Winter Sports • Dec. 11-25, 2014 by Local iQ Magazine

INside F E AT UR E Taos Mountain gets a major facelift this year, earmarking what will hopefully be a snowy, powdery winter

PUBLISHER

Francine Maher Hopper fran@local-iQ.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ART DIRECTOR

Kevin Hopper 505.247.1343 x220 kevin@local-iQ.com

INTERIM EDITOR

Laura Marrich laura@local-iQ.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Chela Gurnee 505.264.6350 chela@local-iQ.com

MARQUEE

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Local nonprofit organization Paws and Stripes connects PTSD veterans with shelter dogs to help heal the wounds of war

Andrea Blan andrea@local-iQ.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Cara Tolino cara@local-iQ.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER/ ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Ben Q. Adams 505.247.1343 x250 ben@local-iQ.com PHOTOGRAPHER

Wes Naman wes@local-iQ.com

F OOD

PHOTO ASSISTANT

With a full menu of soul-warming Italian dishes, M’Tucci’s Kitchina has created an authentic Italian presence on the West Side

Joy Godfrey joy@local-iQ.com INTERNS

Marissa Higdon, Melyssa Laurent, Jazmen Bradford Vallejos CALENDARS

505.247.1343 x250 calendar@local-iQ.com

ON THE COVER

DRINK Can a boozy ‘batch’ of punch make the stress of the holidays disappear? Sure doesn’t hurt to test the theory

M USI C

Photographer Kevin Rehboltz captures a spectacular view of Taos Ski Valley with spectacular skier and ski industry entrepreneur Brett Hills (see page 14) in the foreground.

Indie rock powerhouse Spoon returns from a long break with a new record full of bells, as well as a few whistles

CONTRIBUTORS

22 A R TS Blackout Theatre invites audiences to inject their own flavor of the holidays to An Improvized Christmas Carol

CA LE N DA R S

FE AT U R E S

Arts Events....................26 Live Music...................... 22

Places To Be.....................4 Marquee............................. 5 Smart Music................... 25 Smart Arts...................... 29 Film Reel......................... 30 Crossword....................... 31 Horoscope...................... 31

COLUM N S Beer Geek....................... 11 Bon Vivant.......................9 Credit Corner................32 Stir It Up ........................10 The Curious Townie......6 The Gaffer..................... 30

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

EDITORIAL Kip Allen The Beer Geek Charlie Crago Logan Greely Dan Gutierrez Marissa Higdon Randy Kolesky Melyssa Laurent Jordan Mahoney Katixa Mercier Kyle Mullin Bill Nevins Cristina Olds

Michael Ramos Chester Rankin Kevin Rehboltz Kurt Schmidt Steven J. Westman DISTRIBUTION Ben Adams Kristina De Santiago Keith Johnson Kurt Laffan David Leeder Distributech

Local iQ

P.O. Box 7490, ABQ., N.M. 87194 OFFICE 505.247.1343, FAX 888.520.9711 • local-iQ.com SUBSCRIPTIONS are $10 for 6 bi-weekly issues within the Continental U.S. Please send a local check or money order payable to Local iQ, attention “Subscriptions” to the address above. You may also use the number above to place a credit card order. DISTRIBUTION: Find Local iQ at more than 600 locations in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and surrounding areas. If you can’t find a copy, want to suggest a new location, or want to help deliver Local iQ, please call 505.247.1343.

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LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

PLACES TO BE

DEC

SAT

READING

DANCE

CIRCUS

The Story of My Heart

The Nutcracker

Clan Tynker: The Dream Train

7p, Sat., Dec. 13

SHOWTIMES:

Dec. 13-24

coyoteclan.com bkwrks.com

$10-$12

$7-$27

CONCERT Christmas from Ireland with Lúnasa & Karan Casey  4 & 8p, Sat., Dec. 13  Bank of America Theatre  National Hispanic Cultural Center  1701 4th SW, 505.724.4771

$27-$32/$12 (13 and under; 4p show only)

ampconcerts.org  lunasa.ie

clantynker.com

chaikovsky’s classic Nutcracker suite is as timeless and enchanting as when the ballet first premiered in 1892. In it, the young Clara receives a nutcracker from her grandfather as a Christmas gift. After everyone has gone to bed, Clara falls asleep under the Christmas tree with her beloved gift wrapped in her arms, throwing her and the princely nutcracker into a magical world of battling mice and toy soldiers. The Ballet Repertory Theatre of New Mexico brings this classic holiday performance to the stage at the KiMo for its 18th year, transporting audiences into the sugarplum heart of the Christmas holiday. —ML

rish instrumental supergroup Lúnasa joins with acclaimed Irish traditional singer Karan Casey (of Solas and A Prairie Home Companion) for a rousing afternoon and evening of holiday music as only the Celts can do. “I just love the holiday time, with the notion of peace and being kind to each other, at least for this brief time of year,” Casey told Local iQ. “And I love it when the audience sings along on the Christmas tunes!” Casey’s sentiments were echoed by Lúnasa guitarist Ed Boyd, who said “We will be playing some surprises on this tour, including a few jazzy tunes that Karan is bringing along.” If you’ve never spent Christmas in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of an Irish pub — well, now’s your chance! — KA, BN

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

DEC

kimotickets.com

S AT

DEC

SAT

Armory for the Arts Theatre 1050 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, 505.984.1370

KiMo Theatre 423 Central NW, 505.768.3544

FREE

ritish naturalist Richard Jeffries’ descriptions of the English countryside still feel emotionally potent more than 130 years after their writing. The Story of My Heart: As Rediscovered by Brooke Williams and Terry Tempest Williams brings Richard Jeffries back to life in his own vivid words, while incorporating essays from a modern-day pilgrimage to Wiltshire, England — the rolling, rural lands where Jeffries developed his “cosmic consciousness” of nature. The book’s contemporary elements are by co-authors Terry Tempest Williams, a recipient of the John Simon Guggenheim and Lannan Literary Fellowships in creative nonfiction, and Brook Williams, a wildness advocate. —ML

2p, Sat.-Wed.; 7p, Sat.; 2p, Sun.; Dec. 20-28

7p, Sat.; 2p, Sat. & Sun.; 7p, Tue.; 1p, Wed.

SPORTS Gildan New Mexico Bowl 12:20p, Sat., Dec. 20 University Stadium 1111 University SE, 505.925.5999

$25-$40 gildannewmexicobowl.com unmtickets.com

he UTEP Miners are gearing up to take on the Utah State Aggies right here in the Land of Enchantment for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. Utah State’s Zach Vigil was just named the Mountain West Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, adding some momentum to the Aggies’ first New Mexico Bowl appearance. UTEP will make their second attempt at the NM Bowl trophy, only this time as Conference USA members — not to mention, it’s hot on the heels of their thrilling regular-season final game at the Sun Bowl. You can always tune in to the ESPN and ESPN Radio broadcasts, but with no bad seats at University Stadium, why not celebrate bowl season by attending an actual bowl game? —LM

ince 1995, the Santa Fe “Vaudvillian circus” known as Clan Tynker have been performing for captivated audiences all over the world. The troupe is made up of brothers and sisters (making it a true family circus), and has created a signature performance style that mixes juggling, stilt walking, unicycle riding, Central Asian dance, comedy, audience participation, sword swallowing and even fireeating. Clan Tynker will bring its singular breed of vaudevillian spectacle back to the city where it all began for the holidays. This time, the Tynkers invite audiences to come out and take a ride on The Dream Train: Climb aboard what promises to be a surreal swirl of circus feats, mysterious locales and locomotive steam. —ML

DEC

Albuquerque Academy 6400 Wyoming NE, 505.344.8139

WED

DEC

SUN

DEC

SAT

The where to go and what to do from December 11-26

LIGHTS Luminaria Tour 5:30-7:20p, Wed., Dec. 24 ABQ Convention Center 401 2nd NW, 505.768.4575

$1.70-$3 luminariatour.com

he tradition of candles glowing softly inside brown paper sacks reaches a milestone this year: Dec. 24 marks Albuquerque’s 50th Annual Luminaria Tour. As always, ABQ Ride will bus Christmas Eve sightseers from the Convention Center through light-lined streets in the Old Town and Country Club neighborhoods. Buses depart every 20 minutes, and the tours last about an hour (just be sure to buy your tickets well in advance). Of course, you can always bundle up and walk or drive through the magically lit area on your own. Whether you decide to take the official tour or do it yourself, this is without a doubt the best time to see Albuquerque — when the city gets all dressed up for the holidays. —ML

PROFILE

Hand-to-paw combat A local nonprofit connects veterans with shelter dogs to heal the wounds of war BY MARISSA HIGDON

he events of 9/11 compelled James Stanek to join the U.S. Army. “As a young man in this country, I felt like it was a calling to go and defend our country and the red white and blue,” Stanek told Local iQ in a recent conversation. His decision to join the military came after helping with rescue and cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center. Three tours later, James Stanek ended up in a PROFILE Texas hospital, medically retired Paws and from the Army Stripes and suffering HOURS: from the 9a-5p, Tue.-Fri. 4041 BARBARA LOOP symptoms of postSE, STE. D, traumatic stress RIO RANCHO 505.999.1201 disorder (PTSD) pawsandstripes.org and traumatic brain injury (TBI). James’ wife, Lindsey Stanek, couldn’t help but notice the changes. “When my husband was medically retired out of the military, he had a really hard time starting over,” she said. “It’s hard to get your nervous system to readjust to the fact that you’re not always in danger.” During his hospital stay, James encountered a therapy dog and quickly realized how helpful the service animal was in coping with the symptoms of his disability. But he soon ran into a problem: It was nearly impossible to get his own service dog. “A service dog was anywhere from $10,000 to $60,000, the waiting lists were huge,

and we just kept getting doors closed in our faces,” James said. “So Lindsey, my wife, the CEO of Paws and Stripes, looked at me and said ‘Let’s do this ourselves.’” And that’s exactly what they did. In 2010, Lindsey and James Stanek founded Paws and Stripes, a Rio Rancho nonprofit that trains shelter dogs to be service animals for veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI, without charging vets a penny. The shelter dogs are paired with veterans, and the two undergo about nine months of training together. “It’s a pretty extensive and comprehensive program that addresses the challenges that these veterans are facing,” Lindsey said. “Veterans are now going and doing things they never thought they would do. ... We had one veteran who had never been able to Christmas shop for his wife, who was finally able to go get her a Christmas present during crazy Christmas shopping because he had a service dog.” Paws and Stripes has recently reached a new level of fame through the A&E docuseries Dogs of War, which showcases the organization, the veterans and, of course, the dogs. The two co-founders of Paws and Stripes said the show has really raised awareness about veterans’ issues across the country. “We’ve had amazing feedback from people who’ve watched (the show), that it’s just so eye opening,” Lindsey said. James added, “Hearing everything from, ‘I didn’t know how to talk to my dad for years until I watched your show,’ or veterans and their spouses who are stepping up and

saying, ‘It’s about time that we have this in the forefront of what’s going on in this country, so that people can see and not just call us crazy war veterans.’ That has been truly the most amazing part of it all.” Bringing attention to the struggles of veterans is one of the organization’s main goals, and, while the attention from Dogs of War helps, there’s still a battle awaiting our veterans when they return home. “Our veteran population still has a lot of fight left in them,” James said. “It’s a different battlefront now that you’re home and you’re having to face what war can make happen.” He added that veterans are not crazy. “We’re normal for what we’ve been through and just need a chance to try and find a way to live this fourletter word called life.” At the end of the day, the two agree that it’s the stories and needs of the veteran population that keep them coming back to work, ready for whatever new challenges await. “Dogs have really just changed their entire lives and their familie’s lives,” Lindsey said of the veterans that Paws and Stripes works with. “I think that’s what keeps all of us just super pumped about what we do.”

PHOTO BY WES NAMAN

Paws and Stripes founders Lindsey and James Stanek pose with Sarge, their service dog and four-legged family member. James and Sarge were the first team to graduate from Paws and Stripes, which trains rescued shelter dogs to assist veterans dealing with PTSD and TBI.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

CULTURE

Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch?

n the last Sunday of November, I found myself sitting down for breakfast at the counter of Duran Central Pharmacy’s restaurant. It was not an unusual occurrence for me, as I eat at this spot quite often. What was truly new about being here this time was that it was a Sunday. For years, the kitchen was only open Monday through Saturday, with occasional Sunday hours during the holiday season. But now it’s permanent. “With the revitalization of the Central corridor near Old Town, I wanted to extend hours to encourage more business in the area,” said Duran’s Owner Mona Ghattas on the business’ Facebook page. The pharmacy has been around since 1942, when Pete Duran was the original owner. In 1965, Pete sold the business to one of his pharmacists, Robert Ghattas. Robert retired in 2010, and now his daughter Mona is in charge. And, yes, some things have changed.

“Outdoor eating, we delivered. Credit cards payments, we delivered. Sunday hours, we delivered!” Ghattas posted on the page. “Because I am a locally owned business, I can make decisions on the community level. I can meet the requests of my customers without jumping through the hoops of out-of-state headquarters. My staff is incredible and my customers are amazing — it just makes sense!” Ghattas has added another local business element to the holidays that rocks as much as the extended hours. From the Duran Central Pharmacy Facebook page: “Last year, (Ghattas)

ordered 1,500 $2 bills from her bank and gave each of her 30 employees $100 worth of those bills with specific instructions on how the money was to be spent. First, the bills had to be spent as cash, not deposited into an account. Ten percent had to be given to a charity of their choice and the rest be spent at a locally owned business in the Albuquerque metro area. All of the money had to be spent within 30 days. Finally, if anyone asked about the $2 bills, employees had to explain the program.” I’m pals with Mona and her husband, Jay Guthrie (he also wears many hats in the running of Duran’s), and so I get some firsthand info from them. There was a special secret happening on the Sunday when Duran’s began serving brunch full-time. And despite what all my friends thought, I had no idea what it was. What happened, and what will continue to happen into the foreseeable future, was that anyone whose ticket ended with “2” got a free lunch — and no, I did not win! But I am covetous of the golden two-dollar-bill tokens that were presented to the winners. With the golden ticket came a request to take care of your server and continue to support locally owned businesses in the future. After the kickoff day, Guthrie told me that they “treated” four tickets that Sunday. “The reaction each time was the same: total disbelief that a store/restaurant would do something like this! All expressed their appreciation and the promise to return.” (In case you don’t know: Duran Central Pharmacy is at 1815 Central NW, 505.247.4141.)

