American Indian Week
In honor of the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (2401 12th St. NW) celebrates American Indian Week from Tuesday, April 22 through Sunday, April 26. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, guest are invited to take a self-guided tour of the museum exhibits, explore the annual Spring Arts Market, dine at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen and observe cultural dances from various tribal organizations throughout the day. All events are free to museum members and Indigenous visitors or with a museum admission (adults $12, NM residents $10, students/seniors $8).
42nd International Gathering of Nations Pow Wow
The annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow heads back to Tingley Coliseum at EXPO New Mexico (300 San Pedro Dr. NE) for a weekend of amazing Native events. More than 3000 participants from tribes across North America will be there. Events run Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26. It all starts with the Miss Indian World Traditional Talent Presentations on Thursday starting at 7 p.m. at Albuquerque Convention Center (401 Second St. NW). Tickets are $15 at the door. Friday and Saturday, events run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at EXPO New Mexico, including an Indian traders market (with over 400 artists and vendors), a horse parade, an Indian food court, live contemporary bands all day on Stage 49, plus nonstop singing, dancing and traditional arts throughout the fairgrounds. Single day tickets are $25, two-day passes are $45. Reserved VIP tickets are $65 to $85. For complete information and ticket details, go to gatheringofnations.com.
The 13th Annual Gathering of MCs
Founded in 2010 by local beat-slayer Def-I, the Gathering of MCs is a two-night, intertribal rap competition and music showcase that serves our Indigenous communities by promoting positive self-expression in the arts of poetry, song writing and storytelling. It goes down at Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) on Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25 (7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.) Among those performing this weekend are Vel Nine, Bobby Sanchez, Def-i, Artson, Native Kyng, Tony Mundo, Savelle Tha Native, Dakotah Faye, Spy MC and more. Cash prizes will be awarded to the swiftest and most dexterous tongues of the night. Tickets are $20 in advance (holdmyticket.com) , $30 at the door and $50 for VIP meet-and-greet.