ShareTaos Plaza LiveHome Annual Events The 2024 Taos Plaza Live concert series returns to the historic Taos Plaza Gazebo from June 27 to August 8, featuring free live music every Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The series showcases local New Mexican bands and is free and open to the public. The event is alcohol-free and attendees are advised to be cautious due to nearby road construction. Concerts are scheduled weekly, except for July 4 and July 18. For more details, visit the Chamber of Commerce’s Taos Plaza Live page.
ShareTaos Hometown 4th of July Celebration with FruitionHome Annual Events THIS IS A FREE EVENT! w/ Fruition, Last To Know, Chris Arellano Band, and PH8 and the Bees & Locusts July 4, 2024 • 5:00 pm • Kit Carson Park DOORS 4:00pm • ALL AGES RAIN or SHINE • BAGS SUBJECT TO SEARCH • LAWN AND LOW PROFILE CAMPING STYLE CHAIRS WELCOME • BLANKETS WELCOME • FREE WATER REFILL STATIONS (Bring your own reusable bottles) • FOOD VENDORS BUT PICNICS & COOLERS WELCOME • ADA AREA WITH CHAIRS AVAILABLE NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL PERMITTED FRUITION Fruition’s three-part harmonies and impromptu performances captivated crowds on street corners and in campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest initially, but their 15-year journey has seen them emerge as a singular force in Americana on some of the nation’s biggest stages. Channeling the delicate, playful, and honest focus on songcraft and vocal harmony of groups like the Beatles and CSNY, the band continues to create timeless and genuine folk, roots, and rock ‘n roll. Distinguished by three accomplished songwriters and a rhythm section that serves each song with a finely tuned attention to detail and aesthetic, Fruition manages to consistently release a body of work that is both uniquely their own and instantly familiar. 2024 will see them release a brand new studio album, while preparing a second album for 2025 and a full complement of festival and headline touring. LAST TO KNOW Last to Know is: Scott Barady on percussion, Howie Roemer on keyboards, Randy Morris on drums and vocals, Curt West on bass, Dan Irion on mandolin and vocals, and Tom Pryor on guitar, pedal steel, and vocals. Last to Know is a six-piece band blending the heartiest world rhythms with jam-band passion, while muddying the lines between Americana roots music, disco, funk and bluegrass. LTK has shared the bill with Hot Buttered Rum String Band, The Motet, Buckwheat Zydeco, Culture, The Vince Herman Trio, The Skatalites, and Leftover Salmon. They have played the Main Stage at the annual Taos Solar Music Festival – a stage graced by Los Lobos, Michael Franti and Spearhead, String Cheese Incident, Richard Thompson, New Monsoon, Michelle Shocked, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Harry Belafonte, and Leo Kottke, among others. The band has performed at several other festivals including Silverton Jamboree, Crestone Music Festival, Alibi Spring Crawl in downtown Albuquerque, the Santa Fe Thirsty Ear Festival, and the Dreamtime Festival. Based in Taos, New Mexico, Last to Know has been together, writing and performing since 1999. LTK is discofunkgrass. CHRIS ARELLANO BAND Chris Arellano’s deeply personal Americana weaves together the Norteno music of his Northern New Mexico upbringing with alternative country and blues influences for a signature style that he calls “Nuevo Americana.” Fused with song and story, Spanish and English, his transcendent lyrics move listeners with emotion and passion. To understand Chris’ unique musical perspective and sound, it’s best to start with his early influences growing up in Costilla, New Mexico. When Chris was 8, he joined the family band playing the drums. His father, Jake, was the singer/songwriter, guitarist, and band leader. His mother, Henrietta, was a vocalist, and his 11-year-old brother Rodney played bass. The family played music together throughout Northern New Mexico and Colorado until the loss of his father Jake when Chris was 12. During the sad period following his father’s death, Chris immersed himself in his father’s instrument of choice, the guitar, and his love affair with stringed instruments began. After high school, Chris headed to Los Angeles to study at Musicians Institute (GIT). At the age of 20, he was the winner of the Nashville Spotlight talent contest, which allowed him to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Chris and his brother Rodney traveled to Nashville together and decided to visit the Bluebird Cafe. Due to a last-minute cancellation, they landed a spot to perform. The response was fantastic, and they were asked to play there regularly. They moved to Nashville and formed the band Drifters Wind. The band soon caught the attention of Sony producer Blake Chancey and James Stroud, the President and Producer of DreamWorks. James Stroud signed the band to a recording developmental deal. Through the DreamWorks relationship, the band wrote and recorded with some of Nashville’s top session writers and musicians, but the Drifters Wind recording project was never released. Chris’ ability to play multiple stringed instruments kept him busy as a Nashville session musician and producer. In 1996, Chris and drummer Kenny Cox of Drifters Wind auditioned and ended up touring