Head to historic Nob Hill, where Central Avenue will be closed off to cars from Girard to Washington. Instead the street will be lined with a historic car show, food vendors, an arts and artisans market, a Cork & Tap, and three music stages with entertainment from the New Mexico Jazz Festival. It begins at 2 p.m. and lasts until 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 20
2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
What to Expect
The fun includes live music on three stages, food courts with a variety of cuisines and an Artisan Market. Shops will be open late, and you might want to try a food vendor, or check out some . , or check out the new Cork & Tap. There will be a Kid's Zone, a Show and Shine Car Show and much more.
Arts and Artisans Market
The Arts and Artisans Market will feature two full city blocks of handmade arts and crafts. Look for it between Dartmouth and Bryn Mawr, and do a little shopping.
Kid Zone and Youth Central
Between Wellesley to Tulane, look for the Kid Zone, where there will be shows, dances and demonstrations. Enjoy Sumo wrestling, a climbing wall, a ladder climb, obstacle course, 3 in 1 sport challenge and the performing virtuosos, Clan Tynker. Interplay School of Music will entertain between acts. The entertainment includes Jump Rope teams from two elementary schools, Mexican Baile Folklorico, yoga for kids, scenes acted from the Play Conservatory's Little Mermaid and more. The shows, dances and demonstrations begin at 2 p.m. and change on the half hour, with the last act beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Food
There will be lots of food vendors, with Food Central food trucks and vendors located from Girard to Washington. Try mixing it up with different street food artisans, or try one of the many Nob Hill restaurants along the way. You'll also find great food at some of Nob Hill bars.
Cork & Tap
The Cork & Tap garden features local beverages and the Cork & Tap Stage will feature music such as En-Joy's Cuban sounds, the nine woman percussion ensemble Mal Mana and more. The Cork & Tap will be at Central and Sierra. Music begins at 2 p.m. and the last act takes the stage at 9 p.m., with different groups changing on the hour.
Cork & Tap Entertainment
2 p.m. Natural Vibe plays bop, rock, funk and fusion
3 p.m. Chava & Paid My Dues Rythmns & Blues brings vintage jazz and blues to the stage
4 p.m. Mala Mana is a nine woman voice and percussion ensemble with an Afro-Latino sound
5 p.m. Pollo Frito plays New Orleans funk and soul
6 p.m. Lumbre Review with Ben Martinez plays jazz fusion
7 p.m. Frontera Bualu has Latino sounds with tropical twist
8 p.m. Cali Shaw Band has acoustic new folk music with murder ballads and shanties
9 p.m. En-Joy plays traditional Cuban mixed with modern Cuban timba.
Main Stage Entertainment
Central and Girard
2 p.m. Kubatana Marimba Southwest - 9 piece band from southern Africa
3 p.m. Siyeric performs classic blues rock with a contemporary edge
4 p.m. Racine Kreyol features jazz, blues reggae and more
5 p.m. Combo Special has original blues, folk, boogie and rock
6 p.m. Concepto Tambor is an Afrolatinotribal drumming and vocal ensemble
7 p.m. Charanga del Valle plays salsa
8 p.m. Doug Lawrence Organ Trio plays funky tenor grooves
9 p.m. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will headline with their New Orleans brass band with contemporary sounds.
East Stage Entertainment
Central and Washington
2 p.m. Maple Street Dancers features dance from Latin America, the Middle East and Africa
3 p.m. JQ Whitcomb & Five Below plays modern jazz with hard bop
4 p.m. Enrique Chavez & Griferia has an Afro-Caribeno beat
5 p.m. Josef Scott & Of the Essence plays hip hop with a bit of soul
6 p.m. Analog Assasins plays hip hop/poetry in the roots vein
7 p.m. Michael Herndon & Friends plays jazz with a soul pop twist
8 p.m. Cadillac Bob & The Rhinestones headlines with classic R&B blues, rock and roll
Neon Cruise and Old Route 66 Car Show
On Central from Carlisle to Aliso, there will be over 100 cars spiffed to a classic shine. The 12th annual Neon Cruise begins at 8:30 p.m., and the classic cars in the show will start their engines and head west down Old Route 66. The car show begins at 1 p.m.
Urban Wheels Show and Critical Mass Cruise
See what's happening in the world of alternative transportation at the Urban Wheels Show. There will be cafe racer motorcycles, scooters and bikes from Also to Morningside. The show begins at 2 p.m. and at 8:30 p.m., cycling enthusiasts will meet at the show and cruise through the festival as part of the Neon Cruise. Purchase a $5 ticket for the scooter and bike raffle to win a vintage Vespa scooter or a new Marin bike.
Longest Stroll Dance
Want to break a Guinness World record? Meet at Central and Solano across from the Route 66 Malt Shop and join in the "World's Longest Stroll." The stroll starts at 4:30 p.m. The old record is 221 people, help make it to 222!
Sock Hop
Head to the Route 66 Malt Shop patio to hear oldies music and to do a bit of dancing, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Parking and Transportation
Visitors are encouraged to take public transportation to the event. Use the Red Line #766, the Green Line #777 or Route #66 buses. Because Central will be closed between Girard and Washington, drop-offs will be at Monte Vista for eastbound passengers, and Adams for westbound bus riders.
Public parking will be available at the UNM lot on the northwest corner of Girard and Central, and at the American Inn lot at Central and Adams.
The ABQ Trolley Company will provide shuttles through the neighborhood, free of charge, so park at one of the designated public parking lots and take the trolley to the event.
Nob Hill Run & Fitness Walk 5K
The annual Nob Hill run will take place on Sunday, July 22 for 2012. The run benefits the Youth Matters Foundation.
