Alamos Sonora Mexico

Springtime 1984 in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico

It is the spring of 1984. Anders Tomlinson and Kit Nuzum arrive in Álamos,
Sonora, Mexico to begin shooting super-eight film footage with single-frame
and additional short bursts and several time-lapse sequences. They used
Kodachrome asa 40 film stock with a Minolta news camera.

Neighboring towns come to Álamos in the spring and celebrate their Indian Heritage.

Indian Day comes to Álamos in the Spring. Villagers from around the Álamos
region come by bus to the Alameda and celebrate their native culture.
Dancers, musicians and exhibits fill the business center with color, motion
and music. Nacion Mayo and Nacion Popagayo are some of the regional dancers,
musicians and exhibits competing in front of a panel of judges.

Indian Colorful Dancers: Part Two

Indian Day comes to Álamos, Sonora, Mexico in the Spring. This scene
features the colorful dancer interacting with an appreciative crowd.
It is a fun day in the Alameda. Villagers from around the Álamos region
come by bus to the Alameda and celebrate their native culture. Dancers,
musicians and exhibits fill the business center with color, motion and music.
Nacion Mayo and Nacion Popagayo are some of the regional dancers, musicians
and exhibits competing in front of a panel of judges.

Indian Dancing in the Gazebo: Part Three

Indian Day comes to Álamos, Sonora, Mexico in the Spring. This scene
takes place in the gazebo – bandstand which is in the center of the
center of Álamos business activities. Villagers from around the Álamos
region come by bus to the Alameda and celebrate their native culture.
Dancers, musicians and exhibits fill the business center with color,
motion and music. Nacion Mayo and Nacion Popagayo are some of the regional
dancers, musicians and exhibits competing in front of a panel of judges.
At the end buses await to take the dancers back to their villages and towns.

A mourning mother’s deep wails, crows cawing – perched on white crosses…

It is a warm spring day as we explore the “Pantheon” – (Cemetery) on the road to
the Sierra Madres, minutes east of the Colonial Center. The ages speak here.
Be it ancient mountain sounds or human voices, mourning and celebrating since 1794.
All is timeless, and all thoughts are a point on our circle of life.

It all begins and ends in the Working Center of Town.

The Alameda, center of activity, transportation hub, bars, offices, shops,
gas station and markets … This is Mexico working, traveling and playing.
Boom boxes serenade food carts and shoe shines.

Not that long ago the best way to travel to Álamos was by mule train.

Álamos has a 5,000 foot runway, at 1,300 feet elevation, awaiting your
landings and takeoffs. Álamos City Airport, to the west, is minutes
away from downtown. Talk about arriving first class.

Behold a Cornucopia of Color, Shapes, Textures and Scents.

Álamos has six seasons a year and a diversity of native and imported
flora. Gardening is both a passion and industry. It can become all
consuming. It can be an mental oasis, freedom from the outside world’s
cares and concerns. And it is something to share with those who visit,
be it bug, bird, mammal or human.

Spring Day in the Plaza – Part One: The Race.

Spring days in the Plaza de Las Armas are a portrait of the community
at large. Here, we start with small children with big back packs
enroute to their classrooms. This sunny morning, there are school races,
boys and girls, around the Plaza.

Spring Day in the Plaza – Part Two: Getting Ready for another Day.

In the cool of the morning folks go about hand sweeping and cleaning
the streets and sidewalks of Álamos, Sonora, México. Residents take
pride in the town’s appearance. Enjoy a 360 degree pan of the plaza
from the gazebo-bandstand in its center. We end with the garbage men
making their rounds.

Spring Day in the Plaza – Part Three: People come and go and the day goes on.

This is Easter weekend in the Plaza De Las Armas. People come and go
across the Plaza or are headed for the bus station to leave town for
the holiday. A crowd leaves the church and will travel along the
streets of Álamos following a reenactment of the Crucifixion.

Spring Day in the Plaza – Part Four: From Light to Night.

Afternoon shadows begin to creep across a Plaza shared by all: young
and old, workers and those relaxing on a bench, going from here to
there, meeting others, watching Álamos pass by, hearing the news,
being one with all that surrounds… Horseback, on foot, bicycle
or driving – it is wonderful to be part of the eternal promenade.

The Streets of Álamos, Sonora, Mexico become Another Time in Another Place.

