TheNew Mexico Performing Arts Societybringspower andpoetry to Bach’s PassionAccording to St.John, alesserknown work that isalsoaSanta Fe premiere performance.
20Thefruits
of
labor by Mark Tiarks
Honor America’sworkers this holidayweekend by diving into an array of union-themed musicals.
28 The century spark by Brian Sandford Hot one hundred by Ania Hull ON THE COVER
Zozobra mania is spreading like wildfire this year, with several new events, festivities, and attractions celebrating the gloomy villain’s big birthday
Two Santa Fe locals reflect on Zozobra’s history as it heats up over the decades
34 This girl is on fire by Emiliana Sandoval
A Zozobra fanatic gives it her all for the role of a lifetime
38 Hurricaneseason by Ania Hull
El Godsoncelebratesaperfect stormof50years asa performerand as thesonof aNew Mexico musiclegend.
40 Gatoswithguitars:Thisgroup brings all flavorstotheir musicalgumbo by Ania Hull
44 Nowshowing In theaters andspecial screenings
OUT THERE
6Max Gomezplays Daleee at KTAOSSolar Center
6UNM graduate’s KhoshminLakha at the RoswellMuseum
7Santa Fe Animal Shelter’sBarkin’ Ball
8Chatter does György Ligeti’s HamburgConcerto 8TaosStudioTour
9 Matilda at HobbsCommunity Playhouse 9NMSUChile Pepper Institutetours
IN OTHERWORDS
12 Newbookbringslittle-knownColfaxCountywar to life by Nathan Brown
14 Apairofgraphic novels foreasybut deep reading over thelongweekend by Ania Hull
Brian Sandford 505-995-3862 bsandford@sfnewmexican.com
Kylie Garcia kgarcia@sfnewmexican.com
CONTRIBUTORS
NathanBrown,Heather Roan Robbins, EmilianaSandoval, Mark Tiarks,Deborah Villa
P.O. Box2048, SantaFeNM87504
OWNER
RobinMartin
PUBLISHER
PatDorsey
ADVERTISING 505-995-3852
DIRECTOROFDISPLAY ADVERTISING
WendyOrtega, 505-995-3852
ADVERTISINGSALES/PASATIEMPO
MayraAldaz,505-995-3844
MariaLopez Garcia, 505-995-3825
DebMeyers, 505-995-3861
VanessaRuedeman, 505-995-3830
TrinaThomas, 505-995-3840
GRAPHICDESIGNERS
Rick Artiaga, JustinBixler, Elspeth Hilbert
ADDEADLINE 5PMFRIDAYS www.santafenewmexican.com
EDITOR’SNOTE
ChamisaGhostsandNightworks
Animal instincts
Thespouseisinthe midstofanepicRVtriponthe Alaska Highwaywithhis brothers,somyto-do list whileIwas on my ownwas goingtobejustshy of epic. On thelineupweresuchrivetingtasks as organizing my filing cabinet, finally haulinga bagofterribleshoes to Savers,and descalingthe coffee pot. Ihaven’t check-marked asingleone of thosebut insteadadded anew one: Adoptadog. Check!
Thelastdog adoption in theGrahamfamilytookplace in January2009, adate Irememberbecause it wasBarackObama’s inauguration day, andwewereall feelinghopeful aboutthatand thefactthatmychildrenwereout of diapersand in school.WewerelivinginLos Angeles, so Iscoured Humane Societysites,and we foundourselves traversing freeways to theSouthL.A.animal shelter. Olive (thennamed Cocoa) washunkeredonthe floor; shelookedupaswewalkedby herkennelbut didn’t bark or even budge,thinkingshe’d getpassedby. Shewas a blacklab,and in thedarknessatthe shelter’soutdoor play area,itwas hard to seemuch, otherthanasweet-natured galwho’d be amellowfamilydog.Her kennel notessaidonly“escape artist,” butIfigured she’dloveussomuchshe’d never want to leave.
•Over20Years
•Over30Years Experience
•Over20
•No“GeekSpeak”
HomeorOffice |Onsite Repairs
•Same
•No“GeekSpeak”
PCorMac |iPhones &iPads
Home or Office |Onsite Repairs
•Remote Access Repairs
Thenextmorning,she greetedus, tail a-waggin’, but Icouldn’thelpbut notice that whileher demeanor said “lab,” herfaceand body type very clearly said,“scarypit bull.”
As amom then to a5-and 9-year-old,Ihad oneofthose momentswhere the camera zoomsinand thebackgroundblurs out.
•S eDaySe ice
PCorMac iPads
“DidIjustadopt apit bull?” Iasked,possiblyout loud. Olivelookedup, sighed, andwentbacktonapping on thecouch.
Despitea fewescapades that supportedthe “escapeartist” monikerand one neighbor kidshe decidedlydid notlike(andacat shechaseddownthe street at30mph as Iscreamedobscenities in frontofmyimpressionablechildrenand severalneighbors), Olivewas thebest. Sheloved kids (mostofthem),loved us,and lovedher couchnaps. Shehungwithusthrough differenthouses/couches. When shediedin2022, my broken heartbelievedI’d permanentlyhungupthe leash. Butrecently, Istarted gettingdog fever. I’dbegun to wave like an idiotat poochespokingtheir headsout carwindows at stoplights.Istarted lurkingon adoption sites.
Admittedly,because Iamnot descalingmycoffeepot,I’vehad sparetimeto clickthe “AdoptableDogs” buttonon shelterwebsites. Ifiendishlysiftedthrough hundreds of dogphotoswithdescriptionsnotingvarious “mixed breeds” with such personalitytraitsas“charismatic” (codefor mighteat theleather sofa)to “bouncy” (noneed to explainthatone).
Cut to acoupleweeks ago, when Next Door,thatbastion of lost pets and perfectplumbers(among otherthings) ledmetoa happygirlwithridiculously largeearsand aset of soulfulclose-set eyes.LikeI wassneakingontoillicit areas of theinternet, Ihastily craftedanemail to thefosterpersonwithoutmyusual brandofoverthinking. Long storyshort, Iscooped up all55poundsofher,and we’renow in thegetting-to-know-you phase.
She’sexceedingly polite,likea house guest who triesnot to be abother—aruse, I’msure.
Ican’t deny that ournew four-legged family member,Doris,isfilling aspace in my heartthatdescaling acoffeepot wouldnever be able to —but I’mstill goingtowaveat your doginthe car.
CarolynGraham, Editor cgraham@sfnewmexican.com
OUT THERE
LOCALTUNES
Crooning thestate’s praises
“Itain’t new, anditain’t Mexico.”
Taos singer-songwriter MaxGomez hituponthatphrasewhile creatingwith songwriting partnerLeslieStevens in theLos Angelesareaand observed to her, “You know,thatsoundslikethe chorus of acountry song.” It’s nowthe chorus of Max’ssingle“NewMexico,”which dropsSeptember 18 andfeaturesbacking vocals by Stevens. Oneneednot wait forthe chorus todiscern thesubject matter;the tune’s firstlyricsare,“In thebarrenand beautiful desert.” Arecordversionof thesingle, featuringyellowvinyl anda Ziasymbol, canbepre-ordered at maxgomezmusic.com, whereyou’llalso findhis 2013 album Rule theWorld or 2017 EP Me &Joe.
EXHIBITIONISM
‘Gofromhere’ to Roswell
Gomez’slaconic charmoozes into both performances andrecordings; he chatted genially with SantaFeans aboutwhatthe city meanstohim during arecentperformance at thePlaza,and hisTaosperformance wrapsupa short tour in whichhealsohitsRuidoso,Roswell,and Corrales.Thattour didn’t take Gomeztoo farfromhome, but“NewMexico” will be crooned onother continents before long.Gomez aims to veryyear, thestickersonhis etracing journeys through suchas Scandinavia. When I’mout thereinthe city, ways miss thewide-open ews; thefaraway mountains; he clean, clearblueskies; good greenchile,” he says. “There’s acertain claritythat comesfromthe silenceof asmall town like Taos.I’m tanding out here on my back orch rightnow;all Ican hear ea fewsquawkingbirds in the anceand alittlebit of wind.” mezsays“NewMexico” has yedatNew Mexico United s,and he hopestocollaborate rism Department to have the song featured in itsNew Mexico True campaign.Heplans a series of concerts in NewMexicoand Colorado in December,withdetails to come.—Brian Sandford
d e cas ces s “W I al vie t g “ c a s po are dista Gom pla mes with the state Tou
In concertwithguest Emmi Rose
8p.m.Friday, August 30
Daleee at KTAOSSolar Center
9N.M.150,Taos
$22-$35
maxgomezmusic.com
If you’rereadingthisbeforeabout 1:30 p.m. Friday,August30, you’ve stillgot time to make it to RoswelltohearrecentUniversityofNew Mexico graduate Esther Elia deliveratalkabout herexhibition Khoshmin Lakha at 5:30 p.m. Forthe staggeringly vast majority of readerswho don’tplantomakethat impromptujourney,the show runs throughNovember17atthe RoswellMuseum. Elia createsceramic works, paintings, sculptures,and wearable artthatreflect herAssyrianand Irishbackground. Theexhibition’stitle, Khoshmin Lakha,roughly translates to “gofromhere” in theAssyrianlanguage.
TheTurlock,California, native is nowbased in Albuquerque andearneda master’sdegreeinpaintingand drawingfromUNM in 2023.She waspartof theSITEscholarsexhibitionin2022atSITESanta Fe.Her artcan be viewed at estherestheresther.com or on Instagram, @malikta.esther. —B.S.
ThroughNovember17(artist talk at 5:30 p.m. on Friday,August30) RoswellMuseum
1011 N. Richardson Avenue,Roswell
$7-$10
575-624-6744;roswell-nm.gov/1259/Roswell-Museum
LazarEliia Chair, acrylic on poplar, by Esther Elia (below)
JUST CAUSE
Have a (fur) ball
In the last decade alone, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter found homes for 24,332 animals, helped reunite 9,692 with their families, and fostered 7,112 more Even more astonishing than the number of animals the shelter helped in its eight decades is the cost of such an operation Rescue dogs, cats, and other critters may arrive at the shelter in desperate need of medical attention The average cost of care for an animal at the shelter is $1,609, says Lex Gowans, marketing and communication manager at SFAS That cost fluctuates depending on an animal’s medical needs, age, and history and on how long it stays at the shelter
Those costs are one reason why an annual fundraiser like the Barkin’ Ball, the shelter’s biggest in-person fundraiser of the year, is so important The 27th Barkin’ Ball, September 5, will also mark the shelter’s 85th anniversary, so organizers decided to host the ball for the first time at La Fonda on the Plaza
Amelia ElizabethWhite (left)poses with her Scottish terrierSandy and oneofher Afghan hounds in the1930s.
“We’ve had a really great experience so far with the community there at La Fonda, and we love that La Fonda is also a historical piece of Santa Fe,” Gowans says “It feels like a good pairing ”
Moving the Barkin’ Ball to the Santa Fe landmark is also a nod to Amelia Elizabeth White, who moved to Santa Fe with her sister, Martha White, in 1923, one year after La Fonda was rebuilt The sisters were devoted dog lovers especially of Irish wolfhounds and Afghans They took their dogs to shows up until Martha’s death in 1937 and were deeply involved in Santa Fe’s arts scene
In 1939, Amelia donated an animal shelter on Cerrillos Road to the City of Santa Fe, in memory of her sister In 2005, the shelter moved to the 100-acre campus on Caja del Rio Road that included a rehabilitation center, play yards for the shelter’s residents, walking trails, and dog parks
Gowans says her favorite recent rescue story, if she has to pick one, is that of a brave pup named Hero
“Just a few weeks ago, we had someone come all the way from Phoenix, Arizona, to pick up him up, ” Gowans says “Hero was a long-timer around our shelter” On average, dogs stay 17 days at the shelter, and cats four to six days, but some animals stay much longer for a variety of reasons
“Hero came to our shelter probably eight months ago, ” she continues “He’s
a Dalmatian, maybe pit bull mix of some kind, and he came in with Animal Control, who brought him and another animal ” The two dogs had been attacked by a wild animal, and Hero had saved himself and the other pooch
“Both dogs had pretty severe puncture wounds and injuries [when they came in],” Gowans adds “Hero’s specifically were on his face And our shelter, they took care of him ” Hero underwent extensive surgery on his face “He has a little snaggletooth, so he kind of always has a grin,” she says “He’s always smiling, which is really sweet ”
But after time in the shelter, Hero’s mental health began to decline “We have state-of-the-art facilities, we have a behavior team, but it’s still a shelter, and Hero needed to be out,” Gowans says Hero was traumatized from having been attacked and was reactive to other animals “He got a dedicated team of volunteers who loved him and staff members who loved him, and who all spent a lot of time with him,” she says But he had no adoption prospects, despite his team’s marketing efforts
So the shelter upped their game “We took to the internet, and a group of dedicated volunteers posted about him tirelessly on Reddit, in different subreddits about Dalmatians or pit bulls, and they finally found someone, ” she says “He drove the seven or eight hours to get here He met Hero, and they instantly fell in love Hero’s been happy since ”
Proceeds from the Barkin’ Ball will go to pets like Hero and to fund services the shelter offers to the community, including its pet food bank, the shelter’s veterinary facilities, low-cost wellness services and pet licenses, and the Santa Fe Animal Shelter’s Community Assistance for Santa Fe’s Animals program that provides a safety net for pet guardians in need Ania Hull
Barkin’ Ball
5:30 p.m. Thursday, September 5
La Fonda on the Plaza
100 E San Francisco Street
$185 (pet adoption fee during the Clear the Shelters campaign, through September 10, is $15)
505-983-4309; sfhumanesociety.org
OUT THERE
FOR THE EARS Horns of Hamburg
Several times a year, Chatter goes big with its Saturday morning concert series and schedules an unusual work for chamber orchestra Its August 31 concert is such an event, featuring György Ligeti’s Hamburg Concerto, which requires a horn soloist plus a 19-person ensemble, all to be conducted by David Felberg, the group ’ s artistic director
The big wrinkle is that the soloist is called upon to play the natural horn as well as the standard instrument, and the orchestra includes four more natural horns (A natural horn is the simple coiled instrument we sometimes see in period movies during fox-hunting scenes Unlike the modern horn, it has no valves to press to play different notes, so it functions much like a bugle )
Each of the natural horns in the orchestra is tuned to a different note, which creates extremely unusual harmonies throughout the seven-movement work “Floating chord combinations” is a good description of the effect armonies, which had never been used before, weird’ in relation to [the standard harmonic spec],” the composer wrote in his notes on the piece eveloped both ‘weird’ consonant and dissonant armonies, with complex beats Horns blend very well together, and to enrich the sound further, the two clarinetists play basset horns Even though t is replete with spectra of strange beats, the resulting overall sound is soft and mellow”
e h nd ‘ um “I d h i is Au th r ha ork
tion and received i
The Hamburg Concerto dates from 2003 and one of the final works by Ligeti, a Hungarianstrian composer who is generally regarded as one e most important classical music figures from the lf of the 20th century
was commissioned by a Hamburg-based foundats world premiere there, so Ligeti followed Bach’s practice with the Brandenburg Concertos and dedicated the work to “The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,” the locale’s full name
Ligeti’s basset horns actually aren’t horns at all they’re clarinets with a lower range (“Basset” refers to their bass-like quality relative to the standard versions of the instrument ) Jeff Brooks and Jackie Glazier will play one of Mozart’s Divertimentos for Basset Horns prior to The Hamburg Concerto to familiarize audiences with their unique sound
The Chatter concert is also a rare opportunity to hear Gioachino Rossini’s “The Hunting Party” for horn quartet, which he wrote in 1828 while living in Paris during the final phase of his career It can be viewed as a style exercise for the magnificent grand opera William Tell, his final stage work, which premiered a year later at the Opéra de Paris
The Santa Fe-based Tia Collection displays artwork at CCA’s Muñoz Waxman Gallery, including temporary murals that it commissions from BIPOC women specifically for this purpose Generous, by Eliza Naranjo Morse, Kha’p’o Owingeh (Pueblo of Santa Clara), is the second such mural; it went on display August 29 “Generous is made around themes of sharing and acceptance,” Morse says, “and the joy of feeling connected to another”
The spoken word segment of the concert will be provided by Santa Fe Poet Laureate Tommy Archuleta Mark Tiarks/For The New Mexican
10:30 a m Saturday, August 31
Center for Contemporary Arts’ Muñoz Waxman Gallery
1050 Old Pecos Trail
$17 in advance, $20 at the door if tickets remain chatterabq org
ARTONTHE ROAD
TreasuresaroundTaos
LaborDay mightmarkthe unofficialendofsummer, but NewMexico’sstudio tour season continues. In fact,the latter doesn’tend untilthe DixonStudioTour the firstweekend in November,whennature’selementsare an obstacle but competingtours arenot.
