Music, gardening and ‘Journey Down the Gila’: 7 events this week

For a time, I was bringing a co-worker my kitchen scraps to use in composting. It was fun being the mysterious benefactor to a clew of worms. You can learn the basics of composting this weekend in Corrales. Or dig up some fun at one of these other events.

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

Going solo

The Placitas Artists Series is hosting Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11. The program consists of works for the unaccompanied cello, including Johann Sebastian Bach’s Suite No. 4 in E-flat Major and Suite No. 5 in c minor. A preconcert talk will begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 at placitasartistsseries.org. Las Placitas Presbyterian Church is located at 7 Paseo de San Antonio in Placitas.

On the beat

Soriba Fofana and Kamus Sacko are bringing their blend of West African music and drumming to Albuquerque in two performances on Monday, Jan. 12. First, you can find them at noon at the Central and Unser Library, 8081 Central Ave. NW. Then the duo will perform at 6 p.m. at the Cherry Hills Library, 6901 Barstow St. NE. The concerts are free and those interested in attending can register a spot at ampconcerts.org.

Transforming spaces

The Xeric Garden Club of New Mexico is hosting the free presentation “Rewilding the City One Alley at a Time” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10. Candace Stoughton will discuss the role we can play in transforming abandoned places to benefit the wildlife and the human spirit alike. The Albuquerque Garden Center is located at 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE.

Music makers

Southwest Roots Music is bringing Grammy-nominated clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen and her Quartetinho ensemble to the Center for Contemporary Art at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15. Tickets are $65.98-$97.86 at holdmyticket.com. The CCA is located at 1050 Old Pecos Trail in Santa Fe.

Headed west

Rattlesnake Milk is coming to Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery with Sentimental Family Band at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13. Tickets are $23 in advance, and $28 day of show at ampconcerts.org. The concert is 21+ without a parent or guardian. Tumbleroot is located at 2791 Agua Fria St. in Santa Fe.

The incredible journey

The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is hosting a screening of “Journey Down the Gila” at the South Broadway Cultural Center at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14. The documentary tells the story of three New Mexico teens who died in service to the wild places they loved, and their mothers’ trip down the Gila, the river they sought to protect. Tickets are $10-$25 at artsandculture.cabq.gov. The South Broadway Cultural Center is located at 1025 Broadway Blvd. SE.

Put on your dancing shoes

The Corrales Historical Society Speaker Series is kicking off 2026 with a special event, “Bailes de Salón,” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11. Lucy Salazar, along with musical backing from Tios Mios, will teach eventgoers about the traditional folk dances of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, including La Varsoviana, La Camila, Valse de la Escoba and more. The event is free. The Historic Old San Ysidro Church is located at 966 Old Church Road in Corrales. Visit corraleshistory.org for more information.