SFR Picks: Bridging the Gap

The Bridge is Santa Fe's most exciting new venue option

Santa Fe Brewing Co. owner Brian Lock is well aware that the previous tenants of the venue aspect of his business could have given the space a bad name. “We’re trying to rebrand and distance ourselves from some of that reputation that it had maybe picked up,” he tells SFR. “The idea is that everything be updated, upgraded and better.” And he ain’t kidding. According to Lock, The Bridge (formerly known as Sol Santa Fe) has received extensive remodels and additions. The stage has been revamped with a brand-new elevated sound system, the patio has been expanded with grassy areas, and a dedicated space for food trucks to pull up and operate has been created. Frankly, it sounds amazing. Says Lock, “We’ll be beginning construction on a pedestrian bridge late this summer or early fall that will allow patrons to get a beer in any of our licensed areas and then take that beer to other areas, for example, the beer garden we have planned, and not have to worry about drinking it too quickly or leaving it unfinished.” This is great news for Santa Fe, not just because the outdoor stage at The Bridge is, hands-down, the best venue in town, but because the frequency with which shows are booked is on the rise. “My focus has been on that outdoor aspect,” Lock says, “because we just don’t have an outdoor venue since Paolo Soleri [Amphitheater] closed.” In order to properly celebrate SFBC’s awesome new direction, Lock and crew will kick off the summer with a performance from legendary Jamaican reggae band, Israel Vibration. It’s about as authentic as it gets, and even people who don’t much like reggae (like me, for example) can still get behind the concept of feel-good summer fun spurred by such an infamous act. We can breathe easy, Santa Fe. Lock’s got our back here. And with upcoming shows from acts like Los Bon Bon or Kyle Hollingsworth of The String Cheese Incident, summer in our weird little town looks brighter than ever. (Alex De Vore)

Santa Fe Brewing Co.'s Music Venue Reopening with Israel Vibration
7:30 pm Thursday, June 9. $20.
The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing Co.,
37 Fire Place
424-3333

Erotica

Burlesque troupe Zircus Erotique has been making waves and wriggling suggestively since 2008, and by implementing elements from vaudeville, comedy and bellydance, they’ve built quite a name for themselves. “For this show we’ll have three performers, Miss Catwings, Lola Love and Moulin Rouge, who are from Hawaii, and it’s their first time in New Mexico,” ZE director/producer Mena Domina tells SFR. “We’ll be doing a mix of performers choice, neo-burlesque and classic, so it should be very high-energy.” Host LinZ MCs once again as well, so leave the kids at home for this one and prepare yourself for a titillating evening of debauchery. (ADV)

Zircus Erotique Burlesque & Variety Show:
8:30 pm Friday, June 10. $20.
The Lodge at Santa Fe,
750 N St. Francis Drive,
231-3803

Trashy

With a name like Trash Mullet, one might expect a night of grungy punk rock from these Los Angeles-based musicians. Lead singer-songwriter Delaney Moos tells SFR, “I was kind of being ironic with how nice our music sounds.” The band bills itself as freak folk, featuring nontraditional elements like clarinets and trombones. Moos’ sultry twang and simplistic banjo waltz rhythms recall early blues and country records. You can practically hear the pops beneath the phonograph needle. The band plays at 8 pm, but get there at 6 to check out the distorted oil paintings by Mike Frick. It’ll be freaky. (Andrew Koss)

Sour Mugs with Trash Mullet:
6 pm Saturday June 11. $5.
Zephyr,
1520 Center Drive


Cray-Cray

If you hear a soulful howl echo through the arroyos Tuesday night, it’s probably just Robert Cray’s performance at the Lensic carrying on the wind. Longtime musical partners Richard Cousins and Dover Weinberg will accompany the blues legend, with Les Falconer on drums. Cray has been jamming with Cousins since they were teenagers. After nearly 50 years of trading riffs, set lists are rendered unnecessary. “I’ll probably just get on stage and call it,” Cray tells SFR. “I like not knowing what’s going to happen.” With such versatility, the potential for a unique concert experience is endless. (AK)


The Robert Cray Band:
7:30 pm Tuesday, June 14. $39-$54.
Lensic Performing Arts Center,
211 W San Francisco St.,
988-1234

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