A Holiday Detour at La Fonda
One-of-a-Kind Treasures at La Fonda
Jenny's View
Dear Friends,
I could barely corral Linda for long enough to get a preview, since she’s been running around like crazy, meeting with vendors and ordering those unique items that make good on our promise that you won’t find these products elsewhere in Santa Fe. One item that’s sure to please any woman on your list is the big, snuggly “eco-throws” from Happy Habitat, designed by Karrie Kaneda of recycled fiber in dozens of colorful patterns that also make beautiful shawls, which is how they’re displayed in the store.
Another unique gift item that you won’t be able to resist buying for yourself is the sterling silver jewelry designed for La Fonda by artist Catherine Maziere of Nedra Matteucci Galleries. She’s crafted a Thunderbird medallion modeled on the original Indian Detours sign from our Harvey House days; earrings inspired by our mascot “Harvey,” the rabbit adorning Mary Colter’s standing ashtrays from the 1920s; and a stylized Zia symbol that can be worn as a pendant.
Among the super-affordable, original artwork that Detours commissions from local artists are whimsical giclée prints by Albuquerque artist Kerry Maeder, framed in brightly painted rustic wood and embellished with recycled bottle caps. They come in two sizes, 9” x 7” and 13” x 11”, in exclusive designs ranging from ravens and roadrunners to the RailRunner and Santa Fe Farmers Market. I’m thinking they’ll bring smiles to many a guest bedroom.
Linda also mentioned that more gift ideas from Detours can be found in the November issue of New Mexico Magazine. Don’t forget that Detours is just one of more than a dozen unique Shops at La Fonda! It’s no exaggeration to say that you can get all of your holiday shopping done here without ever leaving La Fonda.
Happy Shopping,
Jennifer Lea Kimball
Recipe For Adventure
We love the sweet and heat that happens when fruit and chiles meet. And, since it’s apple pickin’ season, Chef Lane Warner shared his special recipe for green apples and green chiles. Use this chutney to stuff a whole fish, or as a condiment for grilled fish, chicken or pork, or use as a simple topping for rice.
Green Chile Apple Chutney - Yields 1 quart
| INGREDIENTS 2 pounds green apple, peeled, cored & medium diced 8 ounces hot green chiles, chopped 2 cups golden raisins 2 cups tomato, medium dice 2 cups brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2.5 cups apple cider vinaigrette To taste salt and pepper |  |  |
| METHOD: Put all ingredients in a big pot over high heat until it starts to boil then reduce heat to a simmer, so it bubbles gently. Stir every few minutes, reducing liquid and softening fruits and chiles until fairly thick or to your desired consistency. Serve as a condiment for pork, lamb, venison or duck, slather on crackers with cheese or serve on ham & cheese sandwiches. |
Live at La Fonda
| Like chocolate and peanut butter, traditional Irish and New Mexican folk music complement each other in unexpected ways, as audiences are delighted to find when Gerry and Chris take the stage with their transatlantic guitar sounds. “It’s a typical Santa Fe story,” Gerry Carthy says with a lilt that betrays his Irish roots. A professional musician who has mastered multiple Irish instruments since the 1960s, he teamed up with local singer-songwriter Chris Abeyta at a hotel bar for a few gigs to try mixing up their guitar work. The results sounded so good, they recorded a CD of their live sessions blending New Mexico and modern Mexican ballads, pop music from the ‘50s, Van Morrison and Santana with traditional Irish sounds played on nylon-string folk guitar. “It’s hard to describe, but everybody loves the mix—locals and tourists,” Carthy says. He had known Abeyta for a quarter century as a veteran figure in the local Latin music scene, founder of the classic band Lumbre del Sol and a frequent presence at the Santa Fe Bandstand. Abeyta’s sons, Amado and Buddy Abeyta, are also well known for their band Sol Fire.
