By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — There are weekends and then there are weekends. This one has playoff soccer, back-to-back hockey, a veteran stand-up comedian doing two shows a night, a 30th anniversary animal rescue gala, a free book festival and a star party in the mountains. Pick your adventure — there’s enough here for all of them.
Friday: Comedy, art and puck drop
The Goatheads open a two-game homestand Friday against the Allen Americans at 7 p.m. at the Rio Rancho Events Center, 3001 Civic Center Circle NE. It’s Youth Sports Night — a good excuse to bring the whole crew. Tickets at nmgoatheads.com.
Harland Williams opens a two-night run at Quezada’s Comedy Club at Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, Bernalillo, with shows at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Canadian-American comedian and actor built his name on gleefully unhinged storytelling — film fans know him from “Dumb and Dumber,” “Half Baked,” “There’s Something About Mary” and “RocketMan.” He’s also the creator of Disney Junior’s “Puppy Dog Pals” and a bestselling children’s author, which might be the most surprising sentence about a stand-up comedian you’ll read this week. Tickets at quezadas.holdmyticket.com.
Saturday: Playoffs, pucks, a gala and stargazing
New Mexico United hosts Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the USL Western Conference Semifinals Saturday at 7:25 p.m. at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, Albuquerque. It’s the first playoff meeting between the two regional rivals; United leads the season series at 2-1-1 with both wins at home. The match airs on ESPN+, New Mexico 50, KRQE.com and Estrella TV, and on radio at 101.7 The Team and SiriusXM. Tickets at seatgeek.com.
The Sage & Ink Book Festival runs noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at The BLOCK celebrating local literature, independent authors and book arts. Free admission; food available on site.
The Goatheads host the Allen Americans again Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the Events Center for Military Night, presented by Paws and Stripes and Veterans Integration Centers. Tickets at nmgoatheads.com.
Watermelon Mountain Ranch Animal Center marks 30 years of rescuing and rehoming animals with its annual Fur Ball gala Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Marriott Pyramid North, Albuquerque. The theme is “30 Years of Peace, Love & Saving Lives.” VCA Animal Hospitals is the title sponsor. Tickets at wmranch.org.
The Placitas Community Library hosts its Star Party Saturday starting at 6 p.m. at 453 Hwy 165, Placitas — solar viewing to kick things off, followed by a 6:30 p.m. Star Talk by the Albuquerque Astronomical Society and telescope viewing into the night. Members of the Albuquerque Astronomical Society bring a range of telescopes; Jupiter, Saturn and the half-moon will be visible. Dress warmly, bring a red flashlight or cover your flashlight with red to protect everyone’s night vision, and arrive before dark for parking. The event is free, all ages and runs until roughly 10 p.m. — weather permitting. Check placitaslibrary.com for cancellation updates. Info: taas@taas.org or 505-867-3355.
Harland Williams returns to Quezada’s Saturday for his second and final night — 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. showings.
Sunday: Trivia, music and a drive north
The BLOCK hosts Braingang Trivia at 5 p.m. at 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE.
Brew Lab 101, 3301 Southern Blvd. SE, wraps the weekend with Brandon Post playing live in the afternoon and Singo Music Bingo in the evening.
What’s happening this weekend
New Mexico United vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
What: USL Western Conference Semifinals
When: Sat, Nov. 7 | 7:25 p.m.
Where: Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, Albuquerque
TV: ESPN+, NM50, KRQE.com, Estrella TV | Radio: 101.7 The Team, SiriusXM
Tickets: seatgeek.com
New Mexico Goatheads vs. Allen Americans
Where: Rio Rancho Events Center, 3001 Civic Center Circle NE
Fri, Nov. 6 | 7 p.m. — Youth Sports Night
Sat, Nov. 7 | 7 p.m. — Military Night pres. by Paws and Stripes & Veterans Integration Centers
Tickets: nmgoatheads.com
Harland Williams — Quezada’s Comedy Club
When: Fri, Nov. 6 & Sat, Nov. 7 | 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. nightly
Where: Quezada’s Comedy Club, Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Bernalillo
Tickets: quezadas.holdmyticket.com
Fur Ball 2026 — Watermelon Mountain Ranch
What: 30th anniversary gala, “30 Years of Peace, Love & Saving Lives”
When: Sat, Nov. 7 | 6 p.m.
Where: Marriott Pyramid North, Albuquerque
Title sponsor: VCA Animal Hospitals | Info: watermelonmountain.org
Sage & Ink Book Festival
When: Sat, Nov. 7 | Noon–4 p.m.
Where: The BLOCK, 1380 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho
Admission: Free
Star Party — Placitas Community Library
When: Sat, Nov. 7 | 6 p.m. (solar viewing) ? 6:30 p.m. Star Talk ? viewing until ~10 p.m.
Where: Placitas Community Library, 453 Hwy 165, Placitas
Free | All ages | Weather permitting — check placitaslibrary.com for cancellations
Bring red flashlight; dress warmly | Info: 505-867-3355 | taas@taas.org
Brew Lab 101
Where: 3301 Southern Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho
Fri, Nov. 6 | Music Bingo + food trucks: Black Pearl Burgers & Wing It Up
Sat, Nov. 7 | Live acoustic: Allyson’s Way
Sun, Nov. 8 | Afternoon live music: Brandon Post; evening: Singo Music Bingo