Ready for its closeup: KiMo Theatre chosen as backdrop for season three of 'Bands of Enchantment'

Ken C. Peterson’s goal was always to bring productions to New Mexico.

Mission accomplished.

Peterson is the mastermind behind the TV series, “Bands of Enchantment.”

“Bands of Enchantment” is a music series merging incredible international musicians with the best New Mexico bands in half-hour episodes that will air nationally in early 2024 and then be available for streaming by international audiences. Each episode will be a postcard from Albuquerque to the rest of the world.

The first two seasons of “Bands of Enchantment,” are in the books and can be streamed on PBS.org or the PBS app.

• The third season will begin filming on Friday, Sept. 15, with Albuquerque-based band Prism Btch taking the stage at the KiMo Theatre.

“We’re coming back to the city that we did last season,” Peterson says. “We’ve begun to grow our relationships in Albuquerque and the city is super supportive of this project because we’re providing another avenue for culture. We want it to stay in Albuquerque.”

The first season was filmed in Tucumcari, while the second season was filmed in the Albuquerque Rail Yards in Barelas.

Peterson and crew decided on the iconic KiMo Theatre for season three.

“Every season brings its own challenges,” he says. “We are thrilled to be at the KiMo. This is easier to turn into a soundstage. We’re in a theater, and we’re going to up the production value this season because we have a permanent space.”

For this season, “Bands of Enchantment” also partnered with AMP Concerts to bring the musicians to Albuquerque.

The tickets are $5, plus fees, at ampconcerts.org to be part of the filming.

Season three will feature artists such as Ryan Merchant from Capital Cities with his new project Paco Versailles; Grammy-nominated artist BJ the Chicago Kid; NPR’s Tiny Desk featured and Mexico City sensation Girl Ultra; Nashville, Tennessee rockers the Cordovas; Canadian electro-folk duo Moontricks; Austin, Texas, blues man Black Joe Lewis; San Francisco legends The Stone Foxes; and Albuquerque’s very own Prism Btch. Other featured New Mexico bands include Slums of Harvard, Byland, The Kipsies, and Ailani.

“We look forward to welcoming ‘Bands of Enchantment’ back for another season filmed right in the heart of Downtown,” says Mayor Tim Keller. “Not only does it create fun opportunities for Albuquerque families, it also shares our unique city with an international audience.”

Peterson says the series is filmed in the same vein as “Austin City Limits.”

Being able to develop a working relationship with the city of Albuquerque has been a game changer in the last two seasons, Peterson says.

“We are delighted that ‘Bands of Enchantment’ has chosen the historic KiMo Theatre as the backdrop for its third season. Seeing this exceptional program receive the highest of honors for its second season filmed at the Rail Yards is a source of great pride for our city,” says Shelle Sanchez, director of the city of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts & Culture. “The partnership between the Department Arts & Culture and ‘Bands of Enchantment’ is an example of the power of collaboration, where our cultural heritage is brought to life through the lens of creativity.”

Peterson, an alumni of Mayfield High School and New Mexico State University, owns Elkhorn Entertainment, which is based in California.

Though he lives out of state, he looks forward to returning to New Mexico and creating a series that people are watching.

“The energy behind filming season two at the Rail Yards was unbelievable and led to an award-winning season that was just picked up by Amazon Prime and nominated for a Rocky Mountain Emmy,” Peterson says. “Now to be back and filming at the Historic KiMo Theatre is a dream come true.”