Spotlight: Acting Classes in ABQ
If you’ve ever wanted to test out your acting skills—or if you want to dust off the ones you left behind after that one play you did in high school—you’re in luck! Albuquerque offers plenty of acting classes for a variety of skill levels. The Box Performance Space and Improv Theater regularly offers different classes through its Improv One program. Find a pay-what-you-can course or workshop through non-profit ImprovNewMexico, which expands its reach state-wide. Story Quest Studios, another local non-profit, offers a wide range of classes that include screenwriting and voice acting. Join them on Sunday, Sept. 21 for a free class for adults from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. Meanwhile, Actors Space, located inside the FUSION art space downtown, will let you audit a class in person or online in case you’d rather watch first. Ready to take things more professionally? Stage and Screen Academy can help you or your child level up. And if you’re looking for a great team-building exercise, look into The Radical Agreement Project, which can set up group acting scenarios in locations all over the city.
5 Things To Do in September
Totally Fair
The State Fair returns to the EXPO New Mexico grounds Sept. 4 through Sept. 14 with musical headliners Winona Judd, Cypress Hill, Grupo Marca Registrada, and Clay Walker. There’s even a music festival starting at 11:00 AM on Sunday, Sept. 7 that highlights New Mexico-based artists such as Def-i and Hooks & the Huckleberries. Plus, besides the rodeos, rides, and concession-stand revelry, we recommend visiting the Creative Arts Building for a delightful spectrum of options! For example, catch the fashion show at 2:00 PM on Sunday, Sept. 7, the international food contest at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, Sept. 9, and the pie contest at 1:30 PM on Sunday, Sept. 14. Oh, and of course this year’s Egg Art exhibition, on display daily, is sure to be…eggcellent. Visit the website for ticket prices; this year’s Mega Pass for one day of admission and unlimited rides is $40.
All That Jazz
The 19th Annual New Mexico Jazz Festival spans almost the entire month of September this year, stretching from Sunday, Sept. 4 through Sunday, Sept. 28. Albuquerque venues include The Outpost Performance Space, South Broadway Cultural Center, the African American Performing Arts Center, and Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater. Catch Blues Night on Civic Plaza starting at 6:00 PM on Saturday, Sept. 13—this show is all-ages and free!
Great Experiences
The 13th Annual Albuquerque Film + Music Experience Festival happens this year in Nob Hill on Wednesday, Sept. 24 through Sunday, Sept. 28. According to its website, the festival “creates invaluable opportunities for middle, high, and college students, as well as career development opportunities for filmmakers and musicians that can result in transformative careers and projects in New Mexico.” Tickets start at $10. To get details about the 70 films featured this year, along with information about the festival’s music, visit the AFMXNM website.
Go Global
Civic Plaza will also host ¡Globalquerque! this year! This free and family-friendly celebration of international music and culture started in 2005 and will again feature renowned performers from all over the world. Starting at 4:00 PM on Saturday, Sept. 20, dance to live music from Brazil’s Bia Ferreira, Morocco’s Tarwa N-Tiniri, Colombia’s Yeison Landero, Sénégal’s Cheikh Ibra Fam, and more. A variety of vendors will also be on the plaza. In case you can’t make it (or to keep the party going), check out the website’s curated playlists as well as archives of YouTube videos from previous years.
¡Olé!
Return to Civic Plaza for another free, all-ages show! Beginning at 7:00 PM on Saturday, Sept. 27, Fiesta Flamenca Burqueña will feature performances by local as well as visiting flamenco artists—including the globally celebrated, iconic dancer and choreographer Mercedes de Córdoba. Food trucks will be on hand, along with arts and crafts vendors and more. Register for free tickets here.
