Jenny's View

Friends,

We were incredibly honored to receive the 2018 Sustainability Champion award from Historic Hotels of America! The award is presented to the hotel that best implements and practices innovative green initiatives and programs, demonstrating historic preservation. This is the ultimate green award for hotels like ours, and comes hot on the heels of our Santa Fe’s Green Business of the Year award.

A Close Up Of A Logo

La Fonda believes that sustainable operations go hand in hand with our mission of historical preservation and community-building. As a caretaker of Santa Fe traditions, we bear a responsibility to protect the beauty and viability of our treasured home. For many years we have been implementing green initiatives throughout the hotel, with the goal of becoming as environmentally friendly as possible in all of our operations.

In addition to recycling cardboard, soap, plastic, glass, aluminum, and paper, all the guest rooms now have recycling bins. We’ve implemented water-saving measures, including guest towels changed only by request, linens changed every third day, and restaurant water served by request. And those ocean-killing plastic straws? No more! We’ve switched to biodegradable paper straws. Read about more of La Fonda's green initiatives here.

Soap Recycling

Paper Straws

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The second award came from the New Mexico Hospitality Association. Our Spirit of Authenticity print campaign took the Top Hat award for highlighting our history and commitment to excellence for almost a century, exemplified in our world-class hospitality. The (ongoing) campaign showcases La Fonda’s rich history and reputation as an authentic New Mexico cultural destination, with the common theme of tradition, authenticity, craftsmanship and hospitality. Bob Borden, long-time personal friend of mine and of La Fonda and principal of the local ad agency, Ideas and People, developed the clean aesthetic in photography and smart composition.

Spirit of Authenticity Campaign

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A Stack Of Flyers On A Table

The Spirit of Authenticity campaign focuses on what has made La Fonda a mainstay for almost 100 years, in a new, contemporary manner. Of course, neither these accolades, nor any others, matter more than your comfort, delight and exceptional experience when you visit. Because without your support as guests, patrons and friends, we’re yesterday's news. So we lift a glass to you, friends!

Cheers to the new year,

Jenny


Detours at La Fonda

A big thank you to all of you who have supported Detours throughout 2018.  We have been blessed with many great customers who visit while in town as well as locals who love La Fonda and the gift shop, Detours.  As we prepare for the New Year, we will be ringing out the old to make room for the new.  We invite you to our End of Year Clearance offering 20% off ALMOST everything, including all Christmas merchandise…Stop by between 9 AM and 6 PM from December 31st through January 6th.  We will be closed January 7th, 8th and 9th for inventory. 

Happy Habitat

A Woman Wearing A Black Shirt

We will continue to offer a unique selection of imaginative gifts, whimsical art and the La Fonda lifestyle collection.  We look forward to seeing you soon.  Have a spectacular New Year! 

Thank you again from the Detours team! 

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A Bowl Of Food

Recipe for Adventure

Spicy Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing - Yields 4 -12 servings

Spicy Chorizo Cornbread Dressing takes dressing from ho hum to woo hoo with this easy recipe! It’s truly irresistible and too good just to serve on a holiday! So pair it with roasted chicken, pork chops or steak and enjoy all year round.

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 Cups 1/2" diced cornbread croutons
  • 1/4 Cup white breadcrumbs or panko crumbs
  • 1 Pound loose chorizo
  • 1/2 Cup mild green chile, diced
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh garlic, crushed
  • 3/4 Cup carrots, diced small
  • 3/4 Cup celery, diced small
  • 3/4 Cup onion, diced small
  • 1 Tablespoon cumin
  • 8 Ounces Chicken Stock
  • To Taste, salt and black pepper

METHOD

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
  • In a large ovenproof skillet, cook the chorizo, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it begins to brown. (about 5 minutes) 
  • Remove the chorizo with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl, leaving the oil in the pan. 
  • Add the carrots, celery, and onions and sauté until soft.
  • Add the cumin and garlic and continue to cook for a couple of minutes. 
  • Add the cornbread, chorizo, green chile and breadcrumbs to this and blend well.
  • Now add the chicken stock and stir in. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Cover the pan with foil or a lid and bake for 30 minutes. 

A Person That Is Standing In The Grass

Live at La Fonda

AlmaZazz!

First things first. Where did the name AlmaZazz! come from? “Alma means soul in Spanish, which I always liked. And we needed something short with a lot of consonants to go with it. I saw a billboard with the word pizzazz on it and combined the two,” says Judy Mitchell, the creative force behind AlmaZazz! for the last eight years.

