Victoria Murphy ~ Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe National Forest

Downtown Santa Fe has so much to offer - the Palace of the Governors (the oldest continuously used government building in the United States, the New Mexico Fine Arts Musuem, Fray Angelico History Library, New Mexico History Musuem and of course the often photographed Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. But what many are unaware of is only a few blocks away is the road leading to the Santa Fe Ski Area nestled in the Santa Fe National Forest.

This pristine area is filled with walking, biking trails, fishing and camping in the Spring, Summer and Fall, and in the winter downhill, crosscountry and sledding.

One of the most spectacular sites is the turning of the Aspens in early fall. The mountainside facing Santa Fe becomes the most wonderful combination of golds, orange and reds as the aspens change.

Anytime of the of the year heading into the Santa Fe National Forest is a treat not to be missed.

Billy The Kid

Throughout the west is the allure of outlaws, cowboys and Indians, bank robbers and Billy the Kid. Not far outside of Santa Fe one can head down to Lincoln County. The trip would become more than a day trip and it would be recommended a stay in one of the many towns along the way. In the town of Fort Sumner you will find the Billy the Kid musuem and gravesite. There is currently some controversary about where the kid is actually buried - here or in Texas. We here in New Mexico are sure of course that the kid is buried in Fort Sumner.

Anyone growing up in New Mexico has heard tales of what turned a young man into such a terror, and everyone who grew up with family members telling stories knows the tales climb in stature as the years past. It is one of our pieces of history here and we plan on continuing to enjoy the tales and the controversary with our neighboring state.

Our Culture & History

The unique cultural mix that gives Santa Fe its special ambience is the product of centuries of co-existence among Native Americans, Spanish, Mexican, European and African Americans. This blending of cultures is responsible for the distinctive architecture, cuisine and overall aesthetic that gave rise to Santa Fe's nickname, "The City Different."

Historical and Cultural Destinations
All explorations of Santa Fe begin at the historic Plaza, where historic buildings and Old World Ambience tell the story of 400 years of existence. The city's other attraction areas are a short walk away or accessible by city bus.

The Palace of the Governors - The Oldest Continuous Government Building in the Country
Constructed of adobe in the early 17th Century, the Palace served as Spain's seat of government for the entire Southwest region. It currently houses the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library as well as exhibitions of historic importance. On the portal facing the Plaza, Native American artisans sell their wares, just as they have for centuries.

www.palaceofthegovernors.org

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
One of Santa Fe's most revered landmarks, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi went under construction in 1869 to replace an older church that had been destroyed during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, (which in turn, had replaced the first church built on the site in 1610). The "new" cathedral was dedicated in 1887, and was elevated to a Basilica in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI. Masses are held daily, and docent tours are provided daily except during funeral or religious services.

www.cbsfa.org

Loretto Chapel
Built between 1873 and 1878 by a French architect, the Gothic Revival-style Chapel was patterned after King Louis IX's Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. The stone was quarried locally, while the ornate stained glass arrived from Paris via wagon over the Old Santa Fe Trail. The Chapel's most famous feature is the Miraculous Staircase, which, according to legend, was built by a mysterious carpenter (some say St. Joseph himself) over a six-month period sometime between 1877 and 1881. The staircase features two 360-degree turns with no visible means of support and should be an engineering impossibility, but it continues to stand today. The Loretto Chapel is currently a private museum and a favorite site for local weddings.

www.lorettochapel.com

New Mexico Museum of Art
Founded in 1917 as the Art Gallery of the Museum of New Mexico, this signature museum is housed in a Pueblo Revival building designed by noted architects I.H. and William M. Rapp. It is considered the forerunner of what came to be known as Santa Fe Style, combining elements of several regional styles. Its permanent collection includes works by the founding artists of the Taos and Santa Fe artist colonies as well as internationally known figures like Ansel Adams, Agnes Martin, Georgia O'Keeffe, Gustave Baumann, Richard Diebenkorn, Florence Pierce and Frederick Hammersley.

www.mfasantafe.org

Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
Opened in 1997, eleven years after O'Keeffe's death, this is the only museum in the world dedicated to the work of one of the most significant artists of the 20th century. The collection includes more than 3,000 of her works, including paintings, drawings, and sculpture. In addition to the changing exhibits of her work, the Museum presents special exhibitions of her work and that of others.

