Mouthwatering Performing Arts in Albuquerque

Popejoy Hall

★★★★☆ 4.1 (48) • $$$

"Music department does Ana maxing job this was amazing. Would suggest getting their season tickets it's a great deal."

Music On the Westside

★★★★★ 4.5 (4)

"This place is pretty good, but pricey. There are no other options in Rio Rancho so they are the only option though. My kids liked their teachers, but it seemed like a lot of money to see slow growth. Making up lessons was almost impossible due to the makeup times being when most kids are still in school (elementary schools in Rio get out at 4 but most of their makeups were at 4pm for example, so impossible to get to). And the one time we had a make up class on a Saturday they forgot about it so we waited but never got to do the makeup. When my oldest daughter started band at her school we decided to stop coming here.The place itself is cute and pretty. I would probably recommend to older children more than younger ones personally. Or maybe homeschooled children that don't have access to a band or orchestra program through a school."

Tablao Flamenco at Hotel Albuquerque

★★★★☆ 4.3 (54)

"A good show. I was actually surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. The show is high energy and the dancing is intense. The guitarist is very, very good and could probably do a stand alone show on flamenco guitar. The women were very talented but the male dancer was off the charts. His expressions and fast footwork were amazing to watch. To me, he provided the best performance. I didn't know much about Flamenco so you might to read a bit about it before you go. It enhances the show. Food was excellent with the meat and cheese platter was divine. The albondigas were a bit spicy but packed a mouthful of flavor. We had the flan for dessert which less firm than other I've had. It was excellent though. I would recommend this fun evening out."

South Broadway Cultural Center

★★★★☆ 4.4 (7)

"Yeah, I should probably launch this review with a few words about the terrific performances in the theatre, but I feel like I have a higher calling, here. I'm reviewing a building that houses a library, after all. Libraries are tantamount to temples in my feeble lil' echelon of Godliness, churches of smarts, they are, and the South Broadway Cultural Center owns one of the best in the city. Books, people, are our salvation. Okay, I'm stepping up on my soapbox. Libraries are our greatest gift to the free world. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.First: libraries are free. Ray Bradbury claims he got his college education in a library, and I believe it. When I was looking for a job, in the midst of the recession, I had nothin', and my library provided every resource: books on the next career move, books on tape for road trips, books and activities for my kid, CDs for my kid, CDs for me. Second: I discovered Ray Lamontagne thanks to the library, same with Agnes Obel and a host of others. Third: I used the downtown library as my starting point as a grant writer, I found free tools that would've cost a hefty price in my home. Simply put, libraries are the most religiously exempt, publicly accessible resources to enlightenment on the planet, and the SBCC owns a great one. It's huge, it's easy to navigate and it supports local artists, which were in full display during my most recent visit.The whole facility is gorgeous. And the shows around here are getting much, much better. Thanks for signing on The Box, guys. They're a perfect fit."

School of Rock

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"LOVE! This has been the best music experience. My children love it and look forward to going each week. It's a different concept than your traditional classical music lessons, making it FUN and exciting. The instructors are all wonderful, the owner is awesome and they work with your schedule making it convenient to attend."

FUSION Theatre Company

★★★★★ 5 (4)

"As the saying goes, "theater is always dying". And it is. Recently, my daughter came down with a fever of 103. She spent the afternoon slurping chicken noodle soup, sipping from her water bottle, and we split the entertainment bill between readings of children's books, naps, and her favorite Netflix shows. Yet another roadblock to the performing arts of modern life: streaming video. Man, the performing arts have never faced such competition, it's ugly. For a fraction of the price of admission, that there television offers a wealth of fantastic, pre-recorded drama.And yet theater lives. It always has, it will never die, I have no doubt about this. Say what you want about CGI, Yoda was better as a muppet, so was Jabba the Hut; the same goes for any creature of the big screen. In the year 2015, human still beats virtual, and the Cell Theatre is a den that proves this maxim. This place doesn't just put on great plays, they support the players, and man, they hire the very best. And yeah, they do hire. They're the only true Union playhouse in ABQ, the actors have pedigree, they're getting paid and yeah, the shows meet or beat the off-broadway competition. I've never, ever seen a bad show, here. The current owner/volunteer board of this company are as good if not better than the original founding members who envisioned a place for Union actors to perform in this city, which is swamped with talent and desperate for support. The Cell delivers incredible performances and fully realized shows every single at-bat. If you're debating, just GO. You won't be disappointed and more likely, you'll never forget it. Ever. This is where theater lives in ABQ."

