DEC.

Your monthly guide to community

entertainment, recreation & culture

San Elizario Mission by Kenge Kobayashi. El Paso Scene Cover Award Winner, El Paso Scenes exhibit at Sunland Art Gallery.

Exploring
the night
skies in
West
Texas
& So. NM

Shrek
The
Musical
on stage
in Las
Cruces

Page 25

Page 41

Hundreds
of Holiday
Happenings!
D E C E M B E R
2 0 1 5
www.epscene.com

Chelsea Lane

BeadCounter

Weve decked our halls

... How about yours?

Holiday decorations

The Marketplace

n of the Upper Valley

at PLACITA SANTA FE

In the

10-5 Tues.-Sat. 12:30-4:30 Sun.

www.marketplaceatpsf.com

5034 Doniphan
Molly NMe

Glass Goodies

MAGIC BISTRO

Chelsea Lane

Indoor/Outdoor Dining

Lunch 11 am-2:30 pm Tues.-Sun.

Dinner 5-10 pm Fri.-Sat.

Live Music!
Every Friday 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Every Saturday
11:00 am - 2:00 pm 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Home & Garden Decor

Rustics Fine Art
Collectibles Florals
Jewelry Folk Art
Baby gifts Linens
wearables Crosses
& More!

Antique Traders
Nativity scenes

5034 Doniphan
(next to
The Marketplace)

5034 Doniphan Ste B

833-2121

magicbistroelp.com
facebook.com/magicbistro

Catering
O

Private

Parties
Page 2

585-9296

Big Sky Photography

El Paso Scene

833-9929

Ten Rooms
of Hidden
Treasure
A Browsers
Paradise!
December 2015

DECEMBER 2015
Roundup

tree and displays Saturday, Dec. 5, at

Cleveland Square Park, Downtown (between
El Paso Museum of History and El Paso Library.
Information: 212-0092 or elpasotex.gov/parks.
The program starts at 4:30 p.m. counting
down to the Tree Lighting at 5:55 p.m. by El
Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser, Ken Walters of
evolve FCU and 5-year-old Candlelighters representative Hugo Barraza, followed by the
Celebration of Lights Parade.

Horizon City Christmas Parade The

El Paso Mineral & Gem Club Show

The annual mineral, gem, jewelry and bead

show is Dec. 4-6 at El Maida Auditorium, 6331
Alabama. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday
and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The show features hundreds of gems, minerals,
fossils, beads, silver jewelry, tools and equipment, door prizes, and more. Admission is free.
Information: Gem Center USA, 533-7153 or
epmgs.com.
Raffle drawings are 4 p.m. Sunday for sapphire
necklace, amethyst cathedral, and a string of
pearls. Tickets: $5 (3 for $10). Ticketholders
do not need to be present to win.

Celebration of Lights Christmas Tree

Lighting The City of El Paso Parks and

Recreation Department and evolve Federal

Credit Union present the 80th annual Evolve
Credit Union Celebration of Lights Christmas

December 2015

Eastlake Lions Clubs Christmas Parade,

Extraordinary Inventions, is 10 a.m. Saturday,
Dec. 5, starting at Darrington and Ryderwood
and heading down Horizon Boulevard to
Kenazo and ending at Carrol T. Welch School
on McMahon. Information:
[email protected].
The Horizon City Christmas Tree Lighting is 7
p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, with parade float judging
at 6 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item (canned goods, package of
rice or beans, gravy mix, etc.) to help the club
prepare food baskets. Last year, the club provided 100 turkey food baskets for needy families in Horizon City and Fort Bliss.

Pecan Harvest Festival The 13th annual family harvest festival is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6, at Ramirez
Pecan Farm, 13709 North Loop in Clint. Fresh
pecan picking from the orchard for a nominal
fee. Country store will be open with pecans in
and out of shell as well as candied pecans and
gift baskets. Handmade crafts, food and music
also offered. Admission is free. Information:
851-2003 or on Facebook at Ramirez Pecan
Farm LLC.

Gifts are Memories Its Not Over

hosts a free festival with 1,000 free toys for
elementary children 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec.

12, at 7744 N Loop, with pony rides, books,

face painting, games, activities for children and
adults, and cartoon and super-heroes characters. Information: 540-1317 or in Facebook at
itsnotoverbyj.

Magoffin Holiday Open House The

annual holiday season event at the Magoffin

Home State Historic Site, 1120 Magoffin, is 4 to
8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, with and art show,
music, dancing, food and a visit from Santa.
Dress warm for outside activities. Admission is
$2. Information: 533-5147.

Navidad on the Border The 21st

annual musical homage to the communitys

Mexican Navidad and American Christmas traditions is noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at
EPCCs Administrative Service Center
Auditorium, Building A. Presented by El Paso
Community College Senior Adult Program.
Admission is free, but seating is limited.
Complimentary tickets available through the
Seniors Adult Program: 831-7801.

St. Anthonys Seminary Posada The

seminary, at Crescent and Hastings in Central
El Paso, celebrates the traditional custom of the
posada at about 6:30 p.m. nightly Dec. 16-23,
with rosary, songs by Los Franciscanos and
procession, followed by the breaking of piatas.
The posada is conducted in Spanish. The seminarys famous Nativity scene will be on display
through Christmas Day. Information: 566-2261.
Battle of the Bulge commemoration

Benavidez-Patterson All Airborne Chapter

82nd Airborne Division Association, hosts a
World War II/Battle of the Bulge
Commemorative Celebration at 11 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 17, at Home of the Airborne,

El Paso Scene

Please see Page 5

DECEMBER
INDEX

Roundup
3-13,15
Behind the Scene
4
Scene Spotlight
4
Viva Jurez
14
Program Notes
16
Heres the Ticket
17-19
20
Music, Comedy
Dance
21
Sports
23-25
Feature:
Stargazing in the desert 25-28
El Paso FishNet
28
Nature
29-30
Taking a Look Back
31
At the Museum
32-33
Southwest Art Scene 34-36, 39
Gallery Talk
38
History Lessons
39
40
Keep on Bookin'
41
Stage Talk
On Stage
42
Film Scene
43-44
Liner Notes
44
January preview
45
El Paso Scene Users Guide 31
Scene Distribution Points 43
Advertiser Index 46
Subscription Form 46

Page 3

Blanca del Rio Del Rios outrageous

Rolodex of Hate comedy special is
Dec. 10 at The Plaza Theatre. Page 35.

Scene Spotlight highlights events

advertised in this issue.

A Christmas Carol UTEP

Department of Theatre and Dance presents the Charles Dickens classic adapted by Chuck Gorden and directed by
Austin Savage Dec. 13-20 at Fox Fine
Arts Wise Family Theatre. Page 47.

Sawyer Brown The country band

makes a special concert appearance Jan.
15, at Flickinger Center for Performing
Arts in Alamogordo. Pages 26 and 48.
El Paso Wind Symphony The symphony opens it season Dec. 4 at UTEPs
Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Page 5.

UTEP Basketball UTEP Home

games are at the Don Haskins Center.
Womens games are Dec. 2 vs. New
Mexico, Dec. 14 vs. UTPB and Dec. 28
vs. Eastern NM.
Mens games are Dec. 5 vs. UT
Arlington, Dec. 19 vs. NMSU and Dec.
29 vs. UT Rio Grande. Page 46.
The Weststar Bank Don Haskins Sun
Bowl Invitational is Dec. 21-22.

Navidad de las Luminarias Bruce

Nehring Consort presents the annual
Christmas concerts Dec. 4-6 at The
Chapel at Loretto, with Consort Singers,
Five for Brass and organist Lester
Ackerman. Page 10.
El Paso Mineral & Gem Club Show
The annual mineral, gem, jewelry and
bead show is Dec. 4-6 at El Maida
Auditorium. Page 39.

Escamilla Christmas Extravaganza

Escamilla Fine Art Studio and Gift Shop
in San Elizario hosts its annual
Christmas open house Dec. 5-6 with live
music by Rocio Manriquez Sunday,
guest artists Debra De Santis and Robert
Dozal, refreshments and more. Page 19.

Crossland Gallery Showing Dec. 519 at the gallery of El Paso Art

Association is The Snow Show, holiday
art exhibit and fundraiser with guest artist
Holly Cox. Page 42.
Artist submissions for figurative exhibit
con.FIGURE.ation.two being taken
through Jan. 6.

Krystyna Robbins Open House The

El Paso artists annual open house is
Dec. 6, at her studio. Page 38.
Robins will host her Winter Workshop
Jan. 4-7 at Innsbruck Village in Ruidoso.
El Paso Live Page 27.
At the Plaza Theatre:
Dec. 8-9: Rudolph The Red-Nosed
Reindeer The Musical
Dec. 20: Ragtime The Musical
Dec. 23-24: The Great Russian
Nutcracker
At the Abraham Chavez Theatre:
Dec. 12: El Paso Choral Society presents Handels Messiah
Dec. 18: El Paso Operas Tis The
Season for Opera

Page 4

Sombra Antiqua Open Mic Sombra

Antiqua Vineyard and Winery in Anthony,
hosts live music every Saturday and
Sunday, and open mic nights the second
Friday of the month (Dec. 11). Page 21.

Venite The annual Christmas

Worship Experience at Coronado
Baptist Church is Dec. 11-12, with a look
into the heavens from the scriptures to
modern technology. Page 13.
Handels Messiah El Paso Choral
Society, conducted by Prentice Loftin,
presents Handels masterpiece Dec. 12
at the Abraham Chavez Theatre. Page
12 and 27.

