Cultivating the arts scene: City stepping in to help 'Bands of Enchantment' find a home in Albuquerque

When “Bands of Enchantment” announced it would bring production to Albuquerque during its second season, the city of Albuquerque stepped in.

The second season filmed at the Albuquerque Rail Yards in Downtown Albuquerque and is airing on PBS.

In September 2023, the production returned – this time to the KiMo Theatre.

Shelle Sanchez, city of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts & Culture director, says the department, along with the Albuquerque Film Office, has supported the logistics and venues for the two seasons of “Band of Enchantment.”

A fourth season is being planned to film in September.

There will be a red carpet premiere for season three of “Bands of Enchantment” at the KiMo Theatre at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19. Tickets are free and registration is at ampconcerts.org.

“The film office scouted and helped coordinate for remote sites for all the acoustic sessions — great locations that highlight so many beautiful and interesting spaces throughout Albuquerque,” Sanchez says. “The city has also provided sponsorship funds to support episodes highlighting musicians and bands from Albuquerque and New Mexico. Visit Albuquerque has been an enthusiastic and impactful partner providing sponsorship, supporting event promotions, and also connecting BOE organizers to other local sponsors like Mark Baker at Food Hall 505, Heritage Hotels, Garcia Automotive for season two, and others.”

Sanchez says when “Bands of Enchantment” organizers Ken Peterson and Vince T. Chavez, approached the city of Albuquerque, they had already proven that they could deliver on their vision.

“They had completed season one which was hosted in Tucumcari, and it was fun, well-produced, well-curated, compelling and had great music,” she says. “Ken and Vince had a partnership and distribution agreement with New Mexico PBS which included national distribution through PBS affiliates and they had a great plan for increasing distribution through various streaming and on-demand platforms. Ken and Vince wanted to base their show in Albuquerque and then showcase Albuquerque in interesting ways through remote acoustic sets with performers, spotlight local musicians, and anchor the productions in Downtown Albuquerque — all these elements aligned with priorities for Arts & Culture (as well as Economic Development Department and Visit Albuquerque).”

Sanchez says having the series and the collaboration with the city connects local musicians to broader audiences through this high-quality, energetic season of shows that are distributed through broadcast and streaming platforms.

As a result, there is so much potential for our local artists to connect to new audiences and more opportunities as the show is promoted and distributed, she says.

“ ‘Bands of Enchantment’ also connects the diversity and talent in Albuquerque’s music scene with national and international bands included in the episodes, as well as building connections to their fans,” Sanchez says. “We appreciate that this show is a postcard to the world about Albuquerque and New Mexico. Even though the episodes are now rooted at our beautiful, historic KiMo Theatre, each episode also includes performances at interesting and beautiful locations around the city — indoors, outdoors, museums, gardens, rooftops and even traveling up to the Sandia Peak. Ken and Vince want to connect the music on the stage to the beauty and uniqueness of this place — this city.”