Musical Theatre Southwest

★★★★☆ 4.1 (9)

"This is the first time in a while I've attended one of the productions of this company. I remember when I would go to their shows at popejoy. They have always put on great performances and this last one was no exception. The only issue I had was I had waited in line to go in and they were pulling people from the back of the line to enter another door. These people had just arrived."

New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series

★★★★★ 5 (1) • $

"Another outstanding show for Festival of the Cranes! Saw Dustbowl Revival on Friday night. http://www.dustbowlrevival.comPartner and I used to go to The Festival every year but hadn't been in a while. When we went, we always got tickets to the show at The Macey Center. (New Mexico Tech Performing Art Series.) We've seen several performers that we didn't know. Every time, so glad we went! The venue is small. The people are welcoming and friendly. The ticket prices are amazing. Socorro is a nice little town. This concert venue is worth the drive from Albuquerque!"

The Box Performance Space

★★★★★ 4.7 (25)

"Not sure what to do on a Friday/Saturday night? Have people visiting from out of town? Then I highly recommend considering The Box for a night out. Girls night, date night, family night - whatever you chose your poison to be - the Box should be included. It was a great experience and my face was hurting from laughing so much. The performers are very talented and quick on their feet. Definitely recommend this as an ABQ experience."

Rock 101 NM Music Academy

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"My daughter who is 6 is in the FreeBirds class. She has been in the class for about 2 months now and loves it. They get to play guitar, drums and piano in the class. So far I've enrolled her in some other outside activities but she likes this the most. The class size is small so they really get to try out all the instruments . So far I would recommend this music class."

The Vortex Theatre

★★★★☆ 4.4 (7)

"Community theaters own a sacred realm in my soul. The celebrated, iconic American playwright, David Mamet, famously wrote that "the theatre is always dying", a truism that both bemoans the struggles of grassroot companies like The Vortex, and celebrates their grit. Indeed, community theatre is always dying. Every month, the bills barely get paid. Every month, heavy decisions by the board must be made, where to cut costs, where to invest, how to lipstick the pig of the next production and somehow suspend the disbelief of an audience. In short, community theatre -- the real thing, crafting a universe within four walls -- is flat broke, forever. Always. As far as The Vortex is concerned, they've been promising to pay the rent to the landlord since 1976, and they've somehow, forever, managed to scrape up the money, thanks to a dedicated, unpaid, evolving cast of talent and unwavering support from a local audience that cares about keeping this beast alive.Know this: if you're going to see a show at this theatre, you're purchasing a ticket for passion. I'm doubting I'm wrong about the longevity of the company, but at 40+ years of age it's likely the oldest troupe in town. Thus it's no surprise that the move to a new space a couple years ago was dutifully followed by their fans. The new(ish) black box performance arena suffices, it appears that the seating can switcheroo for theatre in the round or proscenium, the show I caught was Alice in Wonderland, there wasn't a bad seat in the house. But the new space also provides something the old venue couldn't: a waiting area. An audience hangout between acts, for set changes and refreshments (a major source of theatre revenue). Not surprisingly, the 2017 season looks like it's offering some lengthier productions that demand a break in the action, The Iceman Cometh a notable example. I'm liking where this company is headed, and I enjoyed the recent show. Thinking of checking 'em out? Go."

Foul Play Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.7 (15) • $$$

"Fun! Great evening with the adult family! Loved the play, the bartender, the actors and actresses and definitely the food! The whole group felt the same too! We laughed and laughed! Great adult fun! They accommodated gluten free vegetarian even! Any little thing that happened they would improvise and get everyone to laugh! So talented!!!"