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

Ghattas is just one of many local entrepreneurs making this time of year even cooler. There were several special events celebrating homegrown businesses throughout the nooks of our city in November. Nov. 20 marked the 2014 Elegant Autumn Evening at the Rio Grande Shops at Flying Star Plaza — a fall stroll where patrons mingled, drank hot chocolate and checked out places like Bookworks, Pfeifer Studio and Pennysmiths Paper. On Dec. 4, the iconic Nob Hill Shop & Stroll hosted carolers, shoppers and looky-loos up and down the Central Avenue corridor from Washington to Girard. This is my ’hood, and it’s wonderful to see people out enjoying boutiques and pubs against the backdrop of the entertainment that happens for this one evening. The Old Town Holiday Stroll followed on Dec. 5; along with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in the heart of the historic plaza, all the shops and galleries were full. For an extra treat this year, the Albuquerque Museum, Explora! and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science took part by staying open until 9p with free admission. They even offered museumstore discounts not just to members, but to everyone. Smart and thoughtful, if you ask me. Yes, I am a townie who relishes what we have to offer in this city. The next issue of the iQ will be the last one of 2014. Expect a more sentimental, kitschy and sappy column. Until then, enjoy what’s offered to us all around. Steven J. Westman writes about the goings-on of Albuquerque. He can be reached at steven@local-iQ.com.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

FOOD T O P P L AT E S

M’Tucci’s Kitchina Hours: 11a-10p, Mon.-Thu.; 11a-11p, Fri. & Sat.; 11a-9p, Sun.

Caprese Classico

6001 WINTER HAVEN NW, 505.503.7327

kitchinaabq.com

As the name suggests, this is a classic dish that M’Tucci’s Executive Chef John Haas takes great pride in. The mozzarella is housemade (as it needs to be), but the kicker here is the drizzle of balsamic reduction that adds a decidedly dense layer of complexity to this otherwise light Italian standard.

reat Italian food in the high desert has never been an easy find. Whether it’s Southern Italian or a more Tuscan approach, genuine Italian fare crafted well is a rarity here. New York transplants Jeff Spiegel and Katie Gardner are seasoned restaurateurs (NYC’s West End), and as witnessed during a recent tasting, Executive Chef John Haas knows his way around the kitchen. Though their menu is solidly Italian, there are a few variances, such as the Grilled Coffee Lamb T-Bones and Fried Brie. And since most everything is housemade in their kitchen, Spiegel and Gardner decided to open M’Tucci’s Italian Market & Deli, a small eatery and deli offering sausages, smoked meats, cheeses and fresh breads, a few doors down. All of this translates into an authentic Italian food presence on Albuquerque’s West Side — something that all foodies should welcome with open mouths. —Kevin Hopper

Pepperoni and Smoked Ricotta Pizza $12

Gnocchi di Funghi $14 This dish is perfect for a cold night. The flavor profile lends a warm and earthy (almost woodsy) feel, thanks to the wild mushrooms. Like the large majority of components at M’Tucci’s, the gnocchi is made in-house, and it’s slathered with a porcini cream sauce that warms the soul.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

I often find it difficult to choose pizza over pasta when eating Italian. If you’re the same way, this phenomenal pie will certainly change your mind. The smoked ricotta paired with thin slices of very high-grade pepperoni is absolutely succulent. Once the spice kicks in, you have yourself a new favorite pizza.

Shrub Cocktails $8 Ordering a “shrub” might not sound as refreshing as, say, a “cooler,” especially when you know the base consists of vinegar. Don’t be daunted. The rotating shrub lineup here is refreshing (even in cool weather) and quite complex. M’Tucci’s barman Austin Leard might be the only one in town experimenting with peaches and berries in this manner.

FOOD

Mind your holiday party manners

hat seem like antiquated practices show more class today than ever before. From opening doors to proper table manners, exercising your etiquette muscle is as important as a gym routine. There are entire books, even schools, dedicated to this subject. The holidays bring a slew of seasonal etiquette points: holiday cards, gifts, seasonal bonuses and tips — the list goes on. But for now, let’s refresh our memories on the art of being a well-mannered holiday guest.

is expected. Attending the Funky Sweater Get Down? Find the funkiest sweater possible. Popping by a cocktail party? Time to put yourself together. Tom Ford said it best: “Dressing well is a form of good manners.”

4) Traveling

This is a French abbreviation for “répondez s’il vous plait.” Translation? “Please respond.” When receiving an invitation to a holiday party, look for this abbreviation and respond as soon as your plans permit. This gives the host of the party ample time to prepare for the party they envision.

you!” This response is not carte blanche to arrive empty-handed, but rather an opportunity to express your gratitude for the invitation. The token “host gift” is often flowers or libations, but can also be more personal if you choose. I enjoy baking biscotti, making jam or bringing Christmas crackers. An invitation to someone’s home is not just an invitation; the host is extending the intimate title of “family” to you. Be tickled that someone thinks so fondly of you.

2) Being a guest

3) Attire

1) R.S.V.P.

After you have R.S.V.P.’d within the requested timeframe, call the host and ask if there is anything they might need for the event. More often than not, the response is, “We just need

DRIVE JANUARY BUSINESS THROUGH YOUR DOOR WITH A SPECIAL COUPON AD PACKAGE FROM

“But it’s Albuquerque.” Wrong! Just because it is oh-so-casual Albuquerque does not mean you are not expected to dress appropriately. Odds are the invitation will tell you what attire

THE GUIDE

& LOCAL iQ

Going to visit family or friends this holiday? Again, the host gift applies! Bringing something that is exclusively found in New Mexico is always a treat. I often purchase Los Poblanos products, choose a favorite tea blend at New Mexico Tea Company or pick up a bottle of Taos Lightning whiskey or an exclusive barrel edition from Jubilation Wine & Spirits. The gesture is always well received.

5) Now, what do you say? Thank you! Whether it’s a phone call or a card, be sure to express personal gratitude. I have a weakness for stationary and cards, and I love to send a handwritten note. For this, I turn to local stationary designer Julia Fullerton of Paper Jules Design Company (great for holiday cards, too!). It’s a little gesture, but nothing is bigger than the little things. Happy holidays!

Combine two forms of media and two audiences for one incredibly affordable and trackable marketing push.

for more information call

505 247 1343 ext. 210

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

DRINK

Solve your holiday woes with a special ‘batch

don’t know about you, but one of my favorite aspects of the holiday season is making large batches of punches, eggnogs and mulled wines. Making a large batch of premixed cocktails gives me the perfect excuse to drink myself silly when the only two people who show up for my Yuletide Extravaganza are the Cat Lady from across the street who stumbles in looking for Loopy, her one-eyed calico, and the overworked UPS guy who chooses my house at which to have a nervous breakdown. Take my word, just cook yourself up a Nice Big Batch and indulge. I guarantee you will have the best holiday season ever. You thought you were going to receive a fat Christmas bonus from your employer? “Sorry son, no can do this year. You’re just lucky to have a job. Back in my day, we had to give our bosses Christmas bonuses from our own pockets. You whippersnappers have no idea how easy you have it.” Nice Big Batch will make you feel better. Blew all your money at the blackjack table and can’t buy gifts for the family? Nice Big Batch will make you feel better. Got yourself arrested for punching out the oblivious Bluetoothed Northeast Heights soccer dad who slipped into the parking spot for which you were patiently waiting at the Whole Foods Market? Nice Big Batch will make you feel better. Accidentally took the special tray of brownies to the PTA meeting? Nice Big Batch will make you feel better. Just got back from the mall? Nice Big Batch will make you feel better. Untangling Christmas lights? Nice Big Batch! I don’t know about you, but I think I’m going to make a Nice Big Batch every night and watch Fight Club on repeat until the end of the month. I have a good feeling about 2015 …

Nice Big Batch Ingredients: 2 oranges 1 lemon 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup turbinado sugar 6 oz. Nux Alpina Walnut Liqueur 6 oz. Basil Hayden’s 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 1 750-ml bottle ruby port 1 tsp. The Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas’ Own Decanter Bitters Method: Let’s make a Nice Big Batch. First, cut and remove the peels of the two oranges and one lemon. Put the peels in a sauce pan with the half-cup of water and heat to a near boil. Stir in the turbinado sugar until dissolved, and reduce heat. Add Nux Alpina Walnut Liqueur and simmer for five minutes. Add Basil Hayden’s Bourbon and a bottle of ruby port. Turn up the heat and bring mixture to a near boil. Stir in 1 teaspoon of The Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas’ Own Decanter Bitters. Turn off heat and immediately ladle into fancy glass mugs. Makes six 6-ounce servings or one super-sized personal holiday season cocktail.

Randy Kolesky tends bar at Artichoke Cafe. PHOTO BY WES NAMAN

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

DRINK

Recycled grain makes great dog treats

eer makes everything better, or at least more tolerable. Humans have known this for centuries, and now Albuquerque canines are able to get a taste of their masters’ sweet nectar in dog-treat form. Local actor, bartender and Orpheum Arts Space Manager Courtney Bell adds baker to her résumé with Brewery Bones, dog treats made from the spent grain that local breweries discard in the brewing process. One of the things Bell says she likes best about local breweries is that they seem to attract dog lovers, so the idea of making dog treats from brewing ingredients Bell and her dog/taster, seemed to make Allagash perfect sense. Bell said that though there are other beer-based dog treats on the market, she believes these are the first to use grain from New Mexico breweries. “I like the idea of the treats being local,” Bell told Local iQ in a recent interview. “And it seems like a good time to debut them here, with the brewery boom that’s happening now.” Admittedly, it took a few batches to get the dough to the right consistency, Bell said, due to variations in the moisture of the grain. But the bones are getting positive feedback, even from owners with picky dogs. She added that while most dog treat recipes call for wheat flour, she prefers to use rice flour instead. “I think it’s better for people and dogs. My recipe has a lot of protein in it, which is great for dogs.” Currently, Brewery Bones are available for purchase at Marble Brewery and Espresso Fino ($10 for a large bag, $6 for a small). You can also order online at downtowndogsabq.com. And if you get hungry enough, the treats are safe for people. I’ll stick to pizza and a glass of the real thing, thank you.

Albuquerque (1710 Central SW, in the Old Town area), but with a three-star draft list (for now). On opening day, Five Star was awaiting delivery of their trunk lines; the glycol-cooled hosing keeps beer cold from its keg storage room to the taps. They were able to serve beer with a makeshift draft setup that allowed them to pour seven beers and one cider. Once the trunk line arrives, Five Star will have their full lineup of 12 drafts pouring. Expect Woodchuck Hard Cider to be a constant, along with Bosque Brewing’s Lager and Driftwood

Oatmeal Stout, Boxing Bear’s Paw Swipe Pale Ale, La Cumbre’s Elevated IPA and South Peak Pilsner, Marble’s Wildflower Wheat and Red, Santa Fe’s Nut Brown, and Sierra Blanca’s Alien Amber. The two remaining taps will consist of rotating kegs, depending on what General Manager Kristina Vincenty is in the mood for. Even with the varied local draft list, Five Star is not trying to take business away from next door’s Draft Station, a craft beer bar that pours only New Mexico beers. “We’re trying to be mindful of what the Draft Station is pouring,” said Vincenty. “The only overlapping beer we are both serving right now is Elevated IPA. We have a really good relationship with those guys.” And Vincenty has a great reason to maintain that relationship with the Draft Station: “When I get done with work, their happy hour is just starting. It’s perfect timing!” The Beer Geek writes about beer in New Mexico. Reach The Beer Geek at beergeek@local-iQ.com.

New drafts in Old Town A new Five Star Burgers has opened in

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

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W I N T E R

S P O R T S

I S S U E

After a change in ownership, Taos Ski Valley balances between adding new features and staying true to its mountain roots TAOS SKI VALLEY HAS A NEW OWNER, A NEWLY REMODELED BASE AREA AND A NEW LIFT CAPABLE OF WHISKING SKIERS UP TO THE 12,450-FOOT KACHINA PEAK.

reaches a new peak S T O R Y

B Y

P H O T O S

C H E S T E R

B Y

K U R T

R A N K I N

S C H M I D T

But the mountain’s management insists the old soul of the legendary alpine ski experience will never change. When news broke last year that Colorado billionaire Louis Bacon had purchased Taos Ski Valley from New Mexico’s beloved Blake family, ski purists in New Mexico — and indeed, around the country — were skeptical, to say the least. Would one of the most challenging, old-school mountains in the world go the way of modern ski resorts that put more emphasis on exclusive dining and après-ski massages than gnarly terrain and friendly service? Not a chance, says Taos Ski Valley’s Jesse Keaveny. “We’re very cognizant of what our appeal is,” Keaveny told Local iQ. “We’re a very authentic, non-corporate experience. We will preserve that and always have a great sense of adventure and authenticity. That off-the-beaten-path appeal is an asset — we don’t want to be all things to all people,” he said. “We realize we are unique and we embrace that,” he added. “There is a core audience out there that seeks that authentic experience, and

we think we’re a wonderful fit for that versus larger corporate or more highly developed (ski resorts).” That’s not to say the dated-looking Taos Ski Valley didn’t need a facelift — it did. And it’s gotten a significant one. When skiers and snowboarders arrive this season, the improvements are evident at the entrance. The renovations include a new drop-off area that features views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and a walkway lined with stores and skier services along the path to the base area and lifts. The enhancements are among the first stages of a multi-phase base renovation. Heading farther into the resort area, visitors will see major updates to Rhoda’s restaurant, the Martini Tree bar and Tenderfoot Katie’s, the popular indoor food court. Outside, there’s a greatly expanded patio at the base of Lift One. The former outdoor patio on Taos’ front side — while always festive with rock music playing on the loudspeakers and burgers sizzling on the grills — could get cramped in a hurry. “Now it’s larger and more conducive to gathering, socializing and après-ski activities,”

The breathtaking Taos Ski Valley has been a favorite destination for skiers since the 1950s, when it began as a familyrun ski lodge. In addition to recent cosmetic and infrastructure upgrades to the valley, the new Kachina Peak Lift will carry riders up 1,100 vertical feet in about five minutes.

Changes at Taos Ski Valley have been well-received by many skiers and snowboarders, though a few core loyalists haven’t been as welcoming. “We want to share our mountain with a broad spectrum of people,” said TSV’s Jesse Keaveny addressing those with concerns. “We don’t feel like any particular component should be exclusive to one audience.”