This year’s LaborDay weekend Taos Studio Tour features 22 artistsintown as well as in El Prado, Arroyo Hondo, Arroyo Seco,and RanchosdeTaos. It’s one of twostudiotours held in Taos County;the other, theQuestaStudioTour, took place in August.The previewgallery forthe Taos tour,organized by theTaos Artist Organization,isatthe Taos Valley Lodge& Espresso Bar. —B.S. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday,August31, throughMonday, September2 Taos Valley Lodge&EspressoBar
615Paseo delPuebloSur taosartistorg.org
OUT-OF-TOWN THEATER Hobnob in Hobbs
The outpost city of Hobbs is about 300 miles southeast of New Mexico’s capital city and only 400 miles from Texas’, so there’s a good chance even Santa Fe’s most adventurous arts-seekers haven’t made the journey to see a play, a concert, or a gallery there Community Players of Hobbs is offering a chance to change that with its production of Matilda, a musical based on the classic Roald Dahl tale about a 5-year-old girl with telekinesis powers
Community Players was founded 87 years ago, giving it a lifespan few theaters in New Mexico can boast It plans a fall production of Julius Caesar; performance dates haven’t been announced B S
8 p m Friday and Saturday, August 30-31, as well as September 6-7, and 2 p m Sunday, September 1, and September 8 Hobbs Community Playhouse
1700 N Grimes Street, Hobbs
$15
575-393-0676; communityplayersofhobbs org
LISTEN &LEARN
Peppered with facts
NothinggetsNew Mexico foodie communitiesmorefired up than theongoingissueof the spellingofourstate’s favorite sp crop:chilevs. chili.
Thelocal consensusisthat“chi themeatdishand “chile”referstotepeppe Paul Bosland, Ph.D.—founder of NewMexicoState University’sChile Pepper Institute, an international,nonprofit entity dedicatedtochile pepper research andeducation —confirmed that New Mexicansare correct.
cananswerquestions andpossiblyevenfacilitatea pepper tasting, although theinstitute hasatasting program separate from thegardencalledthe Artof ChilePepperTasting,available by appointmentonly.
“It’sbeenspelled alot of differentways, butyeah, PaulBosland hasfirmlysaidthatc-h-i-l-eisthe correct spelling forthe hotpeppers that we producehere in NewMexico,”saysNMSUCooperative Extension ServiceVegetable Specialist StephanieWalker. Chileenthusiasts whowanttolearn more about ourstate’s famous peppers(andmakesuretheyspell itcorrectly)can visitNMSU’sChile Pepper Institute and theAmy Goldman-Fowler TeachingGarden and tour thegardendedicated to thegrowth, research, andcultivationof more than 150chile varieties.
This weekend’sTaosStudioTourincludessuchartists asplein-air painterKrysteenWaszak(oppositepage, bottom), whoseworks include Mountain Canyon River Sky (above)and Taos Summer PeonyGarden (opposite page, top),bothoil on canvas.
Chatter’sSaturdaymorning concertfeatures György Ligeti’s (oppositepage, left) HamburgConcerto
At theinstitute andgarden, chileresearchers study diseases that affect chilegrowth as well as howtocross-pollinate differentvarieties to promote certaintraits, includingcolor, taste, heat,pod andplant shape, andmore.
“It’salong-term,labor-intensive process, butindividuals like myself andlikeDanisereallylove it,” says Walker,who runs the chilebreedingprogram at the institute. Danise Coon is asenior research specialist who coordinatesthe institute’steaching garden tours.
Themodern“father of theNew Mexico chilepepperindustry,” Fabián García,graduated from the NewMexicoCollege of Agricultureand Mechanic Arts(nowNMSU) in 1894.Garcíadeveloped new varieties of chilepeppers,manyofwhich youfind on your platetoday,and also advanced otherareas of agricultureinNew Mexico.
Allthishistory andmoreispartofthe guided toursatthe teaching garden.The tourstypically last about an hour andcost$20 to $25, dependingon thegroup size.Groupsare ledbyachile expert who
Fees from thetours arecollected to help the instituteestablish apermanent endowmentand to constructanew building closer to thegarden, whichislocated just offcampusand occupiesa quarter of an acre.
Thegardenhas atheme everyyear; this year’s is “What’sonthe menu?” Thetheme is centered around recipesthe chiles canbeusedfor as well as thebest culinary useofeachchile.
Self-guidedtours areoffered forvisitorswho want to take theirtimeperusingthe garden.The free selfguided toursinclude booklets,maps, signage,and QR codestoprovide informationalong theway (visitors are askednot to trythe peppers).
Walker says chilescience is full of surprising facts: Didyou know that chileplantssubjected to environmental stresses producehotterfruit or that,despite conventional wisdom,chile seedsare notthe hottest part of thepod?The hottestpartcomes from the capsaicinchemicals produced in theveins of the pod’splacenta, wherethe seedsare attached.
Agoalofthe garden toursistoget youngpeople excitedabout potentialcareers in agriculturebut are availabletoeveryone. Thetours andgardenare open early June throughNovember,but thebest timetovisit thegardenisinthe morningfromlate July throughlateSeptember,duringchile harvest season.— KylieGarcia
Guided toursavailable Monday through Friday,with48-hour notice ($20-$25); selfguided toursavailable daily(visitors should bringwater andwearclosed-toeshoes and sunprotection)
Aviolent era in NewMexicosheds lightonthe politics of land grants
By Nathan Brown l TheNew Mexican
REGIONAL NONFICTION THECOLFAXCOUNTYWAR: VIOLENCE ANDCORRUPTIONINTERRITORIAL NEWMEXICO by CoreyRecko,UniversityofNorth TexasPress,222 pages
INSEPTEMBER 1875,the body of Methodistminister Franklin J. Tolbywas foundoff theroadbetween Elizabethtownand Cimarron,which sits on the easternslope of theSangredeCristoMountains. He hadbeenshottwice from behind.
Whilethe robberyand killingoftravelers wasnot uncommon in that violentera,Tolby’s horseand belongings were stillthere when he wasfound. Suspicionimmediately fell on Tolby’spolitical enemies. Thepreacherwas an outspokenopponent of theSanta Fe Ring —agroup of wealthyRepublicans wholoomedlarge in NewMexicopoliticsduring theperiod—and wasevensuspected of having writtentwo anonymousletters that raninaNew York newspaperdenouncingcorruptioninNew Mexico. Shortlybeforehis killing,hehad been dresseddown by aRing-connectedjudge andeventhreatenedwith murder by amailcarrier.The fact that,inthe eyes of thelocals, theauthorities weren’tdoing much to catch Tolby’skilleronlyheightenedsuspicion.
Some figuresassociatedwiththe SantaFeRingwere acquiringpolitical poweraswellashugeamounts of land,takingadvantage of friendly surveyorsand courts andthe oftenvague wordinginthe oldMexicanand Spanishlandgrants. In Colfax County,the owners of theMaxwell Land Grantclaimed ownershipofa1.7 million-acre swathofnortheasternNew Mexico;others said thegrant wasjust97,000acres.Settlerswho took up residenceonthe land claimeditwas public domain, whilethe grantors said they were owed rent.
Tolby’smurderwould triggeraseriesofviolent confrontations andlynchings and, eventually,the involvementoffederal authoritiesand theremoval of territorialGovernorSamuelAxtell. Whileittook placearoundthe same time as theLincoln County War made famous by Billythe Kid, theColfaxCountyWar is much less remembered.AuthorCorey Reckotakes us back to that largelyforgotten conflict in hislatest book, TheColfaxCountyWar:Violenceand Corruption in TerritorialNew Mexico.
Reckolives in Ohio buthas long been interested in NewMexicohistory andhas writtennumerous articles aboutitoverthe years. Hisfirst book-length
forayintothe state’shistory was Murder on theWhite Sands: TheDisappearance of Albert andHenry Fountain (UniversityofNorth TexasPress,2008).After finishing that account, Reckosayshewantedtowrite abook aboutthe Lincolnand Colfax County wars,which also took placearoundthe same time andare connectedby adynamic of locals facing offagainst allegedlycorrupt SantaFeRing-linked authorities. However, whileeven people whocan’t find NewMexicoonamap have heardofBillythe Kid, Reckosayswhenhestarted his research he foundlittlehad been writtenabout the events in Cimarron.
“There wasabig hole wherethe Colfax County War is,” Reckosays.
Part of thereasonfor that,Recko says,isthatthe Colfax County Wardoesn’t have afigurelikeWilliam H. Bonney to center thestory around.Evenatthe time, he says,the events in LincolnCountydrewmorepress coverage,drivenbyincidents such as Billy’sdramatic escape from theLincoln County jail.The closest thinginColfaxisClayAllison, aseemingly unstable Confederateveteran whomoved to theCimarron area andwas involved in numerous violentincidents both connectedtoand separate from hissupport forthe anti-Ringside, includingthe lynching of Tolby’salleged killer,CruzVega, as well as numerous gunfights.
However, AllisonleftNew Mexico before theconflict wasover, eventually bought aranch outside of Pecos, Texas, anddiedinanaccidentin1887.
“Hedidn’tdie at 21 He didn’t endhis life asa gunfighter,and Ithink he’s more forgotten,”Recko says.
As aresultofhis 1878 departure,Allisonalsodoesn’t figure in the report federalinvestigatorFrank Warner Angelwould compileonthe troubles in Colfax andLincoln counties. Angel’sfindingsprompted President Rutherford B. HayestoremoveAxtellasgovernor, replacing himwithLew Wallace, whotoday is perhapsbetterknown forwriting Ben-Hur than forhis politicalcareer.
Oneofthe questionsofthe Colfax andLincoln County wars is why Axtell,who hadrecentlycometoNew Mexico aftera stintasgovernor of Utah andhad no previous connectionstothe area,sostronglytook theside of theSanta Fe Ring,tothe extent that he refusedrequeststo meet with people in Colfax County whohad adifferent view.Axtellalso signed abill transferring Colfax County’s courtto Taos County,which as well as forcingColfaxresidents to make adangerous trek over the mountainstoget to courthad theeffectofputting casesinthe hands of Ring-sympathetic Taos jurors.
“Atthattime, Ithink, it wasjusthewas aRepublican, they were Republicans, andtheywerethe ones whohad hisear when he was in SantaFeand he seemed to trustpeoplelike[Stephen] Elkins and [Thomas] Catron withoutquestion,”Recko says,referring to twoofthe Ring’s most prominentleaders.
Things cooled down underWallace’s governorship.While he was also aRepublican, “hewas still able to listen to both sidesofall these conflicts,”Recko says.
WhileRecko’s book is writtenina narrativeformatthatisasaccessible to thelaymanasitistothe scholar, it relies on awealthofprimary sources. Reckostarted by readingAngel’s report in theNationalArchives in Washington,D.C., copyingevery page.He spentyears workingon thebookbetween hisvarious otherprojects, travelingbackand forth betweenhis home in Ohio andNew Mexico,spendingtimeinthe archives at theUniversityofNew Mexico,New Mexico StateUniversity, andthe Palace of theGovernors.Healsolearned theoften tediousins andoutsoflandgrants.
“Thatwas averycomplicated subjectI[was] trying to simplify,” he says.
Oneofthe reasonsthe Tolbymurderisstill shrouded in mysteryistwo keyfigures were also murdered —seemingly by people whoshouldhave hadaninterestinkeeping them alivelongenoughtotestify.Vegawas kidnapped, coercedintoadmitting that aman namedManuelCardenas hadcommitted thekilling,thenshotto deathbydrunken vigilantes.
Cardenas wasarrestedand hauled into court, whereheidentifiedVega as thetriggermanand acoupleofother co-conspiratorswhohe said orchestrated thekilling. However, when soldiers arrivedinCimarron at Axtell’s command— allegedlytorestore order, butanact opposed by townspeoplewho viewed it as an attemptto stymie theinvestigation into Tolby’smurder—Cardenasretracted hisconfession. He wasthen shot andkilled by agroup of unknownmen whilebeing takenfromthe courthouse back to jail.
“Unfortunately,the evidence waskilledwiththe murders,”Recko says. Reckosaysitwas laterclaimed that Clay Allisonmay have killed Cardenas,but thereisnoproof.Henoted anotherrumor aboutthe violentAllisonthatlikelyisn’t true —that, afterhelping to kill serial killerCharlesKennedy,heput hisheadona pole in frontofCimarron’s St.James Hotel. WhileAllisonmay have been involved in Kennedy’s lynching,the St.James didn’t open untilafter Kennedy’sdeath.
“Unfortunately,withthislynchingit’sthe same thing,”Recko says, “peoplemakingclaimslikethis50years afterthe fact.” ◀
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Myhistorichome ontheEastside of Santa Fewasrepresented by my wonderful broker ShellGoldman. Selling my homeofover20yearswas emotionally stressful,yet Shell wasa constantsource ofreassurance,calmandclarity.His experience,knowledge ofthemarket andinterpersonal communication skills really made the difference. On ascale of 1-5, Iwouldgive Shella 10 !! Irecommendhim wholeheartedly… Carol Kucera
Myhusbandand Ihavebeen incrediblyfortunatetohaveworkedwith Shell Goldman twice!Selling ourhome inLosAlamos and buying ahomein Santa Fe.Hegot our homesoldinLosAlamosinlessthan 5daysfor $121,000 overour asking price!Hehelped usnegotiateagreatprice forournewhomein Santa Fe as avery professionaland patientexpertwhile dealingwith an unpleasantand combative sellersbroker.Wehighly recommend Shell, he is anabsolutejoytoworkwith… Steven andMargaretBuelow
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IN OTHER WORDS
Ania Hull l TheNew Mexican
Twographic novels make foreasybut deep readingovera long,lazyweekend
Whatweall need this long weekendisahammock, preferably in theshade of atree, anda short, lightreadtoget lost in.Following aretwo new graphicnovelsfor adults that youcan read in asitting or two, with aglass of whatever relaxesyou.
EINSTEIN IN KAFKALAND: HOWALBERTFELLDOWN THERABBITHOLEAND CAME UP WITHTHEUNIVERSE
KenKrimstein is theauthorof Kvetch as Kvetch Can: Jewish Cartoons (2010), TheThree EscapesofHannahArendt: ATyranny of Truth (2018), When IGrowUp: TheLost AutobiographiesofSix YiddishTeens (2021),and of thenew Einsteinin Kafkaland.Heisalsoacartoonistfor TheNew Yorker, andhehas athing or twotosay to people in America whotellhim they don’tknowhow to read graphicnovels.
“Doyou know BazookaJoe bubble gum?”Krimstein asks as he describeshow to approach graphic-novelcynics wholiveonthisside of theAtlantic. “Yeah, yeah,the stuff that breaks your teeth, yeah?Thathas alittlecomic in it, right? Youcan read that,right?Yeah. So youcan reada graphicnovel.”
Hislastthree graphicnovels— or bandes dessinées,as he likestorefer to them,using theoriginalFrenchterm forthe literary genre— areofthe historical nonfiction kind. Einsteinin Kafkaland is setin1911-1912 Prague,a city Krimsteinexploreswithink andwatercolor. There, we meet Albert Einstein —father, embarrassedscientist, dreamer, andstill anobody, as Krimsteindescribes himat first—ashewalks thestreets andalleysand up anddown medieval staircases to meet future friendsand colleagues in officesand living roomsand to discusstheoriesonpark benches. Theillustrations andthe bluesand greens and graysrenderthe book aworkofart.