www.okeeffemuseum.org

Museum Hill
A quick bus ride from the Plaza takes you to Museum Hill, a stunning plaza that comprises four museums: the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Museum of International Folk Art, and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. These world-class institutions offer insights into New Mexico's extensive artistic heritage, from ancestral times to the present, as well as a vast array of artwork and folk art. A convenient cafe lets you make a day of it, and shops in each of the museums provide good value on unique items.
www.museumhill.org
New Mexico History Museum The newly constructed New Mexico History Museum is the new anchor of a campus that also comprises the Palace of the Governors, the Palace Press, the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library and the Photo Archives. Its 2009 opening coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Museums of New Mexico, and it offers permanent and temporary exhibitions that cover the area's history from the prehistoric period through to the Spanish colonization, the Mexican period, and the Anglo era introduced by the Santa Fe Trail and the railroad.
www.nmhistorymuseum.org
Canyon Road Long before it was a part of the city proper, Canyon Road was a route by which Native Americans would bring their goods to trade with the Spanish settlers in the Plaza de Santa Fe. The Spanish began to build their adobe homes there in the 1750s, and members of Santa Fe's burgeoning art colony settled there in the early 20th Century - Fremont Ellis, Willard Nash, John Sloan, and Randall Davey, among others. The modest dwellings now house some of the city's finest art galleries, and the street is alive with strolling art lovers most days. Gallery hopping on Friday evenings is a particularly cherished activity, followed by dinner at one of the signature restaurants along the route.
www.canyonroadarts.com
The Railyard An old part of town has just gotten a facelift and remodel, transforming it into a vibrant community center. Amenities include a 10-acre park with walking-biking trails, a renowned Farmers Market, art galleries, live-work artist spaces, restaurants, and shops. Anchoring the area at SITE Santa Fe, a nonprofit contemporary art organization that mounts regular exhibitions as well as an international biennial in even-numbered years, and El Museo Cultural, featuring exhibits and events.
www.sfrailyardcc.org
Santuario de Guadalupe The historic Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church, built in 1781, is now an art and history museum that houses the Archdiocese of Santa Fe's collection of New Mexican santos (carved images of the saints), Italian Renaissance paintings, and Mexican Baroque paintings. The crown jewels of the collection are Our Lady of Guadalupe, painted by José de Alzíbar in 1783, and a 12-foot, 4,000-pound bronze statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe made in Mexico and laboriously and lovingly transported to its home in Santa Fe in July 2008.

Santa Fe 400th Anniversary, Inc. • 60 East San Francisco Street • Suite 311 • Santa Fe • New Mexico • 87501 • Telephone (505) 986-1610 • Facsimile (505) 986-1615 • Email Us

"La Danza de la Pluma" to be presented in New Mexico

Metamorfosis Documentation Project (Armando Espinosa Prieto and Craig Johnson) is completing a collaborative project with the community of Teotitlán del Valle, a village in southern Oaxaca, to document La Danza de la Pluma (The Feather Dance).

In the last phase of this Project, Metamorfosis Documentation Project will bring the current dance group, Grupo de Promesa 2007 - 2009, from Teotitlán de Valle to New Mexico to present this traditional dance.

In Santa Fe, the Dance will be presented at the "¡Viva Mexico! Theme Weekend" event at El Rancho de las Golondrinas on July 18, and at Plaza Contenta in Tierra Contenta on July 19. The event at Plaza Contenta will include a screening of Metamorfosis Documentation Project's documentary film, "La Danza de la Pluma. Faith, Sacrifice and Tradition", and a multi-media presentation featuring the cultural history of La Danza de la Pluma and its relation to the Matachin dances of New Mexico and northern Mexico. This event will be a family event free to the public, and will also feature select local vendors offering traditional New Mexican and Mexican food and refreshments.

In Albuquerque, the Dance will be presented at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on the Plaza Mayor on July 25. The event will include a screening of Metamorfosis Documentation Project's documentary film, "La Danza de la Pluma. Faith, Sacrifice and Tradition".

In Socorro, the Dance will be presented at El Camino Real International Heritage Center on July 26. The event will include a screening of Metamorfosis Documentation Project's documentary film, "La Danza de la Pluma. Faith, Sacrifice and Tradition", and a multi-media presentation featuring the cultural history of La Danza de la Pluma and its relation to the Matachin dances of New Mexico and northern Mexico.

History of the Documentation Project

Espinosa Prieto and Johnson interviewed the dancers and other community members in Teotitlán del Valle in November and December of 2007, and then filmed the presentation of La Danza de la Pluma for the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12. After returning to Santa Fe and editing the documentary, they returned in May of 2008 to Teotitlán del Valle where they worked with the Balaa Xtee Guech Gulal Community Museum Committee and other community members to establish a permanent exhibit of the Danza de la Pluma in the Community Museum.

On June 8, 2008, on the Civic Plaza of Teotitlán del Valle, in conjunction with the local authorities, Metamorfosis Documentation Project presented the community with the documentary La Danza de la Pluma. The rights of reproduction for the documentary were given to the Community Museum, so that it can sell the DVD to its visitors. The Museum receives all of the proceeds from these sales, with the additional income designated for the maintenance and improvement of the Museum.
The event also featured the inauguration of the permanent exhibit of La Danza de la Pluma in the Community Museum, a presentation of La Danza de la Pluma by the current Grupo de Promesa (Promise Group), and a screening of the documentary in the Municipal Auditorium for the community.