Keaveny said. “We wanted it to be more accessible to more people. The whole base area will be continually moving forward so it is much more conducive to pedestrians and guest services.” Kachina’s face lift While the base area enhancements will add to skiers’ off-mountain comfort, it’s what is happening on the mountain that has hardcore skiers and boarders stoked. The addition of the Kachina Peak Lift, which will shuttle skiers up to Taos’ imposing summit at 12,450 feet, makes it one of the highest chairlifts in North America. The lift will increase the mountain’s advanced and expert lift-serviced terrain by 50 percent. Previously, anyone who wanted to brave the harrowing descent had to make an oxygen-sapping 45-minute hike. “The Kachina lift is a large focal point, and rightfully so,” Keaveny said. “We think it’s a wonderful addition and asset to the lift service terrain. It’s really meaningful to advanced skiers.” That’s not to say everyone is happy about the new lift. A core contingent of Taos enthusiasts are dubious of the new, multimillion dollar ski lift, claiming that hiking to the peak served as a badge of honor — and a litmus test of a skier’s fitness to make the descent. The lift will open when there is enough snow to ski down from the peak. “It’s been extremely well-received and there is a ton of positive feedback about it, but it doesn’t mean there weren’t a few people out there who were not thrilled,” Keaveny conceded. “We want to share our mountain with a broad spectrum of people. We don’t feel like any particular component should be exclusive to one audience. I think those (naysayers) will embrace it, as well, once they experience it.” Those who want to hike will still get the chance. This year, Taos has opened 35 acres of new tree skiing terrain called the Wild

West Glades, accessible via the West Basin Ridge. “It’s going to be really unique and fun tree skiing experience for those who love glade skiing,” Keaveny said. “It’s a different kind of footprint than it is on the side of West Basin, where it’s predominantly chutes and rock outcroppings.” Taos Ski Valley, buoyed by Bacon’s deep pockets, also invested heavily in new snowmaking equipment in the off-season, shelling out a reported $750,000 to bolster its ability to make the frozen stuff that serves as the resort’s lifeblood. “It doubles our capacity; it’s really meaningful,” Keaveny said. “Admittedly, we’re learning a little bit more about that new equipment and capacity in this early season, but it will help us refine our (snowmaking) operations as we move forward.” Keaveny also stressed that Taos is very much a mountain for both skiers and snowboarders. Taos management opened the mountain to snowboarders in 2008. At the time, it was one of just four resorts in America that was designated a ski-only. “It is certainly an all-inclusive resort,” he said. “Even though that was six years ago, I’m not sure the general industry audience is fully aware of that. We want to continue to position ourselves as a snowboardingfriendly outlet.” He also said that the European heritage that the Blake family, which is of German descent, infused in Taos Ski Valley from its early days in the 1950s will remain. “It’s absolutely central to what we consider unique to Taos Ski Valley,” he said. “Our brand, our heritage and our culture is that European influence, and I think that will be a core consideration with any developments that happen in the future. We want to be true to our heritage, so you will continue to see European influences, but also our northern New Mexico heritage and our regional heritage, as well.”

“The Kachina lift is a large focal point, and rightfully so. We think it’s a wonderful addition and asset to the lift service terrain. It’s really meaningful to advanced skiers.”

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

up on the B downhill A deep-powder day on a lonely mountain inspired extreme skier Brett Hills to create a new kind of ‘trail map’ S T O R Y

B Y

P H O T O

C H A R L I E

B Y

B R E T T

C R A G O H I L L S

rett Hills is one of those rare individuals who has found a way to make skiing his full-time job. Many of us eat, breathe and sleep for the outdoors — but for Hills, the mountains are not just his hobby; it is also his business. A student of UNM’s Anderson School of Management, Hills applied his master’s degree to the sports of skiing and snowboarding via his brainchild, ClaimMYRun.com. The website works as a forum for riders to upload video content of themselves skiing all over the world. It also generates content for the burgeoning world of user-generated virtual trail maps, a concept so simple, it’s hard to believe it has taken this long to develop into reality. Perhaps it is only natural that winter sports enthusiasts would find ways to incorporate the latest technologies into their love for the outdoors. With more than 50 mountains in North America, Europe and Japan using ClaimMYRun, and more negotiations underway with resorts in Europe and South America, this is a trend that has not only caught on, but is redefining the winter sports industry. Local iQ was fortunate enough to talk to Hills, and it must be said that his passion for the ongoing progression of mountain sports was truly eye-opening. iQ: What is ClaimMYRun? BH: We provide video trail map technology for

Armed with a GoPro cam, a master’s from Anderson and a passion for snow, tech entrepreneur Brett Hills (pictured) is redefining winter sports with ClaimMYRun.com. The website lets skiers and snowboarders experience slopes around the world via an ever-expanding database of POV footage.

ski resorts around the world. Instead of a picture of a trail map, they can have an interactive video trail map that has user-generated content. Skiers are already skiing the entire mountain, they’re already filming it and posting it to YouTube; all we’re doing is posting those videos to the appropriate trails on the ski resort’s website.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

iQ: ClaimMYRun.com operates independently of the work you do with directly with ski areas. How does that work? BH: We do have a freestanding website called ClaimMYRun.com where people can go and view; it’s like the YouTube of ski and snowboarding videos. That’s the freestanding component of what we do. ClaimMYRun.com will allow viewers to see what’s it’s like to ski their favorite resorts’ trails. iQ: What inspired ClaimMYRun? BH: It was a deep-powder day at Taos; I was like

the only person on the mountain, skiing top to bottom and filming on my GoPro and I thought, “How cool would it be if I could attach these videos to a trail map? People who have never skied Taos before can see what it would be like to ski Kachina Peak with untracked powder.” iQ: What’s been the overall response from both riders and the actual resorts? BH: It’s been pretty unbelievable; the (resort operators) love it because it’s authentic, not a marketing-contrived video. It appeals to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities — we get videos for the blues and greens just as much as we do for the blacks and double blacks. iQ: Why are skiing and snowboarding important today? BH: Skiing and snowboarding combine the elements of nature — you know, snow and mountains — with forces of gravity, and create an adrenaline-related activity like no other. I have friends I’ve been skiing with my whole life and friends I just started skiing with; and because of doing this activity together in the mountains, it makes the bonds between people even stronger. It has recalibrated my ability to manage fear.

Winter is more fun if you’re alive to enjoy it Navigating backcountry terrain makes avalanche training all the more enticing BY CRISTINA OLDS

ast winter delivered plentiful snow, as well as a high number of avalanche fatalities across the western United States. Downhill skiers and snowboarders aren’t the only ones at risk of becoming victims of avalanches — anyone who snowshoes, cross-country skis or snowmobiles in the back country or side country dances with avalanche danger. I’m a longtime skier and snowboarder who’s fairly new to winter in the back country. After hearing many stories of experienced back-country travelers being killed doing their sport, I have a healthy respect for the risks of going off-piste. Signing up for an avalanche-safety class on assessing risks and making good choices in the back country was an easy decision. A couple of years ago, I attended an entrylevel women’s avalanche awareness class taught by the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) in Salt Lake City. We spent a few hours in the classroom learning about weather, types of snow, slope angles, and the best routes

to ascend and descend a snowy mountain face. The next day we skied side country at Brighton Resort, practicing how to use our avalanche gear: a shovel, beacon and probe, the minimum safety equipment required for a trip out-of-bounds. I gained valuable skills at the UAC course, while also realizing how much more there was to learn. So, last February in Pagosa Springs, Colo., I completed an American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Level 1 course — a three-day, 24-hour introduction to avalanche hazard management. AIARE is the industry’s standard certification organization. With just five women in the class, the attention and personalization couldn’t have been better. In addition, our instructor, Sandy Kobrock, has 27 years of professional avalanche work under her snow pants. Kobrock is a Wilderness First Responder, was a long-time ski patroller and a professional skier, as well as a teacher of avalanche safety for Silverton and Telluride schools and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), among others. Kobrock owns the Wolf Creek Avalanche School with her husband, Mark Mueller, who is an avalanche forecaster for Colorado Avalanche

This is the last thing that even the most hardened winter sports enthusiasts want to see on their next excursion. Proper avalanche training is widely available and key to surviving such a disaster, particularly for women, who often rely on partners for safety.

Information Center (CAIC) and an avalanche risk mitigator for CDOT. We did both classroom time and field work during our three days of training. Indoors, we reviewed historical avalanche cases that have been analyzed to identify what the heck went wrong. The stories were shocking

reminders of why we were there. We heard tales of experienced backcountry skiers who went out on a sunny day and were swept into wet slab avalanches; overly enthusiastic snowmobilers who followed others’ paths assuming they’d taken a safe line and triggered massive slides; and snowshoers who thought they were safe on a dirt road, only to be buried by a dry slab avalanche released above them. Over the next three days, we learned about climbing and skiing appropriate terrain based on weather, snow pack and recent avalanche activity, as well as the skills, experience and goals of our group. We also discussed what to do if, despite a well-conceived plan, a rescue was required. In the 15 hours of field practice, we dug snow pits to evaluate the snowpack, practiced rescues with beacons and probes, measured slope angles and aspects, and planned and executed two back-country trips. Kobrock warned that, despite our newly acquired knowledge, we should be vigilant for the most common danger: the human factor. Many avalanche accidents trace back to poor decisionmaking that resulted from social pressure, CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

NEW MEXICO SKI AREAS All of the areas listed have opened for the season, unless otherwise noted. Prices are for regular-season adult tickets. Angel Fire Resort

Sandia Peak

Angel Fire is a favorite for skiers and boarders looking to enjoy an uncrowded hill, with plenty of fast runs and three terrain parks. This small northern ski town offers a wide variety of lodging options just minutes away from the main chairlift. Angel Fire opens for the season on Dec. 12.

Right outside of Albuquerque is the Sandia Peak ski area, a close-to-home option for beginning skiers and boarders alike. Spend the morning skiing, then run home to warm up with some hot chocolate. Sandia opens for the season on Dec. 20.

PRICE: $66 full-day,

$52 half-day, $24 night skiing HOURS: 9a-4p; 4-8p for night skiing AVG. SNOWFALL: 210” LIFTS: 7; 2 quad chairs, 3 double chairs, 2 SunKid Wonder Carpets ACREAGE: 560 acres NUMBER OF TRAILS: 79 SKI/SNOWBOARD SCHOOL: Yes TERRAIN PARKS: 3 FOOD/DRINK: 1 cafeteria,

5 restaurants, 2 restaurant/bars RENTALS: Yes INFO: 844.218.4107 WEBSITE:

angelfireresort.com SNOW REPORT:

angelfireresort.com/ snow-report

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

PRICE: $50 full-day, $35

half-day HOURS: 9a-4p AVG. SNOWFALL: 125” LIFTS: 5; 4 double chairs,

1 surface tow ACREAGE: 200 acres NUMBER OF TRAILS: 39 SKI/SNOWBOARD SCHOOL: Yes TERRAIN PARKS: 1 FOOD/DRINK: 2

restaurants RENTALS: Yes INFO: 505.242.9052 WEBSITE: sandiapeak. com SNOW REPORT:

505.857.8977

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area Hidden away in the Jemez Mountains, Pajarito Mountain is just a few minutes away from Los Alamos. It is a snowlover’s heaven with no crowds and fast, difficult runs. PRICE: $49 full-day, $39

half-day HOURS: 9a-4p AVG. SNOWFALL: 160” LIFTS: 6; 1 quad chair,

1 triple chair, 3 double chairs, 1 rope tow ACREAGE: 300 acres NUMBER OF TRAILS: 40 SKI/SNOWBOARD SCHOOL: Yes TERRAIN PARKS: 1 FOOD/DRINK:

1 restaurant/café RENTALS: Yes INFO: 505.662.5725 WEBSITE: skipajarito. com SNOW REPORT:

skipajarito.com/ conditions.php

Red River Ski Area Known for opening its season earlier than most New Mexico ski resorts, Red River offers trails for both downhill enthusiasts and crosscountry skiers. With slopes and activities for all skill levels, Red River is a great resort for the whole family.

PRICE: $67 full-day, $52

half-day HOURS: 9a-4p AVG. SNOWFALL: 214” LIFTS: 7; 2 double chairs,

3 triple chairs, 2 surface tows ACREAGE: 290 acres NUMBER OF TRAILS: 58 SKI/SNOWBOARD SCHOOL: Yes TERRAIN PARKS: 3 FOOD/DRINK: 1 cafeteria,

2 restaurants, 1 restaurant/bar RENTALS: Yes INFO: 575.754.2223 WEBSITE:

redriverskiarea.com SNOW REPORT:

redriverskiarea.com/ weather-report

Sipapu This family-friendly resort offers a small hill feel with few lines, but still provides runs and terrain parks for skiers and boarders of all skill levels. PRICE: $44 full-day, $33

half-day HOURS: 9a-4p AVG. SNOWFALL: 190” LIFTS: 5; 1 platter lift,

2 triple chairs, 2 magic carpets ACREAGE: 200 acres NUMBER OF TRAILS: 41 SKI/SNOWBOARD SCHOOL: Yes TERRAIN PARKS: 3

Avalanche training

NEW MEXICO SKI AREAS FOOD/DRINK:

1 restaurant/bar RENTALS: Yes INFO: 800.587.2240 WEBSITE: sipapunm.com SNOW REPORT: tinyurl. com/sipapusnow

Ski Apache Topping 12,000 feet on the Sierra Blanca Peak, Ski Apache is the perfect blend of snow and sunshine. This is the place for beginner and intermediate skiers looking for a different experience. PRICE: $67 full-day, $48

half-day HOURS: 9a-4p AVG. SNOWFALL: 185” LIFTS: 11; 3 quad chairs,

5 triple chairs, 1 gondola, 1 handle tow, 1 conveyer lift ACREAGE: 750 acres

NUMBER OF TRAILS: 55 SKI/SNOWBOARD SCHOOL: Yes TERRAIN PARKS: 3 FOOD/DRINK: 1 cafeteria,

1 snack bar, 5 cafés, 1 bar RENTALS: Yes INFO: 575.464.3600 WEBSITE: skiapache.com SNOW REPORT:

skiapache.com/themountain/snow-reportweather-conditions

Ski Santa Fe Right outside of the city of Santa Fe is one of the highest ski resorts in the United States. At a base elevation of 10,350 feet, Ski Santa Fe provides beautiful views and a wide range of runs perfect for beginning and intermediate skiers. PRICE: $70 full-day, $55

half-day

HOURS: 9a-4p AVG. SNOWFALL: 225” LIFTS: 7; 1 beginner,

2 conveyors, 1 double chair, 2 triple chairs, 1 quad chair ACREAGE: 660 acres NUMBER OF TRAILS: 77 SKI/SNOWBOARD SCHOOL: Yes TERRAIN PARKS: 1 FOOD/DRINK: 1 cafeteria,

1 coffee bar RENTALS: Yes INFO: 505.982.4429 WEBSITE: skisantafe. com SNOW REPORT:

skisantafe.com/snowweather

Taos Ski Valley A favorite of skiers and boarders alike (once it finally decided to allow boards on its slopes), Taos Ski Valley is a scenic location with

plenty of trails for all skill levels. Visit the ski school for some of the best lessons around!

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

PRICE: $82 full-day, $68

half-day HOURS: 9a-4p AVG. SNOWFALL: 305” LIFTS: 15; 4 quad chairs,

3 triple chairs, 5 double chairs, 3 surface tows ACREAGE: 1,294 acres NUMBER OF TRAILS: 110 SKI/SNOWBOARD SCHOOL: Yes TERRAIN PARKS: 2 FOOD/DRINK: 1 cafeteria,

4 restaurants, 5 restaurant/bars, 1 café, 2 coffee/snack bars RENTALS: Yes INFO: 575.776.2291 WEBSITE: skitaos.org SNOW REPORT: skitaos. org/weather —Compiled by Marissa Higdon

overconfidence or low confidence, closedmindedness, shortcuts, or impaired objectivity. The phenomenon of “your brain on powder,” Kobrock’s term for poor decision-making observed when the snow is perfect, has cost people their lives. You might be asking, why take a womenonly course? Many women follow their partners into the back country and are reliant on them to ensure the trip is a safe one; but these women may also realize they’d like to be empowered to make their own educated decisions with confidence. Avalanche survivors often report that they had unspoken concerns about the route or the weather or some other aspect of the trip before the avalanche occurred. Taking women-only courses forces women to speak up, while the experience builds confidence. In addition, women often have

different goals for the trip than their male counterparts. Men might describe their ideal trip in terms of vertical feet, untracked lines or near misses with danger. Women might talk about how beautiful the scenery was, how much they enjoyed the companionship and how nice a picnic lunch tastes in the winter woods. One class participant offered that she can count on women to “carry first aid supplies and a thermos of tea in their packs to share.” Another participant noted that she doesn’t feel comfortable when her boyfriend and his pals have contests at the top of a climb to see who can get down first. After completing the training, I now have some basic skills for traveling into the winter back country. I have the knowledge to read the conditions and terrain, and the confidence to contribute to the group. The snowflakes are starting to fly, and I can’t wait to get out there and play safely.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

SPECIAL PROMOTION

LAST MINUTE

Holiday Gift Ideas Time is running short for those trying to cross off their holiday shopping list. If you are still searching for holiday gift ideas, look no further than Local iQ’s LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE!

