Page 46 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2021 DISCOVERING SANTA FE

PERFORMANCE ARTS

ven with eight days to explore here, we didn’t
scratch the surface — and we tried. There are
Ejust too many things to do and see. Some
events and venues, like festivals and indoor per-
formance spots, were closed or reduced in scope
as the city slowly reopened after the pandemic.
One highly anticipated return was the annual sea-
son of the world-famous Santa Fe Opera. It’s an
impressive venue - an open-air adobe structure -
frames mountain views to the east and intense
New Mexico sunsets to the west. Since 1957, the
opera has staged over 170 different productions
and over 2,000 performances.
Another arts organization temporarily sidelined
by Covid is The Center for Contemporary Arts,
one of the oldest artist-centered organizations in
the American Southwest. CCA events draw over
65,000 visitors annually for independent films, ex-
hibitions, performances, and educational pro-
grams. Their dramatic home on the city’s Museum
Hill is welcoming visitors this summer. For hours
and programs, see www.ccasantafe.org/
Another key performance arts venue is the
Lensic Performing Arts Center housed in a land-
mark historic theater in the heart of Santa Fe. The
iconic theater is the hub for year-round arts and
culture programming ranging from opera to coun-
try music and classic rock.
Native American culture is a vibrant element of
Santa Fe’s style, culture, and cuisine. You’ll find all
forms of Native American arts on display in gal-
leries, museums, and the pueblos that surround
the city. The pandemic limited access to pueblo
arts demonstrations and sales during our visit.
Check websites for opportunities at each as the
reopening continues.

Above: The historic Lesic Performing Art center
and a Native American boy performing a hoop
dance in the Plaza. Right: A whimsical sculpture
of Native American girls grinding corn.

46 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE FALL 2021