'Hadestown,' hot air balloons and an oud: 7 events for this weekend

20250207-venue-v03weekly — Learn about Casa San Ysidro as the historic site celebrates its 150th anniversary.

20250207-venue-v13artsongs — Oliver Prezant will be joined in concert by soprano Amy Owens and pianist Natasha Stojanovska on Tuesday, Feb. 11, and Thursday, Feb. 13.

Beth Trujillo Beth Trujillo Beth Trujillo Assistant Features Editor

Published February 6, 2025 - 10:45 a.m. Modified February 6, 2025 - 10:45 a.m.

Valentine’s Day may not be until next week, but love is already in the air in New Mexico. The Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally celebrates the state’s love of the sport. Or check out one of these other love-ly options.

Got an event we should know about? Reach out to features@abqjournal.com.

Ready to dance

What do you get when you combine musicians, dancers, choreographers and artists who have never met before and give them two weeks to create? The Keshet Dance Company and Center for the Arts’ “Hear Here Festival.” The one evening only event starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. Tickets are on a $0-$40 sliding scale at keshetarts.org. Keshet is located at 4121 Cutler Ave. NE. Read more on V14.

Love a good book?

The Friends of the Public Library are hosting a book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. Pick up books, DVDs, CDs, vinyl and more. A $2 entrance fee applies before noon. The Main Library is located at 501 Copper Ave. NW.

The stars of 2025

The Bachechi Open Space and The Albuquerque Astronomical Society are hosting a Star Party at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. Telescopes will be on hand and James Carr will moderate a presentation on the Fab Fifty, a seasonal program on the objects and constellations in the night sky, in the education building at 6 p.m. The event is free. The Bachechi Open Space is located at 9521 Rio Grande Blvd. NW.

International affair

South Africa’s Derek Gripper and Iraq’s Rahim AlHaj will be performing together for the first time at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, in an evening filled with sounds of the guitar and oud. Tickets are $29-$44 at artsandculture.cabq.gov. The KiMo Theatre is located at 423 Central Ave. NW.

150 years of history

Learn about Casa San Ysidro as the historic site celebrates its 150th anniversary. A free open house will be held from 1 p.m to 3p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. The Casa San Ysidro is located at 973 Old Church Road in Corrales.

Hot air affair

The Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally will be soaring in Rio Rancho on Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9. Ascension will begin at 7 a.m., weather permitting. Event locations are at Cabezon Park, 2307 Cabezon Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho; Loma Colorado Park, 735 Loma Colorado Drive NE, Rio Rancho; various other locations throughout. The event is free. Visit hotairballooning.org for more information.

To the Underworld

“Hadestown: Teen Edition” is closing its run at North Fourth Art Center, 4904 Fourth St. NW this weekend. Catch performances at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Tickets are $15-$18, plus fees, at cardboardplayhouse.org.