SFR Picks—Week of May 4

Clay The Easy Way

Paseo Pottery shows up to showdown

Local ceramicist Angela Kirkman of Paseo Pottery is looking to change local perception when it comes to slingin’ clay through an ongoing event dubbed Pottery Showdown, and given her mission to donate 100% of Paseo’s net profits to local charities, it’s more than worth it to keep an open mind. In other words, forget whatever you think you know about ceramics and get ready to spin that wheel.

“We really want to start making this showdown a regular, monthly event,” Kirkman tells SFR. “There are a lot of artists moving into the [Siler Road] neighborhood, and I think they’ll be really into it.”

In partnership with Santa Fe food bank, The Food Depot, the first showdown reportedly includes pottery demos, a chance to get your own hands in the clay and dance jams courtesy of DJ Chavo. Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery is scheduled to appear with snacks and drinks, too, and newly converted ceramophiles will get a chance to meet the folks who teach Paseo Pottery’s workshops and classes. Oh, and before you ask—there will totally be beautiful pieces for sale. And pottery raffles, too? Man, your kitchen is gonna look so fancy. Just resist the temptation to fire off any dumb Ghost jokes while you’re there.

The whole thing is a kind of homecoming celebration for Kirkman, who was forced to leave her original space on Paseo de Peralta behind after years of workshops and donations. Turns out a massive pottery studio isn’t exactly easy to pick up and move, but as the dust settles in the new spot, the wheels are starting to turn. Kirkman tells SFR, the new space is three times the size of the old location. Even so, to properly run, Paseo Pottery needs community interest. That’s where you come in, and one could do worse than supporting charities while learning a new art. Past recipients of Paseo’s donations have included Tewa Women United, New Energy Economy and Casa First, and customers have a chance to vote on what orgs come next throughout the fiscal year. For now, though, maybe just go party a little?

“Twenty dollars is the suggested donation, and it’s going to help us get new equipment for the space,” Kirkman says. “We were at the old space for 31 years, and we found a new location the day the old lease ran out. So yeah, this is definitely a celebration for the new space.”

Pottery Showdown: 5-8 pm Friday, May 6. $20 suggested donation. Paseo Pottery, 1273 Calle de Comercio, (505) 988-7687

Let Them Speak

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/Relatives Crisis (MMIW) shouldn’t be new information for New Mexicans, but we can’t keep pretending like what we’re doing is enough. As it stands, New Mexico has the highest rate of MMIW in the country, and that’s just pulling from the available data, which many say doesn’t begin to cover the actual scope of the crisis. As such, in an effort to educate and illuminate, local Native leaders host an event this week with prayer, spoken word, art, song and dance to honor those lost and missing, and, hopefully, to convince a few more people to join the fight. For our non-Native friends, this is a chance for you to show solidarity and listen. There’s a lot of pain in our community many of us can’t imagine, which is exactly why the cause needs allies. (RG)

5/5/5 Day Of Action: 5 pm Thursday, May 5. Free (but donate to Indigenous causes). Santa Fe Plaza, 63 Lincoln Ave.

Who Wears Short Shorts?

Those uninitiated in the theatrical arts might assume full-lengths would be the best place for thespians to stretch their artistic muscles, but shorts can be every bit as challenging and rewarding. As luck would have it, Theater Grottesco has a new shorts program ready to go, and they’re crafted by the very actors who regularly work with the company. Some are funny, some are arias and others examine pure drama. Grottesco often proves itself eager to work on the fringes of theater, and this particular collection of shorts follows that same path while allowing venerable actors a chance to step forward as more involved creators. It just fits. (RG)

Shorts 5: 7:30 pm Friday, May 5. $12-$25. Santa Fe Improv, 1202 Parkway Drive. theatergrottesco.org/tickets

Near, Far, Wherever Broadway Stars Are

OK, so maybe we just ran an interview with singer and former SNL cast member Ana Gasteyer in our 3 Questions section, but we think it’s worth repeating that a very funny and talented lady is headed to the Lensic Performing Arts Center this week for Broadway Confidential. Yeah, SNL heads, you heard us right—that Ana Gasteyer. To sweeten the deal, Gasteyer is joined by pianist, actor and Broadway-lover Seth Rudesky, who hosts Seth’s Big Fat Broadway and Seth Speaks on Sirius XM Radio. They’ll sing, they’ll dance, they’ll make you laugh (and, we’ve heard, they’ll tell more than a couple stories). Yes, Broadway culture can be a little cringe if you’re not already in the club, but there are no pre-reqs at this performance. In fact, if you’ve been wondering how to get on board with musicals and jazz, this might be the ticket. (RG)

Broadway Confidential: An Evening With Ana Gasteyer and Seth Rudesky: 7 pm Tuesday, May 10. $49-$89. Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W San Francisco St. (505) 988-1234.