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September 2019 Calendar of Events at the Open Space Visitor Center

Join us for a fun slate of events, including Walking with Poets with Poet Laureate Michelle Otero, a Moonrise Concert featuring the Stray Dawgs, and the Open Space 35th Anniversary Campfire and Storytelling celebration!

Cloud Hands Qigong
Sundays September 8 and 22,
2:00pm - 3:30pm. Explore the mysteries of Chinese Qigong in a beautiful setting with instructor Marcy Pincus. Cloud Hands is a one movement posture that incorporates many of the benefits of Tai Chi. Minimum donation is $10.00. A portion benefits the Open Space Alliance. Space is limited. Please call 897-8831 to register.

Walking with Poets
Saturday September 14,
9:30am – 11:30am. FREE! The Albuquerque Poet Laureate program is teaming up with the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention’s initiative for a spirited day of spoken word and movement. The national program challenges communities to get walking, which is one of the easiest ways to lower one’s chances of heart disease. Join Poet Laureate Michelle Otero and featured poet Mari Simbaña for a presentation and walk around the grounds and gardens of the beautiful Open Space Visitor Center, exploring poetry through the theme of “The Wilderness about You.” The event will also feature live music with Casey Mraz. Please call 897-8831 to RSVP and for more information.

Moonrise Concert with the Stray Dawgs
Saturday September 14,
6:00pm – 8:30pm. FREE! The Moonrise Concert Series is a family-friendly series of FREE concerts featuring amazing local talent and diverse musical genres. In September, enjoy the Dusty Desert Bluegrass of the Stray Dawgs. Bring a picnic or enjoy food from a tasty local food truck! Doors open at 5pm for early picnickers. Music starts at 6pm. The Moonrise Concerts are alcohol-free events. Call 897-8831 or see www.cabq.gov/openspace for details.

Family Nature Walk
Sunday September 15
, 1:00pm - 2:30pm. FREE! Join this family friendly nature walk that is appropriate for all ages. This event provides an opportunity for families to connect with the outdoors and enjoy time together. Participants will also learn basic skills such as how to use binoculars, loupes, and field guides while appreciating the beauty of the natural world. Participants must register by first establishing an account at play.cabq.gov. For more information, please call 897-8859.

Permaculture Workshop Series: Wild Seed Collecting and Cleaning
Sunday September 15
, 2:00pm - 4:30pm. FREE! Permaculture experts Cameron Weber and Peter Callen guide a discussion on the basics of seed saving. This hands-on workshop will explore ways to collect and clean seeds from a variety of plants in your garden and landscape. Space is limited. For more information, please call 897-8831.

Fall Concert on the Patio with “Fuego”
Saturday September 21
, 5:00pm-6:30pm. FREE! Celebrate the arrival of fall with the Latin Jazz of “Fuego!” Bring a picnic and enjoy the sunset on our shaded outdoor patio. The concert will be followed by our 35th Anniversary Campfire Event. For more information please call 897-8831.

35th Anniversary Campfire and Storytelling
Saturday September 21
, 7pm-9pm. FREE! Bring the whole family for an evening under the stars hearing about the legends of Open Space including thrilling tales of heroism and adventure. Hot chocolate and s’mores will be provided along with a presentation and slide show by Rex Funk and Dr. Matthew Schmader, kids’ activities, live music with “Dogs on Leash!” and more! This event is a great opportunity to learn about our incredible Open Space legacy and celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Open Space Division. Space is limited. For more information and to register, please call 897-8831.

Closing Reception for “The River, The Ocean, The Sea”
Sunday September 29
. 1pm-3pm FREE! Photographers Nick Tauro Jr. of Albuquerque, NM, Fábio Miguel Roque of Sintra, Portugal and Ong Hean Kuan of Penang, Malaysia, will talk about the inspiration and origins of this exhibition that features 90 photographs exploring each photographer’s relationship to his local source of water (the Rio Grande, Atlantic Ocean, and Adaman Sea, respectively). Miguel Roque and Ong Hean Kuan will appear for the event via Skype from the respective countries. The companion book of photographs of the exhibit will also be for sale. Call 897-8831 or see www.cabq.gov/openspace for more information.

Insects of Open Space, the Photography of Dave Melius
ONGOING through September 29.
FREE! The Open Space Visitor Center presents a collection of photography artwork of insects from the Bosque and other major public Open Spaces by photographer and entomologist Dave Melius. The photographs are not only beautiful, they also allow visitors to recognize and appreciate insects that reside in the City's Open Spaces as well as in their own back yards, broadening the appreciation of visitors to the fauna of this region. Call 897-8831 or see www.cabq.gov/openspace for details.

Open Space Explorer Packs
ONGOING
. Children and children at heart can stop by the Open Space Visitor Center to check out an Open Space Explorer Pack and experience the natural wonders we have to offer. The backpacks are intended to get families outside and in to nature to learn about plants, animals, and cultural resources found within Open Space. Each backpack is filled with exciting self-guided activities. The packs are available for use during Tuesdays-Sundays and must be returned by 4:30pm. Call 897-8831 to reserve a backpack for a particular time and day. Use of the packs is FREE!

Yoga with a View, Sundays at 9:00am
Begin Sundays with an invigorating YOGA session at 9:00am. Your first class is $5, subsequent classes are $15, and if you buy in bulk, they’re even less. Class fees include a donation to the Open Space Alliance.

About the Open Space Visitor Center: The Open Space Visitor Center is an interpretive hub for the Open Space program, lands, and resources. Visitors enjoy educational exhibits, art displays, wildlife fields, a Traditions garden, Bosque trails, and a variety of talks, workshops, demonstrations and entertainment. The Open Space Visitor Center is located at 6500 Coors Blvd. NW between Montaño Rd. and Paseo del Norte at the end of Bosque Meadows Rd. The Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and closed Mondays. Call 897-8831 for more information or visit www.cabq.gov/openspace.