Music & Performance Venues
Acequia Booksellers
There is an art, a refinement, to Acequia. It’s about Gary’s life-long affair with books and Marilyn being a book artist. Posing as a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, Acequia is a magic (and seemingly endless) library that specializes in rarities, unknowns and artist’s books.
Cellar Door Gifts & Gallery
This aptly named gallery really is an access point down to somewhere else – a realm of low-brow pop surrealism; a stranger, more wonderful place than could be seen from above. Cellar Door feels like the part of Willy Wonka’s factory in which the kids were never allowed. Think House of Leaves, the gallery.
Harwood Art Center
Literally dozens of ways to activate your creative energy. Take a class; teach a class. See a show: exhibit your work. Play music, or dance. Rent a studio. Join the community garden. Eat lunch at Robin’s Kitchen. Yeah really, there’s food, too.
Monte Vista Fire Station
The solitary tip-off to this bar’s former life as a fire station is the giant pole settled in the center of the stairs. Other than that, you’ve got a somewhat frat-y university bar upstairs and what used to be an upper-scale dining room downstairs, both with covetable patio space overlooking the Monte Vista neighborhood of Nob Hill and Central Ave, respectively.
National Hispanic Cultural Center
A Mecca for high SW/El norte art. The renowned performing arts facilities attract some big acts, from international flamenco megastars to off-Broadway players.
New Mexico Jazz Workshop
Perhaps not as hip as the Outpost, but dammit, nothing beats a cold one and a hot night of Salsa Under the Stars. Every summer, the New Mexico Jazz Workshop takes over the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater.
The Albuquerque Little Theater
Yes, Virginia, there is still a theater that will rep Guys and Dolls. If you’re over 40 and are looking for that special place to get your catharsis on, look no more. A beautiful spot but rarely cutting edge.
The Albuquerque Poetry Scene
Like our darling co-founder, Eric, the slam scene has known more venues than an easy whore. For almost 20 years, poets have cut their teeth at such long deceased Albuquerque staples as The Dingo Bar, Sprockets, Club Rhythm and Blues, The Golden West and The Blue Dragon.
The Auxiliary Dog Theatre
Owned by local Eli Goodpasture Browning, Aux Dog is home to clever, thoughtful, watchable plays year-round. True to its name, there are dog biscuits in the lobby, usually next to 3-buck-Chuck. Art is also on display in that same comfortable lobby.
The Box
In a past life, a loveable converted video store performance space. Now full-blown in a custom-built space at the foot of the Gold Ave. lofts, The Box is known for the diversity and quirky bravery of the shows they’ve hosted.
The Cell
A truly professional theater in the outer downtown/warehouse district. Small, intimate and fairly innovative in its production choices. Hard-assed auditioning.
The Compound
An underground jewel nestled in the residential suburbs. Offering old-school multiple-band weekend shows, The Compound houses everything from horror rap to black metal, with plenty of room for moshing. A great starting point for local bands, and a must-stop for those touring through the Southwest, they welcome all ages and tailgaters.