1. Dancing, cocktails, dinner, acrobats and low riders are all a part of the Somos Unidos Foundation Ball Friday, Sept. 16, at the Sandia Resort & Casino. The foundation aims to raise money from the ball to help pay for its 2023 programs. The foundation supports youth soccer development, New Mexico schools, health care organizations, artists, restaurant workers and more. Although tickets are sold out, anyone interested can get on the gala waitlists at somosunidosfoundation.org/theball. The ball begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at midnight.
2. Head over to the North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center for Family Movie Night from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. Multigenerational center members will watch Encanto, a Disney film about a family living in a magical house hidden in the mountains of Colombia. When one of the characters finds out the magic around Encanto is in danger, she takes it upon herself to solve the problem. To learn more about how to become an NDB Multigenerational Center member, call 505-764-6475.
3. Cheer on La Cueva’s boys varsity soccer team as they take on the Las Cruces Bulldawgs Saturday, Sept. 17. The home game kicks off at 1:15 p.m. at the APS Soccer Complex on the westside. Visit lchsmenssoccer.com to learn more about La Cueva soccer.
4. Navigate your way out of Filch’s office to find the spell and set The Grey Lady’s soul free at the Cherry Hills Library Harry Potter Escape Room – REDUX. Registration is full for both of Saturday’s 2-3 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. sessions, but adults, teens, and tweens can still get on the wait list. Visit abqlibrary.org/cherryhills to get on the waitlist and to see what else is happening at the library this weekend.
5. The Albuquerque Hiking and Outdoor Meetup group will hike the 5.25 mile Tunnel Canyon Loop Sunday, Sept. 18, starting at 7:15 a.m. To join the group, visit meetup.com/hiking-204.
6. Join the Albuquerque 30s to 40s Meetup group for some kickball at the park Sunday, Sept. 18. The game kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on the grass fields at North Domingo Baca Park. To join the Meetup group and learn more about the game, visit meetup.com/albuquerque-fun-30s-to-40s.
Citywide events
7. Once again, animal lovers are invited to a special adoption event with the Animal Welfare Department. The department, in partnership with Albuquerque Kennel Comrades will mark Best Friend’s Animal Society’s National Adoption Weekend by waiving adoption fees at the Eastside and Westside shelters as well as the Everyday Adoption Center in the PetSmart on Eubank. The fees will be waived Sept. 16-18, and each adoption includes a spay or neuter, a microchip, required vaccinations and on free initial pet visit; dogs will also come with one free dog training class. To view pets available at AWD, click here.
8. “Bands of Enchantment,” a national music television show on PBS, is filming season two in Albuquerque. The city and Visit Albuquerque are partnering to sponsor the season, which will feature 12 established industry acts and up-and-coming musical talent at the Albuquerque Rail Yards Blacksmith Shop, 777 First St. SW. Members of the public are invited to join as audience members. Friday night will feature Red Light Cameras at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. To view the entire slate of bands, dates and times or to register to be an audience member, click here.
9. Albuquerque Film + Music Experience, or AFMX, continues its 10th anniversary celebration through Sunday. The experience will include a wide variety of short and feature narrative and documentary films, music and animated videos from around the world. In addition, the event will host Center Stage Conversations, Master Classes and its first Pitch Panel. All screenings and recorded events will be available online through Nov. 18, 2022. For access to the full schedule, film guide or tickets, click here.
10. The Albuquerque Funny Fiesta is in full swing and continues through Sept. 25. It’s an all-comedy extravaganza featuring stand-up comedians, film, improv troupes, sketch performers and more. For the festival schedule, performers, locations and tickets, click here.
And as a bonus, don’t forget that the New Mexico State Fair continues through Sunday!