Upcoming Events

› Two Local Nonprofits Join Forces to “Make History”

WHAT: Santa Fe’s first Renaissance Festival

WHEN: September 20 and 21st, 2008, from 10:00 am – 4 pm

WHERE: Las Golondrinas living museum located south of the City Different at 334 Los Pinos

ADMISSION: $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for children

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Open Hands and El Rancho De Las Golondrinas will be hosting Santa Fe’s first Renaissance Festival to be held September 20 and 21st, 2008, from 10:00 am – 4 pm, at the Las Golondrinas living museum located south of the City Different at 334 Los Pinos. Offering a Spanish flair, this special event is recognized as part of Santa Fe’s 400-year official city celebration.

Says Dara Fogel, Fair Coordinator at Open Hands, “This will be an event reflecting the rich history and culture of Santa Fe. Renaissance Fairs are so popular and we are getting calls from around the state about the event. We invite the community to come out and be part of history in the making.”

The Santa Fe Renaissance Fair will feature historical reenactments, period games, costume contests, art performances, crafts, music, local food vendors and even a Royal Court. Jousting competitions and combat demonstrations will also be held periodically throughout the two-day event. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for children.

Lisa Bronowicz, Executive Director of Open Hands, adds “Anyone who has ever been to a Renaissance Fair knows how much fun they are. This Renfair has an added bonus in that we will also be showing the uniqueness of Santa Fe’s history. We are also pricing the admission affordably so that whole families can attend and enjoy the experience.” School and family packages will also be available beginning August 20th, 2008.

Santa Fe participants include the Costume Salon and the Society for Creative Anachronism. Food vendors, merchants, students, actors and interested volunteers are invited to call Open Hands at (505) 428-2347 for more information.

Open Hands has been helping the elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged to live with dignity
since 1977. The site of El Rancho de las Golondrinas offers 200 acres of historical recreations, including working gristmills, a blacksmith and other attractions. Funds raised from this event will benefit the programs of both organizations. Corporate sponsorships are strongly encouraged.

For more information on this event or for program information, please contact Dara Fogel at Open Hands at (505) 428-2347 or visit www.sfrenfair.org.

Download the press release PDF here.

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Past Events

› Open Hands Honored Community Members at the OH Awards

James MacLaren of Santa Fe, and Gina Montoya of Chimayo, were honored for their courage and inspiration to the community on July 20th, 2008, at Open Hands. This special open house featured the first annual OH Awards. Presenters included Wes (actor featured in the films "Last of the Mohicans" and "Geronimo") and Maura Studi, Terry Armijo of Open Hands and Richard Marquez.

MacLaren, winner of the 2005 ESPY Arthur Ashe Courage Award, has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey show and Larry King Live. After suffering two devastating accidents that left him permanently disabled, the former athlete created the "Choose Life" foundation and is a motivational speaker. Ms. Montoya has overcome severe congenital disabilities to touch the lives of all who meet her.

View photos of the event here.

› Open Hands Benefit Piano Recital Featuring Maya Hoffman
Renowned pianist Maya Hoffman played to a full crowd at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Santa Fe on Sunday, June 29th, 2008, to support the programs of Open Hands.

Herb Beenhouwer, an Open Hands Board Member, arranged the recital. Playing Chopin's "24: Preludes," Ms. Hoffman's special benefit performance brought in over $1,400 in suggested donations.

According to Open Hands Executive Director, Lisa Bronowicz; "We are very grateful to the music lovers from Santa Fe and Albuquerque that attended, and to Ms. Hoffman who donated her time and extraordinary talent for this event. We appreciate your support."

› Open Hands’ Senior Prom
On Saturday, May 31, Open Hands supporters dressed in the fashion of past prom nights. They danced the night away – all for a good cause!

View photos of the event here.

› "Open Hands, Open Hearts" Silent Auction
Thank you Santa Fe for making “Open Hands, Open Hearts” silent art auction the premiere art event of the 2007-2008 holiday season. Your generous spirit and support, along with the amazing talent of 108 artists, helped make our reception and silent auction two magical nights to remember!

December 14th and 15th, Open Hands supporters gathered at the Nussbaumer Fine Art Gallery to preview artwork and place bids in a silent auction. Artwork was donated from over 100 Santa Fe gallery artists.

View photos of the event here.

Our Most Heartfelt Thanks:
To Roger and Ruth Nussbaumer and Marc and Julie Nussbaumer - who donated their beautiful venue for this event, to Jerre McGary, who has donated so much of her time and talent, to Bonnie Teitelbaum, who truly made the coordination of this artwork possible and to Sandy Keller and Pamela Frankel Fiedler for their wonderful support.

Special thanks to ALL the Santa Fe artists who have donated their incredible talent for this event. These spectacular evenings of art could not have happened without your generosity. We are forever grateful.

