Taos On The Cheap

Saturday April 4 at 3:00 pm at the TCA Encore Gallery, meet artist Larry Bell, discussing his work and processes. Bell’s work has been shown internationally through his 50 year career, and his exhibit The Last Woman is displayed (free) at the TCA Encore Gallery through April 19, 2009.  Free talk, but donations are welcome.

On Monday nights, Dragonfly Cafe offers an East Indian set menu at $17 a head. Pick 3 dishes out of 6 to make up your entree – including veggie and meat options – and the whole steaming plate is served with delicious sides of rice, chutney, raita, pickles, a salad, and poppadom and nan breads. Believe me, 17 bucks is a bargain. I walked out smiling, stuffed, and with a doggy bag.  Indian Night is not on their website, but seems ongoing for now – and very popular too. Arrive soon after 5pm opening to be sure of a seat. Dragonfly Cafe is at 402 Paseo del Pueblo Norte. 575-737-5859.

Win Two Grand’s worth of goodies in the free-to-enter Spring Fling Bling Thing Giveaway run by KTAO and LUNA radio stations and FIVE Magazine.  How to enter: Pick up a FREE copy of the current issue 32 of FIVE magazine – it’s all over town, can’t miss it. Fill in the entry form, give it a kiss, then drop it at one of the official contest points by 1pm on April 21, 2009. It’s all in the mag.

You don’t need to be present to win at the drawing on April 22, but you will need to be in Taos to enjoy the fab Grand Prize – $2000 of gift certificates from businesses including Spirits of Beauty, Francesca’s, Letherworks, Caffe Renato, Anasazi Fields Winery, Taos Sound, Bavarian Lodge and Restaurant, and a whole bunch more. Good luck!

Free opening reception Friday April 3, 5:00 – 7:00 pm for Beyond the Fringe: A Fiber Art Exhibit, at the TCA Stables Gallery. Thirteen artists present multidimensional works in weaving, emboidery, knit, crochet, quilting etc.  Show continues to April 7.

A bunch of discounts at La Posada de Taos, a popular adobe hacienda Bed & Breakfast near Taos Plaza. Surely one of these will suit you?

* Mid Week (Mon-Thurs, excluding holidays): 15% discount on normal rates for 3 nights, 20% discount for 4 nights.
* Last Minute: Call within 24 hours of arrival for a 20% discount on a one-night stay (as available).
* AAA and AARP discounts for online bookings: Enter AAA/AARP under Promo Code, proof required on check-in.

All special rate info on La Posada de Taos 6 guest rooms (regular rates between $124 – $174, at time of posting. Or $184 – $219 for the honeymoon casita.) Highly praised breakfasts, afternoon snack buffet, kiva fireplaces, posh linens, free wi-fi access, most guest rooms open onto semi-private patios, some have whirlpool bathtubs. Lots of art sprinkled about (the main house was built by Burt Phillips, a Taos Society of Artists founder.) And so many ways to save. Really, what’s not to love?

March 28, 2-4 pm at the San Geronimo Lodge, a free reception showing the winning artwork for the 2009 Toast of Taos Wine Festival poster, plus work from other artists who competed in the contest. Artists include Kit Lynch, Ann Cole, Pat Woodall, Lloyd Rivera. The winning poster is a beaut, but you can check out all the winey-viney art at the reception.