with Steve Forbert’s Warner Bros. release of “Rocking Horse Head” tour, playing on premier stages across the country and appearing on television in New York City. In 2001, Chris moved to Oregon and opened Musicafe Rock School, where he found a passion for teaching music, working with students of all ages. Chris is a highly sought-after music instructor in the Pacific Northwest, and in 2012, he began a yearly summer music camp in his New Mexico hometown. Chris enjoys giving back to his community through volunteerism, teaching songwriting, instrumentation, and recording classes through the local school district. Chris continues to write music that speaks to him and tells stories from along the way. Maybe something you will hear live somewhere in a town near you! PH8 AND THE BEES & LOCUSTS A full band with a rapper at the forefront isn’t a common sight, but Ph8 w/ The Bees & Locusts is just that. They describe their sound as organic hip hop crossed with soul, funk, influenced by traditional native rhythms. Their original compositions, and renditions of various classic hit songs, fill the air with energy and take the listener on a personal musical journey to the unexpected. The majority of their set is designed for any and every human to dance to, groove to, and let loose. This indigenous led group hails from the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States, Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. Cody Mirabal aka “Ph8”, the poet and orchestrator, assembled the band back in 2022. The name, The Bees & Locusts, represents the duality and balance we all experience within ourselves, creation and destruction, light and dark. The collective consists of frontman Cody Mirabal, bassist Damon Young, drummer Jonah Romero, vocalists Solomon Goot & Naomi Gomez, guitarist Sarah Martinez, keyboardist Gabriel Lincoln, and percussionist Kevin Francisco. All the band members come from different musical backgrounds, genres, and cultures ranging from classical Spanish guitar to social powwow music blending and creating a unique sound and experience not quite heard or seen before. Ph8 w/ The Bees & Locusts are currently recording new singles for release and are actively scheduling shows both locally and nationally at music venues, bars, and festivals. THE BAND Lead Vocal – Cody Mirabal Drums – Jonah Romero Guitar – Sarah Martinez Bass – Damon Young Vocals – Solomon Goot & Naomi Gomez
ShareMidland at Kit Carson ParkHome Annual Events Special Guest Zach Top Show Info DOORS 5:00pm • ALL AGES 12 YEARS OLD AND UNDER: FREE & NO TICKET REQUIRED VENUE INFO – Kit Carson Park Alcohol: Yes, on site alcohol sales unless otherwise noted. Seating: Grass, can bring blankets and folding chairs. Outside Food/Drink: No Parking: Street parking near venue/on main drag of Taos ADA: In most cases, yes. ADA INFO: ADA parking (80 spots) on Civic Plaza Drive next to the ADA entrance. It is then 100 yards on a cement sidewalk to the ADA viewing area, house right that has ADA seats available. WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Camping/ lawn chairs are allowed and encouraged. No oversize chairs/ Inflatable couches etc. Be mindful of size and space for fellow patrons. Small blankets: Space is limited. No claiming spaces with LARGE blankets or tarps. Be respectful and make rooms for others. A sealed water bottle or empty refillable bottle. We will have FREE water filling stations Sunscreen and hats! No Outside ALCOHOL or FOOD. No Coolers. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site. See list below. No backpacks, bags or large purses. Clutch Purses and small clear bags are allowed, but subject search. No Umbrellas or Shade Structures. NO WEAPONS (including any kind of knives). No animals. No full-size chairs. Only low profile chairs are allowed. About Midland Double Grammy® nominees Midland have sought to reintroduce the Western plains, Laurel Canyon-cum-Bakersfield and Lone Star juke joints to Country music since coming together at a friend’s wedding over common influences and the need for a return to this sort of post-Urban Cowboy Country. For lead singer/guitarist Mark Wystrach, bassist/vocalist Cameron Duddy and lead guitarist/vocalist Jess Carson, the double platinum hit “Drinkin’ Problem” set the stage for their critically acclaimed On The Rocks and No. 1 Billboard Top Country Albums debut Let It Roll to unite classic country fans, hipsters and media including Entertainment Weekly, GQ, The Washington Post, Vogue, Esquire, Variety, Rolling Stone Country and NPR. Based in Dripping Springs, Texas, the trio of songwriters who developed their sound at Tornillo, Texas’ storied Sonic Ranch have been building a following that’s sold-out the Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show, packed a multiple-night stand at Ft. Worth’s iconic Billy Bob’s and re-opened North Hollywood’s legendary Palomino Club for one night only. Bringing listeners a resurgence of their thick harmonies, sad melodies, tart lyrics, and steel guitar with their latest album The Last Resort: Greetings From (Big Machine Records) the retro-Nuevo trio has grown from bar band to an in-demand headliner who has even put together their own cruise setting sail April 2024 (MidlandCruise.com). For more on Midland and tour updates, visit MidlandOfficial.com.
