with earthcache An earthcache is designed as a lesson in geology and the surrounding landscape. Unlike a traditional geocache, an earthcache does not usually lead to a physical treasure. Instead, you may be required to take pictures at the site and use the geological information provided in the cache description to answer a geology question and “claim” the cache. A registry of earthcaches is maintained by the Geological Society of America and can be found at geocaching.com. For a day trip, we recommend heading to the Jemez Mountains to check out the Valles Caldera and Jemez Falls earthcaches.

Santa Fe National Historic Trail GeoTour Want to take the kids on a summer road trip? Try the Santa Fe National Historic Trail GeoTour created by the Santa Fe Trail Association. This epic tour guides travelers along the historic trade route in the footsteps of traders, Native Americans, frontier military personnel, homesteaders and bandits. There are 70 geocaches hidden along the way from Santa Fe to Old Franklin, Missouri, and each contains a history lesson and some swag.

The next level: the mystery cache If you are up for a challenge, try searching for a mystery cache. These are often the most difficult caches to find because they will require you to solve a series of complex puzzles or problems to reach the ultimate location of the hidden treasure. The mystery cache is the ultimate geocache wildcard, and there are at least a dozen hidden in the Santa Fe area.

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

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CARA ROMERO

Summer Museum Mayhem Summer shows from some of Santa Fe’s most loved institutions

“TVNDNS” by Cara Romero (Chemehuevi) from the extended Alcoves 20/20 #4 at the New Mexico Museum of Art.

traces masks as far back as the 1300s and was curated by a MOIFA team, including Nicolasa Chávez, curator of Latino, Hispanic & Spanish Colonial Collections, who says in a news release that “This exhibition is a fabulous showcase of the endurance of the human spirit.”

BY ALEX DE VORE

S

ome of you reading this will nodoubt recall a time not that long ago when traipsing through the doors of a museum was as natural and common an experience as doing almost anything else, and the time spent outside of Santa Fe’s monuments to the arts has surely stung. As summer ramps up, so too do the cultural offerings. Behold! A smattering of intriguing, excellent or otherwise worthwhile events opening or already running over the next few months (or years). This is just the beginning, though, and we expect more exhibits and events to pop up as health orders evolve.

#mask: Creative Responses to the Global Pandemic; Through Jan. 15 After the last year, if were going to make one of those super-cool word clouds about most-used language during the COVID-19 pandemic, “mask” would almost certainly be the largest element. Somehow, wearing a piece of fabric to protect ourselves and others became a hot-button issue. Setting aside how ridiculous that sounds, the artists of the world stepped up to put their own spins on the coverings, and the Museum of International Folk Art turned that idea into a show. Looking at everything from santeros and photography to fashion, plague doctors and all points between, the show’s timeline

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Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

704 Camino Lejo, 982-4636, wheelwright.org

710 Camino Lejo, 476-1269, indianartsandculture.org

Shonto Begay: Eyes of the World; Through Oct. 3 The celebrated Diné impressionist comes to the Wheelwright after an already strong string of exhibits (we especially loved Resilience: Humor

Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass; Through Sept. 5 When 33 Native glassmakers come together in one show so massive it required the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture to build an addition to its already impressive space, you know it’s going to be magic. Glass is one of the most fascinating mediums around, from its humble beginnings a bazillion years ago to the weird Venetian death grip on mirrors (Google it, it’s amazing) to the proud and gorgeous contributions of our Indigenous siblings spanning back further than anyone knows and maintaining a presence today. Curator Letitia Chambers, formerly CEO of the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, is behind one of the most promising shows of summer, and with names like Dale Chihuly, Jody Naranjo, Preston Singletary, Dan Friday and oh-so-many more, you simply cannot miss this event.

MUSEUM OF INTERNATIONAL FOLK ART AND THE MID-AMERICA ARTS ALLIANCE

Museum of International Folk Art

706 Camino Lejo, 476-1200; internationalfolkart.org

Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian

in Native American Art) with an autobiographical series based in a connection to the land, environmental awareness and personal histories.

We’ve seen press for this show go national, which makes it all the more vital you locals check it out before the nerds from neighboring states descend.

