👋 Good morning, Albuquerque!
We made it through the first three weeks of school. Somehow.
The school drop-offs are starting to feel a little less chaotic, everyone has mostly figured out where they're supposed to be and when, and we haven't even had to hunt down a missing water bottle yet!
And just when it feels like we're finally getting into a routine, the weekend is here.
This one is a good one, too. You've got Red or Green Day at the Rail Yards, the Painted Skies Pow Wow, a LEGO build day, three days of Latin dancing, and New Mexico United back at Isotopes Park. There are also free museum and library events, a garden workshop, a school supply drive, a kids' terrarium build, and plenty of markets to keep you busy.
So whether you want to get out and do something or you're just looking for an excuse to leave the house for a few hours, we've got you covered.
Let's get into it.
THIS WEEK'S PICK
Red or Green Day at the Rail Yards Market
Red or Green Day is back at the Rail Yards Market this Sunday, and it's a pretty fun one to bring the kids to. Get there early and make your own chile ristra using chile from Mago's Farm, then grab a photo with the Isotopes' chile mascots while you're there. The Isotopes are joining the market again this year for the celebration, because apparently even baseball mascots know it's chile season.
There's plenty more happening if you stick around. At 10 AM, the city will unveil a new mural celebrating local artists and the history of Barelas. Later, Dominic Derrick Dance Theater will perform a mix of Mexican Folklórico and classical ballet. With 200+ vendors spread throughout the market, you'll have plenty to wander through while the kids snack, look at all the handmade stuff, and inevitably ask you to buy something.
The Rail Yards Market is already one of our favorite places for a Sunday morning, and Red or Green Day gives you a little more of a reason to make the trip this week. Make the ristra early, grab some breakfast, check out the mural, and wander the market before heading home. It's the kind of morning where you don't really need a plan beyond showing up.
When: Sunday, August 30, 10 AM–2 PM
Where: Rail Yards Market, 777 1st St SW
Cost: Free to attend
MORE THIS WEEKEND
Friday, August 28
Live Music: Eryn Bent — The Block, Rio Rancho
Time: 7pm | Price: FreeHoweya Family Traditional Dance Group — Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Time: 2pm | Price: Included with admission
Saturday, August 29
Painted Skies Pow Wow — Balloon Fiesta Park
Time: 11am–10pm | Price: Free admission and parkingGrow Together Garden Workshop — Bernalillo Community Museum w/ Explora
Time: 9:30–11:30am | Price: Free, pre-registration requiredStuff the Bus — Hinkle Fun Center/Flix Brewhouse lot
Time: 9am–noon | Price: FreeKids' Terrarium Build — Tiny Grocer ABQ Patio w/ Groovy Little Greenhouse
Time: 10am–noon | Price: $29/childMala Maña Live — Old Town Plaza Gazebo
Time: 1–3pm | Price: FreeNew Mexico United vs. San Antonio FC — Isotopes Park
Time: 7:25pm | Price: Ticketed
Sunday, August 30
Free Sunday Morning at Albuquerque Museum — Albuquerque Museum
Time: 9am–1pm | Price: FreeSunday Matinee: Hoppers (PG) — Central & Unser Library
Time: 1:30–3:30pm | Price: FreeLittle Rascals Outdoor Movie — The Block, Rio Rancho
Time: 7–8pm | Price: Free (no outside food or drink)Howeya Family Traditional Dance Group — Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Time: 11am & 2pm | Price: Included with admission
TO DO
Family LEGO Build Day
If your kids love LEGO, Big Brother's Bricks is hosting a private Family LEGO Build Day at The Block this Saturday, with over 100 sets to browse and LEGO experts on hand to help with the build. It's held in their covered pavilion, so it runs rain or shine, and you've got the full lineup of Block restaurants and vendors nearby for lunch or ice cream while you work.
Tickets include a real set to take home, with packages ranging from a small build for two up to a large 800–1200 piece set for the whole family. Worth booking ahead: this is one of their biggest events, and tickets will most likely sell out!
When: Saturday, August 29, 12 PM
Where: The Block, 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd NE, Rio Rancho
Cost: $48.39–$158.69 depending on package, via SimpleTix
DUKE CITY EATS
Vellum & Vine
Moms, this one is for you. This month, Albuquerque got its very first romance bookstore and coffee shop, Vellum & Vine.
The owner, Shyann, has been sharing the process of building this space on social media since April. Her initial reel went viral, and Rebecca Yarros (the author of Fourth Wing) even liked it. Yes, it's framed in the store. The buildup had people counting down to her August 15th opening, and she did not disappoint. She even hosted a signing with a local romance author opening weekend, and by the end of week one she'd sold out over 80% of her inventory.
The shop itself is gorgeous, with thoughtful accents, cozy seating, and no shortage of Instagram-worthy photo ops. The walls are lined with every type of romance book you could imagine: beach read, romantasy, cowboy romance, dark romance, LGBTQ+ romance. You name it, it's probably there.
She's also stocked the shop with bookish merch from a mix of different creators, so there's plenty to browse even if you're not there for a specific title.
The thing that will have me back at least once a week? The coffee. It's delicious, and the specialty drinks are so creative. Each one is named after a popular book trope, and honestly you can't go wrong with any of them, but my personal favorite is the Golden Retriever Boyfriend: a salted caramel latte with cold foam. Delish. Shyann also mentioned in an IG post that she's gluten-free, so she's made sure to stock plenty of gluten-free treats too.
This is the perfect new spot to relax, hang out, grab a coffee, and find your next read. It's located in Uptown, so it's a convenient stop too.
Where: 2677 Louisiana Blvd NE
Hours: Tues–Sat 10am–7pm; Sun 11am–6pm
Know another Albuquerque parent who's always asking, “What are we doing this weekend?”
Send this their way. The more local parents who join us, the better Duke City Parents gets.
See you next Thursday!
Jasmine & Jacob
Duke City Parents