“How the heck do you think you’re going to be able to cram two weeks’ worth of rocking events into a half-page preview column?” August March practically shouted at me as he approached the office in his troca while some OG tuneage by Outkast poured out of the speakers like liquid Southern summer sunshine in the middle of a New Mexican autumn.“Well, just watch me,” I gravely intoned, as I raised a bowl of guitar picks—upon which lay a crossed pencil and drumstick—into the air and began humming the tune to “Kim Smoltz” by Ween.“Damn good,” March replied with a tolerant smile, curling his lip as we headed for rocklandia.
Show Up!: Friday, Dec. 20
Eva Torrez, a mainstay of the New Mexico music scene who specializes in Latinx dance and rock music—she had a hit in 1989 with the song “Los Ojos de Mi Madre”—will be joined onstage by Burqueño guitarist Ray Lucero (otherwise known as “Rockin’ Ramon”) for a Rockin’ Christmas Show at the Barelas Event Center (907 Fourth Street SW). This big community dance will also feature the music of John Vigil, Geneva Esquivel and Larry Tafoya. It’s bound to be a traditionally twisting sprinkled with red and green. 6pm • $15 • All-ages.
Show Up!: Saturday, Dec. 21
Someone on the staff at Weekly Alibi just read an article about how they celebrated Christmas in the old world compared to similar December celebrations in the modern United States. It turn out that Euro-Xmas can be quite a bit more frightening for expectant kids. We have a fat and jolly elf who delivers toys; they have Krampus. He’s mean and dark and looks like the Devil himself. Find out more about why this version of Christmas rocks at Sister (407 Central Ave. NW) on Saturday, Dec. 21. Bring your ugly sweater along for the ride, too, and you might win fabulous prizes whilst grooving to the sounds of Santa Fe’s Tone Ranger as well as local acts Sage Cornelius and DJ Wae Fonkey. 8pm • $10 • 21+.
Show Up!: Sunday, Dec. 22
Levi Platero, a for-real bluesman from Dinétah, releases his latest CD at Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) on Sunday, Dec. 22. Platero is renowned for his straight-ahead style and super chops. A frequent award winner in Weekly Alibi’s Best of Burque Music Reader’s Poll, Platero will be performing with his band, an estimable quartet that can handle the blues as well as they rock, making for a sound that—while focused on Platero’s bluesy expertise—highlights the rocking blues ensemble playing at its best. CW Ayon Duo and Innastate open. 8pm • $10 • 21+.
Show Up!: Friday, Dec. 27
There’s one heck of a bill over at Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) on Friday, Dec. 27 and it’s called the Winter Wrecking Ball. Although we’re pretty sure that Miley will not be performing her postmodern classic at this particular holiday-time hootenanny, we can guarantee some of the biggest names in rock, all hailing from the awesome city of Albuquerque. Enjoy performances by Lilith, Void Dancer, Constant Harmony and All Thicc. In addition, a burlesque set by Unicorn Productions will make sure you are warm and cozy at this rollicking and rolling post-Christmas shoegaze fantasia. 8pm • $8 • 21+.
Show Up!: Saturday, Dec. 28
Whoa, bro, is there ever gonna be a savage show at Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) on Saturday, Dec. 28. It’s, like, all about the jams, brothers and sisters, when the city’s best and most badass Grateful Dead tribute band, Let It Grow, is joined onstage by Morning Mushroom and, for heaven’s sake, freakin’ Pherkad! These three bands will be getting it on with such hep, spaceworthy vibes that you’ll wanna toss your shoes at the ceiling and dance, dance, dance all night! It’s alright; everyone else will be doing it, too. Plus the Launchpad is warm and cozy, so what the hell, it’ll be a dang hippie sock hop! 9pm • $10 presale, $15 at the door • 21+.
Show Up!: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Speaking of dancing the night away, tune into the truth on Tuesday, Dec. 31 and ring in 2020 at the same time by attending a concert by none other than the legendary Al Hurrricane, Jr at the Albuquerque Convention Center (401 Second Street NW). Hurricane will be powering through the remnants of 2019 with his killer band and musical guest stars like Nuevo Mexicano estrellas Erika, Danielle Sanchez, DeZi Cisneros and Tanya Griego. The admission price to this ultimate Latinx fiesta con los grande exitos en Español includes a hot bowl of posole and a cold glass of champagne to finally banish the year known as 2019. Quiesera ganar? Pos, llega cabrones! 8:30pm • $30 • 21+.