ShareRed River’s Mayfest in the MountainsHome Annual Events The Town of Red River invites you, your loved ones, and friends to join us for Mayfest in the Mountains, a transformative event replacing the traditional Red River Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally. This celebration embraces family-friendly activities and pays tribute to veterans through cultural engagements. Activities include a Wall of Honor Display, Plein Air Competition, Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Family-Friendly Games, NM Game & Fish Department Exhibit, and Live Music performances by local talents. With a focus on community engagement, all offerings are locally sourced, and the event will span multiple venues across town. Come experience the beauty of the mountains and honor our veterans this Memorial Day weekend.
ShareDwight Yoakam with The MavericksHome Annual Events DOORS 6:30pm • ALL AGES PURCHASE TICKETS FROM LENSIC 360 > VENUE INFO – Kit Carson Park Alcohol: Yes, on site alcohol sales unless otherwise noted. Seating: Grass, can bring blankets and folding chairs. Outside Food/Drink: No Parking: Street parking near venue/on main drag of Taos ADA: In most cases, yes. WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Camping/ lawn chairs are allowed and encouraged. No oversize chairs/ Inflatable couches etc. Be mindful of size and space for fellow patrons. Small blankets: Space is limited. No claiming spaces with LARGE blankets or tarps. Be respectful and make rooms for others. A sealed water bottle or empty refillable bottle. We will have FREE water filling stations Sunscreen and hats! No Outside ALCOHOL or FOOD. No Coolers. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site. See list below. No backpacks, bags or large purses. Clutch Purses and small clear bags are allowed, but subject search. No Umbrellas or Shade Structures. NO WEAPONS (including any kind of knives). No animals. No full-size chairs. Only low profile chairs are allowed. DWIGHT YOAKAM Dwight Yoakam has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, and he is a 21-time nominated, multiple GRAMMY Award winner. He has 12 gold albums and 9 platinum or multi-platinum albums, with five of those albums topping Billboard’s Country Albums chart and another 14 landing in the Top 10. Nearly 40 of Yoakam’s singles have charted on Billboard, with 14 peaking in the Top 10. Yoakam is a recipient of the Artist of the Year award from the Americana Music Association, and BMI Country Music’s President’s Award, the most prestigious award offered by the organizations. He was also inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in the Songwriter/Artist category at the 49th anniversary Gala in 2019 in Nashville, TN. Yoakam’s self-curated SiriusXM channel, titled Dwight Yoakam and The Bakersfield Beat ‘Where Country Went Mod’ launched in April of 2018. The channel celebrates the Bakersfield sound and those whom it has inspired. Guests have boasted the likes of Post Malone, Lukas Nelson, Beck, Chris Hillman, Jakob Dylan, Mike Nesmith and Mickey Dolans, Dave Alvin, and Jackie DeShannon, among others. In 2016, Yoakam released his bluegrass album Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars… on Sugar Hill Records. Featuring a band of bluegrass luminaries, this album boasts a collection of reinterpreted favorites from his catalogue, as well as a cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain”. Produced by nine-time GRAMMY winner Gary Paczosa (Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton), Jon Randall (songwriter of “Whiskey Lullaby”), and Yoakam himself, and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, this album reflects the love for bluegrass music that Yoakam developed at an early age in Kentucky and that has inspired him for many yearsthereafter. In 2018, Yoakam released two songs, “Pretty Horses” and “Then Came Monday” (the latter written with Chris Stapleton). In addition to his musical career, Yoakam is a formidable film and television actor who has appeared in over 40 feature films, including Sling Blade and Panic Room. In 2016, he recurred in David E. Kelley’s Amazon series Goliath. Recently, he appeared in director Steven Soderbergh’s film Logan Lucky with Channing Tatum and Daniel Craig. Yoakam is capable of seamlessly melting into his roles and impressively standing toe-to-toe with some of the world’s top thespians over the course of his storied and successful acting career, including Jodie Foster, Tommy Lee Jones, Jared Leto, Forest Whitaker and Matthew McConaughey. THE MAVERICKS Any band that manages to survive three decades, seeing its core members go from young adults to veteran musicians is bound to have its swings and cycles. The Mavericks, the eclectic rock and country group known for crisscrossing musical boundaries with abandon, has gone through three distinct phases since it was founded in Miami in 1989. An initial period of heady success marked by big hits and critical acclaim in the ‘90s. A long hiatus starting 2003 when the musicians each went their own way. And finally, a triumphant reunion in 2012 which held long enough for them to recently celebrate the band’s 30th anniversary. Now, The Mavericks are releasing a new album that ushers in the fourth phase of their evolution. “It’s like we’ve had three different lives,” says Raul Malo, the band’s lead singer and songwriter, “and now this is a whole new beginning. We’re sort of going into uncharted territory. I’m looking forward to it and I’m kind of nervous about it too. It’s certainly a new adventure.” On August 21, The Mavericks officially launch that adventure with the debut of their first-ever, all-Spanish album, released on the band’s own Mono Mundo label. Entitled simply En Español, it is produced by Malo and the band’s long-time collaborator Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Prince, Sheryl Crow). The line-up includes Malo’s fellow Miamian and charter bandmember, Paul Deakin on drums and vibraphone, as well as veteran Jerry Dale McFadden, who joined in 1993. Eddie Perez, a Mexican American guitarist from Los Angeles, is the band’s youngest and newest member, becoming a Maverick in 2003.
