Sunday, April 4
Americana for Easter
If you like your Easter Sunday a bit more … secular, why not drop by the Mine Shaft Tavern in Madrid (2846 New Mexico State Road 14) on April 4 for a concert by The High Desert Playboys? From 3 to 7pm enjoy music, food and drinks on the historic tavern’s socially distanced patio. The High Desert Playboys have been playing all over New Mexico since 2016. They specialize in original Americana, cajun standards, classic country songs by artists such as Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Hank William Sr. and the Carter Family as well as traditional folk songs. Admission is free, but the beers are not. (Devin D. O’Leary)
Monday, April 5
Art Along the Borders
The Center for Environmental Arts and Humanities at the University of New Mexico and the UNM Art Museum is pleased to announce an artist talk and conversation by storyteller and cartoonist Zeke Peña. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Peña uses comics and visual narratives to “reclaim stories and remix history.” Late last year, the Center appointed Peña as its inaugural “Art & Ecology Artist-in-Residence” for the 2020-2021 academic year. You can see what Mr. Peña and his work are all about on April 5 at 6pm on Zoom. This virtual conversation is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register and get the Zoom link, go to bit.ly/2NWPHQe. (Devin D. O’Leary)
Tuesday, April 6
Aria Education
Interested in opera, but feel you aren’t quite as versed in the art form as some of the more formally dressed audience members? Well, the Santa Fe Opera Guild is offering a series of introductory talks on Zoom on the 2021 SFO season titled “Opera Virtually Unveiled.” The presenter is Desirée Mays, the preview speaker for The Santa Fe Opera for many years. She is the author of 18 books in the Opera Unveiled series. It all kicks off on April 6 from 1 to 2pm with The Lord of Cries: The Wolf-Prince, Ecstasy and Ruin. The Lord of Cries, which gets its world pemiere at SFO July 17 though August 17, is John Corigliano and Mark Adamo’s exciting new work—a juxtaposition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and The Bacchae by Euripides. Mays’ talk is complimentary for Opera Guild members or $10 per device for non-members. To register go to tinyurl.com/LordofCries. (Devin D. O’Leary)
Wednesday, April 7
The Forest For the Trees
Native Plant Society of New Mexico presents its latest talk, “Restoring Healthy Forests in New Mexico” on April 7, starting at 7pm. Collin Haffey of the Rio Grande Water Fund describes the work of this public-private partnership, which supports a 20-year program to restore 600,000 acres of forests that have experienced or are at risk of extreme fire. Creating healthy forests protects New Mexico’s water supply, economy and way of life for current and future generations. Projects include thinning overgrown forests, managing fire, restoring wetlands and streams, educating youth, providing research to policy makers and creating forestry and wood products jobs. Haffey’s talk focuses on restoration in the Las Conchas Fire area. Your can request to join this free Zoom presentation by emailing ABQ@npsnm.org. (Devin D. O’Leary)
Wednesday, April 7
Dance Across Our State
New Mexico PBS and National Dance Institute of New Mexico present VASTNESS, A Socially Distanced Dance Film for a Global Pandemic. “VASTNESS” is a short film created for and with more than 50 advanced student dancers (ages 13 to 18) from Albuquerque and Santa Fe, with original music, script and choreography by NDI New Mexico staff and students. The film was shot, using social distance protocols, at White Sands National Monument, Abiquiu Lake and Valles Caldera National Preserve. “VASTNESS” premieres online, on both NMPBS YouTube and NMPBS Facebook on April 7 at 6:30 p.m. The award-winning NMPBS series “Colores!” will eventually broadcast a behind-the-scenes look at the film featuring clips and interviews on Saturday April 17 at 4pm. (Devin D. O’Leary)