Puppets

$25.99

Each animal is unique, made of reclaimed wool... leaving an environmentally soft footprint.

FIND IT AT:

Beeps 3500 CENTRAL SE, 505.262.1900

Locally Made Spirits 10% off your holiday spirits to lift your holiday spirits! FIND IT AT:

Left Turn Distilling 2924 GIRARD NE, 505.508.0508

leftturndistilling.com

Sandia Soap Pojoaque Sun Inspired by the enchanted landscape of New Mexico and the beautiful Sandia Mountains, Sandia Soap considers soap making an art and brings soap into the world in small, hand-crafted batches using quality ingredients. This Pojoaque Sun soap bar uses lemongrass essential oil.

$3.99 ON SALE THROUGH DEC. 30

$4.99 REGULAR PRICE FIND IT AT:

La Montañita Natural Food Market/Nob Hill Location

Give a gift of local food with a Farm & Table gift certificate! Open for dinner WednesdaySaturday and Brunch on Saturday & Sunday.

$Name

Your Price

FIND IT AT:

Farm & Table 8917 4TH STREET NW, 505.503.7124

farmandtablenm.com

Pup-permint Mocha Dog Treats A yummy treat that warms their tummy! Your favorite cafe drink is now available for your pup with our refreshing pup-permint mocha cookies. Makes the Paw-fect gift!

$8.99 FIND IT AT:

Three Dog Bakery 9821 MONTGOMERY NE, 505.294.2300

3dogbakeryabq.com

3500 CENTRAL SE, 505.265.4631

lamontanita.coop

Gift Certificates

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

Desert Sage Gift Set

$28

A gift with Southwestern soul! This set includes our handmade Desert Sage soap, two hand-wrapped NM sage sticks from the Taos Pueblo, and lavender lip salve.

FIND IT AT:

Farm Shop @ Los Poblanos 4803 RIO GRANDE NW, 505.938.2192

lospoblanos.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Great gifts exclusively at Beauchamp Jewelers Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings by Ariva

Lobo Cuff Links Attention Lobo Fans! Show your support with this pair of sterling silver cuff links, complete with ruby eyes!

$365

Set of earrings with cushion shaped colorless topaz and shimmering black spinel.

$450

Sterling Silver Necklace by Ariva With a unique Silkweave texture. Set with black spinels that sparkle like crazy!

$1,900

Jude Frances Silver Bracelet Spectacular hinged sterling silver/18k gold cuff bracelet with a lovely quilt pattern.

$865

Swiss Army Inox Watch Incredibly rugged, yet handsome, this Swiss Army Inox watch is available in gray, blue or green versions.

Butterfly Pendant Bright blue butterfly wing pendant in sterling silver. Responsibly sourced from Peru.

$525

$165

Roberto Coin Crisscross Ring Tri-color 18k gold “crisscross” ring by Roberto Coin, with .69 cts. of sparkling diamonds.

$3,100

Egyptian Revival Bracelet Circa 1920 Egyptian Revival bracelet crafted in 800 silver and hard enamel. Excellent condition.

$865

Quartz Watch Ultra slim ladies’ Frederique Constant quartz watch with a chocolate colored dial surrounded by 60 diamonds.

$2,595

7017 Menaul NE • 505.881.8939 • bcjewelers.com LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Secular Saints Candles

Holiday Keg Growler

Albert Einstein, the patron saint of relativity, black holes and time travel. Used to inspire and enlighten.

Bring home some holiday cheer in a growler filled with delicious Marble craft beer.

$40 PLUS THE PRICE OF BEER

$12

FIND IT AT:

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Marble Brewery 111 MARBLE NW, 505.243.2739

The Lavender Cookbook A go-to for culinary lavender goodies! Try the lavender banana bread in the fall, & lavender mojitos in the summer. Written by Sharon Shipley.

$19

marblebrewery.com

601 EUBANK SE, 505.245.2137

WITH A FREE CULINARY LAVENDER PACKET

nuclearmuseum.org

FIND IT AT:

Farm Shop @ Los Poblanos 4803 RIO GRANDE NW, 505.938.2192

lospoblanos.com

Brewery Bones

Artisan Vinegars Small batch, artisan vinegars for the food enthusiast in your life. Born from Santa Fe Brewing Company’s award winning, barrel aged beers. Available at the Santa Fe Brewing Company tasting rooms and other retail stores.

Share your love of local breweries with your favorite canine friend! Brewery Bones are all natural dog treats made from brewery grains in a peanut butter flavor dogs love.

PJ Sewing Class Give the gift of sewing! Come learn to make your own comfy PJ bottoms. No sewing experience required.

$6/$10

$66

$11 FIND IT AT:

Santa Fe Brewing Company

FIND IT AT:

SMALL/LARGE BAGS

Stitchology

FIND IT AT:

Marble Brewery, Espresso Fino & A-1 Waldsmith

2400 RIO GRANDE NW, 505.242.3288

StitchologyABQ.com

35 FIRE PL, SANTA FE, 505.424.3333

downtowndogsabq.com

santafebrewing.com

Indy Plush Toys Edgy, funky, outrageous stuffed animals made of sustainable and recycled materials from domestic sources.

$35-$60 FIND IT AT:

Whole Foods Market 2103 CARLISLE NE & 5815 WYOMING NE

wholefoodsmarket.com

20 LOCAL iQ

| ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

The Amorino Sterling and Agate Rings HAND FABRICATED BY CHELA GURNEE

Sexy times follow wherever you place this best seller! While stretched across the dual motors, the silicone band arouses spot-on.

Sterling and agate statement rings. Each ring is one-of-a-kind. Come pick one up on Dec. 13 from 10a-3p at Zendo Downtown or Dec. 23 from 3-8p at Tractor Brewery in Nob Hill.

$109.95

$125

3904B CENTRAL SE, 505.265.5815

EACH

selfservetoys.com

FIND IT AT:

Self Serve Sexuality Resource Center

The UNIF Furby Sweater by DollsKill.com

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

MUSIC

L I V E MUS I C

SUBMIT

Casa Esencia

TO LOCAL iQ

Corrales Bistro Brewery

The next deadline is Dec. 16 for Dec. 26. SEND CALENDAR ITEMS TO:

calendar@local-iQ.com

f: 888.520.9711 a: PO Box 7490, ABQ., N.M. 87194 PLEASE USE THIS FORMAT:

Venue Band GENRE TIME, COST

List events any time for free at local-iQ.com *All events subject to change. Check with individual venues before heading out ** CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE A FREE SERVICE AND MAY BE CUT DUE TO SPACE. PREFERENCE IS GIVEN TO FREE EVENTS.

DJ 9p-1:30a, $10-$20 Bruce Jennings 6p, FREE

Cowgirl, Santa Fe

Happy Hours w/ Bill Hearne COUNTRY 5-7:30p Jay Boy Adams & Zenobia w/ Mr. Sister 8:30p, FREE

Dirty Bourbon

Desert Dixie 9p, $5

Effex Nightclub

Epic: Kurfew VS. Abstract, Jonny Stunk 9p-2a, TBD

James A. Little Theatre, Santa Fe Belisima Irish Dance & Moving People Dance IRISH JIGS 7p, $10-$15

Launchpad

Death DTA, Torture Victim, Suspended 8:30p, FREE

Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe

THU

Adobe Bar, Taos Sadie Orchard 6:30-9:30p, FREE

After recording steadily since the 1990s, Spoon took a four-year hiatus to recharge and work on other projects in 2010. The break did the band good. Coming back to the studio as a quintet, with the addition of keyboardist Alex Fischel (not pictured), the re-energized Spoon just released its most dynamic and well-received album to date.

Bells and whistles No such gripes have been made about They Want My Soul. Pitchfork said Spoon’s newest ndie rock’s most underrated band is offering is “the quintet’s most booming also its most daring. Who else would LP, eons ahead of their Pixies-worshipping start a song like “Do You” with a beginnings and a far cry from the relatively glistening doo-wop pop sheen before small-scale charm of their early-2000s delivering the chorus in an agonizing, touchstones Girls Can Tell and Kill the pleading rasp? Who else would write lyrics that dis one of the most beloved fringe flicks Moonlight, as well as their self-consciously lo-fi 2010 record, Transference.” of the past decade? — “And I remember Some of that lauded “booming” — the when you walked out of Garden State/’Cuz echoing reverberations that give They you had taste, you had taste/You had no Want My Soul its gargantuan sound — can time to waste.” Who else would put out a be as much attributed to the new record, as one reviewer producers as the band. Indeed, for Exclaim! magazine noted, PREVIEW this new record marks the with “hardly a track … that first occasion since the band’s doesn’t feature a new sound Spoon 1996 album Telephono that for the band — drum pads, WITH A GIANT DOG, outsiders have been asked flutes, barbershop-style backup LINDY VISION to helm the studio dials on vocals, whistling, classical 7:30p, Tue., a Spoon record. Production Dec. 16 Spanish guitar, harp”? SUNSHINE THEATER duties were assigned to Joe Spoon doesn’t just scoop 120 CENTRAL SW, Chiccarelli, a studio guru who 505.764.0249 up such flavorful moments; oversaw recent hits by Real $22, 13+ it gouges them out, so that holdmyticket.com Estate, Dropkick Murphys, The we can devour them with spoontheband.com Shins and Jason Mraz, along glee. The Austin, Texas-bred with more vintage material quintet, composed of front by U2, Frank Zappa and Etta man Britt Daniel, drummer James. Chiccarelli split the Jim Eno, bassist Rob Pope and keyboardists work with Dave Fridmann, known for Eric Harvey and Alex Fischel, released its giving an accessible pop polish to eccentric, latest album, They Want My Soul, this past left-field acts like The Flaming Lips and August to critical acclaim. The disc marked MGMT. “With someone else behind the the end of a four-year hiatus that followed boards,” the AV Club wrote, “the quintet is Transference, a fun enough collection of free to dig deeper into its loosest songs to catchy tunes that reviewers nonetheless date.” dismissed, with one from the AV Club Such critics praise new Spoon tunes like calling it a sign that Spoon’s “remarkable “Knock Knock Knock,” with its rattling consistency could one day lapse into sound effects and a haunting moan in its complacency.” BY KYLE MULLIN

The Porter Draw, Dirty Brown Jug Band, Floozy 9p, $5

Just Lazarus ROCK BLUES 9p, FREE

Luna Mansion, Los Lunas Daniel Solis 6-9p, FREE

Burt’s Tiki Lounge

Marble Brewery, Westside

Bandwidth No Name, The Howlin Wolves, Wae Fonky 9p, FREE Boulevard Lane 6p, FREE

Cowgirl, Santa Fe

hook, or the new-wave glitz of “New York Kiss,” with headlight-flaring synths and a near-disco-ready backbeat. The song “Rainy Taxi” has a zany piano breakdown courtesy of newcomer Fischel. He also handled the keys in Daniel’s side project, Divine Fits, a highly hyped “supergroup” featuring cofront-man Dan Boeckner (of beloved indie troop Wolf Parade). Divine Fits released a 2011 self-titled debut and drew enthusiastic acclaim throughout much of Spoon’s fouryear break. Of Fischel, Daniel told PASTE magazine that their Divine Fits chemistry carried over into They Want My Soul sessions, and that, “I think it took everybody in the band about three hours before they loved Alex.” Daniel and Fischel aren’t the only members of Spoon with side projects. Aside from working as a producer and sound engineer on previous Spoon albums, drummer Jim Eno has also manned the studio boards for popular indie acts like Bright Eyes, The New Pornographers and !!!. But Eno said Spoon’s latest album stands out because of the elaborate kitchen-sink spirit that he, his bandmates and their new producers brought to the project. “There was, like, literally 20 pedals just spread around the control room,” he said in a recent interview with NPR. “There was a guitar pedal with a joystick. I still don’t even know what that one does.” He added that it felt like they had a treasure trove of new toys to play with more than two decades into their career. Or, as he described listening back to the album now: “I feel like I can hear we’re having fun.”

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

Low Spirits

Blackbird Buvette

Corrales Bistro Brewery

Longstanding indie powerhouse Spoon returns from a long break with ‘They Want My Soul,’ a fully realized studio tour de force

Santa Fe Women’s Ensemble SONGS OF PEACE 7p, $20-$35

Wildewood 6-9p, FREE

Marcello’s Chophouse Karl Richardson Duo 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Mineshaft Tavern, Madrid

Dashboard Romeos INDIE DANCE ROCK 8p, FREE

Paw & Erik BLUEGRASS 5p Timbo BLUES JAM SESS 7p, FREE

Dirty Bourbon

Molly’s Bar, Tijeras

Desert Dixie 9p, $5

Effex Nightclub

Beer Bust Thu. DJ Chris de Jesus 9p, FREE

Don Allen 1:30-5p Rock Zone 6-10p, FREE

Monte Vista Fire Station

Erna Fergusson Library

Alex Maryol ACOUSTIC 7p, FREE

Gregg Daigle Band FOLKY 6p, FREE

National Hispanic Cultural Center

Launchpad

$1000 Mic Club 4: W/ Jam & DJ X-Man 9p, TBD

The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company CHRISTMAS MUSIC 7p, $20-$28

Low Spirits

Ned’s Bar and Grill

Anarkomedy 4 Year Anniversary! w/Ann Gora & Kevin Kennedy 8p, $6

Marcello’s Chophouse Karl Richardson LOUNGE 6:30-9:30p, FREE

MÁS

Jesus Bas 7p, FREE

Mineshaft Tavern, Madrid Bow Wow Fundraiser 7p, FREE

Molly’s Bar, Tijeras Jimmy Jones JAM NIGHT 6-10p, FREE

Outpost Eliane Elias JAZZ 6:30p, $75

Q Bar

Latin Gold DJ Quico 9p, TBD

Scalo Il Bar Bus Tapes INDIE AMERICANA 8:30p, FREE

Vanilla Pop 9:30p, FREE

Outpost Roust The House TEEN PERFORMANCE 7:30p, TBD

Q Bar

Old School House Party DJ Mike T, Big Phill ’80S, ’90S 9p, FREE

Scalo Il Bar The Grinder GYPSY SWING 8:30p, FREE

Second St. Brewery, Santa Fe

Watermelon Mountain Jug Band 7-10p, FREE

The Stage Santa Casino Fashionista Friday: Dj Andy Gil BEBE PURSE 9p, $5-$10 John ‘OO’ Fleming & Christopher Lawrence 9p-2a, $10-$20

