Cornstalk— The Alibi ‘s editorial staff voted the Cornstalk Institute the “best nonprofit you’ve never heard of.” The South Valley organization provides experiential education and prevention programs to local middle and high school kids. We’re talking everything from ropes course training to outdoor adventuring to organic gardening. A fundraising event for Cornstalk is going on this Saturday, June 16, from 11 a.m. to midnight. Tickets are $30 (two for $50) and include live entertainment by Burqueños such as Daddy Long Loin and Damien Flores as well as out-of-towners like New York’s Emory Joseph and Tucson’s Greyhound Soul. There’ll also be a silent auction for a Fender Stratocaster signed by both Robert Cray and Eric Clapton. The institute is located at 3011 Barcelona SW. Tix are available at Bookworks and Natural Sound. For details, e-mail cornstalkinstitute@yahoo.com.
Culture Shock
Only Slightly Cracked— The Alibi ‘s ingenious illustrator Rex Barron is involved with an intriguing show at Art Gallery 66. The Bernalillo gallery is hosting a benefit for the Bernalillo Public Library that combines art, music and literature. Barron has worked on numerous big-time TV and film animation projects, including The Lord of the Rings and The Pink Panther . He’s also illustrated several picture books, including a bestseller called Eggbert: The Slightly Cracked Egg authored by Tom Ross. Some of Barron’s original work for the Alibi will be in the show. He will be joined by photographer Mike Butterfield and writer Peter Greene who will be signing their excellent book Mountains of New Mexico (New Mexico Magazine, $29.95), which was published last year. The show opens Saturday, June 16, and runs through the end of the month. Art Gallery 66 is located at 373 North Camino del Pueblo (North 313). (505) 867-8666, www.artgallery66.net.
Culture Shock
Word to the Wise —Geez, it’s a busy Saturday. The KiMo is hosting Word! KiMo Poetry Circus this Saturday, June 16. According to the city, this will be the first in a series of poetry-related events at the KiMo. In an evening filled with versifying and music, the main event will be the screening of Committing Poetry in Times of War , a document that tells the story of Bill Nevins, a Rio Rancho High School teacher who was fired for letting one of his students recite a poem related to the war in Iraq. The KiMo event begins at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. For details, call Nevins at 264-6979.
