SANTA FE: Just got back from a long weekend in the City Different where Jim and I (plus two San Francisco pals) took in the opera. If you have never been to the Santa Fe Opera, and you have any kind of passing fancy about operatic music, you must go. The opera house itself is almost an open-air setting. The audience is covered, as is the stage, but the sides of the theater are open to the elements. That means while you are enjoying the opera, you are aware of the setting sun, the golden hills and a lovely breeze. The back of the stage itself is open as well. You actually feel like you are outdoors ... even tho you are protected from rain or the hot sun. Oh, and did I mention the music, the performers, the orchestra? They are all world-class! Ive been an opera fan since the 60s when I was in college, and you could get a $2 ticket to sit in the stratospheric third balcony at New Yorks Metropolitan Opera. Last week we saw The Pearl Fishers by Georges Bizet. It was his first opera, and he went on to compose Carmen a longtime favorite of mine. You dont even have to worry about understanding the words ... every seat has a small digital screen in front of it with an English translation. Compared with big city opera venues, the Santa Fe Opera is pretty reasonable, and every single seat is a good seat!
ABIQUIU: On the way back from Santa Fe, we stopped for lunch at the Abiquiu Inn and were reminded of our visit to Georgia OKeefes home (in Abiquiu, not Ghost Ranch) Tours are conducted by appointment only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from Mid-March through November with additional tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays from June to October. All Georgia OKeefe tours last approximately one hour and are limited to a maximum of 12 people. An exterior tour may be arranged for larger groups. Her Abiquiu house was originally the Spanish governors hacienda. The docent of our tour was very knowledgeable, and even though Ive read lots about Ms. OKeefe, there was a lot to learn. What a pioneer, what an original! Tours start from the Georgia OKeefe Home and Studio Tour Office next to The Abiquiu Inn. Guests will be taken by shuttle to the OKeefe Home and Studio. For additional information or reservations, call 505-685-4539.
LOCAL DOINGS: This weekend up at the Dolores Community Center, (400 Riverside Drive) the Dolores Mountain Quilters will be presenting their biennial Quilt Show. The hours are 9 am 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24, and 9 a.m. 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25. These gals are real pros, and the show is usually fabric art at its finest.
AT OLIO: Instead of writing about art, or hanging it in the Town Gallery, Im showing my art at Olio, starting Sept.4, with a reception on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. Some of my older pieces from Demons & Deities and some new works. Im still using all kinds of materials rubber snakes, fabric, gold leafing, twigs. Dont know what to call the technique ... maybe just stuff put together!
TOWN GALLERY DATES: The current show, Western Artists Show closes on Friday, Sept. 7. If you havent seen it, stop by the Visitors Center and take a peek at some great local art.
M.A.D: That stands for Mother And Daughter, an art show currently at the Cortez Community Center gallery. Mom, Vivienne Kenyon (whos 85!) and her daughter, Melissa McIntyre, are exhibiting nearly a hundred works, mostly landscape paintings. Looks like an interesting event.
WINE, MUSIC, ART & FOOD: The annual Mesa Verde Country event will take place this weekend in three venues Friday evening (8/24) at Neros, Saturday (8/25) in Parque de Vida (Cortez) and (8/26) Sunday afternoon in McElmo Canyon at the Guy Drew Winery. Go to www.mesaverdecountry.com for all the exciting details.
BALLOON FESTIVAL WEEKEND: For all you artists, craftsmen and artisans (whatever you call yourselves, listen up!) On Saturday, Sept. 29, the Arts Council will once again host ArtFest right on Grand Avenue which will be closed between Mesa and Grand for festival events that weekend! We still have booth spaces available! If you want to show and sell, contact Marianne Griffin (any way you can) at the Visitors Center in person, by phone (970-533-7434) or via e-mail (chamber@mancosvalley.com). All are welcome to participate!
KEEP IN TOUCH: Let me know whats happening in the arts community. Call me: 970-533-7536. I have a fairly a new e-mail address: dhlaw4367@gmail.com.
