SFR Picks: Love Story

Rock 'n' roll 'n' love, how sweet it is

Sad news, Santa Fe: Musicians Anthony Leon and Paige Barton’s days playing music in town are numbered, as they’ll be heading to greener pastures in Florida at the end of March. But it’s not all bad, as there are still chances to catch these stellar musicians before they go. Leon is, of course, best known for his work with his band The Chain, a rollicking take on country rock that has proven one of the most energetic and ass-kicking shows in town. For her part, Barton’s membership in Americana act Hot Honey perfectly counterbalances Leon’s whiskey-soaked and cigarette smoke aesthetic with a sweeter sound best described as pretty. Together, they’re practically unstoppable, the kind of rock ’n’ roll pairing that dreams are made of.

"We tell the story of rock star love," Leon tells us from someplace on the road with The Chain. "We play a lot of my songs and a lot of Paige's songs, there are a lot of originals in there, and it's the story of falling in love, breaking up, getting back together."

Vocal harmonies will obviously play a major role in a Leon/Barton performance, with Paige's flawless pitch pulling Anthony's Hank Williams-esque croon into a new light. It's almost like the light meeting the dark, an unexpected combination that can brilliantly tell a love story without losing the all-important bittersweet notion of such a tale. Yes, as songwriters, their styles are quite different, but despite genre differences, they still do complement one another.

"We're definitely independent thinkers and independent songwriters, but we're playing off each other," Leon says. "I'll write a song about her, she'll write a song about me, and those come together."

In case you haven't seen what either of these musicians are capable of, this is the perfect chance. Truly we're losing some special songwriters here, folks, which would make their upcoming Palace show a do-not-miss.

"I just love that red velvet room," Leon adds wistfully. "Anyway, Santa Fe is home, so it might just be a temporary leaving."

Fingers crossed, Santa Fe. (Alex De Vore)

Anthony Leon and Paige Barton:
10 pm Wednesday, March 2. Free.
The Palace,
142 W Palace Ave.
428-0690


Sister, Can You Spare a Dime Bag?

Don’t let the subject matter fool you, none of this is too serious. That’s what Nonnie Thompson made clear about her upcoming exhibit at Eye on the Mountain Gallery,

Suppression Creates Desire.

It’s an examination of powerful cultural icons and the connotations they carry. “I’m attracted to cultural statements. We’re bombarded with them, and they contradict,” Thompson says. “I approach my paintings with a sense of humor and whimsy. … I add a little edge, a little twist.” Thompson’s vivid and light-hearted paintings make it okay to giggle a bit while working through the confusion. (Cole Rehbein)

Nonnie Thompson:
Opening reception, 5-9 pm Friday, March 4. Free.
Eye on the Mountain Gallery,
614 Agua Fría St.,
(928) 308-0319

Shine Bright

How does an individual affect a community? This is the driving question behind

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

, a play opening this Thursday and showing through the weekend. Leonard, a flamboyant 14-year-old, goes missing from a sleepy New Jersey town, and the community struggles to understand what is left behind. Definitely not a tragedy, the one-person show is a celebration of identity and what other people reveal about us. “It’s really about showing us what our ripple is,” says producer Cecile Lipworth. Within this framework, the piece makes a poignant statement about our perceptions of LGBT+ people and what the youth in that community can teach us. (CR)

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey:
7 pm Saturday, March 5. $25.
Adobe Rose Theatre,
1213 Parkway Drive,
629-8688

Go, Brah

Local troubadour Gerry Carthy is about as Irish as it gets— more so, even. But really, that’s basically what you want from a man who is out to bring Irish music to the masses with a mix of vocals and multiple instruments. “My influences would be the innovative folk from the Irish music of the ’60s,” Carthy says. “Even the American folk movement, which was very popular in Ireland, because there was a lot of crossover.” It makes for a lively time steeped in tradition, yes, but definitely full of energy and good vibes in an intimate setting. (ADV)

Gerry Carthy:
7 pm Thursday, March 3. Free.
Bar Alto at the Drury Plaza Hotel,
828 Paseo de Peralta,
424-2175

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