Spotlight On: Albuquerque's Coffee Shops
“Our cafe is about sober living, so it’s mostly about artists having a voice in the struggle of sobriety… but we are happy to help anybody express art over here,” says Ancora manager Christopher Martinez. “We want people to see local artists, and this is a great way to get their art out.” Catch work by Ella Eleven on display at Ancora now.
Brewing Community with Pilar Westell
Speaking of Albuquerque’s coffee scene… meet Pilar Westell, owner of Zendo Coffee, a downtown staple since 2013.
Pilar envisioned Zendo as more than a coffee shop—it’s a gathering space where community and creativity thrive. By hosting monthly art shows featuring local talent and creating a welcoming environment for collaboration and connection, she’s made Zendo a hub for Albuquerque’s creatives.
In our latest Creative Sip, Pilar shares her passion for supporting artists, fostering relationships, and building a space where everyone feels at home. Discover how she’s brewing more than coffee—she’s brewing community.
5 Things To Do in January
Dust Off Your Cape!
ComicCon is back in Albuquerque! At the Convention Center from Jan. 17 through Jan. 19, meet cast members from Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, Charmed, Lord of the Rings, Orange is the New Black, Star Wars, Twilight, and many more movies and TV series. Even Kristy Swanson, the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer, will be there! Plus, meet voice actors, authors, illustrators, and others in the world of action, fantasy, horror, and sci-fi. And, of course, dress to impress. Tickets start at $5; children 8 and younger are free.
Set Your Wheels in Motion
Known for his original folk and western music, Kerry Grombacher will perform at the Rail Yards-based Wheels Museum on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. While you’re there, set aside some time to wander through this donation-based museum dedicated to every kind of vehicle imaginable and learn about the importance of the rail system in Albuquerque’s history. Tickets are $10 at the door, cash or card.
Take a Trip to Hadestown
Head to Hadestown by way of the Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Company, a children’s theater program formed, according to its website, to help kids build “self-expression, self-confidence, and creativity through the use of an improv-based theatrical program.” The play follows the love stories of Eurydice and Orpheus and King Hades and Persephone, brought to life by a teenage cast. All performances will be at the N4th Theater, located at 4904 4th St NW, 87107. The first show begins on Friday, Jan. 24 at 7:00 PM; shows continue through Sunday, Feb. 9 and are open to people ages 8 and up. Youth tickets for ages 8 to 19 are $15, and adult tickets for ages 20 and older are $18.
Celebrate Enchanting Music
The fourth season of the Emmy-winning TV series Bands of Enchantment debuts on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7:00 PM at downtown’s KiMo Theater. The red carpet event will offer fans the chance to meet some of the featured musicians and hear an acoustic performance from Albuquerque-based Dust City Opera. This season also highlights music by Grammy-nominated Cimafunk, Uncle Lucius, Lauren Ruth Ward, Zinadelphia, The Free Label, Kevin Herig, Willajay, and Hooks and the Huckleberries. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
Tell Your Story (Quickly!)
Now through 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 1, support local adult literacy program Ethos Literacy by submitting your best 100-word fictional story on the topic of either envy, eyeglasses, nightmares, or turtles (not combined!). Stories must be original and in English, each submission costs $10, and you can submit as many stories as you want. Six cash prizes will be awarded, including one for writers who are 14 and younger.