St. Clair Winery

Raven Hills 6-9p, FREE

Peacemakers 6-9p, FREE

Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge

Mélange 6p, FREE

Zinc Cellar Bar

Kevin Herig & Kyle Ruggles 9:30p, FREE

FRI

Adobe Bar, Taos Bone Orchard CELTIC GYPSY 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Chava & Paid My Dues R&B 7:30p, FREE

SAT

Adobe Bar, Taos

Melissa Crabtree & Bob Andrews 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Apple Mountain Music

Barley Room

Erynn Marshall & Carl Jones FIDDLE & BANJO 8p, $15

Blackbird Buvette

Local Music Showcase w/ Red Light Barney 10p, FREE

The Electric Edric Project 9p-1a, FREE

Blackbird Buvette

Happy Hour w/ Carlos The Tall 6p Planet Rock w/Wae Fonky 10p, FREE

Burt’s Tiki Lounge

Cherry Hills Library

Bellemah, The Chemical West, Cynical Bird 9p, FREE

Great States, Thieves & Gypsys, Julia Rich 9p, FREE NM Territorial Brass Band 1-2p, FREE

MUSIC

L I V E MUSI C Cooperage

TUE

Canteen Brewhouse

Café Mocha SALSA 9:30p, FREE

Bus TapeS INDIE AMERICANA 3-6p, FREE

Corrales Bistro Brewery

Thru Friends 6p, FREE

Little Hawk 6p, FREE

Cowgirl, Santa Fe

Happy Hour w/Jon Hogan & Maria Moss ALT APPALACHIAN 2-5:30p Chango 8:30p, FREE

Broomdust Gospel Quartet 12-3p The Troy Browne Duo 8p, FREE

Dirty Bourbon

Desert Dixie 9p, $5

The Rebbe’s Orkestra KLEZMER 12-4p, FREE

Effex Nightclub

James A. Little Theater

Elevate: DJ Devin, Chris de Jesus 9p, TBD

Hiland Theater

Embassy Suite Hotel

Belisima Irish Dance & Moving People Dance IRISH JIGS 2:30p, $10-$15

Adobe Bar, Taos

Tractor Nob Hill

Brickyard Pizza

Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge

Open Mic Night w/Chris Dracup 8p, FREE

Burt’s Tiki Lounge

Cosmonauts, Holy Glories, Sun Dog 9p, FREE

Canteen Brewhouse Next Three Miles FOLK 6-9p, FREE

Corrales Bistro Brewery

David McCullough 6p, FREE

Mineshaft Tavern, Madrid Timbo Jam 6p, FREE

The Jam Spot

The Family Fun Time Tour JUGGALO 8p, $30-$37

Molly’s Bar, Tijeras

James A. Little Theatre, Santa Fe

The Kosmos

Ned’s Bar and Grill

La Cumbre Brewery

Watermelon Mountain Jug Band 7-10p, FREE

Picosso 6p, FREE

Launchpad

Spoon, A Giant Dog, Lindy Vision 7:30p, FREE

Lensic PAC, Santa Fe

Launchpad

Christmas Treasures: Santa Fe Symphony 4p, $22-$76

Low Spirits

Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe

Shoggoth, Rock Jong Il, Bathhouse 9:30p, FREE 5 Year Anniversary 9p, FREE

Marble Brewery Westside Zoltan Orkestar 6-9p, FREE

Bugaboo 6-10p, FREE

Chatter: Viola & Piano 10:30a, $5-$15 Everyone Dies In Utah, Painting Promises, Oath 7:30p, $8

Santa Fe Women’s Ensemble SONGS OF PEACE 7p, $20-$35

Cage The Elephant, Night Riots, The Burning of Rome 7:30p, $25

Former Friends of Young Americans INDIE FOLK 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Let’s Go Out For The Holidays: NM Gay’s Men’s Chorus 7:30p, TBD

Belisima Irish Dance & Moving People Dance IRISH JIGS 7p, $10-$15

Sunshine Theater

Sunshine Theater Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge

Bob Tate PIANIST 6p, FREE

Zinc Cellar Bar

Former Friends of Young Americans 8p, FREE

WED

Adobe Bar, Taos

Eryn Bent 8:30-10:30p, FREE

Bob Tate PIANIST 6p, FREE

THU

Adobe Bar, Taos

Elena Trujillo 4-5:30p Sadie Orchard GOTHIMERICANA 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Blackbird Buvette

Sean Costanza AMERICANA 6p, FREE

Dirty Bourbon

Asphalt Cowboys 9p, $5

Effex Nightclub

Beer Bust Thurs. DJ Chris de Jesus 9p, FREE

Launchpad

The Lymbs, Omingnome, Port Alice 9:30p, FREE

Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe Santa Fe Women’s Ensemble 7p, $20-$35

Marcello’s Chophouse Karl Richardson 6:30-9:30p, FREE

MÁS

Jesus Bas 7p, FREE

Molly’s Bar, Tijeras

Marcello’s Chophouse

Macey Center, Socorro

Buggaboo TEXAMERICANA 6:30-9:30p, FREE

The Larry Conga Show 6-10p, FREE

Mineshaft Tavern, Madrid

Mariachi Christmas: Mariachi Aztlan, Ballet Folklorico 3p, $10-$20

Blackbird Buvette

Q Bar

Mineshaft Tavern

Open Mic Night w/Felix Peralta 7p, FREE

Latin Gold DJ Quico 9p, TBD

Monte Vista Fire Station

Broken Bottle Brewery

Scalo Il Bar

National Hispanic Cultural Center

Open Mic Night 7:30-10p, FREE

Dusty Low INDIE AMERICANA 8:30p, FREE

Burt’s Tiki Lounge

St. Clair Winery

Tony Rodriguez Duo LOUNGE 6:30-9:30p, FREE Jim & Tim BLUES 2p Hot Honey ALT COUNTRY 7p, FREE

Molly’s Bar, Tijeras

Whiskey Baby 1:30-5p Rudy Boy Experiment 6-10p, FREE

Monte Vista Fire Station Dusty Low 8p, FREE

National Hispanic Cultural Center

Lunasa & Karen Casey IRISH CHRISTMAS 8p, TBD

Popejoy Hall Mariachi Christmas 8-10p, $20-$44

Q Bar DJ TOP 40 9p, $10

Range Café, Bernalillo Saudade SAMBA BOSSO NOVA 7-9p, FREE

Sandia Prep School

ChristmasIn The Southwest: CAROLS & LULLABIES 3, 7p, $5-$12

Scalo Il Bar

Rodney Bowe’s Sweet Life w/Sina Soul SOUL JAZZ 8:30p, FREE

Sister Bar

Local iQ’s 9th Annual Funky Sweater Get Down! 9p-1a, $5/$10

The Stage Santa Ana Casino

Vegas Nights: Ms. Joy MANDALAY BAY DJ

9p $5-$10

St. Clair Winery

Entourage 6-9p, FREE

St. John’s Methodist Church

Jazz Vespers 5p, FREE

Stone Face Tavern

Odd Dog 8:30p-12a, FREE

South Broadway Cultural Center

Kevin Herig 7p, $15

Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge

Sina Soul 7:30p, FREE

Zinc Cellar Bar Sol de la Noche 9:30p, FREE

SUN

Adobe Bar, Taos Tyler Gregory KANSAS BLUES 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Blackbird Buvette

The Weeksend w/Wae Fonky 7p, FREE

Floozy FOLK 3p, FREE Jade Masque 8p, FREE

The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company CHRISTMAS MUSIC 2p, $20-$28

Duke City Beats Battle 9p, FREE

Jazz Brasiliero BRAZIL JAZZ 6-9p, FREE

Dirty Bourbon

Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge

O’Niell’s Heights

Latin Wed. DJ 6p, FREE

O’Niell’s Nob Hill

Phenox DJ Nihil, K. Oss INDUSTRIAL 9p, FREE

Andy Polling Trio 4p, FREE Saltine Ramblers BLUEGRASS 4p, FREE

Popejoy Hall The Kingston Trio KINGSTON CHRISTMAS 3p, TBD

South Broadway Cultural Center

Christmas In The Southwest: CAROLS & LULLABIES 3p, $5-$12

St. John’s Methodist

A Festival of Lessons & Carols 3, 6p, FREE

Sunshine Theater

Devin Townsend Project and Animals As Leaders, Monuments 8p, $18

Effex Nightclub Launchpad

Chris Thomas 6p, FREE

Zinc Cellar Wine

Steve Maase Project 9:30p, FREE

Midnight Ghost Train, Prey For Kali, Skulldron 9:30p, FREE

FRI

Marble Brewery Westside

Adobe Bar, Taos

Marcello’s Chophouse

Blackbird Buvette

Squash Blossom Boys 6-9p, FREE Holiday Music Live 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Molly’s Bar, Tijeras

Bella Luna 6-10p, FREE

Refuge 4-5:30p Pot Creek String Band BLUEGRASS 6:30-9:30p, FREE Michael Weaver Live Jukebox 7p Fresh Fridays DJ Cello HIP HOP 10p, FREE

Monte Vista Fire Station Memphis P-Tails 8p, FREE

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge Bob Tate PIANIST 6p, FREE

MON

Adobe Bar, Taos

Kate & Billy’s Medicine Show OLD TYMEY OPEN MIC 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Blackbird Buvette Whiskey Business Karaoke. 9p, FREE

Corrales Bistro Brewery

Danny Daniels 6p, FREE

Cowgirl, Santa Fe

Cowgirl Karaoke w/ Michele Leidig 9p, FREE

Lensic PAC, Santa Fe

Santa Fe Concert Band HOLIDAY CONCERT 7p, FREE

Marcello’s Chophouse Open Piano Night LOUNGE 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Sunshine Theater

Black Veil Brides, Falling In Reverse, Set It Off 7p, $28

Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge Bob Tate PIANIST 6p, FREE

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

MUSIC

L I VE MUS IC CONTINUED FROM 23

Effex Nightclub

Casa Esencia

DJ Stitch EDM 9p, TBD

Corrales Bistro Brewery

Jazz Brasiliero BRAZIL JAZZ 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Dirty Bourbon

Low Spirits

DJ 9p-1:30a, $10-$20 All Around Mota 6p, FREE Asphalt Cowboys 9p, $5

Dragon Horn

Odd Dog 8:30p-12a, FREE

Hotel Andaluz

Epic Christmas Character Party!! Double Plow, Cowboys & Indian 9p, TBD

Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe

Mineshaft Tavern, Madrid

Santa Fe Pro Musica BAROQUE CHRISTMAS 6, 8p

Benito AMERICANA 5p Kamikaze Karaoke 8p, FREE

Al Demarco Trio w/ Patty Stephens JAZZ 8:30p, FREE

$20-$65

Molly’s Bar, Tijeras

The Stage Santa Ana Casino

Luna Mansion, Los Lunas

Keith Sanchez 6-9p, FREE

Doug Muchmore 1:30-5p Bella Dawn 6-10p, FREE

Maple Street Dance Space

Monte Vista Fire Station

TGIF: Salsa & Bachata Party 10p, TBD

Alex Maryol ACOUSTIC 7p, FREE

Marble Brewery Westside

Q Bar

Daigle Duo 6-9p, FREE

Marcello’s Chophouse Karl Richardson DUO LOUNGE 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Old School House Party DJ Mike T, Big Phill ’80S, ’90S 9p, FREE

Scalo Il Bar

Fashionista Friday: DJ Andy Gil MICHAEL KORS WATCH 9p, $5-$10

St. Clair Winery

Wildewood 6-9p, FREE

Stoneface Tavern

The Electric Edric Project 9p-1a, FREE

Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge

Shane 7:30p, FREE

SAT

Adobe Bar, Taos

Out of Nowhere 4-5:30p The Neighbors FIERY BLUEGRASS 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Blackbird Buvette

Lightning Hall FOLK BLUES 6-9p, FREE

Dirty Bourbon

Asphalt Cowboys 9p, $5

Effex Nightclub

Elevate: DJ Devin, Chris de Jesus 9p, TBD

Eryn Bent 6p, FREE

Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe

Santa Fe Pro Musica

South Broadway Cultural Center

ABQ Civic Chorus Christmas Concert 7-9p, $10

The Stage Santa Ana Casino

Vegas Nights: Miss Joy MANDALAY BAY DJ

9p, $5-$10

St. Clair Winery

Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge Zinc Cellar Bar

Next 2 The Tracks 9:30p, FREE

SUN

Adobe Bar, Taos

BAROQUE CHRISTMAS

6, 8p, $20-$65

DJ Miss Joy of Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino will spin at Santa Ana Casino’s “Vegas Nights” on Dec. 13, 20 & 27. Show begins at 9p. Cover is $5-$10.

