Good Reasons to Shop

Help Support International Folk Art Market

Jenny's View

Dear Friends,

The best part of Santa Fe’s big summer art fairs is the chance to meet and talk with the artists who make the pieces you fall in love with—something rarely experienced at a gallery or store. What I love even more about the folk art market, beyond its wild profusion of fascinating finds, is knowing that each artist there serves as a kind of an ambassador, bringing home the kind of money that makes them benefactors and leaders in their communities.

 “We have stories upon stories of our artists building schools and hospitals and homes,” says Gabe Gomez, communications director at the International Folk Art Alliance, which created the market in 2004 for this very reason. Close to 200 artisans are coming to market this year and were chosen by a panel of experts looking for the very best in artistic excellence, cultural tradition, and community leadership. Coming halfway around the world to sell is a real privilege, since artists take home 90 percent of what they sell, and average booth sales exceed $20,000 over the weekend. In many of the 60-plus countries represented, the average income is less than $3 a day. That’s what creates the ripple effect: Hundreds of artisans have come to market over the last 12 years, but the impact has extended to more than a million people, according to IFAM.

For shoppers, there’s the intangible element that comes from meeting so many master craftsmen face to face. It’s not only about appreciating someone’s handiwork, but the whole cultural tradition that it represents. Being in the business of hospitality, bridging cultural gaps is what we’re all about here at La Fonda. The world grows ever more complex, but the personal touch of the marketplace and inn remind us of the human connections that can happen as quickly as a smile, and last as long as our memories.

Ever at your service,

Jennifer Lea Kimball


Recipe For Adventure

This perfect cold soup is simply a salad in liquid form, which means it’s one of the easiest dishes to make. All you need to get started is a blender and some super-tasty, juicy tomatillos, diced into large chunks.

Green Gazpacho - Serves 4 - Yields 1 Qt

INGREDIENTS

½ ounce jalapeno, minced

8 ounce tomatillo, diced

4 ounce cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced

4 ounce green bell pepper, seeded and diced

1 bunch green onions, thin sliced

12 ounce Greek style plain yogurt

1 ounce fresh lime juice

2 ounce bread, we use old telera bread here at La Fonda

Kosher salt and white pepper to taste

Method

Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth, refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving.

Serve in chilled bowls, garnish with a few drops of hot sauce, cucumber slice or dollop of yogurt. 



Live at La Fonda

Pimentel began playing guitar at the age of 6, and unlike some of his brothers who followed in their father’s instrument-making footsteps, he preferred crafting music to crafting guitars. He studied at a music conservatory in Mexico, and is an instructor himself, six days a week at the family shop.

“I’ve always liked performing,” he says of his regular gigs at hotels and restaurants around Albuquerque and Santa Fe. “Because I play so many styles, from jazz to Spanish to classical, people really enjoy the variety.” He’s excited to bring his music to La Fonda for the first time on July 10 and 31—“one of the best hotels in the state.” He has recorded two CDs praised by Albuquerque Journal critic David Steinberg, and is at work on a third.

Connoisseurs of the acoustic guitar will hear the best advertisement in Pimentel’s playing, as he uses his family’s instruments exclusively, some of which run up to five figures in cost. In an age of mass-produced music and instruments, Pimentel represents the enchantment that can still come from one man and one guitar.

It's a Good Time To...

It’s hard to say which is the bigger draw at the Opera, the entertainment under the roof or out in the parking lot before the show. Still, there’s something for everyone in this year’s rotation, which includes Puccini’s La Faniculla del West, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Charles Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette, Richard Strauss’s Capriccio, and Vanessa by Samuel Barber and Gian Carlo Menotti. Enhance the experience with a backstage tour, offered every weekday at 9am, and the convenience of shuttle service from Santa Fe or Albuquerque. Book a preview buffet or pick up a tailgate picnic to make the evening complete.

 

The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival (July 17-Aug. 22) brings a series of concerts to the St. Francis Auditorium and the Lensic, plus two concerts at the opera house. The festival begins with a gala four-course wine dinner and performances at La Posada de Santa Fe (July 19).

Performance Santa Fe is offering a series of operatic concerts at the Scottish Rite Center, starting with bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch singing Glen Roven’s Santa Fe Songs accompanied by the composer (July 28), sopranos Angela Meade (July 31) and Leah Crocetto (Aug. 4), and the tenor/baritone duo of Benjamin Bliss and Joshua Hopkins, with Joseph Illick at the piano (Aug. 7).

                              
Then there’s Santa Fe Desert Chorale’s 34th annual Summer Festival, with two world premieres by leading American composers and a series of concerts in different locations, including an all-night vigil at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis in Santa Fe and Cathedral Church of St. John in Albuquerque (July 19-Aug. 14).

For contemporary music fans, there’s the New Mexico Jazz Festival (July 15-31) with concerts in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, including Pedrito Martinez Group playing a free concert as part of St. John’s College Music on the Hill series (July 20); Dave Holland Trio with special guest Chris Potter at the Lensic (July 24); a free Bandstand show featuring the French-inflected  Ginkgoa (July 26); tenor sax legend Charles Lloyd with his New Quartet at the Lensic (July 29); and Dr. Lonnie Smith’s Evolution (July 30); and Lisa Fischer with Grand Baton (July 31).

St. John’s College Music on the Hill Series also features the Tracey Whitney Quintet (July 13) and Bert Dalton Brazil Project—though you want to get there early to nab the limited available parking.

