Colorful Dancers at the Spanish Market

Dancers in traditional dress take center stage at the Bandstand during the Spanish Market.

Here's Nora again!  It seems that she appears at the Bandstand whenever there is an opportunity to dance.  Today she is dressed in blue; when I first introduced her to you she was decked out all in pink.

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Colorful Christ

This is the 62nd Annual Year of Spanish Market that showcases traditional art and crafts of the Spanish culture, including retablos, bultos, tinwork, straw appliqué, weaving, woodcarving, colcha embroidery, pottery, and furniture. 27 years ago the market broadened its market selections by also adding a contemporary Hispanic Market whose artists display their work in tents that covered several city blocks this year. This blue colored Christ is one of the many hundred of examples of artists' work in different media.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

What a great day we had on Friday!!

We took the High Road to Taos (one of my very favorite roads), Stopped at Sancturio de Chimayo, went to Taos Pueblo for their annual Santa Anna Feast Day with ritual dances open to the public. No cell phone, videos or cameras allowed; I didn't want to risk confiscation of my camera so I respected their wishes.  From there we went to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, which is pretty darned impressive.

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, locally known as the "Gorge Bridge" and the "High Bridge" is a steel deck arch bridge across the Rio Grande Gorge 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Taos, New Mexico, United States. At 565 feet (172 m) above the Rio Grande^[3], it is the seventh highest bridge in the United States and 82nd highest bridge in the world. 
(Credit: Wikipedia)

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Two Sisters

Sisters: Bernadette and Angel

Artist, Bernadette

Angel was helping her sister in a booth at Spanish Market, selling Bernadette's  artwork, Straw Appliqué.  I bought two of Bernadette's crosses, one for myself and one for my own sister, both pieces are delicate and beautiful.  Another plus in meeting those two personable women is that Bernadette,  in addition to being a gifted artist, is a co-worker and friend of Randy at Santa Fe Daily Photo.

Dancing her heart out!

 Nora celebrated her 62nd birthday on the dance floor at the Santa Fe Bandstand musical performance in the Plaza last Monday night. Trumpeter Ryan Christopher Montano serenaded her with a brief rendition of a jazz "Happy Birthday."  For the past several years Nora has travelled from California during the summers so that she could dance on the Santa Fe Plaza community stage.

Enthusiastic New Mexican!

Marcus, originally from El Paso, should be employed by the New México Tourism Bureau.  We have met many lovely people here but none as enthusiastic about the state as he. As a kid in Texas he spent a great deal of time in New Mexico, loved it and moved here permanently when he was 18-years-old.  He approached us when he saw us walking the grounds of the original site of the private Boys Ranch School in Los Alamos, which was closed in 1943 to become the top secret city for research to develop the atomic bomb. When Marcus noticed our 19-year-old grandson with us, he gave us numerous suggestions that Dom would like.  In rapid fire succession  he named hiking places, natural attractions, fishing sites, and other areas that he obviously loved himself.  If I lived here, I would be sure to count him among my friends.

Great Performance!

 

Last Friday the Little Bird Art Gallery at Loretto presented Grammy-winnng composer, jazz pianist and singer John Proulx with trio from 2-4 pm.  It was a terrific place to hear very good music amid fantastic art.

Bonita!

¡Viva México! is a two-day festival that took place close to Santa Fe at Ranchos de las Golandrinas last week-end. While wandering the grounds and seeing vendors from all over México selling their merchandise I stopped to talk to Michelle who was one of the volunteers from Santa Fe. Although this is only her first year at the facility, she said she has learned a great deal. . .crafts and different kinds of lessons that is part of the volunteer program. Michelle showed me her first weaving that was part of the training program. She hopes to make it into a purse. The volunteer program certainly takes good care of the people who share their time there. (Doesn't she have a sweet smile?!)