ABQ Civic Chorus Christmas Concert. 5p, $10

Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge Bob Tate PIANIST 6p, FREE

MON

Blackbird Buvette

Adobe Bar, Taos

Anti Xmas! Word Salad Reunion! 9:30p, FREE

Dusty Low INDIE AMERICANA 3-6p, FREE

Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe

Corrales Bistro Brewery

Santa Fe Woman’s Ensemble SONGS OF PEACE 3p, $25 Santa Fe Pro Musica BAROQUE CHRISTMAS 6p & 8p, $20-$65

Pawn Drive 6p, FREE

Marble Brewery Westside

The Kosmos

Kate & Billy’s Medicine Show OLD TYMEY OPEN MIC 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Blackbird Buvette Whiskey Business Karaoke 9p, FREE

Corrales Bistro Brewery Tomas Cordova 6p, FREE

Chatter: Copland & Sparrows 10:30a, $5-$15

Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe

BAROQUE CHRISTMAS

Santa Fe Pro Musica BAROQUE CHRISTMAS 6, 8p, $20-$65

Marcello’s Chophouse

Mineshaft Tavern, Madrid Jim & Tim BLUES 2p, FREE

Monte Vista Fire Station The Rudy Boy Experiment 8p, FREE

Santa Fe Pro Musica 6, 8p, $20-$65 Open Piano Night 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Molly’s Bar, Tijeras

Paul Pino & The Tone Daddies 6-10p, FREE

Alex Culbreth 4p Desert Southwest Blues Band 8p, FREE

O’Niell’s Nob Hill

Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge

Molly’s Bar, TIjeras

Sol, Santa Fe

TUE

Mineshaft Tavern, Madrid

Atomic Balm 1:30-5p Iron Chiwawa 6-10p, FREE

Monte Vista Fire Station Felix y Los Gatos 8p, FREE

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

Holy Water & Whiskey FOLK 4p, FREE Concierto Navideño 7-10p, TBD

Mineshaft Tavern, Madrid

Timbo Jam 7p, FREE

Molly’s Bar, Tijeras

Marilyn Hubbert 6-10p, FREE

Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge Bob Tate PIANIST 6p, FREE

Zinc Cellar Bar

Felix y Los Gatos 8p, FREE

South Broadway Cultural Center

Sean Costanza 4-5:30p Brent Berry AFRO AMERICANA 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Canteen Brewhouse

Tony Rodriguez Duo 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Corrales Bistro Brewery

A Celtic Christmas CELTIC 2p, $10-$50

Launchpad

Marcello’s Chophouse

The Fabulous Martini Tones SURF EXOTICA 6-9p, FREE

Scottish Rite Center, Santa Fe

10 Drink Minimum Podcast w/Chris Burnett 8p, FREE

Temporary Tattoos 6-9p, FREE

Canteen Brewhouse

Charlie Christian Project w/Bobby Shew JAZZ 8:30p, FREE

La Cumbre

Odd Dog 7-10p, FREE

Open Mic w/ Chris Dracup 8p, FREE

Scalo Il Bar

Chris Dracup Trio 7:30p, FREE

Corrales Bistro Brewery

Brickyard Pizza

DJ TOP 40 9p, $10

Burt’s Tiki Lounge

En-Joy CUBAN SALSA 9:30p, FREE

Try VS Try Bi Weekly Open Mic Night 10p, FREE

Q Bar

Kevin Herig 6-9p, FREE

Cooperage

Blackbird Buvette

Pura Fé & the Ulali Project TRIBAL ACAPELLA 7:30p, $25

It Wasn’t Me w/Jim Phillips 6p Cynical Bird AMERICANA ROCK 10p, FREE Russian Girlfriends 9p, FREE

Old San Ysidro Church, Santa Fe

Bob Tate PIANIST 6p, FREE

Adobe Bar, Taos David Hammond 6:30-9:30p, FREE

WED

Adobe Bar, Taos

Goats with Headlamps 4-5:30p Eryn Bent 6:309:30p, FREE

Blackbird Buvette

Open Mic Night w/ Felix Peralta 7p, FREE

Broken Bottle Brewery

Open Mic Night 7:30-10p, FREE

Effex Nightclub

Phenox: DJ Nihil, K Oss GOTH 9p, FREE

Lensic PAC, Santa Fe

Christmas Eve Concert 2p & 5p, $27-$100

Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe Santa Pro Musica BAROQUE CHRISTMAS 6p & 8p, $20-$65

Marcello’s Chophouse Tony Rodriguez LOUNGE 6:30-9:30p, FREE

Molly’s Bar, Tijeras

Gene Corbin 4p-close, FREE

Vernon’s Black Diamond Lounge

Bob Tate 6p, FREE

THU

Adobe Bar, Taos

Sadie Orchard 6:309:30p, FREE

smart MUSIC Cage The Elephant WITH NIGHT RIOTS, THE BURNING OF ROME

7:30p, Wed., Dec. 17 Sunshine Theater 120 Central SW, 505.764.0249

$25, 13+ holdmyticket.com sunshinetheaterlive.com cagetheelephant.com

“I

Find more music previews, CD reviews, performance previews and videos at Local-iQ.com/MUSIC

don’t think we ever really thought of it as a career, or like we’d have a career in it,” Cage The Elephant guitarist Brad Shultz recently told Rolling Stone magazine. “We were doing it just because there was nothing else to do.” All bands should be so lucky as to have songs from its debut record get airplay on mainstream radio. But that’s not really how the industry works. That really never happens. So it’s refreshing to know that some of the people who do make it big, didn’t really plan it that way. The band — which also includes vocalist Matt Shultz (Brad’s brother), drummer Jared Champion, bassist Daniel Tichenor and guitarist Lincoln Parish — just released Melophobia, the follow up to Thank You, Happy Birthday, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200. The record finds the band at a turning point, a place where the early years are disappearing and the music is more cohesive and natural. This may be partly due to the fact that the band spent a good amount of time apart after concluding its last tour for Thank You, Happy Birthday. “As individuals we all had fairly vague visions for how we wanted the record to turn out,” lead singer Matt Shultz said of the new record. “They were pretty polar. It really became a challenge to combine all these polar opposites together in a cohesive way.” Since Melophobia was recently nominated for a Grammy for “Best Alternative Music Album,” time apart might not be the worst thing in the music world. That, and having nothing else to do: a strange but successful way to make it big. —Kevin Hopper

The Funky Sweater Get Down! UGLY SWEATER PARTY/FOOD & CLOTHING DRIVE

With Felonious Groove Foundation, DJ Flo Fader, Peanut Butter Johnson, Todd and the Fox 9p, Sat., Dec. 13 Sister Bar 407 Central NW, 505.242.4900

$5 (w/ food or clothing donation, $10 w/out) sisterthebar.com facebook.com/localiqmag

he cause is a gallant one: to feed and clothe PHOTO BY WES NAMAN those in need. It has been the prime focus of Local iQ’s Funky Sweater Get Down! — a holiday food and clothing drive disguised as an ugly sweater* dance party — going on nine years now. For all but one of those years, the beneficiary has been The Storehouse, an organization that has done a tremendous job at providing pantry and closet items for New Mexico’s working poor. But that’s only half of the story; the other has to do with funk. Show promoter and highlight performer Peanut Butter Johnson (pictured) has had an affinity for soul and funk music ever since he was a little tyke growing up in a small Leisure City, Fla. shack. “Back then, all I had was a Fisher Price Music Box and my imagination,” Johnson said in a recent interview from his fishing boat, the Princess Booty. “Now, I have one of the best funk acts in the game with Felonious Groove Foundation, and my quest to get people off their sacroiliac and on the dance floor has never been more devout.” Joining FGF and Johnson on Dec. 13 at Downtown venue Sister Bar will be Santa Fe duo Todd and the Fox, as well as DJ Flo Fader, who will play intermittent rare groove sets. “It’s like this,” Johnson concluded. “Everyone is born with funk in their DNA. My music has an uncanny ability to shake it out of you.” —Logan Greely

*ugly sweaters are highly encouraged. Contest at 10p. Winners announced at 11p.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

ARTS

A R TS E V E N TS

SUBMIT TO LOCAL iQ The next deadline is Dec. 16 for the Dec. 26 issue. SEND CALENDAR ITEMS TO:

calendar@local-iQ.com

f: 888.520.9711 a: PO Box 7490, ABQ., N.M. 87194

List events any time FOR FREE at local-iQ.com *All events subject to change. Check with individual venues before heading out ** CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE A FREE SERVICE AND MAY BE CUT DUE TO SPACE. PREFERENCE IS GIVEN TO FREE EVENTS.

THU

THROUGH DEC. 21: PERFORMANCE

Ebenezer Scrooge A holiday classic with a message of hope, live on stage. 7p, Thu.-Sat.; 2p, Sun., $8-$12

Under the direction of Heather Yeocero (second from right), Blackout Theatre troupe members Chris Walsh, Jeff Andersen, Josh Bien and Leonard Madrid will put their on-the-fly comedic skills to the test every night in an improvised reimagining of A Christmas Carol.

Scrooge, for the people Blackout Theatre invites audiences to inject their own meaning of Christmas into new, improvised production BY MARISSA HIGDON

ight years ago, Blackout Theatre was founded by a group of UNM graduates who wanted to continue studying the art of comedy. They were known for producing sketch comedy, but since then, they have branched out considerably. Blackout Theatre has grown from about six members to 13. The company also began writing its own plays and providing educational workshops for local schools. “That’s become a big wing of T H E AT R E our company that we didn’t expect going into this,” said BLACKOUT THEATRE’S company member Barney Lopez An Improvised of Blackout’s focus on education. Christmas Carol “We expected that we would 8p; Thu. & Fri.; just be doing these late-night Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20 comedy shows, not that we would $8-$10 be creating our own plays and IFDM FLEX SPACE AT MESA DEL SOL  teaching kids how to do that stuff.” 5700 UNIVERSITY SE, The new focus on education seeks 505.672.8648 blackouttheatre.com to improve student literacy through playwriting, while Blackout’s fulllength and web-centric original projects have garnered a loyal following. But Blackout has always held a soft spot for those edge-of-your-seat improv nights. “We’ve been really wanting to do more improv as a company,” director Heather Yeocero explained to Local iQ. Blackout Theatre was looking for a way to get back to its comedy roots and provide some much-needed holiday cheer. The group had done an original twist on A Christmas Carol a few years ago, and decided to revisit the premise as a family-friendly improv show. The result was, naturally, An Improvised Christmas Carol. “There’s a Scrooge,” said Yeocero. “But beyond that, it’s sort of all

up in the air.” In fact, the only certainties are Scrooge, ghosts and a “Christmasy” feel. The audience decides the rest. According to Yeocero, the cast basically “makes up a 45-minute play” loosely based on the original story. To prepare for this unpredictable performance, cast members have been polishing their improvisation skills since this summer. They’ve also studied up on the many variations of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and seen large quantities of holiday films. “We’ve been watching a lot of Christmas movies to really mine the Christmas trope and to be up on all the pop culture ideas on what Christmas is,” said Yeocero. “It’s really an excuse to watch Christmas movies and wear Santa hats and be silly in front of people.” Yeocero added that, “If anyone’s got any really strong ideas about what they think Christmas is or isn’t or what they’d like to see, this is their chance to see that brought to life.” The cast is made up of Blackout members and comedians from the Albuquerque improv community. Yeocero and Lopez expect An Improvised Christmas Carol to be a spontaneous holiday story that’s fun for the whole family. “Expect an hour-long show that’s really hilarious and touches on all of those holiday Christmas chords that we all like to hear about,” Lopez said. “We’re going to touch on all of those general Christmas messages and, at the same time, we’re going to give it a new twist based on the audiences suggestions, and it could go anywhere that they want to take it.” Another “twist” is that performances will take place at UNM’s brand-new Flex Space at Mesa Del Sol. Yeocero and Lopez were eager to point out that the new location is only a few minutes from Downtown, where Blackout usually stages its performances. “It could give people a nice car ride there to listen to Christmas music and get in the spirit,” said Lopez. “We’re really excited to be over there for this show.”

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 6935 COMANCHE NE, 505.259.1282

THROUGH DEC. 21: PERFORMANCE

Christmas at the Yucca Vista Join the Dolls for a White Trash Christmas celebration you won’t soon forget! 8p, Fri., Sat.; 2p, Sun. 2p, $20 AUX DOG THEATRE 3011 MONTE VISTA NE, 505.254.7716

THROUGH DEC. 21: PERFORMANCE

All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth A hockey puck, a dream role and the story that follows. 8p, Thu.-Sat.; 2p, Sun. 2p, $12-$22 THE CELL THEATRE 700 1ST NW, 505.797.7081

THROUGH DEC. 28: PERFORMANCE

Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits Broadway’s musical legends meet satire in this funny tribute to some of theatre’s greatest performers. 7:30p, Fri., Sat.; 2p, Sun. $13-$15 THE ADOBE THEATRE 9813 4TH NW, 505.898.9222

FRI

Holiday Print Sale This event will offer gifts of art for yourself and others ranging from $25-$150. 5-8p, FREE NEW GROUNDS PRINT WORKSHOP & GALLERY 3812 CENTRAL SE, 505.268.8952

HOLIDAY RECEPTION

Bill Tondreau Panoramic Landscape Photographs This award-winning photographer shares works that include pieces up to 8-feet-wide. 5-8p, FREE SUMNER & DENE 517 CENTRAL NW, 505.842.1400

OPEN HOUSE

Dana Velasco + Merge A show of ceramic tile mosaics and a variety of other works. 6-9p, FREE A SPINAL HEALTH AND MOVEMENT CENTER GALLERY, 316 ADAMS SE, 505.247.2373

RECEPTION

Holiday Gift Bazaar Support local artists while finding that perfect holiday gift for someone special. 5-8p, FREE OFFCENTER COMMUNITY ARTS PROJECT 808 PARK SW, 505.247.1172

It’s A Holly Jolly Sale Items marked up to 50% off, just in time for the holidays. 7-10p, FREE METROPOLIS COMIC ART GALLERY 1102 MOUNTAIN NW, 505.255.0793

THROUGH JAN. 3: RECEPTION/EXHIBIT

Roll On 15th annual office party/ group show honoring co-founder Russell Hamilton. 5-8p, FREE EXHIBIT/208 208 BROADWAY SE, 505.450.6884

THROUGH JAN. 10: RECEPTION/EXHIBIT

Cracks in the Light Suzan Woodruff shares her latest works in this solo show. 5-7p, FREE DAVID RICHARD GALLERY 544 S. GUADALUPE, SANTA FE, 505.983.9555

THROUGH DEC. 26: RECEPTION/EXHIBIT

Morang and Friends: Artwork and Artifacts of Alfred Morang Artifacts by Alfred Morang and his contemporaries. 5-7p, FREE MATTHEWS GALLERY 669 CANYON ROAD, SANTA FE, 505.992.2882

THROUGH JAN. 18: RECEPTION/EXHIBIT

Small Works Paintings, photography, sculpture and more by gallery artists, just in time for the holidays. 5-7p, FREE NEW CONCEPT GALLERY 610 CANYON ROAD, SANTA FE, 505.795.7570

newconceptgallery.com THROUGH JAN. 17: RECEPTION/EXHIBIT

Embellished Nancy Youdelman’s fourth solo show reflects themes of memory, morality, feminism and more. 5-7p, FREE TAI MODERN 1601 B PASEO DE PERALTA, SANTA FE, 505.984.1387

THROUGH JAN. 16: RECEPTION/EXHIBIT

Red Group show featuring works with the concept and theme of red. Red attire requested. 5-7p, FREE TURNER CARROLL GALLERY, 725 CANYON, SANTA FE, 505.986.9800

ARTS

AR TS E V E NTS THROUGH JAN. 16: EXHIBIT ONLY

Holy Adobes: Churches of NM Historic and contemporary works depicting NM churches. FREE

Annual Holiday Market Over 50 emerging artists showcase and sell their works. 9a-40p, FREE IAIA CAMPUS/ACADEMIC BLDG, 83 AVAN NU PO, SANTA FE, 505.424.5704

Holiday Art Hop

THROUGH DEC. 21: PERFORMANCE

A Musical Pinata for Christmas II A family holiday event created and directed by JoJO Sena de Tarnoff. 7p, Fri., Sat.; 2p, Sun. 2p, FREE/ don.

