100 Years of Native Excellence

Indian Market’s centennial celebration shows no growing pains

When we say there is nothing quite like Santa Fe Indian Market, we mean that sincerely.What else around here draws an estimated 100,000 people? For the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, which hosts the annual gathering, this year is extra-extra special: Indian Market is turning 100. That’s a century of Native artists descending upon Santa Fe to show off countless art styles ranging from the traditional to the ultra-contemporary and all points in-between—and the big anniversary hits just as Indian Market gets to stretch its legs after two years of pandemic limitations.

“It’s really exciting to finally have this event with no restrictions,” Kim Peone (Colville Confederated Tribes/Eastern band of Cherokee), executive director of SWAIA, tells SFR. “For me, it’s been more like Indian Market on steroids.”

One hundred years ago, the market was a Pueblo-focused, non-Native-organized event. Over the past century, however, it has evolved to be run by a mostly Native staff with meaningful reach into Indigenous communities within the US and Canada. Over the decades, the market has changed plenty as Native people continue to celebrate their artistic talents and right to self determination more freely. Things aren’t perfect, but one can’t deny the market has been a critical lifeline for creators across all demographics.

So, what can you, dear reader, expect? SWAIA offers Saturday activities on and around the Plaza, including performances from flautist Randy Kemp (Mvskoke/Choctaw), Indigenous comics, food vendors, dancers, singers, galleries and on and on. Sunday even features the return of the Native American clothing contest, and you can buy gorgeous art pretty much anywhere you look. The downtown galleries get in on the game, too, and who even knows what else will go down. Also cool? This year’s market is not ticketed as last year’s was. That’s right, friends—Indian Market is free and open to the public once more.

“Even though we’ve been doing events since the beginning of the year, the actual market is different,” Peone continues. “We just want people to come out and celebrate our birthday with us.” (Riley Gardner)

Santa Fe Indian Market: 8 am-5 pm, Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 20 & 21. Free. Downtown Santa Fe, 63 Lincoln Ave., swaia.org

Try to Remember

The name High Mayhem Emerging Arts still means something around here, particularly in how the arts org continues to push the boundaries of live media. This week, everybody’s favorite ragtag gang of improvisational multi-instrumentalists and artists puts bassist Carlos Santistevan and percussionist Marshall Trammell together with the multi-dimensional violinist Laura Ortman for In Defense of Memory, an evolving band that doesn’t need your stinking time signatures. Think of it like freejazz and noise merging with trained musicality and improv progressivism. In Defense of Memory wends its way through conceptual odes to New Mexico’s checkered history, and you’ll find movements that border on the classical, as well as the risky complexity to which High Mayhem and its offshoot ambassadors continually strive. It’s gonna get weird, but you’re gonna love it. (Alex De Vore)

In Defense of Memory: 7 pm Thursday, Aug. 18. $20. San Miguel Chapel, 401 Old Santa Fe Trail, (505) 983-3974

Ooh, Baby Baby!

The hip-hop scene in Santa Fe has really become something worth celebrating over the last few years. You’ve got emcees like Anthonius Monk and Prismatic Soul ripping it up; you’ve got crews like Outstanding Citizens Collective spreading the love; you’ve got new-ish act Baby Weekend releasing a new record of super-chill, super-lyrical, Balkan-inspired hip-hop jamz. Klezmer-esque horns flare up within the beats while members/rappers Be Juan and Tuberculosis somehow marry a throwback Slick Rick style with contemporary grit, soul elements and more words per minute than seems doable. It’s nerdy, it’s funny—but it also hits hard and is likely danceable. Baby Weekend hosts a listening party for its new album on Friday, then performs live on Saturday. (ADV)

Baby Weekend Listening Party: 7 pm Friday, Aug. 19. Free. Honeymoon Brewery, 907 W Alameda St., (505) 303-3139

Live Show w/The Janissary Jazz Band: 8 pm Saturday, Aug. 20. Free. Second Street Brewery Rufina, 2920 Rufina St., (505) 654-1068

Abeyta Be With You

One hardly remembers a Summer Bandstand series without musician Chris Abeyta and his band, Lumbre del Sol. But following Abeyta’s death in March, it wasn’t a given that surviving members would hit the stage. Ditch those fears, though, because Lumbre del Sol is back, and with Abeyta’s sons Amado and Buddy carrying the torch, they’ll pay tribute to their community titan father. Back in March, Abeyta’s son Amado told SFR of his dad: “The Plaza was his favorite place to perform,” a fitting locale for the most Santa Fe guy ever. Lumbre del Sol is quintessentially New Mexican, including flavors of Latin jazz, rock, folklorico and more. For those of us who grew up here, it’s almost like the soundtrack to Santa Fe. With the summer winding down, a little piece of the old days sounds perfect right about now. (ADV)

Lumbre del Sol: 6 pm Tuesday, Aug. 23. Free. Santa Fe Plaza, 100 Old Santa Fe Trail, ampconcerts.org