The transformative power of live music collides with that of fine art in SITE Santa Fe’s upcoming OFF THE RAILS Annual Benefit and Concert, coming up on Thursday, June 22, 2023. This one-of-a-kind experience raises vital funds for SITE Santa Fe’s internationally recognized and critically acclaimed contemporary art programming, and this year, features performances by art-pop sensations Helado Negro and Lido Pimienta.
Last year’s inaugural OFF THE RAILS event was a vibrant success, gathering over 1,000 national arts patrons, gallerists, collectors, artists, and music enthusiasts, and setting the tone for a record-breaking year of 35,000 visitors at SITE Santa Fe.
“I am deeply grateful to the 1000+ people who came out to support SITE Santa Fe at last year’s first-ever OFF THE RAILS Benefit and Concert,” said SITE Santa Fe Executive Director Louis Grachos. “Inspired by the success of this huge celebration of art and community, we are delighted and honored to present our second annual event featuring the extraordinary music talents of Helado Negro and Lido Pimienta. OFF THE RAILS is the perfect way to enjoy a summer evening, and we can’t wait to gather people together at SITE Santa Fe and in the beautiful Railyard Park.”
An Evening to Remember
OFF THE RAILS begins with a cocktail party as guests experience powerful exhibitions by Bruce Nauman and Rachel Rose. A live auction conducted by Sotheby’s will follow–featuring major works of art by Bruce Nauman, Rachel Rose, Pedro Reyes, Rebecca Ward, Paula Castillo, Max Cole, and Helen Pashgain – during an elevated culinary experience of local ingredients and curated wine pairings.
The night reaches its zenith in a sensational pairing of internationally renowned musicians Helado Negro and Lido Pimienta at an all-ages concert on the lawn in the neighboring Railyard Park. Bring your picnic blanket and enjoy an unforgettable night of music under the stars, or from the VIP Lounge with a private bar and complimentary food and drink. Refreshments from local food trucks and breweries will be available for purchase inside the gates.
Who’s Who at OFF THE RAILS
Founded in 1995 to establish the first international contemporary art biennial in the United States, SITE Santa Fe is a non-collecting art institution committed to supporting new developments in contemporary art, encouraging artistic exploration, and expanding traditional museum experiences. SITE Santa Fe also presents a wide range of public and educational programs that include conversations with artists and curators, performances, film screenings, concerts, hands-on workshops, and collaborations with dozens of local schools and community organizations.
“Escape is never out there; you have to go inward,” reflects Roberto Carlos Lange the musician known as Helado Negro. His songs unapologetically look forward and articulate love’s urgency in the current state of the world. Lange’s faith in survival persists in the sheer buoyancy of the drum beat, soaring and plucky synth and string arrangements, and his voice climbing new registers. The ultimate effect suggests embracing the dark of the unknown with openness, pleasure, and growth, rather than tuning out beneath monumental forces and anxieties.
Lido Pimienta is a Colombian-born, Toronto-based global beats trailblazer. An outsider in adolescence, Lido was known as a “weird artistic tomboy” for not adhering to expected norms and identifying as an Afro-Indigenous, queer feminist. Her new, highly anticipated album, Miss Colombia is a canvas for introspection, bringing her closer to home through 11 new original songs boldly celebrating musical hybridity. Digging deeply into the history of Afro-Latin music, Miss Colombia reflects on Lido’s personal experiences with anti-blackness, love, self-love, loss, politics in Colombia, Indigenous inequality, and racism. Her album La Papessa was awarded the 2017 Polaris Music Prize.
This year’s OFF THE RAILS event is presented in collaboration with the newly formed Lensic 360, an extension of Lensic Performing Arts Center programming that presents concerts at venues throughout New Mexico and offers top-quality, free community programs. “We are very excited about the continued growth of OFF THE RAILS as we go into year two,” says Jamie Lenfestey of Lensic 360. “Bringing amazing music to the Railyard in collaboration with SITE SANTA FE is the type of dynamic event creation that I have always been proudest of in my career. Off The Rails 2023 and beyond is going to be an amazing event for Santa Fe.”
Get Your Tickets For OFF THE RAILS
General admission Lawn tickets are $42. Kids 17 and under are $20. Kids 5 and under are free.
VIP Lounge tickets are also available for $250.
The Big Ticket, going for $1,250, includes VIP Lounge and Lawn access to the concert, as well as the pre-show cocktail party, auction and dinner at SITE Santa Fe.
This article was posted by Jesse Williams