ShareThe Avett Brothers with Iron & Wine at Kit Carson ParkHome Annual Events Presented by Lensic 360 VENUE INFO – Kit Carson Park Alcohol: Yes, on site alcohol sales unless otherwise noted. Seating: Grass, can bring blankets and low profile chairs in most cases Outside Food/Drink: No Parking: Street parking near venue/on main drag of Taos ADA: In most cases, yes. WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: No full-size chairs. Only low profile chairs are allowed. Small blankets: Space is limited. No claiming spaces with LARGE blankets or tarps. Be respectful and make rooms for others. A sealed water bottle or empty refillable bottle. We will have FREE water filling stations Sunscreen and hats! No Outside ALCOHOL or FOOD. No Coolers. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site. See list below. No backpacks, bags or large purses. Clutch Purses and small clear bags are allowed, but subject search. No Umbrellas or Shade Structures. NO WEAPONS (including any kind of knives). No animals. No full-size chairs. Only low profile chairs are allowed. THE AVETT BROTHERS Three-time Grammy Award nominees The Avett Brothers made mainstream waves with their 2009 major label debut I And Love And You. In 2012, The Carpenter hit #4 on the Billboard Top 200, followed by Magpie And The Dandelion in 2013, which debuted at #5. In 2016, the band was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. 2017’s documentary May It Last: A Portrait of The Avett Brothers (co-directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio) chronicles the process of writing 2016’s True Sadness (which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Albums chart, #1 Rock Albums, #3 on the Billboard 200 & scored 2 Grammy noms). The film was released theatrically and on HBO to rave reviews, and is now available on DVD/Blu-Ray/VOD. The band’s 10th studio album Closer Than Together features single “High Steppin’” which reached #1 on the Americana Radio Singles Chart. Their latest album The Third Gleam debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums chart, #1 Rock Albums, and #1 Vinyl Albums. Single “Victory” hit #1 on the Americana Radio Singles Chart. The Avett Brothers stayed connected with fans amidst the COVID-19 pandemic by playing two sold out drive-in shows at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the span of three months. Swept Away – a musical inspired by & featuring the music of The Avett Brothers – premiered in January 2022 at Berkeley Repertory Theatre to rave reviews from audiences and critics and is currently in D.C. for a limited pre-Broadway engagement at Arena Stage. IRON & WINE Sam Beam is a singer-songwriter who has been creating music as Iron & Wine for over a decade. Through the course of seven albums, numerous EPs and singles, and the initial volumes of an Archive Series – Iron & Wine has captured the emotion and imagination of listeners with distinctly cinematic songs.
ShareTaos Chamber Music Group – Holiday Season FestivalHome Annual Events For over 30 years the Taos Chamber Music Group has presented concert series that have earned it a reputation for artistic excellence and innovative programming. A highlight of the season is the Holiday Season Festival which features a virtuoso piano recital and a program of chamber music favorites. Performances take place at the Harwood Museum of Art, where TCMG is the Resident Chamber Music Group, in the Arthur Bell Auditorium, an acoustically rich and appealing gem of a hall. This annual event has become a treasured part of the magical holiday season in Taos. For more information visit taoschambermusicgroup.org
ShareWorld Pro Ski Tour World ChampionshipsHome Annual Events Taos Ski Valley will host the World Pro Ski Tour World Championships. This prestigious event is the country’s foremost professional alpine race tour where athletes race side-by-side in a single-elimination format. Professional skiers, World Cup athletes, and Olympians from around the world will begin the Tour in January in Colorado. Thousands of spectators, competitors, and sponsors are expected to attend, showcasing Taos’ world-renowned terrain on international television.