Magoffin Home Open House

Magoffin Home State Historic Site hosts
its annual Holiday Open House Dec. 12.
Page 7.
Sunland Art Gallery The gallery in
Placita Santa Fe hosts its Christmas
Open House Dec. 12, calendars, ornaments, art work and other gift items.
Page 21.

Happy Hippie Holidaze Open House

Hal Marcus Gallerys 45th annual Open
House is Dec. 12, with vendors, entertainment and more. Page 34.
The Hal Marcus exhibit featuring his
new piece for El Paso Symphony
Orchestra, Green Cellist, now runs
through Jan. 24 at El Paso Museum of
Art. Page 34.

Flickinger Center for Performing Arts

Premier Series Page 26.
Mariachi Christmas Dec. 15
Sawyer Brown Jan. 15.

Its A Wonderful Life El Paso

Playhouse presents the stage adaptation
of the holiday classic Dec. 17-20, directed by Eurydice Saucedo. Page 19.
Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Live racing season opens Dec. 18,
and continues though late April, 2016.
Page 22.
Hike Up Cristo Rey Destination El
Paso and El Paso Scene hosts the
annual hike up Mount Cristo Rey in
Sunland Park Dec. 27, supporting the
Mount Cristo Rey Restoration
Committee. Page 29.

Hyundai Sun Bowl The 82nd annual

football classic is Dec. 26 at UTEPs Sun
Bowl Stadium, with teams from the ACC
and Pac-12 conferences. Page 28.
The 17th annual Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta
is Dec. 25 at El Paso Convention Center.

Ardovinos New Years Eve Ardovino

Desert Crossing in Sunland Park hosts
its annual New Years Eve celebration
Dec. 31, with gourmet dinner, DJ, and
live music by Jaimielynn Amato and Jim
Marshall. Page 39.
New Year Dance Garibaldi Ballroom
hosts a New Years Dance Dec. 31 featuring live music by Sabor. Page 20.

Forum Ballroom Dance The New

Years Eve dance is Dec. 31, featuring
live music by Tejas Band, door prizes,
drink set ups and menudo. Page 24.

t makes no sense to me that winter

does not officially begin until Dec.
21, when common sense suggests that
winter really starts much sooner than that.
After all, the Dec. 21 is the date of the
winter solstice, which is the shortest day
of the year. That means the days have
been getting shorter for the past six
months and after Dec. 21, the days get
longer for the next six months. So if you
define winter in terms of how long the
days are, Dec. 21 should be the middle of
winter, not the beginning.
By the same logic, June 21 should be
the middle of summer, not the beginning.
Of course, anyone who lives in El Paso
knows that summer begins a lot earlier
than that and stays longer than most other
parts of the country.
My definition of summer is when I turn
the air conditioning on for the first time
that year. We had a mild spring in 2015,
so by that standard summer did not begin
until May 28. So to be consistent, winter
began in my household Nov. 12, when I
fired up the furnace for the first time.
Some people might consider the first
hard freeze to usher in winter. We havent
had one of those yet. And if we waited
for the first snowfall to say winters here,
we might not have winter all.
Living in El Paso tends to turn people
into winter wimps. Once the temperature
hits the high 30s, people start bundling up
like Eskimos. Then there are the local
school districts, which have been known
to cancel classes because it MIGHT
snow.
I have no idea of how to define fall in
El Paso. Im still waiting for my mulberry trees to drop their mother lode of
leaves. I already had to do some raking
because the November hailstorm ripped
up some of the leaves on the trees and
covered my lawn with their shredded
remains.
I guess the beginning of fall might be
that first morning you reach for the
sweater before you walk out the door.
Maybe another sign of winter is when
you keep it on all day.
***

December 2015

El Paso Scene is published by Cristo

Rey Communications as a monthly guide
to entertainment, recreation and culture in
the El Paso area. Copies are provided
free at selected locations. Subscriptions
are $10 a year, sent by 3rd class mail.
Circulation: 40,000 copies.

Deadline for news for the

January issue is Dec. 16

The January issue comes out Dec. 29

El Paso Scene
P. O. Box 13615
El Paso, Texas 79913
PH: 542-1422

E-mail: [email protected]

2015 Cristo Rey Communications

El Paso Scene

The biggest plus of mild winters is

being able to be active outdoors. Thats
why El Paso Scene and Destination El
Paso sponsor a Hike Up Cristo Rey the
day after the Sun Bowl. The hike will
start at noon and usually lasts 2-3 hours.
For more details, see Page 5.
Weve been doing the winter hike for
the past 10 years. So far weve escaped
rain, snow or bitter cold. The only time
we had to cancel was due to high winds a
few years ago. Thats a pretty good track
record for a last-week-of-the-year hike!
***
Another great way to enjoy the outdoors
in winter is to take advantage of our
clear, starry skies. Lisa Tates feature
story this month is about the stargazing
opportunities in West Texas and Southern
New Mexico. See Page 25.
In particular, I strongly recommend that
everyone take advantage of the star parties offered at the McDonald
Observatory near Fort Davis. My wife
and I have gone several times, and its a
delightful way to learn about the night
skies and experience them through highpowered telescopes. We like the winter
events there because the stargazing starts
early.
The observatory will resume its weekly
star parties in January, and now requests
reservations due to their popularity. For
times, prices and reservation information,
see Page 15.

Randy Limbird
Editor and Publisher
(915) 542-1422

Albert Martinez
Advertising &
Circulation Director
(915) 920-7244

Lisa Kay Tate

News Editor

(915) 542-1422 ext. 4

Editorial Associates:

Yvonne T. Herrera, Will Summers

Advertising Associate:
Roman Martinez

Circulation Associates:

Randy Friedman, Gil Garza

Contributing Writers:

Carol Viescas, Brian Chozick,

Myrna Zanetell, John McVey Middagh
Walter Schaefer, Jay Duncan

Subscription Form is on Page 46

Visit El Paso Scene Online at
www.epscene.com
sponsored by Phidev, Inc.

December 2015

December Roundup
Contd from Page 3

2608 Fort Boulevard, with recognition of

Battle of the Bulge and World War II veterans, including those who are deceased.
Admission is free and the public is invited.
Information: John, 240-8104 or
[email protected].

Santa at the Tramway The Wyler

Aerial Tramway State Park, 1700 McKinley, will
host afternoon visits with Santa noon to 3 p.m.
Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec.
19-20. Visit Santa Claus and have a photo
taken with him on top of Ranger Peak.
Tramway tickets: $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 years and under. Tickets sales stop one
hour before closing. Information: 562-9899.
Hyundai Sun Bowl The 82nd annual
football classic begins at noon, Saturday, Dec.
26. Teams, to be announced, will come from
the ACC and Pac-12 conferences. Tickets: $22,
$32, $42, $52 and $62 (Ticketmaster).
Captains Club tickets: $652. Information: 5334416, 1-800-915-BOWL or sunbowl.org.
The 17th annual Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta is 4 to 8
p.m. Friday, Dec. 25 (Christmas), at El Paso
Convention Center, with various live bands, a
battle of the university bands, childrens entertainment and more. Admission is $5.
Participating teams will be announced Sunday,
Dec. 6. A Selection Sunday party is 2 p.m. that
day at Frankies Sports Bar & Grille, 5850 Onix.
Other Sun Bowl events:
The Hyundai Sun Bowl Fan Golf Challenge
begins at noon Sunday, Dec. 20, at Vista Hills
Country Club, 2210 Trawood. Representatives
(fans) from the participating ACC and Pac-12
universities will be pitted against each other in
an 18-hole two-person scramble match play
format tournament. Team registration deadline
is Dec. 16. Cost: $65 ($50 VHCC members).
Wounded Warrior or soldier sponsorships:
$100.
Information: Bill Greenawald, 443-5589 or
[email protected].
The 54th annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun
Bowl Invitational is Dec. 21-22 at UTEPs Don
Haskins Center. UTEP hosts Kent State, North
Dakota and Alcorn State. Games begin at 5 and
7 p.m. both days. Tickets: $20-$40 (military
and student discounts available). Information:
533-4416 or 747-5234 (UTEP Ticket Center).
The 3rd Annual Sun Bowl Sky Party is 9 to
11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, at the top of
UTEPs South Stadium Parking Garage, with
food, drink live music, giveaways and more.
Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Mount Cristo Rey Hike A guided hike

is at noon Sunday, Dec. 27, at Mount Cristo
Rey, Sunland Park, N.M. Length: 5 miles round
trip (2-3 hours). Cost: $5 ($2 for children)
donation requested for the Mt. Cristo
Restoration Committee. Information: 5421422. No reservation is required.
A presentation on the history of the monument will be given at the summit.
The four-story-tall statue of Christ on the
cross was built in 1938-40 by sculptor Urbici
Soler. The mountaintop is 4,576 feet above sea
level, in Sunland Park, N.M., near the junction
of Mexico, Texas and New Mexico.
The hike is sponsored by Destination El Paso
and El Paso Scene. Security is provided along
the trail and in the parking lot.
The 5-mile hike is easy to moderate, and is
suitable for all ages.
Meet at the large parking lot at the trailhead
to Mt. Cristo Rey off McNutt Road (NM 273).
Take the Racetrack exit off Paisano and cross
the Rio Grande.
December 2015

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe The

annual three-day religious festival in Tortugas,
N.M. is Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 1012. The festival is the biggest event of the year
in Tortugas, a small village near Mesilla Park
thats home to the Tortugas Indians. Events are
centered at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
Information: (575) 526-8171.
The fiesta begins Thursday with a procession
taking the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe
from the little chapel to the community house
rosary and vigil.
The pilgrimage to the Tortugas A Mountain
is Friday with a procession at 5 a.m. from Casa
del Pueblo to the church. At sundown, pilgrims
will light luminarias along the mountain path.
A fiesta Mass is at 8 a.m. Saturday followed by
Danzante Dances, traditional fiesta dinner an
afternoon procession.
To get there: Take Interstate 10 to Las
Cruces, exit on University Avenue and go
under the freeway; turn left at the stop sign
and continue on Main, going through two signals. Turn left on Tortugas Drive and then turn
right on Parroquia.