Participating Artists:
Rick Alt • Patricia Amlin • Lars Andrews • Judy Asbury • Beverley Ashe • Alex Barrett • Herb Beenhouwer • Susan Begy • Robert Bisbo • Debbi Brody • Lura Brookins • Laura Brouse• Terry Bumpass • Gilbert Candelaria • Barbara Carter • Paula Castillos • Andrea Cermanski • Doug Coffin • Brian Commerford • Sally Condon • Judith Cross • Shirley Crow • Rachel Darnell • Dave DeVary • Jay Dirago • Kathy DuBay • Steve Elmore • Joe Emery • Bob Everett • Carol Fallis • Aram Farber • Patricia Forbes • Pamela Frankel Fiedler • Barbara Gagel • Cate Goedert • Geoffrey Gorman • Norm Hamer • Susan Herdman • Ron Holzman • Marianne Hornbuckle • Deborah Odum-Hutchinson • J.M. Hutchinson • Bill Jackson • Z Jacobson • Margaret Rice-Jette • Bob Johnston • Sandy Keller • Bobby Krajnik • Martha Kennedy • Tom Kirby • Richard Kurtz • David LaPlantz • Marlene Larson • Ali Launer • Linda LaVie • James Leonard • Clare Lighton • Lisa Linch • Gregory Lomayesva • J.B. MacKinnon • Lois Manno • Florise Martinez • Tito Marquez • Thelma Mathias • Patrick Matthews • Darlene McElroy • J. Mehaffey • Barbara Meikle • Connie Mississippi • Ramona Mitchell • Catherine Molland • Kate Norton • Gerry O’Hearn • Judy Ortiz • Pascal • Dale Peche • Stephen Poling • Aleta Pippin • Linda Pruett • John Pruett • Carol Pryharska • George-Anne Roberts • Sue Ann Reed • Amy Ringholz • Jason Roberts • James Roybal • Nancy Ruby • Rupama • Karen Sachs • Leah Siegel • Jovan Sherman • Jane Shoenfeld • Carol Sky • Judy Hall Stapes •Janine Stern • Bonnie Teitelbaum • Kevin Tolman • Susan Ann Thornton • Russell Thurston • Roger Van Ouytsel • Charles Veilleux III • Robert Wells • Karen Whitmore • Bruce Wilson • Sandra Duran Wilson • Samuel (Muli) Wolpert • Eduardo Yi • Lucinda Youn

Corporate Sponsors:
Albuquerque Journal North • Alphagraphics • Century Bank • Century Electronics • New Mexico Bank & Trust • PNM • Rahli Design • Sawtell,Wirth & Biedscheid • Sun Monthly Sponsors and Donors • Alexandra Stevens Fine Art • Ampersand Corporation • Artisan Art Store • Artistas de Santa Fe • Canyon Road Contemporary Art • Charles Schwab • Coady Contemporary • Crossroads Contemporary • Darnell Fine Art • Deloney Newkirk Fine Art • Gallery at 822 Canyon Road • Gary Farmer Gallery • Karan Ruhlen Gallery • La Mesa of Santa Fe • Local Flavor • Nedra Matteucci Galleries • opusArte • Paper Tiger • Seven-O-Seven Contemporary • THE Magazine • Valdes Art Supply • Waxlander Gallery

With Special Thanks to:
Bishop's Lodge Resort & Spa, La Casa Sena, Andiamo!, Sandia Peak Ski & Tramway, Wild Oats, Trader Joe's, Hairtage, Salon Davide, Whole Foods and Chocolate Maven.

Our Wonderful Open Hands Volunteers, Friends and Staff (In no particular order):
Jeanette Alt, Darlene Garduno, Freddy Chavez, Suzanne Chambers, Mika Tari, Lisa Gonzales, Tina Dominguez, Jacqueline Syed, Delores Grobe, Christi Pickren, Dara Fogel, Andri Nestorowycz, Joey Montoya, Ken Walrack, Dave Lucero, Dr. Robert Mallin, Shane Mieske, Julien McRoberts, Bob Mallin, Arlene Vender, Colleen Falcone, Charlene Reader, Jennifer Biedscheid, Jerry Keller, Alan Teitelbaum and Jeff Jameson (and if we have forgotten to mention anyone, we sincerely apologize).

Vendors:
Alphagraphics, Liquid Company, Danette Lovato Pimentel Music, the Santa Fe New Mexican, Annette's Catering, and Different City Jazz.

Board of Directors:
Richard Vender, President • Candace Hintenach, Vice President • Thomas Coleman, Treasurer • Bryan P. Biedscheid, Secretary • Herb Beenhouwer • Robert Dobyns • Timothy Keller • Ralph F. Larranaga III • Maye Rivera • Sandra Shell

Open Hands has been helping elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged New Mexicans to live with dignity since 1977.