To draw andpaint thecity, KrimsteintraveledtoPrague during alullinthe pandemic,stayedfor amonth,and got to roam this medieval city devoid of crowds.“Aprofessor toldme,‘Youare so lucky. Prague hasnot been that empty sinceEinsteinwas there,’” Krimsteinsays.
“The OldTownSquareatnight must have been pretty much like theOld Town Square at nightwhenEinsteinwas there, except forgaslights,” Krimsteinaddsofhis time in theCzech capital. “And it’s alabyrinth,truly alabyrinth. Andwithout crowds,you cancapture thefeeling.Now,a greatwriter, youknow, Dickens, candothatwithwords. Butwithall duerespect to Dickens, it mighttakehim 12 impeccable pagestodescribewhatI can, if I’mlucky,give
ahintofwithadrawing.”
Prague wasaninterim city forEinstein. He wasstrugglingwithhis work centered on gravity, hadagrowing family andnot much money, andhis marriage paid the price. In Prague,hetookhis firstpositionaschair ata university,and during theyearand ahalfhespent there, he made some of hismostsignificant discoveries.
“Praguewas thequintessential‘second city,’”Krimstein says.“It wasthe second city of theAustro-Hungarian Empire.Itwas industrial,and that matters: Ibelieve that in Prague,Einsteinand Kafka[whomet in real life andalso meet in thebook] were able to show that artand science arevery, very closetoeachother,far closer than many people wouldhaveusbelieve.
“InPrague, Einstein wasdrivenbywonder, andKafka wasdrivenbywhat’sreal,”Krimstein adds.“Youknow, that should be theother wayaround, really,but thenet result wasthere.And Prague is acitysteeped in wonder. Youkeepoverturningrocks there, andit’slike, ‘Oh, this is thehouse whereFaust lived.’”
Right: KenKrimstein’s stay in Prague informed hisillustrations for Einstein in Kafkaland.
Facingpage: Most of thedrawingsin Youand ABikeand ARoad were done whileauthor and illustratorEleanor Daviswas on herbike.
YOUAND ABIKEAND AROAD by EleanorDavis,Fantagraphics,July2024, 172pages
Cyclingiseasy—reallyeasy. Unless,ofcourse, youdecidetocross thecountry on your bike, andyourknees don’twantyou to. Whichisexactly what EleanorDavis (and herknees)decided to do —alone —asshe andher husband, Drew Weing, also acomic artist,wereabout to move from Tucson,Arizona,toAthens, Georgia, andwereplanning to have ababy.
“Itwas noworin20years,” Daviswrites. Shehad dreamt of such abike trip foragesand also hopeditwould help herwithher mental health. Davisisanaward-winning illustratorand cartoonist whoseworks have appeared in TheNew Yorker, TheNew York Times, and National Geographic.Her graphicnovelYou anda Bike anda Road,out in anew andsecondhardbackedition this summer,has a“sketched”essence to it that makesthe book look roughand notas sophisticatedasher otherpublished works. Andnowonder: Sheillustrated andwrote the majority of thebookwhile on theroad, undercanvas, at diners,asshe’d layexhausted underatreeand hopedtoresther poor knees. Some of thepagesthat look cleaner, shecompleted once shereturnedhome.
“Initially,I broughtsomepensand some coloredpencils,” shesays of theart materialsshe carriedinher panniers andother bags.“But when you’re bike touring, youget really obsessed aboutweight, and so Iended up cuttingdownand even mailing chunks [ofillustrations] back home as Ifinishedthem, just to save on weight.Soitwas amuch more roughprocess.”
Shefirstdrewwithapen,but afterafew days,opted forthe pencil. “It’seasiertodowitha pencil,” shesays. “EventhoughI wasn’t trying to make it into aperfect thing. Icould erasepencil, andink is not erasable,and Ididn’thaveany Wite-Out with me.”
Although Davis’scycling journeytakes placeinthe spring several yearsago,her descriptions of nature andthe nature of thetripitself have that end-of-summerfeelingtothemthatmakeyou want to grab abikeand go.
Davis’ graphicnovel also hits at many thoughts anddoubtsall of us wholovecyclinghave: What does it feel like to face anever-endingroad up amountain? What does it mean to bike aloneinAmerica,especially forawoman?Whatdoesitfeellikewhencarsdrive by at high speed? What do youneedtoconsiderwhenlooking fora safe placetorest, or even pitchatent, away from curiouseyes? Andwhatdoesitmeanto choose abicycle over theconvenience of acar? ◀
Mark Tiarks l For The New Mexican
The
New Mexico Performing Arts Society brings power and poetry to Bach’s Passion According to St John
Disi leso p ssin _
Johann Sebastian Bach was passionate about his Passions The great Baroque composer, a devout Lutheran, wrote no fewer than five of them, according to his obituary, which was written by his son, Carl Philipp Emanuel, and one of his students, Johann Agricola If their recollection is correct, three of them have been lost, one is extremely famous The Passion According to St Matthew and one The Passion According to St John lurks somewhere between those two poles
It dates from three years earlier than the St Matthew Passion, with a first performance on April 7, 1724, shortly after Bach had been appointed the director of sacred music for the churches in Leipzig, Germany In what is almost certainly its New Mexico premiere, the St John Passion will be presented by the New Mexico Performing Arts Society in Santa Fe on September 6 and in Albuquerque on September 8
Passion may seem a strange word to find in the title of a religious work, but there’s a good reason “It’s an archaic use of the word, and it has to do with suffering and becoming aware of the other outside of yourself through suffering,” says Franz Vote, artistic director of NMPAS explains “And in Jesus’ case, he knew all along what was going to happen to him ”
Passion settings were performed during Holy Week, typically on Good Friday, and they described the trial, crucifixion, and death of Jesus The Biblical verses came from the New Testament Gospels, supplemented by existing or newly written poetry for the arias and Lutheran chorales that commented on the story They were divided into two parts, with the day’s sermon coming in between the sections Martin Luther was a passionate fan of music who elevated its presence in the church “Next to the Word of God, only music deserves to be extolled as the governess of the feeling of the human heart,” he wrote “He who does not find this an inexpressible miracle of the Lord is truly a clod and is not worthy to be considered a man ”
Bach’s St John Passion is shorter than the St Matthew and uses much smaller orchestral forces, but paradoxically it feels more dramatic, having an operatic sensibility in the vividness of its storytelling through both text and music Robert Schumann conducted a performance of it in 1851, describing it as “ more daring, forceful, and poetic” than its brother
The opening orchestral passage is a stormy depiction of mankind’s anguish, with churning figures in the strings punctuated by sharp dissonances from the flutes and oboes, followed immediately by a cry of distress from the chorus: “Lord, our master, whose glory fills the whole earth, show us by your Passion that you, the true eternal Son of God, triumph in even the deepest humiliation ”
Over the next two hours, the story unfolds quickly in seven sections, each of which concludes with an aria that reflects on what has just
The Apostle John, as depicted in Domenico Zampieri’s Saint John the Evangelist (circa 1621-1629)
transpired Bach’s orchestration choices are often surprising and vivid, such as the solo viola da gamba that provides a haunting accompaniment to “Es ist vollbracht” (It is finished), in which Jesus nears his death
It’s not known who compiled the libretto for the St John Passion, although it may have been Bach himself, at least in part There’s an especially compelling clue in that two verses were added from the gospel of Matthew, both of which provided opportunities for musical scene painting, the crowing of a cock when Peter denies knowing Jesus and the earthquake following the crucifixion
For NMPAS, this concert will be the largest since the onset of the pandemic, with a 17-player orchestra (pairs of flutes and oboes plus strings and continuo) and a 16-member chorus that will also portray most of the characters taking part in the events Tenor Gregory Gallagher takes on the demanding role of the Evangelist, representing St John in this Passion, who both participates in and comments on the action
The other major characters are Jesus and Pontius Pilate, who are especially prominent in the extremely passionate trial scene They will be sung by Javier Ortiz and Tim Willson, respectively; Andrew Paulson sings the role of Peter
The impetus for the NMPAS presentation came from watching a performance video featuring conductor Karl Richter and the Munich Bach Orchestra and Choir during the height of the pandemic “When we listened to it, we were so moved by the performance that I looked at Franz and said to him, ‘You know, we have to do this,’ and he agreed,” says Linda Marianiello, Vote’s spouse and the NMPAS executive director
While the St John Passion is an artistic milestone for the group, now starting its 13th year, significant changes are underway on the management front Over the summer Marianiello and Vote scaled back their involvement with the group to a part-time basis “Franz and I now work part-time for NMPAS,” Marianiello tells Pasatiempo “We have a five-person team of independent contractors that is helping to pick up the slack, so that Franz and I can focus on tasks that only we can handle for now We are also training the person whom we hope will succeed me as executive director ”
Guest conductors will lead some of the performances during upcoming NMPAS seasons as part of the transition “We’ll be working very hard over the next couple of years to make it work,” Marianiello says “There’s a succession plan and a sustainability campaign that we ’ ve undertaken, so we ’ re not just hoping, there are actual concrete steps in place ” Meanwhile, Vote is preparing to conduct the St John Passion with the acknowledgment that “Bach was a consummate genius at setting text ” The extensive recitatives in particular will be performed with historically informed performance techniques, which give the soloists the rhythmic and expressive freedom that they would have had in Bach’s time
“Instead of playing a chord for several measures during a recitative, the orchestra will play it as a quarter note and leave space, ” Vote says, “ so the singers have more room acoustically to deliver the words ” He cites as his model the conducting of Philippe Herreweghe, the founder of Belgium’s La Chapelle Royale and the Collegium Vocale Gent “He has this real sensitivity to the delivery of text,” Vote says, “and that’s more important to me than anything else in this piece ” ◀
6 p m September 6
Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 50 Mount Carmel Road
5:30 p.m. September 8
Hope in the Desert Episcopal Church, 8700 Alameda Boulevard NE, Albuquerque
$50-$60 with discounts available nmpas org; 877-466-3404
TheRailyardArtsDistrict(RAD) is comprisedofeightprominent Railyardareagalleriesalongwith SITE SantaFe, aleading contemporaryarts venue, and the recently opened NewMexicoMuseum of Art Vladem Contemporary. RAD seeks to addtothe excitement of theRailyardareathrough events likethismonthlyLastFridayArt Walk. We inviteyou to comeand experience all we have to offer. www.santaferailyardartsdistrict.com
TheFRUITSof LABOR
Mark Tiarks l ForThe NewMexican
Theywerethe most unlikely musicalcomedystars in Broadway history.
From LydiaAnnucci to Millie Weitz, the42castmembers hadlittleprofessional training,but theirshowran for1,108 performances from 1937 to 1940.Theydidn’tquit theirday jobs,either, at leastatfirst,which meanttheycould rehearse andperform only at nightand on weekends.
Everyone involved wasamemberofthe InternationalLadiesGarment WorkersUnion workinginManhattan factoriesand theirshow, Pins andNeedles,was oneofthe most famous Broadway productionstodealwithlabor issues.(Life magazinereportedin ember1937thatthe cast hadgoneonstriketwice during rehearsals,due to theirunhappiness hsomeofthe material,validatingits bona fides.)
This weekend, as we bask in backyard barbecuesand proclaim awraponsummer, Pasatiempo esents itssurveyofBroadwaymusicalswiththemesset to remind audiences aboutthe iginsofLabor Day, establishedinthe late 19th centurytohonor American workersand nionsstrivingfor theimprovement of workingconditions—but settomusic,ofcourse.
“Throwingtothe windsthe radicalstage’s traditionofwaxingserious over this world’s more disturbing tendencies,the Playersofthe I.L.G.W.U. presented Pins andNeedles,which entertainingly spoofs boss andworkeralike.…[It]isawitty andtuneful morsel considerably enhanced by theinfectiousenthusiasmofthe cast,” TheNew York Times wroteina November 1937 review.
Harold Rome made hisBroadwaydebut as itscomposer, lyricist,and book writer;his prior econsisted of writingrevuesfor summer performances at Jewish resortsinthe Adirondacks
Dece with T pre
The Broadway musical Newsies was based on New York’s newsboys’ strike of 1899 Below: Pins and Needles was one of the most famous Broadway productions to deal with labor issues
whilehetried to starta career as an architect, avirtual impossibilityduringthe Depression.
Pins andNeedles wasn’t atraditional “bookshow”withaplot, characters,anda love interest,but arevue composed of short, comicsketchesand satiricalsongs, most of them,ofcourse, from apro-labor perspective.
Theshowrangedwidely in itstargets.“OneBig Unionfor Two” recast the traditionalboy-woos-girl song in laborunion lingo: I’monacampaigntomakeyou mine, I’ll picket youuntil yousign, In OneBig Unionfor two.
No court’sinjunctioncan make me stop, Untilyourloveisall closed shop, In OneBig Unionfor two.
“FourLittleAngelsofPeace AreWe” skewered BritishPrime Minister Anthony Eden,BenitoMussolini, an unnamedJapanesegeneral,and AdolfHitler, who “slaughtered theweakbut confer everyweek,”while Herr Hitler opined that it would“be hotsy-totsytomakethe worldNazi.”
Duetoits nature,there’s no definitiveversionof Pins andNeedles.Itwas never “frozen,”the Broadway term forthe moment afew days (orhours)beforethe official openingwhennomorechanges in thescript, lyrics,ormusic will be made.Overthe course of itslongrun,new songsand sketches were addedand existing ones cuttoreflect contemporary developments.
When theDaughters of theAmericanRevolutionrefused to letthe greatBlack contraltoMarianAndersonsingtoanintegratedaudienceattheir Constitution Hall,Romequickly knockedout aparodyof TheMikado’s “Three Little Maids,” whichbegan,“ThreelittleDARsare we,fulltothe brim with bigotry...”
On March3,1938, thecastand creators of Pins andNeedles received the ultimate American accolade —acommand performanceatthe WhiteHouse for Franklin D. andEleanor Roosevelt, whobyall accounts thoroughly enjoyedthe show andheartilyapprovedofits message.
From cradle to stage
Before OrsonWelleswas aHollywood wunderkind,hewas aBroadwaywunderkind,makinghis directorialdebut at age20with Macbeth forthe FederalTheater ProjectinApril 1936.Set in theCaribbean andperformed by an all-Blackcast, it wasasensation from itsfirstpreview,fromwhich more than 3,000peoplehad to be turned away.“When theplayended [onopening night] therewereso many curtaincalls that finallytheyleftthe curtainopen,”Welleslater told an interviewer, “and theaudiencecameup on thestage to congratulate theactors. Andthatwas,thatwas magical.”
Fourteen months laterhewas back on Broadway with anotherFederal Theater Projectshow, TheCradleWillRock,which took agritty, realisticlookatcontemporarylabor relations, thanks to Marc Blitzstein’s acerbictext, lyrics,and music. Blitzstein,who graduatedfromthe Curtis InstituteofMusic andstudied compositionwithArnoldSchoenbergand NadiaBoulanger,was oneofthe few composerstowrite hisown orchestrations fora Broadway show.
continued on Page 22
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
At a dinner party on March 1, 1937, Marc Blitzstein played and sang through The Cradle Will Rock for Hallie Flanagan, head of the Federal Theatre Project, a program funded by the New Deal during the Great Depression Afterward, he wrote to his sister, “Hallie is nuts about the work and just as terrified ”
Her wide-ranging stage projects were coming under increased criticism from conservatives for their left-wing content, and Blitzstein’s new piece was sure to be attacked in many quarters. Nevertheless, she persisted in arranging for it to be produced in New York, with Orson Welles directing
Above: Marc Blitzstein(center with suspenders)andthecast of TheCradleWillRock hadone oftheater’smostlegendary openings.
Left:CarolHaney(center) won aTonyforherroleinthe 1954 productionof The Pajama Game
Tensions were ratcheted up following the Memorial Day Massacre at Republic Steel Company’s Chicago plant, during which the police shot and killed 10 striking workers, none of them armed, and injured more than 100 Flanagan’s superiors ordered the production to be closed, which Welles and producer John Houseman ignored, continuing with a final dress rehearsal on June 16 A few hours later, on the morning of opening night, the theater was padlocked.
