Entertainment in New Mexico
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Taos Chamber Music Group
For classical and jazz, this group performs at venues throughout the region. See the website for schedules.
reviewed
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A
Santa Fe Opera
Many come to Santa Fe for this and this alone: the theater is an architectural marvel, with nearly 360-degree views of wind-carved sandstone wilderness crowned with sunsets and moonrises, and at center stage the world's finest talent performs Western civilization's masterworks. It's still the Wild West, though; you can even wear jeans – just try that in New York City.
Gala festivities begin two hours before the curtain rises, when the ritual tailgate party is rendered glamorous in true Santa Fe style right in the parking lot. Bring your own caviar and brie, make reservations for the buffet dinner and lecture or a picnic dinner, or have your own private caterer – several…
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 the other big cultural event, known for filling elegant venues like the Lensic with Brahms, Mozart and other classical 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.
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.
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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H
Tea House
If you're feeling ambivalent, prepare for a dilemma when confronted with the list of 150 types of tea. They have coffee, too, and breakfast and lunch. A perfect stop when you're done with the galleries on Canyon Rd.
reviewed
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Adobe Bar
- Taos, USA
- Entertainment › Bar
There's something about this place. There's something about the chairs, the Taos Inn's history, the casualness, the vibe and the tequila. It's true, the packed streetside patio has some of the state's finest margaritas, along with an eclectic lineup of great live music – and there's almost never a cover.
reviewed
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J
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. The steaks here make it worth staying for dinner.
reviewed
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K
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 Center
For live performances and movies, see what's doing at the Lensic Performing Arts Center. 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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M
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.
reviewed
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N
Satellite Coffee
Albuquerque's answer to Starbucks lies in these hip coffee shops – look for plenty of locations around town, including in the UNM and Nob Hill areas – luring lots of laptop-toting regulars. Owned by the same brilliant folks who started the Flying Star.
reviewed
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O
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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P
El Rey Theater
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
Come to this former Route 66 service station for patio dining, lots of local microbrews and 20-somethings hanging out. You can even mix up your own batch with the help of one of Kelly's brewmasters – but you have to come back two weeks later to bottle it.
reviewed
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Q
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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R
Evangelo's
Everyone is welcome in this casual, rowdy joint owned by the Klonis family since 1971 (ask owner/bartender Nick about his father's unusual fame). Drop in, put on some Patsy Cline and grab a draft beer – it's the perfect escape from Plaza culture.
reviewed
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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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T
Eske's Brew Pub & Eatery
This crowded hangout rotates more than 25 microbrewed ales, from Taos Green Chile to Doobie Rock Heller Bock, to complement hearty bowls of Wanda's green chile stew and sushi on Tuesday. Live local music, from acoustic guitar to jazz, is usually free.
reviewed