View from the Innside

spend the weekend with Elvis, April 5-7, 2013

Elvis Presley stayed at the Bottger Mansion of Old Town Bed & Breakfast in April of 1956 just before “Heartbreak Hotel” hit No. 1 on the charts and performed at the Armory. In celebration of his stay in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you can stay the weekend of April 5-7, 2013, and indulge in all things Elvis!

Start on Friday evening with an Elvis karaoke concert on the Plaza with Elvis impersonation and look-alike contest. You can dress like the King and compete, wear 50’s-style apparel, or just come as yourself.

Begin Saturday morning with our own creation of peanut butter and banana-stuffed French toast while listening to the King’s greatest hits and learning Elvis facts and quotes with custom trivia cards. “Elvis” himself will stop by your table, so bring your camera for a photo op!  Venture into Old Town, where classic cars will be parked around the Plaza on Saturday morning, and Elvis will be wandering through Old Town for more photo ops during the day. Events in Old Town will be provided by Albuquerque’s Cultural Services Department.

The King loved bacon and eggs!  Ours will be accompanied by house-made biscuits and jam on Sunday morning.

I’m having fun--come on along!

Kathy
Bottger Mansion of Old Town
historic bed & breakfast
110 San Felipe Street NW
Albuquerque, NM   87104
www.bottger.com
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Deco Japan: Shaping Art and Culture, 1920-1945 exhibit through April 21, 2013

If you’re familiar with the Art Deco period in the United States and Europe, wait until you see its impact in Japan.  Artists there incorporated the new look in paintings, glass, ceramics, sculpture, clothing and jewelry. This special exhibit will be on display at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History through April 21, 2013.

As with all art movements, the Deco period in Japan caused a change in the social and cultural structure, creating the “moga” or “modern girl,” who smoked, drank, danced, and tried to free herself from some of the traditional Japanese norms. 

Japanese artists and craftsmen found themselves finding the delicate balance between extreme artistic expressions of Deco style and more commercial items for the Japanese consumer. 

Do not miss the Museum Store! They have done a marvelous job incorporating books, jewelry, paper lanterns, and other items both for display and for sale in a lovely space.

Indulge in the entire experience by attending one of the Museum’s special Deco Japan programs, which include “The Jazz Age Experience” (dance and music), gallery talks, the music of Madame Butterfly, “Women, Art and Creativity,” the Japanese Garden, and a lecture on the Art Deco movement. The café features menu specials including cold sake and potstickers!

Albuquerque Museum of Art and History
2000 Mountain Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 842-0111
www.albuquerquemuseum.org
open Tuesday-Saturday, 9-5:00

I’m having fun--come on along!

Kathy
Bottger Mansion of Old Town
historic bed & breakfast
110 San Felipe Street NW
Albuquerque, NM   87104
www.bottger.com
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treat your Valentine all month long at Betty's Day Spa in Albuquerque

Betty's Day Spa is just a skip up the road from the Bottger Mansion of Old Town, and any treatment you indulge in there is a delight.

Betty's is offering two specials for the entire month of February.  The Hand-in-Hand special is a 60-minute couples massage, a 15-minute hand and arm massage, sugar scrub and towel wrap. The Self-Indulgence package is just for you--a 45-minute massage followed by a 45-minute sugar scrub. Both include candy treats at the end. What's not to love?

Betty's Bath & Day Spa
1835 Candelaria Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 8710
(505) 341-3456
www.bettysbath.com

I’m having fun--come on along!

Kathy
Bottger Mansion of Old Town
historic bed & breakfast
110 San Felipe Street NW
Albuquerque, NM   87104
www.bottger.com
follow us on Facebook

luminaria driving tour of Albuquerque, 2012

Walking or driving around Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Christmas Eve to see the luminarias is a time-honored tradition. The Bottger Mansion of Old Town Bed & Breakfast is right in the heart of Old Town, which is illuminated by thousands of luminarias on Christmas Eve. We think the best time to see them is after 10:00 p.m. when the bus tours have stopped and most of the traffic is gone. The candles will burn until about 2-3:00 a.m., and people will often walk or drive around to see them after midnight church service.

If you would like to do your own driving luminaria tour that follows the route the bus tours take, we have a map of the route (click here), as well as our own turn-by-turn directions (click here).

Tips: 

• turn your headlights off and just use parking lights when driving through the neighborhoods
• drive slowly (5-10 mph) and carefully, as people will be walking around long into the night
• remember to turn your headlights back on at the end

Feliz Navidad!

Kathy and Steve
Bottger Mansion of Old Town
historic bed & breakfast
110 San Felipe Street NW
Albuquerque, NM   87104
www.bottger.com
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La Catrina String Quartet in Old Town Albuquerque, December 14, 2012

The Bottger Mansion of Old Town Bed & Breakfast is pleased to be the lodging host for the La Catrina String Quartet from Mexico, which will be performing a holiday concert at the San Felipe de Neri Church on December 14, 2012, 6:30-8:00 p.m. This concert is free, and donations to the church are gladly accepted. Seating is limited, so arrive early enough to get a good seat. 

San Felipe de Neri Church
2005 North Plaza Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104

I’m having fun--come on along!

