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Ready for its closeup: KiMo Theatre chosen as backdrop for season three of 'Bands of Enchantment'
Ken C. Peterson鈥檚 goal was always to bring productions to New Mexico.
Mission accomplished.
Peterson is the mastermind behind the TV series, 鈥淏ands of Enchantment.鈥�
鈥淏ands of Enchantment鈥� 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 sa国际传媒官网网页入口 to the rest of the world.
The first two seasons of 鈥淏ands of Enchantment,鈥� are in the books and can be streamed on or the PBS app.
- The third season will begin filming on Friday, Sept. 15, with sa国际传媒官网网页入口-based band Prism Btch taking the stage at the KiMo Theatre.
鈥淲e鈥檙e coming back to the city that we did last season,鈥� Peterson says. 鈥淲e鈥檝e begun to grow our relationships in sa国际传媒官网网页入口 and the city is super supportive of this project because we鈥檙e providing another avenue for culture. We want it to stay in sa国际传媒官网网页入口.鈥�
The first season was filmed in Tucumcari, while the second season was filmed in the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Rail Yards in Barelas.
Peterson and crew decided on the iconic KiMo Theatre for season three.
鈥淓very season brings its own challenges,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e are thrilled to be at the KiMo. This is easier to turn into a soundstage. We鈥檙e in a theater, and we鈥檙e going to up the production value this season because we have a permanent space.鈥�
For this season, 鈥淏ands of Enchantment鈥� also partnered with AMP Concerts to bring the musicians to sa国际传媒官网网页入口.
The tickets are $5, plus fees, at 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鈥檚 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 sa国际传媒官网网页入口鈥檚 very own Prism Btch. Other featured New Mexico bands include Slums of Harvard, Byland, The Kipsies, and Ailani.
鈥淲e look forward to welcoming 鈥楤ands of Enchantment鈥� back for another season filmed right in the heart of Downtown,鈥� says Mayor Tim Keller. 鈥淣ot only does it create fun opportunities for sa国际传媒官网网页入口 families, it also shares our unique city with an international audience.鈥�
Peterson says the series is filmed in the same vein as 鈥淎ustin City Limits.鈥�
Being able to develop a working relationship with the city of sa国际传媒官网网页入口 has been a game changer in the last two seasons, Peterson says.
鈥淲e are delighted that 鈥楤ands of Enchantment鈥� 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,鈥� says Shelle Sanchez, director of the city of sa国际传媒官网网页入口鈥檚 Department of Arts & Culture. 鈥淭he partnership between the Department Arts & Culture and 鈥楤ands of Enchantment鈥� is an example of the power of collaboration, where our cultural heritage is brought to life through the lens of creativity.鈥�
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.
鈥淭he 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,鈥� Peterson says. 鈥淣ow to be back and filming at the Historic KiMo Theatre is a dream come true.鈥�
