The folks over at Blackout Theatre have big hearts, hearts so gargantuan they can’t keep all the goodness inside. If you need any evidence, get over to Black Market Goods (112 Morningside NE), where the two entities have teamed up to present The Black Lab Improv Comedy Lab, a night of improv intended to help BMG bring home the bacon and pay the rent. It all takes place on Saturday, May 30, beginning at 8 p.m., and will feature the barely prepared work of The No Good Nicks, Star Ship: Improv for Trekkies, Big Fuzz: Improv with Puppets, A.C.R.O.N.Y.M.- We Stand for Nothing, Starving Horse and No Holds Bard: Shakespearean Improv. Better yet, Tractor Brewing Company will be there to wet your whistle, which you will need, what with all the laughing. It’s a 21+, pay-what-you-can show, and we suggest you pay up.
Culture Shock Verse Gladiators
The battle to become Albuquerque’s Slam Poet Laureate is underway. Round one weeded out some brave souls, and now round two is here, and it’s going to be brutal. I was promised blood. Ten poets will take the stage, but only five will emerge unscathed to make it to the finals. Head over to the South Broadway Cultural Center (1025 Broadway SE) on Friday, May 29, to watch the consonance carnage. Local musicians Asper Kourt will fiddle while the place burns—metaphorically speaking, naturally. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the first blow happens at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7, kids cough up $5. Call 848-1320 to reserve your seats. See abqspl.wildapricot.org for what you need.
Culture Shock Fiction, But Make It Snappy
The end is nigh, my friends. You have until Friday, June 5, at noon to get in your entries to this year’s Flash Fiction contest. Remember: 119 words max, no more than two entries per person. Send your snippets to shorts@alibi.com or to Flash Fiction Contest, 2118 Central SE, PMB 151, Albuquerque, N.M. 87106. Our illustrious panel of judges will sort through the heap to find the gems to be published in our June 18 issue. Then, we party. We’re teaming up with O’Niell’s to celebrate words, words, words. On Saturday, June 20, from 5 to 8 p.m., get a pint at O’Niell’s from a bevy of Alibi celebrity bartenders. You’ll need to fill out a card to ensure that $3 of the money you spend getting loose-lipped goes to charity. Then, on Sunday, June 21, from 5 to 8 p.m., come back to O’Niell’s for our first-ever Flash Fiction reading. Everyone who entered, and even those who just thought about it, are invited to attend. Winners will receive their prizes, and also-rans will compete for audience favorite. There will be music, food and readings from some of Burque’s most loved writers. I’ll even read, but please, be gentle.
