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Hampton Sides
SOMOS Fundraiser 11/08/25
HAMPTON SIDES is best-known for his gripping, deeply researched non-fiction works that focus on classic episodes from American history, stories often set in war or depicting epic adventures of survival, exploration, or first contact between disparate worlds. He’s the author of the acclaimed bestselling narrative histories Ghost Soldiers, Blood and Thunder, Hellhound On His Trail, In the Kingdom of Ice, On Desperate Ground, and, most recently, The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact, and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook.
The New York Times named The Wide Wide Sea one of 2024’s Ten Best Books of the Year and Barack Obama featured it on his coveted Summer Reading List. Writing in The Observer, Stephen Fry called The Wide Wide Sea “extraordinarily compulsive and fascinating on every page.” The book has been optioned for the screen.
SOMOS fundraiser with readings by award-winning author and historian Hampton Sides on Saturday, 11/8/25, with two special events:
From 4-5:30pm: Wine, beverages, and hors d’oeuvre reception with Hampton Sides who will read selections from his work* at the SOMOS Salon, 108 Civic Plaza Drive, Taos, NM87571. Enjoy a unique opportunity to interact with him as he shares his writing and research strategies for his eight books, including his current writing project. Attendees will have a chance to win a free hardback copy of The Wide Wide Sea.
From 6-7:30pm: Sides will read excerpts from his writing, sign and sell books in the Encore Gallery, at the Taos Center for the Arts, 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571.The concession stand will be open to sell snacks, wine & beer.
Pre-registration required for both events
Tickets:
Reception at SOMOS: $55
Reading at the TCA: $20; students 18 and younger are free
For both events: $75
All proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to expand literary programs and support our Young Writers Program.
Reserve your tickets now before they sell out!
Miguel Santistevan
Poet Laureate
Beginning 1/1/24 through 12/31/25
Miguel Santistevan has a Bachelors of Science in biology from the University of New Mexico and a Masters of Science in Ecology from the University of California, Davis. His research interests are food systems of the upper Rio Grande and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Santistevan is certified in permaculture and xeriscape design and has directed youth in agriculture programs. He has dozens of publications in local papers like Green Fire Times and has delivered professional presentations to meetings of the Bioneers, the Green Festival, and the International Ethno-Biology Congress. He produced a public radio program called "Que vivan las acequias!" with the NM Acequia Association and KCEI-FM Radio, Taos County. He is a parciante and has served both as a mayordomo and president. Santistevan is a teacher, storyteller, musician and an amazing poet. For the 2024-25 theme of "Poetry with Youth," he will use his position as a guest lecturer in the public schools and other venues to recruit young people to submit poetry, artwork, and photographs for a project called "Querencia en Poesisa." This project will result in a DIY publication of a zine that will be something that can be shared in print or digitally. When the zine is completed, there will be a reception with reading and projection of the featured poems, art, and photos of the young people who are willing to perform their pieces.
Upcoming Events
Open Tues-Sat 12pm-4pm 575.758.0081 108 Civic Plaza Drive
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3225, Taos, NM 87571
THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS
SOMOS programs are made possible in part by these organizations: New Mexico Arts, a Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts • Taos Community Foundation • The McCune Foundation • The National Endowment For The Arts • The Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation • Taos County Lodgers Tax • TaosNetLLC for high speed internet service • Lions Club • Milagro Rotary Club • New Mexico Humanities Council • Nusenda Foundation • Witter Bynner Foundation • Amazon Literary Partnership • Literary Emergency Fund