Random Acts

Cactus Tractor; Sacred Music, Sacred Dance: The Mystical Arts of Tibet; Baile Español; Guys Gong Wild; Ziggy Marley; and the New Mexico Contemporary Ensemble

Merry band: Cactus Tractor

The Albuquerque band Cactus Tractor likes to play chaotic live venues like farmers markets and street fairs, as well as house shows, beer gardens, and nursing homes. The self-described “bohemian pop folk disco” band — which in practice sounds more like a bluegrass and country swing band — formed in 2012 to perform a concert of songs written by adults with developmental disabilities. Now Cactus Tractor has taken on a life of its own, swelling to seven members playing 14 instruments, many of which they invented themselves, including one called the hula horn. They are currently promoting their second album, Lydian Water Songs, and play the Bandstand on the Plaza at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17. Bandstand concerts are free. For more information, visit www.santafebandstand.org. — Jennifer Levin

Moved by the spirit: The Mystical Arts of Tibet

In 1959, after the Chinese Communist invasion of Tibet resulted in the closure and destruction of 6,500 monasteries, approximately 250 Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling monastery, which formed near Lhasa in 1416, escaped and re-established their institution in India, thereby preserving their traditional culture. Now Drepung Loseling has a center in Atlanta, Georgia, and the monks from there showcase their traditions around the United States in a performance called Sacred Music, Sacred Dance: The Mystical Arts of Tibet. The all-ages program, at the James A. Little Theater at the New Mexico School for the Deaf (1060 Cerrillos Road, 505-476-6300), includes chanting, dances, songs, and a dialectical session. The Santa Fe production, on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 7:30 p.m., is presented in conjunction with the exhibit Sacred Realm: Blessings and Good Fortune Across Asia at the Museum of International Folk Art. Tickets to Sacred Music, Sacred Dance are $35, available at www.holdmyticket.com. — J.L.

Nuestra tradición: Baile Español

For 35 years, Baile Español has been performing traditional Spanish and folklórico dance all around Northern New Mexico, including in Los Alamos during a visit by President Bill Clinton, as well as in Texas and Colorado. Angie Miller, the leader of Baile Español, was trained by the late Lily Baca. She told Pasatiempo that the girls in her group now are her roses, and she named four women who have danced with her since they were toddlers and continue to participate as adults: Carolyn Salazar, a public school administrator; Hope Quintana, an engineer; Kristine Briceno, a local businesswoman; and Denay Griego, a college student. “Our main goal is to keep our heritage alive,” Miller said. Currently, dancers range in age from two to thirty-two years old. Baile Español performs on the Santa Fe Plaza bandstand at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13. Bandstand events are free. For more information, visit www.santafebandstand.org. — J.L.

Sonic boons: Guys Gong Wild

The fabulous ringings of gongs, from 8 inches in diameter up to 38 inches, are featured in Gong Tsunami at Dragon Rising Yoga Studio (1512 Pacheco St., #C101), on Saturday, Aug. 13. Presented by The Drum is the Voice of the Trees, the concert explores the sonic world of gongs from China, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia, and Switzerland. “Some of them are pitched, and some are more amorphous, more like thunder, so there will be a wide range of timbres and tones,” said Jeff Sussmann, half of the Guys Gong Wild performance duo with Al Faaet. “Some of what happens will be peaceful and meditative, some will be more melodic, and some is more jarring and dissonant, so it will be a wide range of musical experience.” Admission is $20. The music begins at 8 p.m. There is limited seating; the presenters advise bringing a mat for floor seating. Call 505-984-1799 or 505-570-0854 for more information. — Paul Weideman