Image via Pixabay

Joe West and his company, Theater of Death, present this year's most unique and shocking stage performance, Invasion! Inspired by the Theater du Grand Guignol in late 19th century Paris, the theme for 2018 follows in its grand traditions of exposing the dark side of human behavior. The Grand Guignol entertained and horrified Parisians and international theatergoers from 1897 to 1962 in an abandoned Catholic convent, where they advertised having a “doctor on duty” to treat patrons that fainted or had heart problems during the shows. The Engine House Theater in Madrid cites an optimal setting for such a gruesome spectacle. This, the sixth year, provides a number of dates and times to cure your curiosities. For $20, buy a ticket and choose from 8pm performances on Oct. 26, 27, 31 and Nov. 1, 2 and 3. Maybe a macabre matinee is more your speed at 3pm on Oct. 27, 28, Nov. 3 and 4. This wonder of a production is best suited for an 18 and over audience. (Mayo Lua de Frenchie)

Image of 2017-2018 Miss N.M. Pride, Felicia Roxx Starr Faraday, by Max Woltman

For the 23rd year, Albuquerque Pride brings us the annual New Mexico Pride Pageant at the African American Performing Arts Center. This culmination of the incredible performances we see all year at our local and regional clubs is a fierce spectacle of glamour, talent, poise and, of course, the best looks of the year. Friday night, Nov. 2 brings out all registered competitors for the preliminaries. These drag and gay, youth and adult LGBTQIA contestants compete for four coveted titles including Miss New Mexico Pride, Mr. New Mexico, Miss New Mexico Pride Youth and Mr. New Mexico Pride Youth. Once they narrow it down to the most powerful performers on night one, head out Saturday, Nov. 3 as they pick each other off, one by one, to win those sparkly crowns. The doors open both nights at 6pm and the pageant takes hold from 7 to 10 pm. Grab Friday tickets for $10 general admission and $20 VIP and Saturday $15 for general and $25 for VIP. This is an all-ages event. Support the community with pride. (Mayo Lua de Frenchie)

Image via Pixabay

Our global obsession with the Wizarding World hasn’t diminished at all, and proof positive of that comes in the shape of The Growing Stage’s upcoming Avadakedabaret: An Unforgivable Evening of Song and Spoof. The riddikulus night of musical theater from Albuquerque’s finest returns us to the world of Hogwarts and our favorite characters for two weekends of siriusly entertaining cabaret (on Friday, Oct. 26, Saturday, Oct. 27, and Nov. 2 and 3, all performances at 8pm). Buy a $15 ticket, sneak in your butterbeers, leave the first years at home (this is a PG-13 show) and head to The Growing Stage for a night of magic you’re bound to remember. Always. (Maggie Grimason)

Shutterbugs gather up your best pieces and pick some to submit for hanging in the new Bernalillo County headquarters when the gov-peeps move to Alvarado Square, happening now until Monday, August 31. The selected photographs will be printed in a large scale and format. They will be used to create a welcoming environment for county customers, county employees and the general public. Some will be used on the windows of the new Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office suite. The photographs should represent the history and character of Bernalillo County and its people, places, landscapes and unique events in our county. There are some big bucks involved as chosen photographers will receive $1,500, with a limit of one photograph per artist. The chosen photos will become part of the public art program’s permanent collection. There is no fee or age limit required to submit. For more information, visit bernco.gov/community-services/current-call-for-entries.aspx. Ends August 31. (Carolyn Carlson)