It’s the last weekend of summer break before school starts, and there is plenty to do in the far northeast part of Albuquerque. Tax-free back-to-school shopping, reggae in the lounge, stick and puck on ice and much more is happening throughout the area. Take a look at what’s going on in your neck of the woods right here:
1.Get your hockey on at the Outpost Ice Arena this Friday, Aug. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for all ages, and 1:45-3 p.m. for adults 18 years and up. The stick and puck and adult pickup sessions provide an opportunity to improve stick handling and shooting or to just get an on-ice workout. The drop-in cost for adult pickup is $15 and full equipment and a full face shield is required. Those attending the all-ages stick and puck session need to bring their own puck, and a full face shield is also required. Attendees should arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Call 505-856-7595 for more information.
2. The self-described latin/funk/cumbia reggae band SM Familia will be grooving at Sandia Resort & Casino’s Tlur Pa Lounge from 9 p.m. to 1 .m. Friday and Saturday. Discography from the San Diego-based band includes the 2019 album “The Journey So Far…”, their first EP released in 2014 “La Familia” and singles “Revo (Revolucion en Espanol)” and “Nada Te Falta”. The cool vibes from SM Familia are sure to get people dancing and in a good mood. Visit smfamilia.com to learn more about the band or just stop by the casino to check them out in person.
3. Learn how to compost with the Bokashi method at Cherry Hills Library from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 6. According to the library’s event page, “The Bokashi bucket method is a useful choice for small indoor spaces such as apartments and condos” and “requires little physical labor.” Rod Reay, a Bernalillo County Extension Office Master Composter, will give the presentation. Registration is required with 18 seats available. Visit abqlibrary.org/cherryhills for more info.
Citywide events
4. The USA Cycling 2022 Masters Road National Championships have rolled into Albuquerque. More than 800 athletes will be visiting this national event for the second year in a row. Events got underway Thursday and continue though Sunday, culminated in a Criterium and Athlete Expo at Balloon Fiesta Park Sunday. Additional locations of competition include Atrisco Vista Blvd. and San Antonio Elementary School. The event is free for spectators, and and includes live national championship racing, an awards ceremony, vendors, food trucks and a beer garden. Detailed information and event schedule are available by visiting USACycling.org.
5. The Great Southwestern Antique and Vintage Show returns to EXPO New Mexico this weekend. Shop and vista with more than 100 antique dealers from across the country while learning about the Southwest and the art of investing in fine art, antiques, Native American art, ethnographic art, textiles, furniture, historic photos, rare books, jewelry and more. The 23rd edition of the show is open to the general public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $12 or $20 for a two-day pass. For the most avid treasure hunters and collectors, a Sneak Preview for charity is set for 1-6 p.m. Friday for a $100 donation at the door and includes and all-access weekend pass; proceeds benefit New Mexico educational programs on New Mexico PBS. For more information, click here.
6. The New Mexico Shakespeare Festival opens Friday and runs through Sept. 3. Presented by the Vortex Theatre and the city of Albuquerque, it is one of 14 free Shakespeare festivals in the nation. The plays of William Shakespeare will be performed by company professionals at Veterans Memorial Park. This year’s plays include “King Lear” and “As You Like It.” All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and are held weekly on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through the festival’s run. No tickets are required, and all seats are free. Audience members may bring lawn chairs, cushions and stadium seats for the benches as well as blankets, picnics and dogs on leashes; no alcohol is allowed. For more information, visit here.
7. It’s time for “Cruizin’ into the School Year” once again in Albuquerque. The fifth annual event, hosted by One ABQ: Youth Connect department and other community partners, is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Civic Plaza. The event features free resources for students for back-to-school season, including haircuts, clothes vouchers, backpacks filled with school supplies, information about before- and after-school programming and more. There will also be a car show, music, prizes and more. Local providers will also be on site to perform vaccinations and sports physical exams, and several city departments will host informational booths with information on resources and services offered to children and families throughout the school year. Pre-registration is required for the free event, with families needing to register each individual child. Registered participants must be present in order to receive resources as quantities are limited. For more information and to register, visit cabq.gov/cruzin.
Bonus: The Back-to-School Tax Free Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 5 and ends on Sunday, Aug. 7 at midnight. Purchase laptops, tablets, shoes, backpacks and other back-to-school goods without paying the gross receipts tax on eligible items. Many retailers are offering additional discounts and back-to-school deals on top of the tax reduction. From Cabelas to Sketchers and Walmart to Kohls, there is something for everyone in the far northeast part of the city. The reduced and tax-free deals apply to online orders at many stores as well. To learn more about the tax holiday visit tax.newmexico.gov/news-alerts/tax-holiday.