Ballet Repertory Theatre

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"My daughter has been a part of BRT 2 years. She started in Pre-Ballet and has since moved up two levels. This mom doesn't know all the proper lingo. We picked BRT due to the positive reviews, class times, and location. During our 2 plus years at this theatre my daughter has participated in multiple winter shows at the theatre and two recitals at KIMO theater. This year my daughter added Modern Dance and loves it as much as her ballet class. I'd recommend this theater to anyone young or old."

Adobe Theater

★★★★☆ 4.3 (13)

"Such a great space with fabulous energy. Apparently they just underwent a remodel and it looks great! They have a fun list of shows upcoming, check it out!!"

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

★★★★☆ 4.3 (181)

"Things Will Work Out IndianOwned and operated by the 19 Indian Pueblos of New Mexico, this +10k-sq-ft Museum/Cultural Center/Performance Venue opened in 1976 to showcase and educate visitors and locals alike about the culture and history--both good and bad--of the Pueblo People. The Good:*Lots of amazing artifacts and art to discover.*Extremely inexpensive at $12/adult & $10/kids (w/ additional discounts for seniors and veterans) for what you get. *Native craft makers selling their wares in and around the museum. *Restaurant (Indian Pueblo Kitchen) that features Native American cuisine. *If you see an older gentleman (sorry, I forgot his name) about to give a (free) tour, I highly recommend you take it. He gives lots of amazing info, even if he does go a little long on some things. *Native music and dancing every Sat & Sun (11 a.m. & 2 p.m.) and some Fridays (check their calendar of events on their website).*Rotating exhibits*Terrific gift shopThe Meh:*The restaurant was just OK, but that's a review for another day and another Yelp page. :)The Ugly:*Grumpy Gus 12-year-old who bemoans going to museums because it "feels like I'm in school." -_-TLDR: Fantastic place to visit and get your learn on while visiting Albuquerque. Highly recommended."

African American Performing Arts Center & Exhibit Hall

★★★★☆ 4 (4)

"First time here, and it's for Matilda. The place looks wonderful, and new. The lobby was large enough for early theater goers. We paid $5 each for VIP entry. So we waited in a line that was granted early access to seats. No assigned seats. It was only general seating. While waiting I noticed discolored ceiling tiles. This was a little disconcerting as the last place I worked had similar tiles that had to be replaced due to mold & mildew problems that lead to employees hanging respiratory problems. We were very glad that we purchased VIP tickets. It's the last performance, and before showtime, it was packed. The VIP tickets allowed us to chose seats toward the front, center stage. The seats were comfortable and our view was pretty good. It's a lovely theater, with red & green hued pyramid shapes on one wall.For this production the actors and actors were good. Sound was mostly good, but there were a few feedback or battery issues. I was impressed by the sets. Excellent."

Keshet Dance & Center for the Arts

★★★★★ 4.5 (12)

"There's a lot more going on at Keshet than I know. A whole lot more. I know that my three year-old is absolutely boisterous about her dance class here; she takes it home, actually, and can often be found in our living room donning a ballerina costume, twirling on the carpet.I've known some professional dancers who've worked with the company in the past, they were absolutely incredible. I've seen a couple of Keshet performances and found them to be sort of nuanced modern, gorgeous and not overdone. But I've only recently learned of the nonprofit, community connected efforts of Keshet, and these earn 'em a fifth star. Amongst their various programs, I'm most impressed with the efforts that bring dance to low-income, at-risk, homeless and incarcerated youth. They also bring dance to the disabled. Really impressive.With programs for the young, old and in-between, Keshet's definitely one of the most important arts organizations in ABQ. The Center for the Arts is currently under construction; my daughter's class is currently being taught in a temporary structure adjacent to the building. But once the construction is over, it's looking like this will be a fantastic destination for the performing arts."

