They're Calling it "Tamalewood": Santa Fe has long been home to various luminaries; Val Kilmer, Gene Hackman, and Ali McGraw are all spotted during routine, day to day activities in town because they live in and around Santa Fe. But, for the next several months chances of running into stars of both the big and little screen down on the Plaza go way up as four major films, a TV mini-series, and a handful of smaller productions converge on the city throughout the summer.

Employee of the Month already created a buzz when Jessica Simpson came to town in March, bringing an entourage of beautiful people and swarming paparazzi on set to a sleepy, east-side neighborhood. Used Guys, Hog Wild, and No Country for Old Men will continue the parade of stars through the city this summer including Jim Carrey and Ben Stiller (Used Guys), John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, and Tim Allen (Hog Wild), and Tommy Lee Jones (No Country for Old Men). Commanche Moon, a prequel to the popular Lonesome Dove mini-series, is also scheduled to shoot in the area at the same time along with a trio of lower budget horror films to be produced at the decommissioned state prison, the site of The Longest Yard remake in 2004.

What's made Santa Fe, and New Mexico, so popular with these new productions? First it has to be New Mexico, a state that's hosted film makers for almost 100 years and can look like a lot of other places or like no other place at all. New Mexico's rugged appeal means western films are a natural but a current production shooting in state, Fanboys, is using New Mexico locations to portray a small Iowa town, Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Rocky Mountains. Second, there is a huge talent pool of film professionals from grips and gaffers to animal handlers and cameramen living locally. The IATSE Local 480 (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) has more than tripled its membership in the last 3 years. Third, the state legislature has enacted 20 percent tax rebates (25 percent starting in July, 2006), a 0 percent loan program for up to $15 million per project for feature films and TV projects, and a waiver on state sales tax, all of which appeal to producers and have other states scrambling to put similar incentives in place.

In addition, a newly created, non-profit prop and costume shop based on an innovative communal concept-Big House Props and Costumes-the Garson Studios production facility-the largest such facility between Los Angeles and Chicago-and a welcoming attitude among the state's residents have worked to make "Tamalewood" a top-of-the-list choice for domestic film makers. Catching a glimpse of John Travolta in downtown Santa Fe is just an added bonus. Contact the New Mexico Film Office, katie.roberts@state.nm.us">Katie Roberts, 505-827-0300.


Native Treasures, Santa Fe's Newest Indian Art Show and Sale: What started last year as a one day event takes over Memorial Day Weekend this year, May 27 & 28, 2006. Native Treasures: Indian Arts Festival will feature over 130 of the nation's best Native American artists from more than 20 tribes across the U.S.

The invitational show has gathered together established masters and the brightest emerging artists alike including sculptors Roxanne Swentzell and Cliff Fragua; potters Autumn Borts, Jacquie Stevens, Preston Duwyenie, Barbara and Cavan Gonzales, and Robert Tenorio; jewelers Vernon Haskie, the Gaussion family, Mike Bird-Romero, Kenneth Johnson, and Shawn Bluejacket; beadworker Marcus Amerman; and select painters, weavers, basket makers, carvers, glass artists, and wood workers.

The show will take place at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture on Museum Hill and provide a special opportunity to meet these museum-quality artists in a relaxed and informal setting. A special opening reception benefiting the museum will be held on Friday, May 26 from 6 to 8 PM at the museum and will feature a pre-sale of artwork selected by the artists.

Hours: Saturday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early bird tickets (for entry between 9-10 a.m.) are $10, After 10 a.m., admission is $5. All tickets are available at the entrance to the show.  On Sunday, May 28, the show is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday admission is free. Tickets for the Friday, May 26, opening reception are $65 (and include an Early Bird ticket for Saturday). www.nativetreasures.org">www.nativetreasures.org


Museums Extend Summer Hours - Open Mondays: Like many museums, The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Museum of International Folk Art, the Palace of the Governors, and the Museum of Fine Arts have traditionally been closed on Mondays. However, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, 2006 these popular museums will be open seven days a week to greet visitors during the city's summer months.

Savvy travelers will note that admission to the Palace of the Governors and the Museum of Fine Arts is free on Friday evenings from 5:00 to 8:00 PM (with the exception of major exhibition openings). In addition, a four day pass offering unlimited visits to all four of these museums in Santa Fe plus The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art is $18.00. A new one day pass for two museums - either the Museum of International Folk Art and Museum of Indian Arts and Culture located on Museum Hill OR to the Museum of Fine Arts and Palace of the Governors located downtown is $12.00.

For travelers exploring more of New Mexico than just Santa Fe, the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs has created a one-ticket pass for entry into all of the state's 14 museums and historic monuments. The New Mexico CulturePass allows the purchaser one-time visits to each of the eight museums and six monuments that are funded and operated by the State of New Mexico. The $20 pass is valid for one year from date of first use.

For information on upcoming exhibits, including the only U.S. showing of Mexican Modern: Masters of the 20th Century from May 28 through September 3 at the Museum of Fine Arts, and images - museumofnewmexico.org