If you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to ask for a glass of milk. But if you give an orangutan a box of holiday goodies, he is most likely going to open it, play with and/or eat it and cause a highly unified chorus of "aaawwww." Our friends at the BioPark Zoo have certainly not forgotten that primates, big cats and elephants all deserve their fair share of presents for the holidays. Tomorrow is your perfect chance to see animal pals receive toys, chains, tubes and treats from their zookeeper friends. Zoo staff will be available throughout the morning to answer questions and explain how this special enrichment helps keep the animals active, alert and curious. Plus, it's going to be stinkin' adorable. ABQ BioPark Zoo • Sat Dec 22 • 9:30-10:30 am • FREE with park admission • View on Alibi calendar

• abq biopark zoo
• community event

The members of the New Mexico Gay Men's Chorus have been singing their way into the hearts of Burqueños for nearly 31 years. This weekend, they present a show filled with the fun and surprises that have made this holiday concert one of the area's favorite traditions. This colorful, bright and gay variety of warm winter songs features special guest performances by Cathryn McGill, alto soloist, and Seth Sanchez, soprano soloist. Visit nmgmc.org for more information. Greer Garson Theater, Santa Fe • Fri Dec 14 • 7:30 pm • $15-$20 • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar

• song & dance event

Artist, architect and New Mexico native Bryan Berg has held the Guinness World Record for the Tallest House of Freestanding Playing Cards since 1992. In 2004, he inspired the creation of a new record for the largest card house—not tallest—after building a replica of Cinderella's Castle for Walt Disney World. Tonight, Berg will host a free kids' hands-on workshop in his hometown of Santa Fe. He'll give a short presentation about cardstacking and provide one-on-one lessons on how to build four-card cells and free-standing towers. And, of course, participants are welcome and encouraged to knock their card houses down upon completion. Activities are recommended for ages 8-and-up due to hand-eye coordination and attention span. Visit cardstacker.com for more information. Moving People Performance Space, Santa Fe • Tue Dec 11 • 6:30-7:30 pm • FREE • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar

• community event

Bruce Wong

Founded in 2011, Broad Humor is a Burque comedy duo comprised of funny girls Sarah Kennedy and Sarah Mowrey. The pair packs a lot of tools into their laughter arsenal—from stand-up, improv and sketch comedy to knock-knock jokes and puns. (Seriously, who doesn't love a good knock-knock joke?) Their current specialty, however, is the production and presentation of weekly live shows at The Box Performance Space and Improv Theatre. Tonight's chuckle fest is billed as the "Teeny Tiny Super Stacked Show," 15 comic performers jam-packed into one 75-minute bonanza. Six bucks gets you in the door (only 40 cents per comic!), and The Box validates parking for up to two hours. The Box Performance Space and Improv Theatre • Sat Nov 24 • 10:30 pm • $6 • View on Alibi calendar

• the box performance space and improv theatre
• stage event

In 1997, the New Mexico BioPark Society started the River of Lights as a fundraiser for expanding exhibits and attractions. Today, this celebrated event continues to sustain those efforts. Every November and December, Burqueños flock to the Botanic Garden to see millions of glowing bulbs bring to life more than 150 sculptures. Visitors can snap photos as giant gingerbread men and walk through the belly of a massive pumpkin. Stop for a moment to rest numb toes while enjoying live entertainment, or pop a squat on the G-scale model train. Each year's show features new pieces by Albuquerque BioPark artists and craftsmen (check tinyurl.com/riveroflights throughout the season for more on what's new this winter). Be sure to bundle up before you head out into the brisk night air to enjoy this illuminated spectacle. And don't accidentally pull down an entire dragonfly-themed display like I did one year. ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden • Sat Nov 24 • 6-9 pm • $5-$10 • ALL-AGES! • Runs thru Dec 24 • View on Alibi calendar

• abq biopark botanic garden
• community event

U.S. Department of Agriculture

 

Your Calendar Editor made a boo-boo and told everyone that Cecilia’s downtown location would be serving up a Thanksgiving meal this Thursday. The truth, however, is that it is Cecilia’s in NOB HILL that will be dishing out four courses of autumnal goodness. Call (505) 268-1147 to make your reservation.

View in Alibi calendar

The Middle Rio Grande Valley is visited by thousands of majestic Sandhill Cranes as they return to make the Bosque their winter home. A population can also be found in extreme northeastern Siberia. The reappearance of these large birds is viewed, photographed and celebrated across New Mexico every fall. The Open Space Visitor Center, tucked next to the river, is hosting the Return of the Sandhill Crane Celebration this weekend. Festivities stretch from early morning until late afternoon and include short films, children's activities, live music, Tai Chi, walks, storytelling and more. Visit tinyurl.com/sandhillcranes for more information and a full schedule of events. Open Space Visitor Center • Sat Nov 17 • 8 am-5 pm • FREE • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar

• open space visitor center
• community event

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Perfectly cooked—by somebody else

Sick of wrangling a 12-pound bird into the oven, being confined to your kitchen for 7 hours and then desperately attempting to keep your toddler from giving his perfectly cooked yams to the dog every November? Well, the restaurants of the Duke city feel your pain and have come to the rescue. From casinos to buffets to fine dining, your favorite local spots are dishing up classy, tasty and festive spreads. Check out our Thanksgiving food calendar for times and menu information. Most sit-down meals require reservations, so give them a call to make sure it’s not all gobbled up before you get there.

The final flight of the shuttle Atlantis in July 2011 left many Americans wondering what would become of the United States' space exploration program. How could we go from being leaders in flight technology to relying on foreign rockets for transportation so suddenly? Local author, historian and pilot Ted Spitzmiller will approach these topics of extraterrestrial uncertainty in a talk titled "The Future of Human Spaceflight." Spitzmiller will reflect on the last 50 years of progress, as well as discuss prospects and challenges moving forward. The free lecture will especially focus on whether it is possible for humans to travel beyond our solar system and will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. New Mexico Museum of Natural History • Wed Nov 14 • 7 pm • FREE • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar

• new mexico museum of natural history
• community event

I can't remember the last time I (or anyone I know, for that matter) turned off Words With Friends and picked up a physical Scrabble board. How do you scramble your tiles without the little button? What do you mean you can talk to your opponent face-to-face? For those looking to learn new strategies or show off those real-life, tile-wielding skills,tomorrow holds the perfect opportunity. Scrabblequerque is a recreational tournament that benefits the Reading Works adult literacy program. A $15 entrance fee gets you 3 games (with prizes for winners, of course) and participation in a clinic led by nationally rated player Nancee Mancel. So put down the smart phone, grab your biggest dictionary and put those word skills to use for a good cause. Sandia Prep Student Center • Sat Nov 3 • 12:30-5 pm • $15 • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar

• community event