WILLIAM R. TALBOT FINE ART, 129 W. SAN FRANCISCO, SANTA FE, 505.982.1559

SUN

THROUGH DEC. 28: PERFORMANCE

Enjoy local art and treasures at this first annual holiday event. 10a, FREE

SAT

RAIL YARDS MARKET 777 1ST SW, 505.304.8584

A Winter Gathering

Shrek the Musical The hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre and his life. 7:30p, Fri., Sat.; 4p, Sun., $15-$22 AFRICAN AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 310 SAN PEDRO SE, 505.222.0785

SAT

THROUGH DEC. 31: RECEPTION/EXHIBIT

Works Group show for the Holiday show featuring works in a number of mediums. 3-5p, FREE GIACOBBE-FRITZ FINE ART 702 CANYON, SANTA FE, 505.986.1156

FESTIVAL/FAIR

Holiday Market

THU

RECEPTION/EXHIBIT

Claire Kahn New works in her jewelry. 5-7p, FREE PATINA GALLERY 131 WEST PALACE, SANTA FE, 505.986.3432

TEATRO PARAGUAS 3205 CALLE MARIE, SANTA FE, 505.471.3140

WEYRICH GALLERY 2935 D LOUISIANA NE, 505.883.7410

SUN

Winter Solstice Celebration

RECEPTION/EXHIBIT All gallery artists are featured in this special show including attractively priced works in a number of medias. 3-6p, FREE THE GALLERY ABQ 8210 MENAUL NE, 505.292.9333

Patterns & Rhythms is the theme of this year’s annual invitational group show, with refreshments and entertainment. 3-6p, FREE

Group Show featuring Dale Harris, Billie Lauder, Trish Meyer and others, refreshments and entertainment included as well. 1-4p, FREE WEYRICH GALLERY 2935 D LOUISIANA NE, 505.883.7410

patina-gallery.com9

Art/Space

Albuquerque ARTScrawl

Artists’ Holiday Bazaar Handcrafted gifts by local artists will be up for sale for this Holiday event. 10a-4p, FREE ART THROUGH THE LOOM GUILD 4140 HIGHWAY 68, TAOS, 505.583.2059

PERFORMANCE: THROUGH DEC., SEE WEBSITE FOR DATES/TIMES:

The Nutcracker Ballet Repertory Theatre continues their holiday tradition of this family classic. 7p, $7-$27 KIMO THEATRE 421 CENTRAL NW, 505.768.3522

Volcano Vista Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair Stop by and enjoy the first annual fair that includes music, face painting, food and more. 11a, FREE VOLCANO VISTA HIGH SCHOOL, 8100 RAINBOW NW, 505.890.0343

VICKI BOLEN

Weyrich Gallery

Patterns & Rhythms 32nd Annual Invitational Show FEATURED ARTISTS:

Trina Badarak-Hall, Marilyn Bennett, Vicki Bolen, Patty Hammarstedt, Dale Harris, Billie Lauder, Trish Meyer, Gail Murray, Ginger Rice, Mary Sundstrom and Sharon Wenzel. 2935 LOUISIANA NE, 505.883.7410 weyrichgallery.com ARTSCRAWL EVENTS:

Fri., Dec. 5, 5-8:30pm Sat., Dec. 20, 3-6pm Sun., Dec. 21, 1-4pm

‘The Known Tree’ by Bill Tondreau On view at Sumner & Dene

Join us for the Route 66 ARTScrawl December 12, 5 - 8 pm Shop local this season! Visit our website for detailed information about galleries and shows ARTSCrawlABQ.com

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

CO M M U N I TY E VE N TS THU

THROUGH DEC. 17

Gingerbread House Contest Entries accepted until the 17th, when judging for cash prizes takes place. 9a-5p, FREE

BOOKWORKS 4022 RIO GRANDE NW, 505.344.813

Party on the Patio

THROUGH DEC. 23:

Enjoy live music under the stars and all you can eat horno-baked pizza. 6-9:30p, $10 PUEBLO HARVEST CAFE 2401 12TH NW, 505.724.3510

SAT

THROUGH DEC. 30

Guadalupana Celebration

Lights, music, Christmas trees, rides and more. See website for times, $16 CLIFF’S AMUSEMENT PARK 4800 OSUNA NE, 505.881.9373

FRI

BOOKWORKS BOOK CLUB

Second Cup of Coffee Meet to discuss The Language of Flowers. 1p, FREE ST. MARTIN’S COFFEE SHOP, 2ND & LOMAS 505.344.8139

THROUGH JAN. 3

River of Lights Experience millions of glowing, sparkling lights and sculptures synchronized to music. Daily, $5-$10 ABQ BIO PARK 903 10TH SW, 505.768.2000

BOOK SIGNING

Nine Goldfish in David’s Pond Ellen Hasenecz Calvert reads from and signs her bilingual children’s book. 1p, FREE

TREASURE HOUSE BOOKS & GIFTS, 2012 SOUTH PLAZA NW, 505.7204

INDIAN PUEBLO CULTURAL CENTER, 2401 12TH NW, 505.843.7272

Cliff’s Magical Christmas

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

Purls, this month the discussion focuses on Knit the Season. 7p, FREE

This 90-year-old community event is the Fiesta of our Lady of Guadalupe. 6-8p, FREE SOUTH BROADWAY CULTURAL CENTER 1025 BROADWAY SE, 505.848.1320

Grief in the Holidays Family Day This is an event to help families coping with the loss of a loved one during the holidays. 9a-12p, FREE/RSVP req. GRIEF CENTER 3001 TRELLIS NW, 505.323.0478

SUN

Chanukah Festival An afternoon filled with Jewish ethnic foods, culture, music and more. 12p-4p,$6-$8 EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL 1000 WOODWARD NE, 505.348.4500

MON

Book/Knitting Club Renamed Reading

Supper with Santa Meet Santa while having a holiday meal before or after your visit to the River of Lights. daily, FREE SHARK REEF CAFE, ABQ BIO PARK, 2601 CENTRAL NW, 505.848.7182

WED

Winter Open House Crafts, refreshments, live music and more. Donations accepted for Storehouse West Food Pantry. 4:30-6:30p, FREE LOMA COLORADO MAIN LIBRARY, 755 LOMA COLORADO NE, 505.896.8819

WED.-SUN./THROUGH 12.21

Trolley of Lights Enjoy a 75-minute tour of holiday cheer. 6:30p, $12-$20 ABQ TROLLEY CO. 800 RIO GRANDE NW, 505.240.8000

FRI

SCREENING

A Christmas Story Holiday classic about a boy named Ralphie and his family. 8p, $4-$6 KIMO THEATRE 421 CENTRAL NW, 505.768.3522

Drawing Class All levels open drawing class with Dave Blecha. 1-3p, FREE OFFCENTER COMMUNITY

ARTS PROJECT 808 PARK SW, 505.247.1172

SAT

THROUGH DEC. 21

4th Annual Santa Paws and Stripes Support Paws and Stripes with a picture of your 2- or 4- legged family members. FREE PETSMART 10248 COORS BYPASS NW, 505.999.1201

SUN

Annual Winter Solstice Seed Mandala Help build a mandala using seeds and natural materials. 11a, FREE OPEN SPACE VISITOR CENTER 6500 COORS NW, 505.897.8831

WED

Luminaria Tour Enjoy a NM tradition of luminarias and twinkle lights through the Old Town area. 5p-7:45p, $1.75-$3 ABQ CONVENTION CENTER, 401 2ND NW, 505.786.4575

Tasty Wed.: Sweet and Spicy Pecans Grown in NM, these organic pecans are prepared by our chefs, with a little history thrown in. 2p, $5 LOS POBLANOS HISTORIC INN 4803 RIO GRANDE NW, 505.344.9297

smart ARTS

he story of a green ogre, a secret-harboring princess and a loud-mouthed donkey comes to life in Albuquerque in the Tony Award-winning Shrek The Musical. Based on the Oscar-winning animated film, this musical originally debuted on Broadway in December 2008 and ran until January 2010. Now, Musical Theatre Southwest is Shrek The Musical presenting a holiday 7:30p, Fri. & Sat.; 4p, performance that’s Sun.; Dec. 12-28 designed to delight African American Performing Arts Center audiences in New 310 San Pedro NE, 505.265.9119 Mexico. Warren and $15-$22 Courtney Wilgus direct musicaltheatresw.com/shrek the local production, in which Bryan Durden makes his Musical Theatre Southwest debut as Shrek. Janine O’Neill appears onstage as Princess Fiona, marking her fifth year with MTS. Shrek The Musical closely resembles the movie that inspired it, incorporating songs from the film into a fresh score written by award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori. In the end, Shrek comes out being the hero and, of course, they all live happily ever after. —Melyssa Laurent

Find more artist profiles, exhibits and performance previews at Local-iQ.com/ARTS

he tale of Alfred Morang is as colorful, Morang and compelling, tragic and epilogue-filled Friends: Artwork as a best-selling novel. A fervent artist, and Artifacts of Morang was the epicenter of a bohemian Alfred Morang society he helped ignite in Santa Fe near the Opening Reception: end of the 1930s. He was an astute champion 5-7p, Fri., Dec. 12  of the arts who painted in the style of the Matthews Gallery   French impressionists, suspended in the 669 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, 505.992.2882 otherworldly light of New Mexico. Although FREE he was highly regarded in Santa Fe, Morang’s thematthewsgallery.com art didn’t earn him much in the way of fame or fortune. He died in a fire at his Canyon Road studio in 1958 — consumed, with his cats, in a pyre of his own paintings one ice-cold January night. Yet his story was far from over. Some 30 years later, a Santa Fe collector caught wind of Morang and began to play detective. His curiosity evolved into full-blown obsession, and he embarked on a nationwide “treasure hunt” to uncover artifacts from the unsung artist’s life. Santa Fe’s Matthews Gallery will present those telling pieces alongside works by Morang and his contemporaries in Morang and Friends: Artwork and Artifacts of Alfred Morang. Among the objects on display through Dec. 26: Morang’s ever-present violin, worn from countless playings and licked with black char. —Laura Marrich

lbuquerque chorus Las Posadas Soli Musica presents a and The Christmas concert to lift Rhythms of holiday spirits. The chorus will Christmas perform Conrad Susa’s “Carols 3 & 7p, Sat., and Lullabies: Christmas in the Dec. 13; Southwest” as well as familiar 3p, Sun., Dec. 14 Sandia Prep High Christmas and seasonal tunes. School (Sat.) Susa, whose works include the 532 Osuna NE, 1973 opera Transformations, a 505.338.3000 South Broadway prolific work based on poet Anne Cultural Center (Sun.) Sexton’s retelling of Grimm’s 1025 Broadway SE, fairy tales, was widely known for 505.848.1320 his operas. In this piece, he was $5-$12 inspired by the traditional carols solimusica.com of Spanish-speaking countries, while the additions of harp and marimba further color each song. Under the direction of Verallen Kleinhenz, with accompaniment by Dorenda Morse, Soli Musica performs a matinee and evening concert at Sandia Prep on Saturday, and at the South Broadway Cultural Center on Sunday afternoon. —Melyssa Laurent

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

FILM

FI LM RE EL

By Jordan Mahoney

20,000 Days on Earth DIRECTED BY IAIN FORSYTH AND JANE POLLARD

8:30p, Tue.-Fri., Dec. 16-19 Guild Cinema 3405 Central NE, 505.255.1848

20000daysonearth.com guildcinema.com

ost of Nick Cave’s 20,000 Days on Earth have been devoted to songwriting and storytelling — from his not-sohumble post-rock beginnings in The Birthday Party, to the bluesy, gothic Bad Seeds, the group he’s fronted for decades. That’s what this slightly fictitious documentary is all about: Cave’s history, his cherished memories and the creative process. We see Cave driving around his hometown of Brighton in no particular hurry, playing chauffeur to a number of friends and artists who appear in his backseat like ghosts. Pop icon Kylie Minogue even makes an appearance, tied to Cave through their duet, “Where the Wild Roses Grow,” arguably his most successful tune. He paints a picture of his wayward youth, doing a lot of heroin and a lot of praying, hoping the two would balance out. Now in his fifties, his life, and writing process, is much simpler: reading, watching TV with his twins and just writing. Throughout the film, the singer attempts to remain somewhat enigmatic. But in the live performances, we see Cave bare all in his boisterous swagger and his lamenting croon.

The Babadook DIRECTED BY JENNIFER KENT

10p, Sun. & Mon., Dec. 14 & 15 Guild Cinema 3405 Central NE, 505.255.1848

thebabadook.com guildcinema.com

f we’ve learned anything from The Omen, Rosemary’s Baby or Eraserhead, it’s that having a child can be truly terrifying. The Babadook, an Australian indie-horror flick, perpetuates the notion, as single mother Amelia is run ragged by her son, Samuel (young Noah Wiseman, energetic and effectively irritating).

Like most children, Samuel scurries afraid into his mother’s bed at night. Unlike most children, Samuel also creates crude, medieval contraptions to fend off potential monsters. One night, he brings his mother an unusual bedtime story called “Mister Babadook.” It’s a brittle-paged pop-up book with hand-drawn sketches of a nighttime visitor with a top hat, beady eyes and sharp, jutting claws. The morbid tale fueling his imagination, Samuel is in rare, volatile form, and Amelia becomes truly convinced that the Babadook is knocking, and would like to come in. The film has the makings of classic horror — a blue-gray house with

Australian horror film The Babadook (left) follows Samuel (Noah Wiseman) as the imaginative son of Amelia (Essie Davis) in an unconventional thriller. Jennifer Lawrence (right) returns as Katniss in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1. a Victorian air of gloom, and a well-designed monster invading it. The third act, however (and without spoiling anything), becomes almost too allegorical, too figurative for its own good. Nonetheless, The Babadook scares, and it lingers in the armoire in the back of your mind.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 DIRECTED BY FRANCIS LAWRENCE

Call for show times Century Rio 24 4901 Pan American NE, 505.343.9000

thehungergamesexplorer.com cinemark.com

oomsday prepping — that’s what Mockingjay, Part 1 of the last in the Hunger Games trilogy is all about (with less rednecks). It’s the same formula as the first chapter of the final Harry Potter; but unlike the wizarding world, Hunger Games, with its politically charged overtones, seems unnervingly relevant in a time of protest and police brutality. If you’ve forgotten what happened in Catching Fire, all you need to know is that Katniss effectively destroyed the Quarter Quell (an all-star Hunger Games for past victors), and was snatched by the rebels of District 13 before the Capitol could get their glittery, blood-soaked hands on her. This go around, we see less of the twisted, Seussian Capitol, and more of the drab, gun-metal-gray District 13, where Katniss is being modeled into the poster child of the rebellion. Constructing her image are President Coin (Julianne Moore) and propaganda engineer Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman, in one of his final performances). The film at times can be redundant, the source material stretched a little too far. But as Katniss and the rebels tread familiar ground, the stakes do rise, albeit slowly, as they prepare for a final assault on the powers that be.

