Courtesy Innastate
State of Mind
Reggae act Innastate takes over the downtown library for free show
If you’ve been wondering why you’ve seen less of -local/regional reggae act Innastate lately, bassist/singer Rylan Kabotie (Santa Clara Pueblo, Hopi and Jicarilla Apache) tells SFR that he and drummer Lawrence Bailon (Santa Clara Pueblo and Kewa Pueblo) and
guitarist Adrian Wall (Jemez Pueblo) made the conscious decision to scale back performance and buckle down for some serious composition work -following pandemic lockdowns. The decision stuck. Yes, Innastate still plays sporadic shows and also has a new album on the horizon but, Kabotie says, the band has become more comfortable in taking its time to create music of which they can be proud.
“I know it has taken me a long time to really -acknowledge myself and how I connect to music, and for the most part I consider myself more of a producer, honestly,” Kabotie explains. “I like lifting the spirit out of what the piece is—but that’s a hard thing to do, because reggae tends to be about the in-betweens.”
Kabotie further explains that he believes Native communities have long felt an affinity for reggae, -particularly in its messaging.
“It’s a music for the people by the people,” he says ,”and it’s strong, liberating music—so that message has always resonated hardcore, I think, with Natives.”
With November being National Native American Heritage Month, Kabotie adds, that spirit of liberation is on his mind as well as his bandmates’. That’s at least partially why they’ll perform at the main branch of the Santa Fe Public Library this weekend. Much of it, however, comes down to the band maturing. According to Kabotie, every member works with various other projects, and time spent pursuing outside passions has only strengthened the Innastate ethos and output.
“It’s an important thing for our shared musical journey for us to be investing in other parts of our lives,” he notes, “and to acknowledge the duality that life tends to be.” (Alex De Vore)
AMP Concerts Presents Innastate: 4 pm Saturday, Nov. 9. Free. Santa Fe Public Library (Main Branch), 145 Washington Ave., ampconcerts.org
Courtesy Lensic Performing Arts Center
A Night at the Opera…Kinda-Sorta
Though most folks in Santa Fe are surely aware that our Santa Fe Opera remains one of the most revered venues and production companies on the planet, its history dating back to 1957 is another story altogether. How much do you really know about the provenance of SFO, John Crosby and the decades of history thereafter? If you answered “not much,” An American Vision: The History of the Santa Fe Opera might be the documentary for you. Culled from archival materials, the film ought to demystify the venerable SFO while fostering a bit of that hometown love. (ADV)
An American Vision: The History of the Santa Fe Opera Screening: 7 pm Thursday, Nov. 7 Free (but reserve at lensic.org). Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W San Francisco St. (505) 988-1234
Courtesy lewallengalleries.com
Americana
Anyone who has driven across the country knows well that not-quite-nameable intersection between civilization and the untouched wilds. This week at LewAllen Galleries, oil painter Jason Kowalski explores those liminal spaces with Old Glory, a show dedicated to rusted trucks, dilapidated gas stations, neon signs, abandoned structures and more. Kowalski captures a haunting sadness despite his use of brightness and realism. We know these places well—almost like they’re a part of us—and Kowalski brings them to life in glorious Technicolor. (ADV)
Jason Kowalski: Old Glory Opening: 5-7 pm Friday, Nov. 8. Free. LewAllen Galleries 1613 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 988-3250
Courtesy Institute of American Indian Art
Walking on A-i-R
Meanwhile, at the Institute of American Indian Arts, pop into the studio with a pair of the school’s current artists-in-residence—designer Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo) and multi-disciplinary champ Gina Herrera (Tesuque Pueblo). Michaels is, of course, well-known to fans of Project Runway and the broader fashion world alike for her work merging contemporary style with traditional elements and haute couture aesthetics. Hererra’s work contains multitudes as well, be it sculpture, print or beyond. To sum up, two brilliant artists will open their studio spaces to the public and you should probably check that out. (ADV)
Institute of American Indian Art: A-i-R Open Studios: 3-5 pm Tuesday, Nov. 12. Free. Institute of American Indian Art, 83 Avan Nu Po Road, (505) 424-2300