Piro-Manso-Tiwa Indian Tribe of

Guadalupe Pueblo Events celebrating

the Virgin of Guadalupe are Dec. 10-12 at St.

Genevieves Church and Parish Hall, 100 South
Espina and 1025 E. Las Cruces Ave., in Las
Cruces. Admission is free. Information: (575)
524-9649.
A procession of the virgin is Thursday and
Friday from the hall to the church.
A Mass for the Virgin de Guadalupe will be
celebrated Saturday, followed by dancing by
the matachines (Los Danzantes) and PiroManso-Tiwa Tribe members.
The Virgin de Guadalupe is kept in the church
until New Years Day, when she will be taken
out at 2 p.m. in a procession accompanied by
dancing and pageantry. She is then taken home
until next December.

St. Anthonys Festival for Our Lady of

Guadelupe St. Anthonys Seminary,

Crescent and Hastings in Central El Paso, will

host events in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dec. 10-12, including pilgrimages, masses and
a bazaar. The public is welcome.
Information/times: 566-2261.

Church programs

The Spirit of Christmas Cielo Vista

Churchs 24th annual large-scale holiday pageant of music and drama celebrating the
Christmas season programs is Dec. 10-13 at
the church, 3585 Lee Trevino. The pageant
celebrates past Christmases along with some of
the greatest stories of the Bible told through a
dramatic musical presentation. Showtimes are
7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 4 and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday. Tickets: $5, available in
advance at the church office or online at cielovista.org. Information: 595-0288.
The church also offers a Discover the
Tabernacle Tour Dec. 8-13. Tours of the fullscale replica of the Ark of the Covenant and
the Holy Tabernacle are offered on the hour 5
to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 8
p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Ark of the
Covenant, which held the Ten
Commandments, and the Tabernacle were
built by Israelites during their wandering in the
desert. Tickets: $2.

Living Christmas Tree First Baptist

Church, 805 Montana, presents the 51st annual
Christmas concerts, A New Beginning, at 7

Please see Page 6

El Paso Scene

Page 5

December Roundup
Contd from Page 5

p.m. Friday, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and

4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11-13. Doors open
one hour prior to each performance. The event
usually sells out early. Tickets: $5 at the church
office; $6 online at FBCep.com. Tickets available at the door, only if seats available.
Information: 533-1465.
The concerts are complete with a live
Christmas chorus comprised of over 160 students and adults, performing traditional and
new holiday music. It is one of the longest-running events of its kind in the country.

Venite! Coronado Baptist Church, 501

Thunderbird, will host its annual Christmas

music presentation at 7 p.m. Friday and Sunday,

Dec. 11 and 13. Prelude is at 6:30 p.m. The

original musical is based on the documentary
The Star of Bethlehem by Rick Larson. The
story joins the journey of the wise men following the star to the Child, and features a look at
the heavens through the scriptures and modern
technology. Admission is free. Information:
584-3912 or coronadobaptist.org.

Christmas Celebration Abundant Living

Faith Center, 1000 Valley Crest, will host its
annual orchestral production and candlelight
communion services celebrating the birth of
Jesus Christ Dec. 18-24, in the centers auditorium.
This years all new show celebrates Christmas
Around the World. Performances are 7 p.m.
Friday, and 2, 5 and 7:30 p.m. p.m. Saturday, 5
and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, and Tuesday through
Thursday. No performance Dec. 21. Admission
is free. Information: 532-8543 or alfc.com.

A Classic Christmas and Bethlehem

Live CrossPoint Church, 11995 Montwood,
presents its annual holiday gifts to the community Dec. 11-13 with two types of presentations this year. Admission is free. Information:
857-7492 or crosspointelpaso.com.
A Classic Christmas drama is 7:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Enjoy
vignettes from such Christmas classics as Elf,
A Christmas Story, The Grinch Who Stole
Christmas, Christmas Carol and the
Nativity Story.
Bethlehem Live is 6 to 9 p.m. all three days, in
the church parking lot, with live performances
including the Wise Men, the Inn, the Shepherds
and the Nativity. Pony rides, food and drink
concessions and Craft Marketplace offered.

Let there be lights

Lights of Love Ronald McDonald House,

300 E. California, hosts its 30th annual
Christmas lights celebration 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 9, presented by Providence
Childrens Hospital. The open house and lighting ceremony includes Santa Claus, Ronald
McDonald, music, choir, refreshments and
more. Admission is free, and the public is invited. Information: 542-1522 or rmhcelp.org.

Lights on the Lake The display of holi-

day lights at Ascarate Park, 6900 Delta, returns

Dec. 12-Jan. 4. The lights will be next to the
lake, and lit from sundown to 10 p.m. each
night. Food vendors available on weekends.
Car entry fee is $2 Friday through Sunday, free
Monday through Thursday.
An opening lighting ceremony is 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12, with Christmas carols and
other music, and a Mini Cooper car parade featuring Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and elves.

Luminarias Festival/Posadas along the

Mission Trail The Mission Trail will glow

with traditional Christmas luminarias 4 to 10

p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. Around 5,000 luminarias will be lit near dusk and line Socorro Road
from the Ysleta Mission past the Socorro
Mission, then to the San Elizario Plaza.
Admission is free. Information: 851-1682 or
elpasomissiontrail.com.
The 8-mile route includes all three Mission
Trail churches, the oldest continuously active
churches in the United States. Some shops and
restaurants along the trail will remain open
after hours for open houses or shopping.
Special activities usually are held at the Tigua
Cultural Center.
The San Elizario Genealogy & Historical
Society traditionally hosts free events beginning
at 4:30 p.m. with Las Posadas in front of the
San Elceario chapel with Christmas carols and
Christmas Fair and luminaria lighting in
Veterans Memorial Plaza. Food and refreshments available for a small donation.
Information: 851-1682 or epcounty.com/sanelizariomuseum.

Navidad de La Fe Luminarias La Fe
Clinic will light up Scenic Drive with more than
4,000 luminarias for its 24th annual event 6 to
10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. Admission is free,
but sightseers are invited to donate canned and
dry goods or cash or checks (made to Centro
de Salud Familiar La Fe to benefit families
served by La Fe.
Scenic Drive will be open only to one-way
traffic during the event, accessible from
Richmond/Alabama streets in Central El Paso.
Cars proceed slowly westward with lights off
to view the luminarias and the city lights of El
Paso and Jurez. Drivers will also get to view
Santa and his elves and a live Nativity scene.
Volunteers and sponsors are always needed.
Information: 545-7190.
Loya Light Show The brilliant display of

450,000 holiday lights choreographed to music

is featured at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Fridays through
Sundays through Dec. 27, at 12001 Paseo de
Oro (one block north of Montwood, off Bob
Mitchell). Parking available at Montwood High
School. Admission is free.
The 7-minute spectacle, now in its 11th year,
won a $50,000 grand prize last year as the best
family Christmas light display in the country in
The Great Christmas Light Fight, competition, sponsored by ABC television. The
Eastside home is the residence of El Paso businessman Fred Loya.

Eastridge Christmas lights The resi-

dents of the Eastside subdivision of Eastridge

participates each year in an elaborate neighborhood-wide holiday lights display. Lights are usually lit around the first week of December, and
run through the holiday season.
The subdivision is off McRae Blvd; turn west
on Eastridge.

Southern New Mexico

Christmas in Cloudcroft The

Sacramento Mountain communitys holiday season events include:

The 4th annual Lighted Christmas Parade is 7
p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; stores on Burro will be
open late for holiday shopping.
Santa Land Bonfires are 5 p.m. Saturday,
Nov. 28 and Dec. 19, in Zenith Park behind
the Chamber of Commerce. Santa and Mrs.
Claus arrive at 5 p.m. with and cookies, as well
as a bonfire, roasted marshmallows, cocoa and
more. Information: (575) 682-2733 or 1-886874-4447.

Page 6

El Paso Scene

Silver City Lighted Christmas Parade

The 25th annual Sparade, The Light of
Christmas, begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov.
28, in the historic Downtown district.
Information: (575) 534-1700.
The parade begins at the Grant County
Courthouse, travels east on Broadway Street
and turns north onto Bullard Street. The
parade includes motorized floats, wagons or
carts, lighted cars and bicycles, walking and
other entries.

Ruidoso Festival of Lights The moun-

tain village of Ruidoso hosts the following

events though the Christmas season.
Information: 1-888-71-LIGHTS (714-4448) or
ruidosonow.com/festival-of-lights.
Christmas in the Park is 6 p.m. Thursday,
Dec. 3, at School House Park. Includes lighting
of the Yule Log, music and caroling, cookies
and a visit with Santa. Admission is free.
The annual Parade of Lights is 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5, in downtown Ruidoso (from
Sudderth/Mechem to Pizza Hut), featuring
floats packed with seasonal decorations and
lights. Toys for Tots will have a float for the
event; parade-goers are encouraged to bring a
toy to donate. This years theme is Keep Calm
and Winter On.
Ski Apaches Torchlight Parade is 6 to 8
Saturday, Dec. 19, at Ski Apache Resort.
Veteran skiers carry lighted torches while
descending the mountain, followed by fireworks.

