New Mexico May 2009 E-Newsletter Articles

Welcome.

mike

Springtime in New Mexico, with its cool mountain temperatures, incredible colors and deep-blue sky, is an outdoor-lover’s paradise, highlighted by unique festivals and cultural activities that beg for attention. As Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, I welcome you to New Mexico, a place like no other.

Michael Cerletti

LeRoy Neiman Spices Up Summer in Ruidoso Area

Season with LeRoy

An exceptional exhibition of 58 rarely seen paintings by the legendary artist, LeRoy Neiman - on loan from a private collection – will be featured in an exhibition entitled “A Season with the Paintings of LeRoy Neiman” at the Hubbard Museum of the American West in Ruidoso Downs May 23-September 13, 2009.

Neiman is arguably one of America's most popular living artists. Known for his brilliantly colored semi-abstract paintings of sporting events and leisure activities, Neiman has perfected an energetic style that seems to explode with dramatic intensity. His unique talents have made his work so admired that he has brought art into the lives of millions of Americans.

“A Season with the Paintings of LeRoy Neiman” offers a broad spectrum of Neiman’s explosive works. Covering subject matters that include horse racing, sports greats, jazz legends, cultural icons and much more, the exhibition is a breathtaking panorama of paintings spanning over 40 years of work.

For information on “A Season with the Paintings of LeRoy Neiman”, call 575-378-4142 or visit www.SeasonWithNeiman.com. For information on the Hubbard Museum of the American West visit www.HubbardMuseum.org.

New International Art Fair to Launch in Santa Fe

Balloon Fiesta poster

The International Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fairs (SOFA) in Chicago and New York has announced that a new edition of SOFA will be launched June 11-14, 2009 in Santa Fe at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center.

SOFA is working with the Santa Fe Gallery Association and area arts organizations to connect out-of-town collectors with the thriving local arts scene. Opening Night, June 10th, will benefit the New Mexico Museum of Art’s inaugural Design Collection.

Critically acclaimed and continuously running since 1994, SOFA focuses on three-dimensional artworks that cross the boundaries of fine art, decorative art and design. With a strong educational emphasis, SOFA fairs include a lecture series and special exhibits exploring the artworks debuting at the fair by both established and emerging artists.

SOFA WEST will take place at the new Santa Fe Community Convention Center. For general information, visit www.sofaexpo.com ; call 800-563-SOFA (7632) or 773-506-8860; or email info@sofaexpo.com

The Truth Is Here: UFO Festival Invades Roswell July 2-5, 2009

City Seals

In July 1947, New Mexico rancher W.W. “Mack” Brazel saddled up his horse and rode out with the son of neighbors Floyd and Loretta Proctor to check on the sheep after a fierce thunderstorm the night before. As they rode along north of Roswell, Brazel began to notice unusual pieces of what seemed to be metal debris, scattered over a large area. After dragging a large piece of it to a shed, he took some of it over to show the Proctors. They told him he might be holding wreckage from a UFO or a government project.

Thus was born the Roswell Incident, which annually attracts thousands of doubters, believers, scholars, scientists, authors, astronauts, tourists and children of all ages – from this world and beyond - to this small Southeastern New Mexico city in search of a little truth and a whole lot of fun, foolishness and entertainment during the UFO Festival.

“The folks in Roswell have taken a bit of their history – real or imagined – and created an event that has a world-wide interest and appeal,” said Mike Cerletti, secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD), “and no museum in New Mexico captures the adventurous spirit of its citizens like the International UFO Museum and Research Center. The efforts of the citizens of Roswell to celebrate its past while benefiting its future are to be commended and celebrated.”

Featured entertainment this year includes actor Malcolm McDowell, The Temptations, Jefferson Starship and other special lecturers and guests.

Activities include the UFO Festival Parade and a spectacular July 4th Fireworks display.

Visit http://roswellufofestival.com

Santa Fe Opera Celebrates 2009 Festival Season

Cranes

Santa Fe is home to the world-renowned Santa Fe Opera, which stages its performances in a spectacular open-air amphitheatre located in the rolling hills outside the city, with views of the surrounding Sangre de Cristo and Jemez mountains. Stunning sunsets and brilliant starry skies generally prevail throughout a season that runs July 3-August 29, 2009
.

This summer features:

La Traviata
What could be better than Verdi’s most beloved opera to open the 2009 Festival Season? How about Natalie Dessay in her first-ever performances as Violetta? This quintessential story of passionate young love, separation, and reconciliation receives an all-new staging led by the director / designer team of Laurent Pelly and Chantal Thomas.

The Elixir of Love
Nemorino pines for the haughty Adina, but she has eyes only for Sgt. Belcore until Dr. Dulcamar’s love potion works its wizardry. Apprentice alumni Dimitri Pittas, Patrick Carfizzi and Jennifer Black return as Nemorino, Adina and Belcore.

