Jenny's View

Friends,

Many of you know that for the past 7 years I’ve proudly served as a member of the New Mexico Tourism Commission. It’s been an amazing experience, and one that I look forward to continuing. During the recent legislative session, I was appointed as Chair of the Commission and will serve another 7-year term. I’m honored to continue my advocacy for the tourism industry in New Mexico, a vital part of the state's economy and look forward to working with my fellow commissioners.

New Mexico has so much to offer visitors and residents alike. From our flowing rivers, snow-capped peaks and desert vistas, to our vibrant cities, Native Pueblos and small towns, I’m proud to represent our state in this new role.

Part of our great work is sharing opportunities to explore the Land of Enchantment and highlighting events that offer unique access to our most treasured attractions. That’s why I’m excited for Spring Break this year. In New Mexico, spring adventure opportunities abound!

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to beach this year. Instead, pack up the car for a fun-filled day at White Sands National Monument where you can bask in the sun among gypsum dunes. Or if you haven’t yet explored the geological marvel of Carlsbad Caverns, plan a trip to the southern corner of our state for hikes and cave tours. There are endless recreational and educational opportunities in and around Central and Northern New Mexico, too. Star gaze galore at Chaco Canyon, take a cultural adventure at Acoma Pueblo’s Sky City (one of my fellow commissioners is Emerson Vallo – from Acoma – and uncle of Acoma’s present governor, my dear friend Brian Vallo) and explore the atomic history of Los Alamos - just to name a few!

In Santa Fe and at La Fonda you’ll find there’s something for everyone as well - no matter your age. From March 1 through April 15, take advantage of free fun for kids - from mountain adventures, art, culture, food, and other kid friendly attractions.

In addition to museums offering free admission for those under 16 during Spring Break, your smaller humans (with you in tow) can take art classes, eat your way through Santa Fe on food tours, solve puzzles, tour a chocolate factory, climb walls, hear beautiful music, and even ski free! And, La Fonda is the perfect destination for your pre and aprés ski activities. Thanks, Tourism Santa Fe for bringing all these amazing offers together.

We’ve partnered with Santa Fe Mountain Adventures to offer families a chance to explore the best of Santa Fe off the beaten path. Santa Fe Mountain Adventures promotes our beloved New Mexico outdoors and outdoor activities by offering customized, guided excursions like hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 adventures. We’re big fans of the way they foster respect for our wilderness areas and wildlife, and educate others on the importance of conservation, too. Most importantly, their goal, like ours, is to have FUN outdoors and share our love of the mountains with others!

Our Spring Break Package ensures you’ll be well rested, well fed and ready to hit the trails. It includes accommodations in one of La Fonda’s historic rooms for two adults and up to two children under the age of 17, complimentary breakfast, and 4 free tickets to Santa Fe Mountain Adventures’ Off-Road Adventure through the dramatic and scenic Diablo Canyon. As always, there are never any hidden resort fees.

Whether you head out on an off-road adventure or not, don’t forget that every kid who stays at La Fonda can pick up a complimentary personal scavenger hunt kit at the front desk that includes everything they need (and clues!) to explore the history and wonder of our historic hotel. When they complete their hunt, they can claim their special prize from the concierge. It’s an easy way to add fun to your visit and keep the kids engaged by hunting for Harvey, the rascally La Fonda mascot.

Here’s to fun Spring Break adventures!

Jenny

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Detours at La Fonda

A Santa Fe Merchant Since 1922

Detours at La Fonda features an eclectic mix of local gifts.  From Pendleton blankets to landscape paintings and handmade jewelry, you'll find the perfect gift.

This month stop by Detours to explore the work of our featured artist, Dirk Gray.  Gray's photographs feature an innovative take on classic New Mexico scenes.  

church
A Group Of People In Front Of A Building

Close up of guitar

Live at La Fonda

Bill Hearne

Bill Hearne is legendary in Santa Fe, where he and late wife and musical partner Bonnie landed in 1991 after touring Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico for decades, playing their signature mix of roots music with the likes of Lyle Lovett, Tish Hinojosa, Michael Martin Murphy and Nanci Griffith. 

