Talk of the Town: Chatter ABQ
Need something new to talk about? Participate in a variety of events organized by this music-focused company, which blends traditional and new classical music.
Head to 912 3rd Street NW (between Mountain and Lomas) any Sunday in July for Chatter: SUNDAY, a fun take on a live, classical performance that’s paired with poetry. On July 7, listen to selections from Bach performed by Elizabeth Young, Judith Gordon, Luke Gullickson, and Carson Moody matched up with spoken word by local actor and professor Frank Melcori. Other spoken word performances in July will be by Sharon Rhutasel-Jones, Ken Hada, and Erica Photiades. Oh, and there’s free coffee! Chatter: SUNDAY occurs on additional Sundays throughout the year, all ages are welcome, and tickets range from $5 to $17. Chatter ABQ, which is part of Ensemble Music New Mexico, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, also offers cabaret performances at the Albuquerque Museum, late-night concerts every first Friday of the month, and free summer concerts.Spotlight: FUSION
“Dedicated to professional excellence, community-inspired creative space, and the inspiration of our children,” FUSION is a center for arts and culture based in downtown Albuquerque. Parent company of the FUSION Theatre Company, FUSION also includes The Cell, a stage perfect for more intimate or interactive productions; the contemporary gallery 708; and The Meadow, an outdoor performance space that has hosted concerts, markets, film screenings, and more.
The FUSION Theatre Company, founded in 2001, is the longest-lived theater company in New Mexico. With a varied, rotating calendar of events, FUSION always has something fun to offer—for example, take a figure drawing class every Wednesday at The Cell, or watch SHIRLEY: 110 Short Plays by Erik Ehn at 708 on July 13.5 Things To Do in July
Dance, dance, dance at the Mariachi Spectacular
Taking place July 10 through July 13 at different venues around the city, the Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque returns in its thirty-second year for an all-things-mariachi extravaganza! Sign up for workshops, which all take place at the Albuquerque Convention Center, or check out the Hall of Fame event at 7:00 p.m. on July 10 at The Clyde Hotel. The Mariachi Showcase Competition is a free, public concert from 6:00 p.m. until 10 p.m. at Civic Plaza on Friday, July 12. The 2024 Spectacular ends in a flourish on Saturday night with a concert at Sandia Casino, headlined by Mariachi Estrella de México (ticket prices vary).
Write NOW for SouthWest Writers
The submission deadline for the 2024 Short Story & Poetry Contest ends July 8, so write away, right away! Cash prizes are offered for all 23 writing categories (including horror, humor, and haiku) and two art categories. Winners also have the opportunity to be published in a SouthWest Writers anthology planned for later this year. According to its website, “SouthWest Writers (SWW) encourages aspiring and experienced writers of all cultures and backgrounds to enter. We welcome a diversity of creative expressions and points of view.” Submitting writers do not need to be members of SWW to enter this contest.Go wild at the BioPark Concert Series
There’s nothing like hearing live music alongside a lion’s growl. Or amplified by the fragrance of fresh flowers. Luckily, you can take your pick or experience both with the live music series at the Albuquerque BioPark. Groove to two shows at the zoo in July: Hear rock and blues music from Paul McDonald and The Mourning Doves on Friday, July 12. Then, on Friday, July 26, Blair Crimmins & The Hookers perform lively ragtime jazz and rock. Over at the botanic garden on Thursday, July 18, Calle 66 will perform contemporary salsa, merengue, and cumbia. Concerts at both locations are from 6:00 until 8:30 p.m. View upcoming events or buy tickets now!
Find harmony with the NM Jazz Workshop
Musicians and vocalists of all types can find inspiration in jazz through the six-week course “Reharmonizing & Arranging Standards” starting July 15. Plus, don’t miss the thirty-third season of the Under the Stars Summer Concert Series presented by NM Jazz, with performances at the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater on July 12, 13, 19, 26, and 27 (the series also has shows in August and September). The concerts are all-ages and run 7:00 till 10:00 p.m., rain or shine.Stock up at the Homegirls Mercado
Head to El Chante: Casa de Cultura right across from Robinson Park downtown on Saturday, July 20 from 9:00 a.m until 12:30 p.m. The gallery will host local female artists selling their art, jewelry, clothing and more. With live music and food vendors participating as well, it’s also a great opportunity to do some shopping at El Chante’s own, in-house boutique, plus explore the space itself by viewing Isabela Ortega’s Malcriada Creada: A Retrospective, which opens July 5.
