By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — The City of Vision doesn’t do anything halfway. This weekend brings a crosstown football rivalry in the state playoffs, three days of state volleyball, a Super Troopers alum doing two shows a night, a community food drive, a Western Conference Final down the hill and enough live music and taproom trivia to fill every hour in between.
Here’s what’s happening Friday, Nov. 13 through Sunday, Nov. 15:
FRIDAY, NOV. 13
Crosstown Clash
The biggest game of the year tips off Friday night when the Rio Rancho Rams (6-5) travel across town to face the top-ranked Cleveland Storm in the first round of the 2026 Nusenda Credit Union 6A State Football Championships. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at V. Sue Cleveland High School. Tickets must be purchased in advance online through GoFan — expect a packed house.
State Volleyball Opens
The 2026 NMAA State Volleyball Championships get underway Thursday, Nov. 12, and run through Saturday, with finals at the Rio Rancho Events Center. Teams from across New Mexico compete in a modified double-elimination format. Full-day passes with re-entry are $17; single-entry adult tickets are $12; students, seniors and military pay $8. All tickets are sold online through GoFan. The Events Center is cashless, enforces a clear-bag policy and does not allow metal drink containers.
Boot Barn Grand Opening
Rio Rancho’s newest retailer cuts the ribbon Friday at 2 p.m. Boot Barn opens at 3575 NM-528 NE, bringing Western and work gear to the Westside.
Holiday Craft Fair
Get a head start on holiday shopping at the Sandoval County Holiday Craft Fair, running Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sandoval County Judicial Complex, Building D, 1500 Idalia Rd. in Bernalillo.
Enchanted Visions Art Show
A free community art showcase celebrating local Westside and Rio Rancho artists opens Friday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation, 1650 Abrazo Rd. NE. The show returns Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Jay Chandrasekhar at Quezada’s
The co-founder of Broken Lizard — the comedy troupe behind Super Troopers, Beerfest and The Slammin’ Salmon — brings his story-driven stand-up to Quezada’s Comedy Club for two nights. Jay Chandrasekhar has also directed episodes of Arrested Development, Community and The Goldbergs. He performs Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are at quezadas.holdmyticket.com.
Astronomical Society Meeting
The Rio Rancho Astronomical Society holds its monthly meeting Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Rainbow Park Observatory, 301 Southern Blvd. Free and open to the public.
Live Music Friday
The Fabulous Martini-Tones play The Hopper Pub & Pizzeria, 4500 Arrowhead Ridge Dr., from 6 to 9 p.m. Brew Lab 101, 3301 Southern Blvd. SE, hosts Music Bingo followed by DJ Fishbowl, with food trucks Black Pearl Burgers, Wing It Up! and The Doughbox on site. At Casa Vieja Brewery in Corrales, Odd Dog plays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with Steam Q Food Truck on hand. Ex Novo Brewing in Corrales features Stuffed Lust Sopapilla Company Friday evening.
Goatheads Watch Party
The New Mexico Goatheads are on the road against the Kalamazoo Wings all weekend. The BLOCK, 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE, airs every game on all screens. Friday’s watch party starts at 5 p.m., followed by Salsa Night with DJ Gabe upstairs in the Top of THE BLOCK Bar at 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOV. 14
State Volleyball — Championship Day
The 2026 NMAA State Volleyball Championships conclude Saturday at the Rio Rancho Events Center. See Friday listing for ticket prices and venue policies.
Jay Chandrasekhar — Night Two
Chandrasekhar returns for two more shows Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Quezada’s. Tickets at quezadas.holdmyticket.com.
RRPD Annual Food Drive
The Rio Rancho Police Department hits six grocery store locations Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon collecting food donations for St. Felix Pantry and Storehouse West. Drop off nonperishable items at any of the following locations:
- Walmart, 901 Unser Blvd. SE
- Walmart Neighborhood Market, 1115 NM-528 SE
- Smith’s, 1000 Rio Rancho Dr. SE
- Albertsons, 4300 Ridgecrest Dr. SE
- Albertsons, 7800 Enchanted Hills Dr. NE
- Market Street, 2200 Unser Blvd. SE
Operation Stock the Pantry
The BLOCK hosts its own food drive starting at 4 p.m. — Operation Stock the Pantry for NM Vets — collecting items to restock the Veterans Integration Centers food pantry. The Goatheads watch party follows at 5 p.m. Tarot readings run all day from noon to 9 p.m., and Goatheads Stitch n Sip with Zia Yarn starts at 5 p.m.
Placitas History Talk
The Placitas Community Library, 453 NM-165, hosts “A Journey Down Memory Lane: Placitas Volunteer Fire Brigade” at 2 p.m. Free and open to the public.
Live Music Saturday
Casa Vieja Brewery welcomes Suitcases in Tiny Spaces from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with In Pizza We Trust on site. Ex Novo Brewing features Papa Cano’s Pizza and Sanchez Tacos.
SUNDAY, NOV. 15
NM United in the Western Conference Final
New Mexico United hosts Sacramento Republic FC in the USL Championship Western Conference Final Sunday at 5 p.m. at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are moving at a historic pace, according to the club, and are available at SeatGeek.com, by phone at (505) 209-7529 or in person at the team store at 3500 Central Ave. SE. The match airs on NM50 and Estrella TV, streams on KRQE.com and ESPN+ and broadcasts on ESPN Radio 101.7 The Team. A Black and Yellow trip to the USL Championship Final is one win away.