AlmaZazz! operates as a solo performer (Judy on accordion), duo (with musical partner Rafael Herrera on Peruvian cajon) and occasional trio. As a duo at La Fiesta Lounge, AlmaZazz! will entertain with an eclectic mix of English and Spanish language songs. Their repertoire ranges from easy-listening vocal and instrumental tunes including Latin, tangos, jazz, French musettes to pop standards.

Local audiences may have seen Judy and Rafael together and/or individually playing around town. The two met while backing local musician Nacha Mendez almost two years ago, developing instant chemistry.

Originally from Canada but a New Mexican at heart, Judy picked up the accordion from her father and started lessons when just 7 years old. "I love to educate people that the accordion is far more than they think. It’s got such a rich sound and you can play an incredible variety of music. It’s not just a polka machine."

La Fiesta audiences should expect to be surprised and delighted. We never knew an accordion could sound like this! Listen to a sample of AlmaZazz! at their website, and come see them on January 20 in La Fiesta.


It's A Good Time To....

Reflect on the year gone by and make plans for the one ahead. Whether you’ve made a resolution to get healthy, become more involved in the community, or just enjoy the sights, sounds and events of Santa Fe, here’s what’s going on in January.

On New Year’s Day, newly appointed and elected Pueblo officials are announced and honored in the Transfer of Canes ceremonies and dances at most Pueblos. Head out and see this tradition for yourself (Jan. 1). Then enjoy more dances, including Buffalo, Deer, Eagle and Elk to honor newly appointed tribal officials during the annual Pueblo King’s Day Celebrations (Jan. 6).

A Group Of People Wearing Costumes

A Group Of People Wearing Costumes

January can be a bit of a let down after the high spirits of the holidays. So lift a glass at the New Mexico Brewers’ Guild Winter Brew (Jan. 11), when breweries from around New Mexico converge upon Santa Fe to pour cold-weather favorites such as stouts, porters, barley wines, winter warmers, and barrel-aged seasonals.

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Extend your holiday cheer by eating for a good cause at the 25th annual Souper Bowl at the Santa Fe Convention Center, where La Fonda’s own Chef Lane is sure to impress in a slurp-off of soups for charity (Feb. 2). Fill your belly and celebrate the silver anniversary of this community fundraiser that makes a difference for those in need.

A Bowl Of Pasta With Many Different Types Of Food On A Table

Eagerly anticipated by foodies every year, Santa Fe Restaurant Week (Feb. 22-Mar. 3) presents a roster of top eateries offering bargain-priced prix-fixe menus, including La Plazuela. Keep checking the website for additions, and make your reservations early! Taos and Albuquerque follow with their own Restaurant Weeks in March.

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And, don’t forget to follow La Fonda’s Artists in Residence every weekend January (Gasali Adeyemo, Joshua Bingham, Nocona Burgess and Del Curfman in January) through February. If you are in need of a Staycation, come stay with us on one of the Artist-in-Residence weekends and take advantage of the special rates at La Fonda. Or just stop in from 4pm to 7pm, Thursday through Saturday and Sunday noon to 3pm, through February 28th.

Del Curfman

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Nocona Burgess
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A Path With Trees On The Side Of A Snow Covered Street

The Shops at La Fonda

Photogenesis

Christmas is over, but winter is lingering on. This January, Photogenesis Gallery will be offering special pricing on any photographs capturing the beauty of snow. Here in New Mexico our method of snow removal is "the sun will come out tomorrow" and it usually does. The photographer has to be not only talented, but lucky enough to be here when the white stuff (which covers a multitude of flaws) arrives. We represent numerous artists where "photography is art" and would love to meet you.

Visit us in La Fonda on the Plaza or call us at 505-989-9540.

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Things Finer

With two locations inside La Fonda, Things Finer has been Santa Fe's premier source for Fine Antique and Contemporary Jewelry for 25 years. With over 60 years of expertise, as a family enterprise, Things Finer make acquisition of a unique treasures, exciting, fulfilling, and lots of fun.

Ring in 2019 with Cartier pearls and gold at Things Finer. Available now by calling 505-983-5552 or visit the website below.


Tom Taylor

It’s the New Year, which means Tom Taylor is busy assembling our biggest sale of the year. Save the date, the first week of February is when we go through our inventory to clear out the one-of-a-kind items and end-of-edition pieces from some of our most popular artists at 20% to 50% off.

Tom Taylor Bag

A Red And White Hat

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Visit Tom Taylor online or stop into our La Fonda store and subscribe to our newsletter for your personalized invitation to this year’s clearance event.

Contact us at info@tomtayorbuckles.com, or Call 1-800-303-9733 or 1-505-984-2231


Film & Performance 

Atravesada, Poetry Of The Border, is back by popular demand! Bilingual staged poetry about geographical borders and borders of the mind features 12 actors performing 27 provocative poems by 12 Latina poets (Jan. 11-20) at Teatro Paraguas.

