Armed with a newspaper listing open mic nights around Los Angeles, he began the grind familiar to every stand-up hopeful: writing jokes, performing for small crowds, refining material, and returning night after night. Nearly four decades later, the passion remains intact.

Few events capture Albuquerque’s appetite for community quite like the Southwest Chocolate & Coffee Fest — a sensory playground where indulgence meets discovery and local pride blends with international flavor.

The program will offer a vibrant blend of Baroque brilliance, French courtly charm, and playful orchestral fantasy designed to awaken both mind and spirit.