                        

The Santa Fe Bandstand plays free concerts, of which La Fonda is a sponsor, right outside our door most nights through Aug. 26, and there are free concerts also at Railyard Park, such as the Grateful Dead tribute band Detroit Lightning (July 2), the Devon Allman Band (July 17), the Johnny Cash tribute band Cash’d Out (July 23), and the classic Americana band The Jayhawks (July 29). Rock & roll band The Record Company plays Aug. 14. 

At the Lensic, legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash performs what is sure to be a sold-out show (Aug. 7), followed by the infectious jazz-pop-rock band Lake Street Dive (Aug. 8). 

You can catch SXSW award-winners The Bright Light Social Hour at Meow Wolf (July 29), followed by the dreamy Explosions in the Sky (Aug. 25). Over the Rhine comes to Center Stage (July 30), and The Subdudes from New Orleans come to The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing (July 22), followed by Ziggy Marley (Aug. 18). A special event takes place at the Opera for fans of Michael Franti and Spearhead, who perform with Lila Downs and special guest Zella Day (Aug. 28). 


Art

Alongside the big art fairs—the 13th International Folk Art Market (July 8-10), 65th Traditional Spanish Market (July 30-31), and 95th Santa Fe Indian Market (Aug. 20-21). To reserve tickets to the live auction and gala (Aug. 20) at La Fonda, contact Tammie Touchine at 505-983-5220 or email her at ttouchine@swaia.org

There are also art-buying opportunities at Art Santa Fe for collectors of contemporary art (July 7-10) and the 38th annual Whitehawk Antique Indian and Ethnographic Art Shows (Aug. 12-15) for lovers of the antique, both are being held at the Santa Fe convention center.

And while you’re out on Last Friday Artwalk at the Railyard, check out The Fence New Mexico, a multi-city outdoor photo exhibition that showcases storytelling through photography (July 9 through Oct. 9).

At The Museums

Lowriders continue to rule at the museums in conjunction with the New Mexico Museum of Art exhibit Con Cariño: Artists Inspired by Lowriders (through Oct. 10). Contemporary santero Luis Tapia gives a talk July 1, photographer Meridel RubGoofd Reasons to Shopenstein speaks Aug. 5, and Justin Favela works on a paper lowrider in a three-day residency with public participation (July 8-10). At the New Mexico History Museum’s “Low Writing Workshop,” you can write (as in calligraphy) lowrider style or write (as in poetry), all part of family day (July 17). Dennis Little, a retired designer from Cadillac, will speak on “Behind the Locked Doors of General Motors Design” (Aug. 28).

The history museum opens Agnes Martin and Me (Aug. 5 through 2017), a chronicle of photographer Donald Woodman’s time with the famous Modernist. Also at the museum in conjunction with Indian Market is a week’s worth of the latest in independent Native films (Aug. 15-21), a list of which will be posted at this site

Tibetan monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery will be in Santa Fe as part of the exhibit Sacred Realm: Blessings and Good Fortune Across Asia at the Museum of International Folk Art, creating a sand mandala starting Aug. 10. A performance will take place at the James A. Little Theater (Aug. 13) featuring sacred music, dance, and conversation.

The Museum of International Folk Art is opening Quilts of Southwest China (July 2 through 2017) to document a little-known, rare art form. Also kicking off International Folk Arts Week is Under Pressure: Choices Folk Artists Make in Today’s Global Marketplace (July 3) with artist demonstrations. On July 6, museum educators and folk artists give demos of their work. You can even try your hand at Balinese mask making on July 19. 


Performance

The Lensic presents a number of dance concerts this summer, including Alejandro Cerrudo’s magical Little Mortal Jump from Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, together with two commissioned works (July 15-16), and a unique ballet known as Wahzhazhe that tells the story of the Osage people and is choreographed and danced by members of the tribe (four shows, Aug. 6-7). The annual Stars of American Ballet features the principals and soloists of the New York City Ballet (Aug. 10-11).

Juan Siddi brings back his company of 14 flamenco dancers and musicians for three concerts (July 10, 19, 23). Or catch free flamenco shows at the Museum of International Folk Art’s outdoor classroom on Milner Plaza (July 26, 29).

                                                                           

Railyard Park screens free summer movies every other Friday through Aug. 26th, such as the classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (July 1). Rover might want to join you for the dog flick Because of Winn-Dixie (July 15), though maybe not the musical West Side Story (July 30) unless he’s very sentimental, but certainly Zootopia (Aug. 12). Relive the drive-in experience at Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Aug. 26).

Out and About

Don’t forget the Independence Day tradition of Pancakes on the Plaza (July 4), now in its 41st year. And while on the Plaza, stop by Detours at La Fonda for a special giveaway ( Just mention the free giveaway). Equestrians already know about the horse park’s A-rated Summer Series of hunter-jumper contests (July 27-Aug. 14). There’s also the city’s annual golf championship, now at three different courses (July 21-23), kicking off at La Campanas and making its way to the Santa Fe Country Club and concluding at Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe.

El Rancho de las Golondrinas’ summer calendar of events includes the Santa Fe Wine Festival (July 3), a celebration of Mexico (July 6), and Summer Festival exploring life on the Wild West frontier (Aug. 6). 

La Fonda and Santa Fe In the News

Huffington Post - Riding the Rail Runner to Santa Fe READ MORE

Travel & Leisure – America’s Favorite Towns - Santa Fe Ranks #3 READ MORE

Santa Fe Reporter - Hiking the Margarita Trail READ MORE