By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — Professional hockey is back in New Mexico. That alone would make this a noteworthy weekend, but Rio Rancho and the surrounding region add an R&B arena show, a free Halloween movie night, an astrophotography workshop, a pet shot clinic and a comedian who got fired from Trader Joe’s for reasons you need to hear in person.
Thursday: Comedy starts early
Craig Conant opens a three-night run at Quezada’s Comedy Club, 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Bernalillo, with shows Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The LA-born Comedy Store regular built his following on confessional storytelling, sobriety and chaotic life experiences — including the viral bit “Loosey Goosey” and the now-legendary story of getting fired from Trader Joe’s for farting on his manager. He’s performed at Just for Laughs (named a New Face of Comedy) and Netflix Is A Joke, and tours alongside Bill Burr, Theo Von and Bobby Lee. Tickets from $42 at quezadas.holdmyticket.com.
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| The New Mexico Goatheads begin practice in their inaugural season Tuesday morning in Rio Rancho. Their first game will be on October 16th at the Rio Rancho Events Center. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales for the Paper |
Friday: Puck drops, horno fires up
The New Mexico Goatheads drop the puck Friday at 7 p.m. at the Rio Rancho Events Center, marking the return of professional hockey to the City of Vision for the first time in nearly two decades. Opening night is sold out, with the first 6,000 fans receiving LED glow rods as part of the inaugural festivities. The Goatheads host the Idaho Steelheads in all three games of opening weekend, playing as the ECHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.
Before puck drop, head out to Jemez Springs: Jemez Historic Site hosts a traditional horno corn roast Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Community member Randy Tenorio will demonstrate how to roast corn from this season’s harvest in the site’s newly restored outdoor adobe oven — and offer a taste. Additional roasted corn will be available for purchase. Admission is $7 for adults; children 16 and younger, Tribal members, NM disabled veterans, NM foster families and MNMF and FCJHS members get in free. The site is at 18160 NM-4, Jemez Springs.
The Nate Fox Band takes The BLOCK Main Stage at 7 p.m. at 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE.
Saturday: Game two, a fiesta, stargazing, a pet clinic and Fuerza Regida
The Goatheads play game two of opening weekend Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Events Center. The first 3,000 fans receive a free rally towel. Limited single-game tickets remain; check nmgoatheads.com.
Bring your pets to a shot clinic Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Health Commons Building, 1500 Idalia Rd., Bernalillo. Services offered on a first-come, first-serve basis include microchips, distemper vaccines and Bordetella vaccines. Cat owners should leave pets in their vehicle and check in at the table on arrival.
Jemez Historic Site offers a full day and evening of astronomy Saturday. In “Looking to the Skies” (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Albuquerque photographer Joey Sandoval leads a workshop on DSLR and cellphone nighttime photography, followed by safe solar viewing through a special telescope. That evening, “Star Gazing at Gisewa” (8 to 11 p.m.) brings Sandoval back for guided night-sky photography alongside telescope viewing of stars, the moon and Saturn. “Looking to the Skies” is included with $7 admission; “Star Gazing at Gisewa” is $10. Children 16 and younger, Tribal members, NM disabled veterans, NM foster families and MNMF and FCJHS members are free for both. Tickets at my.nmculture.org/56501/60529.
Coronado Historic Site’s Ranger Read and Learn visits the Martha Liebert Public Library, 124 Calle Malinche, Bernalillo, from 10 to 11 a.m. A park ranger will read “Archaeologists and What They Do” by Liesbet Slegers, then lead kids through pot sherd exploration, a puzzle and hands-on artifact digging. Geared toward ages 4 to 8; free.
The Town of Bernalillo hosts its Fiesta de Música y Cultura Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Bernalillo Recreation Center, 370 Rotary Park Road — a free afternoon of music, food and cultural performances.
The BLOCK’s Pumpkin Patch kicks off Saturday with Andrea’s Face Painting noon to 5 p.m. at 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE, followed by a free outdoor screening of “Ernest Scared Stupid” at 7 p.m. Bring a non-perishable food item for Storehouse West and take home a pumpkin.
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| THE BLOCK in Rio Rancho food hall. (Kevin Hendricks) |
Sunday: Game three, Hocus Pocus and Bryson Tiller
The Goatheads close their opening weekend Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Events Center — three home games in three days to open the inaugural season.
The BLOCK continues the Pumpkin Patch Sunday with face painting noon to 5 p.m., Braingang Trivia at 5 p.m. and a free outdoor screening of “Hocus Pocus” at 7 p.m. No outside food or drink.
The Corrales Growers’ Market runs Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon at 500 Jones Rd., Corrales — one of the season’s final three dates before the market closes Nov. 1.
What’s happening this weekend
New Mexico Goatheads — Opening Weekend
Where: Rio Rancho Events Center, 3001 Civic Center Circle NE
Fri, Oct. 16 | 7 p.m. vs. Idaho Steelheads — SOLD OUT (LED glow rod giveaway)
Sat, Oct. 17 | 7 p.m. vs. Idaho Steelheads (rally towel giveaway, first 3,000 fans)
Sun, Oct. 18 | 3 p.m. vs. Idaho Steelheads
Tickets: nmgoatheads.com
The BLOCK — Weekend lineup
Where: 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE, Rio Rancho
Fri, Oct. 16 | 7 p.m.: Nate Fox Band
Sat, Oct. 17 | Noon–5 p.m.: Pumpkin Patch face painting; 7 p.m.: “Ernest Scared Stupid” (free; bring a non-perishable for Storehouse West, take home a pumpkin)
Sun, Oct. 18 | Noon–5 p.m.: Pumpkin Patch face painting; 5 p.m.: Braingang Trivia; 7 p.m.: “Hocus Pocus” (free; no outside food or drink)
Mon, Oct. 19 | 6 p.m.: Boardgame Battle
Craig Conant — Quezada’s Comedy Club
When: Thu, Oct. 15–Sat, Oct. 17 | 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. nightly
Where: 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Bernalillo (Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel)
Tickets: From $42 | quezadas.holdmyticket.com
Jemez Historic Site — Corn Roast & Astronomy Weekend
Where: 18160 NM-4, Jemez Springs
Fri, Oct. 16 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.: Horno Corn Roast (included with $7 admission)
Sat, Oct. 17 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: “Looking to the Skies” photography workshop
Children 16 & under, Tribal members, NM disabled veterans, NM foster families, MNMF & FCJHS members: free
Tickets: my.nmculture.org/56501/60529
Ranger Read and Learn
When: Sat, Oct. 17 | 10–11 a.m.
Where: Martha Liebert Public Library, 124 Calle Malinche, Bernalillo
Story: “Archaeologists and What They Do” | Ages 4–8 | Free
Fiesta de Música y Cultura
When: Sat, Oct. 17 | 2–4 p.m.
Where: Bernalillo Recreation Center, 370 Rotary Park Road
Free
Pet Shot Clinic
When: Sat, Oct. 17 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: South Parking Lot, Health Commons Building, 1500 Idalia Rd., Bernalillo
Services: Microchips, distemper vaccines, Bordetella vaccines
First come, first serve | Cat owners: leave pets in vehicle, check in at table
Corrales Growers’ Market
When: Sun, Oct. 18 | 9 a.m.–noon (final dates: Oct. 25 & Nov. 1)
Where: 500 Jones Rd., Corrales | 505-899-8900