On July 21, 2008, Espinosa Prieto and Johnson participated in the Santa Fe Art Institute's 2008 lecture series, "Outsider: Tourism, Migration, Exile". They presented the Metamorfosis Documentation Project and in particular this collaborative project with the community of Teotitlán del Valle, La Danza de la Pluma Project. The presentation focused on what Espinosa and Johnson refer to as "fair trade art and anthropology".

In April of this year, the documentary was selected for screening in the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival in Austin, Texas.

In this current phase of the Project, the documentary,the results of this cultural interaction and now the Dance itself are being presented to communities in the United States. Espinosa Prieto and Johnson hope to stimulate these audiences to reflect on and more fully appreciate their own cultures, and to foster respect and support for all cultures and traditions while highlighting their historic position in our modern world.

La Danza de la Pluma

La Danza de la Pluma is a traditional ritual dance still being performed in the Oaxacan valleys in Mexico. It is a cross-cultural conquest dance, part of the cycle of Conquest Dances, and closely related to the Matachín dances, which are still performed in indigenous and Hispanic communities in New Mexico and northern Mexico.

The modern La Danza de la Pluma originated from Mixtec and Zapotec dance rituals in Oaxaca under the influence of the Spanish colonizers. It incorporates the struggle between Moctezuma and Cortez, Christianity and paganism, with several variations as to the ultimate victor. It has deep cultural significance and importance, with dancers committing themselves for a three-year period, and involves much ritual preparation and community involvement. The essential element of reciprocity, of "paying your dues" for the benefit of the community, is evidenced by the dancers' commitment.

While La Danza de la Pluma is performed throughout Oaxaca, Teotitlán del Valle (whose translation from the Nahuatl is "Place of the Gods in the Valley") is the oldest known settlement in the valley of Oaxaca; it is referred to as the Spiritual Heart of the Sacred Valley of Tlacolula. Teotitlán del Valle is currently considered the guardian of the Zapotec culture of the valley, and its presentation of the Danza de la Pluma is renowned. Teotitlán del Valle is world renowned for the Zapotec weavings it produces. The village is still governed by a system of "Usos y Costumbres" (literally translated as Uses and Customs), in place since pre-Hispanic times. It is a community / communal system of government, with an emphasis on cooperation for the good of the community and support for its individual members.

Specific information:

Santa Fe presentations of La Danza de la Pluma Project:

El Rancho de las Golondrinas
334 Los Pinos Road,
Santa Fe, NM
2 PM, July 18, 2009

505-471-2261
www.golondrinas.org

Plaza Contenta in Tierra Contenta
6005 Jaguar Drive
Santa Fe, NM
1 PM, July 19, 2009

Admission: free for this event.

Albuquerque presentation of La Danza de la Pluma Project:

National Hispanic Cultural Center
1702 4th St SW
Albuquerque, NM
1 PM, July 25, 2009

505-246-2261
www.nhccnm.org

Socorro presentation of La Danza de la Pluma Project:

El Camino Real International Heritage Center
I-25, Exit 115
35 miles south of Socorro
10 AM, July 26, 2009

575-854-3600
www.elcaminoreal.org; www.nmmonuments.org

Admission: for this event free to all New Mexico residents.
Adults, $5.00. Children 16 and younger, free.

Bibliography:

"Documentan presentación de la Danza de la Pluma." Noticias de Oaxaca. 27 May 2008: C4:1.

"Atrapa Documental a 'La Danza de la Pluma'." El Imparcial. 21 May 2008: E5:1.

"Metamorfosis busca proyectar la Danza de la Pluma." Tiempo. 23 May 2008: A46:1.

Presentan Documental. Informativo. Canal9, Oaxaca. 9 June 2008.

Radio Cafe interview, KSFR, Santa Fe. 21 July 2008.
http://www.metamorfosisdocumentationproject.com/media/entrevista.mp3

Websites:

Metamorfosis Documentation Project
http://www.metamorfosisdocumentationproject.com

Santa Fe Art Institute
http://www.sfai.org

Email:

mdp@metamorfosisdocumentationproject.com

The Santa Fe Opera is gearing up for their summer season performances starting on July 3rd through August 29th. This year they will be performing La Traviata, Don Giovanni, The Elixer of Love, Alceste, and The Letter.

Surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains, the sunsets provide unforgettable performances!

Enhace your experience with Prelude Talks

These lively and informative talks are offered in Stieren Orchestra Hall twice before most performances. The first talk begins two hours before the performance and the second is one hour before. Prelude Talks begin Wednesday, July 8 and are free to ticket holders. For best availability, we suggest the first one. Prelude Talks are not offered on Opening Weekend (July 3 or 4) or on Apprentice Scenes performance evenings (August 16 and 23).

Also remember you can eat at the cafe at the Opera and many times you can enjoy the Prelude talk with dinner.

Individual Ticket Prices

SectionJuly 3 - Aug 1Aug 3 - 29

6, 10	$26	$28
5	$57	$59
8, 9	$81	$84
1, 3	$102	$107
4, 7	$112	$117
2, Loge	$140	$150
Orchestra	$178	$188