Fourth of July celebrations are one of America’s favorite pastimes that honor our nation’s history and independence. Each year, friends and family mark the occasion in their own ways, but a common activity is fireworks.

In Santa Fe, the Kiwanis Club puts on a fireworks display for the entire city to experience without having to pay the costs of doing it yourself or the risk of setting anything on fire. The event draws crowds of all ages who watch from afar as the night sky gets painted with color.

However, the magic wouldn’t be possible without the support of fireworks experts such as Santa Fe native Nicolas Flores. He’s in charge of firing off the display.

Flores joins the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez, what it takes to execute a successful Fourth of July fireworks show.

The two delve into how Flores became certified to handle such explosives aside from his day job of being a massage therapist. He explains the process for getting the fireworks ready for launch and how they even have certain names.

Flores also speaks on the change in venue this year, from Santa Fe Place mall to Gen. Franklin E. Miles Park, and what those logistics will entail for the festivities.

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Santa Fe’s Railyard Park, located a short distance from downtown and the Plaza, is a familiar fixture for longtime residents and frequent visitors alike.

Founded through a public-private partnership in 2010, the park’s urban design in an old industrial train lot became a prominent project for the city of Santa Fe at the time because it preserved prime real estate for the public’s use. Without preservation, developers could’ve reinvented the property, affecting nearby neighborhoods for years to come.

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Railyard Park Conservancy Executive Director Izzy Barr. The two discuss the nonprofit’s role in stewarding Railyard Park and the park’s impact on Santa Fe.

Barr speaks on some of the conservancy's offerings, from horticulture care that teaches gardening to the greenspaces where people can enjoy nature and the outdoors. She also reflects on the nonprofit’s partnerships with other local organizations and how those relationships have made the park the welcoming space it is today.

Learn more by visiting railyardpark.org.

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International Folk Art Market returns July 9–12 at Railyard Park, bringing artisans from around the world to Santa Fe to showcase multicultural works.

The annual market has long served as a venue for folk artists to sell their products and for community members to experience cultures from outside the United States. According to IFAM’s mission, the market is about valuing humanity, traditions and artists who are working hard toward social change in their home countries.

To preview this year’s event, IFAM Executive Director Stacey Edgar and board chair Helena Ribe join host Inez Russell Gomez on the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different.” They discuss how preparations are going, reflect on past markets and share what they are most looking forward to this year.

Edgar also addresses public concerns about tariffs and visas affecting vendor participation, explaining her organization's efforts to keep the market on track.

For more information and tickets, visit folkartmarket.org

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From a small business office space on 2nd Street and Cerrillos Road to a refurbished bowling alley on Rufina Street, Meow Wolf’s success story is one marked by sacrifice, strength, vision and a little help from one of Santa Fe’s most famous residents — author George R.R. Martin.

The company celebrates 10 years of operation this year, and it’s a time for reflection on how a small art collective that started in 2008 grew outside its borders, allowing adults and children of all backgrounds to experience fun and whimsical worlds.

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez interviews Meow Wolf’s co-founder and chief vision officer Vince Kadlubek. The two discuss the interpersonal stories that shaped the company’s original creation, which individuals became key players as the venture took off and what inspired a young Kadlubek to pioneer immersive art experiences for his hometown of Santa Fe and beyond.

In the episode, Russell Gomez and Kadlubek also discuss Meow Wolf’s future, particularly its ongoing plans for expansion into the West and East Coast regions.

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The Center for Contemporary Arts (CCA) is a beloved institution that for nearly four decades has brought creators and enthusiasts together to celebrate art forms of all kinds.

Founded as a grassroots organization in 1979, CCA has evolved into a welcoming meeting place in Santa Fe for everyone to experience some of the best in cinema, chamber music, poetry, immersive theater and more.

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by the CCA’s Jaime Herrell, board chair, and Matthew Cannella, cinema director, to reflect on the mission of the nonprofit and on the impact it has in the community.

Throughout the episode, Herrell and Canella outline what their roles consist of at CCA, from selecting films for screening to connecting with local artists to showcase their work and talents. The two also discuss the CCA’s efforts to expand programs and events, which unfortunately comes with a price tag.

An inaugural Fine Art Flea sale on June 14 is one way they hope to raise the funds. Herrell explains how you can support their cause.

For more information, visit ccasantafe.org

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The Zia Singers return this week for a concert in Santa Fe honoring the legacy of women who have shaped American politics across administrations, movements and branches of government.

John Tiranno, artistic director of The Zia Singers, said the concert is titled “She the People” and will be a 12-movement choral song cycle that features the writings and perspectives of 16 influential women from both political parties. He said the concert isn't focused on partisanship but will showcase a greater message of hope, unity and togetherness.

Featured figures include Abigail Adams, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice and Sandra Day O’Connor.

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” Tiranno joins host Inez Russell Gomez to discuss what people can expect from the performance, why the all-female chorus chose to focus on political women for this concert and what lies ahead for The Zia Singers as they head into their seasonal break.

“She the People” will be performed May 30–31 at Christ Church in Santa Fe.

Visit theziasingers.org for tickets.

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A new edition of Bienvenidos magazine is now available, and this year’s theme pays homage to Route 66, the beloved highway that has connected travelers and towns near and far for a century.

To discuss the magazine’s release, Ashley M. Biggers, magazines editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican, joins host Inez Russell Gomez on the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different.”

Biggers shares her editorial process of putting the new edition together and talks about the people and places featured along the historic route in New Mexico. Among the subjects profiled are Miss New Mexico USA Dominique Ehrl, Meow Wolf and Santa Fe’s Margarita Trail.

In the episode, Biggers also previews what readers can expect in Legacy and International Folk Art Market magazines ahead of their summertime release. The magazines serve as guides to Santa Fe's Native and Spanish arts scene that is put on full display during the International Folk Art Market and SWAIA’s Indian Market.

To read Bienvenidos and all Santa Fe New Mexican magazines, visit enewmexican.com

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There’s a lot to love during this year’s Santa Fe International Literary Festival which takes place May 15-17 at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center.

Authors from around the country and of diverse literary backgrounds will descend on the City Different to engage in conversations around their beloved works. They will also participate in literary day trips for festivalgoers to experience some of Northern New Mexico’s scenic places.

To preview the 2026 festival, organizers Megan Mulry and Susan Burks join host Inez Russell Gomez on the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different.”

In the episode, Mulry and Burks discuss the lineup of events both leading up to and on the official days, who will be headlining and the work it takes to plan and execute a large-scale event that has proven success since its inception. Mulry and Burks also talk about some of the new festival features that will make peoples’ experience safe and enjoyable.

Isabel Wilkerson, Rebecca Solnit, Ocean Vuong and Judy Blume are among this year’s festival talent. Visit sfinternationallitfest.org for more information.

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