Bonnie Raitt Concertgoers Will Need to Make Parking Adjustments

If you're one of the fortunate music lovers who has tickets for the now sold-out Bonnie Raitt concert Sept. 27 at the Santa Fe Opera, you might consider coordinating your outfit with a pair of  comfortable sneakers rather than, say, high heels and cowboy boots.

The Santa Fe Opera box office released an email announcing that much of the public parking at the Opera will be inaccessible on Sept. 27 due to set up related to the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta Grand Tasting, which takes place Sept. 29. The message, sent on behalf of Jamie Lenfesty, the director of Heath Concerts, said free parking will be available in the parking lot of the Tesuque Flea Market, which is adjecent to the Opera and about a half mile from the theater entrance gate. Free shuttle vans will be available before, during and after the concert and concertgoers are welcome to make the short walk as they prefer, according to the email. "We apologize for this inconvenience," Lenfesty wrote in the email. "Heath Concerts is excited to be presenting Bonnie Raitt at this venue and this was the only available date on the tour schedule so the parking issue the date presented had to be overcome. We hope everyone will agree it is a small inconvenience when weighed against seeing Bonnie Raitt at this amazing venue."

The message provides these additional details:

• Entry for the flea market parking lot is NOT accessible from the Santa Fe Opera’s main exit. From downtown Santa Fe on US Hwy 84/285, DO NOT EXIT on the Santa Fe Opera/Tesuque Exit (Exit 168) Instead continue north to the next exit (Exit 171 – Flea Market Rd.) and exit there where you will be directed to the free parking lot.

• Motorists traveling north on the frontage road parallel to US Hwy 84/285 will need to enter the highway northbound at the South Tesuque exit to access Exit 171 Flea Market Rd.  Motorists traveling south on US Hwy 84/285 may access Exit 171 Flea Market Dr. directly.

• LIMITED PREMIUM PAID PARKING:  There are some very limited premium (paid) parking spaces available in the Opera's lower public parking lot just 0.2 miles from the theater entrance gate which are available for advance purchase through the Opera box office by calling (505) 986-5900 or 1-800-280-4654.  Premium parking pass holders will take the usual Santa Fe Opera/Tesuque exit (Exit 168) following Opera Drive until guided to the reserved parking area. Free shuttle service will be provided to and from the theater.  Reserved premium parking is $35 per vehicle. Space is limited.