Principal Players
Sep. 13—Performances by Fran Lebowitz at the Lensic, Jon Batiste at the Santa Fe Opera, or Future Islands at the Santa Fe Brewing Company may be sold out already, but you might still grab a coveted seat to one of this season's big-name contemporary music, Broadway, or stand-up comedy events.
In case you need reminding why author and style icon Lebowitz is one of a kind, we offer one of her best quotes: "All God's children are not beautiful. Most of God's children are, in fact, barely presentable."
POPEJOY HALL
UNM Center for the Arts, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 505-277-9771; popejoypresents.com
Little ones are in for a treat this fall at Popejoy. Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure on October 13 follows a young girl on her quest to complete her family's offrenda. Dog Man: The Musical on December 10 is based on the bestselling book series by Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants.
The lineup also includes two additional film-to-concert performances. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on October 5 is a film screening of the acclaimed sequel to Spider-Verse and will be accompanied by a live orchestra and a scratch DJ on turntables. Coco Live-to-Film Concert on October 22 will also be part screening and part concert, with Oscar, Emmy, and three-time Grammy Award winner Michael Giacchino's musical score for the movie performed by the Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México.
November will bring colder weather as well as two exquisite shows for adults. Clue is a Broadway in New Mexico Selection show — and the ultimate whodunit. The show runs November 6-10 and will have you guessing if it was Mrs. Peacock in the library with a knife or Colonel Mustard in the kitchen with a wrench.
The delightful David Sedaris will return to Popejoy November 15, this time to help us dig out our sense of humor following the stress of the presidential election. A master of satire and one of America's most beloved humor writers, Sedaris will read from new and unpublished works.
Sneak peek: Don't miss other big-name shows coming to Popejoy this winter, including R.E.S.P.E.C.T. — A Celebration of the Music of Aretha Franklin on February 13 and Les Misérables February 18-23.
LENSIC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
211 W. San Francisco Street; 505-988-1234; lensic.org
Two other humorists who say it like it is will take the stage this season. Comedian Leslie Jones, Saturday Night Live alum and guest host of The Daily Show, just wrapped production of season two of HBO Max's Our Flag Means Death and co-hosts her podcast The Fckry with Lenny Marcus. Jones is also the author of her 2023 memoir, Leslie F*cking Jones, which is even funnier narrated by her in audiobook form. She will be at the Lensic October 21.
It's hard to believe that Bringing Down the Horse, the hit (and second) album by The Wallflowers that rocked the '90s, came out 29 years ago. But Jakob Dylan, son of folk legend Bob Dylan, has maintained his raspy and smoky baritone. He takes the stage with his band on September 28, with five more albums under the belt, including his latest, Exit Wounds, that hints at "One Headlight" and "6th Avenue Heartache."
ISLETA AMPHITHEATER
5601 University Boulevard SE, Albuquerque; 505-452-5100; isletaamp.com
Hozier — full name Andrew John Hozier-Byrne — is an Irish singer, musician, and songwriter, who mixes soul, blues, folk, and literary themes and is not shy about sharing his social justice and political views. His biggest hit, "Take Me to Church" (also interpreted in dance form by ballet's bad boy Sergei Polunin), is Hozier's response to the anti-homosexuality stance in the Catholic Church. Hozier will perform at Isleta Amphitheater on September 22.
Another performer who speaks his mind, rapper Armando Christian Pérez, best known as Pitbull, will bring his brand of music that blends pop, Latin rhythms, hip-hop, and everything in between on October 5. His danceable beats and timeless Spanglish lyrics are perhaps best exemplified in his hit, "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)."
SUNSHINE THEATER
120 Central Avenue SW, Albuquerque; 505-764-0249; sunshinetheaterlive.com
If you don't know Snotty Nose Rez Kids (SNRK), you're in for a surprise at Sunshine Theater on October 12. The award-winning First Nations duo from British Columbia, Canada, is composed of Haisla rappers Darren "Young D" Metz and Quinton "Yung Trybez" Nyce. Their club beats and lyrics challenge Indigenous stereotypes.
REVEL
4720 Alexander Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, 505-321-0406; revelabq.com
Revel is an intimate concert hall that is already attracting big names, despite only opening in 2022. Romantic rocker Juanes — a Colombian musician who gained international fame as a solo artist after years as a member of the rock band Ekhymosis — stops at Revel on October 27 during his North American tour. Juanes will likely perform tracks from his latest album, Vida Cotidiana, but could also do a nostalgic detour into his earliest solo songs, such as "La Camisa Negra" and "Es Por Ti."
TUMBLEROOT BREWERY AND DISTILLERY
2791 Agua Fria Street, 505-303-3808; tumblerootbreweryanddistillery.com
Third World, the legendary reggae band from Jamaica, has been vibing since 1973, despite the passing of the band's lead singer William "Bunny Rugs" Clarke in 2014, percussionist Irvin "Carrot" Jarrett's in 2018, and Michael "Ibo" Cooper, the band's keyboard player and co-songwriter, in 2022. Third World is on a year-long tour and stops at Tumbleroot on October 3 for one evening of reggae fusion with a dash of soul, funk, and disco.
Two benefit concerts will also hit the stage at Tumberoot's Agua Fría taproom. On September 27, Cumbia for Palestine, presented by La Buena Onda, will bring cumbia, reggaetón, and regional favorites played by several bands and performers; proceeds from the event will be sent to Gaza via @GazaMutualAidSolidarity. On October 12, Rock for Ukraine will raise money for Ukraine and Durham Humanitarian in Lviv, Ukraine, and will showcase more than 10 bands, including Sabbath and Friendship Commanders.
Tumbleroot is also a great place to check out local bands, including original and tribute bands, such as Drastic Andrew (nominated in three categories in the New Mexico Music Awards) on September 13; One More Silver Dollar (an Allman Brothers and friends cover band from Albuquerque) on September 20; JB/EC Band (with Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton covers) on September 25; and SMOOTH (Santa Fe-based band with Latin Rock and Bay Area West Coast sounds) on October 18.
THE BRIDGE AT SANTA FE BREWING COMPANY
37 Fire Place; 505-557-6182; santafebrewing.com
SIPPY (real name Laura Patterson) is an Australian musician from Sydney and a bass powerhouse. Among the many genres her music takes from is dubstep, an electronic dance music that originated in the early aughts in South London. She is currently on her Gremlin Mode Tour of the U.S. and will perform at The Bridge on November 1.