Las Cruces Christmas Tree Lighting

Ceremony The annual ceremony is 5:30

to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Albert Johnson

Park, 200 E. Picacho, between City Hall and
Branigan Library. The celebration includes live
entertainment, hot chocolate and a visit from
Santa. Information: (575) 541-2000.

Mesilla Plaza Christmas Tree Lighting

The community tree lighting is Friday, Dec.

4, in the Mesilla, N.M. plaza. The Mesilla Mayor
will switch on the tree at 6 p.m. Shops will be
open late for holiday shopping. Christmas music
will be performed. The tree will be decorated
with ornaments by students from an area
school. Information: (575) 524-3262, ext. 116
Luminarias and Christmas music will be featured Christmas Eve on the Plaza 6 to 8:30
p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24. The Mesilla Singers
choir will lead in the singing of Christmas carols, and luminarias will be lit around dusk.

White Sands Holiday Open House

White Sands National Monument, 15 miles
southwest of Alamogordo on U.S. 70, hosts its
8th annual open house event 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 4, with live music, ranger programs childrens activities and luminarias.
Activities are indoors and outdoors; dress for
the weather. Admission is free to event.
Information: (575) 479-6124, ext. 236 or (575)
679-2599, ext. 232; or go to nps.gov/whsa.
Dunes drive will be open until 6 p.m. (last
entry 5 p.m.); Entrance fee applies: $5 age 16
and older. Free for children.

Carlsbad Winter Wine Festival noon

to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Pecos River
Village Conference Center, 711 Muscatel, in
Carlsbad, N.M. (site of Christmas on the Pecos
boat rides). Features wines from eight New
Mexico wineries, arts and crafts, holiday entertainment. Tickets available from the Carlsbad
Chamber of Commerce. Admission: $10 in
advance; $12 at the door (includes 10 tastings
and souvenir glass). Information: Helping Hands
Event Planning, (575) 522-1232 or carlsbadwinterwine.com.

Please see Page 7

December 2015

December Roundup
Contd from Page 6

Christmas in the Foothills The historic Black Range town of Hillsboro, N.M.
invites Christmas shoppers for a holiday studio
walk 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the
Hillsboro Community Center. Highlights
include vendors selling specialty arts, handcrafted gifts and food items, the annual raffle of
an original work of art, and the $49.99 Art
Show and Sale. Admission is free. Information:
(575) 894-1698.
To get there: Take Interstate 25 north from
Las Cruces to the NM 152 exit at Caballo, and
go west 17 miles.
Hillsboros Main Street merchants, including
restaurants, antique shops, and museums, will
all be open, and musicians and singers along
Main Street will provide seasonal and regional
accompaniment.
The $49.99 Art Show and Sale began many
years ago as a way for Hillsboros many artists,
authors, and craftspeople to give back to the
community at Christmas time. Each item in the
Art Show will be sold for $49.99 to a winning
ticket holder, and all items are guaranteed to
be worth more than that.

Christmas Light Parade The Kiwanis

club in Deming hosts the lighted Christmas
parade at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in Deming,
N.M. Parade starts at BMX Park on Poplar to
Diamond, Spruce and Silver and ends at
Courthouse Park with a visit from Santa.
Information: (575) 546-9096 or demingchamber.com.
Diner de Vin NMSUs dining service,

Sodexo, will hosts the six-course wine and dinner event at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the
3rd Floor Bistro at the Danny Villanueva
Victory Club. Space is limited; reservations
required. Information: (575) 646-4802 or dining.nmsu.edu. Full menu available on the
NMSUi Facebook page. Admission: $65 per
person.

Electric Light Parade The 26th annual

holiday season parade is 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec.
5, along Main Street (from College to Alameda)
in Roswell, N.M. A Christmas Caroling Contest
precedes the event 4 to 6 p.m. Information:
(575) 420-5718 or mainstreetroswell.org.

Luminarias on the Plaza The City of

Socorro, N.M. will host its 11th annual arts
crawl 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, on
the historic plaza and several surrounding shops
in Socorro. The event features, live music artwork, food and beverages. Admission is free.
Information: (575) 835-8927.
The citys official Christmas Electric Light
Parade is 6 p.m. on the plaza, followed by the
tree lighting ceremony at 7:15 p.m.
New Mexico Tamale Fiesta y Mas

The 4th annual fiesta in Historic Downtown

Silver City is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec.
5, hosted by the Southwest New Mexico
Green Chamber of Commerce, with tamale
and craft vendors and other traditional
Christmas and Borderland favorites such as
capirotada, bizcochos, Mexican hot chocolate
and red-chile kettle corn. Information: (575)
538-1337 or tamalfiestaymas.org.

Turning Back the Sun The winter sol-

stice celebration hosted by Friends of Leasburg

Dam, Astronomical Society of Las Cruces and
members of various Native American communities is noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at
Leasburg Dam State Park, Radium Springs, two
miles off Interstate 25 at Exit 19, with tradition-

December 2015

al coyote stories, real buffalo stew and Pueblo

adobe oven baked bread, and Native American
Dancing. The Astronomical Society of Las
Cruces will provide information and telescopes
to view the day and night sky. Admission: $5
per vehicle. Information: (575) 5244068 or
nmparks.com.

Heart of the Desert Pistachios &

Wines 7288 U.S. Hwy 54/70 in

Alamogordo, N.M. Holiday at the ranch is 11

a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, on the patio,
with ornament making, photos with Santa, and
store specials. Cost: $5. Information: (575)
434-0035, heartofthedesert.com.

Victorian Christmas Evening The 31st

annual event is 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec.
10, at the Silver City Museum, 312 W.
Broadway in the historic H.B. Ailman House
with holiday music, Christmas cookies, hot
apple cider, childrens craft activities and continuous entertainment. The house will be decorated in Victorian style. Admission is free.
Information: (575) 538-5921 or silvercitymuseum.org.
Special childrens hour is 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Old-Fashioned Christmas MainStreet

Truth or Consequences annual Old-Fashioned
Christmas Downtown Tree Lighting is 6 to 9
p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, in Evelyn Renfro Park
with an art hop, bonfires, wagon rides, carolers, prize drawings, Santa Claus and refreshments at downtown Truth or Consequences
businesses. Admission is free. Information:
(575) 740-3902 or torcmainstreet.org.
Elephant Buttes 19th luminaria beach walk
and parade begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
Elephant Butte Beach Walk and
Floating Light Parade Elephant Butte

State Parks annual luminaria walk is 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12. The event features about
4,000 luminarias, a boat and RV parade, host
campfires with free refreshments, Santa Claus,
hayrides, caroling and more. Cost: $5 per car.
Information: (575) 740-1777 or elephantbuttechamberofcommerce.com.
The Floating Lights Parade and RV Lighting
Contest is 6:30 p.m. at the Marina del Sur.

Dummy Gelunde and Torchlight

Parade Ski Apache and Inn of the

Mountain Gods host the 7th annual dummy ski

jump event 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19.
on Ski Apache in Mescalero, N.M. Participants
build their best skiing or snowboarding dummy
and send it down the mountain over a giant ski
launch. Cash prizes up to $1,500 for winners.
Entry fee: $25; deadline to enter is 2 p.m. day
of event at main ticket office. Information/rules:
(575) 464-3600 or skiapache.com.
The gelunde is followed by the annual
Torchlight Parade 6 to 8 p.m. down Capitan
Trail and a fireworks show.

Luminarias and Christmas Carols on

the Plaza Old Mesilla, N.M., turns into a

wonderland of music and light beginning at

dusk Christmas Eve Thursday, Dec. 24, at San
Albino Church and the surrounding historic
plaza. Around 6,000 luminarias will be set up.
The Mesilla Singers will lead singing of
Christmas carols from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Mesilla is southwest of Las Cruces. Take I-10
West to the Avenida de Mesilla exit. The plaza
is off NM Highway 28 (Avenida de Mesilla)
south of I-10. Admission is free. Information:
(575) 524-3262, ext. 116.

Christmas on the Pecos One of

Americas top holiday traditions, the boat tour

along the Pecos River runs Nov. 27-Dec. 31 in

Please see Page 8

El Paso Scene

Page 7

December Roundup
Contd from Page 7

Carlsbad, N.M. The 22nd annual event showcases the winter wonderland of more than 100
festively decorated houses. Twelve to 15 tours
are offered nightly 5:15 to 9:30 p.m.; ticket
office opens at 4:30 p.m.
The 40-minute tours depart from Pecos River
Village Conference Center, 711 Muscatel. The
village includes a gallery full of Southwestern
gifts and refreshments and holiday lights. Ticket
are $15 Sunday through Thursday and $20
Friday and Saturday; $10 and $15 for ages 2-11
(under 4 free with lap pass). Tickets should be
purchased in advance; many dates are sold out.
Information: (575) 628-0952; Carlsbad
Chamber of Commerce at (575) 887-6516 or
christmasonthepecos.com.

New Years Eve

Ardovinos New Years Eve Bash

Ardovinos Desert Crossing, One Ardovino

Drive in Sunland Park, will ring in 2016
Thursday, Dec. 31. Live music by Jamielynn
Amato and Jim Marshall. DJ and dancing begins
at 11 p.m. Cost for the four-course dinner is
$100 per person plus gratuity. Festive dinner
attire. Complimentary midnight champagne
toast and party favors. Reservations recommended; space fills quickly. Information: (575)
589-0653, ext. 3, or ardovinos.com.

Forum Ballroom Dance Tejas Band is

featured at the Thursday, Dec. 31 dance, 8

p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Forum, 3800 Mattox (at
Hawkins). Cost is $45 per person, which
includes party favors, beer and set-ups, door
prizes and memudo. Information: 598-4220.