30 LOCAL iQ

Sinking the film industry, one leak at a time

| ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

e’re still about a year away from Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, but it seems like every weekend there’s a new leaked photo of a set piece or concept sketch. I know we want to find out exactly what’s going down in 2015, but these leaks are getting out of hand. Don’t get me wrong; I can fully understand the passion that many nerds feel when they’re combing through the teaser trailer frame by frame, but leaks are actually hurting the fans. Worse, they can hurt the people working on these projects. Star Wars is not the only franchise under attack. With the prevalence of social media, almost every movie has a problem keeping its secrets. Yes, it’s easy to assume that leaks won’t hurt anybody because, “We’re going to see the movies anyway.” But leaks harm the men and women working on these movies, and I mean New Mexico filmmakers. Here’s an example: I worked at ABQ Studios when The Lone Ranger was being shot. We all knew The Lone Ranger was being filmed on-set. It wasn’t a secret, but we didn’t have an official announcement. During filming, many set pieces were erected right in the middle of the parking lot. Yeah, some of these pieces could easily be seen from the public road parallel to the lot. But it was someone working on the lot who took a photo and shared it to a local movie blogger. Within hours of being posted, everyone inside the gates got an email reminding us never to take photos of anyone else’s projects or set pieces. The email was pretty straightforward. To summarize: “Respect everyone else’s work as you would like your own work to be respected.” Oh, and, “No photographs are allowed … this rule is on the parking pass you were issued!” The photo remained on their site, but the blogger changed the Lone Ranger caption to a more ambiguous description. I don’t know who blew the whistle on it, or who gave everyone on the lot a slap on the wrist, but I’m glad they did. This small incident could have turned into something much worse. What if Disney ran across it? It could have made New Mexico studios look like they can’t protect a film’s privacy. Something like that might deter Disney from filming here again. Luckily, ABQ Studios was on top of it. Even so, I want to stress the seriousness of leaking photos or revealing secrets, especially from a film safe haven like a studio lot or closed set. Leaks violate the trust between the studios and their employees, their contractors and community. It makes our fellow New Mexican filmmakers, filming locations and even security look amateur. It affects jobs, tarnishes reputations and quite possibly risks lawsuits. Gaining likes or re-shares on social media, increasing the popularity of a blog or merely impressing friends is not worth it. New Mexican filmmakers have worked very hard to prove they’re as good, if not better, than their California counterparts. We don’t need something so easily avoidable damaging the reputation that our community has worked so hard to build. We need to protect the secrets we’re entrusted with in order to protect the future of our local film industry. We’ve all driven by cool movie things found just beyond “Special Event Ahead” signs. We can all follow the arrows affixed to stop signs to the nearest movie set. We’ve even taken photos of things we know are “movie things.” Please, for the love of New Mexico filmmakers, don’t post these photos online. We’re still trying to recover from Christian Bale’s rant on the set of Terminator Salvation. So just keep it to yourself. Dan Gutierrez is executive producer of Good Day New Mexico at KOB-TV 4.

P L A N E T WAVES ARIES (MAR. 20-APR. 19) Keep what you say meaningful, mindful and minimal. Your words have impact beyond what you know. I know the “meaningful” part is challenging, since you can’t usually decide for yourself what is meaningful to others, anyway. You can, however, focus on what is meaningful to you, and describe it in as few words as possible. The tendency of your astrology at the moment is many words, not a few words, however. And the tendency as well is to water them down. If you want to go overboard, do it in writing. And you will stay closer to meaning if you stick to what you’re the least comfortable saying, what is the most private; or pushing the edge of your comfort zone, you will verge directly into meaning. You can say these things to yourself, and you can experiment saying them to others. The meeting point of the two is putting them into writing — and sharing the writing, while the inspiration and sense of daring is still with you. TAURUS (APR. 19-MAY 20) Sex is cosmic. Why is that so controversial? Could it be that someone made it so? If you look around, most of the controversies of the world are fabricated, and most things that should be getting the buzz going are kept on the down-low. Seen one way, the cosmic nature of sex, phrased as a question, begs the true nature of existence. We all got here from sex. But that’s the ordinary part. The interesting part is the access to consciousness granted by sex; that is, by sexual desire, experience, curiosity and what can happen in sexual relationships. What can happen is discovery. What can happen is alchemy, between two or more people, and within oneself. Here is a clue: Alchemy is a relic of the ancient world. It’s not regarded as real, today, even though so much of it happens. To see alchemy for what it is, look at the world through ancient eyes. Look at the world as if you were dropped into its midst from some other simpler, quieter civilization.

stoke right now. There are others that will work much better — like cooperation. I was going to say “group integration” but that’s a term better used in the Aquarius horoscope. This astrology is coming from Aquarius by the way — in the form of Mars entering your opposite sign. As for pride, I know the temptation may be there, though it will come off to others as confrontational, and that’s unlikely to be what you want to do. At the same time, you may be noticing that others are asserting themselves to you, that is, asserting their will and their ideas. The key is to meet them without resistance. Imagine the encounter as more like dancing and less like wrestling. When dancing you have to apply some strength and firmness and yet be flexible and flow. Then imagine a group of people doing this dance, without choreography — just music. Listen for the music. VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEP. 22) Listen to what your body is saying. Your body will reveal secrets about your past, if you will only listen. I suggest you ease back on sugar, caffeine and anything else that might alter your consciousness, at least over the next few days. This is for the express purpose of tuning into the messages that are profoundly important but also can be easily obscured. The thing you might have to offer in the equation is the willingness to experience some discomfort. You might also need to sort out the content of what is happening in a current relationship until you understand the subtext. And you will need to see beneath any feelings that you may have about your family, particularly your father’s side of the family. All of this will be worth it. It will be a small inconvenience to bear, on the way to making what could be the first of many discoveries that set you solidly on the healing path. LIBRA (SEP. 22-OCT. 23) It’s time to bring the passion back into sex. Passion does not necessarily mean love affair, and it does not mean soul mate. It has nothing to do with “spiritual” unless you’re someone who associates spiritual with biology. This is less about being horny and more about being curious and creative. Imagine if we unhooked from sex all those other values, and just left curious and creative. We would have something fun to play with. You in particular need sex to be interesting, whatever kind of sex it may be. Interesting translates to something different, and a spirit of experimentation. I know this passage of writing will never get into the Missionary’s Guide to Perfect Fidelity, and that’s a good thing too. You’re not a missionary and perfect fidelity is not your goal. In fact it may be the last thing on your mind right now. Remember, curiosity, creativity, experimentation. SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 22) Aah yes family, the original group. The tribe. The thing to which we think we belong, and yet somehow, so often, do not belong. The group by which all other groups are measured. You may encounter the temptation to define yourself by the ways in which you’ve got nothing in common with those people. You may be feeling some anger, directed at the past, perhaps for the way things are today. You may get the urge to “burn down their house” (metaphorically, of course). Anger is useful. It’s a reminder that you may actually have a beef with someone, though it’s not always clear who, or why. I suggest you sort that out. Start by assuming that anger is a clue; merely a clue. Then once you have that clue, follow it in and see if you can figure out the dynamic. Don’t be attached to any one discovery. Hang loose and be flexible as you move from idea to idea. You will learn a lot the next few weeks as you do this.

by Eric Francis • planetwaves.net it’s a heck of a lot deeper; more like the direct memory of something you learned a long time ago. This could be a fleeting experience for you, though I suggest you focus on any interesting revelations long enough to get the actual content and impact of the message. You could find yourself remembering all kinds of things that are absolutely beyond your experience, training and knowledge level. I suggest that you not declare yourself any kind of expert or lay claim to this information any more than to enter a relationship with it. This is something that can develop over time, if you make the investment of focus and reflection. CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 20) Mars leaves your sign, ending an interesting micro-era of your life. This began Oct. 26, and it probably started with a bang or two. Looking back, what do you see from a distance, and with the perspective of time? I would encourage your curiosity about the events of the second week of November. What did you learn? It has a bearing on the next few weeks, with the main point of contact being what happens when you judge yourself for things that are outside your control, or judge yourself at all. One of the ways that you, personally, handle the global selfesteem crisis is to detach yourself from the issue. It’s actually a pretty good strategy, since so much of “lack of self-esteem” is a kind of red herring. Often, it involves a conjob by someone else — in the distant past or five minutes ago. But sometimes you cannot distance yourself; sometimes you have to grab the question, look it in the face and say: AND?

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 19) Mars enters your sign and Mars sign GEMINI (MAY 20-JUN. 21) changes are always meaningful, and You could be the walking controversy soon, always noticeable, though this one bears for no good reason. You could cause a fuss a personal message to you. The theme is by saying “have a nice day.” The key will be how you use your energy. That’s significant not taking this personally. Along the same now because you will have access to plenty vein, you could be triggered by something said by another. Remember, this is all more — drive, motivation, persuasiveness an illusion. It may feel very real to some and personal power. This may be offpeople, especially the ones who thrive on putting to some people. You don’t need controversy or use it to stoke their identity. to make your case strongly, or for that As a Gemini you have a gift for keeping it matter at all. You will definitely need to light. You can get serious, though you can apply diplomacy to any situation in which dial in a kind of levity and the appearance of being superficial. You may need this you find yourself. If you don’t add that as skill now, and I suggest you use it without a conscious factor, you are likely to decide hesitating. It’s highly unlikely that anything that you just don’t care and dust it up with polarizing will have actual meaning, though someone needlessly. So I suggest you apply it could have real impact — not the best your best Aquarian cool, and distribute that combination. Keep a smile on your face, Martian energy evenly through your circuits. and when people get feisty, pretend not to understand. Then listen carefully — Let Mars make you more of what you are: there may be some profound wisdom humane, idealistic, and — underneath a underneath all the bluster and chaos. mind often boggled with a whole bunch of CANCER (JUN. 21-JUL. 22) ideas — passionate and sensitive. How are you doing at learning to take PISCES (FEB. 19-MAR. 20) things less personally? Or rather, maybe Keep your plans big, and keep them the process is meeting every experience to yourself. What you’re doing now — of your life on such an intimate, inner everything from the changes you’re level that it becomes so personal that you embrace existence fully. By this I mean it’s initiating to the edge you’re walking along possible for you to understand everything — has the power to grow into something as something that happens within you. far beyond what you currently have, or think The perfect analogy: In a dream, a whole is possible. You don’t need to trace that world arises, complete with people, trajectory, or even plot out the scenarios. scenery, theme and logic. In our culture, To do so would likely be to limit yourself. we understand that a dream is something that happens within us. (There are other Rather, focus on the kernel of what you’re approaches — for another day.) Now think doing, as close to the seed of the idea as of the world’ as something that happens you can. Retreat inward rather than extend within your senses, within your mind, yourself outward, particularly on this one within your consciousness. This is, at least, thing that you’ve got a grasp on, or that biologically true: your whole experience of has a hold on your interest. Yes, the Sun in life happens within your brain and nervous SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 22) system. Imagine the influence that gives You really do know — even if you think you Sagittarius moving across your solar 10th you. Consider how vital your own attention don’t, and especially if you’re not supposed house is about expanding and being visible, is to your experience of life. Count as real to. To make an observation, you don’t which you can do in other ways — in ways the ability you have to choose for yourself need to have read the book or collected that are already tried and true. As for this the certification. There are some things what is true and what is not. new thing you’re discovering, keep that LEO (JUL. 22-AUG. 23) you just know. You might call it intuition, between yourself and your notebook. Pride is the last feeling that you want to but from the look of your solar chart

THE AMERICAN VALUES CLUB CROSSWORD “Charge!” By Francis Heaney, edited by Ben Tausig. Difficulty 4.5/5

ACROSS 1 They’re certainly not dead to rights: Abbr. 5 Poke fun at 9 Nostril dividers 14 Drescher or Lebowitz 15 Show at a convention center 16 How very few like their nuts? 17 Spaghetti sauce ingredients, perhaps 19 So fucking psyched 20 ___ d’art 21 One in a tight shirt with a little whistle 23 Egyptian cobras 24 Michael who played Klingon commander Kang in three different 30-Across series 25 Actress whose Oscar win was rumored to be caused by Jack Palance drunkenly misreading Vanessa Redgrave’s name (not true; see Snopes) 27 Price, as offset by financial benefits 29 Like ninjas in the shadows 30 Show with Klingons, casually 31 It may be sage 34 Compass dir. that’s almost a music festival 35 Pest whose larvae feed on tubers

37 Org. that’s given more awards (23) to George Strait than any other performer 40 “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” e.g. (sorry to break it to you) 41 Crybaby’s sound 42 “Parks & Recreation” town 45 Brutally violent Indonesian leader of the mid-to-late20th century 48 Baseball simulation brand that paved the way for modern fantasy sports 51 No longer an octogenarian 52 Successor 53 ___-cone 54 Star in the constellation Cygnus 55 “The Larry Sanders Show” producer 57 Book full of inside information? 60 Small songbirds 61 Look given while catcalling 62 “Venerable” monk 63 Creepy but also quite talented singer Gainsbourg 64 Heading to sudden death, say 65 Correction

DOWN 1 Continent that is very large and has many Ebola-free countries, despite a New Jersey

school freaking out over two new students from Rwanda: Abbr. 2 Singers like Bryan Ferry and Michael Bublé 3 Slow-cooked Moroccan dish 4 Flag that would’ve needed a redesign if Scotland had voted for independence 5 Some Volkswagens 6 Salad spinner brand 7 It scrambles for the egg 8 Old Testament prophet 9 “I’m frequently told that I resemble someone’s best friend who still likes ___”: Conan O’Brien 10 Mob-style 11 Recently discontinued diet cola, maybe because it was carcinogenic, maybe not, who knows 12 House of skin 13 Contributes, as carrots to the 3-Down 18 Commercial prefix with postale or soles 22 Durian, e.g. 24 What people look like, from the observation deck 26 Scooch bit by bit 28 French comedy legend Jacques

32 Moon of Saturn named for a Titaness 33 Expensive Norwegian bottled water brand called “bullshit” by Vice magazine 35 “Nooooo don’t make me go to bed, come ONNNNN Moooommmmmm,” e.g. 36 Playwright Clifford 37 Was totally out of control 38 Swimmer who won five gold medals in Seoul 39 Salty hello 40 Battered thing that might have made you cry when you cut it 41 Hit 1996 single that is the world’s catchiest song, according to Dutch researchers 42 Dismissive remarks 43 Pied-___ 44 J.J. Abrams, for the 1997 PesciGlover buddy comedy “Gone Fishin’ ” 46 Like naturally colored fabrics 47 Gets a move on 49 Valuable brick 50 One of several in Buckingham Palace 56 Language suffix 58 Ginger ___ 59 “True, but even so ...”

SOLUTION ON PAGE 32

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

Credit and the loss of a loved one

hen loved ones pass away, their debts are usually left for us to deal with. Most people don’t know what to do in this situation, and it can cause a lot of problems for the family left behind — especially for the executor of the estate who takes care of settling the estate. The first thing to do is contact all three reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. Have the social security number of your loved one available and report them as deceased. This will help with possible ID theft issues in the future. I have seen ID theft committed right after someone has passed away. Next, contact the creditors of the person who has passed, and advise them to close all active accounts as deceased. Fax the creditor a copy of the death certificate; this will stop collection calls because the creditor will know why the account is not being paid. If there are no funds in the estate, simply send a letter along with the death certificate copy that states something to the effect of, “Attached is a copy of the death certificate for my family member who has passed away, with no assets to resolve any of his or her debts. Please close the file as deceased. We want no further calls in this matter to any of the numbers you may have for my deceased family member, or any numbers you may have

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 11-25, 2014

for our family members. All calls and mail correspondence are to cease and desist from the date of when this letter is received.” Letting the creditors know what is going on should keep them from bothering your family members. If there are assets, you can negotiate settlements with the creditors to get the money paid to their accounts, so that all creditors get something. Go to creditrescuenow.com and click “Settlements” to guide you. Remember: We have free credit educational workshops on the second Saturday of each month. You can RSVP by calling 505.899.1448. Until next time, good credit to you. Michael Ramos is president of the Albuquerque credit counseling business Credit Rescue Now (creditrescuenow.com).