The picker-crooner celebrates 29 years running at La Fiesta Lounge and just marked his birthday with us!  We had a blast celebrating Bill with his loyal followers and sharing his delicious cake with the crowd in La Fiesta.

Three people and a birthday cakeThree people and a birthday cake

 Audiences and loyal two-stepping dancers flock to Hearne’s version of roots music, where honkytonks, roadhouses, empty whiskey glasses, and unrequited love are brick and mortar. And there isn’t a better craftsman than Bill Hearne. After so long, he says, “I still enjoy playing La Fonda as much as I ever did. And I’m still grateful. I don’t take it for granted, I give it my best shot every night.”

In 2017 Bill and Bonnie were awarded one of the first New Mexico Platinum Music Awards. Check out Bill’s website to learn more about his musical journey and watch the touching tribute video about him and Bonnie. And come down to La Fiesta Lounge, where the locals gather Monday and Tuesday nights in March.  


It’s a Good Time To…

The National Geographic Photo Ark is a multi-year effort to raise awareness of and find solutions to some of the most pressing issues affecting wildlife and their habitats. National Geographic Photographer Fellow, and 2018 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, Joel Sartore spearheads the innovative project that aims to document every species living in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries. See it at the Lensic (Mar. 12).

A Close Up Of A Cat Looking At The Camera

#AnneFrank Parallel Stories (Mar. 25) at the Lensic is a powerful retelling of Anne Frank’s life through the pages of her extraordinary diary guided by the Academy-Award winning actress, Helen Mirren. The documentary takes audiences into Anne’s room within the secret annex of her family’s hiding place before being deported, and features excerpts of her diary intertwined with the experiences of the survivors who lived to tell their own parallel stories.

A Close Up Of A Painted Wall
La Fonda hotel is located on the Santa Fe plaza

                                                                                                                                              


A Piece Of Luggage

Tom Taylor

Belts
Buckles
Bags

TOM TAYLOR 2020 SHOPPING

Stop in to see the stunning collection of one-of-a-kind belts, buckles, and bags, all handcrafted by Tom Taylor's world renowned New Mexican silversmiths and leather artists, or check out their collection online. And be sure to subscribe to their newsletter to receive information on their special events!

A Chocolate Birthday Cake With Lit Candles

Señor Murphy

Santa Fe Chocolate Maker

Señor Murphy's uses only the very best and freshest ingredients in their sweets.  Stop by their shop at La Fonda for delicious hand-made treats!

A Display In A Store

Photogenesis

A Gallery of Photography

Photogenesis features fine art photography for both the new and the established collector.


Film & Performance 

The Met Live in HD series at the Lensic brings Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländer (Mar. 14 & 21) to Santa Fe audiences.  The great bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel returns to the company for the first time since 2012, in the title role of the cursed sea captain doomed to sail the open ocean for eternity.

An extraordinary magician, Kevin Spencer come to the Lensic.  Spencer combines storytelling, stage magic, and audience participation in a show designed for audiences of all ages and abilities (Mar. 28). This event is a free, sensory friendly performance. Sensory friendly performances are designed to create a performing arts experience that is welcoming to everyone including families that have children with autism or other disabilities.

Teatro Paraguas is proud to welcome back one of their favorite and most prolific Flamenco groups, Compañía Chuscales and Mina Fajardo. Mina Fajardo and Chuscales are award-winning artists and musical composers, so make sure to see Tree of Life (Arbol de la Vida), their 8th annual spring Flamenco Festival (Mar. 5-8).

Ironweed Productions celebrates its 15th anniversary and launches its 2020 Season with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker's comically off-beat and gently moving play, The Aliens (Mar. 5-22) at Teatro Paraguas. Set in a desolate lot behind a Vermont coffee shop, this three-character story explores alienation, friendship, and the often-unseen gifts that lie within each of us.