Enchanted Visions — Day Two
The art show returns Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation, 1650 Abrazo Rd. NE. Free admission.
Goatheads Watch Party
Catch the Goatheads’ final road game of the weekend at The BLOCK starting at 1 p.m., followed by Braingang Trivia at 5 p.m.
Live Music Sunday
Frank Salazar & The Red Hot Ramblers play Casa Vieja Brewery from 3 to 6 p.m. Ex Novo Brewing hosts Umami Moto food truck.
What’s happening this weekend
NM United vs. Sacramento Republic FC
USL Championship Western Conference Final
Where: Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, Albuquerque
When: Sunday, Nov. 15 | 5 p.m. | Gates open 3:30 p.m.
TV: NM50 | Estrella TV | KRQE.com | ESPN+
Radio: ESPN Radio 101.7 The Team
Tickets: SeatGeek.com | (505) 209-7529 | Team store: 3500 Central Ave. SE
Rio Rancho Rams vs. Cleveland Storm
6A State Football Playoffs — First Round
Where: V. Sue Cleveland High School, 4800 Laban Rd. NE, Rio Rancho
When: Friday, Nov. 13 | 7 p.m.
Tickets: gofan.co
2026 NMAA State Volleyball Championships
Where: Rio Rancho Events Center (finals), Rio Rancho High School, Cleveland High School, Bernalillo High School
When: Thursday–Saturday, Nov. 12–14 | Finals Saturday
Tickets: $17 full-day pass | $12 adult single | $8 students/seniors/military
gofan.co
Note: Cashless venue | Clear bags only | No metal drink containers
Sandoval County Holiday Craft Fair
Where: Sandoval County Judicial Complex, Building D, 1500 Idalia Rd., Bernalillo
When: Friday, Nov. 13 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Free admission
Enchanted Visions Art Show
Where: Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation, 1650 Abrazo Rd. NE, Rio Rancho
When: Friday, Nov. 13 | 5–8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15 | 1–5 p.m.
Free admission
Jay Chandrasekhar at Quezada’s Comedy Club
Where: Quezada’s Comedy Club, 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Bernalillo (Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel)
When: Friday, Nov. 13 & Saturday, Nov. 14 | 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. nightly
Tickets: quezadas.holdmyticket.com
RRPD Annual Food Drive
When: Saturday, Nov. 14 | 9 a.m.–noon
Donations benefit St. Felix Pantry and Storehouse West
Locations:
- Walmart, 901 Unser Blvd. SE
- Walmart Neighborhood Market, 1115 NM-528 SE
- Smith’s, 1000 Rio Rancho Dr. SE
- Albertsons, 4300 Ridgecrest Dr. SE
- Albertsons, 7800 Enchanted Hills Dr. NE
- Market Street, 2200 Unser Blvd. SE
The BLOCK — Weekend Events
Where: 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE, Rio Rancho
Goatheads Watch Parties: Fri. 5 p.m. | Sat. 5 p.m. | Sun. 1 p.m.
Operation Stock the Pantry for NM Vets: Sat. 4 p.m.
Pop Up Tarot Readings: Sat. noon–9 p.m.
Goatheads Stitch n Sip with Zia Yarn: Sat. 5 p.m.
Salsa Night / DJ Gabe: Fri. 8 p.m. (Top of THE BLOCK Bar)
Braingang Trivia: Sun. 5 p.m.
Boot Barn Grand Opening
Where: 3575 NM-528 NE, Rio Rancho
When: Friday, Nov. 13 | Ribbon cutting at 2 p.m.
Rio Rancho Astronomical Society
Where: Rainbow Park Observatory, 301 Southern Blvd., Rio Rancho
When: Friday, Nov. 13 | 7:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public
Placitas History Talk
Where: Placitas Community Library, 453 NM-165, Placitas
When: Saturday, Nov. 14 | 2 p.m.
“A Journey Down Memory Lane: Placitas Volunteer Fire Brigade”
Free and open to the public
Casa Vieja Brewery
Where: 4541 Corrales Rd., Corrales
Fri: Odd Dog | 6–8:30 p.m. + Steam Q Food Truck
Sat: Suitcases in Tiny Spaces | 6–8:30 p.m. + In Pizza We Trust
Sun: Frank Salazar & The Red Hot Ramblers | 3–6 p.m.
Ex Novo Brewing Co.
Where: 4895 Corrales Rd., Corrales
Fri: Stuffed Lust Sopapilla Company
Sat: Papa Cano’s Pizza + Sanchez Tacos
Sun: Umami Moto
Brew Lab 101 Beer & Cider Co.
Where: 3301 Southern Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho
Friday: Music Bingo + DJ Fishbowl
Food trucks: Black Pearl Burgers, Wing It Up!, The Doughbox
The Hopper Pub & Pizzeria
Where: 4500 Arrowhead Ridge Dr., Rio Rancho
Friday, Nov. 13 | The Fabulous Martini-Tones | 6–9 p.m.
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