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Two Blogging Buddies

Part of the fun of visiting Santa Fe again is renewing my blogging friendship with Randy of Santa Fe Daily Photo. (Take a peek at his blog here.) Randy has been a great source of information for restaurants to visit, places to see, and other interesting things to do;  He is a terrific ambassador for Santa Fe.  More important, he is a personable individual and a good friend.  I feel lucky to have met him!! If you ever visit St. Paul, Randy, ¡ mi casa es su casa!

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Courtyard Art

This lovely piece of art is in the courtyard of the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts

Go to this website to learn more about this extraordinary museum in the heart of downtown Santa Fe.

If you would like to see what the front of this building looks like, Randy of Santa Fe Daily Photo posted a great photo of it here.

Linking to Monday Murals

Community Music and Dance

During the summer, bands play in the Plaza in Santa Fe, NM on Wednesday nights. No-one is shy about dancing, either solo or in pairs with a few groups thrown in for good measure. Antara, originally from Heidelberg, Germany has lived in Santa Fe for 11 years and has come to the Plaza to dance for 10 years. She obviously is a regular as she was greeted by numerous people in the large crowd. Despite a replaced hip, she dances with grace and charm and a great deal of verve. She told me that she is determined to remain independent . . .a terrific role model!

My New Best Friend

Last Monday 11-year-old Emma was the first person who greeted me when I entered Act II, a consignment shop on Paseo de Peralta.  While there I not only made the acquaintance of this gentle, quiet dog, I also found a very nice lightweight jacket which was just perfect for the rainy day.  What luck!

Linking to Camera Critters

Meet Ed Larson. . . The Artist Again!

I first met Ed Larson, an artist,  on March 10, 2010 in his studio on Canyon Road.  I went to see him again last Friday, and we chatted about Washington Island, WI, on Lake Michigan which is our common place of reference.  He had a newly delivered issue of the island newspaper, The Washington Observer, which we discussed, particularly the real estate section which is so different now ($$$) from when Ed Larson owned property there. If you are curious about our first meeting recorded on my earlier post,  go here.


If you are not interested in this link, here is the first photo I posted of Ed.

Headresses

Magnificient headdresses on the people of 

Kyrgyzstan

Several days ago one person asked how all these artists could afford to attend this market and here is my reply: I pulled out my publication on the event and found two pages of individual Donors: World, Continent, Country, Region, Village, and Community. In addition here are more facts about the event: 1,500 volunteers make this event happen in Santa Fe and over the ten years--the market has involved 650 artists from 80 countries across six continents,  1 million lives worldwide have been positively affected, more than $16 million in artists' sales, most artists earn at the market 10x what they might earn in one year in their own country and 90% of the sales have gone home with the artists and their organizations to improve livelihoods across the globe. It's an unforgettable event. Crowded but worth the experience; lots of wonderful merchandise to buy!

More Artists: Mali and Niger

These men really stood out in the crowd at the International Folk Art Market. If you would like to see more of the artists' photos, go here and  here.

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

South African Dancers and Musicians - "A" ABC WEDNESDAY

The South African dancers and musicians were the runaway favorites of the entertainment at the International Folk Art Market.  The crowd was so dense and the dancers moved so quickly that it was difficult to get sharp images or any at all!

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY.

Artist at International Folk Art Market

The International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe, NM, is an enormous event involving artists, craftspeople, dancers and musicians from 60 different countries.  This event that celebrated ten years of bringing the world together was held on Museum Hill, and hundreds of volunteers must work year round to make this festival operate with tremendous efficiency.  Provided free were shuttle buses from downtown, red umbrellas to shield from the sun's rays to free drinking water for the people who spend hours visiting all the white tents. Some countries had their crafts displayed for sale in several tents.

The Haitian woman above worked on her representative artwork under the eyes of the pressing crowd.  

Bastille Day in Santa Fe!

I may not be in France, but I certainly can celebrate Bastille Day here in Santa Fe!

RAIN

I think it is pretty remarkable that I can see rain in the distance. That phenomena surprised me when I first came to Santa Fe. The Southwest skies are a constant source of fascination for me, never tiring of the marvelous vistas.

