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Thursday, December 24
Whiskey and Mistletoe
For the folks at Blackout Theatre Company and Launchpad, Christmas sounds a lot like the gravelly voice of Tom Waits. For the past six years the local theater troupe and the popular Downtown venue have joined forces for a Christmas Eve concert featuring an assortment of local bands performing covers of classic Tom Waits tunes as well as traditional Christmas tunes sung in the whiskey-soaked style of Mr. Waits. As you might expect, this year’s Tom Waits For Christmas, Vol. 6—A Virtual Holiday Special will be a tiny bit different. While you will not be able to enjoy the music live and in-person while sucking down a can of cheap beer inside the Launchpad, you are free to do just that while sitting on your couch. The concert takes place Dec. 24 at 8pm on Facebook Live. Among this year’s many performers are Barney Lopez, Monica Demarco, The Ordinary Things, Casey Mraz, Amanda Machon, Jenny Sillery, ARGIE & Friends, CeeMo, Damien Flores, Billy Crooze and Miguel Martinez. Tickets can be had for a $5 suggested donation (bit.ly/3arpz93). (Devin D. O’Leary)
Thursday, December 24
Read All About It
FatPipeNM, a shared workspace for startups, small businesses and freelancers, is hosting the Last Minute—Pick Up a Book For a Gift event on Dec. 24 from 1 to 6:30pm. Lots of books will be available for sale, and several local authors will be on hand. You can choose from children’s books, self-help tomes, anthologies, fantasy novels and more. Curbside pickup is available for preorders. FatPipe is located at 200 Broadway Blvd. NE. For more info, go to facebook.com/events/216638890002654. (Devin D. O’Leary)
Thursday, December 24
Light the Way
This year’s Canyon Road Farolito Walk in Santa Fe is transitioning from walking to cruising. Instead of getting out of your car and strolling the chilly streets of Santa Fe’s gallery district marveling at the traditional farolitos, you stay in the safety of your car following Canyon Road from Paseo de Peralta to Palace Avenue. For safety sake, the small bonfires known in Santa Fe as “luminarias” have been banned this year—but galleries and homes are free to display the candle-filled paper bags called “farolitos” (which is what we south of Santa Fe call luminaries). All clear? The drive-by will be held from 5:15 to 8:30pm. (Devin D. O’Leary)
Friday, December 25
Art For Christmas
New Mexico Artisan Market Pop-Up returns for its final event of 2020, a Christmas Day collection of artists and makers, displaying everything from ceramics to furniture to candles to metal works to jewelry and more. If you’re looking for some extremely last-minute gifts, this might do the trick. The market is scheduled for Dec. 25 from 11am to 8pm at Sawmill Market (1909 Bellemah Ave. NW). It’s also open Saturday from 10am to 8pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm. (Devin D. O’Leary)
Monday, December 28
Wood Chipper Cheer
All done with that Christmas crap? How about getting rid of your dried-out fire hazard of a Christmas tree at the city’s annual Treecycling! event? The Solid Waste Management Department, Parks and Recreation and PNM will recycle real Christmas trees for free at three separate locations in Albuquerque beginning Monday, December 28. No artificial trees will be accepted. PNM Vegetation Management crews and Parks and Recreation staff will grind trees into mulch chips, which can then be used to provide a better growing environment for plants and residential landscapes. Trees may be dropped off between 8am and 5pm,Monday, Dec. 28 through Sunday, Jan. 10 at the following locations: Montessa Park Convenience Center (3512 Los Picaros SE), Eagle Rock Convenience Center (6301 Eagle Rock NE), Ladera Golf Course (3401 Ladera Dr NW). (Devin D. O’Leary)