Bagpipes, dancing, kilts and beyond. All things wonderful and beautiful and Celtic come together this weekend for the 25th Annual Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival. This year's celebration serves honorably as the location for the 13th Annual Masters World Championship for Highland games. Events include stone, weight and hammer throws, caber and sheaf tosses and other traditional feats of strength. There will also be Men's Pro Division rugby, a Celtic Sevens Rugby Tournament and youth rugby games. For those whose interests bear slightly on the less-violent side, music, dancing, shopping, food and drink will abound throughout the park, as well as celtic dog, pony and horse shows, herding demonstrations and an antique car show. Kids' activities include knight fights, pony rides, a mini caber toss and more. Don't miss this chance to celebrate all seven Celtic nations packed into two days of fun. One-day admission ranges from $7-$15 with two-day admission discounts available. Balloon Fiesta Park • Sat May 18 • 9 am-5 pm • $7-$20 • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar
Most people know that essential oils are a natural way to make your hair smell pretty and your bathroom smell, well, not too bad. Did you also know high quality essential oils can be used to aid ailments ranging from headaches to sore muscles to bug bites? Join Kay Herrington of Body in Balance this tonight at Loma Colorado Library for an Introduction to Essential Oils. Kay is a natural living specialist who uses essential oils in her personal life as well as for massage and doula practices. In this class, you will learn the history and origin of essential oils, how they are distilled and processed, and from which plants they are derived. The class is free and no registration is required. Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho • Mon May 13 • 6 pm • FREE • View on Alibi calendar
Houston Texans' running back Arian Foster was born and raised in Albuquerque. His father, Carl, is a former wide receiver for the University of New Mexico, and his mother, Bernadette, works for UNM. Foster played for two years at Valley High School before moving to San Diego before his junior year. This weekend, the running back, known for his signature "Namaste bow" at the end zone, returns to his hometown to conduct a free Arian Foster ProCamp at University Stadium (yes, the big one). The free, open-to-the-public event is put on by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico, and is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 14. Participants will take part in daily games and skill competitions, learn techniques of the pros, and will all receive a Procamp T-Shirt and autographed team photo. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis, and spots will fill up fast. Call 881-0777 for more information on the camp and how to register. University of New Mexico Stadium • Sat & Sun Apr 27-28 • 3-6:30 pm • FREE • View on Alibi calendar
I say it's a good thing that Earth Day is in the spring. Nothing gets you in the mood to reduce, reuse, recycle and grow more than crawling out of the three-month bleak-fest of winter and awakening to the sound of birdies and the smell of crab apple blossoms. UNM is the perfect place to celebrate this quintessential spring day, what with those rows and rows of beautifully-blossomed trees (but, what's up with the white ones that smell like fish?). Celebrate Earth Day (or rather, the day after) tomorrow at the 5th Annual Sustainability Expo and Lobo Growers' Market at the Cornell Mall, just east of the SUB. This spring-fever inducing day is filled with activities and information, including an alternative transportation fair with a bike auction. Local vendors will be set up to sell produce, baked goods, jams, seedlings, crafts and more. And Knowaste will be on hand to make sure this is a no-waste event. For more information, visit abqstew.wordpress.com. Cornell Mall on the UNM Main Campus (East of SUB) • Tue Apr 23 • 10 am-2 pm • FREE • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar
Craig "Noodles" Neal cuts down the net for the 2013 MWC Conference champions
It's official. Previously-titled UNM men's basketball assistant coach Craig "Noodles" Neal will take the reigns as the program's head coach heading into the 2013-2014 season. Neal quickly became a favorite for the position following Steve Alford's sudden departure from the position as he accepted the title of head coach for the UCLA Bruins.
Neal, who followed Alford to New Mexico from Iowa, has received an overwhelming vote of confidence from college basketball experts, as well as from players, fans and students at UNM.
Here's hoping Noodles' noodle is up for the challenge!
The Christmas after I turned five, all I asked for was an American Girl Doll. No more, no less. My wish was granted that cold morning, and Samantha Parkington joined the family. Over the years, that doll was seriously loved. So much so that when my Mom took me on a trip to Chicago for my 10th birthday, Samantha had to stay behind at the American Girl Place Doll Hospital to get a head transplant (yes, that's a thing in the doll world). In 2001, American Girl began producing a "Girl of the Year" doll that could only be purchased that year. 2013's doll, Saige Copeland, is the second doll to hail from the Land of Enchantment (the first, Josefina, is described as living on a rancho near Santa Fe). Saige is described as "A spirited girl whose passions inspire action, who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the hot air balloon capital of the world." Tomorrow, Miss Haven, who hosts a weekly story time at the Barnes and Noble on the Westside, invites enthusiasts to come "meet" the latest addition the American Girl family. The free event runs from 11 a.m. to noon. Barnes & Noble, Westside • Sat Mar 23 • 11 am-noon • FREE • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar
What's larger than a leprechaun, smaller than an Irish pony and much cuter than a sack of potatoes? A Great Dane, of course! And what better way to spend St. Patty's day than supporting these gentle giants and their feline friends? Join the Justice Great Dane Rescue and F.A.T. KATZ organizations for the "Larger Than a Leprechaun" Foster-A-Thon and Animal Rescue Fundraiser. Learn more about fostering adoptable dogs and cats and enjoy goodies, giveaways, prizes, vendors and face and body art with the Dancing Dolphins. These beasties may not have the luck of the Irish on their side, but adorableness is just as effective, right? Boofy’s Best for Pets • Sun Mar 17 • Noon-4 pm • FREE • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar
Ah, March in New Mexico. Warmer weather, budding trees, chirping birdies and, of course, a ridiculous amount of wind. For those who prefer to admire the beauties of the season without a 25-mile-an-hour sand-slap to the face, the fine folks at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Gardens have the perfect solution. They invite you to enjoy the views of bright yellow daffodils and vibrant pink tulips in bloom at the (indoor!) Mediterranean Conservatory. See nearly 400 picturesque plants at the Bulbs in Bloom show and experience the first splashes of spring color. As March progresses (and hopefully so does the weather), visitors can enjoy crocuses and other bulbs as they emerge in the outdoor gardens. The show is open every day starting tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and flower enthusiasts can gain access to the conservatory with the price of admission to the park. ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden • Sat Mar 2 • 9 am-5 pm • $4-$12.50 • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar
Celebrate the joys of winter weather and the natural beauty of New Mexico's mountains with the heat of bonfires, warm food and boiling competition at the annual Fire & Ice Winter Festival in Jemez Springs. This year's festivities include a professional chainsaw carving competition and exhibition, a pie bake-off and tasting, arts and crafts booths, live music and a beer garden for adults. Kids can enjoy various activities and games, including a cross-cut sawing contest, a bouncy castle and the famous chicken poop bingo (the prize goes to the person who bought the square where the chicken drops its "prize"). The fun will continue into the night with a special Poi Spinning (fire) performance, bonfires in the park and hot chocolate and coffee. For more information on the event and on the village of Jemez Springs, visit JemezSprings.org. Village of Jemez Springs, Jemez Springs • Sat Feb 23 • 11 am-7 pm • FREE • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar
From photography to massage to comedians, the Alibi needs your help determining who are the best, brightest and most-valued businesses in the 505. This is the 20th annual Best of Burque, and we’ve spiced things up with new categories, a new look and some clever updates to your favorite categories. So sit your booty down, get your clickin’ finger ready and submit those votes. Log in, add, delete and change your answers all you want, just get them done before March 12 at noon.
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