“Plague Doctor Carnival Costume” from Atelier Semenzato Paolo, part of MOIFA’s upcoming #mask show.

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

New Mexico Museum of Art 107 W Palace Ave.,476-5072, nmartmuseum.org

Alcoves 20/20#4; Through June 27 The museum’s ongoing Alcoves series in its Goodwin Gallery was shortened by the pandemic, but thusly extended til the later part of June. Find Chemehuevi photog Cara Romero absolutely killing it like always, plus Abuquerque printmaker and painter Karsten Creightney and sometimes-SFR contributor JC Gonzo’s Polaroid shots.

Gustave Baumann—Go West Said a Small Voice Through Feb. 13 A look at Baumann’s landscapes and further works inspired during and after his arrival in New Mexico circa 1918. Find also works by Baumann colleagues Marsden Hartley, Ansel Adams and John Sloan, plus more contemporary artists who, in turn, found themselves inspired by Baumann’s iconic efforts and wanted to keep the party going. Opens Aug. 14.

SITE Santa Fe

1606 Paseo de Peralta, 989-1199, sitesantafe.org

Mary Weatherford: Canyon - Daisy - Eden; Through Sept. 5 Who doesn’t love seeing another exhibit from a still-alive artist, particularly in Santa Fe’s most cutting-edge institution in the Santa Fe Railyard? In this instance, Mary Weatherford is that artist, and SITE has gathered quite the retrospective from her decades of output. Guest curator Bill Arning’s traveling show will only be in Santa Fe a short time, and someplace between the gestural painting, the neon glass and the operatic heroines, you’ll probably wish it just lived here full-time.

Spanish Colonial Arts Society

750 Camino Lejo, 982-2226, spanishcolonial.org

Pueblo-Spanish Revival Style: The Director’s Residence and the Architecture of John Gaw Meem; Ongoing With its newly renovated space on Museum Hill and an in-person 2021 Traditional Spanish Market in the works, the Spanish Colonial Arts Society opens a long-term exhibit on just why all the architecture in Santa Fe seems to have a uniform aesthetic and what that has to do with John Gaw Meem. It’ll be historic!

Opens July 1.

El Rancho de las Golondrinas

334 Los Pinos Road, 471-2261, golondrinas.org

27th Annual Santa Fe Wine Fesitval; August 14 and 15 OK, so obviously this isn’t an exhibit, but since El Rancho de las Golondrinas is known as a living history museum, anything that happens within its sprawling campus just outside town can be included in a museum rundown. And this is a good one—because it’s all about wine. Well, and vendors like By George CBD, Le Paris French Bakery, Santa Fe Honey Salon and Tea and more, plus food from Tres Colores, Jambo Hapa, Bruno’s Pizza and others. Go safely, please.

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

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HAFIZ JOHARI

Give Golf a Chance

Set aside the ugly history, which is slowly changing, and make the grand auld game part of your summer

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan in action during a 2017 Kuala Lumpur tournament.

BY JEFF PROCTOR

W

hen Hideki Matsuyama tapped in a short putt for a bogey and a oneshot victory on April 11 at Augusta National Golf Club in the heart of the Antebellum South, it didn’t just mark another dude about to be fitted for a tacky green blazer as the latest Masters Tournament champion.

And when his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, made a ceremonial bow to perhaps the greatest piece of golf architecture on the planet following the winning putt, it wasn’t just a stab at retweets and viral videos.

Never mind that this has all happened days after 17-year-old Tsubasa Kajitani, also from Matsuyama’s homeland of Japan, had hoisted the trophy at the second-ever Augusta National Women’s Amatuer tournament—at a club that did not allow non-whites to compete in the Masters until 1975 and did not admit

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The learning lesson we can all take from that is showing gratitude. You can apply that to this whole last year. It’s been a hard year, but it’s really been a year to be thankful for what we do have. It was humbling.

-Alo Brodsky, head golf professional, Mary Sanchez Links de Santa Fe

a woman as a member until New Mexico’s own Martha Burk publicly shamed and forced the racist, sexist old club into doing so in 2012.