An Icon

It would be impossible to visit Santa Fe without taking a photo of The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.  It has a long history with the city and is part of what makes Santa Fe what it is.  I wonder how any times a snapshot has been taken of the exterior with its statues and park as well as the interior altars, windows, and murals.

Joyful

I met Joy at the "Music on the Hill" outdoor concert at St. John's College in Santa Fe. Now living in this city and working as a librarian, Joy and her family have sojourned back and forth from the Midwest for generations. Beginning with her grandmother who crossed the Missouri River from Iowa at the age of 9 months to settle in the 4-corners region, her grandmother eventually returned to Iowa. Her daughter, Joy's mother embarked on the same sojourn, making the same circuitous journey. Joy grew up in Iowa but eventually returned to the Southwest as a permanent resident in Santa Fe. The concert weather was blessedly cool, but the music began with a sprinkle of rain drops, eventually ceased and rewarded us with a rainbow!

Chocolate Delight

This young man with his family from Houston, Texas was enjoying sweet snacks at the Santa Fe Farmers Market last Saturday.  Have never seen anyone so happy while devouring a very dark chocolate cupcake.

Nightfall

Nightfall at mi casa.  I love the layered look of the mountain range in the distance.

This photo is definitely NOT photoshopped.  It's nature in all its glory, needing no outside help!

Meet Randy. . Again!

On January 3, 2012 I introduced Randy for the first time on this blog.  Today I again needed some help with an attachment for my camera so I went to the same camera shop on San Francisco Street in Santa Fe for guidance. To my delight Randy was there helping tourists, and he remembered both Jim and me from our first visit to the store. We had a brief chat because there were customers waiting for his help, but I was happy to learn that he is in his last semester at school. How terrific!

Here is the first post:

And here is the narrative on it:

Randy is a rarity in Santa Fe...a native New Mexican.  Born and reared in Albuquerque, I met him in The Camera Shop across from the historic La Fonda Hotel on San Francisco Street.  I just got a new Canon Rebel camera and was having some difficulties with some of the new, unfamiliar settings.  Within a few minutes Randy had solved the problem with skill, expertise  and graciousness.  He spends half of his time in Santa Fe and the other half in Albuquerque, working and attending school where he is majoring in Interior Design and Photography.  Because of his personal characteristics.  I predict success for this native New Mexican!!

PS.  This is NOT our Randy on CDP!

Downtown Farmers Market

I was very surprised to see baskets imported from Ghana being sold at the Farmers Market.
I thought that all produce would be locally grown (and I think it is) with the same requirement for crafts.  But since the tag on each one indicates that  it's for a "Rurel Womens Cooperative" I guess that's okay. They're really quite expensive, and I wonder how much they cost in Ghana!

Mi Casa

Yesterday, after a sleepless night, I flew to Albuquerque, took a shuttle to Santa Fe to the La Fonda hotel where friends picked me up to drive me to get my rental car, shopped at the Eldorado Farmers Market, bought some groceries at a local market, partially unpacked, went out for dinner, and discovered that I was too tired to go to the Art Crawl or visit any Canyon Road galleries.  Tough life, huh? Sooooo. . .off to my trundle bed.  After another sleepless night, I am ready to go to the Santa Fe Farmers Market, a colorful event.

I discovered that all my SF archived photos are on my other computer at home so I had to take a picture of the fireplace in my casa's living room. In the next few days, I'll be out-and-about finding images that might interest you.

Another beautiful day in New Mexico!!

Tia Sofia's Restaurant

Shortly after I arrive in Santa Fe  I'll probably go over to Tia Sofia's restaurant for lunch.  Wonder if they've changed these wall decorations?

Spanish Beauties Celebrating Their Heritage

These photos were taken during Spanish Market several years ago.  I'm arriving tomorrow...Yea! and I'll have current photos for you to see toward the end of the month during this year's Spanish Market.