Inn of the Mountain Gods New years

Eve Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and

Casino in Mescalero, N.M. will host a 1920s

themed New Years Eve gourmet dinner and
concert beginning at Thursday, Dec. 31, with
entertainment by the Art Deco and His Society
Orchestra at 9 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. with
dinner, live DJ at 8 p.m. followed by dinner
served at 8 p.m. Midnight countdown celebration follows entertainment; 1920 attire recommended. Tickets: $125 (Ticketmaster).
Information: 1-800-545-9011.

New Year Dance A New Year Dance at

Garibaldi Ballroom, 10780 Pebble Hills, is 9
p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, with music
by Sabor, complimentary setups, party favors,
soft drinks, beer and snacks. BYOB. Tickets:
$37 ($70 couples. Information, table reservations: Manny Gandara, 875-7940.
New Years at The Lodge The resort

in Cloudcroft will host its New Years Eve

events, Thursday, Dec. 31, with adult party at
the Lodge Pavilion, with champagne toast and
midnight breakfast buffet. This years theme is
Superheroes. A special New Years Eve buffet
and New Years Day brunch also offered. Call
for reservations and cost. Information: 1-800395-6343 or thelodgeresort.com.

Bazaars and fairs

Art a la Cart Inni Heart Eatery (formerly

La Tierra Cafe), 1731 Montana, hosts the

monthly event noon to 4 p.m. the last Saturday
of the month, with vendors, entertainment,
food, and a Kids Activity Corner.A special
Holiday Gift fair is Saturday, Nov. 28.
Information: 533-8890 or Facebook at Inni
Heart Herminia Escajeda.

Arts and Craft Bazaar - Bethany Christian

Church, 10453 Springwood, hosts its bazaar 6
to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 4-5. The juried show and sale
features original works by several area artists.
Admission is free. Information: 592-5977.

Eastlake Holiday Craft Fair The PTSA

of Eastlake High School, 13000 Emerald Pass, in

Horizon City, hosts its craft fair 5 to 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 4, with live entertainment, food,
handmade crafts, jumping balloon, visits with
Santa and game booths. Admission is free;
booth space available for $30. Contact: Lori
Sanchez, 937-3600, or Nancy Green, 6377056.

La Casa Holiday Bazaar - The annual holiday bazaar featuring regional vendors is Dec.
4-6 at the Las Cruces Convention Center,
University and El Paseo, Las Cruces, with over
100 booths of homemade arts and crafts; raffles; holiday treats and more. Hours are 4:30 to
7:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $6 (free
for children under 12). Proceeds benefit La
Casa Inc. shelter for victims of domestic violence. Information: (575) 526-2819 or lacasainc.org.

San Elizario ChristKindleMarket San

Elizario Artist Guilds 4th annual ChristKindle is
4 to 7 p.m. Friday and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday
and Sunday, Dec. 4-6, on the historic plaza,
with crafts, gifts, German food and drink.
Admission is free. Information: 851-0093 or
sanelizariohistoricdistrict.org.
Christmas Tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. Friday,
followed by Santas arrival at 6:45 p.m.
ChristkindleMarket is an old tradition in
Germany going back hundreds of years.
Christmas Craft Fair Pebble Hills
Elementary School, 11145 Edgemere, hosts its
annual holiday arts and crafts fair 9 a.m. to 3
p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Sponsored by the
Pebble Hills PTO. Admission is free.
Information: 434-5605.

Christmas Craft Fair Unitarian

Universalist Community of El Paso, 4425 Byron
St., will host its annual bazaar and craft fair 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 5-6, with a Gypsy Caravan, music
and poetry along with, jewelry vendors, fiber
arts, bags, warm and cozy crochet and knitted
items, toys, gifts collectibles and Christmas decorations. Information: 584-7823 or
uuelpaso.org.
Fort Bliss Thrift Shop $5 Bag Sale

Fort Bliss OCSA Thrift Shop, Trading Post,

1717 Marshall Road, hosts a bag sale 9 a.m. to
2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Fill up a shopping bag
for $5 per bag. Shopping is always open to the
public - ID and valid insurance needed to get
on post. Proceeds fund community grants and
scholarships. Information: 562-5451 or on
Facebook at Fort Bliss Thrift Shop.

Kohlberg Winter Bazaar Festival

Kohlberg Elementary, 1445 Nardo Goodman,

host its annual winter bazaar 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5, with holiday gifts, treats, vendors, pictures with Santa, jumping balloons,
kids crafts and more. Admission is free.
Information: 433-6871 or on Facebook at
Kohlberg Elementary.

German School Christmas Market

The annual market, organized by the German
School of El Paso is 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec.
5, at Building 747, Carter Road, at Fort Bliss,
with German cakes, Christmas cookies,
bratwurst and hot Glhwein and Christmas
punch. Twenty-five percent of proceeds benefit
Page 8

El Paso Scene

El Paso Childrens Hospital. Information:

[email protected].

Mimbres Hot Springs Ranch Show

the 35th annual show and sale is 10 a.m. to 5

p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6, at
Mimbres Hot Spring Ranch in Mimbres, N.M.
with stone and terra cotta pottery and live
entertainment. No pets allowed. Information:
studiosalemimbres.com.
To get there: Take Hwy 152 to Mimbres 61.
Turn south to Royal John Mine Road (between
NM 19 and 20); follow signs 2.5 miles to ranch.

Desert Crossing Holiday Market

Ardovinos Desert Crossing will host its 11th

annual market 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec.
6, in the Sunset Hall, with local artists,
craftspersons and vendors from the Farmers
Market and guest artists. Admission is free.
Information: (575) 589-0653 or ardovinos.com.

La Via Sunday Market La Via

Winery, 4201 S. NM Highway 28 in La Union,
N.M., one mile north of Vinton Road, hosts a
farmers market featuring local food producers
noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 6-20, with art,
crafts, jams and jellies, food trucks, wine and
more. No outside alcohol allowed. Dog friendly. Admission is free. Information: (575) 5024074 or lavinawinery.com.
Santa Sunday Market is Dec. 6, with an
appearance by Santa.
Basket and Stocking Stuffer Sunday is Dec.
13. Visitors can bring their own basket and fill it
with all the goodies from the market or purchase one from the vendors.
A Burlington Warm Coats, Warm Hearts
Sunday Market is Dec. 20. The market will
accept used coats for Burlingtons Warm Coats,
Warm Hearts Coat Drive. Coats will be
dropped off after market at the Burlington
Coat Factory on Mesa.
St. Pius X Bazaar St. Pius X English

Evangelization Ministry hosts its arts and craft

bazaar 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at St.
Pius X Parish Community Center, 11050 N.
Clark. Admission is free. Vendor space available
for $30. Information: 929-1034 or stpiusxelpaso.org.

Christmas Arts and Craft Fair Sacred

Heart Parish, 602 S. Oregon, hosts the fair to
coincide with Virgen de Guadalupe Feast Day,
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-13. Times to be
determined. Information: James Martinez, 6038424, [email protected] or
sacredheartelpaso.org.

Happy Hippie Holidaze Open House

The Hal Marcus Gallery, 1308 N. Oregon,

hosts its 45th annual Happy Holidaze Open
House arts and craft fair 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12, with local vendors, appetizers, and live entertainment. Visitors are encouraged to come in hippie garb. Admission is free.
Information: 533-9090 or halmarcus.com.
Vendors include: Jewelry by Adelaide
Ali Pagel, Cactus Mary, Barbara Duchouquette
& Barbara Burgess, Chino & Yoli Zapata, Estela
Flores, Gene Keller, Kathy Anderson, Linda
McLain, Lolly Rancich, Nienna, Rebecca Ayers,
Sandra Lee, Soozen Lee, Vegetarian Society of
El Paso, and Vicki Drennan (Bickies Bears).
Performances by Gene Keller are 10:45 to
11:30 a.m.; The Cowboy Gospel Band noon to
1 p.m.; Nienna 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. and Jorge
Guzman 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Vinton Farmers Market The market

with produce and crafts is Saturday, Dec. 12
(in conjunction with the Christmas village), in
Vinton. Information: 886-5104.

Please see Page 9

December 2015

December Roundup
Contd from Page 8

Farmers Market at Ardovinos Desert

Crossing The 14th annual market runs
Saturdays year-round at Ardovinos Desert
Crossing, One Ardovino Drive in Sunland Park,
N.M. Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Well
behaved pets on leash welcome; brunch available for purchase on patio 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Information: (575) 589-0653, ext. 3.

Downtown Artist and Farmers Market

The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural

Affairs Departments market for area artists is 9
a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday in the Union Plaza
District along Anthony Street. Information:
212-1780 or elpasoartsandculture.org.
The market now includes a Farmers Market
with regionally grown agricultural products.

Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market

More than 230 permanent vendors in arts,

crafts, produce, baked goods and other food
items are offered at the market 8:30 a.m. to 1
p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays along a 7-block
area of Main Street, Downtown. Information:
(575) 541-2288 or lascrucesfarmersmarket.org.

Tabla Pop Up Mercado The mercado

is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first and third Saturday

of each month (during the Downtown Farmers
Market), at 115 S Durango, Suite D, with art,
music, fashion, baked goods, pet goodies,
soaps, skincare, handmade objects, food and
more. Admission is free. Information on
Facebook at tablapopupmercado.

