Downtown Albuquerque has many amenities, but one thing it lacks is a large-scale mechanical roadrunner-like creature made out of repurposed materials and LEDs roaming the streets to the terror and delight of onlookers and bar-hoppers. This creature, dubbed “Cuckoo Beest” (“Beest” presumably from the Dutch spelling of the word “beast;” “Cuckoo” likely from its creators’ formative childhood involvement with Cocoa Puffs) is the dream of Kin Collective. They wish to construct a Cuckoo Beest and turn it loose Downtown accompanied by costumed puppeteers they call “Cuckoo Spawn” who will guide the creature around Downtown, likely answering questions and tying up traffic. “By day,” they say “the Cuckoo Beest will jaunt through the streets of downtown Albuquerque; by night, the Beest will transform into a spectacle of psychedelic movement and light.” To that end, 1415 Gallery (1415 Fourth Street SW) will host the project launch event SOMOS x KIN Collective: Prebirth on Friday, Aug. 9 from 7:30pm to 10pm. For more information about this free, all-ages event, see kincollective.art.
Found Objects Break Time
Need a break from pretty much everything? The Sasebo Japanese Garden gardens at the ABQ BioPark (2601 Central Ave. NW) are contemplative and serene (when children are minded). Hour-long tours of the gardens are offered on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 2pm and 3pm. Linger before returning to your life (but don’t get locked in when they close). Tours are included with your regular admission. For more information of this all-ages event, see abqbiopark.com.
Found Objects Meet Cleaver
New Mexican poet Barbara Rockman introduces her new book of poetry to cleave: poems with a reading at Bookworks (4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW) on Sunday, Aug. 11 from 3pm to 5pm. Rockman’s poems delve into “the themes of aging; our relationships to our bodies; marriage; and the surprises, griefs, and joys of motherhood.” Look for our full review of to cleave: poems in next week’s Weekly Alibi. For more information on this free, all-ages event, see bkwrks.com.
Found Objects Dedication
Mural artists Denise Weaver Ross and Roe LiBretto have completed their mural at Orpheum Community Hub (500 Second Street SW) and are holding a brief ceremony on site to celebrate and dedicate this exceptional mural with folks from City of Albuquerque Public Arts and Homewise on Monday, Aug. 12 at 1:30pm. Come on down to this free, all-ages event or just honk as you drive by.