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

These massive victories came amid a 150% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020, according to an analysis from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, as the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the US and the rest of the world.

SFR isn’t generally in the business of repeating slurs, but you’ve likely heard enough of them to know the score.

We feel like there was some, but not enough attention paid to this ongoing racism in the context of Kajitani’s and Matsuyama’s wins.

Let us tell you who was paying attention: Alo Brodsky, head golf professional, and his staff at Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe, the city’s only true public course, which SFR documented in an September cover story as one of very few oases at the height of the pandemic.

“From a personal standpoint, the symbolism is beautiful, and I think that’s been the general consensus around here,” Brodsky tells SFR now.

“It’s been a long time coming for him—one, that he’s Japanese, and given the current climate, I think a lot of people had counted him out—it was such a welcome sight. Luckily, I haven’t heard anything negative said whatsoever here about his win.

“The learning lesson we can all take from that is showing gratitude.

You can apply that to this whole last year. It’s been a hard year, but it’s really been a year to be thankful for what we do have. It was humbling.”

There’s a lot to be grateful for at Marty these days, Brodsky says, as Santa Fe rolls into summer.

Let’s start with the numbers: City officials tell SFR there have been 7,858 rounds through April 5. That’s way up from the 2,520 through that date last year (when the course was closed due to public health orders); 5,694 in 2019; 7,015 in 2018; and 7,137 in 2017.

Now, the rates: It’s just $35 to play 18 holes at Marty for adults ($50 if you want to ride a golf cart). Juniors play for $15. And Marty’s unique ninehole course, “The Great 28,” costs a mere $17 to walk. (Trust us, that’s a damned steal.)

More rounds mean more revenues for the course and, therefore, the city.

Brodsky has some ideas for why the figures are climbing, even despite a cold, windy winter which, for the uninitiated, make for somewhat miserable golf conditions.

“The feeling, the vibe out here is really, really positive,” he says. “We’re maintaining an excitement about golf that hasn’t been seen for some years. That started last year when it became apparent that golf was a safe option for people.

So, we saw a lot of lapsed golfers as well as people who had always been interested in taking up the game kind of jump right in and give it a try, because, quite frankly, there was nothing else to do.”

That won’t continue to be the case if Santa Fe County stays in the turquoise public health designation and folks have more options for how to spend their free time.

But there’ll be a lot happening at Marty that Brodsky reckons will keep the course competitive with other available activities.

He’s already successfully completed a five-day ­junior golf camp that served about 35 junior players—all masked and socially distanced, of course.

The course’s big junior program is coming back online this year as well. There’s also a 90-minute group golf clinic every Saturday that gives golfers of all skill levels a chance to spend some time with a pro and work on their game. That costs $20.

A handful of charity events that were sadly canceled last year are coming back in 2021 as well, Brodsky says. And his voice gets perhaps the most excited when he confirms that the Santa Fe City Championship is returning—at Marty and, more than likely, also at Santa Fe Country Club.

Still, there’ll be more competition for Santa Feans’ leisure time this year, assuming the pandemic continues to ease.

Why does Brodsky think Marty can remain competitive?

“Accessibility is kind of the key, because the people that have either come back to it or come to it for the first time in the last year—you want them to see that it’s easy to come back,” he says.

“We want to really emphasize that model of golf, it being accessible, affordable and for the whole family. Plus, we are outside—no air purifiers needed.”

There’s another reason, too.

“As a father myself, I never lose sight of the fact that this game has given me the opportunity time and time again to be honest with myself,” Brodsky says. “Even when we’re focused on swing mechanics and course management, which are the two kind of hard sciences of the game, everything always circles back to those good moral choices.

And in this game, we make those on our own.”

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

29

The Live Music Comeback

Singer-songwriter Eryn Bent is already booking new shows.

Be cool.

A singer-songwriter and two DJs walk into a bar...

