It’s gotten awfully quiet over at the city’s proposed teen music space, which will occupy the former Ice House building Downtown. But the project hasn’t gone away. On the contrary, it’s having an open house this Saturday, Dec. 8. You asked for it. This, at long last, is your chance to get involved. The people behind the program will be taking names of anyone–especially the young’uns—who’d like to be a part of the initial planning. Drop by from 2 to 5 p.m. to have a look around and talk with organizers. The Ice House is located at 508 First Street NW, a few blocks south of Lomas.
Live From Indian Country
UNM’s Kiva Club presents Native Beats 2007, its fifth annual music showcase. On Saturday, Dec. 7, starting at 6 p.m., the UNM SUB ballrooms will house a cross-sampling of what’s happening in local Native music. And that amounts to a whole lot of rock. There’s Ishen Tree, a reggae-rock band from right here in Burque; The Plateros, a father-son trio from the Tohajiilee Reservation that plays funky, rockin’ blues; and alternative rockers Amounting to Nothing, representing the Navajo Nation in Vanderwagen, N.M. Cinco Indios, the Hawaiian Pride Dancers and DJ Moon will also perform. All four hours of the festival are free. For more information on the event or the Kiva club, e-mail kiva@unm.edu.
An Open Mic That Doesn't Suck
Forget about fair trade beans. When the Blue Dragon Coffee House closed in July, it took the best open mic in town with it. In the ensuing months, a few places have tried to get their own night going but—who are we kidding?—the magic isn’t there. If the room isn’t right, the talent doesn’t come, and then what’s the point?A good open mic has a few simple ingredients. One is a centralized, easy-to-stumble-upon location. Another is a living room-like setting. (Potential performers and audiences are putting themselves out there. It follows that the more comfortable the venue makes them feel, the bolder they get.) Another is a mix of young people and old hippies—that’s your talent pool. The most promising place I can think of in all three regards is Winning Coffee Co. (111 Harvard SE). They’ve started to host open mics on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, with another round coming this Wednesday, Dec. 12. Sign-up starts at 6:45 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. Bring your killer set—slots are just 15 minutes a pop.
