Sipapu Free Music on the Rocks Concert

The first Music on the Rocks festival twangs up its guitar strings on Saturday August 7, 2010. It’s free for all and family-friendly. Read on for the details, plus a lodging deal if you want to make a weekend of it.

Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort debuts the free festival with live music and a wine tasting by La Chiripada Winery of Dixon, mixed in with a straw bale demonstration, organic farming presentation, and a documentary film on sustainable living. (Only in New Mexico!)

Music on the Rocks runs from 2pm till dark, and here’s the free concert line-up:

• 2 – 3 pm:  Max Gomez  I heard this Taos folk and rock musician recently, he’s terrific. And frighteningly young to be so good.
• 3 – 5 pm:  Etc.   That’s not me saying etcetera, that’s the name of the pop and rock band from Boulder.
• 5 – 7 pm:  John O. Blues Band   Another Boulder band playing blues, rock, funk, and soul

Sipapu is about a 2.5 hour drive from Albuquerque via Santa Fe, 20 miles southeast of Taos. Get directions to Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort.

If you want to make a long weekend of it, a Sipapu lodging deal gives the third night free when you pay for the first two nights. On the weekend of the music festival, the offer is good on Motel Rooms and Lodge Rooms only. 

(Cabins, suites, and an RV Park offer other lodging options, but they’re excluded from the third night free deal on the nights of August 6 and 7. )

–Tania

30% Off Santa Fe Hotels in May & June

Use this promo code to get 30% off room rates at two Heritage Hotels & Resorts properties in Santa Fe for stays through June 30, 2010.

The Spring Into Summer promotion from Heritage Hotels & Resorts saves you a fabulous 30% off the best rates at The Lodge at Santa Fe and Hotel Plaza Real if you stay before the end of June. Both properties are well located for a Santa Fe visit, both are easy on the eye, and the discounted rate makes this a great offer for a getaway to the City Different.

The Lodge at Santa Fe features handcrafted furnishings and original artwork, free wi-fi, a bar and lounge, and an outdoor pool and hot tub. It’s a five minute drive to Santa Fe Plaza.

• After the 30% discount, a King Room for June 14 (for example) is currently showing at $84, a Deluxe Mini Suite for $105, and a Kiva Suite with four poster bed, Jacuzzi, fridge/microwave and balcony or patio for $119.* Taxes are extra.
• To get the 30% discount at The Lodge at Santa Fe follow this link and use promo code: PROZMAIL1

Hotel Plaza Real I’ve stayed at this very comfortable and smart Santa Fe style hotel – and you can’t beat the location, just off the Plaza. The hotel’s Jesse’s Bar and Lounge opens onto the street and is a good spot for people-watching.

• After the 30% discount, a Studio King room or a Loft Balcony Double with two double beds for June 14 (for example) are both showing now at $105, or a Junior Suite for $126.* Taxes are extra.
• To get the 30% discount at Hotel Plaza Real follow this link and use promo code: PROZMAIL1

* These are sample prices to give you an idea – rates will vary by date or room selection/availability.

These Santa Fe hotel promotions are valid for stays through end of June 2010, with a few blackout dates. It’s described as a limited time deal, but we don’t know how limited, so if you’re heading to Santa Fe, best to book sooner rather than later.

The Lodge at Santa Fe is located at 750 N. St Francis Dr, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Hotel Plaza Real is located at 125 Washington Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico

–Tania

Hacienda Dona Andrea Discount Spring Rate

Hacienda Dona Andrea B&B in Cerrillos is offering a pre-season discount rate of $99 a night when you book by May 15 for a stay within 4 weeks of the date you make your reservation – so the visit itself could be through mid June.  The deal is good on ANY of their available rooms on any day of the week – a quick hunt around their website shows regular room rates at $129 to $199 a night for this period. That’s a saving of up to 50%, depending which room you choose!

To get the Steal This Hacienda discount rate 

• Book a minimum 2 night stay and enter ‘Steal This Hacienda’ when reserving online – they’ll send a confirmation email confirming the discount rate.  (Although they’re calling it an Internet Special, it looks like you can also book by phone, mentioning Steal This Hacienda.)
• The rate is based on double occupancy including breakfast – and kids stay free!
• Book by May 15, 2010 for a stay within 4 weeks of the date you make your reservation.
• There’s a seven day cancellation policy.

Here are all the details on this limited-time discount B&B rate - you can also check the available rooms at the link.

Hacienda Dona Andrea is a bed and breakfast off the Turquoise Trail with nine Spanish colonial style guest rooms, all with fireplaces, many with private patios, plus lot of great mountain views, hot tub, and it’s close to hiking. Take your dog – the Hacienda Dona Andrea is pet-friendly, at no extra fee.

–Tania

B&B 20% off & Third Night Free:Hacienda Dona Andrea

Get a third night free on a weekend break at Hacienda Dona Andrea in Cerrillos, valid through mid-April 2010, or skiers enjoy 20% discount on any number of nights, valid through March 2010.