BY ALEX DE VORE

F

rom the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, independent artists and musicians (whom we’ll just think of as independent contractors) were among the hardest-hit workers in the state. It has been, frankly, a nightmare for those who depend on congregation to make a living, and no amount of streaming—be it from a bedroom or an emptied-out bar—seemed to soothe the itch we all developed for live music events. And yet, no matter how much civilians missed rocking out, dancing or even just having some yahoo with a guitar make gross eye contact while singing about sadness, for the purveyors of jams, 2020 was much harder.

“If I had to sum it up, it was eye-opening and exhausting,” says singer-songwriter Eryn Bent. Bent splits her time between local shows and small, regional tours, and says she’d been working nonstop right up until March of last year when she says she got the call that was like, “Hey, all your shows are canceled.’” With her shows reaching into October of 2020 kaput, Bent phased to livestreaming like so many others, but she quickly realized something felt wrong.

“I feed off of playing live,” she tells SFR, “and there’s a double-edged sword of the livestream, because even if you can reach people in other countries who might never have found you, it’s hard to fully engage and be fully present. It was more nerve-wracking than playing live—it’s a ring light and me and...maybe my dog.”

Cut to March 2021, and venues and artists began cautiously returning to work. Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery built an outdoor stage and started selling limited tickets to shows featuring honest-to-goodness bands like David

30

COURTESY ERYN BENT

Berkeley and Nosotros; solo artists and smaller bands started setting up on patio corners; DJs played in nontraditional spaces (like literally on the street) and Bent took her first working gig in over a year at the Corrales Bistro in Corrales.

“The venues I’ve been talking to have been supportive,” she says, “and I’m not really nervous. I’ll be fully vaccinated in a couple weeks, and my mindset is that I’m going to be playing places I’m familiar with, and these are places that have kept their businesses going because of their COVID practices. I do feel like people are feeling that spring fever. We’re allllllllmost there.”

On the other end of the spectrum is Raashan Ahmad, celebrated DJ and MC and arguably one of the bigger-name artists living in Santa Fe. Ahmad’s Love and Happiness DJ party at the HIPICO equestrian center just outside town was easily one of the biggest shows of 2020, and COVID-safe practices developed by local promotions outfit AMP Concerts helped with the logistics. Ahmad says he has a few local things cooking for the summer he can’t divulge just yet, but that he’s still feeling a tad nervous and choosy when it comes to live performance.

“I think what I’m missing most is the interaction with people, and that kind of thing usually happens indoor on a stage, in a packed and sweaty room,” he says. “I would be traveling outside the country; this would be festival season, and I’ve been offered some shows in California, but no, I don’t have any shows booked right now. I realize that’s a privilege, also. I’m not at a place where I have to do this, I just want to. It kind of hurts my heart—this is what I do, and I think for a lot of us, it’s this other side of ourselves, maybe

SUMMER GUIDE | 2021 | SFREPORTER.COM

even a true side...the place I can be most expressive and free.”

For Dominick Gonzales, aka DJ D-Monic, the shows can’t come soon enough. Through 2020, he performed at Love and Happiness, some small private gatherings and embraced the streaming model, but that, he says, that last one was mainly about keeping his audience.

“I’d never even heard of Twitch or streamed to Facebook Live, but I was worried about losing relevancy,” he tells SFR. “I also knew I had to do something that brought a good product to people.”

Now that he can book shows more freely, however, Gonzales is hoping to up the ante. He’ll appear at Albuquerque ArtWalk events on the first Friday of each month, but he’s also working with the Rockin’ Rollers roller rink to host DJ events. He also says he’ll begin a monthly residency at downtown subterranean watering hole The Matador, plus the usual weddings, graduation parties, birthdays, etc.

“Once things started with the state’s color-coded tiers [for gatherings], my phone hasn’t stopped ringing,” he says, “but it’s not can we do these events, it’s do people feel comfortable coming out?”

Any way you look at it, that’s a loaded question. So to sum it all up, yes—live music will return in a big way this summer in Santa Fe, but like most other things we do now, much of the responsibility falls on the audiences to stay safe, mask up and tip huge.

“People want to do stuff, but I feel that for us to get back to a place like it was pre-COVID, 2022 is going to be a much more realistic goal,” Gonzales adds.

Stay patient, Santa Fe.

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