Each week we ask one of our staff to preview some of their favorite events, drop-in spots and outdoor adventures to help you fill in the gaps in your own adventure plans. This week, we asked Bradd Howard to share his plans and favorite spots. Maybe they’ll become your favorites, too!

Times are strange but I still feel the need to treat the weekend as my time to cut loose and mix things up.

Every Friday, I like to start my weekend by visiting my local coffee shop, Castle Coffee (727 Tijeras Ave NW) and this weekend will be no different. Their lavender latte really hits the spot for me but if that sounds too frou frou for you, no worries, they have plenty of other strong caffeinated drinks for all of your needs. Stop by and say hi to Matt and Josh and tell them I sent you.

Planning for Halloween

I am determined to not let Covid hinder me from enjoying my Halloween season so this weekend I also plan to get my costume figured out.

I know Halloween celebrations this year will be over Zoom or socially distanced but with a little creativity we can still make it work. This is the year 2020 so costumes from the Roarin’ 20s are quite popular for many themed parties right now and the place I know to go for all my costume needs is Off Broadway (3110 Central Ave SE). Off Broadway has beautiful functional masks that will go with all of your costume needs (check out their section of Venetian masks – they are stunning!) whether you are looking to dress up as a mobster, flapper girl or gangster moll. The other popular trend I am seeing this year is Steampunk. I am thinking of mixing up the two. Hell, anything can happen this year, why not? Off Broadway has all the accessories you may need, make up, wigs, etc and product can be directly shipped to your house, picked up at the store or available for curbside pick up. 

The Halloween season also happens to be my busy time at work so let me take this moment to shamelessly plug the Ghost Tours of Old Town Albuquerque. As one of the tour guides I can guarantee you will have a spooky, socially distant, outdoor walking tour that will familiarize you with the many spirits that have been calling Old Town home for the last 300 years. Go to abqtours.fun to learn more information about tour times, pricing and special rates for private tours or groups.Masks are required and groups are limited to  guests at a time currently but it  for an intimate tour experience. This is where I will be Friday and Saturday night.

Sidewinders is back — now in Nob Hill!

My weekend is never complete without a good brunch. If you have not visited the new Sidewinders Bar and Grill at 4200 Central Ave SE you need to get down there as quick as possible. Located in the old Martini Grille (for some of us just entering that building is a definite blast from the past) they have a full bar and just started serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The menu consists of Fillipino comfort food, your normal bar food staples and yummy breakfast dishes. Grab yourself some Loco Moco and a mimosa and I will see you there.

Finally, this Sunday I will be taking part in the Almost Adults playreading series over Zoom and Facebook as a director. Almost Adults is a twice-monthly LGBTIQAA+ themed short play reading series of Santa Fe resident Aaron Leventman. Leventman solicited short scripts from playwrights all over the country and received many. The series has been going strong since June of this year and does not look like it will slow down anytime soon. For more information about the series and where to go to watch the readings that also include a Q&A afterward for all involved go to facebook.com/almostadultstheatre.