Memorial Day brings with it festivals, music, butterflies and more. Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend.

African Music and Dance Extravaganza
Kick off the Memorial weekend on Friday, May 25 at the Balloon Museum. Camp Mabina brings Zimbabwe's best musicians and dancers to provide a kick off concert for the camp. The event is free, but registration is required.

The PNM Butterfly Pavilion opens today, May 25. The kid favorite Butterfly Pavilion at the Botanic Gardens celebrates with special discovery stations and hands-on activities.

Backyard Garden Train Show
The folks from the New Mexico Garden Railroaders Club will be on hand to demonstrate the fun of having miniature railroad train sets in the backyard garden, on May 26 and 27 at the Botanic Gardens.

Turkey Feather Blanket Weaving Demonstration
A cultural demonstrator from Santo Domingo Pueblo will weave traditional turkey feather and rabbit fur blankets. Other demonstrations include making shell inlay jewelry. Takes place at the Petroglyph Monument on May 26. A free event.

The Albuquerque Isotopes battle it out with the Oklahoma Redhawks in a home-stand series this weekend.

Singin' In the Rain
The musical begins Memorial weekend, bringing an adaptation of the film classic to the stage. 1920s Hollywood is the setting for this lighthearted romantic comedy.

Memorial Day Concert at the Zoo
The New Mexico Philharmonic will play patriotic tunes at the Zoo. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, Sousa favorites and more rousing tunes. What better way to hear the Star Spangled Banner?

Albuquerque Wine Festival
Head out to for three days of fun over the Memorial Day weekend at the Albuquerque Wine Festival, where you can sample wine from 23 wineries, while listening to great music. The weekend's lineup includes Bad Katz and Combo Special on Saturday; Felonious Groove and Nosotros on Sunday; and Calli Shaw and The Noms on Monday. Arts and crafts vendors will be on hand. Monday is Military Day; admission $3 for military with photo ID. Sample wines from the many wineries throughout the state.

The Albuquerque Blues and Brews takes place Sunday, May 27. Sample beers, many of which are brewed locally, while listening to live music. It takes place at the Sandia Casino Resort. Enjoy three bands, 30 breweries in three hours of tasting.

Find other Memorial Weekend Events.

Memorial Day Observances include a parade in Rio Rancho as well as memorial events.

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The weather forecast indicates it will be a great weekend for getting outdoors. Kicking off the summer is always fun in Albuquerque, and this year, Beer Week culminates with the Blues and Brews Fest on Sunday, May 27. Hear great music and grab some sample beers.

There will be a parade in Rio Rancho to commemorate Memorial Day, and other events to observe this solemn day. And since it's a three day weekend, there are wonderful events happening around town. Be sure to visit the Wine Festival or take in an Isotopes game.

Swimming pools open this weekend as well. Take the kids and find an indoor or outdoor pool in Albuquerque, or a Bernalillo county pool. Swim passes are available on a first come, first served basis.

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_{Photo © Getty Images}

Did you see the annular eclipse on Sunday evening? Albuquerque is fortunate to have so many astronomy resources at its disposal. The events at the UNM Observatory, Balloon Museum, Mesa del Sol and Tours of Old Town were brimming with people interested in seeing what all the fuss was about.

It was an event to be remembered. Our family went to the Mesa del Sol area to see the moon pass over the face of the sun, and we weren't disappointed. I joined thousands of locals and out-of-towners to witness a spectacular astronomical event. It was my first time out to the Swede Scholer park at Mesa del Sol. What a great park, and what great views!

See pictures of the park and the event in my photo tour.

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_{Photo © Aileen O'Catherine, licensed to About.com}

Trains, Samurai music and Celtic craic are just a few of the events around town this weekend.

Burque Bop: Samuri.Machine.Gun
The Albuquerque band mixes performance writing with live music. Three emcees/spoken word poets and four musicians comprise the group. The music is a mix of hip-hop, jazz, funk and rock and roll. The Burque Bop series is a family friendly event and great for dancing. Oz Patisserie and The Zingaro food trucks will be on hand for eats. Friday, May 18.

Explora Adult Night: Under the Microscope
Kids 18 and over can experience Explora from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, May 18. Hear live music by Le Chat Lunatique; see Darwin come to life in a one act play; meet HAM radio operators and view the heavens with the Albuquerque Astronomical Society, who will be on hand with telescopes.

Spring Fling Quilt Show Featuring Centennial Quilts
The New Mexico Quilt Association will display quilts from artists throughout the state. This year in honor of the Centennial, there will be vintage and contemporary quilts honoring 100 years of Statehood. At the Convention Center May 18 and 19.

Railroad Fair
If the kids missed the Train celebrations downtown last weekend, don't despair. They can catch a huge model railroad exhibit at the State Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 19. There will be more than 250 tables set up with working trains for them to enjoy.

Crawl Daddy Blues Festival
Hear national and local blues acts, and see Madrid for the day. Acts include the Desert Southwest Blues Band, Phil Arnold and Ray Griffin, Felix Y Los Gatos and more. Blues, funk, zydeco and good times await on May 19 and 20.

Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival and Highland Games
The annual Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival features food, dance, music, games and more. Live music, dancers, a classic British car show and more will be on hand at this annual favorite, to take place at Balloon Fiesta park. Enjoy vendor booths, competitions and events such as hurling, Gaelic football, celtic ponies, clan gatherings and more. It's happening this weekend, May 19 and 20. Call (505) 275-6633 for information.

National River Cleanup
Here's a chance to volunteer and see the river--from the inside out, on a raft. Cleanup takes place in the bosque and on the river, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 19.

Filipino Celebration
The annual celebration of Filipino culture begins with the traditional 5:30 p.m. Holy Mass at San Felipe de Neri church, followed by a procession around the plaza. A free event in Old Town on Saturday, May 19.

Natalie MacMaster at Albuquerque Zoo The master fiddler will be at the zoo with the New Mexico Philharmonic on Saturday, May 19 at 8 p.m.

Festival of Asian Cultures
The free event takes place at Civic Plaza, with food vendors, educational activities, music and dance. Cultures include Cambodian, Japanese, Lao, Thai and more on Sunday, May 20.

Bark in the Park
Bark in the Park is for those fans who are both baseball and dog lovers. Take Fido out to the game and enjoy berm seating with that best friend. The Bark in the Park takes place Sunday, May 20, but the Isotopes are playing all weekend.

Beer Week is happening all over town--find out where to taste the latest and greatest.
Wondering where to see the fabulous annular eclipse? It's happening Sunday, so don't miss out.

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