Alibi Picks

Thu Mar 11: Airing It Out

We last wrote about guitarist Michael Anthony in October 2009 when his trio, featuring bassist Rob "Milo" Jaramillo and drummer Andy Polling, was scheduled to celebrate the release of a new CD, The Sands of Time, at The Outpost. Unfortunately, an unscheduled flood forced a cancellation, but they're back at the tonight, with special guest Kanoa Kaluhiwa on tenor sax. They'll pay tribute to the music of Bill Evans and play some tunes from Sands, too. "Bill Evans is one of the core harmonic influences for me--ever since I started out," says Anthony. As usual with these guys, expect swing, lyricism, harmonic complexity, and an orchestral presence in six strings and a hollow box of wood. (Mel Minter)

Thu Mar 11: You're Not Dreaming

Dan Aykroyd in a Westside Walgreens. Signing bottles of vodka. That are in the shape of skulls. ... Pinch yourself all you like, but this bizarre combination of nouns and verbs will indeed become a reality on Thursday. Dan Aykroyd's added distiller to his list of job titles (winemaker's already on there) with Crystal Head Vodka, a premium spirit made from Newfoundland deep-aquifer water that's triple-filtered through crystals called "Herkimer diamonds." Seeing is believing at the Walgreens at 3400 Coors NW from 4 to 6 p.m. (Laura Marrich)

Fri Mar 12: Come Hear the Music Play

Movies have a lot to teach us about life. While some intone that "Life is like a box of chocolates," I much prefer the observation that "life is a cabaret." You know who's with me? The New Mexico Gay Men's Chorus. See the always impressive group in Life Is a Cabaret, this weekend only at the N4th Theater (4904 Fourth Street NW). The Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday show begins at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at nmgmc.org, old chum. (Erin Adair-Hodges)

Fri Mar 12: Horsin' Around

People who do improv are largely unstable, but in the case of improv group Starving Horse, I guess you could say its members are unstabled. (What? You didn't pay a cover to this club--don't judge.) Come see the quick-witted workings of Starving Horse (comprised of members from The One Night Stanleys, The Q and assorted Burque back rooms) Fridays, March 12 through April 2, at The Box (114 Gold SW). Shows start at 8 p.m., and the first-come, first-serve tickets are $6. For more, go to theboxabq.com. (Erin Adair-Hodges)

Sat Mar 13: Charizard, Go!

In what has become a surprisingly stable pop culture phenomenon somehow outlasting (and out-dueling) its other Japanese anime mega-franchise contemporaries, Pokémon is still very much alive and well. You may now remove your jaw from the floor. The Albuquerque Convention Center (401 Second Street NW) holds its annual state championships for the popular trading card game this Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. Get there early to register and prepare for an entire day of slapping down cards bearing the likeness of the oddly named pocket monsters (there's close to 500 of them now). Need more? Check out pokemon.com/us/organized-play. (Adam Fox)

Mon Mar 15: Miss Derringer Is a Band

Singer Liz McGrath garners comparisons to Debbie Harry for her sweet voice and fashion-model looks. Her stage ensembles resemble Harry's in the short-lived pre-Blondie band The Stilettos crossed with a razor-toting drum majorette. McGrath is also subject to misconceptions akin to those Harry suffered early on with Blondie, but make no mistake: Miss Derringer is a band, not the lead singer. From '60s girl group sounds to high-desert surf riffs, this L.A. outfit wears disparate influences on its Western shirt sleeves. There's more than enough here for the ear to rival what meets the eye. On the SXSW trail supporting acts like New York Doll Sylvain Sylvain and Reverend Horton Heat, Miss Derringer makes a stop at Warehouse 508 on Monday, at the ungodly hour of 7 p.m. $5 at the door. All-ages. (Captain America)

Wed Mar 17: Four Score and 65 Million Years Ago

Every child and child-at-heart's dream is finally realized when Santa Ana Star Center (3001 Civic Center, Rio Rancho) hosts Walking With Dinosaurs starting this Wednesday. The arena monstrosity (pun intended) brings 15 life-size moving dinosaurs to the stage to provide a glimpse of what it might have been like way back in the good old days of carnivorous beasts and life-ending asteroids--no DeLorean required. The tour, based on a popular BBC television show, runs through Sunday, March 21, with both afternoon and night showings. For tickets ($20 to $58) and a complete listing of show times, visit santaanastarcenter.com. (Adam Fox)