Welles and Houseman began searching for a theater, any theater, where they could perform, albeit without any elements of the production itself scenery, costumes, properties, and lighting They located a vacant Broadway house and arranged for a piano to be moved onto the stage
As curtain time approached, about 600 audience members followed the cast as they marched north 21 blocks to the new theater Union rules prohibited the actors from appearing onstage, but not from the audience, so they sat among the ticket holders, speaking and singing their parts as Blitzstein played the piano
At the final curtain, “that mighty, loving explosion which can be heard but once or twice in a theater lifetime” resounded almost without end, as Welles later described the most famous opening night in American stage history M T
continuedfromPage 21
Thelegendary circumstancesof itsopening night(see“Theshow must go on”onpage21) have long overshadowed thepiece andits merits.The makeshiftperformance,withpiano insteadoforchestra,no scenery, costumes,orprops,and cast memberswho areseatedamong the audience, hasbeenthe modelfor most subsequent productions, giving audiencemembers very little idea of thepower of theshow’smusic in itsfullorchestration.
TheCradleWillRock is aBrechtian parableset in Steeltown, U.S.A.,onthe eveningofa unionorganizingdrive.The town haslongbeendominated by theruthlesspoliticsand financialinfluence of Mr.Mister, throughhis so-calledLiberty Committee, whichisactuallyananti-unionorganization.
LarryForeman is beaten andarrestedfor distributing pro-union leaflets. In courthe proclaimsthatthe uniondrive hasa lotoflowerandmiddle-classsupport,which will soon topple Mr.Misterand his colleagues from theirperches at thetop of theeconomictree:
That’s thunder, that’s lightning, andit’sgoing to surround you!
No wonder thosestormbirdsseemtocirclearoundyou!
Well,you can’tclimb down,and youcan’t sitstill;
That’s astorm that’s goingtolastuntil
Thefinal wind blows. andwhenthe wind blows,
Thecradlewillrock!
In flashbacks,we find outthatMr. Mister hasbeenfinancing an ROTC groupatSteeltown University,makingsurethey’re equipped with “riotguns, tear gas, hand grenades,everything” to useagainst union organizers andthatDr. Specialist hasbeencoveringupdeathsinthe steelmill by falselyclaimingthemto be drunkenaccidents.
As thesoundsofa confrontationbetween thepoliceand huge prounioncrowd areheard outsidethe courtroom, Larryreprises“The Cradle Will Rock.”
An abridged versionofthe show wasrecordedinApril 1938,making it thefirstBroadwaymusical to be released as an original cast album, not1940’s Oklahoma,asisoften claimed. In 2017 OperaSaratoga produced TheCradleWillRock andsubsequentlyreleaseda double-CD live recordingof theentireshowincluding dialogue.Tohearthe title song,visit sfnm.co/Cradle.
Agarment game
An aura of 1950sescapismpervades ThePajamaGame.We’re no longer in theGarment District butthathotbedoftrade unionism,Cedar Rapids,Iowa, andthe financialstakesboildowntoseven-and-one-half centsanhour.
TheSleep-TitePajamaFactory management triestospeed up the production line,so theunion wantsa raise. When Babe,the union representative,makes hercasetoSid,the handsome newsuperintendent, they fallinlovealmostimmediately,but sherefuses to date him.
Babe ends up gettingfired fordisruptingthe production line,but Sid discoversthe factoryhad alreadyadded theincreased coststothe budget, whichwinsthe unionits raiseand Babe’s renewedaffection. ThePajama Game hasappealing songsbythe team of RichardAdler andJerry Ross, especially “Hernando’sHideaway,”a parody of theever-populartango, and“SteamHeat,”whichwassungand danced at aunion rally. In his Broadway debut, BobFosse wonthe Tony Awardfor Best Choreography, with dances that featured hissoon-to-be-famous kinetic, close-knit style.
The20-year-old ShirleyMacLaineunderstudiedGladys, the“Steam Heat”principal dancer.WhenMacLainewentonfor severalweeks due to an injury to CarolHaney,a ParamountPicturesexecutive sawher performand signed hertoafilmcontract.
The1957filmversion featured almost allofthe original cast,with DorisDay replacingJanis PaigeasBabe. To seeHaney in “Steam Heat,” visitsfnm.co/SteamHeat.
Star factory
In 1962,HaroldRomereturnedtothe eraof Pins andNeedles with I CanGet It ForYou Wholesale,whichwasset in theGarment District in
The anti-labor“Liberty Committee” performs in Opera Saratoga’s production of The Cradle Will Rock
1937.Itstarred the23-year-old ElliottGould as HarryBogen,a young, ambitious, deceitfulunion-busterand embezzlerwho eventually finds redemption.(It wasamilieu with whichGould wasfamiliar;his father, BernardGoldstein,was atextile buyerfor aclothingfactory.)
A19-year-old Barbra Streisandmadeher Broadway debutasMiss Marmelstein, Bogen’soverworkedreceptionist. It wasasmall role with what turned outtobeashow-stopping number,“Miss Marmelstein,”in whichshe lamented beingtreated so formally by so many men.
DespiteRome’sskillfulsongs,the show wastoo dark in itstonetobe popularatthe time.And,asJesse Greenpointed outinhis NewYork Times review of a2023revival,“Themusical’s book neversolvedthe problemofbeing toomanythingsatonce: aromance with aheelfora hero,a lovingly Jewish show abouta Jewbehavingbadly,aBroadway comedy with adownerofamessage.”
To hear Streisand’s“Miss Marmelstein” from theoriginalcastalbum, alongwithphotosfromthe 1962 production,visit sfnm.co/Marmelstein1.
Delivering thenews
Theterm“unionactivism” andthe name “WaltDisney” haven’tbeen seen together in harmonyveryoften,ifatall.The oneexception is the 1992 Disney musicalfilm Newsies andits reverse-engineered Broadway production that opened in March2012. It ranfor 1,004performances andthenembarkedonatwo-yearnationaltour.
Thefocus of theshowwas NewYork’snewsboys’ strike of 1899,in whichthe youthful strikers eventually forced financialconcessions from ruthless publishers includingJosephPulitzerand William Randolph Hearst.
Thebestknown of thesongs by composer Alan Menken andlyricist Jack Feldmanis“Seizethe Day,”arousing anthem of solidarity sung by Jack Kelly, leader of thestrikers. It hasalsobeenheard in real-lifelabor disputes,including apicket-line performancebymembers of theWriters’ Guildduringthe union’s148-day strike againstfilm producersin2023.
There’salsoa localconnectiontothe score—the firstsongisJack’s “Santa Fe,” in whichhedreamsofleaving NewYorkfor abetterlifeout west.Itrecursatthe endofAct I, afteramelee in whichpoliceand goon squads from thenewspapersviolently breakupaunion protest.
To seeamedleyof“Once andFor All” and“Seizethe Day” from the 2012 Tony Awards,visit sfnm.co/Newsies. Or watch“SantaFe” from the film version, at sfnm.co/NewsiesSantaFe. ◀
Mark Tiarks studiedopera andtheater in London as aWatsonFoundation fellow,thenservedinleadershippositions with OperaTheatre of SaintLouis, Chicago’sCourt Theater, ChicagoOpera Theater, andthe SantaFeOpera.
Hotone hundred
ZOZOBRAMANIA IS SPREADINGLIKE WILDFIRE THIS YEAR, WITH SEVERALEVENTS HONORING THEGLOOMY VILLAIN’SBIG BIRTHDAY
Paris of the1920s,withall itscreativebrain power, hadnothing on SantaFeatthattime.
Sure,wedidn’thaveanEiffelTower or aRive Gauche or aKikideMontparnassedancing on bar tops.But what SantaFelackedinthe 1920singrandiose boulevards andsmoky cafésour artistsand writers—a growingart colony —madeupfor in creative collaboration andbohemianlifestyles. Andwiththe likesofartist Will Shuster, whohad survived WorldWar I, theSanta Fe arts scenealsomadeupforit with astrongdoseof post-war lust forlife.
Theproof is in theburning man.
As thecitycelebratesZozobra’s centennial,the Kiwanis Club of SantaFe, whichhas overseen Zozobrasince the 1960s, hasput together aonce-in-a-hundred-years-worthy production forFriday, August 30,including adding anotherday of celebrations at theRailyard.
Forstarters, theNew Mexico HistoryMuseumopened itsnew exhibition, Zozobra: AFireThatNever Goes Out, whichrunsthrough September2025. Despitewhatthe titlesuggests, it’s notmerelyatimelineofZozobra’s evolution.Rather, it speaks to howZozobringsthe SantaFe communitytogetherand of thecreativecollaboration that gotZozobra goingin1924, when it startedasabackyard party, andto1926, when it became apublicevent.
“I’m excitedtotellthisstory,” says Hannah Abelbeck, theexhibition’sco-curator. “Whenwewerelooking at allthe storieswecould tell aboutZozobra,alot of people said,‘Oh,Shuster,he’ssuchacreativespark.’ Insteadof focusing on just onefigure, we triedtotakea broader view of thenatureofcollaboration that it takestomake
Ania Hull l TheNew Mexican
Left:Zozobraawaits his fate during FiestadeSanta Fe circa 1940–1945. Right: TheFireSpritetauntsOld ManGloom before the 1978 burning ofZozobra.
up andthenannuallyrepeatanevent of this scale. It couldn’t have been andcan’t be oneperson. It hadand hastobecollaborative.”
Abelbeck says theZozobra we will meet this year owes hispersona andexistence to aself-inventingmyth.
Sheaddsthatthe exhibition triestoaddress many storiesabout thebirth andevolution of Zozobra. “Thatwas thewhole point[in the1920s]: to come up with areally funmyth,” shesays. “Soitcan be hard to pull outexactly whodid what.But forme, thestory is howcollaborative theinvention was. It wasn’t oneperson—itwas alot of ideas, anda lotofpeoplebringingideas on anannual cycle, andthentryingthemout andseeingwhatstuck.”
Shepointstothe burningofJudas during Holy Week, whichShuster is said to have seen whilevisitingaNative communityinArizona andwhich many attributeasthe main influencefor thecreationofZozobra.
Fire Spiritsilhouetteart courtesy KiwanisClubofSantaFe continued
Zozobra, continuedfromPage25
“I remember that YaquiVillage outofTucson,”Shuster said in a1964oralhistory interviewwithSylviaLoomis forthe SmithsonianArchive of American Art. “They carrya—ofcourse, this came up from Mexico —a figure,it’sjustlikeascarecrow actually,stuffed with strawand fireworks, anditrepresentsJudas.Theyput himonaburro andleadhim around thestationsofthe crossand then bringhim back to thecenterofthe plaza andignitehim.Theythrow up theironlysky rockets, have abig to-do, youknow. …But this idea of destroying some unpleasant thingis…veryold.”
Abelbeck andher co-curator andtheir team studied Shuster’sdiaries andpouredoverarchives. Theirresearch helped them addto theexhibitionlesserknown pieces of informationabout Zozobra.
“Another sort of precursoristhe CremationofCare —orDullCare— whichisnot mentionedoften but is clearlya predecessortoZozobra,” Abelbeck says. “It’sinCalifornia, andit’sa privateburning play by theBohemianClub. We figuredthat[connection]out becauseDanaJohnson,who wasthenewspapereditor in the[19]20s,would oftenrun aseriesofnames for Zozobra, likethe King of Gloom. …And often, oneof them wasDullCare.”
“DanaJohnson,Ithink,atthattimewas theheadofthe Fiesta Council,”Shuster said in the1964interview.“He used to be theeditor, averylive[ly]editor, of TheSanta Fe NewMexican,fulloffun.Wegot together andhatched outthisideaofmakinganOld ManGloom,and he dug up thenameforit from aSpanish dictionary,[Zozobra,] whichmeansthegloomyone.
“Dan Eastman, MaxEastman’s son, washereatthe time andhehelpedmebuild this firstone …Iremember we stuffeditwithexcelsior whichwehad soaked in copper sulfateand then driedand stuffeditwiththat. Theideabeing that we’d geta beautifulbluegreen flame. GusBaumann made theheadout of acardboard carton.”
Regardless of whodid what in thecreationofthe myth of gloominthe 1920s, onething is certain: We aregratefultothemall,and especially to Shuster, who movedtoSanta Fe insteadofParis in the1920s andwho decadeslater passed theZozobra torchtothe Kiwanis Clubof SantaFe.
We also owea debt of gratitudetoShuster’s cousin, Dr.Bill Crowley, back in Philly.Shuster’s lungswere damagedbymustard gasduringWWI,and worse, in 1920,hewas diagnosedwithtuberculosis. Crowleytold himthatifShuster remained on theEastCoast,he’dlive ayear, maybetwo or threeat best.
“He[Crowley] said,‘ButifIwereyou,I wouldpackup andget outtothe Southwestto some high dryplace as soon as possible,” Schuster said in the1964interview. “‘You’ll probably dieofold age, snakebite, or drinking toodamnmuchbad whiskey.’
“Withina couple weeks, Iwas here.” ◀
TheNew Mexico HistoryMuseumisat113 Lincoln Avenue,505-476-5200; nmhistorymuseum.org. For updatesonall therules andregulations,including parking androadclosures, visitburnzozobra.com.
THEHEATISON
To mark Zozobra’s100th burning, theKiwanis Club ofSanta Fe addedseveral newcelebrationsand commemorations.
Fire power: Earlierthismonth,the city unveiled an 18-foot statue of ZozobraonFederal Placenearthe Santa Fe CommunityConventionCenter. Thewelded steelstatuewas made by DonKennell andhis team at DKLA Designsand includes severalreferencesto Zozobra’spast. Thestatuewillsoonhaveanaugmented realitycomponent (byRefract Studios) with aQRcode thatvisitorswilluse to seeafigureofWillShuster.
Flame train: “Lastyearonthe plaza, theday after Zozobra,weignited atorch,” says RaySandoval, the Zozobraevent chair. Sandovalwatched over theflame for ayearathis home,keeping it litwiththe help of Judith Moir,Zozobraevent deputy,who,Sandovalsays, went to everyestatesaleshe couldfindtoget candles.
OnFriday, August 30,Sandovalsays, “Wewillbe takingthe torchout to Lamy,where theflame will be transferredtoacauldron, andinthatcauldron, it will come viatrain into thecity[in theevening].”Oncethe flamearrives to theSanta Fe Depotstation,hesays“we will reignite alittletorch from thecauldron, andwewill havethe cross-countryteamfromSanta Fe High runthe torchupintothe [Zozobra]venue.”
Fired-up youth: This year,after negotiating with theirinsurancecompany,the KiwanisClubofSanta Fe allowed children,alsoknown as Zozobra’sGloomies, to participateinthe crucialroleofsetting Zozobraon fire—but justthisonce.
Weekendwarm-up: Thefun doesn’tend on burn night.OnSaturday, August 31,everyoneisinvited to join freeZozobra Appreciation events at theRailyard,from 3 to 9p.m., afterthe Farmers’ Market closes.
Cool offatthe watertower: Lensic 360willpresent performancesthroughoutthe afternoononSaturday, August31, andintothe evening, includingone at 6p.m. by GrupoDivino, an acoustic band from northern New Mexico that playstraditional Latinmusic,and another by Cuarenta yCinco,alsofromnorthernNew Mexico,at 7:30 p.m. More informationatlensic360.org.
Sizzle reel: Violet CrownCinemawillscreenthe documentary Zozobra:100YearsofFireandRedemption (2024, 42 minutes),directedbyMcCallSides,every houronthe hour, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday,August31. Reserve aticketonline($2)orfor free in person.Violet Crown Cinema is at 1606 AlcaldesaStreet; 505-216-5678. Moreinformation at santafe.violetcrown.com/cinema. Otheractivitiesinclude mini trainrides forchildren on SkyRailway,a 2K Zozo Runfor all, anda GloomDash for children ages 1to7.Moreinformation at runsignup .com/Race/NM/SantaFe/ZozoRun.
Zozobra: AFireThatNever Goes Out at the NewMexicoHistory Museum (open throughSeptember 2025)
Museum open 10 a.m. to 5p.m.Saturday throughThursdayand 10 a.m. to 7p.m. Friday
This year,an84-year-old Loshboughwill toil from 5a.m.until well afterdark as theSanta Fe blowoutevent’s risk management chief. He became involved in 1966 —nearly60years ago—whenhemoved to SantaFeafter severalyears of involvementinthe KiwanisClubinSilverCity, whereheattendedWestern New Mexico University.
