Tango Milonga
7 pm
Salón Ortega
Free

Enjoy another summer evening of Latin dance with area instructors and dance aficionados. Local “tangueros” will have the opportunity to dance the night away and enjoy music, a cash bar and concessions. The evening begins with dance demos and lessons. Open to dancers of any level.
For more information call 505/246-2261 ext. 189.

FRIDAY, JULY 17

Community Art Exhibition: NaturalMente
10 am – 5 pm
$3 adults, $2 seniors & students, free to children 16 $ under
NHCC Art Museum

“NaturalMente”, a group show in the NHCC Community Art Gallery, features artists that incorporate natural forms and organic materials. The diverse range of media includes photographs by Fernando Delgado, Rita Padilla Haufmann’s fiber art, mezzotint prints by Carol Sánchez, and Camilla Trujillo’s pottery. Their work reflects inspired responses to nature and creativity. The exhibit opens on July 17 and runs through January 10, 2009. A reception for the artists is scheduled on Friday, August 7 at 6 pm.

Image caption: Chocolatera, 2009, by Camilla Trujillo and Rene Zamora, micaceous clay and iron, 13.5 x 13.5 in. Collection of the Artist. Photo: Addison Doty

THURSDAY – SUNDAY
JULY 23 – 26

First Annual New Latino Play Series
8 pm Friday & Saturday
2 pm Sunday
Roy E. Disney Center for Performing Arts
Albuquerque Journal Theatre
Free Ticketed Event

“Volver, Volver, Volver”, by award-winning playwright Leonard Madrid, explores one man’s regret as he returns home after his life has ended, and shows the ways in which family magic can make anything possible. It is directed by JoRae Taylor. José Garcia Davis directs and performs in “El Diabo y 40 Gallinas” (The Devil and 40 Chickens), a tale about the devil – and a daring chicken heist in Bernalillo, NM – as recalled from the perspective of a teenage boy. A partnership with Teatro Nuevo Mexico.
For more information call the NHCC Box Office at 505/724.4771.

SATURDAY, JULY 25

La Danza de la Pluma
1 pm
Plaza Mayor
Free

La Danza de la Pluma (The Feather Dance) is a cross-cultural conquest dance, part of the cycle of Conquest Dances, and closely related to the Matachín dances. Before the Spanish presence in America, in the mid XIV century, the Mixtecs from the north conquered the Oaxacan valleys. Although the Mixtecs and the Zapotecs were fierce enemies, they formed an alliance to defend themselves from a common enemy, the Aztec empire. Around that time the Mixtecs paid homage to the God of Dance (Yya Yaasitasaha). Its effigy was represented with a blue helmet with a gold crown topped with long feathers arranged in the form of a fan; in one hand was held a rattle, in the other flowers. La Danza de la Pluma is a collaborative project with the community of Teotitlán del Valle, a village in southern Oaxaca.
For more information visit www.metamorfosisdocumentationproject.com/

The National Ballet of Mexico with La Catrina String Quartet
8 pm Friday & Saturday
2 pm Sunday
Roy E. Disney Center for Performing Arts
Albuquerque Journal Theatre
$30, $45, $60, $75

The National Ballet of Mexico joins La Catrina String Quartet and Jacqueline Helin, piano, in a unique partnership of virtuoso dancers and virtuoso musicians... in the marriage of chamber music to classical ballet. The first ballet festival in America exclusively based on great chamber music masterpieces...and always performed live! Ballet Pro Musica is the Fabergé of dance ... elegant ...exquisite...engaging ...and...it's great fun! Opening gala and champagne symposium begin at 6:30 pm and show begins at 8 pm. Tickets on sale at Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com and in person at the NHCC box office.
For additional information call (505) 724-4771.