Spotlight: OffCenter Arts
More than 20 years ago, this community arts center (then known as the Art Hive) opened in Albuquerque, providing a welcoming space for all kinds of artists to gather, socialize, create, and promote their work.
Today, OffCenter Arts remains dedicated to supporting local artists and bringing the arts to the wider community through supplies, workspace, events, and classes—with tiered pricing for some options, though most options are free! Open Studio hours are available for adults and kids, and if you need more structure, consider taking a class in watercolor painting, drawing, creating monoprints, learning how to sew, and more. Everything happens at the center, which is across from Robinson Park downtown at 808 Park Avenue SW.
If creating art is not your thing, help others create by donating art supplies and more, stop by during monthly, city-wide Art Walks, or shop online. On Saturday, September 21, OffCenter Arts will host its Harvest Brunch fundraiser at 11:00 am at Explora. Buy tickets online.
Today, OffCenter Arts remains dedicated to supporting local artists and bringing the arts to the wider community through supplies, workspace, events, and classes—with tiered pricing for some options, though most options are free! Open Studio hours are available for adults and kids, and if you need more structure, consider taking a class in watercolor painting, drawing, creating monoprints, learning how to sew, and more. Everything happens at the center, which is across from Robinson Park downtown at 808 Park Avenue SW.
If creating art is not your thing, help others create by donating art supplies and more, stop by during monthly, city-wide Art Walks, or shop online. On Saturday, September 21, OffCenter Arts will host its Harvest Brunch fundraiser at 11:00 am at Explora. Buy tickets online.
Spotlight: Instituto Cervantes
The Instituto Cervantes in Albuquerque, which is located inside the National Hispanic Cultural Center, is named after the famous Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes. It regularly offers Spanish language classes for children and adults and hosts a variety of cultural events, many of them free. But did you know that the institute is a global entity founded by the Spanish government with locations in more than 40 countries? It is the largest organization in the world dedicated to teaching Spanish, and we’ve got a branch right here in the 505!
If you want to brush up on your own language skills or need something for your kids to do after school, check out the class options, both in-person and online. On Saturday, September 28, the institute will sponsor the 12th Annual Latin Film Festival, Cine Magnifíco, featuring six feature films, a presentation on young film makers of New Mexico, and more. Tickets are free, but reservations are required.
If you want to brush up on your own language skills or need something for your kids to do after school, check out the class options, both in-person and online. On Saturday, September 28, the institute will sponsor the 12th Annual Latin Film Festival, Cine Magnifíco, featuring six feature films, a presentation on young film makers of New Mexico, and more. Tickets are free, but reservations are required.
5 Things To Do in September
New Mexico State Fair
The New Mexico State Fair returns to the Expo New Mexico from Thursday, September 5 through Sunday, September 15. Yes, it’s time for rides, games, and getting your fill of turkey legs, caramel apples, and deep-fried everything—but it’s also a great time to see an abundance of exceptional local art! Join art director Ramona Vigil-Eastwood at the Fine Art Gallery for the Art Preview Night at 6:00pm on Wednesday, September 4. Then, cruise the Fine Arts Building, the Creative Arts Building, the Hispanic Arts Building, and the Indian Arts Building for even more enchanting work.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off with an event hosted by The New Mexico Hispanic Heritage Committee on Thursday, September 5 from 9:00am until noon at the gazebo in Albuquerque Old Town. Then, starting at 3:00pm on Saturday, September 21, keep the party going with poetry, storytelling, live music from Ivón Ulibarrí & Café Mocha, performances by Conservation Carnival, and more. Bring an instrument and play with The New Mexican Marimba Band! This event takes place at the Open Space Visitor Center at 6500 Coors NW. Both events are free and open to all ages.
Japanese Fall Festival
Happening on Sunday, September 29, the Japanese Aki Matsuri (Fall Festival) 2024 gives you good reason to return to Expo NM. Presented by the New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League, the festival will be from 10am to 5pm. Watch traditional Japanese music, dance, and martial arts performances; sample Japanese food; and shop for a variety of art and crafts. This year, the festival, which has occurred in various iterations throughout different venues around Albuquerque for decades, highlights the concept of “kokoro”—a philosophical term describing a person’s spirit, creative source, or sense of self. Tickets are $10 and are available online.
Double Up on Local Books
Renowned local author Baker H. Morrow (Best Plants for New Mexico Gardens and Landscapes, A Harvest of Reluctant Souls, Canyon Gardens, and more) joins Casa Urraca Press founder and author Zach Hively at Books on the Bosque on Sunday, September 15 from 2:00pm until 3:30pm to celebrate the publication of their latest books. Morrow, who is also a landscape architect and founding director of the master’s program in landscape architecture at the University of New Mexico, will debut his short story collection The Horse on the Sidewalk. Hively will read from his latest essay collection, Call Me Zach Hively Because That Is My Name. Books will be available for purchase at the event, or order them here.
ABQ Folk Fest
What can’t you do at the Albuquerque Folk Fest? Starting at 10:00am and lasting till 8:00pm on Sunday, September 29 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, listen to a number of great local and out-of-state bands; jam out with some of those bands; join a workshop where you can fine-tune your own dancing, singing, or performing; listen to stories; shop crafts; and fill your belly with local food and drink. Take your little ones to the kids’ tent with family-friendly events, and don’t miss the Instrument Petting Zoo, where you can get to know a variety of musical instruments. And watch out for giant puppets! View the full schedule.
