Taste Of Sante Fe - Shangri-La Hotel - Santa Monica, CA - Feature

The spice of Santa Fe can be reflected in its intensity of will but also the laid back intention of its people. The dichotomy of different arts, their inspiration and their relevance to Southern California and its lifestyle reflects more similarities than one would know.Of course one of the major representations in terms of business seen is the aspect of the intense film incentives that make themselves known in earnest. The inventiveness of this collaboration was brought about in two announcements which themselves speak in earnest to the possibilities.With New Mexico now only third in film and tv production behind New York and Los Angeles with an exceptional incentive, shooting and training package for established and would-be filmmakers as well as a plethora of recent successes to show its foothold, the ability for expansion is great.Buoyed by an exceptional team across the board, Governor Bill Richardson, former Presidential candidate and advocate of business, spoke candidly and with significant humor about the possibilities of New Mexico. He himself was born and grew up in Pasadena so he knows the lure of the entertainment industry. He described New Mexico as “toxically beautiful” then realized his faux pas with a smile saying “I'm a politician. What do you want?”In all seriousness the pervasiveness of what Richardson has contributed with his compatriots in Sante Fe is showing its progress in droves. Talking to Jon Hendry, who is a business agent for the local IATSE 480 in Santa Fe, the insistence of this is clear. Ground was just broken a few weeks ago on Santa Fe Studios, a new complex in city limits, and while not as big as ABQ Studios, it shows its significance with an intent of green and black screen ability as well as exceptional production support.Secondly Robert Redford, looking to expand his Sundance influence, is establishing Sundance in New Mexico which will provide workshops for Hispanic and Native American filmmakers at Los Luceros Ranch as he himself is building a house north of the area as well. Add to this a direct flight initiated with the state's intent through American Airlines in terms of a daily non-stop from Los Angeles to Santa Fe and the stage is set.Now, Santa Fe is not just about the movie industry, although that is a major influence. Other elements purvey in the local and national consciousness. One of the exceptional performances at the event was an unlikely one in the guise of the Juan Siddi Flamenco Theater Company which performs during summer. Having seen many inflections of Flamenco across the nation, this iteration which encapsulates the element of sexual tension whether it be male/female or female/female dances adheres more to the Madrid version of flamenco which, in of itself, is true. The performers and the live music that accompanied them had a vivacity that was infectious and wowed the crowd.In terms of tastes, the Santa Fe School of Cooking hosted a short series of culinary demonstrations, the most prevalent being the influx and ability of corn and green chiles within the realm of local food. The initiation of the pasole, while with a little bit of spice, enhanced by cilantro and green chiles went down smoothly while a brisk yet filling corn ceviche gave a sense of lightness while not being overbearing.As the sun set, the influx of the Chateau Chinai, tart and dark, mixing Sanbroso, Chateau Monet, apple and pineapple juice, mellowed with the smoothness looking to the dessert in the East.Santa Fe is close and moving ever closer.