Albuquerque’s culture is steeped in its past. It is a complex blend of the many diversities that comprise its fabric. The Native American heritage is probably the most deeply rooted and a wide variety of Native America culture can be seen at the 19 Indian pueblos. An excellent way to get oriented before any visit to a pueblo is to tour the
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (tel: (505) 843 7270; website:
www.indianpueblo.org). The center offers exhibits and information on Native American culture in general and Pueblo
Indians in particular. Weekend performances of Native American dances, demonstrations of arts and crafts, and a variety of year-round special events are free to the public.
Albuquerque is proud of its symphony orchestra, contemporary and classical theater companies, choral and opera companies. The city is also home to more than 100 galleries and studios offering visitors a choice of art styles and expressions. The city’s Public Art Program is one of the oldest in the country and contains more than 400 works of art, which can be seen around Albuquerque. A large concentration of the Public Art Collection is in the downtown district and in the University/Nob Hill and historic Old Town areas. Visit
www.cabq.gov/publicart to obtain a map/brochure listing the city’s public art sites.
For information on cultural events, contact Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau (tel: 1 800 733 9918; website:
www.itsatrip.org). As the home of the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque offers a wealth of cultural enjoyments. To find out what’s happening, pick up free newspapers in dispensers around the city.
Music: No matter what music you like, Albuquerque has it - the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra, Albuquerque Youth Symphony, Baroque Chamber Music Society, Opera Southwest and much more. Many performances are at the
University of New Mexico, including a series called Popejoy Presents, a wide range of entertainment at Popejoy Hall, Center for the Arts, at the University (tel: (505) 277 4569; website:
www.popejoypresents.com).
More intimate places to hear classical, chamber, renaissance and liturgical music are the beautiful
Cathedral Church of St John (tel: (505) 247 1581; website:
www.stjohnsabq.org) and
St Paul Lutheran Church (tel: (505) 242 5942; website:
www.stpaulabq.org).
Dance: The New Mexico Ballet Co. (tel: (505) 292 4245; website:
www.nmballet.org) offers performances at the
KiMo Theater (see below) and other sites throughout the city.
Theater: A unique Pueblo Deco architecture, the
KiMo Theater (tel: (505) 768 3522; website:
www.cabq.gov/kimo) is the city’s architectural gem and plays host to a wide variety of local, national and international cultural arts events. Several other small theaters are located downtown and around the University of New Mexico.
Film: There are plenty of mainstream blockbuster cinemas in Albuquerque, but for alternative stuff and movies that just aren’t shown elsewhere in the city, visit
Guild Cinema (tel: (505) 255 1848; website:
www.guildcinema.com) and
Basement Films Inc. (tel: (505) 842 9977; website:
www.basementfilms.org).
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Related Albuquerque Content
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related New Mexico Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
New Mexico Airport Guides:
|
New Mexico City Guides:
|
|
|
