Courtesy currentsnewmedia.org
CURRENTS New Media Festival
Maybe it’s because winter can feel so bleak around here, but by the time Santa Fe gets into spring, we’re ready to party and, by the time we hit summer proper, we’re basically never without a reason to head outside and enjoy the hot-events action. Consider hanging this list on the fridge to help game plan the season.
June
June 8: Indigenous Ways Festival (indigenousways.org)
The Indigenous-led seasonal party that just won’t stop already had an event in May (and has another lined up for Aug. 8), but you can kick off your summer in style with music from Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Lourdes Pérez, songsmith Mimi Gonzalez and Chicano funk act Una Mas y La Cha. It pops off from 5-9 pm in the Santa Fe Railyard Park. Free.
June 14-23: CURRENTS New Media Festival (currentsnewmedia.org)
Our fair city’s most progressive arts and tech fest returns to its roots back at El Museo Cultural following several years in other venues. The house that Mariannah Amster and Frank Ragano built features the coming-together of AR, VR, audio, film, robotics, weirdness, beauty, excellence and…honestly, it’s just so good. $10-$15 (20 and under free)
June 19-22: Rodeo de Santa Fe (rodeodesantafe.org)
Just as important to the local identity as the Santa Fe Opera, Rodeo de Santa Fe turns 75 this year, with all the barrel racing, cattle roping and mutton busting you could ever want. You’ll also get access to fair food, nightly entertainment, music and more. Gates open at 5 pm. Tickets: $10-$270
June 28: Santa Fe Opera (santafeopera.org)
The good ol’ SFO kicks off a few days earlier than it did last year, but that just means more opera. The season opens with Verdi’s La Traviata before dropping fire with Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the world premier of Gregory Spears/Tracy K. Smith’s The Righteous, Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier and Donizetti/Romani’s The Elixir of Love. There are so many shows and times and dates, you really should check the website. Season runs through Aug. 24, with Apprentice Scenes Aug. 11 & 18, and plenty of add-ons such as opera dinners, pre-opera lectures and, of course, tailgating. $52-$367
June 29: Santa Fe Pride (hrasantafe.org)
Parade to the Plaza from a to-be-announced downtown location, then spend the day partying with our queer siblings alongside music, food, friendship and kinship. Chances are local bars will host parties this evening as well. 1 am-4 pm, free.
July
July 7: Native Dance Series (Museum of Indian Arts & Culture)
MIAC’s Native Dance Series, which kicked off in early June and continues with dates into October, showcases the varied and rich traditions of Native American dance communities, with Tesuque Pueblo Dance Group on this date, and forthcoming events include the third annual Nakota LaRance Youth Hoop Dance Championship Aug. 3-4. Sunday admission to the event is free for New Mexico residents.
July 10: Santa Fe Botanical Garden Sunset Concert Series: Alma (santafebotanicalgarden.org)
What’s not to love about an outdoor summer show that starts a-rocking just as the sun goes down? You can’t beat early evening Santa Fe summers, and when local Latin music quartet Alma sweetens the deal? Magic. $8-$15
July 11-14: International Folk Art Market (folkartmarket.org)
Santa Fe orgs seem to be hitting milestones all over the place, as will the International Folk Art Market when it turns 20 this year. IFAM brings countless artists from countries around the globe to ply their wares amongst music, dining options, workshops, demos and more. Last year’s new Railyard Park location turned out to be a centrally located godsend, too, and a logistical triumph. $20-$300
July 14: Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival (santafechambermusic.com)
Everybody’s favorite chamber music event kicks off with works by Beethoven, Ligeti and Mendelssohn, and it really just pops off from there. Prepare yourself for performances by Zoltán Fejérvári, the Miami String Quartet, Haochen Zhang and more, plus music by Bach, Ravel, Weinberg, Handel and all the other monsters of baroque and chamber jamz. Season runs through Aug. 19. $40-$55
July 25-Aug. 18: Shakespeare in the Garden: Twelfth Night (santafeclassictheater.org/shakespeare-in-the-garden)
Billy Shakes sure loved him the farcical nature of mistaken identity, and Twelfth Night has that in spades. In short, separated twins Viola and Sebastian are reunited to the tune of strange assumptions and capital-L LOOOOOVE. Produced by Santa Fe Classic Theater and performed in the Santa Fe Botanical Garden—eat your heart out, Kit Marlowe! $TK
July 27-28: Traditional Spanish Market (atriscoheritagefoundation.org)
The Atrisco Heritage Foundation gathers more traditional artists on the Plaza than even seems humanly possible for two days of arts and artistry. 8 am-5 pm both days. Free.
Roberto E. Rosales
August
August 2: Best of Santa Fe Party (sfreporter.com)
If you’ve come to one of SFR’s Best of Santa Fe block parties before, you know that we know how to do it. Hobnob with your favorite local businesses, orgs, people and things; quaff some drinks from local breweries and such and then get down with the Santa Fe Salutes tribute to Taylor Swift, featuring local musicians. 5-9 pm. Free.
August 17-18: Indian Market (swaia.org)
With the success of the Southwest Association for Indian Arts’ first-ever Native Fashion Week in May still dancing in our heads, find the largest gathering of Indigenous artists in the world across one weekend of badass art. No doubt there will be countless parties, shows, exhibits, concerts and so on during the weekend, too—SWAIA’s 102nd.
August 30: 100th Burning of Zozobra (burnzozobra.com)
That’s right, nerds—we’ve been burning Zozoba (aka Old Man Gloom)—the physical puppet representation of all our woe—for 100 years now. Maybe this is the one that’ll finally fix our problems for good. It’s also kind of the last summer hurrah for the city before we head into leaf-peeping season. General admission tickets run $30-$40 depending on when you buy them.
