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Wednesday, October 14
Film It Up
It’s not easy putting together a film festival in today’s masks-and-social-distancing world. Heck, movie theaters aren’t even allowed to be open here in New Mexico. So kudos to organizers of this year’s Santa Fe Independent Film Festival for coming up with a way to get great films in front of eager audiences. SFIFF is taking over Motorama, the newly built drive-in theater at the Santa Fe Downs (27475 W. Frontage Rd.), Oct. 14 through 18. The opening night film, at 7:15pm on Wednesday, is the musical documentary Zappa, covering the wild life and career of musician Frank Zappa. Tickets go for between $25 and $40. Saturday, at 9:30pm, it’s a seasonally appropriate, late-night screening of George Romero’s 1968 classic Night of the Living Dead. Screenings continue through Sunday. If you can’t make it out to Motorama, you can also experience the festival from the comfort of your living room via virtual screenings. More than 40 features, short film collections and filmmaker panels are available. Tickets for streaming film run $12 each. For a complete schedule of films and times, go to santafeindependentfilmfestival.com. (Devin D. O’Leary)
Thursday, October 15
True Noir
Celebrate Albuquerque’s Black artists by tuning in to a virtual gathering and showing your support. Burque Noir, vol.3, is back for another virtual 3rd Thursday show at the Albuquerque Museum this Thursday, Oct. 15. Preview the new exhibit, “30 Americans” with an interactive multimedia tour of the gallery and performances by TwoLips and DJ Anjo. Join host Ebony Isis Booth and the rest of the community live on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram starting at 7pm. Art-lovers of all ages are invited to this free online event. Make sure to show your support in the comments. (Joshua Lee)
Friday, October 16
Get Your Scare On
Looking to hunt down some local ghosts? AbqTours is presenting Walk and Ride Through The Darker Side Of Albuquerque—a 105-minute walking VIP Ghost Tour of Old Town is followed by an 105-minute ride aboard the NM Film Tours Spook Shuttle to take a gander through Albuquerque’s darker side. The brave who venture along will hear of reported freaky happenings and review crime scene evidence for themselves as the tour ambles past the haunted Historic Kimo Theater, the possessed Parc Central Hotel and other creepy locations. Look for spirits at the ABQ Little Theatre, see if the ghouls are having a drink at the Press Club, then travel along a dark arroyo where the wailing La Llorona wanders looking for someone she will never find. The four-hour scare brings these two award-winning tours together with the mini Ghost Hunts & Investigations, which will provide ghost-tracking equipment (but bring your own camera). The scary event is rated PG-13 due to the ghastly real life murder and mayhem subject matter. Minors may attend with an adult 18+ at the parent’s discretion. There are COVID practices in place including only seven people max per tour, empty seats in between, masks and plexiglass barriers—none of which will save you from the frights. The tours run from 7 to 11pm, Oct. 16 and 17 (as well as Oct. 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and Nov. 1). The skeleton cost is $50 per person, or groups can book the Spook Shuttle for $300 for seven people. For more information go to bit.ly/2GP55u8, email AbqTours@Yahoo.com, text or call 505-246-TOUR or book online at bit.ly/2SGXZKR. (Carolyn Carlson)
Sunday, October 18
Pork & Pumpkins?
There hasn’t been much to do these past 6 months for kiddos and their families, but Porky’s Pumpkin Patch is making the best of the fall season at the Rio Rancho Event Center (3001 Civic Center Circle NE). They’re offering up a drive-thru option this year if you really want to social distance. Every day, Oct. 12 through Oct. 31 from 12:30 to 6:30pm, the event is free The pumpkins, however, are not. Take your pick of the popular orange gourds (price based on weight) at the end of the tour. Porky’s BBQ will have bites to purchase at the end of the autumnal journey as well. (Tierna Unruh-Enos)