I was fortunate enough to get tickets to the Zoom Event for Head Over Heels. The process to get me…read moretickets to the event was super easy and several people reached out to make sure I had all the information to view the event. The show consisted of a variety of acts, plus 3 women who were the emcees of the event. I think the emcees had more fun than anyone!!! Because of the way I logged in, I was able to comment on the acts, which in this new world, made me feel a little like I was there. There was even an act that requested audience participation, and it was fun to see others chiming in. I must say that this isn't my favorite way to see a show, but I totally admire all the participants for putting their all into the show.

Without getting too involved in the history of this company, which likely isn't why you're reading…read morethis review, I want to say that I first encountered this theatre company back in, oh, maybe 2009. Two founders of Duke City Rep, Amelia Ampuero and Frank Green, made cordial, friendly small talk in the black box of North 4th about how they'd chosen Albuquerque as their home because they felt our city was the perfect hatching ground for a more mature theatre scene. Green, in particular, struck me as a passionate dude with a "look" that stuck, he was simultaneously wily and steady, the kind of guy I wanted to see on stage. Since that time they've filled their resumé with winning productions at The Filling Station and the polished, Union-supporting company, The Cell. This year I had an opportunity to catch their Halloween thriller, "Night of the Living Dead". Set in a basement during a zombie apocalypse, Duke City Rep managed to suspend my disbelief for the better part of 40 minutes. I finally got to see Green in action, too, and he didn't disappoint. This company has the gritty, ambitious feel that founded another Burque performance ensemble, Tricklock. There's no time like the present to catch this crew in action -- they're gelling and connecting, there's an energy on stage that typically won't stick around too long, that's just the way the theatre beast rolls; like bands that get signed to major labels, eventually that chemistry splinters. So right about now, you're looking at a really good garage band, you best see a show.

Met with some friends from work for a lovely evening to paint and drink wine. It was so much fun!read more

A fantastic parent child/get the gals together/overdue date night destination. Absolutely love the…read morelocation!!! Walking in you're greeted by a plethora of cool antiques and artistic inspiration fills the air. I dig the intimacy of the space, the small class sizes really leave room for a more personalized experience (and individualized assistance, if needed). They offer so many opportunities to get those creative juices flowing, including: Mommy and Me classes, team building corporate events, birthday parties, summer camps...and coffee and dessert are included with admission! Terry and Steve really enjoy what they do, and it's felt. If you're looking for a unique way to spend the day/evening, give Canvas and Coffee a try!

Participated in the candy skull bath bomb painting and it was well worth it. So much fun! They…read moredeliver all supplies so you can keep safe & instruct over zoom. Ingenious!!

Thanks, Seattle. You took in a native New Mexican, shook your crazy cool thing, and then sent her…read morehome, where life was comparatively lesser-cool, affordable and loaded with relatives who could take care of her newborn family. That's how I understand this market got going, anyway. One of the founders reluctantly left Seattle because she had kids, and when she came back to Burque, she realized we needed an evening market. A Moonlight Market. And she didn't let the Voices tell her No. There's a sign at the sign-in desk that says something like "Don't quit your day dream." Bingo. Michelle didn't. Hence, the opening season of the Market wasn't anything spectacular. It ended just before Halloween and plans to reopen in April. It's an artist collective, say 6-8 booths, maybe a face painter, outdoors, with twinkly lights, operating Thursday through Saturday, 6-10pm. There are arts and crafts classes indoors, as well, really affordably priced. Located in the heart of the Brewery district, this Market absolutely makes sense. Here's an idea: let's get people up, outside, walking around, connecting, supporting local artists, bringing their kids, creating beautiful things. Cool. It's right next to Skarsgard Farms, and it's totally worth a moonlight stroll.

What a great find! This little musical theater features well-known musicals with great local…read moretalent. Tickets prices are extremely reasonable and, due to the size of the theater, every single seat is perfect. This is a clean facility (restrooms and all) and they make good use of the small space. Seating is comfortable, which is not always the case in small theaters. If you are a fan of musicals, give them a shot. You won't be disappointed!

My expectations were pretty low after googling the location, but I saw Newsies here last night, and…read moreI was so impressed! That particular show is EXCELLENT and I highly recommend it! The theater of course has new shows constantly, but they are clearly of much higher quality than I expected - I thought I was in for some real cringe-worthy amateur theater. The venue is small and intimate, but it works. The orchestra is excellent. There are very limited snacks available for purchase. Small parking lot, but lots of street parking available. Definitely check out this venue and consider supporting the arts by becoming one of the Musical Theatre Southwest Amigos who do everything from ushering to set painting.