Forall thepompand circumstance surrounding Zozobra’s100th anniversarythisyear, it’s notthe event’s firstmilestone anniversary. Whilefew people canclearly recall the25thanniversary,Loshbough andstate historian RobMartinezsaw the50thand 75th from very different perspectives andrecentlysharedtheir memories with Pasatiempo.Their answershavebeeneditedfor length andclarity.
HOWWAS
ZOZOBRADIFFERENT,SAY,50YEARS AGO?
Loshbough: Back in the’60s, it wasafamilytailgatekind of event. As thecityhas grown, thecrowdshavegrown. We were estimatedatabout 65,000 last year.Ithink just thetemperament of people today, hopefullytheyenjoy the show,get ridofall of theiranxieties andthose kindsof things,and do that peacefully.
Martinez: Iwas about10years oldbackaround1974. My sister Debbie used to sing on thePlaza forFiestas in that early-’70s period.Wewould stay at La Fondabecause it wasreallyaffordablebackthen. We were aworking-class family from Albuquerque, andthere wouldbemariachis andPuebloandancers andall kindsoffestivities.Itwasa lotlessexpensive to be in SantaFe.
Loshbough: Therewas notasmuchformality or hype as we’vehad forthe 100th. Irememberanimpromptu singing of “Happy Birthday”onthe 50th.Wealwayshavetodeal with theweather,and on the75th, we hadprettygood high winds, averychallenging fireworksshowbecause of thewinds.
HOWABOUT 25 YEARSAGO?
Martinez: Ithink if we jump forward25years,itwas much more commercial,moreexpensive.It’sa lotmore expensivenow to stay at La Fonda, andIalsoremember,I can’trememberexactly when,but therewas atimewhen theburning of Zozobragot so crowded. Imean, Iremember when therewas somethinglike80,000peopleatFort MarcyPark.
SPEAKING OF WEATHERCHALLENGES, WHAT’S INVOLVED IN MITIGATING THEM EVERYYEAR?
Loshbough: We’vealwayshad acontingency plan,because weatherissomething we do notcontrol.Our biggest concernwithweather is notsomuchthe rain,but the wind.And therehavebeenyears when we have to kind of tiedown[theZozobra marionette’s clothing]because of the wind up untilburning time.Windisalwaysafactor. On occasion,ithas caused us to delaythe startofthe show.In SantaFewehaveweather fronts that move throughfairly quickly, andsowehavetoworkwiththat. We have neverhad just atorrentialdownpour, which wouldhaveanimpact. Typically, we’vehad soft rains, light
showerscomethrough.Asanold observer,Isometimes thinkthatisthe best,because it allows us to have aslow burn —ratherthanin, like, 2019,whenwehad high windsand he burned rather rapidly. He’s notwaterproof. He doesn’thavearaincoat.
OTHERTHANCROWD SIZE,WHATLOOKEDDIFFERENT AT THEEARLIER ANNIVERSARIESOFZOZOBRA?
Martinez: Ithink people haddifferent decorum, if yougo back to the1930s and1940s.Eveninthe ’70s,there are more T-shirts than youwould have seen in the1930s and ’40s.I’veseenphotographs back then when people would dressintheir finest.Ithink by thetimeyou gettothe 1960s, 1970s, things arealittlebit morerelaxed. Youhave people wearingjeans.Thatstartsinthe 1950s, although people in ruralcommunities,likeinnorthernNew Mexico, were wearingjeans outofnecessity allthe time,because they were workers. My family’s from Mora,and my grandpa wore jeans, buthewould getdressed up forCatholicMass andspecial family events.It’squite amazingtolookatthe oldphotostosee howour ancestorsexpress themselves in theirtime, just likepeoplewilllookatus100 yearsfrom now. So be carefulabout your fashionchoices.
Loshbough: Thechangehas been upgrades in theballpark,safetyimprovements, thosekinds of things by the city.Inthatarea, we’vehad alot more development. Back in thosedays, we didn’t have anyofthe housingcomplexes on thehill, so it wasall stillopenspace allthe waybetween Fort Marcyand basicallythe Governor’s Mansion.
continued on Page 30
History, continued from Page 29
INTERSTATESDIDN’TEXIST AT THETIMEOFTHE 25th AND50th ANNIVERSARIES. HOWWAS TRAVEL DIFFERENT?
Martinez: I’malittleyoung to remember,but my parentsremember before theinterstates were putinAlbuquerque,and youwould driveto Denver on astate road.Itwas paved, butitwasn’tthe wide highways that we have now. It wasprobablylikeatwo-laneroad. Iremember my dadtalking abouthow in Mora,where he wasfrom, allthe roads were dirt roads.
WHAT’S AZOZOBRA DAYLIKEFOR YOU?
Loshbough: I’matthe eventstartingabout 5a.m.onburnday.We usuallyget to go home about11o’clock.Ofcourse, we’realwaysdelayed becauseoftraffic.You’renot goingtoget home very fast anyway.It seemslikeour weatherhas gotten alot hotter.Wehavetoreallybe alerttodehydration,encouraging rest breaks forour volunteers,and proper attire.
So it’s averylongday,but we have alot of days of otheractivities andrehearsals, so there’squite abit of time commitmentonthe part of allofthe volunteers to make it asuccess. ◀
To learnmoreabout acentury’s worthofhistory andtraditionssurrounding Zozobra, visitburnzozobra.com/history.The NewMexicoHistory Museum offers adeepexploration of OldMan Gloom’shistory in anew exhibition, Zozobra: TheFireThatNever Goes Out,which runs throughSeptember 2025 (nmhistorymuseum.org).
Childrenwatch Zozobragoupin1959. Will Shuster oversawconstruction ofhiscreation until 1964, leaving drawings and scripts forthe KiwanisClub to continue thetradition.
platerofrybread@aol com Concessions /Catering /Special Events
On
AvignetteofZozobra-related
PaulD. Holman, Arthur López,and Will Shuster.
IThis girl is on fire
AZOZOBRA FANATICGIVES IT HERALL FORTHE ROLEOF ALIFETIME
am afew decadespastmydancing prime, with twocrunchy kneesand arebuilt shoulder.I have arecurring nightmareabout fallingdown aflightofstairs. Ihavenobusinessauditioning foradance role that wouldrequire me to wave twolit torcheswhile hustling up anddownsteep steps in acloud of smoke, yethereIam.
I’ve come home to SantaFefromDetroit to audition forthe Fire Spirit,Zozobra’s nemesis. Do Ihavea chance at nabbingthe role?Heckno, butI’m at an agewhere bucket list itemsneedto be bucketed,and this hasbeenatthe topofmy list sinceI sawmyfirst burn in 1977.
Sincethen, Zozobrahas been my favorite nightof theyear— forme, it’s even better than Christmas Eve. Igrewupjustdownthe street from Fort Marcy Park andwenttoCarlosGilbert Elementary School, whichwould reschedule ourmorning recess so we
August30-September5,2024
couldwatch Zozo go by,horizontalona flatbedtruck. Therewas always aFiestaassemblywithsongs and theFiestacourt to getusinthe mood.Weevenheard arumor that ourprincipal wasZozobra’s voice. (He wasn’t.)
In the1970s and’80s,my sister andIand our best friendswould watchthe burn from theback of my dad’s’56 Chevypickup, parked in avacant lotoff OteroStreet. During high school,Santa Fe High always hadahomefootballgameonZozobra night—backthenitwas aFriday—soI missed all four yearsbecause of marching band.But we didget to stuffhis head with newspaperinKey Club.
In 2006,Iplanned my weddingaroundFiesta, and ourMidwesternguestsgot thefullZozobra experience,including atorrentialraindelay.WhenI die,I want my ashesplacedinsidehim so my spirit canwaft into theSanta Fe skyasthe fireworksburst.
So,yeah, I’mafan.And as alifelongdancer, I’ve always been captivated by theFireDancer/Fire Spirit. When Isaw theauditionannouncement, IknewIhad to jethomeand do it.
Afterwecheck in at Fort MarcyPark, the13of us getacquaintedaswestretch andwarmup. Some of us didn’t read theemail tellingustopreparea dance, andweshare nervouslaughterabout having to improvise. Theother candidates includeatango and burlesqueinstructor, aformerprofessionalballerina, aUniversityofNew Mexico flamenco student, and alegit moviestar. Some have broughtfamilyand friendsfor support. Everyone is at least20years youngerthanme.
AKOB cameramaninterviewseachofus—partof beingFireSpiritisdoing alot of media— andI get
Emiliana Sandoval l ForThe NewMexican
Theauthor(topleft) andfellowcontender AvivaBaumann (right)giveittheir allfor theirchanceatthe role of Fire Spirit during recent auditionsfor theonce-in-a-lifetimeposition. CurrentFireSpiritHeleneLuna (pictured at left with theauthor) hasdancedinthe Fire Spirit role foralmost30years andwillpass thetorch toanew performerin2027. Agroup of Fire Spirit hopefuls (bottomright)receive final instructions before thestart of auditionsatFortMarcy Ballpark. Opposite page:The Fire Spirit lights up OldMan Gloomatthe 2021 burningofZozobra. Fire Spirit silhouette artcourtesyKiwanis Club of SantaFe
Fire Spirit, continued from Page 34
choked up talkingabout howtickled my dad, whodiedin2012, would be.I’m wearingared tank topwithred crystals gluedon, becauseI’m acompetitive artistic swimmerand Iknowit’simportant to sparkle. CurrentFireSpiritHeleneLunaand Zozobraevent chairand director RaySandovalare on hand to give us directions andencouragement.Like original Fire Dancer JacquesCartier andsuccessor Chip Lilienthal (his daughter Doenikataughtmehow to drivestick), Luna will have been performing at thefeetofZozobra for30years when shesteps down in 2027 —after training thenew Fire Spirit andanalternate.
Sheexplainsthatthe role requires passion, high energy,and big emotions.I’m classicallytrained in ballet,somycomfort zone is pretty, placid,and precise. Shealsosaysthatgoing up anddownthose steps “are nojoke,”and dancingwithand within fire canbedangerous. Ray(whohappens to be my thirdcousin, although we hadn’t met before)recountsthe legend of howthe Fire Spirit vanquishes Zozobra andsaves SantaFe’schildren. He points outthatbeing theFireSpirit requires more than just onenight of dancing— this person hastowork throughout theyearwiththe press, children,and theKiwanis members. TheFireSpiritisalocal celebrity. He also says aboutamillionpeople watchedthe burn online last year,inadditiontothe 64,089 at thepark. So,nopressure!
They call us up onebyone,askingustostart in acrouchatthe topof thestairs,dance on theplatform, then go down andbackupthe steps. Helene giveseachperformer apep talk before themusic from Cartier’s “VoodooDance”starts. IknowfrommyresearchthatCartier broke both ankles doingthe role (not at thesametime),and IhopeIdon’t embarrassorinjuremyselfbywipingout.
We cheereachother on.I’m midpack, andwhile Iusually getnervous before adance performance, Ihavezerobutterflies this time around. It’s funtolookway up andimagine Zozobratoweringabove me, then turn my gaze to thefield and“see” thecrowd.Heleneisyelling encouragement: “Giveiteverythingyou’vegot!”
It allgoesbyinaflash.Igoupand down thesteps withoutfalling. Idon’t pass outfromthe altitude.Dad wouldbeproud.
EmilianaSandovalgrewupinSanta Fe andstarted herjournalism career as awriterand copy editor at Pasatiempo,where shecovered dance, movies, classicalmusic,and visual arts.She wasaneditoratthe DetroitFree Press and MotorTrend Magazine andiscurrently themanagingeditor forworkflowand standardsat Chalkbeat
SONGSOFFIRE
Pasatiempo‘s enthusiastic Fire Dancer wannabe createdapublic“Fire Spirit”Spotify playlist,searchable by thename“eustaciatilley.” Thesesongs (and many others)willhelpget youina fierymoodfor theBig Burn.
“The Flame,”Cheap Trick
“Firefor You,”Cannons
“FireWoman,” TheCult
“I Burn forYou,LiveinArnheim,” Sting
“Burn,”Ellie Goulding
“Burning Up,” Madonna
“Burning Down theHouse,” TalkingHeads
“Burnin’ forYou,” Blue Öyster Cult
“Burning,” Yeah Yeah Yeahs
“Fire,”BethDitto
“Light My Fire,” TheDoors
Lead Sponsor
Atalaya Sponsor
HURRICANE SEASON
TAnia Hull l The New Mexican
HE FIRST SONG AL HURRICANE JR ever sang in front of an audience was “Love Potion No 9” It was 1964, Hurricane was 5, and he was standing on the big stage at the Albuquerque Civic Auditorium
“There must have been 3,000 people there,” Hurricane says, although there could’ve been more the venue held 6,000 people “I got stage fright I forgot the words So my uncle Morrie told me the words to the song as I was singing them in it ”
The Civic Auditorium was a big deal in New Mexico Marvin Gaye and the Beach Boys played there that same year, and Led Zeppelin would play there in 1969, Jimi Hendrix in 1970, and David Bowie in 1976 Not a bad place to start your career, especially when you ’ re 5 and need to build a reputation
Except that at 5, Hurricane wasn’t interested in a musical career “I got into baseball after that, and music kind of took a backseat,” he says with a laugh
El Godson of New Mexico music, Hurricane, whose given name is Alberto Nelson Sanchez Jr , will perform at the Fiesta de Santa Fe Gran Baile on September 7 The weeklong 312th Fiesta de Santa Fe celebrations, which include events such as the Desfile de los Niños (or the Children’s Pet Parade), culminates with honoring this year ’ s Fiesta royalty, named during the Baile de Mayo
On September 21, Hurricane will return to Albuquerque to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his career at the Sandia Casino & Resort It’s a career he embarked on once he picked up a trumpet and set his baseball bat aside He will perform at the Sandia Amphitheater alongside special guests Tiny Morrie, his uncle, and Morrie’s grandson, Santiago Shaheen
Hurricane is a gem He smiles with his eyes, as though he knows the secret to a happy life which perhaps he does The secret may be in his down-to-earth demeanor, especially for someone who spent half a century on the big stage in front of adoring crowds, earning awards for doing what he loves doing best He is surprisingly humble and says he enjoys learning and sharing; he’s also quick to attribute his success to those around him He wears a heart the size of New Mexico on his sleeve
His father, of course, was Al Hurricane (Alberto Nelson Sanchez Sr ), El Godfather of New Mexico music “Hurricane” was a nickname Hurricane Sr ’ s mother, Bennie L Sanchez, gave her son because of his
tendency to runaroundand bump into things when he waslittle. Sanchezwas also amusicianand theonlyindependent Hispanic womanpromotertoworkwithColonel TomParker, ElvisPresley’s manager. Shetaughther sontoplaythe guitar,and latersupported hisnascent career by buying himinstruments andhelping himand histwo brothers,TinyMorrieand Baby Gaby,set up arecordlabel: Hurricane.
By thetimeyoung Hurricanebegan collaboratingwithhis father anduncles, HurricaneSr. wasalready awellestablished musician. HurricaneSr. hadseveralalbums underhis belt andperformed alongside ChuckBerry,FatsDomino, swamppop R&Bteenage idol JimmyClayton,MarvinGaye, andChubbyChecker.
Hurricanewas about12whenhis parentsgot divorced,and Hurricane Sr.won custodyofhis son. “I went with my dad, andI said to my dad, ‘I want to startplaying music,’” Hurricanesays. “So Istarted learning thetrumpet andstarted showingmyfatherwhat Iwas learning.He said,‘That’s pretty good,son.Let me show you how to do it theright way,’and he just correctedme. Ilearned —he corrected.”
HurricaneSr. lethim performthe firstbandsongHurricane learned to play.The band played nightclubs,and Hurricanewould sleep backstagewhile waitingfor histurn. “I wasyoung andI’d fall asleep, andhe’d[Hurricane Sr.] wake me up,and he’d say, ‘OK, we’replaying thesong.’SoI’d play onesong, andthenI’d go back to bed.”