Easter week in Álamos is a special Spirit. Viernas de los Delores is
celebrated on Good Friday. Decorated altars are displayed in windows
and doorways throughout town. In the evening people stroll the streets
viewing these commemorations of Christ”s suffering. In this segment we
join a reenactment of the Crucifixion through the streets of
Álamos to Guadalupe Hill.

One is surrounded by movement, color, sound, spirit and community.

There are many places to be on an Álamos Sunday. One is the open marketplace los Tianguis. Merchants arrive early to setup their wares. The morning starts calm as customers begin to arrive. Soon the breezes have arrived. Cottonwood leaves rattle in the wind. Music floats from booth to booth. Children laugh and adults barter. For many this is an important shopping trip for others its is reason to be out, see and be seen.

Here heartbeats come together and look at one another and deals are done.

Brisk Spring winds continue on through the late morning at los Tianguis
in Arroyo Aduana. This is small town Mexico. Family, friends, eating,
shopping, and catching up with those one hasn’t seen in awhile: months,
weeks or maybe an hour ago.

Working and Walking on Calle Hildago

It is the Spring of 1995 in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico on Calle Hildago.
Workers and walkers go about their business. The barrio is alive
with sound: hammers, trucks, cars, school kids, dogs and birds.
Anders has added his drums and a keyboard track by Denver Clay
to the sounds of Álamos.

Sharing a Horse Laugh.

Anders, on a 1995 late Spring mid-morning, meets a horse in a vacant
lot off of Calle Galiana. It was common to see a horse on the streets
of Álamos, usually with a rider. Horse hair styling by Doug Reynolds.
Video and editing by Anders Tomlinson. Music is an excerpt from Denver Clay’s
” Long Angel.” Produced by Anders Tomlinson and Kit Nuzum.

Sharing A Moment With Chon

We come and go, in the short term, like the birds and in the long term
as do mountains. This video scene celebrates Chon who worked on
many projects for the Nuzums including the strawbale casa on El Pedregal
in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico. There is always work to be done.

From here to there and back again on a Spring Day

There are different ways to get from here to there in Álamos, Sonora,
Mexico : a cat rolling on its back, trucks and vans, horseback, walking
with an umbrella or a cane and on and on from there to there and back again.

A place to be if one needs something.

It is early Sunday morning in the crowded arroyo shaded by giant alamos,
cottonwood, trees. Vendors are set up with a wide range of products.
Cooking food, music and conversation fills the air. Not far away, Bishop
Reyes Cathedral’s bells ring out. It is getting warmer and our walk begins.

Fast paced music video that is more than its parts, much like Alamos itself.

This is an experimental clip that weds close-ups textures shot out
a moving car’s window and 120 blended stills images of Álamos life.
High speed video at its best. Álamos, Sonora, Mexico has
never looked like this.

Alamos Driving Scenes 01

In this, the first of many street scenes to come., we drive down
Calle Galiana, alongside running kids on the road, Calle Hildago,
to the Airport, by the bus station in the Alameda, around
Escuela Prim. Revolucion and a nighttime ride in the Alameda.

In another era, Estancia Crysalis was a working horse ranch.

Today, the spirits of these departed steeds, proud Arabians, are
present, be it a sound of a branch breaking under weight or a
small flurry of dust. Shut your eyes and listen, they are still here.

Special thanks to the following contributors:

Pember, Elizabeth and Kit Nuzum, Puerta Roja Inn, Estudiantina de Alamos,
Quartet de Alamos, Los Angeles Cathedral Choir, Museo Costumbrista de Sonora,
Antonio Estrada, Francis Curry, Jose Antonio Figueroa Carrasco, Teri Arnold,
Sharon Bernard Harrison, , Rudy Hale, Chaco Valdez, Dr. Joaquin Navarro,
Ernesto Alcorn, Antonio Mendoza, San Sanchez, June Ray, Swickards, Meisenheimers,
Frielobs, Cooks, Stephanie Meyers, Bruce Miles, Earle and Joan Winderman,
Doug Reynolds, Robert Ganey, Gary Ruble, AtomicSonics, William Brady,
R. Harrington, Donna Beckett, Del Mar TV 38, Robyn Ardez and all the people
of Alamos for their grace, warmth and hospitality.

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©2013 Anders Tomlinson, all rights reserved.