Kathy
Bottger Mansion of Old Town
historic bed & breakfast
110 San Felipe Street NW
Albuquerque, NM   87104
www.bottger.com
follow us on Facebook

 

get your cowboy on at the Western Music Festival, Nov. 14-18, 2012 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Western Music Association Festival and awards will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, November 14-18 at the Marriott Albuquerque Hotel. Events include western swing dances, concerts, mercantile area, music workshops, western poetry (including Baxter Black!), a dinner event, daytime stage (no charge--in the exhibit area), yodeling contest, Friday night Opry, cowboy church on Sunday morning, and much more. You can attend some of the events by a single ticket rather than paying for the entire festival.

I’m having fun--come on along!

Kathy
Bottger Mansion of Old Town
historic bed & breakfast
110 San Felipe Street NW
Albuquerque, NM   87104
www.bottger.com
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Festival of the Cranes in New Mexico, November 13-18, 2012

The unique call of sandhill cranes high in the sky means the leaves are turning and cold weather is coming soon. So is the annual Festival of the Cranes at the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge November 13-18, 2012. Enjoy tours, workshops, hikes, a wildlife art show, and a Wildlife Zone with activities for kids. The great photo here was taken by Jerry Goffe of USFWS.

Each morning at sunrise, thousands of birds lift off from the river and surrounding area to forage all day in surrounding fields and feeding areas. While you may not want to get up that early for the "blast off," you may wish to end the day at sunset by watching the birds come back to the Refuge to rest for the night.

The Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge is about an hour and a half south of Albuquerque just outside of Socorro, New Mexico. For a map and directions, click here.

I’m having fun--come on along!

Kathy
Bottger Mansion of Old Town
historic bed & breakfast
110 San Felipe Street NW
Albuquerque, NM   87104
www.bottger.com
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Steve Stucker--Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta icon

Any other time or place, people might be running away from this crazy-looking guy. This is Steve Stucker of KOB-TV, who reports from every event at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. He wears a balloon hat and has pins from all of the previous Balloon Fiestas. He and the KOB-TV team cover every event and talk to the pilots, zebras (field officials), and visitors, giving everyone basic information about how hot air balloons work, where the balloons are from, how the "Albuquerque Box" works, Balloon Fiesta history and trivia. (Did you miss this year's Balloon Fiesta?  Plan to stay at the Bottger Mansion of Old Town next year!)

Even if you can't go to the Fiesta, you can watch it online, but there's nothing like being right in the midst of the balloons on the field, watching them set up and launch, and viewing the spectacular sight of so many balloons in our clear blue sky.

It's not too early to make reservations for next year's Balloon Fiesta October 5-13, 2013.

I’m having fun--come on along!

Kathy

Bottger Mansion of Old Town
historic bed & breakfast
110 San Felipe Street NW
Albuquerque, NM   87104
www.bottger.com
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Globalquerque! in Albuquerque September 21-22, 2012

Globalquerque! in Albuquerque is New Mexico's annual celebration of world music and culture that will be held September 21-22, 2012, on three stages at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (1701 4th St SW, at Avenida César Chávez).

"Enjoy the intimate courtyard setting of the Fountain Courtyard, the state of the art 692-seat Albuquerque Journal Theatre and dance outside on the Plaza Mayor. Grounds open at 4 p.m. and performances start at 6:20 p.m. and run until at least 11:30 p.m. The Global Village will be open into the night. There will also be FREE day programming on Saturday for families and adults, including workshops on music and folklore, crafts, and live performances. Visit the Global Fiesta page for more info."

Musicians and groups represent a diverse range of cultures and countries, including Spain, Iran, Germany, Puerto Rico and Madagascar. Click here for the complete schedule and descriptions of performers.

Tickets: Through September 20th, a 2-day adult pass is $50 (children 12 and under are $25), a one-day adult icket is $30 (children $15) .  Prices go up after that date, so click here for tickets and buy them early. 

Free Global Fiesta: Saturday, Sept. 22, 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Get a sneak preview of ¡Globalquerque! with an afternoon of fun filled activities and workshops created in collaboration with the National Hispanic Cultural Center's Education Department. The whole NHCC campus will be full of dance, music and hands-on activities for the young and the inquisitive of all ages. Activities are geared towards both children and adults.

I’m having fun--come on along!

Kathy
Bottger Mansion of Old Town
historic bed & breakfast
110 San Felipe Street NW
Albuquerque, NM   87104
www.bottger.com
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Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival, August 23-26, 2012

The third annual Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival will be held over four days in several venues around Old Town and downtown Albuquerque, August 23-26, 2012. International dance instructors will teach salsa, bachata, and tango in 40 dance workshops. Enjoy live music, films, and lectures. Old Town Plaza will be jumping on Friday night with a free concert and dancing on August 24th, 5:30-10:00 p.m.

You can dance, listen to the music, or just watch the amazing energy and vibrant colors of hundreds of dancers enjoying a lovely summer evening, moving to the irresistable rhythms of Latin music.

And you can stay at the Bottger Mansion of Old Town Bed & Breakfast. We're just south of Old Town Plaza--close enough to enjoy the festivities, with your room waiting for your return when you're ready to rest.

I’m having fun--come on along!

Kathy
Bottger Mansion of Old Town
historic bed & breakfast
110 San Felipe Street NW
Albuquerque, NM   87104
www.bottger.com
follow us on Facebook