ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) is proud to present the 5th year of Women & Creativity, a celebration promoting women in the arts. This festival is sponsored by Mark Pardo Salons and runs throughout March.

In collaboration with more than 35 arts organizations, artists, writers, and independent business owners, this celebration features more than 50 events and exhibitions at venues throughout Albuquerque (http://www.itsatrip.org) and Santa Fe such as the National Hispanic Cultural Center (http://www.nhccnm.org), 516 ARTS, Harwood Art Center, Explora, Georgia O'Keefe Museum, and the Lensic Performing Arts Center, as well as many other partners.

Events in the Women & Creativity 2009 celebration are filled with renowned musical and comedic performances, workshops, classes, and lectures, all honoring the creative efforts of women in a multi-dimensional manner. This festival encourages public participation on many levels. Similarly, it aims to recognize and celebrate the creative women within our community and the artistic and imaginative spirits within each of us.

Highlights include:

• Chicana Badgirls: Las Hociconas, this exhibition explores three generations of Chicana artists and includes installation, video, performance art, as well as disobedient takes on traditional crafts and art forms. January 17-March 21; 516 Arts www.516arts.org
• Peek-a-Boo - Performances that bring to life a hilarious and magical world, which delights tiny children and provokes reflection in teenagers and grownups. March 7; 2pm; National Hispanic Cultural Center www.nhccnm.org
• Marga Gomez, "Long-Island Iced Latina" - this comedic act begins as a hilariously dark memoir of Gomez as the only brown girl in a white high school and morphs into an "intoxicating manifesto for Latinos who can't speak Spanish, suck at Salsa, and suffer from Blonditis." March 13th; 8pm; National Hispanic Culture www.nhccnm.org
• Performing Arts of Spain Series: Margarita Escarpa, internationally renowned guitarist Margarita Escarpa performs and teaches the Spanish Culture through music. March 20; 8pm; National Hispanic Cultural Center www.nhccnm.org
• Beginning African Dance Classes, experience the excitement, joy and healing of African Dance. Throughout March; 5:30pm-7pm; Maple Street Dance Space www.maplestreetdancespace.com
• Explora, features various performances by influential women throughout history such as Elizabeth Blackwell and Christa McAuliffe. Throughout March; 2pm-3pm; Explora! www.explora.us