Memorial Day weekend provides plenty for everyone to do. Have a safe and wonderful weekend!
Memorial Day Remembrance
Old Town becomes a place of remembrance as the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces in a special one day event. A flag ceremony at noon will be followed by live music and dance. Ballet en Fuego will take the stage at 6 p.m. and Mickey Cruz will perform at 7 p.m. The remembrance takes place Friday, May 24 from noon to 9 p.m.
Find other Memorial Day remembrances.
Butterfly Pavilion Opens
The kid favorite Butterfly Pavilion opens for the season today at the Botanic Gardens. Celebrate the opening with special discovery stations and hands-on activities, Friday, May 24. The pavilion will remain open for the season, through October 13.
The Producers
The Mel Brooks play about cons getting an unexpected surprise begins playing May 24 at the Albuquerque Little Theater. Prepare for hilarity.
Report of My Death - Mark Twain
Michael Graves performs a one man show on Mark Twain at the Aux Dog Theatre. The docudrama runs Memorial weekend.
Albuquerque Wine Festival
Head out to Balloon Fiesta Park for three days of fun over the Memorial Day weekend. The Albuquerque Wine Festival is 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. May 24-26.
Memorial Day Concert at the Zoo
The New Mexico Philharmonic will play patriotic tunes at the Zoo. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy patriotic favorites as well as the 2013 Jackie McGehee Young Artists' competition winners. The concert is Saturday, May 25 at 8 p.m.
The Temptations
The classic Motown singing group comes to the Hard Rock in Albuquerque on Saturday, May 26.
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. The event takes place at the Petroglyph Monument on May 25 - 27, and is free.
Jersey Boys
The story of Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons was a hit Broadway show. See it at Popejoy Hall. There will be several performance times over Memorial weekend.
Find other events this Memorial weekend.
Find out what's happening at Albuquerque theaters.
Find shows at art galleries around town.
Cause of the Week
Mavis Staples and Corey Harris
The concert on May 24 at the Albuquerque Museum Ampitheater has a gala benefit dinner with proceeds going to the Outpost Performance Space. The Outpost brings amazing music and entertainment venues to the city. The famed bluesman Harris performs with Mavis Staples of the Staples Singers. $75 of the $150 ticket is tax-deductible, and includes the concert and a dinner. Or tickets can be purchased for the concert only.
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The city has announced its music lineup for both its Summer Nights and Zoo Music series.
The Summer Nights concerts held at the Botanic Garden every Thursday evening begin on June 13 with the popular local group, Wagogo. Wagogo's music is warm and diverse, encompassing folk, calypso, even the music of Zimbabwe. The gates open at 6 p.m. in time to have a picnic or buy something to eat. Food and drink is available for purchase, or you can bring your own. Bring a blanket, but be ready to dance. It's great family fun, and there are always plenty of entertainment venues to keep the kids occupied. The Clan Tynker Family Circus will have magic shows on select nights. And the Ritzy Rouge Hula Hoop Troop will have their hula hoops rolling. Summer Nights features eleven concerts from June 13 through August 29.
The Zoo Music series begins Friday, June 14 with the Latin, rock and world music sounds of Del Castillo. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the animal exhibits are open until 8 p.m. Bring your own food or purchase food and drinks while there. Bring your own blankets and chairs for a wonderful evening. Zoo music features eight concerts on Fridays from June 14 through August 9. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door or can be pre-purchased online. BioPark members get 50% off. Alcoholic beverages cannot be brought into either location. See more about Zoo Music.
Tickets for either location are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+) and $3 for children ages 3 to 12.
Photo © Aileen O'Catherine, licensed to About.com
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The most popular names for boys and girls in New Mexico last year didn't veer much from the national trends. There were a few standouts in the list of girl names that didn't pop up on either the surrounding state lists or the national compilation. But overall, New Mexico has followed the overall trends for most popular names. But today's names, for the most part, are not the names of 30, 50 or 100 years ago.
Here are the popular baby names for children born in New Mexico last year.
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Flamenco, Asian culture, Celtic festival, food tastings and more are on this weekend's menu. Have a safe and wonderful weekend!
BioBlitz
BioBlitz is a giant scavenger hunt. Join scientific experts to find mammals, insects, birds and more. The free event is put on by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. It happens Friday, May 17 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Red Note
Jesus Munoz Flamenco explores the dynamic movements of flamenco. The music and dance are original and performed by an international cast of award winning dancers and musicians. See it at the National Hispanic Cultural Center May 17 and 18.
Heritage Day at Casa San Ysidro
Explore the agricultural and historic roots of New Mexico at Casa San Ysidro in Corrales. There will be performances, weaving, blacksmithing and horno baking demonstrations. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is kid friendly. Heritage day is Saturday, May 18.
The Downtown Growers Market opens this weekend! Kick off the season on May 18th at Robinson Park, and enjoy the music of Los Radiotors, Alpha Blue and more. Pick up some peas.
Railroad Show
The 18th annual show brings together trains, models and kids for a fun day. See it at the Albuquerque Convention Center Saturday, May 18. Kids 12 and under are free.
Taste of ABQ
Sample dishes from some of Albuquerque's best restaurants, wineries and breweries. There will be live music, fun for the kids and in store specials in ABQ Uptown. It's free and happening Saturday, May 18.
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 Sunday, May 19, the Asian Festival of Cultures takes place in Civic Plaza from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra
The New Mexico Philharmonic will have a concert at the zoo that features Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra. Take a picnic dinner, Saturday, May 18.
CrawlDaddy Blues Festival
Hear national and local blues acts, and see Madrid for the day. Acts include Jr. Brown and Wayne Hancock along with New Mexico talent. Cajun food will keep the hunger at bay. Next to the Mine Shaft Tavern at the Madrid Old Coal Town Park on May 18 and 19.
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. this year there will be herding dog competitions. Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19.
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. Find it Sunday, May 19.
Bark in the Park
Bark in the Park is for those fans who are both baseball and dog lovers. Take Fido out to an Isotopes game and enjoy berm seating with that best friend for a wonderful Sunday afternoon. May 19 at Isotopes park.
See what's happening at Albuquerque theaters.
Find out about art gallery shows.
Cause of the Week
Choice Rocks!
Planned Parenthood of New Mexico will host a fundraiser at the Tricklock Performance Space. Hosted by KIOT-FM radio personality Erica Viking, there will be a raffle, music and more. A VIP reception earlier in the evening takes place at the ArtBar. It's happening Saturday, May 18.
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