NW ABQ weekend roundup: July 15-17

1.Bernalillo County Parks and Recreation is hosting Mid-Fest Friday at Paradise Hills Community Center. The middle school dance runs 6-9 p.m. and costs $10 per child with dinner provided.

2. If you’re in the mood for some blues, rock or country music, head over to Taylor Ranch Library Saturday afternoon. From 3-4 p.m., Turquoise Blues will put on a summer reading concert funded by the Friends of the Public Library. The band hopes to inspire people tow walk away with a love of and desire to play music.

3. Enjoy a free sunset concert from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the Open Space Visitor Center, 6500 Coors Blvd. NW. Relax on the patio and enjoy an evening of music from Last Call. Attendees should bring something to sit on for this outdoor concert. 

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.