Alibi Picks

Thu Mar 4: Look Who's Talking

The Spark Plug Talks is a unique event which takes 10 people representing different walks of life and various organizations. Each gets six and a half minutes to discuss a topic which he or she is passionate about using slides and words. These individuals represent subjects like the local arts community, social advocacy, journalism, music, archaeology and architecture--kinda like speed dating for ideas. This Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m., head over to the Launchpad (618 Central SW) for the very first installment of The Spark Plug Talks presented by Fab Lab ABQ. The talks are completely free. For more, visit fablababq.com/sparkplug-talks. (Adam Fox)

Fri Mar 5: Smoke, Sweat and Tears

The National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show returns for its 22nd hot-sauce-doused year. Vendors from around the globe will dish out thousands of hot and spicy products at Sandia Resort and Casino Events Center on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance through Ticketmaster or $15 at the door. (Kids up to 18 are $5 either way.) Visit fiery-foods.com/ffshow. (Laura Marrich)

Fri Mar 5: Society's Child

Most are familiar with Janis Ian through the mellow melancholia of her Grammy-winning 1975 song "At Seventeen" (a popular track that's found its way onto "The Simpsons" more than once). While the folk singer still records today, she's also a poet and sci-fi author, not to mention a vocal critic of the greedy Recording Industry Association of America. Ian performs Friday at the National Hispanic Cultural Center's Bank of America Theatre and Saturday at Santa Fe Brewing Co. at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door. (Jessica Cassyle Carr)

Fri Mar 5: Walking on the Moon

Santa Fe's Meow Wolf music and arts collective, in collaboration with Warehouse 21, is staging its first theater production. The artists of Meow Wolf are a dedicated and innovative group; an oasis of young, unalloyed talent in New Mexico. The piece is called The Moon Is To Live On and was written by Vince Kadlubek, who's been an integral part of the youth/arts scene in Santa Fe for years. The multimedia, interdimensional experience incorporates 40 of Santa Fe's most adventurous artists, exploring the human condition through dance, live music, elaborate set and costume design, experimental and classical theater, and scientific phenomena. See it this weekend (Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.) at Warehouse 21 in Santa Fe. $15 advance tickets at meowwolf.com/themoonistoliveon. (Emma Crane)

Sat Mar 6: Bat-Mitzvahed Bad Girls

Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad is back in Burque, bringing its naughty blend of comedy, music and burlesque to the Jewish Community Center (5520 Wyoming NE). The troupe is pairing up this year with the gents of Good For Jews to present "a very special Jewtastic Vaudeville Comedy Extravaganza." Don't miss the performance on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. There's something offensive for everyone! Get your $25 tix at jccabq.org for more details. (Erin Adair-Hodges)

Sat Mar 6: Black Tie, Milk Chocolate

One of the most spectacular gala fundraisers you'll ever sink your teeth into, it's no wonder the New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation's Chocolate Fantasy sells out every year. This time around (No. 18), the theme is "A Greek Odyssey" as the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque hosts chocolate sculpture by New Mexico's most prestigious chocolatiers, live music, Greek dancers, a silent auction, the Laiki Greek Market, a feast of Greek cuisine, Champagne, fine coffees and, of course, gourmet chocolates. You could also win a trip for two, including round-trip airfare, valued at $7,000. Tickets are $150 to $250, and half the ticket value is tax-deductible. Get yours at 841-2883 or naturalhistoryfoundation.org. (Laura Marrich)

Tue Mar 9: Suicide Medicine

His longtime struggle with depression devolved into an inability to write or tour. Seattle singer-songwriter--and former frontman for the indie rock band Waxwing--Rocky Votolato finally emerged from the sadness through studying philosophy. Votolato is on tour in support of his newest album, a lovely sad-happy-sad acoustic exhibition called True Devotion. See him perform live on Tuesday at Launchpad. Opening are Adam H. Stephens (from Two Gallants), Marsh (of Soular) and Brothers. The all-ages show begins at 8 p.m., and tickets range from $12 to $14. Get them through holdmyticket.com. (Jessica Cassyle Carr)

Wed Mar 10: Things That Go Bump in the Night

New Mexicans for Science and Reason (NMSR) is a group of individuals that meets once a month to investigate outrageous and extraordinary claims that typically aren't backed up by scientific data. Leave no UFO sighting, Elvis spotting, ghost haunting or Roseanne Barr national anthem-singing left unturned as the Alibi's own Ben Radford leads a discussion on "Behind the Scenes on a Ghost TV Show" this Wednesday. Discover the truth behind many popular spectre-stalking reality TV shows like "Paranormal State" and "Ghost Hunters." It all starts at 7 p.m. at the UNM Law School Building, Room 2402 (1117 Stanford NE). For more on the group, check out nmsr.org. (Adam Fox)