Hurricanesoonlearned asecondsong, then athird.His stage fright wasgonetoo.“Once youstart doingthat, youjustdoit. You don’teventhink aboutthe people beingthere,” he says.“Youjust startplaying.And thepeopleactuallygiveyou energy,you know, becausethey’re happy, anditmakes youhappy,and it’s agreat feeling.”
When Hurricanetookona stagename— theonehe’s hadever since— hisfatherobjectedatfirst. “Myfathersaid, ‘You’regoing to be in my shadow,’”Hurricane says.“AndI said,‘That’s OK.I like beingcalledaHurricane.’”
He also wanted to emulatehis father’s style, he says.“That’s whatI grew up with.Icould seemyunclessinging romantic songs, rancheras or cumbias, andItoldmydad,‘Iwantto be aromanticsinger.’But he said,‘No,no, no,you’regonna sing in theshadows likethat.’”
Hisfatherand uncles taught himhow to record hisown songs, andHurricane Sr.instilled in hisson arulefor playingcovers: Don’t listen to theoriginalversion before interpreting it foryourself. That way, youavoid copyingthe song beat by beat.Hurricane’s firstbig hitwas hisinterpretationin1976of“Flor de lasFlores,”written by MexicansongwriterMarco AntonioVelasco.
Youcouldn’ttellittoday,but Hurricane didn’t speakSpanish growingup. He picked it up when he joined theband, andfor years, hisfatherand uncles helped himand gave himfeedback. “They’dtell me,‘Youknow, youdidn’tpronounce thosewords right. Youneedto go back andredoit. So,I’d just go back in thestudioand redo it,and then come back andshowthemagain.”
Songsin Spanishwerealsowhattheir audience wanted.“It was really funny,”Hurricane says.“I’dsingrockorpop songs[in English], andthe youngergenerationliked it.But when Istarted singingin Spanish, that’s when they startedclapping.”
ThesetsHurricane will play during theFiestadeSanta Fe Gran Baileand at theSandiaResort& Casino won’tvarymuch, butthe singer andsongwriterwilladapt basedonthe eventand theaudience. In SantaFe, he will play “LaMarcha,”asisthe custom,but notatthe Sandia Amphitheater.
He’llalsofollowafamilytraditionor two. “I’llcontinuetodowhat my dadhas taught me to do,whatmyuncleshavetaughtmetodo,” he says.“Alot of times, when I’muponstage,I’llstart asking people, ‘Are youcelebrating an anniversary? Areyou celebratingabirthday?’ Andthey’ll startcoming. ‘I’m celebratingthisorthat. Canyou play this song?’ So I’ll starttakingrequests.”
Hisconcert at theSandiaResort&Casinoalsowillbeinparta tributetohis father.Hurricane Sr.diedin2017atage 81.Nearthe endofhis life,hecould no longer play theguitar—Hurricane Jr. andhis fans missed that.
“It’sasad thingthathappens,” he says,and it took time forhim to realizethathis father hadarthritis in hishands,which hadforced himtostopplaying theguitar.
“Beforehepassed, my father wastryingtorecordsomestuff for me,but then he couldn’t do it anymore,”Hurricane adds.“Oneday, he told me to bringmyguitar. ‘I candoit,’hesaid. He wasinhospice at thetime, andhesaid, ‘Bring themachines, andI’llrecordyourpart righthere. I’ll do theguitarpart.’But then he startedplaying,and he goes,‘Son, youknowwhat? Ican’t do it.’”
Hurricanemisseshis father andcollaborator. “Since he’s been gone, it’s been hard forme, becausewewereall together,and we arranged songstogether,”hesays. “Wealwayslistenedtoeachother.” ◀
Al HurricaneJr. at theFiestadeSanta Fe Gran Baile 7:30 p.m. September7 CommunityConventionCenter 201W.Marcy Street
$15 santafefiesta.org
Al HurricaneJr.:Celebrating 50 Years 8p.m.September 21
Sandia Resort &Casino
30 RainbowRoad, Albuquerque
$15-$45 sandiacasino.com
Al Hurricane Jr (left and opposite page) and his late father, Al Hurricane (right), are considered El Godson and El Godfather of New Mexico music
FELIX PERALTA couldnot have avoidedthe musicallife even if he hadfoughtitwithall hismight. Hisgrandfather,AdánAragón, wasashepherdinTome, southofAlbuquerque.Aragón, Peraltasays, wasalsoa musician:Heplayedthe accordionand performedwith hisbandinchurchand at backyard parties.
Untilsixth or seventhgrade,Peralta —orGato, as hisrelatives call him—playedtraditional Spanishmusic andmore“modern”New Mexicansongs,likeAragón. “And then,ineighthgrade,I heardJimi Hendrix,”saysthe 46-year-oldmusician. He didn’t stop there.
Peraltaisthe co-founder andleadmemberofFelix YLos Gatos,a nationally touringact from Albuquerque’sSouth Valley.Heformedthe band 20 yearsago with D.B. Gomez(on theaccordion). Today, FelixY LosGatos includes Peraltaonvocals, theguitar, andaccordion;Justin Bransfordonthe bass andcontrabass; andAndrésRamírez on drums.
FelixYLos Gatoswill wrap up theLos Alamos Summer Concert Series on Friday,August30, at Ashley Pond.
Theirstyle?Hardtopin down.The songsthe band performs area mixoforiginaltracksand covers,ona 60/40ratio,saysPeralta,also thegroup’s songwriter.The sounds have inflectionsofcumbia, Cajun, Norteño, NewMexicoranchera, zydeco chicano, blues, westernswing, NewOrleans swing, andoutlawcountry.The band is billed as “Zydeco/
“Green chilegumbo sounds aboutright,” Bransfordsayswhenhe is presentedwiththe genre. Ramírezadds, “Whenweplaycumbias, we call them greenchile cumbia.”
It’s aboutthe music, no matter what they call it,Peralta says.
“Somemusicians tend to be purists,”hesays. “But I’mkindofopen to anything nowadays.I’veevenplayedwithCarlosNúñez [Muñoz]in Galicia, who’sa very bigsmash. He playsthe bagpipes andthe flute.”
Like Núñez, aposterboy forGalicianmusic (named forasmall communityinSpain), Peraltaenjoyspushing theboundariesof thegenre.Hehas an agentinEuropeand aglobalmanager.This fall,Peralta will play andtakeIrish accordionlessons in Ireland; he’llattendthe WomexGlobalMusic Festival in Manchester in the U.K.;and he’llparticipate in theSongs of Santiago:Contemplative SongwritingRetreat,a movableworkshopalong theCaminode Santiago in Spainled by musician Kristina Jacobsen,aUniversityof NewMexicoethnomusicologist andanthropologist.
Back at home,the group’sfansare dedicated, no matter thegenre. When FelixYLos Gatosperformed earlierthismonth at Sawmill Market in Albuquerque, it gotthe audiencegoing.Nearthe endofthe
Ania Hull l TheNew Mexican
gig, thecrowd formed aconga line,withcowboyboots andsandals kickinguppebbles anddust.
Wooden string instrumentsare especially sensitivetodirectsunlight, so that day, Bransfordchose notto usehis uprightbass— or contrabass —for fear of damaging it.“Ididn’tknowifweweregoing to have shade, so Ibrought theelectricbass,”hesays. Forthe LosAlamosperformance, Bransfordwill play hisdoghousebass, weatherpermitting.
Bransfordhas been playingwiththe Gatosfor threeyears,and he, too, owes hismusical beginningsinparttoa grandparent. “WhenI wasalittlekid,wewould go visitmygrandmother,and Iwould sit down at herpiano andplaymelodies, andthey[relatives] were like, ‘Oh, he’s musical,’” he says.“So they gave me pianolessons.Iplayed pianountil Iwas 14.”
He learnedthe guitar anddiscoveredthe bass at age19. “The bass is in thecenterofthe music,”saysthe musician andbassteacher.“It playsrhythm, anditplays harmony. It’s nota spotlightinstrument. It’s asupport instrument andasupportiverole, andI feel very comfortable in supportive roles. I’ma team player.So, Iwanttobeinthe center of themusic,but Iwanttosupport theother musicians, andthe bass is agreat waytodothat.”
Thegrandparent themeisa recurrentone amongthe Gatos. Ramírez wasborninGuadalajara,Mexico, andhas been playingwiththe Gatos forabout ayear. He became adrummer andpercussionist dueinpart to hisgrandmother’s iron fist with herown daughters.
“One of my aunts, shewas dating this guywho invitedher toa wedding,”Ramírez says.“So my grandmasays, ‘You want to go with that guy? Youhavetotakeone of thekids.’And so they took me to thewedding.Iwas my aunt’s chaperone. Iwas 8.
“Itwas theveryfirsttimeI sawaband,”he adds.“Thereare no musiciansinmyfamily, so Ihad neverseenmusic performed.I remember goingthere andjustlooking at thedrummer.And the wholewedding,Ididn’tmovefrommyseat. Iwas just staringatthe drummerthe wholetime.”
Hisfamilyhad reservations,but Ramírezwas determined.“Itold my family that Iwantedtobeadrummer,but they said,‘You’re crazy. Pick somethingcheaper,likeaflute or somethinglikethat,’” he says. “SoIplayedthe airdrums untilIwas 14,whenIwas able to buymy firstdrumset withthehelpofmy aunt,who hadmarried that guy from thewedding.Theybothco-signed andI bought my drum seton credit,and Ipaidforit by playingthe guitar on public transportation. On buses. That’s howIwas able to payfor my drums.”
He toured Mexico with hisfirst band at age15and latermoved to the U.S. to learnother percussion styles.Today,Ramírez spends hisrare free time trying to perfecthis drum kit. Peraltasayshewas looking forapercussionist whowas versatileand couldplayasquietly or as loudly as avenue required.
Ramírezisnothing if notadaptable;healsoplays foranother band, Proyecto Cumbion, whichperformed at theWater Towerinthe Railyard recently with Cimafunk,aGrammy-nominatedCuban musician.
WiththeGatos,Ramírez gets to be creative.He sits on acajón and beatsitwitha pedalwithhis rightfoot. On hisleftfoot, he hasahi-hat cymbal andafootcowbell.To hisright is aride/hand crashcymbal andinfront,bongosand apiccolo snare.
Just like Bransford, Ramírezhas ablast on stagewiththe Gato from southwestAlbuquerque.Safetosay,AdánAragón— andall the grandparents —shouldbeproud. ◀
Memberships Available ~ You don’t need to be a resident to join our community!
Find out more at QuailRunSantaFe.com or schedule a tour today: 505-795-7225 membership@qrsf com
Daniel Nadelbac
SCREEN TIME
NOWSHOWING
compiled by HollyWeber
CCA MASTER CLASS EXAMINES INVISIBLE ART OF FILM EDITING
In film editor Paul Barnes’ next Master Class at the Center for Contemporary Arts, three scenes from Arthur Penn’s 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde will be analyzed Participants will screen each scene and then delve into a detailed analysis of the editing choices made by Dede Allen Each scene employs a different editing style tailored to its storytelling needs
The three scenes to be examined are the opening scene where Bonnie and Clyde meet, edited in a conventional yet distinctive manner with unique touches by Allen; the Parker family reunion scene, characterized by its poetic and lyrical style, incorporating jump cuts, slow motion, and innovative sound techniques; and the final ambush and killing of Bonnie and Clyde, renowned for its fast-paced editing montage, one of the most iconic in cinema history
The classes are at 1 p m and 6 p m on Tuesday, September 3, and cost $20 For more information, visit ccasantafe org
Opening
AFRAID
Curtis andhis family areselectedtotestarevolutionary newdevice, adigital assistantcalledAIA,thattakes smart homestothenext level. As AIAbeginstolearn everyone’s behavior andanticipatetheir needs, it soon makessure nothingand noonegetsinthe family’s way. Horror/drama, ratedPG-13,84minutes,Dreamcatcher10, RegalSanta Fe Place6,VioletCrown
CITY OF DREAMS
Jesúsisayoung Mexicanfarmerwho travelstoLos Angeles withthepromise of training at asoccercamp. However, whenherealizeshe’sreallybeensoldtoasweatshop to work grueling 18-hourdays, he devisesadaringplanto escape to freedom. Thriller/drama,rated R, 96 minutes, VioletCrown
CORALINE (2009)
Whileexploring hernew home, agirlnamed Coraline (DakotaFanning)discovers asecretdoor, behind which lies an alternateworld that closelymirrors herown but, in many ways,isbetter. Sherejoicesinher discovery, until OtherMother(Teri Hatcher) andthe rest of herparallel family trytokeepher thereforever.Coralinemustuse allher resourcesand braverytomakeitbacktoher ownfamilyand life. Family/horror, ratedPG, 115minutes,VioletCrown
GOOD ONE
17-year-oldSam embarksona three-daybackpacking trip in theCatskills with herdad andhis oldest friend. As the twomen quicklysettleintoa gently quarrelsomebrotherly dynamic, airing long-heldgrievances, Sam, wise beyond heryears,attemptstomediate.But when linesare crossed andSam’s trustisbetrayed, tensions reacha feverpitch as Samstruggles with herdad’s emotionallimitations and experiencesthe universalmomentwhenthe parental bond is tested. Drama, ratedR,90minutes,VioletCrown
MADE IN ENGLAND: THEFILMS OF POWELL ANDPRESSBURGER
Martin Scorsese reflects on theinfluence of filmmakers MichaelPowelland Emeric Pressburger, whosedecadeslong collaborationled to aseriesofclassicsthatmadethe duoa crucialpartofBritish cinema.Scorsesefirst encounteredthe filmsofPowelland Pressburgerwhenhewasa child, sittinginfront of thefamilyTV. When theirfamous logo came up on screen,Scorsesesays, “You knew you were in forfantasy,wonder, magic—realfilmmagic.” Now he tellsthe storyofhis lifelong love-affairwiththeir movies, including TheLifeand DeathOfColonel Blimp, BlackNarcissus, TheRed Shoes, and TheTales of Hoffmann. Documentary, notrated,131 minutes, CCA
MY PENGUINFRIEND
Humble fishermanJoão(Jean Reno)has turned away from theworld in thewakeoftragedy.Butwhen he discoversa penguindriftingalone in theocean,drenchedinoil froma
spill, hisfirst instinct is to help.Tohis wife’s dismay,henot only rescuesthe seacreature, but takesthe flightless bird underhis wing.Whenthe penguinsuddenlydisappears back into theimmense ocean, João believes it is impossible that he will ever seehis friend again. Butthousandsofmiles away,the penguiniscaughtinmisadventures of hisown, determined to usehis unique GPS-like powers to find his waybacktothe placehenow considershome. Basedonan atruestory. Family/adventure,rated PG,97minutes,CCA
REAGAN
From theglitter of Hollywoodtothe worldstage,Ronald Reagan (DennisQuaid)overcomes theoddstobecomethe 40th presidentofthe United States. Drama/biopic,rated PG-13, 135minutes,Dreamcatcher10, Violet Crown
THEWASP
Estrangedchildhood friendsHeather (NaomieHarris) and Carla(NatalieDormer) reunitefor acup of teaonlytounveil adangerous anddeceptive plot that will irrevocablyalter theirlives.Asthe twonavigateaweb of secretsand hidden agendas, thetruenatureoftheir meetingslowlycomes to light, revealinga shocking andperilousreality that neither couldhaveanticipated. Psychologicalthriller, ratedR, 95 minutes, CCA
Specialscreenings
THEBEGINNING OR THEEND (1947)
Saturday,August31
An in-depth explorationofthe research,creationand utilizationof thefirst atomic bomb alongside thebombing in Hiroshima. Screeningaspartofthe 2024 LosAlamos OppenheimerFestival. Documentary, notrated, 112minutes,SALA
DUNE (1984)
Wednesday, September4
In theyear10191,aspice called melangeisthe most valuable substanceknown in theuniverse, andits only source is the
Jean Reno stars as a fisherman who develops a bond with a penguin in My Penguin Friend
desert planet Arrakis. Aroyal decree awards ArrakistoDuke Leto Atreides andousts hisbitterenemies,the Harkonnens. However, when theHarkonnensviolently seizebacktheir fiefdom,itisuptoPaul(Kyle MacLachlan), Leto’s son, to lead theFremen, thenatives of Arrakis, in abattlefor controlof theplanetand itsspice.Based on FrankHerbert’s epic novel. Directed by DavidLynch. Sci-fi/adventure,rated PG-13, 137minutes,VioletCrown
EASY RIDER (1969)
Saturday,August31, andSunday, September1
