1. Flora – A Fine Art Exhibit runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 3409 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, behind Juan Tabo Library). Enjoy brilliant and vivid colors and shapes in nature and flora with this flower exhibit series. Art-goers can peruse dozens of locally made art mediums with paintings, photos and pieces, which will be available for purchase. For more information, click here.
2. Does your pet have what it takes to win a pet fashion show? If so, the pet with the most votes at the Pet Model Casting Call Event wins a $100 prize. This is a kid- and family-friendly event, and both dogs and cats are welcome. Registration is $6 and to enter your pet, click here. Location will be emailed after registration. The event is set to begin at 3 p.m. Saturday.
3. Bear Fest 2022 at Boxing Bear Brewing Co., 8420 Firestone Lane NE, will offer live music, samples and pints, as well as craft vendors and food trucks. This is a 21-plus event, and the venue asks people to leave kids and pets at home for this event. Six separate breweries and one distillery will be there with their featured beers, including La Cumbre Brewing Co., Marble Brewery, Canteen Brewhouse, Palmer Brewery, Starr Brothers Brewing and Left Turn Distilling.
Featured vendors and food trucks will include: Two Stoned Betty’s, Metal the Brand, High Desert Flame Works, Lust for Dead Oddities, Person of Interest Arts, Be Hempful CBD, Jerky Thin NM, Pricky Foods, Paleta Bar, Androgynousous Alien Art, Los Pookies Tacos, Papa Canos Pizza, Tantrum BBQ, and Lucky Goose NM Plant based.
Entertainment includes DJ Shake Down and DJ Clout from noon to 2 p.m.; Band of Enchantment from 2-4 p.m.; and Trinity Soul from 4-6 p.m. The event is $45 or $35 for early admission; it is $10 for designated drivers, who must wear a DD wrist band. To buy early admission, click here.
Citywide events
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