ShareTaos Freeride CompetitionsHome Annual Events The Taos Adult Freeride Competition is back! TAOS Ski Valley is excited to host a 2* Freeride Competition and the 4* Qualifier Finals in conjunction with the International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association and the Freeride World Tour. The 2* Taos Freeride Competition will be held as a 1-day competition on March 4, 2024. Weather day is scheduled for March 5, 2024. The 4* Taos Freeride Competition will be held on March 6 – 7, 2024. Weather day is scheduled for March 8, 2024. This premiere big-mountain event is New Mexico’s largest and most prestigious ski and snowboard competition. Athletes from around the globe descend on TAOS Ski Valley to test themselves against the resort’s famed steeps, chasing the top podium spot and trying to get one step closer to making the Freeride World Tour. There will be terrain closures for the event. Exact terrain TBD.
ShareSan Geronimo DayHome Annual Events The Annual San Geronimo Feast Day is September 30th. Visitors are welcome to come and share in the day of family, friends, and feast. Traditionally, a trade fair for visitors near and far. As part of our traditions and customs we have our footraces in the morning, open to the public at 8 am, your more than welcome to observe the morning festivities. Through out the day an open market will be accessible to take home wares from an array of visiting vendors. The afternoon will be filled with laughter as the Koshare (for lack of written term in the Tiwa or Sacred clowns for lack of term in English) greet the community for the remainder of the day (1 pm – 5 pm, approximately). Please be mindful this day is a sacred day and all elements of the Taos Pueblo community are to be respected. Due to the sacredness of the day there are NO RECORDING DEVICES of any kind are allowed. Cell phones, cameras, drones, etc. are not allowed and will be confiscated. Thank you for your respect and we hope you leave with the memory of the day and share experience through your words with family and friends.
ShareHalloween Community EventHome Annual Events The Town of Taos Community Events, Taos Plaza Merchants, Teresina Lane Merchants, Juan Largo Lane Merchants, John Dunn Shops and Bent Street Merchants along with Taos Milagro Rotary Club, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps and Taos High School Cheer are hosting a huge Children’s Halloween event for children of all ages and their families. On Tuesday, October 31, 2023, from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, the ghoulish fun will be spilled out from the Taos Plaza over to Teresina Lane, to Juan Largo Lane, slithering its way to the John Dunn Shops and Bent Street. The event will provide the children of Taos with a fun, safe, and supervised Halloween Event. Merchants from all around the Taos Historic District (Taos Plaza, Teresina Lane, Juan Largo Lane, John Dunn Shops and Bent Street) will be handing out treats to trick-or-treaters. Local businesses, organizations and church groups will provide decorated “trunks” full of treats for trick-or-treating and various carnival games with prizes. We are excited to be hosting the annual costume contest for children ages 1 to 12 years old, teens, families and pets. Prizes will be awarded to the child, teen, family or pet with the Best Costumes. Judges will be roaming throughout the Taos Plaza from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. No registration needed. This will allow everyone attending the event a chance to be part of the contest. The judges will be wearing a sash labeled “Costume Judge” and will award the winners. We will also be giving out Halloween bags filled with treats and goodies to the first 1,000 children. On the John Dunn pathway, Tatyana will be doing Free Face Painting compliments of the John Dunn Shops. Taos Plaza and Bent Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM; however, the Taos Plaza Merchants and Bent Street Merchants will be open to foot traffic. FREE event parking will be available at our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Loretto Parking Lot, Town Hall, and Taos Public Library. AFTER 5:00 PM all metered parking lots will be free. For handicapped parking and for people requiring ADA access to the event, there will be extra parking at Guadalupe Parking Lot and the area next to the McCarthy Parking Lot directly behind the old County Courthouse. For more information contact Judy Esquibel at 575-751-2037 or at [email protected].
ShareTaos School of Music & Chamber Music FestivalHome Annual Events The Taos School of Music and Chamber Music Festival has been declared by NPR to be “One of the most prestigious and intimate of summer music schools in the country.” Each summer since 1963, nineteen elite Young Artists from around the world come to Taos to study chamber music for eight weeks with famed string quartets. Both faculty and Young Artists present weekly electrifying chamber music concerts in Taos and Taos Ski Valley. Taos School of Music alumni can be found in major orchestras and preeminent chamber music ensembles throughout the world. Be among the first to hear the next generation of great artists. Visit the Taos School of Music website for a complete schedule of events.