Image courtesy of the artist

It’s the kind of life many who fall in love with New Mexico dream of, Joan Fenicle’s life is. The Placitas photographer and painter has spent the past 40 years wandering the quiet places—back roads, forest meadows, whispering canyons—in search of inspiration. When she finds it, be it a scrap of light on bent blade of grass, or the cold mercury motion in a cloud, Fenicle’s imagination twists and sculpts, imbues with magic, and a new, trippy-cool thing is born. Sometimes, that thing seems to have been culled from the land of fable and fairy, archetype and mystery, as is the case with her newest exhibit, Lost in a Dream: Fantasy and Abstracted Images, featuring delightfully surreal images, at Wild Hearts Gallery. The show is currently running now through Sunday, Jan. 27. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 11am to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. This free show is for all ages.

Courtesy of Musical Theater Southwest

For the next two weekends, Musical Theatre Southwest presents performances of the musical, Bring It On, a fun and moving underdog story set in the highly competitive world of high school cheerleading. While the cliched sexist cultural reflex might be to scoff at cheerleading, the sport is actually the most dangerous of all high school sports in terms of injuries suffered. Many cheerleaders are dedicated, ambitious athletes, and this musical, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda (of Hamilton fame) and Pulitzer-winning composer Tom Kitt (Next to Normal and American Idiot), based loosely on the film of the same name, shows us the gritty reality of cheering, with respect and fun. Curtains go up Jan. 11, 12 and 18 at 7:30pm; Jan 13 and 19 at 3pm and close for the last time Jan. 20 with a showing at 4pm. Tickets are $15 for students, $18 for general admission, $25 for VIP.

Image via Pixabay

All of us are looking for a little good luck and sweetness in this new year—which happens to be the year of the boar in the Chinese zodiac. Maybe we’ll find some at the Chinese New Year afternoon tea service at Fragrant Leaf this Sunday. On Jan. 20, take a seat at the little Nob Hill tea shop at either their 1 or 3:30pm seating for a catered three-course tea from Chez Axel Restaurant. The menu includes sweet and spicy Korean meatballs, ginger scones with five-spice whipped cream, orange blossom panna cotta with orange sauce and, of course, plenty of (green and oolong) tea. A vegetarian option is available—just ask for it when you make your reservation. Space is limited, and reservations cut off on Jan. 18. Tickets are $35 per person. Call 505-255-0522 or visit thefragrantleaf.com/events to reserve your seats.