A fine little playhouse in the Northeast Heights of Albuquerque at a convenient location in the…read morecenter of town, The Desert Rose seems ideal for small productions with its cozy theater that seats about 50. I'm here tonight watching "The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told" on an appropriately stormy night. This play, written about twenty years ago by Paul Rudnick, has been brought back at a perfect time in American Cultural history by director Dagmar Garza. The play is a reinvisioning of the creation story familiar in the Bible in the expected way for a queer-revisioning: with Adam and Steve. The play is much more complex, however, than just making a statement about homosexuality. We the audience watch as the characters discover the world and grapple with philosophical questions as if they were children, unaware of dogma. The play also includes an interesting narrative style, with the "Stage Director," a character in the play, providing the kind of narration traditionally supplied by a chorus. The play is mostly funny and bawdy. As far as being philosophically insightful, it lacks any powerful punch that might elevated it beyond the level of entertainment. Nevertheless, the show is well acted, timely, and interesting. I recommend you see it before it closes on the 28th. PS. Billy Mallard really stole the show as gay Santa. And as for The Desert Rose: I'll be back. :)

I went to see the Sally Struthers/Patsy Cline show on 9-29-18. Our group of 4 was not allowed to…read moresit together because we bought our tickets separately. The director had taken stickers with you name on it and placed it on the chairs. She had a list at the door of who went where. When we complained it was to no avail. We were all mixed up in different locations. The tickets were expensive and nothing was said about assigned seats. I attend community theater frequently and have never seen anything like this. The theater is not very nice and the acoustics were terrible. I would not recommend this theater and certainly would not go to the venue again.

There's something about a small, intimate space devoted to live theater…read more Aux Dog Theatre has this in spades as they offer up great productions with some of the best actors in the region in a no-nonsense, straight-forward venue that doesn't distract from the actors. The reception area is large and welcoming and perfect for before and after show gatherings. They offer up their wall space here to local artists. Concessions has a nice mix of treats. The overall space is clean and welcoming. I especially love when they produce avant-garde and off-beat, cerebral plays as opposed to relying on the tried-and-true automatic crowd pleasers. Even when they do fall back onto the popular shows, you know it will be excellent. This is a venue and troupe to support.

I came here to watch a play here and wasn't to satisfied with their service, and the stage setup…read more They have this really bright exit sign that faces the audience that is really distracting. I realize why it is there but I wonder if they could move it a little bit lower so it's not right on the same plane as the stage. Also, there is only one way in and out of the seating, so if there isn't an intermission during the production, you are viewing be sure to go before it starts. Or else you will interrupt the show and possibly smash your neighbors feet. Not sure if I am going to come back here, I guess it depends on the performance.

I have heard of this type of wine+paint event so many times but never really tried it...because..I…read moredon't really drink and never was really an art person or anyone with artistic skills or much interests in arts at all. Heck, before attending an event at Painting with a Twist, I never really painted in my life even! So, trying a painting event here was completely outside of my comfort zone..and I was so glad I tried it! The space was welcoming and I loved that Barbara the teacher for my glow in the dark painting session made me and everyone feel comfortable. Never even once did I ever feel like I was so bad at painting! The instructions were easy enough for me to roughly follow..and I loved that Barbara left a lot of room for us to do things on our own and not have to follow her guidances at all if we don't want. Heck, if any one of us decided we wanted to paint something else on our own..she said it would be ok, too! I loved that the 2.5-3 hours sessions went by fast! It was a friendly, easy going session and just a fun thing to do..something new to try if you never been to one for sure. Try attending an event at Painting with a Twist out if you never tried it! For a price of around $40...you get a few hours of fun event to attend..to try out some of your artistic skills...and..the best thing..your painting from an event to go home with you, too! After attending this event, I would definitely love to explore and attend more events there for sure. For events like..paint your pet portrait, for example was super interesting and an attractive option for me to check out as my next class!

My husband and I enjoyed it very much. We painted the same picture with instructions each strokes…read morewhich came out amazing my well even though I don't paint.

When the prices went up I found private lessons for half the price and instead of 30 minutes we get…read morean hour, when I asked to cancel I said we went with lessons elsewhere. Now I'm being charged fees for cancelling class when my child was ill. Other than the "late cancellation" charge of $50, and rising costs while being there less than a year, I have no complaints. Try at your own risk.

This place is pretty good, but pricey. There are no other options in Rio Rancho so they are the…read moreonly option though. My kids liked their teachers, but it seemed like a lot of money to see slow growth. Making up lessons was almost impossible due to the makeup times being when most kids are still in school (elementary schools in Rio get out at 4 but most of their makeups were at 4pm for example, so impossible to get to). And the one time we had a make up class on a Saturday they forgot about it so we waited but never got to do the makeup. When my oldest daughter started band at her school we decided to stop coming here. The place itself is cute and pretty. I would probably recommend to older children more than younger ones personally. Or maybe homeschooled children that don't have access to a band or orchestra program through a school.