Whether its date night, family night or a day of going solo, there are plenty of activities for every walk of life in and around northeast Albuquerque. Here are a few ideas for anyone looking to get out of the house, or stay at home, this weekend:
1. Head over to Sandia Resort & Casino’s Tlur Pa Lounge for a live DJ playing variety and dance from 7-11 p.m. every Thursday. On Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3, Blu Sol will perform their upbeat groovy tunes in the lounge from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
2. Put on the cowboy boots and head over to Dirty Bourbon for three nights of country music with The Jeffrey Alan Band Dec. 1-3. The show is set to start at 9 p.m. each night. Online ticket sales were not enabled as of Thursday morning. Call 505-296-2726 for more information.
3. Get the blood flowing on an Afternoon Cardio Hike up Pino Trail with The Albuquerque Hiking and Outdoor Meetup Group at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. The group is scheduled to hike La Luz Trail to the Crest House and back at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and on Dec. 4 they have a Sunday Morning Workout Hike up Piedra Lisa Trail starting at 9 a.m. To join one of the hikes, join the group’s Meetup page and check out all the details.
4. Watch the United States take on the Netherlands in the Group of 16 2022 World Cup knockout game Saturday, Dec. 3, at Civic Plaza. The game kicks off at 8 a.m. with the plaza open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for more games, concessions and bars. Can’t make it downtown that early in the morning? Host your own watch party or call around to your favorite bars or restaurants in the Northeast Heights. Star Brothers Brewing Co. is the official home of The American Outlaws Albuquerque chapter and has hosted numerous watch parties in the past. The bar doesn’t usually open until 11 a.m., so call 505-492-2752 to see what the Outlaws are up to for the next big U.S. match.
5. Find great holiday gifts at the Big Bad Bear Band Craft Show Saturday, Dec. 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show will be at La Cueva High School, 7801 Wilshire Ave. NE. Free admission and free parking!
6. The Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra presents “A String Quartet Holiday Performance” at Cherry Hills Library from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in the library’s Children’s Room. Violinists Wendy Cieslak and Melissa Kennedy, violist Carson Leflang and cellist Cassandra Malone will perform classic holiday favorites such as “Festival Sounds of Hanukkah”, excerpts from Handell’s “Messiah” and the “Nutcracker.”
7. Tired of dinner and a movie for date night? Then make it a volunteer night. OneAlbuquerque, Roadrunner Food Bank, the Salvation Army and many other organizations are looking for volunteers to help those in need over the holidays. Sign up for opportunities today and have an amazing date night helping others tomorrow and into the future. Click on the links above to learn how to sign up and become a volunteer.
8. COVID got you down and out or are you sick with the flu and can’t leave the house? There’s still plenty to do in quarantine. Consider this, Albert Woodfox spent 43 years in solitary confinement in a Louisiana prison for a crime he didn’t commit. While in prison Woodfox taught other inmates how to read and write, studied law and remained optimistic despite being shackled and caged 23 hours a day for almost every day of those 43 years. For those stuck at home, here are a couple ideas to overcome the boredom:
– Write a book.
– Learn to draw or sculpt.
– Check out a Netflix series you wouldn’t normally watch.
– Do yoga.
– Sign up for an online class.
– Sew or crochet a holiday gift for someone.
– Read a book sitting on the shelf or have someone go check one out for you. If you prefer digital books, download the Libby app. The public library is switching from Overdrive to Libby, a digital app that offers a huge selection of books and audio books for all age levels.
