PLAY
New York, New York
River to River Festival to open fifth year of free arts events
New York’s largest free arts festival, the River to River Arts Festival, starts Thursday and runs through Sept. 10, with more than 500 performers scheduled, including Dr. John, the Sugar Hill Gang, Ricky Skaggs and The Spinners, as well as dance troupes, poetry readings, jazz and salsa musicians, and several orchestras. All performances are free, although tickets are required for some; check the website for times and locations. River to River Festival, RivertoRiverNYC.com
SEE
Santa Fe, New Mexico
“Mexico Modern” brings rare Mexican artworks from Mexico City
The Museum of Fine Arts will be the only U.S. destination for this exhibition of 60 paintings and photographs from such artists as Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Manuel Álvarez Bravo beginning today and running through Sept. 3. The pieces are on loan from the Museo de Arte Moderno and include rare canvases from Rivera and Orozco, both known for their murals. Admission is $8.
Museum of Fine Arts, 107 W. Palace Ave., 505-476-5072, mfasantafe.org
VISIT
Acoma, New Mexico
Sky City Cultural Center, Haak’u Museum open, serving Sky City Pueblo
With interactive exhibits such as inviting visitors to bake traditional Acoma bread in an Horno (outdoor oven), and music and dance in an intimate theater, the Sky City’s Cultural Center and Haak’u Museum celebrates its grand opening this weekend. The pueblo has been home to the Acoma tribe for more than 2,000 years. The 40,000-square-foot building features “The Matriarchs,” an exhibit exploring Acoma pottery through four artisans, American Indian cooking classes and a living garden. Sky City Cultural Center, Haak’u Museum, Interstate 40, Exit 102, 888-759-2489 or skycity.com
LISTEN
Chicago, Illinois
“Silk Road Chicago” – a citywide celebration inspired by Yo-Yo Ma
More than 250 music, theater, dance and art events. That’s what the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs has planned as part of “Silk Road Chicago: Summer 2006,” a citywide celebration of cross-cultural discovery that begins Thursday and runs through Sept. 30. It was inspired in part by cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project, and he and the Silk Road Ensemble will perform at 6:30 p.m. June 26 in the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. “Silk Road Chicago,” the most ambitious themed exhibition in the history of the Art Institute of Chicago, opens there Sept. 30. The Silk Road Oasis, 72 E. Randolph St., 877-244-2246 or silkroadchicago.org
– Denver Post staff and wire reports
