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
Camp Mabina brings artists from The Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, and Zimbabwe to Synergia Ranch (just south of Santa Fe) for a celebration of African music, dance and culture running from Saturday May 29th through Saturday June 5th. Come for a single day or stay for all eight. Preregistration is requested. Musical offerings include drum, marimba, mbira, kalimba, nyunga, guitar and song. There is a kids' program, too.
The blues in a much lighter, smoother vein will be at the Lensic on June 1 with Robert Cray.
George Clinton and Funkadelic have rightsized their show to the Sunshine Theater on June 3. Once they are in the zone, the might Funkadelic will tear the roof off the theater for hours.
Savor Albuquerque kicks off on June 4th. Visit their web site for a week's worth of arts and culture events around Albuquerque and drop by the Gold Street Lofts for the kick-off party on the 4th!
June 4th is also opening night of the New Mexico Jazz Workshop's Salsa Under the Stars series, which will get rolling with Quemozo at the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater. The series runs Fridays through August. And on Saturday, June 5th, the Jazz & Blues Under the Stars series gets underway with the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra's Big Band Extravaganza. That series will run on Saturdays through August 7.
AMP's free library concerts continue on June 5th when Ted Ramirez (from the Santa Cruz River Band) brings Songs and Storys of the Old Southwest to the South Valley and East Mountain Libraries.
Our marching band cabaret extrvaganza is June 7th at the El Rey with the MarchFourth Marching Band. You deifnitely don't wan to miss this one!
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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.