Puritanical tropes are shed and Hester Prynne is reborn in Aux Dog Theatre's production of In the Blood, an updated retelling of the Hawthorne's classic. This play—penned by Pulitizer Prize-winner Suzan-Lori Parks—introduces us to Hester La Negrita, and the underbelly of American life. Acted and directed by a cadre of local talent, this imaginative piece of theater creates new in-roads with modern audiences. It opened Nov. 16, and runs weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) through Dec. 16 with tickets at just $12. Find tickets online at auxdog.com.

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When he's not saving the lives of stand-up audience members or breaking records climbing Mt. Shaq, world-famous physician and philosopher Dr. Ken Jeong has also been known to fool around with comedy, too. He evenly famously played Mr. Chow in the hit movie series The Hangover between brain surgeries (allegedly). The star of stage and screen performs this Friday, Dec. 14, at Isleta Resort & Casino. Tickets for the 21 and up show start at $25.Doors open at 8pm. Oh! He's also a good dancer.

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That's right fellow kids, yule time is upon the face of the northern hemisphere again and more than anything, a sublime sesh with twinkly, multi-colored and otherwise sculpturally presented holiday lights is just the ticket to transcendence that remains so elusive during the otherwise dark and gloomy winter months that are upcoming and guaranteed not to be bright. An Albuquerque tradition, this sparkling spectacular, The River of Lights happens at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden from Nov. 24 through Dec. 30. The lights blink on at 6pm daily but fizzle out about 9:30pm, so get there early, home-piece. The whole deal is closed on Dec. 24 and 25—hey if you wanna see lights on those nights, give me a buzz and we'll look into it!—but the price is right if you are looking for marvelous holiday enchantment any other time during the 2108 holiday season. For true light loving visitors, the Polar Express, a small train, is available to take riders out to meet Santa himself. Admission to the largest walk through festive lighting display in the state starts at $6 for children 3 through 12 years old. Adult admission begins at $12 and babies under 3 are free. A ride on the Polar Express is extra. Please inquire at the Botanic Garden, knowing that meeting the jolly old elf is well worth the extra feria.