An Evening of Prize-Winning Poetry at Teatro Paraguas features Paul Muldoon, Anna C. Martinez, and Jimmy Santiago Baca finds the three prize-winning poets reading from their respective works (Mar. 22).


Out & About

Join Laura Reich, volunteer and geologist, for a 75-minute walk along the ancestral site trail at Pecos Pueblo to learn about how Pueblo people used natural rock and topographic resources in their daily lives before the arrival of Europeans (Mar. 14-16). Then mark your calendar for the annual family friendly Civil War Encampment (Mar. 28). Learn about the life of Civil War soldiers in New Mexico, see black powder demonstrations, hear speakers share their expertise, and kids’ activities will be available for all to enjoy.

Feel like you’re out and about with the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour (Mar. 16 & 17). La Fonda is delighted to sponsor this exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain and outdoor world travels to exotic landscapes and remote cultures.

A Man Skiing Down A Mountain


Music & Dance 

Purchase your tickets now for Prodigies: A Million Dreams (Mar. 7) at the Lensic.  The performance features three ultra-talented young musical prodigies - Angelica Hale, Karolina Protsenko, and Kayden Kelly - for a night of inspiration and awe.

A Person Posing For The Camera

Performance Santa Fe welcomes Pablo Sáinz Villegas (Mar. 10), hailed as “master of the guitar” by none other than Plácido Domingo, and considered the greatest guitarist of his generation. Then return for Israeli-American pianist, Yefim Bronfman (Mar. 27) recognized around the globe as one of the greatest pianists of our time. Over his decades-long career, Bronfman has earned an Avery Fisher Prize, seven Grammy nominations, and a Grammy award.

The New York Philharmonic String Quartet (Mar. 19) is a phenomenal new ensemble comprising four master musicians from the orchestra: concertmaster/violinist Frank Huang, principal associate concertmaster/violinist Sheryl Staples, principal violaist Cynthia Phelps, and principal cellist Carter Brey. And they are here in Santa Fe!

Santa Fe Pro Musica presents Borromeo String Quartet (Mar. 22) playing the New Mexico premier of Steven Mackey’s Joy Rhythm Study and Schubert’s Quintet in C Major, D. 956, at the St. Francis Auditorium.

As a young Texas musician, Radney Foster spent the lengthy drives between tour stops reading the likes of Steinbeck, McMurtry, and Harper Lee. Three decades later, there is no question that the seasoned singer-songwriter is himself a skilled and soulful storyteller. See him at the Center for Spiritual Living (Mar. 27) courtesy of Southwest Roots Music.

A Lensic favorite, TAO’s modern, high-energy performances showcasing the ancient art of Japanese drumming have transfixed audiences worldwide. TAO combines highly physical, largescale drumming with contemporary costumes, precise choreography, and innovative visuals (Apr. 2).

AMP Concerts presents the Allman Betts Band (Mar. 5) featuring the songs of Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts for an evening of new music and classic Allman Brothers’ tunes. Then it’s sure to be a sold-out party with Pink Martini featuring China Forbes (Mar. 22). On the bill at the St. Francis Auditorium is Altan (Mar. 11) and their traditional Irish instruments. The intimate San Miguel Chapel welcomes David Wilcox (Mar. 14). Rufina Taproom hosts Seratones (Mar. 10) and Gig Performance Space is the place for Finnish quartet Kardemimmit (Mar. 25) and their national instrument the kantele.

Over at Meow Wolf, head into March with Tennis (Mar. 4), Dombresky (Mar. 5) and Generationals (Mar. 8). Then catch The Growlers (Mar. 9), Yves Tumor (Mar. 10), Orville Peck (Mar. 11), Jantsen & Protohype (Mar. 14), Grouplove (Mar. 19), The Get Down 90s Dance Party (Mar. 20), Alix Perez & Tsuruda (Mar. 21), Watsky (Mar. 24), Indigipop x 2020 (Mar. 25), Summer Salt (Mar. 25), Mija (Mar. 26), Dan Deacon (Mar. 27), Yonder Mountain String Band (Mar. 31) and Droeloe (Apr. 1).

