“How will you live your one precious life?” asks writer, Mary Oliver. I can recommend living it joyfully dancing at the free Taos Plaza Live Music events, every Thursday from 5:30pm to 8pm from May 23 to September 5 in Taos, New Mexico.
Taosenõs gather together in the main square to ‘bop til you drop.’ Two-step, free-form or however Spirit moves you. Each week a different group of local and guest talents give the audience an endless variety of great shows—all for free! The warm-up group might be up-and-coming locals, or even our own Opera Diva, Heather Antonissen, or pop singer, Mina Tank, who gained fame on the “Ellen Show.”
Around 7pm, the main attraction of Country Western, Swing, Jazz, Rock, Reggae or Hispanic sets up for an hour-long gig—gratis. Taos Pueblo Native American icon, Robert Mirabal, and his band, Tribal Mob, delighted fans last year. (Santa Fe Opera charges $120 a ticket to see him.) Another local favorite, Lynn (“I Never Promised You a Rose Garden”) Anderson and her song-writer partner, Mentor Williams, had everyone sashaying around in their cowboy hats and boots.
Dancing in the open air under the auspices of majestic Taos Mountain is sure to make your Spirit soar! Chairs are available for on-lookers. People-watching is definitely part of the fun. Taos is known for its talented artists and quirky characters. You’ll see everything from couples dressed like ‘Rhinestone Cowboys,’ to ‘Mesa-rats with dreadlocks. Second-hand ‘chic’ and the odd one-of-a-kind creations dance solo to their own rhythm. Tribal tattoos blur to the beat—is that writhing dragon on his arm alive?
And Taos ‘Remarkable Women’ aren’t shy to strut their stuff with each other.
What I find particularly endearing is the truth of that old adage, “Age is just a number.” Women with silver-white braids down to their waists spin just as wildly as the ’20-somethings’ with crew-cuts. You’re never too old to dance in Taos!
Taos Plaza Live was created by the joint efforts of the Town and the Chamber of Commerce a decade ago, as a gift to the community. This event is really fun for visitors and locals alike. Give yourself a treat and come dance!
For more info, go to Taos Chamber.com
Sandra Richardson is a long-time Taos resident, writer and fashion designer, also known as “Zandi”
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