Wyatt (Peter Fonda) andBilly (DennisHopper),two Harleyriding hippies,completea drugdeal in Southern California anddecidetotravelcross-country in search of spiritualtruth. On theirjourney,theyexperiencebigotry andhatredfrom theinhabitants of small-town Americaand also meet with other travelersseeking alternativelifestyles. Aftera terrifying drug experience in NewOrleans,the twotravelers wonder if they will ever find away to live peacefully in America. Adventure,rated R, 95 minutes, Jean CocteauCinema
THEKILLERS (1964)
Sunday,September1
Twohitmenkillanex-getawaydriver, then hunt forthe money he purportedlystole in apreviousrobbery.They probetheir victim’s past,seeking cluesonthe robbery that should have made them rich.Based on ashortstory by Ernest Hemingway. With LeeMarvin, John Cassavetes, AngieDickinson,and Ronald Reagan in hislastHollywood film. Crime/thriller,not rated, 93 minutes, Violet Crown
THELEGOMOVIE (2014)
Saturday,August31
Emmet(ChrisPratt), an ordinary LEGO figure who always followsthe rules, is mistakenly identified as TheSpecial —an extraordinarybeing andthe keytosavingthe world. He findshimself draftedintoa fellowship of strangerswho are on amission to stop an evil tyrant’s (WillFerrell)plans to conquerthe world. Unfortunatelyfor Emmet, he is hopelessly—and hilariously—unpreparedfor such atask, but he’ll give it hisall nonetheless.Partofthe PJsand Movies Saturdaymorning series. Comedy/family, ratedPG, 95 minutes, SALA
NIGHTOFTHE LIVING DEAD (1968)
Wednesday, September4,and Thursday,September5
Aragtaggroup of Pennsylvanians takesrefuge in an abandoned housewhencorpses begintoleave thegraveyard in search of freshhuman bodies to devour.The pragmatic Bendoeshis best to controlthe situation, butwhenthe reanimated bodies surround thehouse,the othersurvivorsbegin to panic. As anysemblance oforderwithinthe groupbeginstodissipate,the zombiesstart to find ways inside.One by one, thelivinghumansbecomethe prey of thedeceasedones. Horror,not rated, 96 minutes, Jean Cocteau Cinema
OPPENHEIMER AFTERTRINITY (2023)
Saturday,August31
Declassified documents, rare film footage, andexclusive interviews reveal theburdencarried by physicistJ.Robert Oppenheimer, thefatherof theatomicbomb. Written and produced by LarryL.Sheffield (The Atomic Rocketeer). Screeningaspartofthe 2024 LosAlamos Oppenheimer Festival. Documentary, notrated,58minutes,SALA
THEMAN WHOWOULD BE KING (1975)
Monday,September2
TheVideo Library, America’soldestvideo rental store, hosts VideoClub free moviescreenings each Monday at Jean CocteauCinema. This week’s film followsthe exploits of PeachyCarnehan(MichaelCaine)and DannyDravot(Sean Connery),English military officers stationedinIndia.Tired of life as soldiers,the twotraveltothe isolated land of Kafiristan, where they areultimatelyembracedbythe people and reveredasrulers. Afteraseriesofmisunderstandings,the nativescometobelieve that Dravot is agod,but he and Carnehan can’tkeepuptheir deceptionforever. Action/ adventure, ratedPG, 129minutes,JeanCocteau Cinema
SALT OF THEEARTH (1954)
Monday,September2
At NewMexico’sEmpireZincmine, Mexican-American workersprotest theunsafeworkconditionsand unequal wagescomparedtotheir Anglocounterparts. Ramon Quintero helpsorganizethe strike,but he is showntobea hypocritebytreatinghis pregnant wife with asimilarunfairness.Whenaninjunctionstops themen from protesting, thegenderroles arereversed, andwomen find themselves on thepicketlines whilethe menstayathome. Filmed in SilverCity, this is theonlyblacklisted film in American film history. Createdatthe height of theMcCarthyism scourge, the production wasfraught with interference by thugs. Because theproducers feared both sabotage anddestructionof the film,the exposedfootage hadtobedeveloped in secret byasympatheticlab technician,withthe film deliveredin unmarked canisters. Drama, notrated,94minutes,CCA
THETHICKET
Saturday,August31
An innocent youngman,Jack, goes on an epic questto rescuehis sister Lula aftershe hasbeenkidnapped by the violentkillerCut Throat Bill (JulietteLewis)and hergang. Tosaveher,Jackenlists thehelpofacraftybountyhunter
Boxoffice
Center forContemporaryArtsCinema, 1050 OldPecos Trail, 505-982-1338, ext.105, ccasantafe.org
namedReginaldJones (Peter Dinklage), agrave-digging alcoholicson of an ex-slave,and astreet-smartprostitute. ThegangtracksCut Throat Bill into thedeadlyno-man’s land knownasThe BigThicket —aplace whereblood and chaosreign. Western/thriller,rated R, 108minutes,Jean CocteauCinema
Continuing
ALIEN: ROMULUS
Spacecolonizerscomefacetofacewiththe most terrifying life-forminthe universe whilescavengingthe deep ends of aderelictspace station. Horror/sci-fi,rated R, 119minutes, Dreamcatcher 10,Regal SantaFePlace 6, Violet Crown
THEATOMICROCKETEER
Thestory of German scientistWernher vonBraunandhis bandofGermanRocketeersacquiredbythe Americans days afterthe fall of GermanyduringWWII. Screeningas part of the2024Los Alamos OppenheimerFestival. Documentary, notrated,104 minutes, SALA
BETWEEN THETEMPLES
Ben(JasonSchwartzman)isa40-somethingcantorlosing hisvoice andpossiblyhis faith. Struggling to meet the expectations of hisrabbi,congregation, andnot onebut two Jewish mothers, Benfinds hisworld turned upside down when hisgrade school musicteacher (Carol Kane) reenters hislifeasanadult batmitzvah student. Comedy/ drama,rated R, 111 minutes, Violet Crown
BLINKTWICE
When tech billionaireSlaterKing(Channing Tatum) meets cocktail waitress Frida(NaomiAckie)athis fundraisinggala, he invitesher to join him andhis friendsfor adream vacation onhis privateisland. Wild nights soon blendintosun-soaked days,but when strangethingsstart to happen,Frida must uncoverthe truthifshe hopestomakeitout alive. Zoë Kravitz directs. Mystery/thriller,rated R, 102minutes, Dreamcatcher10, RegalSanta Fe Place6,VioletCrown
THECROW
In this reimaginingofthe 1994 cult classic, soulmatesEric Draven (BillSkarsgård)and Shelly Webster(FKAtwigs)are murderedwhenthe demons of herdarkpastcatch up with them.Given thechancetosavehis true love by sacrificing himself,Dravenreturns to seek bloody revenge againstthe killers, traversing theworldsofthe living andthe dead to put thewrong things right. Action/fantasy,ratedR,111minutes, Dreamcatcher10, RegalSanta Fe Place6,VioletCrown
DEADPOOL &WOLVERINE
Wolverineisrecoveringfromhis injuries when he crosses pathswiththe loudmouthDeadpool. They team up to defeat acommonenemy. Comedy/action, ratedR,127 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10,Regal SantaFePlace 6, Violet Crown
DESPICABLE ME
Gruand Lucy welcomeanew member to thefamily,Gru Jr. Theirpeacefulexistence soon comescrashingdownwhen criminal mastermind Maxime Le Malescapes fromprison andvowsrevenge againstGru. Family/comedy,rated PG, 95 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10,VioletCrown
continued on Page 46
Screen Time, continued from Page 45
DÌDI
In 2008,duringthe last monthofsummerbeforehighschoolbegins, an impressionable 13-year-oldTaiwanese American boylearnswhathis family can’t teachhim:how to skate, howtoflirt,and howtolovehis mom. Comedy/ drama, ratedR,93minutes,VioletCrown
FIRSTWEBOMBEDNEW MEXICO
Director Lois Lipman’s untold storyofTrinity,the world’sfirst nuclearbomb, detonatedinNew Mexico onemonth before thebombing of Hiroshima. ThousandsofNew Mexicans —mostlyHispanicand Native American —were exposed to radioactivefalloutwithgenerations of cancersfollowing.New MexicocancersurvivorTinaCordova hascatalyzed amovementseeking compensation forfamilieswho suffer multigenerationalcancers tied to that bomb andwho continue to be ignored.Screening as part of the2024Los Alamos OppenheimerFestival. Documentary, notrated,95minutes,SALA
THEFORGE
Ayearout of high school with no plansfor hisfuture, aboy is challenged by his single momand asuccessfulbusinessman to startchartinga better course forhis life. Drama, ratedPG, 123minutes,Dreamcatcher10
INSIDE OUT2
ThelittlevoicesinsideRiley’s head know herinsideand out. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear,and Disgusthavebeenrunning asuccessfuloperation by all accounts.However,whenAnxiety showsup, they aren’t sure howtofeel. Family/comedy, ratedPG, 96 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10,VioletCrown
IT ENDS WITH US
Lily Bloommoves to Boston to follow herdream ofopeningher ownbusiness. A chance meetingwithRyleKincaid sparks an intenseconnection, but as the two fall in love,she begins to seesides of himthatremindher of herparents’ relationship.WhenLily’sfirst love suddenly reenters herlife, herrelationship with Ryle is upended, leavingher with an impossible choice. Romance/ drama, ratedPG-13,130 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10,Regal SantaFePlace 6, Violet Crown
OPPENHEIMER
ChristopherNolan’s Oscar-winningbiographicalfeature film about American scientistJ.RobertOppenheimer (Cillian Murphy)and hisroleinthe developmentofthe atomic bomb. Drama, ratedR,180 minutes, SALA
STRANGEDARLING
Nothingiswhatitseems when atwisted one-nightstand spiralsintoa serial killer’svicious murder spree. Horror/mystery,ratedR,96minutes,VioletCrown
SUGARCANE
In 2021,evidenceofunmarkedgraveswas discovered on thegrounds of an Indian residentialschoolrun by theCatholicChurchinCanada. Afteryears of silence, theforcedseparation, assimilation,and abusemanychildrenexperiencedatthese segregated boarding schoolswas brought to light, sparkinga national outcry againstasystemdesignedtodestroy Indigenous communities. Setamidsta groundbreaking investigation, Sugarcane illuminatesthe beauty ofa communitybreakingcyclesofintergenerational trauma andfinding the strengthtopersevere. Documentary, ratedR,107 minutes, CCA
TWISTERS
Kate Cooper (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is luredtothe open plains to test anew tornadotrackingsystem. Shecrosses pathswithTyler Owens(Glen Powell),a storm-chasing social-media superstar. As stormseasonintensifies,Kate, Tyler, and theircompeting teamsfindthemselvesinafight fortheir livesasmultiple systems converge over centralOklahoma. Action/thriller, ratedPG-13,122 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10,VioletCrown
Have a person, place, performance, pressing issue, or other story idea you’d like to pitch?
Let us know by providing a thorough and helpful news release that contains the following:
• What is it?
• Who’s doing it?
STAR CODES
LABORDAY WEEKENDISTHE INDUSTRIOUSVIRGO HOLIDAY when we respect hard work by takingtimeoff to enjoysummer’s last hurrah andmaybe do some work forourselves.Putthat Virgoindustriousness into ourown projects.
MercuryturneddirectonAugust28afterthreeweeks retrograde;theconfusing anddelay-filled mercurialdustwillbegin to clear overtheweekend andmakeroomfor us to launch forwardnextweek— but notquite yet. Let’suse theweekend to rest,clearthedecks,and getour mindsback online, ready forthe comingadventures.
This weekUranus,the planet of changeand chaos,joins Saturn, Neptune, andPlutowhich areall retrograde.Plutoretrogrades outof Aquarius and backintoCapricornfor afew months.For thenextfew months,wecanexpect arehashofproblemswethoughtconqueredbutnowhaveachance to handleina wiserway.
• Why is it interesting or newsworthy?
• When and where is it happening?
Don’t forget to:
FRIDAY,AUGUST30: Sharedreamsand honor emotionaltendernessthis morningasthe Cancer moon trines Neptune. Personal adventureorinterpersonal dramapicks up midday as themoonentersLeo andopposes Pluto; remember that we aresufficientfor this task.Afternoon softenstoa more creativeand celebratorytimeaspeoplefinishworkand engage theholiday weekend underasweet moon-Venus sextile.
• Include a link to high-resolution images
• Provide contact information
Just say NO to:
SATURDAY,AUGUST31: Let’stakearealholiday fromourwork. Theplanets encourageustofloat or walk in circlesratherthanbusilyaccomplishanything, so we mightaswellkickbackand enjoyit. Appreciate oneanother.Catch up with oldfriends,and prioritize theheartsofall youmeet.
Sending the pitch the week it is happening (too late!)
Just say YES to:
Sending the pitch or idea at least a month (or two weeks, if it’s for the calendar) ahead of time.
Calling is so two-thousand-and-late. Email is the way:
Sta
Sta
ff writer Ania Hull: ahull@sfnewmexican.com
ff writer Brian Sandford: bsandford@sfnewmexican.com
Contributor Mark Tiarks: mtiarks@sfnewmexican.com
SUNDAY,SEPTEMBER 1: This tricky daycan bringquick changesinmoods and minor klutzy momentsasUranusretrogrades andPluto backsinto Capricorn. We canfeelbothexcited andanxious abouta newchapter but might need to wait afew days.Justbepresent to this moment.These retrogrades canbring flashbacks,particularlyaroundquestionableusesofauthority,but we cankeepour hearts moving forward.
MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 2: LaborDay callsustohonor theworkers of the worldand do ourown personal projects —justdon’t insist otherpeoplejoin in.Repair, reorganize,dosomefallcleaning, andprepare forearly healthyyear ahead underthenewmooninVirgo We seewhatneeds fixing but mightnot have aclear pictureabout what we’llwantinthe future.Takeadvantage of any opportunitytodissolveold angerasMarssquares Neptune.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER3: Be patientwithany anxiety about thefuture, but don’t letitrun theshow. Instead, do something. It’s time to reassess ourwork in thecommunity,lookatour obligations, andmakesomeplans as themoon inVirgo squaresSaturnand Jupiter. Invest in thenextlevel of work.Ironout thedetails of anew adventure.
WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER 4: Avoidspillsand minormishaps this mildly cranky morningasthe moon squaresMars, then consider agentleadventure middayasthe moon enters friendly Libraand Mars shifts into Cancer.Let the situationbecomemorepersonaland connected. In this process, also honor deeper questionsabout what we really want in theyearahead,inour lives, politics, andwork. Letother people be called by theirown destiny.
THURSDAY,SEPTEMBER 5: Buildateam, meet newpeople, andmakegood connectionsasthe sociable,socialjustice oriented Libramoonconjuncts Venus andtrinesexpansive Jupiter. Feel changescomingasMercuryapproachesa square to Uranus;they’ll be easier if we nurtureour allies now.
pasatiempomagazine.com
Astrologer HeatherRoanRobbins’new book, Starcodes: Navigate Your Chart with Choice-Based Astrology (Hay House),was released in June.Learn more at roanrobbins.com.
WesternExhibition,mixed-mediainstallation by Phil Bender;through Saturday; reception5-8 p.m. ZaneBennett Contemporary Art 435S.Guadalupe Street,505-982-8111
Paintings by DavidJohns;through September; reception5-7 p.m.
Kohnami,313 S. Guadalupe Street,505-984-2002 Gypsyjazzandswing,featuringclarinetist JeanMcCray; 7p.m.; no cover.
Events
100th burning of Zozobra Fort MarcyPark,490BishopsLodge Road Gatesopen at 4p.m.; live entertainment andofficial ZozobraShowthrough 8:30 p.m.; lightingof Old ManGloom follows;$40 and $45, online and at thegate;burnmygloom.com.