Feel like a close-to home getaway? This mountain hacienda bed and breakfast off the Turquoise Trail has nine Spanish colonial style guest rooms, all with fireplaces, many with private patios, plus lot of great mountain views, hot tub, and it’s close to hiking. Take your pooch – the Hacienda Dona Andrea is pet-friendly, at no extra fee.

Pay for two nights and stay the third night free on a Thurs-Fri-Sat night weekend package, including breakfast. ***UPDATE:  Originally posted as valid through end of March, this special has been extended through mid-April 2010, see comment below from Hacienda Dona Andrea.***

For the 20% off Ski Special, valid any night with no minimum stay:  Just show a lift ticket from any New Mexico ski resort, used within one week of staying at Hacienda Dona Andrea, and receive 20% off your accomodation.  Valid through March 31, 2010.

–Tania

Cheap Weekend: Sipapu Father’s Day Fishing Derby

If Dad possesses mad fishing skilz — or even if he just enjoys casting every now and then — this weekend getaway might make a great Father’s Day gift.

Sipapu is holding its first Father’s Day Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 20 (2009), and they have plenty of other family-friendly activities available, in case fishing’s not your thing. Just $59 per person per night gets you accommodations, free entry into the fishing derby, and a BBQ dinner on the patio with a demonstration from the chef on how to cook your trout. Plus, kids 12 and under are FREE!

Besides fishing in the resort’s stocked trout pond, you can play FREE Frisbee golf on their world-class course. Of course, there’s always hiking the beautiful mountainsides, too, and simply kicking back and enjoying nature.

This special package  is good only June 20 and 21, 2009. Mention the “Father’s Day Fishing Derby Package” when you call to make reservations: 800-587-2240.

Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort is located due south of Taos, at 5524 State Road 518, Vadito, NM.

–Elizabeth Hanes

WEEKEND GETAWAY: 3 NIGHTS LAS VEGAS FROM ABQ AS LOW AS $205 PER PERSON INCL R/T AIR

Wanna get away? It’s no secret Vegas is hurting for business during this tough economy. But their loss is your gain.

Southwest Airlines is offering some sensational Las Vegas getaways originating from the Albuquerque Sunport. For as little as $205 per person, you get roundtrip air, free hotel shuttle, and three nights at a hotel on the Las Vegas strip. Most hotels are included in this promotion, and the price varies by hotel. For example, the $205 deal applies to the Stratosphere. Want to upgrade to the MGM Mirage? The price rises to $280 per person — still a fantastic deal.

Best rates are available for weekday travel. Surcharges may apply to weekends. You must book by 4/16/09 at 6:00pm CST for travel before 8/12/09, and a five-day advance purchase is required.

Naturally, there’s a ton of fine print involved, so read the offer carefully before booking. Use Promotion Code LASSPRG when booking, either online or by calling 1-800-243-8372.

A 3-day Vegas vacation for two for less than $500? That sure frees up a lot more poker chips.

–Elizabeth Hanes

WEEKEND GETAWAY: FREE CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT AT SOCORRO

When you think “Civil War,” you generally think Gettysburg, Missionary Ridge, Sherman’s march to the sea, etc. You don’t generally think Socorro.

But the truth is, New Mexico hosted quite a bit of Civil War action. And the reenactors will be out in force February 27 through March 1 just south of the Duke City.

The events start Friday night with a “Political Rally” in the Socorro Plaza at 6:00pm. Colonel Canby and General Sibley will debate the states’ right to secede. Saturday and Sunday, living history camps open at 8:00am to the public. Saturday at 10:30am, the Battle of Valverde begins at the Escondida Bridge (Exit 152). At 3:00pm is a Victorian Ladies’ Fashion Show & Tea Social at the historic Garcia Opera House.

At 5:00pm Saturday, the Siege of Socorro begins. This is the only in-town Civil War reenactment in the United States. After the soldiers have fought it out, there’s a Fandango at 7:00pm at the Garcia Opera House. We’re pretty sure the blues and grays will make nice at this event.

On Sunday, events move back to the Escondida Bridge and include a period church service at 9:00am.

We weren’t able to confirm whether or not there’s a fee for the Fashion Show & Tea Social or the Fandango, but the reenactment events themselves should all be free to the public.

As this extravaganza of historical entertainment weren’t enough, the Socorro Chamber of Commerce has put together some getaway packages that include discounted hotel rates, dining discount cards, and $12 tickets to a concert by the Carolina Chocolate Drops on Friday night at 7:30pm.

If you’re looking for something cheap and interesting to do the last weekend of February, this is it! It’s a great event for homeschool families, too.

WHAT: Siege of Socorro Civil War Reenactment Weekend
WHEN: Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1
WHERE: Socorro and vicinity

–Elizabeth Hanes