Taos Plaza Live (TPL)

One of my favorite Taos summer activities is attending the weekly music fest called Taos Plaza Live. Each Thursday night, from May to September, there is a free concert from 6-8 pm in the plaza. This event is attended by both locals and tourists, adults and kids; the bands are extremely talented, there is dancing...lots of dancing...and everyone has a rockin good time.

This week the featured band is Last to Know a local six-piece band blending the heartiest world rhythms with jam-band passion, while muddying the lines between Americana roots music, disco, funk and bluegrass.*(from their website).  TPL is a "must do" whether you are a local or a visitor this summer.  I'll look for you on the plaza!

Additional information and schedule below provided by livetaos.com.

Taos Plaza Live Schedule – 2014

Performing Next at Taos Plaza Live:

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Thu

10

JUL

Last to KnowTaos Plaza Gazebo, Taos NM6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – FREE!

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Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time for outdoor music and fun. Taos Plaza Live always kicks off in mid-May, one of the first real heralds that summer has nearly arrived in Taos. Bringing music and community fun to the heart of town, the 2014 Taos Plaza Live Season gets rolling this week. Concerts are once again on Thursdays during the summer. So put on your dancing shoes, get the kids, some carry-out, the blanket from the trunk of the car, and come out to listen to some of your favorite artists in Taos.

These free music events happen every Thursday from May 22 – September 4th, and start at 6:00pm. The bands are mostly local and regional – you can expect to hear rock, country, folk, bluegrass, blues, swing, and ranchero music (sometimes all in the same night).

Taos County Chamber of Commerce Membership Representative Lindsey Rowlison- Elliott says: “We always aim to get a variety of diverse acts that represent musical tastes of Taos. We have amazing artists in Taos, and Taos Plaza Live is our opportunity to share them with the community.”

Dining & Drinking

The plaza is in the center of town and offers access to many local restaurants and bars. If you would like some libations before the music, you can enjoy some half-priced cocktails during happy hour (5pm-7pm) right around the corner at The Alley Cantina. Or if you prefer to enjoy libations during the performances, get to The Gorge Bar & Grill early and ask to be seated on the balcony. You can also grab dinner and drinks at Mosaic in the historic La Fonda Hotel. Food options located directly on the plaza are a bit limited, so if you would like to get the most out of the night be sure to eat before or plan on eating afterwards.

Seating

Taos Plaza Live has plenty of space to accommodate for the large crowds that come to enjoy the music. There are metal folding chairs set out for those who prefer to sit, but if you want to guarantee your ability to sit, bring your own chair or blanket — or don’t plan to sit at all, because it’s a great night to dance!

Dancing

Taos Plaza Live may be one of the best events for dancing available in Taos. There is a ton of flat brick laid in front of the stage that is left open for dancers. An added bonus is that you are bound to see some fantastic examples of ‘eclectic Taos dancers’ showing off their unique moves!

Weather

Summer evenings in Taos are some of the finest in the country, but you should pay attention to the forecast. Evening showers are common near the end of the season, but are almost always very brief. Taos Plaza Live will go on, so bring a poncho if it looks like rain and wait it out. It’ll be worth it.

For the rest of the summer schedule please click here

My best,
diane
July 8, 2014

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4th of July in Taos

Happy 4th of July! There are so many things to do this holiday weekend. My favorite way to start the 4th is attending the parade in the neighboring town of Arroyo Seco. If you are in or near Taos on the 4th of July you should not miss this annual fun, wacky, small town event. Please click here to read my post from last year's parade.

After the parade there is time for eating, barbecuing, sightseeing (if you are a tourist) or just resting up for the evening.  A fun activity is attending our local minor league baseball team's game.  Called The Blizzard, The Taos Blizzard is a Professional Baseball Team in the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Club, a New Mexico/West Texas Independent Professional League that plays from May to August. Other teams in the league include: (Alpine Cowboys, Bisbee Blue, Douglas Diablos, Las Vegas Train Robbers, Raton Osos, Roswell Invaders, Santa Fe Fuego, Taos Blizzard, Trinidad Triggers, and White Sands Pupfish).

4 (4569) Crawford/Padilla (4569) 6:00: SFM /

I wrote about the team last year. Click here for more information on the Taos Blizzard. The games this year are all played at night thanks to lights being installed at the field last winter. The game on the 4th starts at 6:00 pm which leaves just enough time to get to the fireworks show held at the Salazar Road extension in the town of Taos starting around 9:15, or whenever it is really dark.

So... a parade, baseball, food and fireworks. What a perfect way to spend the holiday.  Be safe everyone!
There are so many ways to celebrate the 4th of July. Here are a few options courtesy of Taos.org.

Arroyo Seco – Beginning at 12 pm sharp, this annual parade is considered the quirkiest of the area’s offerings with unexpected floats and unusual costumes. Its participants proudly display their personal philosophies and political persuasions in an often humorous manner to the adoring crowds. The best people-watching is right here. Parking is limited, so come early! Festivities run from 10 am until 4 pm along the main thoroughfare, Hwy 150.

Eagle Nest – With a parade beginning at 2pm and fireworks over the lake after dark (about 9:30 pm), nearly everyone in this small community (and from several of the surrounding ones) participates in these events. The crowd of spectators is swelled by visitors lodged in local campgrounds and RV parks from all over the southwest who come to cheer on the floats and enjoy a fabulous BBQ lunch at the Volunteer Fire Department in town. Activities begin at 11 am until 5 pm. Not to be missed! Call (575) 377-2420 for more information.

Red River – The Annual 4th of July Main Street Parade is a time-honored tradition in Red River. The first parade of the day begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. and proceeds westward down Main Street. After the parade stroll down to Brandenburg Park where you can enjoy an AWESOME live performance by a regional band, delicious food, refreshing beverages, and good old fashioned family fun! For more information call 877-754-1708.

Taos Ski Valley – ‘TSV’ as it’s known to the locals, offers a parade, a rubber duck race, fun games and live music. The rubber duckie race starts at 2 p.m. with the parade, music and other events to follow. It’s all free. Call 800-517-9816.

Taos - While it leaves the parades to other nearby communities, Taos does host an hour-long annual professional fireworks display at the Salazar Road Extension, put on by the Town of Taos Volunteer Fire Department. This prime location allows the show to be seen throughout the area. Fireworks launch once the sky is fully dark, usually around 9:15 pm.

My best,
diane
July 3, 2014

Follow me on facebook

Please visit my other blogs
MoseyLove!
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We now have a twitter account @dianeintaos. Please follow and I will follow back!  I would love to get to know you on Facebook, Twitter and through your comments on this blog.