In Santa Fe, we visited James Beard Award-winning Cafe Pasqual for breakfast. As we waited outside for the restaurant to open, we saw the above sign, which read "Notice: No Guns Allowed."
We weren't packing heat, but we were curious as to why there was a need to put up such a sign, especially in a nice spot in the historic plaza. We also then were left wondering if we'd have to duck and cover if we ate elsewhere.]]>
The Edge showcases contemporary works from mid-career artists.
In museum-filled Santa Fe, there are an abundance of great spots offering looks at interesting art. But one of the top places to go for art is Canyon Road, a mile-long narrow street lined with adobe-houses-turned-galleries, in the heart of the city's arts district.
Along Canyon Road, you'll find a range of works, including American Indian pieces, 19th century art, abstract art, handmade jewelry and sculptures. And best of all, it's free to do your own art walk. That is, unless something catches your eye and you want to splurge a little. ]]>
When Santa Fe locals and in-the-know travelers want a delicious lunch, they get Frito pie at a convenience store. We aren't joking.
The generic-looking Five & Dime General Store, which sits on the historic Santa Fe Plaza, sells everything from cold medicine to schlocky shot glasses. Head to the back of the store, there's a small snack bar that you'd easily overlook because of the unappetizing hot dogs and pizza under heat lamps. ]]>
If there's any artist who is synonymous with New Mexico, it's modernist painter Georgia O'Keeffe. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is the most-visited museum in the state, with more than 2 million people coming each year to see her famous desert landscapes.
The museum is pretty small, but it holds the biggest collection of O'Keeffe works. When you enter, there’s a screening room to the right that plays a short film on the artist's life. It reveals, for example, how just before O'Keeffe's first exhibition, another artist (who later became her husband) showcased nekkid photos of her. That led critics to read her art as sexual for the rest of her career, which she hated.]]>
Amid all of the tan adobe buildings, what gives Santa Fe some spice are the many vibrant, colorful art galleries and craft shops that line the road. Yesterday, we stumbled upon this one, which sold delicate wooden calla lilies, birds of paradise and other exotic blooms.
But what was even better, is that when we stepped through the portico, the flower shop opened into a small plaza bordered with artisan shops selling everything from black and white photography to American Indian blankets. ]]>
Comic geeks, get ready, because here's your chance to be a part of the big screen version of Thor!
For those not in the know, Thor is the next Marvel comic being made into a movie. In the Marvel world, Thor is a powerful yet arrogant, warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. As punishment, he is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans. On Earth, he learns what it takes to be a hero when the most dangerous villain from Asgard sends forces to invade our planet.
The movie is already filming at Raleigh Manhattan Beach Studios in Manhattan Beach, CA but next month, they move the whole production to Sante Fe, New Mexico, where they will need background actors to appear in the film. There will be an open casting call this weekend for anyone interested in inhabiting Thor's world. Here are the details: ]]>
Santa Fe is blowing out an environmentally irresponsible number of candles this year: New Mexico's capital turns 400 with a sixteen-month-long party. That's going to be one heck of a hangover brunch!
The celebration kicks off September 5-7 with concerts like Ozomatli (Sept. 5, $25) and Santa Fe Symphony's Symphony Under The Stars show at Ft. Marcy Ball Field with fireworks to follow (Sept. 6, $12 for "picnic tickets" that let you sit on the grass). There will also be free cultural demonstrations, an open-air art market and cooking tutorials that weekend at the park as part of the ¡Viva! Santa Fe festival.
Then, for even more al fresco partying, the New Mexico State Fair begins the week after in Albuquerque, in case you're not all faired out. ]]>