Over at the Lensic, the Met Live in HD opera series continues with the rarely performed Adriana Lecouvreur (Jan. 12) and the much-beloved Bizet’s Carmen (Feb. 2) with mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats return to The Lensic from China with a family-friendly show of spellbinding artistry and amazing athletics (Jan. 22).

Atravesada

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Carmen with Clementine Margaine 

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The Golden Dragon Acrobats

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Mark your calendars for the new year and Oasis Theatre’s version of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale (Jan. 31-Feb. 17). The National Theatre Live series heats up the Lensic with I’m Not Running, an explosive new play by David Hare (Feb. 7).

The annual Santa Fe Film Festival (Feb. 13-17) offers the best in cinematic arts, with over 100 films includes narrative and documentary features, shorts of all types, as well as a spotlight on local filmmakers. Don’t miss the panels, workshops and parties during this annual five-day event.

I'm Not Running

A Man Looking At The Camera

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Out & About

Start your New Year off on the right foot at our nearby state parks. Cerrillos Hills’ guided hike features a trivia contest with prizes and a New Year's celebration at the top of the trail (Jan. 1). Or head up to Eagle Nest Lake for the annual Polar Bear Challenge (brrrr), followed by a snowshoe hike (the Polar Bear Stomp) in the park (Jan. 1). Hyde Memorial also has a first day hike on the sure to be frozen Waterfall Trail (Jan. 1).

Polar Bear Plunge

A Group Of People On A Beach

Polar Bear Stomp

A Group Of People Standing On Top Of A Snow Covered Mountain

Hyde Memorial Hike

A Wooden Bench Covered In Snow

A new governor and new crop of legislators are part of the annual Legislative preview (Jan. 9), sponsored by the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, with refreshments and cash bar to make the evening festive. Then the Legislative Reception at the Convention Center (Jan. 28) brings all of New Mexico together to enjoy hors-d'oeuvres from Santa Fe's finest restaurants while networking, connecting, and advocating for New Mexico businesses.

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Last Friday Art Walk is an exciting world-class contemporary art experience, ten galleries plus SITE Santa Fe, part of the hip new Railyard Arts District. Housed in spacious warehouse-style buildings, all within walking distance (Jan 25).  The Chinese Year of the Pig begins February 5, so why not try a virtual race to celebrate? Compete 2.019 miles, 20.19 miles, or 201.9 miles (yikes!) between January 1 and February 5, 2019, with proceeds benefiting Parkinson’s research.

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Music & Dance 

The NM Performing Arts Society and the Santa Fe Women’s Ensemble present a beautiful program of music for women’s voices and chamber ensemble (Jan. 6) sure to cheer the season. Performance Santa Fe’s winter roster begins with Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti and pianist Alexei Grynyuk (Jan. 23), and continues with dance sensation Bodytraffic, a young, internationally acclaimed company from Los Angeles (Feb. 5).

Nicola Benedetti

A Person Holding A Violin

Alexei Grynyuk

A Young Man Wearing A Suit And Tie Looking At The Camera

The Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra finds expert guest-conducting with Eric Jacobsen, leading his brother, violinist Colin Jacobsen in the music of Mozart, Beethoven and emerging composer Jessie Montgomery (Jan. 26-27).

The Lensic brings Latin-folk singer-songwriter Gina Chavez for a passionate journey through the Americas, blending the sounds and rhythms of the region with tension and grace (Jan. 31). Then The Choir of Man hits the stage, a runaway hit at numerous international music festivals, on its first U.S. tour. It’s a party. It’s a concert. It’s interactive Broadway (Feb. 20)!

Eric & Colin Jacobsen

A Man Holding A Guitar

The Santa Fe Symphony presents Arvo Pärt connecting the dots between Classical and Romantic genres in this exceptional program featuring five Symphony principals (Jan. 20). Then the Symphony’s concertmaster, David Felberg, takes center stage in an evening of passionate musical story telling, joined by the luminous soprano voice of Mary Wilson, soprano (Feb. 17).

Arvo Pärt

Arvo Part Posing For The Camera

David Felberg

A Man Holding A Violin

Mary Wilson

A Woman Talking On A Cell Phone

AMP Concerts continues its eclectic season of world-class music with French guitar virtuoso Juan Carmona (Jan.7), a symbol of flamenco’s rebirth. Then head to hear internationally acclaimed fiddle player Kevin Burke (Jan. 18). Circle the globe again with Latin Grammy winning, New York based all-female ensemble Flor de Toloache’s progressive and traditional mariachi music (Jan. 26). The next night explore the extraordinary living culture of the blues with two artists grounded in both tradition and contemporary experimentation: Corey Harris and Cedric Watson (Jan. 27).