As happens in a town where paths often cross, La Fonda’s food and beverage manager Shawn Murphy met Carthy through various musical connections and ended up joining his music class. When Carthy and Abeyta were looking for new opportunities, La Fiesta Lounge proved to be the perfect answer. “We are thrilled to be playing the best music venue in town, which is a better fit for us,” Carthy says, “bringing two traditions together musically in the most traditional space in Santa Fe!” Enjoy the melodious melding of musical minds when Gerry and Carthy play La Fiesta Lounge on Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 25 and 26. |
It's a Good Time To...
| Book a holiday concert in Santa Fe for the delightful experience of hearing a choral concert at the Cathedral Basilica or a baroque concert at Loretto Chapel. Plan now to take part in Christmas traditions unlike any other in North America. The Santa Fe Symphony’s joyous performance of Handel’s Messiah includes guest soloists at two weekend concerts (Nov. 19-20), or enjoy a popular concert of Christmas Treasures (Dec. 11). Santa Fe Pro Musica performs its Baroque Christmas concert at Loretto Chapel (Dec. 19) and at the United Church of Angel Fire (Dec. 18). Performance Santa Fe features the sextet The King’s Singers at the Cathedral Basilica (Dec. 5), and pianist Claire Huangci playing an all-Russian program at the annual Christmas Eve concert (two shows, Dec. 24). Enjoy a Mariachi Christmas at the Lensic on Dec. 2, a family event benefitting the National Latino Behavioral Health Association. For the annual New Year’s Eve concert, it’s the rousing inspiration of Beethoven’s Ninth in two shows (Dec. 31). Or enjoy an American roots holiday when The Blind Boys of Alabama sing Christmas and gospel classics at the Lensic (Dec. 20). |
| Deborah Domanski & Avery Amereau, mezzo-sopranos | Blind Boys of Alabama
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Of course, the City Different also has non-musical holiday traditions that appeal to everyone. Experience the magic of the 2016 GLOW Preview Party at the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens where La Fonda will be catering the event. Tickets must be purchased in advance (Dec.8). Catch the annual appearance of Santa and Mrs. Claus for Christmas at the Palace, an evening of hot cider, cookies, music, piñatas, and all the rest, free at the Palace of the Governors (Dec. 9). The following week, it’s the traditional Northern New Mexico procession by candle light known as Las Posadas (Dec. 11)—both start at the Plaza at 5:30 p.m.
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Out & About
Did you know that Winter Indian Market takes place at La Fonda this year (Dec. 16-18)? And, La Fonda is offering a special package to accompany the market that will feature over 200 artists throughout the hotel. Also, watch for upcoming trunk shows in the gift shop, Detours at La Fonda, with the first being Sandy Vaillancourt, who will sell her original paintings, prints and cards in Detours. (Nov 23-29, 10am to 5pm).
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The children of Native artists who sell at the Palace portal have their own gift show on Dec. 10 in the Meem Community Room at the NM History Museum. If you were wondering what happened to Winter Spanish Market, it still takes place on Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 25-26), but moved to Albuquerque a few years ago. Don’t fear! Excellent and unique gifts can be found every weekend at the Farmer’s Market and Artisan’s Market at the Railyard.
Also, don’t forget to keep an eye out for La Fonda’s new coffee table book, La Fonda: Then and Now arriving at Detours at La Fonda later this month. A sneak preview can be seen in Detours and we are offering a pre-sale for $55. So please call 505-988-1404 to reserve your copy today!
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If you’ve never experienced Christmas at the Pueblos, this is the time of year when many hold the fascinating syncretic Matachines dance, along with other traditional festivities. Ask at the concierge desk for up-to-date information.
Now is also a good time to try a Southwestern cooking class at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, to learn such holiday classics as tamales (Nov. 15, Dec. 18 & 30), rellenos (Nov. 18, Dec. 20), mole (Nov. 26, Dec. 29), and New Mexican Christmas foods (Dec. 3, 10, 24). Or explore some of Georgia O’Keeffe’s recipes from A Painter’s Kitchen (Dec. 21). At the museum that bears her name, you can join a two-hour guided painting class inspired by the famous Modernist (Nov. 15, Dec. 17 & 27). Or cook up a cure for what ails you at a workshop on traditional Mexican folk healing at El Museo Cultural (Nov. 5).
