Above: Who's brave enough to try some of the hottest hot sauces at the Fiery Foods Show? Photography Courtesy Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show / Wes Naman.
SOME LIKE IT HOT
Think you’ve got an iron constitution? Test your mettle at the 30th annual National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show, March 2–4 at Sandia Resort and Casino, in Albuquerque. Sip, nibble, and sweat your way through mild salsas, spicy chiles, and hot sauces that may bring tears to your eyes. Don’t miss colorful characters like cookbook author Ray Lampe, aka Dr. BBQ, who shows how to smoke and grill using the Big Green Egg. (505) 873-8680; fieryfoodsshow.com
SIP AND STROLL
Sample more than 100 wines from New Mexico makers at the Vines in the Pines Wine Festival, in Ruidoso, March 3–4. Last year’s inaugural event was a smash hit, so organizers are adding more wineries, food vendors, and entertainment. (877) 784-3676; discoverruidoso.com
Da Vinci Creations is the theme of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science’s 26th annual Chocolate Fantasy, March 10 in Albuquerque. The gala features edible creations from local chocolatiers, and its Italian theme coincides with Da Vinci, the Genius, an exhibition through July 29 that includes 75 large-scale models of Leonardo da Vinci’s machine inventions. (505) 841-2800; nmnaturalhistory.org
Meet chocolatiers and coffee roasters, along with other artisanal food creators, during the Southwest Chocolate and Coffee Fest, March 17–18 at Expo New Mexico, in Albuquerque. (505) 510-1312; chocolateandcoffeefest.com
IN THE GROOVE
No unexpected March snowstorm could dampen the enthusiasm of the Eastern New Mexico University Steel Drum Band. Yes, ENMU has a Caribbean-style steel pan ensemble, and it brings the sounds of sun and sand to Crosswinds Community Church, in Hobbs, on March 2. You’re on your own for the nearest rum punch. (575) 738-1041; swsymphony.org
Santa Fe’s historic Lensic Performing Arts Center draws recording artists from around the world (K.D. Lang and Arlo Guthrie both play here this month), and on March 15 it salsas into the wild and fun GlobalFest: The New Golden Age of Latin Music. Local favorite Nosotros opens for Las Cafeteras, an alternative Chicano band from Los Angeles, and Flor de Toloache, a Grammy-winning all-female mariachi group from New York. (505) 988-1234; lensic.org
HOUSE ENVY
Peek inside a dozen beautiful Santa Fe homes during ARTsmart’s free Art of Home Tour, March 3–4. The houses are for sale, and each will be staged with artwork chosen by Santa Fe galleries. A portion of each art sale benefits ARTsmart’s programs for school kids in northern New Mexico. (505) 992-2787; artsmartnm.org
STAGE AND SCREEN
Albuquerque hosts a tour of global stages, courtesy of the Revolutions International Theatre Festival, which brings troupes from around the world for several weeks of top-notch experimental theater, music, comedy, and more, starting on March 6. (505) 414-3738; tricklock.com
Southern New Mexico takes a star turn during the Las Cruces International Film Festival, which offers celebrities, workshops, and screenings of features, shorts, and animations, March 7–11. (575) 646-6149; lciffest.com
BOOTS AND ALL
Cowpokes young and old will get a kick out of Cowboy Days at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, in Las Cruces, March 3–4. This is the museum’s biggest event, and it’s a hoot, with gunfights, pony rides, chuck-wagon grub, and hands-on activities like lasso lessons. (575) 522-4100; nmfarmandranchmuseum.org
Hustle your bustle back to the museum on March 23 for the opening of Dressed for the Occasion, an exhibit of antique clothing, from wedding dresses and corsets to button-up boots and fur mufflers. The exhibit focuses on women’s clothing worn from the 1870s to the 1930s, for “everyday,” plus weddings, funerals, and baptisms. Undergarments are included, as well as accessories such as hats and gloves.
HONOR AND RESPECT
Running a marathon is nothing compared with trekking 26 miles through the harsh terrain and elevation changes of the White Sands Missile Range—all while carrying a 35-pound pack. But that’s exactly what hundreds of civilians and military, both solo and in teams, will do on March 25 during the Bataan Memorial Death March. It’s a tremendous personal challenge and a way to remember the hundreds of New Mexico National Guardsmen who endured the horrors of the Bataan Death March and subsequent imprisonment during World War II. (575) 678-1134; bataanmarch.com
THE SILLY SEASON
Usually ski areas rely on a healthy dose of snow, but at end-of-season time, T-shirts, shorts, a bit of slush, and even a slick of mud can work just as well. Call ahead to see what’s on tap, but March offerings usually include Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort’s Hawaiian Days and a Cardboard Derby for the kids. (800) 587-2240; sipapunm.com
Red River Ski & Summer Area boasts Beach Weeks, March 10–25 (hula skirts welcome), plus a Kids Glowstick Parade with fireworks, on March 16, and its annual that’s-a-wrap Pond Skim on March 25. (575) 754-2223; redriver.org/events
Ski Apache, in Ruidoso, invites the fastest skiers in the West to the Lone Star Cup on March 11. (575) 464-3600; skiapache.com
On March 10, Taos Ski Valley aims for all-out fun with its Rally in the Valley. Don a costume and ski after chickens, board after skunks, and play games from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. That evening, the ski area celebrates the birthday of its founder, Ernie Blake, with a laser light show, torchlight parade, fireworks, and, yes, cake. Do it. You’ll earn the carbs. (866) 968-7386; skitaos.com/events
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL
For more events, go to nmmag.us/calendarnmm