Courtesy johnsantosofficial.com)
Plan B
Chocolate Maven opens new music and dining space Unit B
Most Santa Feans likely think of the Chocolate Maven as a brunchy spot, but with the impending opening of its next phase, the popular local restaurant is poised to add nighttime entertainment offerings to its repertoire.
Dubbed Unit B, the new space within the familiar Chocolate Maven building has been in the works for some time according to owner Dharm Skotting-Segal. And though it will open with jazz—and lean toward jazz fairly regularly—Unit B will also be dedicated to dinner and drinks, plus other types of performance like comedy, folk and…well, with a capacity of a little over 200, it could host just about anything, and Skotting-Segal is here for it.
“It’s not that I’m choosing this out of some sense of business, because it’s a frightening time in the economy, but this is something that’s really close to my heart, because I’m a musician, a theater person,” he tells SFR. “It’s not just throwing up something to fill the nights, either. The idea is having a venue that truly supports musicians; there are a lot of possibilities for having fun in there, and that, to me, is super fulfilling and rewarding.”
The first-ever Unit B show? San Francisco’s John Santos Latin Jazz Sextet, courtesy of the Santa Fe Music Collective, a nonprofit org dedicated to all things jazz.
“The place is beautiful,” says Santa Fe Music Collective President John Trentacosta. “Dharm has put a lot of love into it, and I’ve needed a space to present and bring in a number of people. I want to do a lot there.”
Skotting-Segal echos those sentiments, adding that his new space will include cocktails, mocktails and light-alcohol options designed by a dedicated mixologist. The entertainment feels like icing on the cake.
“We’re actively booking, and I don’t want to get pigeon-holed as just a jazz place,” Skotting-Segal notes. “What I would like is an exceptional music place, whatever kind of music that is.”
Future shows include bluegrass act The High Desert Rangers, singer-songwriter Cheryl Wheeler, New Mexico Jazz Festival one-offs and more. (Alex De Vore)
Unit B Kickoff with Jon Santos Latin Jazz Sextet: 5 pm Saturday, Sept. 7. $30-$35. Unit B 821 W San Mateo Road, (505) 984-1980
Courtesy Electr∆ Gallery
Leora Lutz Courtesy Electr∆ Gallery
LL Queen
Oowee, we love us a multimedia show, especially when the artist throws textiles into the mix. So is the work of Oakland-based artist Leora Lutz, a veritable master of sewing and embroidery who loops in glass beads, denim, gouache and a little bit of her punk and goth vibes for her forthcoming show Alchemy of Thread at Electr∆ Gallery. Therein, Lutz explores the ancient esoteric phrase “as above, so below” across various pieces, many of which feel like the void gazing back at you (we’re talkin’ eyeballs here). The pieces have a strange magnetism that cannot be denied. You simply must stare into them should you get the chance. The show runs Wednesday, Sept. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 12, with Lutz scheduled to attend a reception on Friday, Sept. 6. (ADV)
Leora Lutz: Alchemy of Thread Reception: 5-8 pm Friday, Sept. 6. Free. Electr∆ Gallery 825 Early St., (505) 231-0354
Courtesy Pixabay.com / Ylanite
Planting the Idea
The New Mexico soil is not always super-welcoming to plants, but there are green thumb types living among us who almost always seem glad to pass on knowledge and materials. Enter the Joy of Plants Plant Swap event at the Southside Library this week. Think of it like a laid-back and informal gathering of plant-lovers who are willing to make trades—or just think of it like your chance to finally get something good going in your yard. You’ll meet like-minded pals and soon be on your way to verdant bliss. Attendees might also find books and supplies they never knew they needed. Just don’t bring any sick or infected plants. That would be kind of a jerk move. (ADV)
Joy of Plants Plant Swap: 11 am-noon Saturday, Sept. 7. Free Santa Fe Public Library (Southside) 6599 Jaguar Drive, (505) 955-2820
Marc Brenner
Chekhov it Off the List
Don’t act like we didn’t all fall in love with actor Andrew Scott a little bit after his iconic performance as the priest in that Fleabag show. Scott catapulted himself into the consciousness of pretty much anyone with a heart, and he put that goodwill to good use for his production of Vanya last year, a take on the Chekhov classic Uncle Vanya. Previously, Scott toured the production wherein he went the one-man-show route across multiple roles. Some critics hailed the choice as daring, while others wondered why it was necessary—local theater fans will get the chance to make up their own minds when the Lensic Performing Arts Center screens a performance filmed at London’s West End in 2023. (ADV)
Vanya Screening: 7 pm Tuesday, Sept. 10. $22 Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W San Francisco St. (505) 988-1234
