JUNE 6–9
Rockabilly on the Route
Blast into the West’s road-trip past on the Route 66 New Mexico Motor Tour. June 6–8, folks driving “all-legal street vehicles” are welcome to ride the storied Mother Road from Gallup to Tucumcari. This isn’t a race, though--—anticipate a vintage approach to travel: frequent stops, museum tours, movie nights. To join the caravan, call (505) 688-5829, or visit rt66nm.org.
In Tucumcari, the tour dovetails with the inaugural Wheels on 66/Rockabilly on the Route festival (June 7–9) and the opening of the New Mexico Route 66 Museum . Hoping to establish an annual event, producer Simon Cantlon set the bar high by enlisting the Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, as the headliner. A full lineup of rockabilly acts, including The Chop Tops, beckons, along with a vintage car show, a burlesque variety show, and a Miss Rockabilly Route 66 contest.
Tucumcari Convention Center. wheelson66.com; rockabillyontheroute.com
May 24–June 16
A Real Production
The Producers, based on the 1968 film by Mel Brooks, is about a Broadway producer and his accountant, who create a flop to swindle their backers out of a fortune. Hilarity ensues.
Catch it this month as part of the Albuquerque Little Theatre’s 83rd season. ALT Executive and Artistic Director Henry Avery says, “A lot of people hear the term community theater and have a vision in their mind of a low-quality production. But our productions are professional-quality, and our volunteers are extremely talented and dedicated; they really put their all into putting on a phenomenal show.” $24. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. (505) 242-4750; albuquerquelittletheatre.org
June 6, 15
From Mumford to EmmyLou
New Mexico’s outdoor concert spaces promise stars both above and onstage this month. English folk-rock band Mumford & Sons, 2013 Grammy Award-winners of Album of the Year, come to Taos’s Kit Carson Park June 6 as part of their Summer Stampede Tour. $50. 7 p.m. (mumfordandsons.com). June 15, legendary Grammy-winning singer-songwriters Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell perform songs from their recent album, Old Yellow Moon. $40, $10 for kids. 7 p.m. heathconcerts.org
June 10–15
Duende Rising
This month, the Albuquerque-based National Institute of Flamenco presents the 26th annual Festival Flamenco Internacional de Alburquerque. The festival, a weeklong celebration of the traditional Spanish-Gypsy dance genre, includes performances, workshops, lectures, and a kids’ camp in flamenco arts. This year’s featured performers include Karime Amaya, Marco Flores, Israel Galván, and Iván Vargas; they and the programming are expected to draw over 5,500 people from all over the world. (505) 242-7600; ffi26.org
June 13, 24
Feasts for the Senses
On annual Feast Days, New Mexico’s Native American Pueblos celebrate their traditional religions as well as their patron saints, introduced during the Spanish Colonial era. On June 13, celebrate San Antonio Feast Day at Sandia Pueblo, and on June 24, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo honors San Juan. On Feast Days, according to Travis L. Suazo, Executive Director of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, “Each Pueblo opens their respective village to all visitors, who can view traditional harvest dances and hear songs sung in Native languages. Feast Days bring tribal members together as an annual renewal of their culture, language, and Pueblo religion.” For more information and etiquette guidelines, contact the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (505-843-7270; indianpueblo.org) or the individual Pueblos: Ohkay Owingeh, (505) 852-4400; Sandia, (505) 867-3317, sandiapueblo.nsn.us.
June 15
Round and Round
Gallup is on its way to becoming an international mountain-bike destination, as USA Cycling brings the 24-Hour National Mountain Bike Championship to New Mexico for the first time.
Riders will complete as many 18-mile loops as possible during “24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest,” which features rugged singletrack through ponderosa pines in the Zuni mountains.
Those not competing can enjoy belly dancers, live music, and a Huffy bike toss. “We expect 500 riders and 1,500 spectators,” says Lindsay Mapes, of Zia Rides. “Everything will be stepped up a few notches, from the professional feel to the level of riders to the number of people and vendors. It’s really a bike festival, and everyone is welcome.” (505) 863-4228; ziarides.com
June 15, 19–22
Rodeo Different
The 64th annual Rodeo de Santa Fe kicks off with a parade downtown 10 a.m. on June 15, and competition begins June 19. “It’s a big-time rodeo with a small-town feeling,” says spokeswoman Michele Daae. More than 500 contestants will compete in bull riding, barrel racing, bronco riding, team roping, tie-down, and steer wrestling. Kids will get a kick out of the rodeo clowns and mutton busting. Finish off the event with music and dancing Saturday night. Gates open at 5 p.m. nightly. Santa Fe Rodeo Grounds. (505) 988-1234; rodeodesantafe.org
June 16
America’s Dad
Bill Cosby, who played -Dr. Cliff Huxtable, one of the most beloved sitcom dads ever, on The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992, has five kids of his own. He’s often drawn from his parental experiences in his stand-up routines, and you can expect him to share from that lode when the 75-year-old comedian comes to Hobbs for a special Father’s Day Performance. Lea County Event Center. $30–$72. 7 p.m. (800) 735-1288; leacounty.net
June 27
Scribe of the Times
One of New Mexico’s living legends is Taos writer and activist John Nichols, perhaps best known for his New Mexico trilogy: The Milagro Beanfield War, The Magic Journey, and The Nirvana Blues. Nichols will present a talk in Los Alamos as part of the county library’s Authors Speak series. The subject of the 2012 documentary film The Milagro Man, he has written 20 books and several screenplays. Nichols’s latest novel, reviewed in the November 2012 issue, is On Top of Spoon Mountain. Free. 7 p.m. Mesa Public Library. (505) 662-8253;losalamosnm.us/library