Look, I tried to come up with some quirky, cute way to say the holidays are imminent and shopping days are numbered, but it’s all been done before so I’ll just cut straight to the holiday jugular: You’ve got two weeks and it’s really hard to shop for Aunt Betty. Consult the “ Alibi Picks” this week for a multitude of shopping and strolling events, but if your taste and the taste of those on your list leans on the artsy side, there are a few more events to consider. On Saturday, Dec. 8, the New Mexico Book Co-op and Footprints From the Bible are sponsoring the Holiday Book and Craft Fair at St. John’s Cathedral (318 Silver SW) starting at 10 a.m. The event features more than 50 local authors, artists and craftspeople, and book signings with Dave DeWitt ( Avenging Victorio ), Don Bullis ( New Mexico: A Biographical Dictionary ) and Robert Torrez ( New Mexico in 1876-1877 ). Of course, many of the authors will be promoting their publications and I’m sure they’ll be happy to slap a signature on your copy. After checking the bibliophile(s) off your list, visit Regalos at La Tiendita Museum Store at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (1701 Fourth Street SW) also on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Artisans from around New Mexico will be offering their wares, including paintings, sculpture, santeros , literature and glass art. Beyond the shopping, Regalos features carolers, storytelling (at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.) and refreshments.
Sugar Plum Fairies Galore!
This is the last weekend to catch the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the New Mexico Ballet Company‘s performance of The Nutcracker Ballet at Popejoy—the only performance of Tchaikovsky’s ballet with a live orchestra in New Mexico. There are performances on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. Go to the NMSO website ( nmso.org) for discounted tickets ranging from $15-$45. Or, if scrambling for tickets ain’t your thing, see the Ballet Repertory Theater of New Mexico‘s performance of The Nutcracker Ballet at the KiMo Theatre (423 Central NW) opening next weekend, Saturday, Dec. 15, and running through Sunday, Dec. 23. Tickets are $15-$25 and are available at TicketMaster. Either show will provide dancing snowflakes, a sugar plum fairy and giant rats (oh my!).