Something for everyone

Santa mall appearances Christmas

season mall photo opportunities include:

Basset Place Mall 6101 Gateway West.
Santa will appear daily through Dec. 24. Full
list of hours at shopbassettplace.com.
Santa Cares photos with special needs children are offered 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6,
in special sensory-friendly environment.
Participants encouraged to RSVP at
SantaCares.com.
Claus & Paws Pet photos with Santa offered
6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 and 14.
Simon malls Santa will appear daily at
Cielo Vista Mall, 8401 Gateway West, and
Sunland Park Mall, 750 Sunland Park, through
Dec. 24. Full schedule on Facebook at Cielo
Vista Mall or Sunland Park Mall.
Caring Santa photos for special needs children
and their families are 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6.
Pet photos with Santa are 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 13, at Cielo Vista.
Fountains at Farah, 8889 Gateway West
Santa will appear at the official tree lighting
event 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 28, with family entertainment and activities. Check for other
appearances.
Freedom Crossing at Fort Bliss 1611 Haan
Road. Santa will be returning for pictures with
guests through the season. See Freedom
Crossing at Fort Bliss for schedule
Outlet Shoppes at El Paso, 7051 S. Desert
Santa will be in the new Southwest setup area
inside the food court 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays,
Fridays and Wednesday, Dec. 23, and 2 to 6
p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Additional hours
are 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, and noon to 5
p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24. Information: theoutletshoppesatelpaso.com.
Pet Day pet photos are 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday,
Dec. 13, with appearance by Chico the
Chihuahua 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

shopbassettplace.com.
World AIDS Day events hosted by El Paso
Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc. are 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1,
with information about HIV/AIDS and red ribbon distributions.
Santa Cares photos with special needs children are offered 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 in
special sensory-friendly environment.
Participants encouraged to RSVP at
SantaCares.com.
Claus & Paws Pet photos with Santa offered
6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 and 14.
Hillside Elementary School for the Deaf
Singing Choir performs at 10 a.m. Tuesday,
Dec. 15.

Holidazzle One Sisterhood hosts its

popular Girls Night Out Christmas event, at

7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Abundant Living Faith
Center, 1000 Valley Crest, with a message
from Pastor Shannon Nieman, worship, shopping fair, fashion show, holiday ideas, desserts,
and more. Shopping begins at 5 p.m. Admission
is free; child care provided. Information: 5328543 or theonesisterhood.com.

Race, Authority and Violence in 21st

Century America UTEP presents a

series of lectures, panel discussions, and conferences featuring experts from around the country who will focus on issues regarding race,
authority and violence in 21st Century America.
All events are free and open to the public.
The final lecture is Student Conference on
Gender, Race and Violence, is 8:30 to 11:50
a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Liberal Arts Building.

Veterans sought for Telling: El Paso

The acclaimed Telling Project, which gives

veterans and/or family members the chance to
go on stage to speak about how service affected their lives and attitudes is now coming to
KCOS, El Pasos PBS station, in partnership
with the Telling Project and the Bob Woodruff
Foundation.
Interested veterans may register through
Dec. 7 at [email protected].
Registrants accepted on a first come, first serve
basis. Interview times available Dec. 10 -12.
Interviews followed by training and rehearsals
before the staging of six performances across El
Paso in May 2016. All stage performances will
be free and open to the public and will include
an opportunity for the audience to interact with
the performers. One performance will also be
filmed and later aired on KCOS.

Information: kcostv.org/telling or Emily Loya

(KCOS General Manager), 594-5345
[email protected]. For more information on
the project, go to thetellingproject.org.

Supper With Santa Bowling Family

YWCA, 5509 Will Ruth, hosts family holiday

events 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, with chili
dogs from Sonic, games and pictures with
Santa. Youth Program demos are 6 to 8 p.m.
All proceeds to benefit the Strong Kids
Campaign. Tickets: $5 ($3 children).
Information: 755-9622.

Deck the
Halls with
Fabrics from
INSIDE OUT
DESIGNS

Spiritual Experience workshop

Eckankar hosts a free workshop on what it
means to have and inner experience (near
death, out of body, dreams with a departed
loved one, etc) 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12,
at Holiday Inn El Paso Airport, 6351 Gateway
West. People of all faiths welcome. Participants
receive a free CD with special techniques on
exploring past lives, dreams, soul travel, etc.
Information: 549-7739 or eckankar-texas.org.

Please see Page 10

Come to Our
Annual Open House

Saturday, Dec. 5 10-4

Enjoy Food, Drinks & a chance

to win Artwork & Fabrics!

4 7 9 8 D ONIPHAN D R.
S UITE B
Corner of Doniphan and Sunset
Parking in the rear

(915) 497-2586

Open Fridays & Saturdays

10am-4pm
Cash or checks only with proper ID

Bassett Place Information: 772-7479 or

December 2015

El Paso Scene

Page 9

December Roundup
Contd from Page 9

Wreaths Across America El Paso

Composite Squadron-Civil Air Patrol will host
the annual Wreaths Across America dedication
ceremony 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, in the
Rostrum at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery,
5200 Fred Wilson, in conjunction with that
days nationwide observance. The squadron is
spearheading this years efforts to place a
wreath on every soldiers grave at the cemetery. Arrival by 9:45 a.m. encouraged; seating is
limited on a first come, first serve basis.
Information: Civil Air Patrol at 239-6149 or
epwreaths.org.
Wreaths arrive at 7:30 a.m. To volunteer to
help unload and place wreaths, call Civil Air
Patrol.
El Paso Crohns & Autoimmune
Disease Support Group The support

group meets at 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of the

month (Dec. 15) on the campus of Tech
University Health Sciences Center, 4800
Alberta, in the Academic Services Building,
Room 211. Parking available next to the clinic.
Information: Carrie Wilkie, (214) 708-2989,
[email protected].

Teen Camp Registration for the City of

Las Cruces Parks and Recreation Departments

Teen Camp is ongoing at Meerscheidt
Recreation Center, 1600 E Hadley. The camp is
limited to grades 6-8. Student ID required upon
registration. Camp runs noon to 5:15 p.m.
Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 21-23,
Dec. 28-30, and Monday through Friday, Jan.
4-8. Participants need to bring a lunch and a
snack. Cost: $90 per participant. Single day
enrollment is available at $15 per day.

Additional costs for field trips. Information:

(575) 541-2454.
Also offered is all day Winter Camp for youth
7:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Dec. 21-23, Dec. 2830 and Jan. 4-8, at Frank OBrien Papen
Community Center and East Mesa Recreation
Center, 5589 Porter Participants need to bring
lunch and a snack. Water and Gatorade provided. Cost:$90; $15 per day.

Winter Wonderland Village display

Hundreds of figurines make up one of El Pasos

most elaborate holiday displays, Winter
Wonderland, on exhibit 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
weekdays through Dec. 31, in the auditorium
of the MacGuire Administration Building of the
Lee and Beulah Moor Childrens Home, 1100
Cliff Dr. The exhibit, donated by Dorothea
Purvis, consists of hundreds of festive figurines
and continues to grow bigger every year.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Information: 544-8777 or leemoor.org.

Disaster Room 915 The areas first

escape room experience is open 3 to 9 p.m.
Wednesdays through Sundays, at 1112 Myrtle.
Groups must find clues, solve puzzles and
codes, open locks and master other mysteries
in under 60 minutes to escape the scenario.
Cost: $15 ($12 per person for groups of 5 to
10). Information: disasterroom915 or on
Facebook.

Society for Creative Anachronism

Society for Creative Anachronisms hosts weekly Medieval Combat Demonstrations noon to 3
p.m. Sundays Eastwood (Album) Park, 3001
Parkwood, near the tennis courts. These mock
combats are loosely inspired by forms of historical combat practiced in medieval Europe and
Asia. Admission is free. Information: 274-4947
or southernpass.org.

Texas Western BBQ Festival participants The barbecue festival, planned the

Spring of 2016, seeks sponsors, BBQ joints,

food trucks, classic rock and country bands to
perform on the main stage, vendors and more.
Date and location to be announced.
Information: Carlos, 626-4299 or [email protected].

English GED Course The free GED

preparation course is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesdays through Thursdays, Jan. 5-May 12,
at EPCCs Valle Verde Campus. integrating
College and Career Exploration to prepare student for completion of GED and transition into
postsecondary education. Includes math, integrated reading and writing, academic advising
and access to free online GED study. Must be a
U.S. citizen or resident with valid Texas identification and Social Security number, and TABE
test of 9.0 average. Information, registration:
831-7782.

El Paso Parents meetup The social

group for parents meets 10 a.m. to noon the

first Saturday of the month at Leona Ford
Washington Recreation Center, 3400 E.
Missouri, to relax and spend time with friends
who are parents. The center offers free activities for kids including basketball, foosball, Xbox, Ping Pong, and a computer room. Parents
welcome with or without partners. Admission
is free; snacks available. Information: 791-2114.

Mustard Seed Community Caf The

faith-based, pay-what-you-can caf is at 1140
St. Vrain (at Arizona). Regular hours are 11
a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays.
Information: 440-SEED (7333), mustardseedcafe.org or on Facebook.
The cafs mission is to provide nutritious and

THE BRUCE NEHRING CONSORT

NAVIDAD

CHRISTMAS

DE LAS

AT

delicious meals regardless of peoples ability to

pay while using local, organic, and sustainably
grown ingredients whenever possible.

For a good cause

Giving Hearts: Balls and Blankets

Peace of Art: Design for Change hosts the blanket and ball drive 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays
Dec. 1-31, at 3431 Pershing, Suite A6, for the
children of Jurez. Information: 491-5170.
This year, the organization is collecting 500
soccer balls for boys and girls, and 500 blankets
for viejecitos in Ciudad Juarez. New items only.
Critter Christmas The 5th annual holi-

day event, A Jazzy Critter Christmas, benefitting Spay Neuter Action Program is 7 to 10
p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, with a live and silent
auctions, raffles, music, food, bars and a great
place to party with friends, family and well
behaved leashed dogs (no flexi-leashes).
Tickets: $50; sponsorships available.
Information: Linda Hall (575)
621-4942.