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Music
| Two Irish concerts are coming to the Lensic this fall: Rockin’ Road to Dublin, a collaboration between Celtic rocker Chris Smith and champion Irish dancer Scott Doherty (Nov. 9), and the duo of Emmy award-winning tenor Eamonn McCrystal and Celtic woman Chloë Agnew playing Irish music from traditional to contemporary to holiday on their North American tour (Dec. 6). The Havana Cuba All-Stars perform at the Lensic on their first U.S. tour (Nov. 10), followed by the New York Gypsy All Stars playing their swinging “Balkanalia” (Nov. 17 And at Meow Wolf, it’s Jonathan Richman with Tommy Larkins on drums (Nov. 5), indie electronic band Arc Iris with Afghan instrumentalist Qais Essar (Nov. 21), and a host of other intriguing acts. R&B guitarist Nick Waterhouse plays a show at Skylight (Nov. 30), and the Indigo Girls return to New Mexico for a benefit concert for the Santa Fe Animal Shelter (Nov. 5). |
 Eamonn Crystal & Chloe Agnew |
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New York Gypsy All Stars
Indigo GirlsThere’s more to classical music than holiday concerts. Santa Fe Pro Musica presents acclaimed violinst Ida Kavafian in Ladder to the Moon at the Lensic (Nov. 5-6), with an artist dinner available on Sunday. Renowned pianist Stephen Hough performs Schubert, Franck, Liszt, and his own compositions in a journey from darkness to light (Nov. 29).
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American favorites headlined by Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue are performed by the Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra on Dec. 29, with a pre-concert talk one hour prior at the Lensic. And Serenata of Santa Fe’s season of chamber music concerts will include a wide-ranging repertoire of Tison Street, Thomas Oboe Lee, and Dvorak (Nov. 13).
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Serenata of Santa Fe |
Performance
David Sedaris will read and sign copies of his books at the Lensic on Nov. 7, followed by Jeremy Kendall performing his one-man play This Wonderful Life, featuring 32 characters from the iconic 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life (Dec. 1). Grammy nominee Justin Roberts and his Not Ready for Naptime Players perform a family-friendly concert at Rio Grande School (Nov. 5). Aspen Santa Fe Ballet dances the classic Nutcracker at the Lensic (4 shows, Dec. 17-18). Shakespeare’s beloved gender-bending comedy Twelfth Night is on stage at the Greer Garson Theatre at Santa Fe University of Art & Design (Nov. 19). Santa Fe’s own circus Wise Fool New Mexico performs its 13th annual Thanksgiving show in four performances at the Lensic (Nov. 25-27).
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Jeremy Kendall |
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet |
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Twelfth NightAt the Museums
SITE Santa Fe presents poet and essayist Margaret Randall reading from the forthcoming bilingual anthology of Cuban poetry Only the Road/Solo El Camino (Nov. 15). The New Mexico History Museum opens the exhibit In Search of Dominguez and Escalante, photos by Greg MacGregor and Siegfried Halus, who retraced the monumental 1776 expedition (Dec. 18).
The New Mexico Museum of Art has its annual holiday open house with artmaking, photos with Santa Claus, and other festivities (Dec. 18). And don’t forget that admission to all state-run museums and historic sites, plus national parks, is free to everyone on Veterans Day (Nov. 11).
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Speakers
The Lannan Foundation presents activists Angela Davis and Barbara Ransby (Nov. 2), followed by military historian Andrew Bacevich with historian Marilyn B. Young (Dec. 7). The Lannan Foundation presents activists Angela Davis and Barbara Ransby (Nov. 2), followed by military historian Andrew Bacevich with historian Marilyn B. Young (Dec. 7).
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Lensic and Meow Wolf are bringing two members of the Russian feminist punk band Pussy Riot to speak (Nov. 13). And former U.S. Secretary of Defense William J. Perry and journalist/filmmaker Eric Schlosser hold a “nuclear summit” discussion at the Lensic (Dec. 4).
La Fonda and Santa Fe In the News
 | Santa Fean - La Fiesta Lounge at La Fonda https://issuu.com/santafean/docs/santa_fean_october_november_2016___/83?e=0 Pique News Magazine – Santa Fe Sampler http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/santa-fe-sampler/Content?oid=2805177 Chicago Tribune – Santa Fe inspires with art, history and natural beauty Condé Nast Traveler: Top Hotels in The American Southwest: Readers' Choice Awards 2016 http://www.cntraveler.com/readers-choice-awards/united-states/southwest-top-hotels |