1 Eat Indigenous food.

A three-day event featuring Indigenous chefs from throughout the Southwest, the Taste of Decolonization focuses on Native food, its history, and its future. The inaugural event, held in the outdoor courtyard at Tiny Grocer ABQ, in Albuquerque’s Old Town, features a seven-course dinner on Thursday night and a food festival with Indigenous vendors, live music, and poetry on Friday and Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m.

“Anytime anyone mentions Native food, they think of frybread. It’s been that definition for a really long time,” says Andi Murphy (Diné), host of the Toasted Sister podcast and the cofounder and organizer of the Taste of Decolonization. “I want people to take away a whole different story of Indigenous food.”

Murphy, who is also a New Mexico Magazine contributor, says she’s excited to experience Indigenous food in a festival format. “I thought, Nobody is doing it, I am going to do it.” Participating chefs include Jaren Bates (Diné) and Brett Vibber of WILD Arizona Cuisine, Lois Ellen Frank and Walter Whitewater (Diné) from Red Mesa Cuisine, and Murphy herself. They’ll be serving up sample dishes such as blue corn pudding with berry compote, Navajo corn stew, and green chile squash tamales with avocado crema. In addition, look for a special zine, Heart Rations Indigenous Food Poetry, featuring poetry by 12 Indigenous writers from around the country.

“The story of Native food has been written for us in violence, colonization, and war,” Murphy says. “But that’s not all of it. That’s something a lot of folks in this Native food movement are actively changing.”

The ¡Mira! Las Cruces festival brings a colorfully good time to downtown Las Cruces. Photograph courtesy of Visit Las Cruces.

2 Look to Las Cruces.

The family-friendly ¡Mira! Las Cruces festival takes over the Plaza de Las Cruces on Saturday from 2 to 9 p.m. The jam-packed lineup of entertainment includes local high school cheer squads, ballet folklórico dancers, and mariachi groups, all leading up to headliners Grupo Control, an award-winning Tejano rock band from Houston. Don’t miss a food truck court, expanded farmers’ market, chalk art competition, a puppy petting zoo, luchadores, a car show, and a community mural.

Professional and amateur cyclists alike enjoy amazing views of during the Tour of the Gila races. Photograph courtesy of Carson Klemp.

3 See cyclists take on the Gila.

For over 35 years, bike enthusiasts have gathered in Silver City for the Tour of the Gila Bike Race. Road races, amateur races, team races, and individual events for men, women, and junior cyclists take routes through Silver City and the Gila all weekend, making for challenging courses and spectator opportunities galore. Since its founding in 1987, this world-class event has also been a true community effort, as residents host bikers in their homes, acts as course marshals, and fill other important roles.

The daily grand entry, with participants in traditional regalia, is a highlight of the Gathering of Nations. Photograph by Tira Howard.

4 Attend a cultural gathering.

The world’s largest powwow hits Albuquerque this week, as Gathering of Nations takes over Expo New Mexico Thursday through Saturday. At the gathering, Indigenous peoples from around North America come together to share the beauty and traditions of their individual cultures. Look for stunning regalia and dances, musical performances, a trader’s market featuring handmade wares, a traditional horse and rider parade, and the Miss Indian World Pageant.

Tommy Archulata, who recently released a new book of poetry, "Susto," will lead a free generative poetry workshop. Inga Hendrickson

5 Write with a poet.

Cap off April—Poetry Month—by getting your creative juices flowing at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during a free generative poetry workshop with Santa Fe’s seventh poet laureate, Tommy Archuleta. Of his 2023 collection Susto, we wrote, “Light a candle while you read: The mood is by turns ceremonial and languid, a flickering of light through darkness.” RSVP via email to artsandculture@santafenm.gov.

Read more: For more things to do, check out our online calendar of events.