Santa Fe Travel Guide

Santa Fe is beginning to be known for its exciting cultural options, with everything from opera to theater springing up to critical acclaim.

Museums and Galleries

One of New Mexico's most loved artists is remembered inside the walls of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Her art helped shape the style of New Mexico's artists and some of her best works are on display. Other galleries, like the Canyon Road Fine Art and Lewallen Contemporary Art keep the independent spirit alive and well with shows from contemporary local artists.

Performing Arts

Some called it folly and others called it vision when a youthful John Crosby founded the Santa Fe Opera in 1957. History now recognizes it as genius. The original 420-seat, open-air theater perched on a piñon-carpeted hill north of town has been replaced. The opera has premiered dozens of now-popular shows. Each season offers old favorites and new, original productions.

Designed by the renowned American architect who shares the amphitheater's name, the Paolo Soleri Amphitheatre is a masterpiece in a city that subsists because of the arts. The theater provides a one-of-a-kind setting for entertainers like Carlos Santana, Dan Fogelberg, Bruce Hornsby and Paco de Lucia.

The most historic venue in the city is the newly restored Lensic Performing Arts Center. Designed to resemble a Moorish Palace of the Iberian Peninsula, the theater was built in 1931. The Lensic was soon recognized as one of the finest palaces of stage and screen in the state.

Desert Chorale, an internationally known singing troupe, is one of the only professional chorus groups in the country. They give a moving performance inside the hallowed sanctuary of St. Francis Cathedral every other week during the summer.

Festivals

Each summer for a weekend in late July, more than 300 Spanish artists, both traditional and contemporary, converge on Santa Fe to display their work. Spanish Dancers, Bandoleros and modern musicians perform on stage in the Santa Fe Plaza during the event.

Held on the weekend after Labor Day, Santa Fe Fiesta is the true celebration of Hispanic culture in Santa Fe. One of the oldest civic celebrations in the nation, the event has run every year since 1712. In 1926, a new character, named Zozobra, was introduced to the crowds. Zozobra is a 50-foot animated puppet of paper, wood and pyrotechnics, which is set ablaze at the opening of the Fiesta. In a fury of fire, amplified moans, screams of agony and flailing arms, the beast is brought down, taking with it the troubles and strife of all that attend the moving ritual.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 411