Memorial Day, originally called "Decoration Day," was proclaimed an official holiday on May 5, 1868 by Army General John Logan. On this day, the flag of the United States is kept at half-mass until noon in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in service of our country, and then raised back to full-staff for the remainder of the day as an inspiration to the living to continue to fight for liberty and justice. The flags on the historic Old Town Plaza in Albuquerque have observed this tradition for 145 years and will fly proudly once again this year. Join the City of Albuquerque Cultural Services Department today for a special day of remembrance. The flag ceremony will begin at noon and will be followed by special dance performances from local groups. Professional dance company Ballet en Fuego will take the stage at 6 p.m. and Grammy nominee Micky Cruz will perform at 7 p.m. Old Town Plaza • Fri May 24 • 'Til 9 pm • FREE • View on Alibi calendar

The Jersey Boys at Popejoy Hall offers you two shows in one, a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical and a pop concert, perfect for spending a night along memory lane with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Fans will reminisce over songs such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” and prom-time favorite “Oh What a Night.” Prepare yourself for a night of excitement while reliving the rise of these young men from blue-collar Jersey streets to worldwide pop stardom. This international sensation and Las Vegas hit has been described as a “wild” night of mayhem. In fact, it’s recommended only for those 12 or older, since it contains gun shots, smoke, strobe lights and drug references. The show runs until June 2 at Popejoy Hall (203 Cornell NE). Buy tickets for either daytime or evening shows. Prices range from $40 to $145 at unmtickets.com or call 877-664-8661. If you already purchased tickets, check the Popejoy website for information about date changes. Popejoy Hall, UNM Center for the Arts • Thu May 23 • 2 pm • $27.50-$145 • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar

Lawrence, Kan.-based post-rock foursome The Appleseed Cast is relentlessly touring in support of their latest full-length, Illumination Ritual. While the work produced by the group doesn't exactly break new ground, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Making music together since '97, the Appleseed boys have damn near perfected the experimental indie/post-rock formula. Judge for yourself tonight at Launchpad (618 Central SW). Fellow Kansas crew Hospital Ships (who are signed to Graveface Records), sci-fi riffin' foursome Ghost Circles and acoustic indie-rock outfit Bellemah open the 21-and-over gig starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are only $10. Launchpad • Tue May 21 • 9 pm • $10 • View on Alibi calendar

We could all use a little joyous expression in our lives. Get yours tonight when choral group Expressions of Joy opens for the Isotopes by singing the National Anthem. It’s the chorus’ second invitation to perform before an Isotopes game. Founded in 2011, the group’s purpose is “to bring the joy of singing to individuals with developmental disabilities and/or other special needs.” According to Expressions of Joy, Inc. President Jeannine Kammann-Cessac, “not everyone might be able to lift a bowling ball or run in the Special Olympics, but everyone can at least feel the music, sway, smile and sing to our tunes.” The choir welcomes new members 17 and older; no special skills are required. For more information, visit abqjoy.com. Hear tonight's performance at about 6:30 p.m. at Isotopes Park. Isotopes Park • Tue May 21 • 6:30 pm • FREE • View on Alibi calendar

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

Blackbird Buvette serves up an inaugural springtime rock and roll bash on its tiny back porch. It’s pretty cramped, but it’s as close to a DIY basement show as you can get … while having drinks served. This show is a who’s-who of the best garage rockers still standing (no overdoses or wheelchairs). Drum legend Joe Bolt debuts The Blackout Disciples' dark and dirty rock sans evil posturing. Other Dirty Novels alums—Dandee Fleming and Brian Keith—and Demarcus Sumter (St. Petersburg), Billy Miles Brooke (Pan!c) and Ben Woods (Porter Draw) make up the group. Punk and roll outfit Get Action (formerly Riley Switch) features bad boy Bill Bunting (Ten Seconds to Liftoff), Scott Brown (Song Thing) and Ashley Floyd and Jeff Jones (both ex-Gracchi). Newcomers Hoverbourd tag themselves as surf-indie-dance-rock, and that works for me, especially with a horn thrown into the mix. Despite bountiful local talent, I’m most excited about Schwervon! from Shawnee, Kan., by way of New York City. Now in their 13th year, guitarist Major Matt Mason and drummer Nan Turner’s music ranges from sweet jangle-pop to ear-shattering racket. Keep a few bucks stashed in your wallet to score Schwervon! merch, including the brilliant, new Courage and '09’s sweet and lilting Low Blow. Blackbird Buvette • Wed May 15 • 10 pm • free • 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

Wes Naman

I've watched Little Bobby Tucker for years, and I've listened very carefully. I don't mind attesting to the fact that his latest solo effort pushes him over the edge; it's equal parts concept album, dance album and confessional. It's all psychology and honesty. Each song involves a musical and historical depth and layering that works under the guise of simplicity to obscure the weird complexity Bobby creates. In each song, said complexity deals with a woman in his life, and women are always in his life; there are undertones of sex and wine. A little anger is let go, like a note floated down the river, but the overall stamp is, “It is what it is.” One line I had to listen to over and over again really sums up his positive spin on what some would consider negative experiences: “Don't give up so quickly on me.” Admission to the 21-and-over release party—also starring Venus Bogardus, Mr. and Mrs. Jones and Blackout Disciples—costs $5 and includes a copy of the CD. Launchpad • Fri May 10 • 9 pm • $5 • View on Alibi calendar

• Little Bobby... (black) [ Mon May 13 2013 12:08 PM ]
  

Project Dreamscape is a collaborative installation that takes the form of nine different rooms, each representing a stage in the dream life of Lance Flansberg, an accountant with a humdrum lifestyle. At night, Lance’s dreams come alive. The installation includes sound, video, black lights, diorama and a giant spider. Twelve high school students from the Albuquerque area created the elaborate artwork in conjunction with Santa Fe-based art collective Meow Wolf and the Lead with the Arts program. Fans of Meow Wolf’s major productions (such as 2011’s The Due Return, an immense inter-dimensional ship) will enjoy this new fully immersive installation. It’s truly the stuff of dreams. The opening event is free to the public. Come see this vision of Albuquerque’s youth and partake in Lance’s awe-inspiring and scary dreams. Project Dreamscape opens tonight at 6 p.m. at The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History (2000 Mountain NW) and will run through June 9. Albuquerque Museum of Art and History • Fri May 10 • 6-8 pm • View on Alibi calendar

After roots-rock band Red Red Meat disbanded in '97, Chicagoan Tim Rutili started Califone as a solo project; he began releasing calmer, experimental home recordings involving samples, loops and musique concrète elements while—as he described in a 2006 interview—“making little pop songs out of found pieces.” Rutili has a distinctive voice. It's a relaxed, barely affected drawl with just a hint of gravel, and it nestles itself organically into his music’s warm, loping ambience. Califone eventually evolved into a band incorporating all Red Red Meat alums and many other (mostly Chicago-based) musicians. They’re still at it 16 years later, and they've just finished a new album, their first since the soundtrack for Rutili’s 2009 film All My Friends are Funeral Singers. Tomorrow night, Califone visits Burque on a living room tour organized by the Undertow Music Collective, which books intimate, limited-availability tours. Califone starts at 8 p.m., and there's no opening act. Tickets are $20, and they're only available online via califonemusic.com and undertowtickets.com. Editor's note: As of 2 p.m., 22 tickets are still available. Location of the show is only available after ticket purchase. Location TBA • Sat Apr 27 • 8 pm • View on Alibi calendar