Far Northeast Heights weekend roundup: Sept. 1-5

There’s never a dull day in Albuquerque, and weekends are no exception. Check out some of these events taking place around the far Northeast Heights Thursday, Sept. 1 through Monday, Sept. 5:

1. On Thursday, Sept. 1 La Cueva’s varsity boys soccer team take on Eldorado for a chance to claim first place in the silver bracket of the Albuquerque Metro Championships soccer tournament. The game will be on Field 2 of the APS Soccer Complex starting at 7:15 p.m. The Lady Bears take on Rio Rancho at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, on Field 3 of the APS Soccer Complex. The girls will be battling for third place in the gold bracket. Keep up the school spirit and cheer on the varsity volleyball team as they take on Volcano Vista at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, for their first home game of the season.

2. Join the First Friday Book Group at Cherry Hills Library to discuss this month’s selection, “The Library Book” by Susan Orlean. The Washington Post has called the book about one of the nation’s worst public library fires a “national treasure.” The group meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Children’s Room. Registration is not required and all are welcome to attend. On Saturday, Sept. 3, Dennis Chavez Chess Team coach Rod Avery will be at Cherry Hills Library for the monthly chess club meeting. Registration is required with 20 seats available. Visit abqlibrary.org/cherryhills for more info.

3. Kids Night Out Teen Gaming takes place from 6-8 p.m. at North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center. Visit the center at 7521 Carmel Ave. NE to become a member and sign your teen up for a fun night of gaming at the Youth Desk. Call 505-764-6475 for more info.

4. Country music master Brett Young will be performing at Sandia Resort & Casino Amphitheater at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 . Concertgoers can expect to hear hits like “Lady,” “Catch” and “Here Tonight.” On Sunday, Sept. 4, Ja Rule and  Ashanti will be at Sandia Resort & Casino for their rescheduled concert that was rained out earlier this year. For more details and to purchase tickets for either concert, visit sandiacasino.com/entertainment/upcoming-concerts.

5. The 2022 Harvest Wine Festival offers more than just alcohol. In addition to tasting award-winning wines, visitors to this year’s festival at Balloon Fiesta Park will be able to play mini golf and games, take painting classes, dance to the silent disco, eat  from food trucks and listen to the dueling piano shows. The festival takes place 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Sept. 3-5. Visit nmwine.com/abq-harvest-wine-fest for more information and to purchase tickets.

Citywide events

6. It’s a busy weekend at the ABQ BioPark. The Cactus and Succulent Society of New Mexico will be present for the Cactus and Succulent Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW. The society will have an exhibition of prize-winning plants as wells as presentations and demonstrations. Learn about the plants that work well in Albuquerque landscapes as well as edible plants. Saturday is also International Vulture Awareness Day, and the BioPark will have discovery stations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where visitors can learn about vulture preservation. Additionally, make a day of it by stoping by the great ape area to see if you can get a glimpse of Samantha and her baby gorilla, who was born Aug. 10. The zoo announced this week the baby is a girl that has been named Mashika, meaning “born during the rainy season.”