Opera Southwest

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Opera Southwest is Albuquerque's Professional Opera Company- Since 1972. This is top-drawer stuff. I have been an opera season ticket holder since 1973, fires at Lyric Opera in Chicago and then at Washington National Opera in the Kennedy Center on the banks of the Potomac. I was a supernumerary at WNO for years. Yeah, I've been around a bit, with occasional forays to the Met (love) ) and Santa Fe (meh). Opera Southwest need not take a back seat to any company. Most performances are as good as or better than those at WNO. And why travel to Santa Fe to hear a performance that is marred by the sounds of truck traffic on the highway. Distracting at least. Opera Southwest's recent performance of The Pearl Fishers was the very est I have ever heard. The most recent opera, Rossini's rarely performed William Tell, yesterday (October 22, 2017) excelled in all aspects -- singing (principals and chorus), orchestra, lighting, costumes, and direction. I find The conductor, Anthony Barrese, to be an Albuquerque treasure. I was blown away, as was my companion. Do I miss WNO or the Lyric? No -- I have Opera southwest to keep me warm."

Duke City Repertory Theatre

★★★★★ 4.8 (6)

"Without getting too involved in the history of this company, which likely isn't why you're reading this review, I want to say that I first encountered this theatre company back in, oh, maybe 2009. Two founders of Duke City Rep, Amelia Ampuero and Frank Green, made cordial, friendly small talk in the black box of North 4th about how they'd chosen Albuquerque as their home because they felt our city was the perfect hatching ground for a more mature theatre scene. Green, in particular, struck me as a passionate dude with a "look" that stuck, he was simultaneously wily and steady, the kind of guy I wanted to see on stage.Since that time they've filled their resumé with winning productions at The Filling Station and the polished, Union-supporting company, The Cell. This year I had an opportunity to catch their Halloween thriller, "Night of the Living Dead". Set in a basement during a zombie apocalypse, Duke City Rep managed to suspend my disbelief for the better part of 40 minutes. I finally got to see Green in action, too, and he didn't disappoint. This company has the gritty, ambitious feel that founded another Burque performance ensemble, Tricklock. There's no time like the present to catch this crew in action -- they're gelling and connecting, there's an energy on stage that typically won't stick around too long, that's just the way the theatre beast rolls; like bands that get signed to major labels, eventually that chemistry splinters. So right about now, you're looking at a really good garage band, you best see a show."

Simms Center For The Performing Arts

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Albuquerque Academy puts on amazing stage productions, and Simms is a great performance space for a high school. The stadium seating gives you a splendid view of the stage from any seat, even the wings, and some spots even give you a good view of the orchestra pit. It should come as no surprise that this school's resources are outstanding, and the attention they give their performance departments is enviable. The sound and stage lighting are awesome and the usable space is really top-notch for this type (highschool) of venue. AA kids are well instructed and spectacularly talented. We just went to a production of the Phantom of the Opera and I was moved to tears more than once. The stars of the show couldn't possibly have been highschoolers! They were very nearly as good as any act I've seen at Popejoy and their voices were simply stunning. I love Webber's Broadway score and was really pleased to find AA was putting on that same version of the legendary story. Although they didn't quite match up to the amazing vocalists' performances, the school's orchestra (+ certain wind instruments) did a not-too-shabby job for a highschool crew replicating one of the (IMHO) most powerfully moving scores ever written."

UNM Rodey Theatre

★★★★★ 4.7 (3) • $$

"Tonight saw a great show. This small theater at the Fine Art Center at UNM is a hidden gem. The shows are small and the theater is intimate. I want to see other things."

Albuquerque Little Theatre

★★★★☆ 4.2 (31)

