APRIL 2–4, 16, 18–19
BAROQUE-A-PALOOZA
Fans of early classical music can enjoy several performances of exceptional, mostly 18th- century works in Santa Fe and Taos this month. “Baroque Holy Week” concerts at the lovely Loretto Chapel, April 2–4, feature the Santa Fe Pro Musica Baroque Ensemble (505-988- 4640; santafepromusica.com). On April 16, the Boulder-based Takács Quartet performs Haydn’s Emperor Quartet and Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 7 “Razumovsky” at the New Mexico Museum of Art (505-476-5072; nmartmuseum.org). The weekend of April 18–19, the esteemed Taos Chamber Music Group presents “Unimagined Bridges,” with pieces by Bach and Brahms as well as contemporary composer Andrea Clearfield, at the Harwood Museum. (575) 758-9826; harwoodmuseum.org

APRIL 4
DETONATION DESTINATION
The setting of the world’s first atomic-bomb test, Trinity Site ranks among the nation’s most intriguing—and poignant—monuments to 20th-century history. One day each year (the fall open house has been suspended indefinitely), you can visit the grounds, which include an obelisk marking the site of “ground zero” as well as the nearby McDonald Ranch House, in which the bomb was assembled. The gate, 17 miles S.E. of San Antonio, opens at 8, but you needn’t arrive early. “People start lining up at around 7:30, but you can see everything in an hour or two,” advises Adriana Salas, of the White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs Office. “Avoid the line by arriving around 10 or 11.” The last entry is at 2, but you’re wel- come to explore for another hour or so. (575) 678-1134; www.wsmr.army.mil/PAO/Trinity

APRIL 9
PLAY BALL!
You might just see a future Hall of Famer take the field on the Albuquerque Isotopes’ opening day. A lanky right-hander by the name of Pedro Martinez pitched in 27 games for the then Dukes in the early nineties, and he’s headed to Cooperstown this summer. As of this season, after runs with the Marlins and Dodgers, the Isotopes are the Colorado Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate. The first 3,000 fans to attend the Thursday-evening opener will receive a free beanie. (505) 924-2255; abqisotopes.com

APRIL 10
ENCHANTED FOLK WAYS
Santa Fe’s Lensic Performing Arts Center presents the 15th annual Nuestra Musica con- cert this year, a presentation of New Mexican Hispano folk music by beloved master musicians from the northern and central regions, including 91-year-old button accordionist and guitarist Toni Apodaca of Trio Jalapeño, and singer-songwriter, former lieutenant governor, and radio personality Roberto Mondragón. Find out more by reading our recent feature “For the Love of La Música” (mynm.us/nuestramusica). (505) 988-7050; lensic.org

APRIL 14, 17, 19
DRUMROLL, PLEASE
What better way to celebrate Earth Month than by listening to an ensemble of offbeat musicians pound on piles of ingeniously recycled construction salvage? Formed in Vancouver, B.C., in 1998, Scrap Arts Music presents its fascinating, artful, and highly percussive collection of instruments— built out of everything from PVC piping to artillery shells—at New Mexico Tech’s Macey Center in Socorro on April 17 (575-835-5342; nmtpas.org). The troupe will also perform on April 14 at Clovis Community College’s Marshall Auditorium (575-769-2811; clovis.edu) and on April 19 at the historic Rio Grande Theatre in Las Cruces.
(575) 523-6403; riograndetheatre.com

APRIL 18
A NIGHT AT THE BUCKHORN
The author of such lyrical tunes as “Tumbleweed Stew” and “Lonesome Highway,” acclaimed Austin-based singer-songwriter Slaid Cleaves sure seems like someone who’s spent time in New Mexico. On April 18, this engrossing storyteller, who counts Woody Guthrie and Bruce Springsteen among his influences, performs at the rollicking Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House in Pinos Altos. It’s the final installment of Mimbres Region Arts Council’s 2014–15 Indie/Folk Series.
(575) 538-9911; buckhornsaloonandoperahouse.com

APRIL 23–25
TRIBAL REVIVAL
More than 500 indigenous tribes from through-out the United States and Canada converge on Albuquerque for the 32nd annual Gathering of Nations. The three-day event includes the traditional powwow and kicks off Thursday night with the Miss Indian World Talent Presentations at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Admission also gets you into the superb Indian Traders Market and Stage 49, a two-day showcase of indigenous rock, reggae, hip-hop, blues, and dance bands. gatheringofnations.com

APRIL 24–26
BIG COUNTRY
Now in its third year, and situated along smartly revitalized Main Street in the heart of downtown, the Las Cruces Country Music Festival promises three tuneful days of first- rate crooning and strumming. Headliners in 2015 include “The Gambler” great Kenny Rogers, plus up-and-coming young Nashvillian Dustin Lynch, of “Cowboys and Angels” fame. The Swon Brothers, RaeLynn, and rising country star Bri Bagwell—who grew up in Las Cruces—will also perform. Related events include the NMSU Rodeo and a Sunday morning country breakfast at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.
(575) 541-2444; lascrucescountrymusic.com

APRIL 25
MARTHA’S MUSES
The legendary, New York–based Martha Graham Dance Company touches down at Popejoy Hall in Albuquerque to present repertory dances—including choreography by Graham herself, in “Appalachian Spring Suite” and “Errand Into the Maze”—and a new piece inspired by Greek mythology. (505) 925-5858; popejoypresents.com

APRIL 25
DREAM WEAVERS
In the picturesque, pastoral village of Los Ojos (just south of Chama), weavers have been producing extraordinarily beautiful, boldly patterned and colored textiles for more than a century. Always held the last Saturday in April at their rustic, tin-roofed studio and shop, the Tierra Wools Spring Harvest Festival offers visitors demonstrations in weaving, yarn spinning, sheep shearing, and natural dyeing by hand. The free event—which includes door prizes, music, and light snacks—is always a hit with families. “We even provide miniature looms to let children try weaving themselves,” says Tierra Wools’ head shopkeeper, Heather Taylor-Chavez. Learn more about wool traditions in New Mexico by reading “Dyed in the Wool,” mynm.us/woolnm.
(575) 588-7231; handweavers.com

APRIL 25–26
A TOAST TO SPRING
During La Unión’s La Viña Spring Wine Festival, “our winery tours are especially popular,” says festival organizer Lu Contador. Visitors can learn how wines are produced, aged, and bottled. Also on hand for the two-day vino-centric gathering are local blues and jazz bands, along with more than 70 vendors proffering everything from snow cones to silver jewelry. (575) 882-7632; lavinawinery.com