ALBUQUERQUE, NM- A weekend series of events-"ID Live!"-will celebrate the people and place of the International District, New Mexico's most ethnically diverse district where native New Mexicans live and work next to recent immigrants from Iraq, Congo and Afghanistan.

The series of events on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 will feature art installations on empty lots, block parties, a short film festival, performance, workshops and exhibitions. Several of the installations as well as the films and performance have been created over seven months, involving over a hundred community members working with an artist team. The celebration is the culmination of Phase One of a larger project entitled "Stories of Route 66: the International District."

"Stories ofRoute 66: The International District,"partially funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, brings together Albuquerque residents in a collaborative process of storytelling, art and design that is transforming outdoor spaces in the neighborhood as well as gathering histories, cultures and stories and mapping community assets. The project will culminate in 2016 with a "Story Plaza" located along Route 66. Learn more about the project at: http://www.littleglobe.org/portfolio/id-live-july-2014/

On July 26-27, in addition to a variety of art and other installations located in various parts of the International District (San Mateo to Wyoming, Lomas to Gibson), neighborhood associations, cultural groups, businesses and others will be presenting their own ID LIVE! activities. All events are free of charge and open to the public.

A guide/map of events will be distributed prior to the event, and handed out at various locations during the weekend. Learn more at: http://www.littleglobe.org/portfolio/id-live-july-2014/.

The goals for the ID LIVE! weekend are:

Imagine:art/activities/events that project residents' dreams for the future.
Spark: art/activities/events that promote connection and coordination between individuals, associations and organizations working in the ID as well as encourage new perspectives about the district by all city residents
Seed: art/activities/events that catalyze collaborative initiatives.
Showcase: art/activities/events that showcase the assets of the ID-people and places.

Partners in the Route 66: The International District include: City of Albuquerque, Cultural Services Department and Public Art Urban Enhancement; Littleglobe, Story of Place Institute; UNM School of Architecture and Planning: Bernalillo County;
and AMAFCA.

For more information on participating in the July event, please contact Nick Mang, nicholas@storyofplace.org

Stories of Route 66: The International District is supported by the Cultural Services Department, City of Albuquerque, Richard J. Berry, Mayor. For more information on the wide variety of activities and events offered by Cultural Services venues, please call 311 or visit http://www.CultureABQ.com. TTY Users call Relay NM or 711.