From teen night and family movie night to mariachi bands and ice skating, the far Northeast Heights has it all! Check out these weekend happenings going on in a neighborhood near you:
1.Beat the heat and get some exercise ice skating at Outpost Ice Arena over the weekend. Public skate session times vary depending on the day, but all sessions are two hours long. For kids ages 5 and under, the cost is $1. For anyone over the age of 6, the cost is $10. Skate rentals are $3 per person for all ages. Visit outposticearena.com/public-skate for more information.
2. On Friday, teenagers will converge on the Albuquerque Balloon Museum as part of the city’s One ABQ: Youth Connect Teen Nights. From 6-9 p.m., teens can get messy making art projects at the museum before watching “Spider-Man: No Way Home” in the museum’s Sky Lounge. Registration is required for the free Art, Flicks & Chill event. Visit cabq.gov/youth-connect/events/teen-night-arts-flicks-chill for more information.
3. North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center members are invited to watch Disney’s “Planes, Fire & Rescue” during family movie night from 6-8 p.m. Friday. Membership at the center is $20 per year. For more information, call 505-764-6475.
4. Dance the night away at Sandia Resort & Casino Saturday, July 16 during the Mariachi Spectacular. Featured bands include Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernandez, Mariachi Estrella de Mexico, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, and a special performance by Los Hermanos Escamilla. The show starts at 7 p.m., and tickets range in price from $79-$100. For more info and to purchase tickets visit sandiacasino.com/event/mariachi-spectacular. For more Mariachi events this weekend, keep reading.
5. On Sunday, July 17 sci-fi fans will gather at Cherry Hills Library to discuss Isaac Asimov’s “Foundation,” the first of a series of novels by the world-renowned author. The Sunday Sci-Fi Book Group will meet from 2:30-4 p.m. in the library’s children’s room. For more information or to check out one of Asimov’s books, visit abqlibrary.org/cherryhills.
Citywide events
6. It’s a celebration of the mariachi tradition this weekend in Albuquerque. The 30th annual Mariachi Spectacular includes a stamp reveal at 11:30 a.m. Friday in the Kiva Auditorium at the Albuquerque Convention Center, which is free and open to the public. The Mariachi Forever stamps from the U.S. Postal Service feature five artworks featuring musicians in the trade de charro, the traditional outfit for mariachi performers. Each musician is holding a traditional instrument of the music genre. Stamp artist Rafael Lopez will be on hand at the ceremony, as will Peter Sanchez, CEP, Atrisco Cos. Peter Pastre, government relations and public policy vice president, will serve as the dedicating official. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP to the reveal here.
Additional highlights of the spectacular include a free Mariachi Showcase Concert from 6-10 p.m. Friday at Civic Plaza, a Mariachi Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, and. Mariachi Spectacular Concert from 7-10 p.m. Saturday at Sandia Resort and Casino. For a full schedule of events, click here.
7. The Botanic Garden at ABQ BioPark is hosting a Dragonfly Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will explore discovery stations about the insects, including predatory habits and how important they are to a healthy ecosystem. They will also be able to take a close look at dragonfly habitats and snap photos of the creatures. For more information, call 505-848-7180 or email biopark@cabq.gov.
8. It’s Christmas in July at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Pueblo Santa will make an appearance, and cultural dances feature the Sky City Buffalo Ram Dancers (Acoma) from 10 a.m. t 1 p.m. and Anshe Ko’Hanna (Zuni) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Artist vendor booths will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and children’s activities with the education team will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission to the event is free for museum members or with paid admission. For more information or tickets, click here.
9. The summer farmers market season is in full swing. If you’re in the mood for fresh and locally grown produce or wares from artisan vendors, there is no shortage of places to look. For a list of some of the markets open this weekend, click here.
