By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
The weekend of Aug. 21-23 doesn’t need a headliner — it has several. Rio Rancho and Sandoval County pack three days with live music, Route 66 history, a Corrales gala and enough trivia to humble even the most confident know-it-all.
Friday: Waylon Bailey and a Utah comedian
The BLOCK opens the weekend Friday with Waylon Bailey on the Main Stage at 7 p.m. at 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE, bringing high-energy country, Southern Rock and honky tonk with fiery guitar and foot-stomping rhythms.
Shayne Smith plays Quezada’s Comedy Club Friday at 7 p.m. The Utah-born comedian has been selling out venues nationwide since 2014, releasing five specials — most recently “Ghosts Are Real” in January 2025. He fronts the band Painted Devils and contributes to One Blade Magazine alongside his touring schedule. He plays two shows Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets at quezadas.holdmyticket.com.
Saturday: Route 66 history, Native American songwriting and a Corrales gala
The Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series returns to Sandoval County libraries Saturday at 11 a.m. Loma Colorado Main Library, 755 Loma Colorado Blvd. NE in Rio Rancho, hosts Gary Herron on motels along Route 66 and Central Avenue. Martha Liebert Public Library in Bernalillo, 124 Calle Malinche, hosts Aimee Tang on Chinese merchants of Albuquerque’s Route 66. Both talks run through 12:30 p.m. and are free.
Ryan LittleEagle takes the BLOCK Main Stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, blending Native American tradition with country and Americana songwriting.
Corrales MainStreet hosts its 21st annual Starry Night on Route 66 fundraiser Saturday evening at Trees of Corrales, 7752 Corrales Rd., starting at 5:30 p.m. The ticketed gala features complimentary valet parking, signature cocktails by Perea’s Tijuana Bar, hors d’oeuvres at stations representing stops along Route 66, dinner by M’tucci’s Moderno, a silent auction, a live auction led by professional auctioneer Anthony Chavez, and dancing and listening music from the Route 66 era. Proceeds support Corrales MainStreet programs and operations. Tickets at app.dvforms.net/api/dv/2o6zy7.
Sunday: Markets, trivia and Roger Rabbit
The Corrales Growers’ Market opens at 11 a.m. Sunday at Corrales Parks & Recreation, 500 Jones Rd., with local produce, honey, baked goods and artisan goods through Nov. 1.
The BLOCK closes the weekend Sunday with Brain Sang Game at 4:30 p.m., Braingang Trivia hosted by The Hoff at 6 p.m. (18 and older) and a free outdoor screening of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” at 7 p.m. Bring blankets and chairs.
What’s happening this weekend
The BLOCK — Weekend lineup
Where: 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE, Rio Rancho
- Fri, Aug. 21 | 7 p.m.: Waylon Bailey, Main Stage
- Sat, Aug. 22 | 7 p.m.: Ryan LittleEagle, Main Stage
- Sun, Aug. 23 | 4:30 p.m.: Brain Sang Game; 6 p.m.: Braingang Trivia (18+); 7 p.m.: “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” outdoor movie (free)
Shayne Smith — Quezada’s Comedy Club
When: Fri, Aug. 21 | 7 p.m.; Sat, Aug. 22 | 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: quezadas.holdmyticket.com
Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
When: Saturday, Aug. 22 | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Where (two locations):
- Loma Colorado Main Library, 755 Loma Colorado Blvd. NE, Rio Rancho — Gary Herron: “Motels on Route 66/Central Avenue in Albuquerque”
- Martha Liebert Public Library, 124 Calle Malinche, Bernalillo — Aimee Tang: “Chinese Merchants of Albuquerque’s Route 66”
Admission: Free
Starry Night on Route 66 — Corrales MainStreet
When: Saturday, Aug. 22 | 5:30 p.m.
Where: Trees of Corrales, 7752 Corrales Rd., Corrales
Tickets: app.dvforms.net/api/dv/2o6zy7
Corrales Growers’ Market
When: Sunday, Aug. 23 | 11 a.m.
Where: Corrales Parks & Recreation, 500 Jones Rd., Corrales
Admission: Free | Runs through Nov. 1 | Phone: 505-899-8900