Five Things to Do This Weekend

1 See an artist capture the stars.

The legacy of Charles Ross in the world of land art cannot be overstated. Inspired by the stars, time, planetary motion, and how human perception changes as we observe these phenomena, there’s an existential essence to his work.

A new exhibition, Charles Ross: Mansions of the Zodiac, opens at the Harwood Museum in Taos on Friday with a reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and includes pieces that have never been seen before. “Mansions of the Zodiac has never been shown in its entirety,” says Nicole Dial-Kay, head curator at the museum.

Attracted to Ross’s work since studying him in art school, Dial-Kay contacted him soon after she moved to New Mexico. The two selected works that make sense to showcase now, in advance of Ross’s completion of Star Axis, a 11-story sculptural work on an eastern New Mexico mesa that’s been under construction since 1976. Together Dial-Kay and Ross selected three bodies of work to highlight.

“The exhibit presents this massive body of work and shows how Ross has been mapping astronomical cycles,” she says. “There’s something beautiful about being in the presence of these pieces.” The 12 maps are 109 inches tall and hung low because the artist wants the viewer to imagine their place amid broad spectrums of time.   

Mansions of the Zodiac also includes a prism sculpture from 1966. “He studied light as a material he could capture, almost like paint, as its own medium,” says Dial-Kay. Ross’s prismatic pieces include the Dwan Light Sanctuary on the campus of the United World College in Montezuma.

The final piece of the exhibition is a video created in Ross’s studio, capturing prismatic light as it moves through the studio space. “The soundtrack is the sound of the sun, solar transmissions captured in a lab in Boulder,” Dial-Kay says. “He’s always thinking about how he can harness these phenomena.” An opening reception includes an appearance by MovementLab, music by Trey Donovan, and stargazing with UNM-Taos professor Colin Nicholls. See the exhibition through September 7.

2 Examine Indigenous design.

At the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, in Albuquerque, Sage Mountainflower: House of Fashion opens on Saturday with a reception and artist talk from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Mountainflower (Ohkay Owingeh/Taos Pueblo/Diné) takes inspiration from Indigenous motifs and culture, weaving them into her designs. For example, her line Phendi, which means black in Tewa, recalls the black-on-black Pueblo pottery made by icons like María Martinez (San Ildefonso). As a point of reference, the exhibition includes some of the cultural center’s permanent pottery collection alongside those pieces.

“Sage works with these embedded designs and textures from the landscape and pottery and from her culture,” says Michelle Lanteri, head curator at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Mountainflower’s collections have appeared in Paris, Milan, and New York. “She makes this local to global connection,” Lanteri says. The 14 looks included in the exhibit are available for purchase and cab be made to order in your size. See the exhibit through July 13.

3 Dig into geology.

Mother Earth gifts us amazing things, like the gems and minerals you can see this weekend at Treasures of the Earth Gem & Mineral Show in Albuquerque. Hosted by the Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Society, the event features vendors selling a spectrum of sparky specimens, a gem identification booth, field trips for rockhounds, silent auctions, and more. It’s open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Expo New Mexico inside the Creative Arts Building.

4 Support Poetry Out Loud finalists.

High school students from throughout New Mexico compete in the Poetry Out Loud finals at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, in Santa Fe, on Sunday at 1 p.m. Nine participants take the stage for a spot in the national finals, which take place in Washington, D.C., in May. The winner also receives a $200 cash prize and $500 for their school to purchase poetry materials.

5 Celebrate the Celts.

Campfire Kitchen at Fort Selden

Fort Selden Historic Site Ranger Mike Bailey gives a talk about cultural diversity through food while cooking his family recipe for corned beef and cabbage during Campfire Kitchen: Irish Roots on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. The historic site was once home to many first-generation immigrants, including Irish soldiers. The event includes cookie decorating in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

Shamrock Showcase

Looking to spruce up for spring? The Shamrock Showcase hosted by Yucca Blossom Trade Days at the Ruidoso Convention Center has a plethora of goods, crafts, and unique pieces to peruse Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Balloon Rallye

Belén hosts the 39th annual St. Patrick’s Day Balloon Rallye on Saturday and Sunday in Eagle Park. The fun flyers’ fest features balloon launches each morning at 7 a.m., food trucks and vendors, and a remote-control balloon launch.

St. Paddy’s Day Celebration

In Lamy, dive into a delicious meal at the Legal Tender Saloon & Eating House on Sunday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. and catch live Irish music curated by Gerry Carthy. Beer-battered onion rings and a pint of something local should hit the spot.

Shamrock & Shop

Wear green to the Shamrock & Shop Market at El Vado Motel, in Albuquerque, on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted by Taylor.D Socials, it features Irish dancing, live music, more than 20 local vendors selling everything from candles to jewelry, and food options ranging from pizza to stir fry.

For more things to do, check out our online calendar of events.