(See stories,Pages24-36)
Family Resemblance: On Knowing and NotKnowing
Meem Placita,St. John’s College,1160 Camino de Cruz Blanca,505-984-6000
Dean SarahDavis opens theseason of freepublic lectures withher discussiononthe similarities between Sophocles’Oedipus Tyrannusand Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations;7p.m.
SATURDAY
ArtOpenings
8/31
GF Contemporary 707 Canyon Road, 505-983-3707
The FrickExperience:Immersingin Data,mixed media by Laurie Frick;throughSeptember15; reception5-7 p.m.
Performances
Andy Kingston Trio
La Fiesta Lounge at La Fonda,100 E. SanFranciscoStreet, 505-982-5511
Popandclassic jazz; 7-9 p.m. todayand Wednesday; no cover.
Annalisa Ewald
AgaveRestaurant&Lounge,EldoradoHotel &Spa, 309 W. SanFranciscoStreet,505-995-4530
Classicalguitarist;6-9 p.m. Thursdaysand Fridays; no cover.
CabaretCharles
LosMagueyes,31Burro Alley,505-992-0304
Pianist-vocalist Charles Tichenor;6p.m.; no cover.
ChatterNorth Center forContemporaryArts, 1050 OldPecosTrail Featuring Ligeti’s HamburgConcerto;10:30 a.m.; $5-$17;chatterabq.org.
ChrisDracupTrio
CowgirlBBQ,319 S. Guadalupe Street,505-982-2565
Bluesband;8 p.m.-close; no cover.
Gerald Peters Gallery(gpgallery.com)shows paintings by Penelope Gottliebthrough September28.
10th Annual WassaWassa AfricanDance &Drum Festival
NewMexicoSchoolfortheArts, 500Montezuma Avenue
All-levelsclassesled by Africanandnational artists,5:30 and7 p.m. today(classes continue through September8, at the RailyardPerformance Center);$25,kids $15,multi-classpasses available; cashorcheckatthe door;soribafofana.com /festivals.
OUTOF TOWN
Abiquiú
TheNest
County Road116,505-685-1116
The TextureofTime,photographsbyMarcGordon; through September25; reception4-7 p.m. Friday, August30.
Albuquerque X
ElReyTheater, 622 CentralAvenue SW,505-510-2582
L.A.punkband on its Smoke& Fiction tour;8p.m. Sunday, September1;$29-$34; tickets.lensic360 .org.
LosNiños de SantaFedancers,Joe Westand DJ Ijah, arts &craftsbooths,food,kids games, Toyota 4x4 carshow, andartactivities;10a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, August 31.
Taos,ElPrado,ArroyoHondo,ArroyoSeco, and RanchosdeTaos
Preview gallery open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. SaturdayMonday, August 31-September2, at Taos Valley Lodge &Expresso Bar, 615 Paseodel PuebloSur; 22 artists participating; taosartistorg.org.
Andrea Magee’s She Rises
KitCarson Park,211 Paseodel Pueblo Norte,Taos Showcase of female artists,including YOLA, JadeBird, and KT Tunstall;noon Saturday, August 31;$30-$275; ampconcerts.org.
MichaelHearne’s BigBarnDance
KitCarson Park,211 Paseodel Pueblo Norte IncludingBillHearne,ShakeRussell,Jim Lauderdale,and Trout Fishingin America; Thursday,September5, through September7; $25-$195;bigbarndance.com. ◀
Lensic360presents SamBushandhisbandon Monday at Taos MesaBrewing.
TheBridge at SantaFeBrewing Company,37FirePlace,505-557-6182
On tourinsupport ofhisalbum HalfLife;7:30p.m.September6; $30-$115;tickets.lensic360.org.
!VivaMéxico!
Teatro ParaguasandtheMuseumof InternationalFolkArt Singers,musicians,anddancersfrom Teatro Paraguas,Ballet FolklóricoXóchitl,and LosNiñosde SantaFe; September 6-15 and September20-22;$15 and$25;teatroparaguasnm.org.
Alex Murzyn Quartet
Paradiso SantaFe, 903Early Street,505-577-5248 Murzynonsaxophone,RobertFox onpiano, Gordon Johnson on bass,Robbie Beasleyontrumpet,and Mark Clarkondrums; 7:30 p.m.,doors 7p.m. September6;$20suggesteddonation.
MemoirandMystery
SantaFeWoman’s Club,1616OldPecosTrail
Readings by anddiscussionswithauthorsBettye Kearse,Anne Hillerman, KimFowler,Sonja Dewing,and others; 9a.m.-5p.m. September7;fundraiserheldinassociation with Partnersin Education Foundation forSanta Fe Public Schools;$99;sfnm.co/4dkmSUs.
StandUpforNature
SantaFeFarmers’Market Pavilion,1607Paseode Peralta Afundraiser forSanta Fe Conservation Trust; guestspeaker,journalist Bill McKibben;music by Eileen& theInBetweens; 6p.m.September 7; $175;sfct.org/events/sun.
Lensic PerformingArtsCenter, 211W.San Francisco Street,505-988-1234
Jazz quintet; 7:30 p.m. September12;$45-$69;lensic.org/events.
Joshua Redman Group
Lensic PerformingArtsCenter, 211W.San Francisco Street,505-988-1234
Jazz saxophonist; featuring vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa; 7:30 p.m. September13;$45-$69;lensic.org/events.
Dmitri Matheny
Unit BbyChocolate Maven, 821W.San MateoRoad,505-984-1980
The flugelhornistpaystributetoHenry Mancini,withsaxophonist Alex Murzyn,pianistJohnFunkhouser,bassist TerryLee Burns, andpercussionistJohnTrentacosta;7:30 p.m. September 14; $30and $35; santafemusiccollective.org.
Operainthe Park
Railyard Park,740 CerrillosRoad
Freescreening of SantaFeOpera’s productionofDonizetti’s TheElixir of Love;4:30 p.m. September15,seatingopens at 4p.m.; picnickingencouraged.
Highlighting regional culturaltraditionsinthe Museum of International Folk Artexhibition La CartoneríaMexicana /The Mexican ArtofPaperand Paste,with alive luchador wrestling match; Danza TonantzindeAnalcodancers, CloudEagleDance Group,Mariache Euforia,andTropa Magica;1-6:30 p.m. September21; food andbeveragevendorsonsite; registrationrequired;ampconcerts.org.
Carmen BradfordandtheJohn RangelTrio Dave’s Jazz Bistroatthe SantaFeCooking School,125 N. Guadalupe Street, 505-983-4511
U.S. tour;7:30 p.m. October4;$42-$62;tickets.lensic360.org.
TheFutureofFood
Lensic PerformingArtsCenter, 211W.San Francisco Street,505-988-1234
Presentation by Kathleen Merrigan, an expertinfoodandagriculturalpolicy,followedbyadiscussiononagro-ecosystemsof New Mexico, withManny Encinias of SantaFeFarmers’MarketInstitute, Elan Silverblatt-Buser ofSilverLeafFarms,and Roxanne Swentzell of FloweringTreePermacultureInstitute; 2p.m. October6; $17.50; lensic.org/events.
Robert MirabalÐEL
LensicPerformingArtsCenter, 211 W. SanFranciscoStreet,505-988-1234
LensicPerformingArtsCenter, 211 W. SanFranciscoStreet,505-988-1234
Annualshowcase for filmmakers ages 23 andunder;featuring screenings,aslideshow presentation, andQ&A session; 7p.m. October11; free tickets at tickets.lensic.org.
Catalyst String Quartet
St.FrancisAuditorium at New Mexico Museum of Art, 107 W. PalaceAvenue D’Rivera(Three Pieces), Piazzolla(Suitedel Ángel), Gershwin(Lullaby), andRavel (QuartetinFMajor);3p.m.October13;$26-$98; sfpromusica.org.
Blackberry Smoke
LensicPerformingArtsCenter, 211 W. SanFranciscoStreet,505-988-1234
Countryrockerson their worldtour;7:30 p.m. October13;$35-$55; lensic.org/events.
TransmissionvsTruth:WhatWillit Take to Make an AI as Smartasa4YearOld?
LensicPerformingArtsCenter, 211 W. SanFranciscoStreet,505-988-1234
SantaFeInstitutepresents alecturebyAlison Gopnik,professor ofpsychologyattheUniversity of California, Berkeley;7:30 p.m. October15; free tickets at lensic.org/events.
SammyRae &The Friends
LensicPerformingArtsCenter, 211 W. SanFranciscoStreet,505-988-1234
Jazz rock band; 7:30 p.m. October21;$41-$56; lensic.org/events.
LeslieJones
LensicPerformingArtsCenter, 211 W. SanFranciscoStreet,505-988-1234
On tour;7:30 p.m. October25;$65-$130; lensic.org/events.
Menat Work
LensicPerformingArtsCenter, 211 W. SanFranciscoStreet,505-988-1234
Australian rock band;7:30 p.m. October30;$64-$96; lensic.org.
AT THEGALLERIES
SantaFe artisgallery
419 CanyonRoad,505-629-2332
ThisEnchantedLand,paintings by BarbaraMcCulloch;through September5.
Aurelia Gallery 414 CanyonRoad,505-501-2915
Modular Concepts,paintings by Christa Stephens; The Center of theCircle,photographs by Elizabeth Bick;through October6.
Cafe Pasqual’sGallery
103 E. WaterStreet,secondfloor,505-983-9340
Show Upfor theUnderdogs,groupshow benefiting Street Homeless Animal Project; throughSeptember8.
Cara RomeroGallery 333 MontezumaAvenue,#5,505-218-6588
Slow Water,groupshowofworks by Indigenous artists;through October 2.
form &concept
435S.Guadalupe Street,505-780-8312
CharacterDevelopment,ceramics,paintings, and worksonpaper by PaulinaHo; through September28.
Gerald Peters Gallery
1005 Paseode Peralta,505-954-5700
Painters: HeimirBjorgulfsson; CarlosEstevez: Mindscape: adepictionoftheinneruniverse; Penelope Gottlieb: ADelicateBalance; through September 28.
Hecho aMano
129 W. PalaceAvenue,505-916-1341
WaiUlana/WovenWaters, traditionalHawai’i textiles by Lehuauakea;mixedmedia by Ian Kuali’i; through Monday,September2.
MoMo Santa Fe 143Lincoln Avenue,505-690-7871
In the TimeofSpirits,photographic groupshow; through September8.
NüartGallery
670 CanyonRoad,505-988-3888
Elevations,mixedmedia by RandallReid andEmilioLobato;through September14.
The Owings GalleryonPalace 100 E. PalaceAvenue,505-982-6244
EnduringVisions:The American West,Pastand Present;groupshowofbronzesandpaintings; through September 6.
PieProjects
924-BShoofly Street,505-372-7681
Arthur Drooker +AugustMuth: AMomenttoWonder, photographsandholographs;throughSeptember 21.
SageCreek Gallery
Iconsofthe West,paintings by Ed Aldrich, drawings by J.R.Hess,andsculptureby Scott Rogers; throughSeptember7.
Strata Gallery
125Lincoln Avenue,Suite105,505-780-5403
ChamisaGhostsandNightworks,paintings by JaneShoenfeld;through September6.
OurStories;through September 29,2025; iaia.edu/mocna.
Meow Wolf 1352 RufinaCircle, 505-395-6369
The House of EternalReturn,over70rooms ofimmersive, evolving exhibits; meowwolf.com.
Museumof IndianArtsand Culture
710Camino Lejo,MuseumHill, 505-476-1269
DrivingtheMarket,group show of contemporary works; through January18, 2025• Here, Now andAlways,themesofemergence,cycles, ancestors, language, and resilience;long term; indianartsandculture.org.
Museumof International Folk Art
706Camino Lejo,MuseumHill, 505-476-1204
WoodenMenagerieon Parade,themuseum’s collection ofcarvedand paintedanimals displayedasanod to the Fiesta PetParade; through September8• Lounging with Zozobra, vignetteonZozobra’s100thanniversary; through September22• La CartoneríaMexicana: TheMexicanArt of Paperand Paste,historic sculpturesfromthecollection;through November3;moifa.org.
Includes worksbyMarie Romero Cash,Gerald Cassidy,William PenhallowHenderson, and WillardNash; newmexicogovernorsmansion.org.
NewMexico History Museum 113 Lincoln Avenue,505-476-5200
18 Milesand That’s As FarAsItGot: The Lamy Branchofthe Atchison, Topekaand SantaFe Railroad,model train craftedbySanta Fe Model RailroadClubmembers;through January 16,2025 Everyday Odysseys: RelicsofLife &Adventure inNewMexico,rotating exhibitof items from the collection; through July8,2025• Zozobra: AFire That Never Goes Out,objects relating to the origin, evolution, andsignificanceofthe giantmarionette; through September2025; nmhistorymuseum.org.
NewMexico Military Museum 1050 OldPecosTrail, New Mexico MilitaryMuseum In The PresenceofHeroes,photographyarchives of David Scheinbaum; throughJune 8,2025. NewMexico Museum of Art 107 W. PalaceAvenue,505-476-5072
OutWest: Gayand Lesbian Artists in the Southwest 1900-1969;through Monday, September2 • ZozobrayLaConquistadora,contemporaryworks inspired by Zozobraand thestatueofthe Virgin Mary;through December 1• Saints &Santos: Picturingthe HolyinNewSpain,collections from Mexicoand theU.S.;throughJanuary12,2025; nmartmuseum.org.
NewMexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary 404 Montezuma Avenue,505-476-5062
OswaldoMaciá: El Cruce,sound sculpture; through September22• Line by Line,spanning worksfromthe 1920s to the present;through March9;2025• Off-Center:New MexicoArt, 1970-2000,rotating exhibit; through May4,2025; nmartmuseum.org/vladem-contemporary. NuevoMexicano Heritage ArtsMuseum 750 Camino Lejo,museum@spanishcolonial.org
UglyHistoryofBeautiful Things,historical and contemporaryart;spanishcolonial.org. Free docenttours 1p.m.the first Wednesday of the monththrough December.
SITE Santa Fe 1606 PaseodePeralta,505-989-1199
I’mNobody!Who AreYou?,paintings by CarmenHerrera;through September1 • Teresita Fernandez/Robert Smithson; multimediainstallations; through October28; sitesantafe.org.
WheelwrightMuseum of the American Indian 704 Camino Lejo,Museum Hill,505-982-4636
Masterglass:TheCollaborativeSpiritof Tony Jojola,blown andsculpted glass by thelate Isleta Puebloartist;through September• Pathfinder: 40 YearsofMarcus Amerman,retrospectiveexhibit of beadwork, glassart, and paintings by the ChoctawNationartist; through January11,2025; wheelwright.org.
Taos
Couse-SharpHistoricSite
138 &146 KitCarsonRoad, 575-751-0369
JosephHenry Sharp: TheLifeand Workof an American Legend;through December; couse-sharp.org. Open by appointment.
HarwoodMuseum of Art 238 Ledoux Street,575-758-9826
Aurelia Gallery(aureliagallery.com)shows paintings by Christa Stephensthrough October6.
FINALFRAME
Cosmic Dreams, a48-by-60-inch mixedmedia on canvas,ispartofa three-dayuntitledshowfeaturing Janet O’Neal’sworks.Areception is from 4-8p.m.Friday, August 30. ThroughMonday, September2,San Francisco Street Art Gallery, 50 E. SanFrancisco Street;505-982-0689or718-559-2535; sfsgallery.com —Brian Sandford
JAZZ|MARIACHI
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes start the week of Tuesday, September 3. Registration is open now through September 15. Financial aid available
CHORUS
•New! Cantate Youth Chorus
Beginning chorus for 2nd grade and up
•New! AnimaYouth Chorus
Intermediate chorus
•ChoralScholars
Advanced chorus,sings with TheSanta Fe Symphony Chorus!
ORCHESTRA
• RunningStartBeginningOrchestra 3rd grade and up
• Prelude String Orchestra
Beginner String Orchestra
• Intermezzo String Orchestra
Intermediate String Orchestra
• Youth Philharmonic
Intermediate full orchestra
• Youth Symphony Orchestra
Advanced full orchestra
JAZZ
• Small jazz combos, with classes offered in Santa Fe and Los Alamos!
