ABQrising

You know… What the big ass capital F. Seriously. What? I’ve taken care of my responsibilities for the week. If I want to have an afternoon beer then dammit I’m going to have one ten. The Golden West is ashed out, the El Rey’s terracotta roof is a little over baked, and the Launchpad is grounded indefinitely. You can’t judge me.

The video is just unreal. I can’t believe it.

Not that any of the venues are the 8th Wonder of the World, but the Golden West and El Rey are grossly historic. I hate to say it, but the old adage (revised — what I was in the middle of the wake when I wrote this) is true: you don’t know [what you] have until its gone. I think a lot of folks took the history of the El Rey for granted. Always a little outshined by the KiMo, you know.

The Launchpad is well on its way to becoming one of those “must have” played venues for future legends of rock, too.

I hope Joe Anderson can bring “Burque’s Best Music Venue” back to life. Man. And God bless Kathy Zimmer and her family’s effort in recent years to revitalize the Golden West and El Rey. Not that everything was perfect, but did you catch a show there lately? Talk about steps in the right direction.

The Trib shuts down on Saturday and El Rey/Golden West burn down on Thursday? Albuquerque, preserve your freakin’ history.

What a blow to the local music scene.

Did you know we’re in the middle of V-Day? Ok, forgive the misnomer, but V-Day is actually a month long womens awareness movement celebrated from February 1st to March 8th. During this month long movement, across the globe women collaborate in performances of Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues. So where can you catch a local V-logues production and show your support? The UNM School of Law, of course.

This Thursday, Friday and Saturday, students and professors from the Women’s Law Caucus at the UNMSOL will hold public performances of the acclaimed play. Tickets are $5 for (UNM?) students and $10 for members of the community. The curtain rises at 6pm in auditorium 2401 at the law school (1117 Standford Dr. NE).

I had the great fortune of catching the WLC’s performance last year. Good stuff. If you’ve never seen the play or maybe it’s been awhile since you’ve caught it, this is a great (and affordable) opportunity to see what all the fuss is about and support a pretty amazing group of women.

Check it out. Two thumbs up, or however you show support for theatre.

The 3rd annual Hyperactive Music Festival & Conference is gearing up to invade Downtown Albuquerque yet again. The event brings hundreds of music industry types to the Duke City for three days of music and mingling. This year’s showcase is slated to take place in the Spring, May 22-24, at all your favorite Downtown venues (albeit, the Launchpad, right?). Artists are encouraged to visit the festival’s website and submit their bid to perform all along Albuquerque’s stretch of Route 66.

The bill for last year’s festival was fantastic. Loads of quality music for your sonic consuming ear canal. Tell your friends and family! What a great way to let loose for a weekend.

I’m not much of a gambler. When I hit up a casino I set myself a pretty low limit with the expectation of losing it all. It’s an ‘entertainment expense’ — that is my justification (oddly enough, it isn’t tax deductible). Point is, I’m more likely to know where the no limits bar (I kid) parking lot is than the poker room. The guy at House of Cards Radio, however, has the complete lowdown on local cards action. On an extended stay in our lovely state, he managed to hit damn near ever casino I could think of within a reasonable driving distance of Burque.

The busiest and largest room in the area is, by far, Sandia — about ten minutes north of Albuquerque and just east of Interstate 25. If you have just one day or so in town and want to be sure to find a game, come here.

. . . .

Sky City is about 20 minutes further west. They only have a game on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s a $4 - $8 hold ‘em I was told — but it wasn’t running when I was there in the afternoon.

. . . .

The poker room at Camel Rock Casino, about 15 minutes northwest of Santa Fe, is more of an alcove than a room, with smoking right up to the opening of the three table area.

…And the review goes on! I guess this is what you do when your a traveling accountant (auditor, I’d presume).

A few years ago, Broken Lizard filmed a substantial portion of their barfly-classic Beerfest in Albuquerque. Good for us, I can drink to that. Well, apparently we’re something of a magnet for suds films. Word is country musician Toby Keith has adapted his hit song “Beer for my Horses” into a screen play for a major motion picture. And where will it be shot? That’s right, Burque, what!

No word on any boots going places they shouldn’t, but a few drinks in and who knows what will happen.

Some bands came through Albuquerque this weekend. They played together at Misty’s Hideaway. Their thoughts:

We arrived at Misty’s Hideaway at around 11:15 pm. Diverje were just ending and Vertigo Venus were about to go on. We loaded into Misty’s which is one of those clubs located in a strip mall and soaked up the scene. Actually most of Albuquerque looks like a strip mall.

Strip mall, eh? Well, uh, you may have a point. Really though? You arrived in the dark of night and decided we’re just one giant strip mall?

I insisted that we eat at Tucanos Brazilian Grill for Sunday brunch and I’m now the hero of the day. Words can not describe how good the food is there and the whole band just stuffed ourselves silly. Tommy T took us here on the AD tour and I’ve been in love with it ever since. highly recommended!

Hmmm… well at least one of you ventured out of strip mall country and found your way into Downtown.

Albuquerque as musical muse? Hmmm…

In an interview with the Boston Herald, Richard Hawley, singer/songwriter/breathing humanoid, spoke of his barrio and the role it plays in his music.

“I don’t know what it’s like to live in Paris or Boston or Albuquerque or LA - but I do know what it’s like to live in Sheffield, having lived here all my life,” [Hawley] says.

Don’t feel bad, Dick. I mean, I’ve lived in two of those cities, but I’ve never lived in Sheffield, England, nor have I been nominated for the Mercury Prize.

Hat tip, Largehearted Boy.