The Albuquerque burlesque scene has always thrived on the weird versus the pretty, the neo versus the classic. Powerhouse Productions, consisting of Mayo Lua de Frenchie, Jane Sweeney, Dr. Killgreedy and Holly Rebelle, brings a weekend of the bizarre. Kicking off The Mess-tival's inaugural year at Sister on Friday, Sept. 20 at 8pm is the Strip the Unstrippable Dream Competition, where 12 competitors face off to “unstrippable” music to ultimately win the title “Hottest Mess.” If you've ever wanted to see internationally renowned performers strip to “We Built This City,” anything by Weird Al or horrific dubstep, this is the show. Saturday, Sept. 21 brings night two, the Bizarre Beauty Showcase, at 8pm at Launchpad which welcomes even more stellar performers to the 505 for unbookable, messy, strange and confusing striptease. The shows star EmpeROAR Fabulous!!! (Wash.), Jeez Loueez (La.) and Sgt. Die Wies (Calif.) for the weirdest, wildest and most unsettling weekend of burlesque ever witnessed. The shows are both 21-plus and cost $15. (Ashli Kesali)

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)

Looking for a little chile? The 2020 Bosque Chile Festival, a celebration of food, art, and culture on the Rio Grande, is happening Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, with times waiting to be officially announced. But due to COVID-19 and the State of New Mexico public health order, the festival will be presented virtually! There will still be entertainment, art activities, a virtual artisan market, chile-chef demonstrations, educational workshops and more. This free, all-ages event is meant to give those stuck at home a chance to see what the state has to offer. If you are a high-quality chile-inspired and authentic New Mexican business with an e-commerce website and want to be a vendor, there is still time. Applications are being accepted until Wednesday, August 5. For more information email bosquechilefestival@bernco.gov.