AMP is happy to suggest great music and arts events around the region. This is not a complete list, but rather a personal selection of some of our favorite cultural options. Always verify with the venue to make sure none of the details have changed.
We'll highlight standout events, but first here is a list of organizations that are so reliable that we can wholeheartedly endorse everything they do. We're including ourselves since a lot of people find this page directly, and you should check out our shows before leaving!
AMP Concerts - The best folk, acoustic, Americana and world music in Albuquerque
Outpost Productions - All flavors of jazz, and a little of everything else.
FanMan Productions - Popular, traditional and world music.
The Southwest Pickers - Bluegrass performances, workshops and jam sessions.
Southwest Roots Music - Blues, roots, folk and more. Don't miss the Thirsty Ear Festival at the Eaves Movie Ranch - June 11 to 13, 2010.
There's always fun music going on during the summer. In Albuquerque, you can't go wrong with Summer Nights at the Botanic Garden, Zoo Music, and Jazz and Salsa Under the Stars at the Albuquerque Museum. You can also make the lovely day trip to Los Alamos for the Los Alamos County Summer Concert Series.
Albuquerque Folk Festival turns Expo New Mexico into a giant musical village every June. A great mix of acoustic preformers will be there, but the real treat of the fest is the hundreds of workshops on all levels of music and dance, from jaw harp to mandolin, African to Scandinavian. It's a great, interactive musical day. This year's version will be on June 18 and 19.
FUSION Theatre Company - consistantly the best live theatre in the state of New Mexico. We can unequivalenty recommend ANY production that FUSION is responsible for.
And our pals at Tricklock Theater Company are always pushing the edges in the non-traditional theater front. Every January they put on the Revolutions International Theater Festival, which brings a variety of stunning cutting edge theater companies to Albuquerque for a brilliant frenzy of activity.
If you came here looking for rock and roll, you'll probably be disappointed. We don't do a lot in that area and it isn't a strong part of our local calendar. But Albuquerque has some great rock clubs. When we're in the mood, we'll drop by The Launchpad, Burt's Tiki Lounge or the Atomic Cantina.
Visiting Albuquerque? Check out the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau for lots of useful info.
Our favorite radio
89.9 FM - KUNM - The only station in Albuquerque that regularly plays the kind of music we bring to town. Plus, they maintain one of the best arts and culture calendar in town.
Notable events
March 9th is the return of Zakir Hussain & the Masters of Percussion to the Lensic in Santa Fe. Tablas galore, Indian dancers and bunch of musicians. Woohoo!
Bluesman Keb' Mo' will be at the Lensic on March 10.
We kick off our Celtic Celebration week with The Battlefield Band at South Broadway Cultural Center on March 11.
Oddball folky Steve Poltz is back with a whole new set of songs. He'll be celebrating his CD party at the El Rey on March 12. It's always a treat to see what Steve will unleash. It's unpredictable, but always entertaining.
The Southwest Pickers bring their latest bluegrass offering - The Blue Canyon Boys - to Covenant Presbytarian on March 13. They'll also be at the Santa Fe Brewing Company on March 12
The always entertaining folk duo Small Potatoes are back in town for a house concert at Gretchen and Steve's place on March 16. They play a ton of instruments, have lovey harmonies and a great sense of humor. Contact Gretchen for info and directions.
One of the biggests shows we have put on that I never saw was Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez. They are Mexico's premier folklorico group and everyone told me the show at the NHCC was stunning. You've got two chances to catch them again - on March 17 at Popejoy and on March 18 at the Lensic. Popejoy's also got the every popular South African singing group Ladysmith Black Mambazo on March 18th.
We will be at the Cooperage on March 19 with the Celtic duo Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill. Martin is one of the most widely lauded modern fiddlers, and will also be leading a fiddle master class on March 20. If your taste runs a bit more tropical, you would not do badly by being at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on March 19th to see Maria de Barros. The Cape Verdean songbird wow'ed everyone at ¡Globalquerque! 2009.
Literate Indiana-based folk singer Carrie Newcomer makes a rare appearance in New Mexico on March 20th at the San Ysidro Church in Corrales. And in Santa Fe, hotshot guitarist Joe Bonamassa will be at the Lensic.
Fan Man keeps bringing some of the best cool rock bands to Santa Fe. The latest offerings are Frontier Ruckus on March 18 and The Low Anthem on March 20. Both shows at the Santa Fe Brewing Company.
It's our double whammy of Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade shows on March 23. Free daytime integrated show with the developmentally disabled adults at N4th and at night in the Low Spirits speakeasy.
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Photo of Lyle Lovett by Michael Wilson. Photos of the Guerrilla Girls, Suzanne Vega, Cowboy Junkies, Po Girl, Wagogo and Sam Bush by Alan Mitchell.