Entertainment in New Mexico
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Taos Chamber Music Group
For classical and jazz, this group performs at venues throughout the region.
reviewed
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A
Santa Fe Opera
At the Santa Fe Opera you can be a decked-out socialite or show up in cowboy boots and jeans; it doesn't matter. Opera fans (and those who've never attended an opera in their lives) come to Santa Fe for this alone: an architectural marvel, with views of wind-carved sandstone wilderness crowned with sunsets and moonrises, and at center stage internationally renowned vocal talent performing masterworks of aria and romance. The opera is 7 miles north of Santa Fe. Follow I-285 north to exit 168. Turn left off the ramp then right onto Opera Dr and continue 1.4 miles.
reviewed
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Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco
One of the most revered flamenco artists in North America, Maria Benitez stopped performing in 2004 but still directs this outstanding troupe of protégées. She occasionally joins for a solo. These intensely focused and festively garbed performers have earned every accolade for their impressive Spanish dance and perform June through September at the Lodge. Can't get enough flamenco? El Farol stages performances on some Wednesdays, while El Mesón has flamenco on the first Saturday of each month.
reviewed
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Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
This is another big cultural event, known for filling elegant venues like the Lensic and the stunning St Francis Auditorium with Brahms, Mozart and other classic masters. It's not just world-class acts like violinist Pinchas Zukerman and pianist Yuja Wang defining the season; top-notch jazz, world music and New Music virtuosos round out the menu, also available for lunch during popular weekly noon performances and at weekly youth concerts aimed at five- to 12-year-olds.
reviewed
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B
Vanessie of Santa Fe
You don’t really come to Vanessie for the food, though there’s nothing wrong with it. No, the attraction here is the piano bar, featuring blow-dried lounge singers who bring Neil Diamond and Barry Manilow classics to life in their own special way. The place is packed most nights, and also does a variety of fundraisers for worthy causes –making you feel good about all that alcohol you’re funneling down your throat.
reviewed
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C
Albuquerque Isotopes
About those Albuquerque Isotopes. First of all: yes, the city’s baseball team really was named for the episode of The Simpsons, ‘Hungry, Hungry Homer, ’ when America’s favorite TV dad tried to keep his beloved Springfield Isotopes from moving to Albuquerque. The ’topes sell more merchandise than any other minor (and most major) league team. They sometimes win, too.
reviewed
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D
James A Little Theatre
At the New Mexico School for the Deaf, this unpretentious venue hosts community arts performances as well as the Santa Fe Institute's Public Lecture Series (admission free). Your neurons will fire faster than usual listening to internationally prominent scientists discuss mass extinctions, heredity and evolution, natural disasters and genetically modified foods.
reviewed
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E
Willee’s Blues Bar
One of Santa Fe’s last remaining dance clubs, Willee’s offers live jazz and blues Wednesday through Saturday – everyone from John Lee Hooker Jr, Leon Russell and Rockin’ Jake have performed. DJs spin a mix of tunes Monday through Wednesday nights. Willee’s serves good bar food, should you need to soak up the booze.
reviewed
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F
Second Street Brewery
Santa Fe’s favorite brewery is the perfect spot to stop for a pint after a long hike. It serves handcrafted English-style beers – brewed on the premises – and also offers a hearty selection of better-than-average pub grub. Sit outside on the big patio, or inside the brewery. There’s live music nightly.
reviewed
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G
Sauce/Liquid Lounge/Raw
A three-bars-in-one combo deal, this place has dancing and DJs spinning house music most nights, but it’s not so loud that you can’t just hang and talk. A popular and trendy spot, Sauce primarily serves very tasty gourmet pizza. The funky lounge in the back is a busy spot to hang out with a late-night drink.
reviewed
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Adobe Bar
- Taos, USA
- Entertainment › Bar
Everybody's welcome in 'the living room of Taos.' And there's something about it: the chairs, the Taos Inn's history, the casualness, the tequila. The packed streetside patio has some of the state's finest margaritas, along with an eclectic lineup of great live music and never a cover.
reviewed
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Ore House
We think this place makes the best fresh lime (no sweet and sour) margarita in town, and with more than 40 different types to choose from, there’s bound to be a margarita for everyone. Choose from the seats on the heated balcony overlooking the plaza or a table inside.
reviewed
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J
Dragon Room Bar
This 300-year-old adobe is a consistent top fave for locals and Hollywood-famous visitors alike. Drop by for a signature Black Dragon margarita. Visit after 9pm on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday if you want it served with live music (flamenco guitar, Latin jazz and the like).
reviewed
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Lensic Performing Arts Theater
For live performances and movies, see what's doing at the Lensic Performing Arts Theater. This beautifully renovated 1930s movie house is the city's premier venue for performing arts. Continuing its film history, it also holds $5 classic-movie screenings.
reviewed
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Santa Fe Desert Chorale
Twenty lauded professional singers from around the country come together in July, August and the winter holidays to perform everything from Gregorian chants and gospel to Renaissance madrigals and modern love songs at venues like St Francis Cathedral and Loretto Chapel.
reviewed
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L
Santa Fe Playhouse
The state’s oldest theater company performs avant-garde and traditional theater and musical comedy. On Sunday admission is as much as you can afford – which gives Santa Fe’s less privileged residents the chance to experience the theater.
reviewed
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M
Swig
The closest any club in New Mexico comes to matching a South Beach or LA venue, this hot dance club actually waits until 21:30 to set its trendy clientele loose on the dance floor with a live DJ spinning house, club and hip-hop in the Orange Bar.
reviewed
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N
El Rey
A fabulous venue for local and national rock, blues and country acts. Over the years, it’s hosted such stars as Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James and Arlo Guthrie. It also does national poetry slams and occasionally hosts CD launch parties.
reviewed
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Kelly's Brewery
Grab a seat at a communal table then settle in for a convivial night of people-watching and beer-drinking at this former Ford dealership and gas station. On warm spring nights, it seems everyone in town is chilling on the sprawling patio.
reviewed
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Midnight Rodeo
You can mix with rancheros and black-T-shirted indie-music fans alike here on the edge of town. It's home to Albuquerque's first and only all-female roller-derby league, the Duke City Derby, whose punky players compete here (around US$5).
reviewed
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Evangelo's
There's foot-stompin' live music nightly at Evangelo's and the sounds of rock, blues, jazz and Latin combos spill into the street. You'll also find live music and good drinking most nights at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame.
reviewed
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Q
Guild Cinema
This is the only independently owned, single-screen theater in town, and it always has great indie, avant-garde, Hollywood fringe, political and international features. Stick around when there are discussions following select films.
reviewed
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Eske's Brew Pub & Eatery
For a communal vibe grab an outdoor table at easygoing Eske's and order up a house specialty microbrew. Maybe an Artist Ale? Or a Taos Green Chile Beer? This crowded hangout spotlights local bands, from acoustic guitar to jazz.
reviewed
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Santa Fe Film Center at Cinemacafé
Home of the annual December Santa Fe Film Festival, this art house is known for the Tuesday night New Mexico Showcase and Thursday night gay and lesbian films. The best of independent cinema is screened the rest of the week.
reviewed
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Caravan East
Put on your cowboy boots and 10-gallon hat and hit the dance floor to practice your line dancing and two-stepping at this classic Albuquerque country-and-western music bar. Live bands perform and the ambience is friendly.
reviewed
