TOP PICKS FOR THE WEEK
Celebrate Christmas just like those in Nuevo Mexico did centuries ago. The Palace of the Governors and Museum of New Mexico History, 105 W. Palace, closes early today to prep for Christmas at the Palace, an annual celebration of history meeting the holidays. The free event, tonight from 5:30-8 p.m., includes hot apple cider, cookies, live music and “old-fashioned activities” that include trying out the palace’s printing press. And, of course, no Christmas party would be complete without a visit from Santa and Ms. Claus. Non-perishable food donations are optional.
FILM ANNIVERSARY: A special 25th anniversary screening of “Baraka,” a Santa Fe-made documentary featuring a string of images from 25 countries, will be at the Center for Contemporary Arts this weekend. The makers of the 1992 production, which was shot over the course of nearly three years, traveled to the six continents to create a film that transcends boundaries of culture, language and other dividers. Director Ron Fricke called it “a guided meditation on humanity.” Guests at the screening include the film’s music composer Michael Stearns, cinematographer David Aubrey, supervising producer Alton Walpole and other key crew members. The show is Saturday at 2 p.m. at CCA’s Cinematheque, 1050 Old Pecos Trail. Tickets are $25 and a reception will follow.
OPERA FOR ALL AGES: The Santa Fe Opera’s popular winter show, “Shoes for the Santo Niño,” returns this year with performances tonight and Saturday. The children’s opera, based on a tale from the late New Mexico author Peggy Pond Church, features Julianita, a young girl who decides one night to take a pair of shoes she has made to the baby Jesus (the Santo Niño). But when she gets to the church, all of the saints come to life. Shows will be at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, 131 Cathedral Place, tonight at 7 p.m. and tomorrow at 2 p.m.