Screen Time
Local actor/filmmaker Ricky Lee Regan debuts pilot for TV show Coyo at Black Mesa Casino
Though the WGA/SAG strikes forced filmmaker Ricky Lee Regan (Cree and Lakota) to put a pin in his plans to debut his locally produced supernatural cop drama Coyo some months ago, with agreements tentatively reached and the entertainment wheels spinning once more, he’s finally ready to show it to the public.
Coyo is a complicated tale that pulls both from the long tradition of cops-on-television and Native lore. In the pilot, small town detective Justin “Coyo” Coyote (Jon Riggz) finds himself investigating a spate of murders that feel all too similar to cases from 20 years earlier. Adding to his woes, a former NYPD detective named Anna (Carmen Dahlman) has just moved to town in search of a more peaceful life, and the two are often at odds; police chief Tillwell (Rodney freaking Grant!) wants answers, too—and did we mention Coyo can shapeshift? Too bad his drinking problems are muddying his abilities. Regan himself plays a role as well: the main suspect in the killings. But can it be so simple? Doubtful.
“We actually started the project in 2000,” Regan tells SFR. “My friend who’d just graduated from NYU film school and I were watching television, and Good Morning America was having this scary movie contest…we made a 15-minute film in 24 hours called Justin Coyote: Tribal Cop.”
The bones of that first project remain in Coyo, though Regan’s experience in film and theater over the last 20 years helped flesh it out, as did writer Daniel Kiernan’s take on Regan’s vision. Regan and company shot the pilot in and around Santa Fe with a shoestring budget and with a 100% Native cast and crew, all of whom will appear at the screening at Black Mesa Casino in San Felipe Pueblo.
“For one thing, Natives are hot right now,” Lee explains of the timing for the project with a laugh. “We also wanted to put [New Mexico] in the spotlight.” (Alex De Vore)
Coyo Screening: 7 pm Saturday, Dec. 9. Free. Black Mesa Casino, 25 Hagen Road, Algodones, (505) 867-6700
For Everyone
While everyone comes across fine art pieces they love, the prices of artwork often keep them from taking works home. We get it—not everyone can be some blue chip hustler looking to invest in art. Enter young but powerful Canyon Road gallery smoke the moon, at which the upcoming 500 Below Affordable Art Bazaar makes it easier for would-be collectors to pick up work from the likes of Emma Bagley, Sonia Calderon, Cory Feder, Oskar Petersen and so many more. Everything is priced between $25 and $500 and, just in time for the holidays, 25% of all proceeds go to The Food Depot, the local nonprofit that helps hungry Santa Fe residents in need. (ADV)
500 Below Affordable Art Bazaar: Noon-5 pm Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9. Free (but pay for art, duh). smoke the moon, 616½ Canyon Road, smokethemoon.com
String You Along
If the previous art-forward market is not quite what you’re looking for in the gift milieu this season, local holiday market String of Lights returns for the umpteenth time, and back inside the gargantuan Farmers’ Market Pavilion for the first time since 2020. You’ll find dozens of vendors, from makers, artists, artisans, printmaster, jewelers, crafters and more all under one roof. Full disclosure? We might go just for the Tumbleroot cocktails or the holiday photo booth, but in years past we’ve managed to pick out our entire Christmas lists at String of Lights, and then some. Also cool? The nighttime vibe feels so nice in the winter, especially with a warm drink in your hand. (ADV)
String of Lights 2023: 5-9 pm Saturday, Dec. 9. Free (but pay for stuff, duh). Farmers’ Market Pavilion, 1607 Paseo de Perlata, highdesertmarkets.com
Eight Nights Start With One
We don’t want to only highlight the Christmas stuff in Santa Fe this season, because anyone who’s anyone knows our local Jewish community is well worth celebrating. Join the Santa Fe Jewish Center (and anyone else who wishes to attend, really) as they celebrate Chanukah on the Plaza this weekend. Officials from the center will light a giant chile-themed menorah, you can expect live music and fire dancers, as well as a gelt drop (that’s chocolate coins for you gentiles) and—are you sitting down?—latkes and donuts for all. What else can we say but mazel tov? (ADV)
Santa Fe Jewish Center’s Chanukah on the Plaza: 3-4:30 pm. Sunday, Dec. 10. Free. Santa Fe Plaza, 100 Old Santa Fe Trail, santafejcc.com