Kevin Burke

A Man Holding An Instrument

Flor de Toloache

A Group Of People Playing Instruments And Performing On A Stage

Corey Harris

A Person Holding A Guitar

Cedric Watson

A Man Holding A Violin

School Of Rock presents An Evening of Pink Floyd, so break out your neon leg warmers and cue up the smoke machine (Jan 6). Meow Wolf is the place for a synth-heavy DJ set from Washed Out (Jan. 10), aka artist Ernest Greene. Kitchen Sink Recording Studio brings the Red River Songwriters to town (Jan. 19). Then head to Santa Fe Brewing Company for Still Woozy (Feb. 1).

School of Rock

A Woman Standing On A Stage

Still Woozy

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At the Museums

In conjunction with the Santa Fe Arts Commission’s exhibition Exquisite Corpse: A Celebration of 10 Years (through Jan. 17), you can build your own exquisite corpse in a hands-on workshop using a variety of materials, led by artist Joel Nakamura (Jan. 5). Then join in a movement experience culminating in an Exquisite Corpse Dance (Jan.Heading 3 12).

Exquisite Corpse Dance

A Person Standing On A Stage

The New Mexico Museum of Art has three exhibitions worth seeing this winter: Good Company: Five Artist Communities in New Mexico (through Mar. 10) showcasing the role of artist communities in New Mexico. Shots in the Dark highlights night landscape photography (through March 31), while its sister show Wait Until Dark (through April 21) draws from the museum’s extensive collection of nocturnes, including painting, prints, and photographs. The opening reception for the latter two, plus the exhibition Carved & Cast: 20th Century New Mexican Sculpture (through March 31) includes refreshments (Jan. 4).

Shots in the Dark

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Wait Until Dark

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The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture continues its popular Pueblo pottery series, this month featuring a demonstration by Jicarilla Apache artist Dina Velarde (Jan 16). The Museum of International Folk Art has opened a new exhibition (through Aug. 25, 2019): A Gathering of Voices, celebrating the promised gift of the folk art collection of our friend, Judith Espinar and Tom Dillenberg. Comprising primarily ceramic traditions from Mexico, Spain, France, Hungary, Morocco and numerous other countries, the collection also includes rich holdings of New Mexico santos, Latin American retablos, and metalwork, furniture and textiles from around the world.

By popular demand, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art has extended its GenNext: Future So Bright exhibition to March 29, 2019. They’ve added new works by existing GenNext artists, along with ones by five new artists.

A Gathering of Voices

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GenNet: Future so Bright

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Lannan Foundation kicks off 2019 with historian and activist Ilan Pappe with Dima Khalidi (Jan. 23), part of its Readings & Conversations series. Join them Feb. 6 for U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith in conversation with Joy Harjo.

Ilan Pappe

Ilan Pappe Wearing Glasses And Smiling At The Camera

Dima Khalidi

A Woman Standing In Front Of A Brick Building

Tracy K. Smith

Tracy K. Smith Smiling For The Camera

Joy Harjo

A Person Wearing A Costume

School for Advanced Research starts the new year with the latest in its Creative Thought Forum. This time it’s Chacoan Astronomy, Cosmography, Roads, and Ritual Power: Insights into the Chaco World Using New Technologies (Jan. 24). Anna Sofaer, Robert Weiner and Richard Friedman present their work on the astronomical heritage in Chaco Canyon culture. Using traditional approaches and emerging technologies (LIDAR and 3D modeling), their work reveals new ways of exploring this history.

Chaco

A View Of A Rocky Mountain

The Museum of Art’s Winter Lecture Series begins with Maximiliano Luna and the Rough Riders (Jan. 29). Theodore Roosevelt called his men “children of the dragon’s blood,” those Rough Riders who bravely followed him up Cuba’s Kettle and San Juan hills in the face of blistering Spanish rifle and artillery fire. Surely no Rough Rider deserved that title more than Captain Maximiliano Luna of New Mexico.

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La Fonda and Santa Fe in the News

A Person Holding A Sign

Arizona Daily: Culinary Tourism: Fred Harvey Brought the Exotic to American Travelers. READ MORE

Cleveland Jewish News: Santa Fe, NM: High Culture and History. READ MORE

Explore Parts Unknown: Guide to a Perfect Day in Santa Fe. READ MORE

Local Flavor: What's On Your Plate for 2019? READ MORE

Albuquerque Journal North: Harvey Weekend. READ MORE

New Zealand Herald: New Mexico: Art of the Pueblo. READ MORE