HWNT Holiday Posada Hispanic

Womens Network of Texas El Paso Chapter
hosts its holiday posada 6 to 8 p.m. Friday,
Dec. 4, at Cafe Mayapn, 2000 Texas, with
traditional Mexican food, $1 bingo with prizes,
childrens games and more. All proceeds benefit HWNT El Pasos college scholarship fund,
the Latinas in Progress (LIP) Program. Tickets:
$10. Information: [email protected] or
on Facebook at hwntelpaso.
Those attending are encouraged to bring new
or used winter wear donations, which will help
the local needy during this winter season.
The Hispanic Womens Network of Texas

Please see Page 11

LUMINARIAS

THE CHAPEL

AT

LORETTO

Dec. 4 - 5 - 6, 2015
Hardaway - Trowbridge - Raynolds

7:30 p.m. Friday 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday 2:30 and 5 p.m. Sunday
The Consort Singers Five for Brass Lester Ackerman, Organ

All tickets at the door $25 (cash or check only)

Ages 6-15: $10

Lester
Ackerman

The Consort Singers

Page 10

Five for Brass

El Paso Scene

December 2015

December Roundup
Contd from Page 10

promotes the advancement of Hispanic women

in public, corporate and civic life through education, personal and professional development.

Animal Rescue League Pictures with

Santa Animal Rescue League of El Paso

hosts its 3rd annual Pictures with Santa noon

to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, and
Sunday, Dec. 13 and 20, at the shelters
Reflection Garden, 7256 La Junta in Canutillo.
The garden will be transformed into a into a
Holiday Wonderland, and Santa and his elves
will take pictures with pet(s) and/or family.
Treats for four and two-legged family members
offered. Donation: $10 (include a printed picture in a framed card). Visitors will be allowed
to take their own photos at the session.
Information: 877-5002 or arlep.org.

Pro-Musica holiday events El Paso Pro

Musica Guild will showcase five homes in the El
Paso Country Club area for its fundraising tour
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Cost: $25
(includes admission to all five homes), age 10
and older welcome.
On Sunday, Dec. 6, is the Holiday
Progressive Dinner, starting 5:30 p.m. at Mesa
Street Grill, 3800 Mesa, for cocktails and appetizers. After that, the group will breakup into
private parties of 10, and meet up again at a
private home for champagne and dessert. The
public is invited, reservations required. Cost:
$100.
Tickets and reservations: 833-9400.

Christmas Street The 42nd annual fund-

raiser for the Paso Del Norte Childrens

Development Center is Tuesday, Dec. 8, at El
Paso Country Club, 5000 Country Club Place.
Several lavish custom-designed Christmas trees
will be on display. The Tour of Trees luncheon
is at 11 a.m. The annual Gala is at 6 p.m. The
event includes music, raffles, live and silent auctions and more. Information, ticket prices: 5448484, ext. 101. Web: pdnchildrens.org.

Black Tie Ball Mimbres Region Arts

Council presents its 33rd annual gala benefit
ball at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Lawley
Toyota Showroom, 2750 Hwy 180E, in Silver
City, N.M. with live music by Baracutanga of
Albuquerque. This year is Thai themed.
Tickets: $65. Information: (575) 538-2505 or
mimbresarts.org.
Guardianship Christmas volunteers
Project Amistad is looking for volunteers to
help with its Christmas event 11:30 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at EPCCs
Administrative Services Center, 9050 Viscount
#A. Volunteers need to fill out paperwork at
least four business days prior to event.
Information: 298-1104 or projectamistad.org.
Paws for Presents toy drive El Paso

Fire Department and El Paso Chihuahuas host

a toy drive through Dec. 19, benefiting
Operation Santa, a Fort Bliss-based charity. All
gifts should be new (but not gift-wrapped) for
children up to age 13. Monetary donations also
welcomed with checks made payable to
Operation Santa. Donations can be dropped off
at the 34 El Paso neighborhood fire stations or
the Chihuahuas Team Shop, located at 1
Ballpark Plaza on Durango. Team Shop hours
are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through
Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 34 p.m. Sundays.
Information: 242-2025 or epchihuahuas.com.
Santa Chico will also be making appearances and accepting toy donations at the following locations:
Tuesday, Dec. 1: noon to 1 p.m. at Freedom

December 2015

Crossing at Fort Bliss, 1611 Haan Road.

Wednesday, Dec. 9: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at
Outlet Shoppes of El Paso, 7051 S. Desert.
Sunday, Dec. 13: 1 to 2 p.m. at Fire Station
15, 115 Shorty Lane; and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at
Outlet Shoppes of El Paso.
Operation Santa, in its 58th season, distributes toys and bicycles to military families, the
Boys and Girls Club of El Paso and clinics in
Juarez, Mexico. The non-profit, located on Fort
Bliss, collected and distributed 10,000 toys and
bikes in 2014.

Mitten Tree/Canned Food Drive

Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, 200 E.

Picacho in Las Cruces, will offer a Mitten Tree
to accept donations of mittens, hats, and
scarves to decorate the holiday trees, along
with canned goods donations during regular
library hours through Dec. 22. All items will
be donated to local community organizations
such as the Community of Hope, La Casa,
Gospel Rescue Mission and the Casa de
Peregrinos Food Pantry. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8
p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m.
Sunday. Information: (575) 528-4000.

B-Warm Blanket Drive The Braden

Aboud Memorial Foundations blanket drive

runs through mid-December. New blankets,
twin size or larger will be collected during
blanket Saturdays at the B Strong Office in
Placita Santa Fe, 5024 Doniphan, #2.
Information, additional drop-off sites: 833-0393
or bradenaboud.com.

Blanket Drive El Paso Fire Department

and Extreme Weather Task Force is collecting

new blankets to very young, elderly and/or ill in
need through the winter months. New blanket
donations can be dropped off any time at local
fire stations or El Paso County Sheriff substations. Information: 834-5772 or
[email protected].
Those in need of blankets may call 2-1-1
Texas for assistance. Persons who qualify
include infants under one year of age, the ill
and disabled and those who qualify for
Medicare, Medicaid, SSI and RSDI.

Operation Santa Claus New and gently

used toys and bikes for the needy children of
the El Paso/Fort Bliss area may be dropped off
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, at
the Fort Bliss Op Santa warehouse, Bldg. 1123
or at any El Paso Fire Station, 24 hours a day,
365 days a year. For a pickup, call 568-1010.
Donations to Operation Santa Claus can be
mailed to Op Santa, Inc. P.O. Box 16270, Fort
Bliss, TX 79906. All funds are for parts and
supplies and no funds are paid to any staff.
Interested volunteers may call 568-1010 or
276-6869.
Dog adoptions Huckleberry Hound Dog
Rescue, a no kill, non-profit shelter, hosts
adoptions are 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays
and Sunday, at the shelter, 3910 Square Dance
(at Montana). These adoptions replace the
weekly adoptions at El Paso Saddleblanket.
Information on Facebook at Huckleberry
Hound Dog Rescue Of El Paso.

El Paso Humane Society Regular adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
and Sunday, at 4991 Fred Wilson. All pets are
spayed/neutered, microchipped, licensed and
vaccinated. Adoption fees: $100 (additional $10
for pets four months age or older for city
rabies certificate). Information: 532-6971 or
hselpaso.org.

Please see Page 12

El Paso Scene

Page 11

December Roundup
Contd from Page 10

Fort Bliss

Anyone entering Fort Bliss must have a valid

drivers license, car insurance and registration.
Check beforehand to see which gates are open
to the public. Public access is available through
the Sheridan, Chaffee and Buffalo Soldiers gates
to West Bliss, and Biggs and Old Ironsides gates
to East Bliss.

Friday at The Fire Fort Blisss Freedom

Crossing hosts free live music featuring local

performers 6 to 1 p.m. Fridays, at the outdoor
fireplace. Bands perform 7 to 9 p.m., with DJ
music before and after. Information: 564-5311
or freedomcrossingatfortbliss.com.

Fort Bliss Tour of Homes The Fort

Bliss Officer and Civilian Spouses Association

hosts its holiday tour of 12 historic and contemporary Fort Bliss houses Thursday, Dec. 3.
Guests check in between 4:30 and 6 p.m. at
Pershing Pub, inside Pace Hall, at 243 Club
Road, off Sheridan Road, with tours from 6 to 8

Page 12

p.m. Tickets for a chance to win a holiday gift

basket sponsored by 1st Armored Division
brigades available for purchase; prize drawings
at 5:45 p.m. Snacks, refreshments and cash bar
available. Tickets: $20; age 18 and older welcome. Advance tickets available at A Little Bit
of Bliss inside the Trading Post, during regular store hours. Information: fortblissocsa.org.

Fort Bliss Tree Lighting ceremonies

The annual holiday tree lighting us 5 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 4, at Center Chapel One.
Refreshments follow in Building 440.

Polar Bear Plunge The cold-weather

swimming event is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday,

Dec. 5, at the Soldier Activity Center Pool in
Fort Bliss. Suit up in swim suit or wetsuit for a
bracing swim (with icebergs included). Free
T-shirts for all who take the plunge.
Underwater photos with Santa also offered.
Admission is free; open to all DoD card holders. Information: 741-5901.

Tower Day Climbers age 6 and older can

have unlimited use the Tango Tower, 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Biggs Park,
11388 Sergeant Major Blvd. on East Fort Bliss.
The Tango Tower is a 50-foot tall, six-sided

structure with over 20 different high elements.

