Grand Re-opening: Rancho de Chimayo Restaurante

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It burned in 2008, but a few flames couldn’t kill the historic Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante and Hacienda. Now you can be part of its history at the grand re-opening celebration!

On Saturday, October 17 (2009), mark your calendar and take a scenic drive up to Chimayó to re-acquaint yourself with this enchanting restaurant, which has been praised in the national press for its authentic New Mexico cuisine and richness of character. From 2:00 – 5:00pm, enjoy self-guided tours of the restaurant, bar, patios, and new kitchen, along with musical entertainment and complimentary refreshments. Regular table service will resume on Sunday, October 18.

Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante and Hacienda is located on Highway 98 in Chimayó, north of Santa Fe and east of Española, NM.

–Elizabeth Hanes

Lighter Than Air Fair: Cheap Fun During Balloon Fiesta

Looking for something to do between sessions at the Albuquerque Interational Balloon Fiesta? Here’s something fun that’s right in balloon park’s backyard.

The Lighter Than Air Fair showcases the best of New Mexico artists, crafts, food, entertainment, and much more. It’s free with paid admission to the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum (which is cheap; see below). The Fair starts Saturday, October 3 (2009), and runs through the last day of Balloon Fiesta, October 11, from approximately 9:00am – 3:00pm each day. The Balloon Museum is offering free shuttle service from Balloon Fiesta Park, so it won’t be a hassle to get there.

Plus, if you print the coupon at the bottom of this page, you can get a FREE gift from the Balloon Museum Gift Shoppe with a purchase of $19.99 or more! Valid during Balloon Fiesta only.

The activities and entertainment change every day during this event, so check the schedule and plan your visit. This place is definitely kid-friendly!

Regular admission to the Balloon Museum is $4 for adults, $2 for seniors age 65+, $1 for kids ages 4-12, and FREE for kids age 3 and under.

The Balloon Museum is located at 9201 Balloon Museum Dr NE, Albuquerque.

–Elizabeth Hanes

CHEAP SPRING BREAK TEEN BASH

If the economy has you re-thinking that Spring Break trip to Florida, here’s a cheap alternative.

Albuquerque’s Kiss 97.3 is hosting Spring Break Teen Bash 2009 at the Sunshine Theater on Sunday, March 22. Hosted by Dana Cortez, with DJ Automatic in the mix. This inexpensive entertainment for teens features dance contests and more. Show your student ID for unspecified discounts.

It can be hard to find fun things for teens to do in Albuquerque, but this dance could be just the ticket. This event is for high school and junior age teens only. Tickets $10 at the door (no advance sales). Doors open and event begins at 6:00pm.

The Sunshine Theater is located at 120 Central Ave SW.

–Elizabeth Hanes

FREEBIE FRIDAY: FREE & CHEAP ALBUQUERQUE MUSIC & EVENTS FOR THE WEEKEND OF 2/27 – 3/1

Looking for something free or cheap to do in Albuquerque this weekend? Here’s a roundup of events to fill your weekend.

FREE FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC:

• Coma Recovery at Atomic Cantina
• Deepbox with Losack at Blackbird Buvette
• Violenta, World on Fire, Shoulder Voices at Burt’s Tiki Lounge
• J. Wilde with Tony Rodriguez at the Ranchers Club in the Hilton
• Fat City in the Cheenah Lounge at Santa Ana Star Casino
• Stu MacAskie Trio in Il Bar at Scalo
• Le Chat Lunatique at St. Clair Winery & Bistro
• Freddie Chavez in the Opa Bar at Yanni’s

FREE ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28th:

• Day One of the 2009 Water Conservation & Xeriscape Expo
• Kids’ Fishing Fair at Tingley Beach
• Irish Dance Competition

FREE ON SUNDAY, MARCH 1st:

• Day Two of the 2009 Water Conservation & Xeriscape Expo
• Nuestros Maestros art exhibit
• Exhibit on Secret Japanese WWII Fugo Bombs
• Workshop on How to See the World on Someone Else’s Budget

Have fun!

–Elizabeth Hanes

Individual BOGO and % off coupons from Entertainment(r)

You’ve seen the “Entertainment” books. The fat ones filled with coupons like buy-one-get-one-free dining coupons for your city. They’re usually sold as a fundraising event by earnest youngsters raising money for band camp and the like.

Problem was, you’d buy the darn thing and then a year would pass and you’d discover you’d only used a small fraction of the coveted coupons within. Argh.

Well Entertainment is experimenting with a new “a la carte” program. Now through February 28, you can log on to their website and purchase individual coupons for just 99-cents. These are the same great BOGO type coupons you’ve come to know and love, so even at a buck, this is a bargain. Who wouldn’t pay a dollar to get a coupon worth the price of a meal or even a latte?

A quick perusal of the coupons available for Albuquerque at the Entertainment site returned 262 results for dining alone. Other categories include “Shopping” and “Attractions.”

Definitely a path to cheap chow.

WHAT: 99-cent BOGO and “% off” coupons from Entertainment(r)
WHEN: Now through February 28
WHERE: Entertainment(r) website and your local eatery

–Elizabeth Hanes