SFR Picks—Week of Oct. 20

It’s Not Just for Nerds Anymore

Santa Fe Comic Con returns to Buffalo Thunder

When the dust of the pandemic cleared (at least a little) and the movie theaters reopened, there was a brief and shining moment wherein the people of the world gathered once more to see...Black Widow. Yup. That was the first movie we saw when we could go out to movies again, and while we’re not about to tell you it was great (are the Marvel movies ever great? No, seriously, think about that before you answer), but going to see a stupid comic book movie for our first foray back into the field was important. Why? Because for over 100 years, comics have comforted us, taught us, made us laugh and cry and have just plain been there. It’s not always about good or bad, sometimes it’s about what we love.

Enter Santa Fe Comic Con, the annual event at Buffalo Thunder that might not match SDCC for size, but certainly has ‘em beat on heart. Given the whole pandemic shape of the world last year, we’re not even sure what entry this is for the venerable event, but we do know founder and promoter Jim Burleson has been in the con game for 10 years as of 2021. Maybe that’s how this year’s event has guests like Ernie Reyes Jr. (Surf Ninjas), Anthony Michael Hall (Halloween Kills) and Jamie Marchi (Borderlands 2 and 3). That’s not even getting into the comics creators themselves, the cosplayers and the local nerds who’ll dress up and go wild with their peers from the wonderful world of comics.

Say what you will about the nerd community—we’re a passionate people who want little more than to don our outfits, meet our heroes briefly and explore the fantastical worlds wrought by some of the most creative minds of our time. Plus, seriously, have you seen Surf Ninjas? It’s great (No, seriously, think about that). Being Santa Fe, it’s pretty affordable, too, and you’ll at least leave with a handful of memories and some pretty cool art and movie and comic book stuff. (Alex De Vore)

Santa Fe Comic Con: 4-8 pm Friday, Oct. 22; 10 am-6 pm Saturday, Oct. 23; 11 am-5 pm Sunday, Oct. 24. $20-$250. Buffalo Thunder Resort Casino, 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, (505) 455-5555

Dogke Schön, Darling

Even though it can be a nightmare to find a rental with a pet in Santa Fe, our venues and restaurants are fairly animal friendly, which means there are ways to support shelter animals while eating, drinking and playing trivia. This week, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter hosts the Dogtoberfest Trivia Night at Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery. Teams of four (or more) will compete for three top prizes, which include a tour and tasting at Tumbleroot’s distillery itself, passes to Violet Crown Cinema, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and four rounds of golf at the Santa Fe Country Club. Everyone is automatically entered into a raffle, too, so more prizes await, and all the proceeds go to supporting long-term pet care. Cue hearts melting. (Liane Pippin)

Dogtoberfest Trivia Night: 6 pm Thursday, Oct. 21. $5. Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery, 2797 Agua Fria St., (505) 393-5135

Dancin’ in the Streets

The Santa Fe Art Institute sits within the mostly empty Midtown Campus, and no one seems to know what to do with it. But hosting a party sounds good! At the Midtown Block Party, SFAI presides over discussions about the future of the publicly-owned space, and all attendees are welcome to chime in. Yes—all. Attendees will also find a scavenger hunt, bike giveaway, housing clinic, food and music, and with partnering orgs like Chainbreaker Collective, Earth Care, Littleglobe, the UNM Design and Planning Assistance Center and YouthWorks, you’re bound to hear good stuff from good people. Check out sfai.org for an ongoing list of events and ways to contribute. (LP)

Midtown Block Party: 10 am-5 pm Saturday, Oct. 23. Free. Santa Fe Art Institute, 1600 St. Michael’s Drive., sfai.org

Oh Hey, Climate

New Mexico Speaker of the House Brian Egolf hosts his first-ever climate summit this week, and given the shape of literally everything, it’s about damn time. Over two days, more than 150 guests from local and state chapters will discuss the future of the climate crisis in New Mexico across subjects including federal policy, energy solutions, equity, state and federal funding. The event roster features names like Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Elena Krieger, too, so if you’ve ever wanted to Greta Thunberg out on the people who work for you, now’s the time. (LP)

New Mexico 2021 Climate Summit: 8:30 am-4:30 pm Monday, Oct. 25 and Tuesday, Oct. 26. Free. New Mexico State Capitol, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail., Register online here.