By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper – Winrock Town Center is bringing back its free summer concert series for a second year, offering Albuquerque residents a place to gather for live music, local vendors and community connection on Friday nights throughout the summer.
The Live @ Winrock Park concert series returns beginning May 29 and will feature a mix of local musicians, tribute acts and regional performers performing outdoors at Winrock Park. The series is free and open to the public.
David Hale, marketing specialist for Goodman Realty Group, explains that the concert series has always centered on creating a welcoming community space.
“I think the vision always has been with the park to create something that brings people together,” says Hale. “The concerts really gave all sorts of people a way to enjoy something in the city that’s safe and free, and it’s accessible to everybody and families.”
Hale adds that the events have offered residents an opportunity to spend time outdoors together. “It gave people something to look forward to on the weekends that was fun and free,” says Hale.
The concert series is organized in partnership with AMP Concerts, which helps curate the lineup each year.
According to Hale, organizers aim to showcase Albuquerque’s diverse music scene by booking a blend of local and visiting artists. “They picked a lot of local bands, but last year we had kind of a nice mix of local and traveling groups,” says Hale. “I think it gives a nice kind of spotlight to different music scenes that are here in Albuquerque.”
This year’s lineup includes performers such as Hillary Smith and the Chill House Band, Henry Cortez y Los Heartaches, Lara Manzanares, El Gozao & Los 33, Mac Heartbreakers, Red Light Cameras and JD Nash.
Beyond entertainment, Hale believes free outdoor concerts are especially meaningful in Albuquerque because of the city’s cultural identity and growing need for community-centered events.
“I think Albuquerque is very culturally rich, and we’re in a very unique cultural environment here,” says Hale. “I think nourishing that live music scene here is super important.”
“We have an artisan market this year too, so we’ll have a night market with several local vendors, crafts and makers,” adds Hale. “It encourages people to come out here and support local businesses, support local musicians, and socialize and have a great time in the city.”
The artisan market will accompany the concerts each week, featuring local vendors and makers alongside the performances. Hale also notes that Winrock recently opened a new food truck park near the eastern side of the property across from Regal Cinemas.
For Hale, one of the most important aspects of the concert series is the sense of connection it creates among attendees.
“I think just that sense of community is very important,” says Hale. “Especially after COVID, people get really invested in kind of their own day-to-day routines, and I think coming to Winrock really reconnects that community feeling.”The Live @ Winrock Park series begins May 29 and runs through July 24 on Friday evenings at Winrock Town Center (2100 Louisiana Blvd NE #51). Performances generally begin at 6:30 p.m. The Artisan Market opens at 6 p.m. and runs through the evening. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Additional information and schedule updates are available through the Winrock Town Center website (winrocktowncenter.com).
If you go…
Live @ Winrock
- May 29 through July 24, performances generally begin at 6:30 p.m.
- Winrock Town Center (2100 Louisiana Blvd NE #51)
- Free!