A Person Standing On A Stage Playing Instruments

Gig Performance Space features Sourena Sefati and Gregory Gutin with music from Iran (Mar. 7) and Jeff Foucault’s darker seams of country and blues (Mar. 12). The come back for Steven Kirby (Mar. 21), an award-winning guitarist/composer.


At the Museums

Indigenous Futurisms presents the future from a Native perspective, and illustrates the use of cosmology and science as part of tribal oral history and ways of life (thru July 26) at the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum. The science fiction and post-apocalyptic narratives depicted in these artworks are often reality for Indigenous communities worldwide, and also emphasize the importance of Futurism in Native Cultures.

A Sign In Front Of A Building

The National Endowment for the Arts and the New Mexico Museum of Art present Poetry Out Loud, a free program that encourages the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation (Mar. 8).

Las Golondrinas Winter Lecture Series at the New Mexico Museum of Art closes with a talk by State Historian, Rob Martinez.  Don’t miss his lecture, “Brujería: The History of Witchcraft in New Mexico.” Admission is FREE for El Rancho de Las Golondrinas and Museum of New Mexico volunteers and members (Mar. 31).


Speakers

The School for Advanced Research Speaker Series presents The Language Warrior’s Manifesto: Indigenous Language, Culture, and Art in Motion with Anton Treuer (Mar. 4), He Alo A He Alo: Face to Face, Conversations with the Ancestors with Maile Andrade and Marques Hanalei Marzan (Mar. 11). The month concludes with Community Collaborations: Alaska Native Artistic Revitalization with Sven Haakanson and Nadia Jackinsky Sethi (Mar. 25).

Santa Fe Institute’s continuing Community Lecture series welcomes Sara Walker and The Information Origins of Life (Mar. 24). The origin of life remains one of the most stubborn open questions in science. One of the primary stumbling blocks is that we do not yet have a universal understanding of what life is. Arriving at such a theory will require separating those features of known life that are potentially universal from those that are contingent features of life on Earth. Walker discusses new approaches to the problem that focus on the informational and causal structure of living systems.

Sara Imari Walker Smiling For The Camera

The third annual Creative Thought Forum series continues (Mar. 26) at the School for Advanced Research.  Don’t miss the lecture: Turning the Lens: Brazil’s Kayapo Communities’ Use of the Warrior Image by Glenn Shepard, the ethnology curator at the Goeldi Museum in Belém do Pará, Brazil. Shepard, an ethnobotanist and anthropologist, presents on work by Kayapo communities who use their warrior image and outside power symbols to combat—via film and new media approaches—the rise of mining and logging projects on Indigenous lands.


La Fonda and Santa Fe in the News

A Room Filled With Furniture And Vase Of Flowers On A Table

THE SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN
The New Mexico Tourism Commission Names Jenny Kimball as Chairman

MONEYINC.COM
The 20 Best Hotels in Santa Fe

LIFE-UNCORKED

Cocktails From the Land of Enchantment

SOUTHWEST ART MAGAZINE
ARTsmart Dinner & Auction at La Fonda

CREATORS.COM
Enjoy History & Hospitality at Santa Fe's La Fonda Hotel

NOMINATE LA FONDA FOR THE SANTA FE REPORTER BEST OF SANTA FE

BEST LODGING, La Fonda
BEST GIFT STORE, Detours
BEST PATIO, Bell Tower Rooftop Bar
BEST HOTEL BAR, La Fiesta Lounge
BEST BREAKFAST, La Plazuela
BEST CHEF, Chef Lane Warner
BEST TOUR BUSINESS, Docent Art Tours