"I was in Albuquerque for the holidays with my family and specifically to see "Miracle on 34th Street" at the Albuquerque Little Theatre. To be fair...it was because my dad played Kris Kringle in the show...But don't think I am biased just because my personal Santa was playing Santa in the play! The venue is a good size for a stand-alone, dedicated, community theater. They are also aided by a very generously sized (free) parking lot, especially located sort of near to the Old Town area. There isn't a particularly big foyer/front of house area...but you are here for a show, not necessarily to hang out in the box office area. I heard that they recently completed a bathroom remodel, and I can confirm that they ladies' bathroom is lovely, clean and bright.I will say the only negative the whole visit was the temperature. It was very cold in the theater. And I understand that some venues keep it cooler because stage lights and costumes make it rather warm for the performers. But it was a topic of conversation at intermission and after the show. It was notable, thus I note it.The show was wonderful. I was impressed by the costumes, and the sets were well done. It doesn't seem that they employ any artificial amplification for the actors...whether lavalier or stage-level, but at times that seemed...necessary. As this is the only show I have ever seen here...perhaps it is better with smaller/bigger casts...or different blocking and shows. But it was definitely difficult to hear in some parts.If you find yourself intrigued by anything on their season program, you should ABSOLUTELY should get yourself to a show. My impression is that they produce high quality entertainment and any of y'all who get to live in the general vicinity should go and enjoy it for me!"

Desert Rose Playhouse

★★★☆☆ 3 (2)

"A fine little playhouse in the Northeast Heights of Albuquerque at a convenient location in the center of town, The Desert Rose seems ideal for small productions with its cozy theater that seats about 50.I'm here tonight watching "The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told" on an appropriately stormy night. This play, written about twenty years ago by Paul Rudnick, has been brought back at a perfect time in American Cultural history by director Dagmar Garza. The play is a reinvisioning of the creation story familiar in the Bible in the expected way for a queer-revisioning: with Adam and Steve. The play is much more complex, however, than just making a statement about homosexuality. We the audience watch as the characters discover the world and grapple with philosophical questions as if they were children, unaware of dogma. The play also includes an interesting narrative style, with the "Stage Director," a character in the play, providing the kind of narration traditionally supplied by a chorus.The play is mostly funny and bawdy. As far as being philosophically insightful, it lacks any powerful punch that might elevated it beyond the level of entertainment. Nevertheless, the show is well acted, timely, and interesting. I recommend you see it before it closes on the 28th.PS. Billy Mallard really stole the show as gay Santa.And as for The Desert Rose: I'll be back. :)"

Aux Dog Theatre Nob Hill and the X-Space

★★★★☆ 3.9 (14)

"Reviews of performance venues can be a little nonspecific, since the experience of the space itself is heavily influenced by the performance. Being a thespian veteran of this town, I can honestly state that even great performances have their bad nights, and crowds can occasionally kill a good show. So there's my caveat. I've seen a few terrific performances in this space and I'm confident in stating that Aux Dog is putting together some of the most solid work in the city.I've seen plays in every space imaginable: outdoor, round, Broadway and Off, in classrooms and boardrooms and impromptu shows at parties and bars. Aux Dog is the kind of place I truly love most: intimate, the actors could breathe on you, every sound and emotion and movement makes a difference. This company is consistently putting out material which scratches my theatrical itch, and I'm so glad they're doing the work in Nob Hill, which doesn't have another space like it.The space itself (oh yeah, that's why I'm writing this) is simple, comfortable. The seat banks are in good condition and not too close. The reception area showcases great local art and supports coffee talk. Management seems solid. One tip: get your tickets early. ABQ can be lame in this respect. Very few people buy early, but the day of show we often sell out. Be on the safe side."

KiMo Theatre

★★★★★ 4.7 (33) • $$

"Quite possibly the best venue to catch a show in ABQ, bar none. When I say "show", the KiMo does it all. Standup, film, orchestrations, plays, rock concerts and hip-hop, burlesque, the place runs the gamut, with style and a regional sensibility that dares you to embrace our heritage. But let's get down to the obvious, shall we? The place is decked out in what the untrained eye might perceive as swastikas They most certainly are not. Nazis inverted the symbol in an attempt to coup its very essence and, well, judging from our collective twentieth and twenty-first century conscience, it's obvious they succeeded. Over millennia the symbol was "an important symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, among others, and was also used in Native American and Jewish faiths prior to World War II. By the early twentieth century it was regarded worldwide as symbol of good luck and auspiciousness." (http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-symbols/swastika-symbol.htm)Come here for a great performance. The balcony is almost as good as the ground floor. Dig those glowing skulls. Reclaim the symbol, so central to the people who claimed this place as home. And enjoy the show."