Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival and Highland Games are coming once again to the city for a few days of excitement and cultural celebrations of all things Celtic. This year will see the festival come to Albuquerque for the 25^th time.  Every year, it becomes more and more popular as people delight in the activities, music, dance, and much more!

There will be plenty to see and do during the Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival and Highland Games. You will be able to watch traditional dances performed by various groups, as well as listen to music that features instruments such as the harp and war pipes. People will recite poetry, speakers will tell of Celtic history, as well as how people of Celtic heritage have found their way to New Mexico and the city, and you will even be able to hear some speak in the Celtic language and tell stories that have been handed down generation after generation.

The Highland Games will showcase a variety of different games typically played across the globe in the home country. Watch the tough game of rugby, cheer on your favorite participant in hurling, and discover how Gaelic football is played. There will also be dog demonstrations and showing of Celtic dog breeds.

Head over to Balloon Fiesta Park and choose whether or not to purchase a single- or two-day pass. Tickets for adults are $15 for one day, $20 for two. Children’s passes are $7 for one day, $10 for two. For senior citizens and active military personnel, a single day pass is $10 and $15 for two.

Along the way, you can expect to get plenty of water. Keeping hydrated is important in this hot and dry climate, and the run can be quite difficult for some. Practicing ahead of time will help you tackle the 1,000 feet climb, as will a great pair of shoes. Being prepared is important for any run – especially this one!

Registration for the race is $32-$35. After May 15, the price will go up by another $5. Race day registration is accepted, and the fee then will be $45. The race will begin at 7am, so be ready to go early in the morning! This year, the monetary benefits will go toward The Storehouse, which is a local food bank in downtown Albuquerque. Food, clothes, and gently used shoes will also be collected during the event, so if you have any extras, bring them if you can.

Go old school with the Steve Miller Band on May 17^th. Created in 1967, the Steve Miller Band is well-known for songs such as “The Joker,” and “Fly Like an Eagle.” Classic rock at its finest, a visit to the Route 66 Casino will give you the chance to listen to them live.

If you’ve ever wanted to party with the princes of darkness, then now is the perfect time. The Masters of Madness: Shock Therapy Tour is coming to AlbuquerqueJune 1^st where you can rock out to the music and madness of Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson. The Isleta Amphitheater will host the concert, and it is the perfect place for falling into hard hitting music like only Cooper and Manson can deliver.

Hoping to hear something a little more country-style? The Isleta Amphitheater will host Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley. They’ll have plenty of songs for you to sing along with, as well as some slower, sweeter melodies that fans always love to hear. If this sounds like a good time, be sure to get your tickets soon as the concert will take place May 17^th.

Herbfest is hosted by Friends of theRio GrandeNatureCenter. They are a nonprofit organization with the goal of protecting theRio Grandearea. They educate the public about the ecosystems as well as show people how to interact with them in a positive manner. From classes to guided walks to educational activities, they do everything possible to inform people about the importance of the area.

Herbfest is an excellent way to get people out to theRio Grandearea and see the different herbs that they may or may not be familiar with. You can purchase herbs to use in your own kitchen if you like, or you can peruse the crafts and various arts to see if there are any handmade goodies you’d like to take home with you. Bring the whole family for guided walks and garden tours where you can learn about both the flora and fauna of theRio Grande’s ecosystems. There will also be music, raffles, and crafts that kids can make and take home with them.

Over two days, Herbfest will also feature speakers such as New Mexico State Biologist Tess Grasswitz, George Miller and Tom Stewart of the New Mexico Native Plant Society, Landscape Designer Judith Philips, and Wes Brittenham of Plants of the Southwest. From creating a wildlife habitat to discoveringNew Mexico’s beneficial or native plants, there’s a little something for everyone.

If you are looking to attend Herbfest 2013 in Albuquerque, and are still looking for a place to stay this weekend, make sure to check out our “green” hotel rooms. Hotel Andaluz is the first historic hotel in the southwest to be Leed Gold Certified as well as being a AAA Four Diamond award winning hotel.

The city loves the attention as much as we love a good pint after a warm sunny day. We are lucky to have our pick of several micro-breweries in the area, some just a few blocks (what’s up Marble?) from our downtown Albuquerque hotel.  The great part about this is we at the Hotel Andaluz get to keep our emphasis on local, by featuring local brews in our rooftop terrace, Ibiza and our lobby bar.

We are even more stoked when we get to celebrate ABQ Beer Week with our fellow bars and restaurants. ABQ Beer Week is a week full of events from beer tastings, brewery tours, tap takeovers and our event Taps & Apps on Tuesday, April 30th. We’ve invited four local breweries (Marble, Il Vicino, La Cumbre & Bosque Brewing) and paired their best brew with our tantalizing appetizers. This happy hour-style event is going to rock, and you don’t want to be left out. Make your reservations with Lauren right now 505.923.9013.

Cheers boys and girls to Albuquerque and ABQ Beer Week! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for updates on all event at the Hotel Andaluz. We hope to see you real soon…

Here are some hot trends for cool events:

Decor

Go bold and combine orange, hot pink and bright yellow for a lively color palette. Using vases of varying sizes, fill with citrus fruits such as tangerines, limes and lemons for a bright and festive look.

If you are looking to create a serene environment that says cool and chic, opt for a color palette that layers shades of white, ivory and khaki or combines white, blue and lilac. Pair these colors with seashells, rocks, sand and driftwood for a traditional “beach-y” look that is also eco-chic!

Dining

Summer in New Mexico can be hot, but we suggest these delectable treats to cool off your summer nights!

Beverages

• Vinho Verde is a great summer wine – light, refreshing and a little bubbly
• White Peach Sangria is a light, sweet departure from the classic red Sangria
• Try a summer twist on a classic cocktail — the Watermelon Margarita!

Foods

• Mango-Pineapple and Strawberry Brochettes with a Meyer’s Rum Mascarpone Dipping Sauce
• Crab Cakes with Roasted Corn Relish can be prepared as bite-size hors d’oeuvres or as an entrée
• Fire up the Barbie and grill Harissa Shrimp Skewers to pair with Roasted Jalapeno-Honeydew Gazpacho
• A grilled Shaved Ham and Manchego Quesadilla with Green Chile & Apple Chutney
• Gourmet popsicles are the new trend! Try our Chef’s Bourbon Peaches and Cream Popsicles

For full recipes of these dishes, CLICK HERE.