Don Giovanni
Once you’ve catalogued 2,065 seductions, your past can start to catch up with you. When Don Giovanni accepts an irresistible dinner invitation, it leads to his just desserts-flambé. Guest conductor Lawrence Renes leads a dynamic ensemble cast which features Lucas Meacham in the title role.

The Letter
Special delivery from composer Paul Moravec and librettist Terry Teachout. A hard-boiled dame cooks up her own little Singapore fling. Her double-crossing lover gets a lethal dose of lead as a lovely parting gift. Her sap of a husband helps her get away with murder - almost. Opera’s classic ingredients—lust, adultery, and revenge—are dished up noir style in this world premiere production.

Alceste
When her husband’s life is threatened by Apollo’s oracle, Alceste decides to stand by her man, offering to die in his place. The god Hercules is so moved by her generous spirit that he helps restore the pair to a long and happy life. Santa Fe favorite Christine Brewer performs the famously challenging title role, partnered by tenor Paul Groves, in his Santa Fe debut, as her spouse

Visit http://www.santafeopera.org/tickets/index.aspx

Taos’ Summer of Love Hits Its Stride

summer O love

Below is a list of just some of the events that will entertain visitors to the Enchanted Circle this summer. For a complete list of events, visit www.taossummeroflove.com

July 3-11, Toast of Taos Wine Festival - Events include wine tastings, gallery tour, wine class, wine dinners, and art/wine auction. Visitwww.toastoftaos.com or call 575-751-5811.

July 4, 4th of July Celebration and Parade in downtown Red River

July 4, 4th of July Extravaganza in Eagle Nest – Events include barbecue lunch, live music and fire works.

July 4, 4th of July Celebration at the Village of Taos Ski Valley

July 4, Arroyo Seco Parade in Arroyo Seco.

July 10-12, Taos Mountain Motorcycle Rally and Music Festival, featuring music, and bike events including poker runs, biker build off and bike show. Visit www.taosmountainmotorcyclerally.com

July 10-12, Taos Pueblo Pow Wow Gathering of Indian Nations at Taos Pueblo - Competition dancing, drumming, Native American food and arts.

July 18, Ledoux Street Art Stroll

July 19, Taos Independence Day Karaoke in Kit Carson Park. Call575-758-0998

July 24-26, Las Fiestas de Taos on Taos Plaza

July 25-26, High Country Arts and Crafts Festival in Eagle Nest. Write info@enchamber.org.

July 31-Aug 1, Summer Thunder Rally for motorcyclists at Taos Ski Valley

And don't forget to mark your calendars:

June 2009 Events
19-20 Chama Music Festival – www.newmexico.org
20 Albuquerque Folk Festival – www.abqfolkfest.org
Juneteenth Celebration, Clovis – www.clovisnm.org
20-21 Heritage Days, Portales – 800-635-8036 or www.portales.com
23-24 Pueblo Feast Days, Ohkay Owingeh, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo and Taos pueblos – indianpueblo.org
25-27 Raton Rodeo – 575-445-3689
26-27 Tatum 100-Year Celebration – 505-398-2011

July 2009 Events
2-5 4th of July Fiesta, Las Vegas – lvsmchamber.org
Electric Parade, Las Cruces – 575-528-3170
3-5 Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally, Raton – 575-445-3689
4 Smokey Bear Fun Run, Capitan – 575-354-2273
World’s Greatest Lizard Race, Lovington – 575-396-5311
International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally – 575-445-3689
Wine Festival, El Rancho de las Golondrinas – 505-471-2261
11-12 July Jamboree Arts & Crafts Fair, Cloudcroft – 866-874-4447
Santa Fe International Folk Art Market – www.folkartmarket.org
11-16 San Juan River Balloon Rally, 505-632-0880
14 St. Bonaventure Feast Day, Cochiti and Santo Domingo pueblos – indianpueblo.org
17-19 Fire & Ice Bike Rally, Grants – fireandicebikerally.com
18-19 Little Beaver Celebration, Jicarilla Apache Reservation – newmexico.org

19-25 National High School Finals Rodeo, Farmington – 800-448-1240
24-25 Chama Cowboy Days – 575-756-1085
25 Santiago Day Corn Dance, Taos Pueblo – taospueblo.com
St. James Feast Day, Santo Domingo Pueblo – 505-465-2214
25-27 Zia Art Festival, Ruidoso – ruidosnow.com
26 Santa Ana Feast Day, Taos and Laguna pueblos – indianpueblo.org
25-26 Traditional Spanish Market, Santa Fe – 505-982-2226
Contemporary Spanish Market, Santa Fe – elmuseocultural.org
26-27 High Country Arts & Crafts Festival, Eagle Nest – 505-344-2420
31 St. Anne’s Feast Day, Laguna and Santo Domingo pueblos – indianpueblo.org
31-8/1 Guadalupe County Fair – 575-472-3652