Summer Film Series: Stand Clear of the Closing Doors (Thu. 14, Film)
The NHCC Summer Film Series continues to cast a light on Hispanic filmmakers who preserve the stories, promote the experiences and advance the vast cultural identity of la gente. On Thursday, Aug. 14, Stand Clear of the Closing Doors screens at the Bank of America Theatre inside the National Hispanic Cultural Center (1701 Fourth St. SW) starting at 7 p.m. In this 2013 drama from director Sam Fleischner, an undocumented Mexican maid (Andrea Suarez Paz) searches for her autistic son in the NYC subway system as Hurricane Sandy bears down on the Eastern seaboard. This is a free community event, but attendees should let the NHCC know they are coming by reserving a seat at my.nmculture.org/32079/43073.
Killer Lloronas … and Other Misconstrued Stories (Thu. 14, Performance)
FUSION (708 First St. NW) hosts Killer Lloronas … and Other Misconstrued Stories starting Thursday, Aug. 14. at 7 p.m. Written and directed by Florangeli Yerxa, this staged anthology promises “thrills, chills, suspense, drama, action, terror and romance” spread across five short stage plays. These stories of cultural confusion, both dark and humorous, are narrated and performed by The Killer (as in “awesome”) Lloronas, wise women of myth and mystery. The play continues Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. This is a pay-what-you-wish performance, but tickets should be reserved in advance online (form.jotform.com/251747287319164).
Obon Festival (Fri. 15, Festival)
Obon is a Asian family holiday fusing the traditional Japanese belief in ancestral spirits and the Buddhist custom of honoring the ghosts of those who have passed. It’s sort of the Far East version of Day of the Dead. On Friday, Aug. 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. ABQ BioPark and Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation will present a night of Japanese arts and culture with an Obon Festival at the Sasebo Japanese Garden inside the BioPark Botanic Garden (2601 Central Ave. NW). Enjoy Japanese cuisine and refreshments, taiko drumming, bonsai, ikebana displays and more. Cap off the evening by honoring your loved ones with a lantern, or toro nagashi, set afloat on the garden’s pond. Advanced tickets ($25 adults, $20 youth/seniors) are available at artsandculture.cabq.gov/obon25.