Spring is in the air in Santa Fe. It’s one of my favorite times of year here. Flowers come out, trees start to bud and you can often shed winter garments for linen and sandals.
The City Different is on yet another list. US News’ Travel has named Santa Fe to its Best U.S. Historic Destinations list, and rightly so. The second oldest city in the country is its oldest capital. And in case you haven’t heard, we’re celebrating our Centennial this year. On January 6, 1912, New Mexico became the 47th state to enter the Union.
Area Tours:
One of the signs that spring is here in Santa Fe is the seasonal opening of the Georgia O’Keeffe Home and Studio Tour. They will begin tours on March 15th; they continue through November 20th. Check their site for tour schedules. This was the artist’s second Abiquiu home. Her first was at Ghost Ranch, a few miles up the road. If you want a full O’Keeffe immersion, Ghost Ranch offers Georgia OKeeffe Landscape Tours either by mini-bus, or on foot. You will see some of the places that inspired the artist including her beloved Pedernal from the same perspective she had. The tours are now open for the season and continue through Thanksgiving weekend. And stay tuned. Ghost Ranch will be offering some new tours this year. We’ll let you know more as soon as they are finalized. The Santa Fe Traveler can arrange a personalized O’Keeffe Country excursion for you.
This weathered juniper on the landscape tour was one of the artist's favorite subjects, photo/Steve Collins
While we’re talking gardens, early bird tickets for the Santa Fe Botanical Garden’s annual Garden Tours go on sale April 1st. This year they are offering two tours. The Iconic Eastside on Sunday, June 3rd will take participants through the historic Acequia Madre neighborhood. The first house renowned architect John Gaw Meem designed in Santa Fe is included on the tour, offering a rare opportunity to view one of his homes. According to SFBG, the Meem home’s “relaxed garden in the middle of a meadow reflects the taste and creativity of its artist owner.” Take advantage of the gourmet picnic lunch and home tour from 11:30am to 1pm at the Midyette residence The gardens over look the Acequia Madre, the city’s original irrigation ditch. Some of the rooms in this historic residence go back to “early Santa Fe.”
You'll find hidden gardens around Santa Fe, Photo/Janice Tucker courtesy Santa Fe Botanic Garden
Their second tour on Sunday, June 10th brings Solitude and Perfection, a tour through some of the secluded gardens in town, many with water features. Both tours are from 1 to 4pm. Ticket prices are on the SFBG website.
Theater:
Our Town is at the Santa Fe Playhouse, photo CarrieMcCarthy
Ironweed Productions and the Santa Fe Playhouse, present Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, Our Town from March 29th through April 15. According to Ironweed, the play “changed the landscape of American theater when it was first presented at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, New Jersey in 1938, and its message is just as powerful today.” The play, presented on a stark set, overseen by the stage manager, is stunning in its simplicity. If you’ve seen this gem, chances are you’ll want to see it again and if you haven’t, it’s a must. Tickets can be ordered through the Santa Fe Playhouse. Performances are on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8pm and Sunday afternoons at 2pm. There will be a preview performance on Thursday, March 29th at 8pm and a Gala Opening benefit performance on Friday, March 30th at 8pm. Tickets are $20; tickets for seniors, students, teachers, and the military are $15. Thursdays, all tickets are $10. Tickets can be reserved through the Santa Fe Playhouse box office at (505) 988-4262 or by emailing [email protected].
Taos:
Three narrative ceramic sculptures by Taos artist Deborah Rael-Buckley, Photo/Thomas Buckley
This year Taos celebrates Remarkable Women of Taos commemorating local women who contributed to the historic town’s mystique. The Millicent Rogers Museum’s new The Art of the Dress: Four Conceptual Fittings, from March 18 through April 15 is part of the year-long celebration. The show features artwork from four Taos women artists in a variety of mediums depicting the changes in clothing styles as women gradually gained independence. The four are mixed media artist Michelle Cook, painter Nancy Delpero, sculptor Deborah Rael-Buckley, and photographer Zoe Zimmerman. There is a benefit premier on Friday, March 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the event are $20. For information call Deborah Rael-Buckley (505) 681-4914.
If you have any Santa Fe news to share, let us know.
