SFR Picks—Week of Sept. 15

One N and two Esses

Okay, now that you can spell Renaissance, it’s time to get out that that dusty armor

Sometimes life is hard, and you’ve just gotta pull out your wooden sword and dragon decor shield, get a jug of mead or a foil-wrapped turkey leg—and just sit with yourself for a while. If that’s your vibe, you’ll be pleased to know the Santa Fe Renaissance Faire at El Rancho de las Golondrinas is back after that pandemic-spurred hiatus took away all our beloved activities. Yes, that’s right: you can be the master of your very own renaissance.

“We’ve got a little bit of adjustment for COVID, because of budgets and staffing, but the spirit of the festival is the same,” Victor Macias, manager of special events and site rentals, tells SFR. “Jousters, armored combat league, the Fairy Village and the Royal Court—so all the main players are still coming out.”

For the serious Renaissance-ers who’ve seen the most extreme and most tame old-world gatherings out there, Santa Fe’s version has a stronger emphasis on family-friendly vibes. For the adults, the juvenile aspects balance well with the faux combat, mead and beer, food gorging options and the occasional threat from the passing queen and her entourage. Still, Las Golondrinas isn’t skimping on safety and all volunteers, staffers and vendors will be required to wear masks at all times; plus, the 200-acre grounds at the living history museum means ample social distance. Do please note, folks, that tickets won’t be sold at the door this year.

“We want to control numbers for safety purposes this year, limiting it to about 3,000 per day,” Daniel Goodman, museum director, adds. “Tickets will be scanned, we’ll have increased cleaning schedules, sanitizing stations and the normal safety precautions.”

There’s comfort in the familiar, especially these days. If your poison is shouting cool words and phrases like “good morrow” and “to the stocks,” this will be like -therapy to you. (Riley Gardner)

Santa Fe Renaissance Faire: 10am-5pm Saturday, Sept. 18 and Sunday, Sept. 19. $10-$12. El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, 334 Los Pinos Road, (505) 471-2261

Slow Food Needs to Speed Up

If you’ve heard about how New Mexico is one of the more food insecure states in the country, maybe you’d like to learn more about solutions? This Friday, join an online panel discussion to address the ongoing environmental, economic, animal and human threats to food security in New Mexico. The event will be hosted by Slow Food Santa Fe and led by A-dae Romero-Briones (Cochiti/Kiowa), director of programs for Native Agriculture and Food Systems at Native-dedicated nonprofit First Nations Development Institute. Topics center around how to access healthy foods and the food sovereignty movement that has been led largely by Indigenous communities. This is the fourth discussion in the 2021 Food Systems Series, and you must register for free tickets. (Liane Pippin)

Food Security, Food Justice and Food Sovereignty: Noon Friday, Sept. 17. Free. Online. eventbrite.com

Bring On the Artists!

Not to be all about alliteration, but stroll the Southside this Saturday for goodies like pottery, paintings and mouse skulls (for real) when ArtWalk Santa Fe returns for its fifth monthly outdoor event. The ambulatory event brings 20 local artists together to show off their intriguing works, and if the whole art and mouse skulls thing didn’t grab you, know that the event supports emerging artists by providing a safe outdoor space for people to discover new talent in the Santa Fe area. Come for the live music from jazz trio Remember When, stay for local food trucks like La Loncherita Salvadoreña, and Jesushi—plus event assistance from Pushpin Collaborative Co., Soap & Supply and Prana Blessings. (LP)

ArtWalk Santa Fe: 4-7 pm Saturday, Sept. 18. Free. Plaza Rosina, 1925 Rosina St. artwalksantafe.com

Blues, Booze and Ballads

If you don’t like what we might call neo-blues, up-and-comer Samantha Fish might just hook you with her commanding vocals and kick-ass band. Fish brings a contemporary flair to the blues, creating a sultry signature style, and her sixth solo album, Kill or Be Kind, from 2019 leaves little to the imagination thanks to blunt, honest songwriting. Yup. Just know that the folks at AMP Concerts require proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test, so plan accordingly—and get ready to feel those low-down, heart-hurtin’, mid-pandemic, what-the-hell-is-the-Mu-variant blues. (LP)

Samantha Fish: 7:30 pm Sunday, Sept. 19. $28-$33. The Bridge@Santa Fe Brewing Co. 37 Fire Place, (505) 577-6182