What's up this weekend? A look at what's going on around Sandoval Co. Sept. Oct. 4-6

Disney on Ice returns to Rio Rancho with Mickey's Search Party

Mickey's Search Party will be skating into the Rio Rancho Events Center as Disney on Ice bri…

GALLERY: Colorful skies at Balloon Fiesta

The balloons were up before dawn at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Wednesday morning, as was County Commissioner Dave Heil, who was working one of the gates. The green flag was up as several balloons took pre-dawn flights as part of Dawn Patrol, with the mass ascension following around 7 a.m. About three dozen pilots […]

Winning compositions: Old Church Fine Arts Show to feature over 50 New Mexico artists

It's been 36 years since the Corrales Society of Artists combined with the Corrales Historical Society to form the annual Old Church Fine Arts Show. This year's event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 5, through Sunday, Oct. 13, at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church. The show will feature 63 New Mexico artists exhibiting a variety of art forms from painting to photography to jewelry, furniture and ceramics.

PCL to host NM Poets for National Mental Illness Awareness Week

PLACITAS — On Sunday, Oct.6, the Placitas Community Library will host an afternoon of poetry…

1. Mickey’s Search Party will be skating into the Rio Rancho Events Center as Disney on Ice brings another tour to the venue this weekend.

The magic of Disney will be on display through dynamic moments on the ice and in the air as Mickey Mouse and pals follow Captain Hook’s treasure map for clues to find Tinker Bell after he attempts to capture her magic.Journey across the Marigold Bridge with Miguel from Disney-Pixar’s Coco into the Land of the Dead and discover a colorful performance with skeletons atop sway poles dancing over the audience in a cultural celebration of family. Travel to the wintry world of Arendelle and sing along with Elsa as video projection creates a kaleidoscope of crystals to help build her ice palace. Witness Belle lift into the sky as the enchanted chandelier comes to life high over the ice. Demonstrate the power of teamwork when Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie recruit the Green Army Men for a daring rescue in Andy’s room. Laugh hysterically as the hilarious pirates flip, tumble, and twist on tumble tracks, stilts and more in an effort to showcase their talents for Captain Hook. Sail away with Moana on her voyage across the ocean and encounter the fiery wrath of Te Ka. Make memories with your whole family during Aladdin and The Little Mermaid as the search party becomes an all-out magical celebration.

There will also be a preshow Wayfinding with Moana Character Experience where guests can celebrate the water, waves and wind as they sail away to Motuni with Moana. The ticket add-on includes a sing-along, crafting and interactive time with Moana as well as photo opportunities with her and Mickey Mouse (bring your own camera).

Disney on Ice Mickey’s Search Party will be in Rio Rancho Oct. 4-6 with shows at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6.

Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com or at the RREC Box Office.

2. The elementary schools of Rio Rancho Public School District — as well as Corrales Elementary School and La Escuelita Preschool in Bernalillo — will be participating in Albuquerque Aloft Friday morning, an annual event where pilots tether or launch their balloons from selected school grounds in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho on the Friday morning before Balloon Fiesta. Parents, students, and teachers alike have the opportunity to meet the pilots and crew and experience the excitement of watching and learning how a balloon flies. Albuquerque Aloft also provides city residents and guests a visual preview of Balloon Fiesta as balloons launch from different sites around the city simultaneously.

Balloonists at selected schools may elect to fly from the campus or may remain inflated at the school site. Weather permitting; inflation is scheduled at approximately 6:45-7 a.m., with launch scheduled for 7-7:30 a.m. Schools are encouraged to invite parents and students to be on hand for the event, and groups at some schools offer refreshments for sale, adding to the fun.

Albuquerque Aloft is the only Balloon Fiesta event in which balloons launch from pre-designated sites outside of Balloon Fiesta Park.

3. Speaking of Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the annual event officially gets underway the morning of Saturday, Oct. 5. Although the event is located in Albuquerque, about three dozen Sandoval County pilotts are slated to participate in the 2024 event. Dawn patrols, drone shows, morning glows, mass ascensions and more are scheduled starting at 5:45 a.m. each day of the fiesta, which runs through Oct. 13. For a full schedule of events, pilot lists, tickets and more, visit balloonfiesta.com.

4. From Oct. 5-13, the 36th annual Juried Fine Arts Show will be open to the public at the Old San Ysidro Church in Corrales. There will also be an artist reception from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 4.

Sixty-three of New Mexico’s finest artists will showcase a variety of art forms, and all of their art will be available for purchase.

The Juried Fine Arts Show will also coincide with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and only features local artists from Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Corrales, Edgewood, Gallup, Pecos, Placitas, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Tijeras.

Admission to the Juried Fine Arts Show (and parking) is free.

For more information, visit corraleshistory.org.

5. On Sunday, Oct.6, the Placitas Community Library will host an afternoon of poetry featuring New Mexican poets Hilda Raz, Katherine Seluja, and Sarah Kotchian.

The poetry event will begin at 2 p.m., and the poems will coincide with National Mental Illness Awareness Week, which is Oct. 6-12, and World Mental Health Day is Oct. 10.

For more information on the poetry event, call Placitas Community Library at 505-867-3355.