No reservations required; all needed equipment is provided. Cost per person: $10.
Information: 744-1532.

Fort Bliss Rod & Gun Club 3730 Roy

Johnson Lane. Rifle and pistol shooting competitions are held almost every weekend. Visitors
can watch for free. Food available at the clubhouse snack bar. To get there: Take Railroad
Drive to Deer; turn right. Information: 5682983 or blissmwr.com/rodandgun.
The annual Breakfast With Santa is Sunday,
Dec. 6, with seatings at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Cost: $12.95 ($6.95 age 5-10; free for age 4
and younger).

Holiday Brunch at the Centennial

Centennial Banquet and Conference Center,

11199 Sgt. E. Churchill, on Fort Bliss, hosts its
annual holiday feast 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday,
Dec. 20, with breakfast favorites and desserts
along with champagne, mimosas and wine.
Santa will be on hand for pictures. Seating will
be available by reservation only. Cost: $20.95
($10.95 age 5 to 10; age 4 and younger eat
free). Reservations: 744-8427.

El Paso Scene

Fort Bliss Sun Bowl Brunch The

annual Sun Bowl Brunch is 9 to 11 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 26, in at Fort Blisss Pershing
Club, 243 Club Road. Cost: $17.95; $9.95 ages
5-10; free for age four and younger. Free shuttle to the game follows brunch; game time is
noon. Reservations required: 781-7809.
Game tickets are $15 with military discount:
ITR, 744-1524 or 569-6446.

Catholic Women of the Chapel The

CWOC meets 9 a.m. Fridays (except holiday

weekends) at the Religious Activities Center,
Building #449 on Fort Bliss. Child care provided free of charge. Information: [email protected].

Old Fort Bliss Building 5054, corner of

Pershing and Pleasanton Roads, Fort Bliss. The
Old West days of the Soldiers of the Pass are
relived through replicas of the original adobe
fort buildings and military artifacts,
Magoffinsville Post 1854 to 1868. Hours are 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; by
appointment only Saturday. Admission is free.
Information: 568-4518 or 588-8482 or on
Facebook at Old Fort Bliss.

Please see Page 13

December 2015

December Roundup
Contd from Page 12
Club news

Singles in the Son - The group develops

friendships among Christian singles ages 30 to

50. Bible study held Tuesday nights. Weekend
events subject to change. All denominations are
welcome. Membership is free. Information:
Andy, 471-1997, [email protected]
or on Facebook.
Saturday, Nov. 28: House party.
Saturday, Dec. 5: Dinner and Rhino Hockey
Saturday, Dec. 12: Christmas party
Saturday, Dec. 19: Dinner and UTEP
Basketball.

Germania Club The Germania Club of El

Paso hosts a dinner get together at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 3, at Little Bavarian Restaurant,
4601 Hondo Pass. Newcomers welcome.
Information, reservations: 755-5471.
The Clubs Christmas Celebration is 11:30
a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at Golden Tee,
Underwood Golf Course, 3200 Coe. Fort Bliss.

Westside Welcome Club The nonprofit

group is a social, educational and charitable
organization of more than 200 women open to
both newcomers and longtime residents.
Information: westsidewelcomeclub.com.
The monthly free get acquainted coffee is
10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Ella Blu, 5410 N.
Mesa. Includes holiday fashion show. No RSVP
necessary. Information: 494-8272.
The Holiday luncheon and craft fair is 11 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 9, at El Paso Country Club.
WWC will collect toys and other gifts for children and teenagers residing at the Center
Against Sexual & Family Violence. Guests are
encouraged to bring donations. Reservations
required by Nov. 6. Cost: $20. Information:
588-6352.
El Paso Philatelic Society The El Paso

stamp club meets 7 to 9 p.m. the second

Tuesday of every month (Dec. 8) at St.
Clements Episcopal Church, 810 N. Campbell
(at Montana). Meetings include educational presentations and an auction of materials submitted by club members. Visitors always welcome;
admission is free for first-time visitors; $12
annual membership fee. Information: 345-7771
or [email protected].

EPMBA Masquerade Gala El Paso

Mortgage Bankers Association hosts its gala
event and installation of its 2016 officers and
board 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at
Hilton Garden Inn, 6650 Gateway East, with
free beer, wine and music. Master of
Ceremonies is Dean Innis. Dinner: $50 ($90
couple). To RSVP: [email protected].
LAlliance Franaise dEl Paso The

nonprofit cultural institute, founded in 1964,

promotes French culture and offers francophiles the opportunity to use the French language in a variety of activities. Information: 5851789, 497-5196 (Spanish), [email protected], afofelpaso.com or on Facebook at
AllianceFrancaiseElPaso.
The club will take part in the International
Christmas 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 12, at the
International Museum of Art, 1211 Montana.
The clubs Christmas party is 11:30 a.m. to 2
p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at El Paso Club, 201
Main.
Registration for Spring 2016 French classes
begins Dec. 15. See website or Facebook page
for information.

December 2015

Discover El Paso The nonprofit group,

founded in 1973, is dedicated to promoting
things to do and see in and around El Paso.
Information: discoverep.org.
The annual Christmas Party is Tuesday, Dec.
15, at Vista Hills Country Club, 2210 Trawood.
Apple Users Group The El Paso Apple

Users Group is open to anyone interested in

Apple Macintosh computers. EPAUG is a
hands-on club for Apple Computer, iPad, and
iPhone users to share information and ideas.
The groups monthly meeting and demonstration is 9:30 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of
the month at St. Pauls Lutheran Church basement, 1000 Montana (enter in alley).
Information: 239-7846 or epmug.org.

Area attractions

Wyler Aerial Tramway The state park

tramway, 1700 McKinley, gives passengers a

view of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico from
Ranger Peak, elevation 5,632 feet. Cost is $8
for adults and $4 for children 12 years and
under. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Friday and
Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed
Monday through Thursday. Information: 5629899.
Santa will be at the Tramway noon to 3 p.m.
Saturday, and 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec.
19-20, to take photos with volunteers Saturday

and visitors Sunday.

Last Sunday hike is 8 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 29
and Dec. 27. beginning in the tramways parking lot. Wear sturdy shoes, bring walking stick,
snacks and water for all hikes. Wear a Santa hat
for December hike and get a free tram ride
down the mountain.
Wyler Aerial Tramway State Park is managed
by Texas Parks & Wildlife and is also part of
Franklin Mountains State Park. To get there:
Take Alabama to McKinley and turn toward the
mountain.

Please see Page 16

Dona Ana Photography Club (DAPC)

The club hosts free photography programs 7

to 9 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of the
month at Southwest Environmental Center,
275 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces.
Information: (575) 522-1691 or
daphotoclub.org.

PFLAG El Paso The El Paso chapter of

Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and

Gays, PFLAG El Paso, offers four meetings a
month in various locations. The meetings are
open to the LGBT community and straight
allies. Admission is free. Information: 209AMOR (2667) or pflagelpaso.com.
Meetings are 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Eastside, first Wednesday of the month at
Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church, 2155
Wedgewood.
Westside, second Thursday of the month at
University Presbyterian Church, 244 North
Resler
Central, fourth Sunday of the month at St.
Pius Ministry Center, 1059 North Clark Drive.

Benavidez-Patterson All Airborne

Chapter The Roy P. Benavidez-Robert

Patterson All Airborne Chapter, 82nd

Airborne Division Association, Inc. meets the
fourth Saturday of each month at 2608 Fort
Boulevard. A free lunch for current and new
members and invited guests served at 1 p.m.
with general membership meeting at 2 p.m.
Information: 562-9969 or bpaac.org.

El Paso Library Chess Club The club

meets 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, at El Paso
Public Librarys Main Branch, 501 N. Oregon.
Boards provided; admission is free. Information:
543-5433 or elpasolibrary.org.
El Paso Northeast Quilters Guild
Regular monthly meetings and quilting bees are
7 to 9 p.m. the second Thursday of the month
at Grace Presbyterian Church, 8001 Magnetic
(at Titanic). Social time and setup begin at 6:30
p.m. The non-profit organization brings the
beginner, experienced, younger and older quilters together for various events and projects.
Information: 503-7485 or
[email protected].
International Coin Club El Pasos only
coin club meets at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the first
Monday of the month at St. Pauls United
Methodist Church, 7000 Edgemere. Business
meeting starts around 6:30 p.m. Numismatic
presentations start at 7 p.m. with auction to
follow. Admission free for first-time visitors.
Information: 533-6001 or elpasocoinclug.com.

Mesilla Valley Stamp Club The stamp

club meets 6 to 8 p.m. the first Thursday of the

month at the Branigan Memorial Library, 200 E.
Picacho, Las Cruces. Guests, beginning and
advanced collectors are invited to trade, buy,
and sell stamps. Information: (575) 202-1937.
El Paso Scene

Page 13

Hotel Plaza Jurez Av. Lincoln 722

Pronaf. Transexual mezzosoprano Morganna

Love, two-time winner of the national Bellas
Artes prize, performs at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov.
27, Salon Candilejas. Admission is 250 pesos,
includes appetizers. Information: 9624581 or
alimas@uacj,mx.
Art exhibition by Meztizo Group opens at 6
p.m. before the concert.

Centro Cultural Paso del Norte - Av.

Henry Durant, Zona Pronaf, across from the
Red Cross. Information: 1730300 or
ccpn.com.mx (Facebook: ccpnteatro). Advance
show tickets at donboleton.com.
Russian State Ballet present The
Nutcracker at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29.
Tickets: 300, 400 and 500 pesos.
Arpa Dei Chorus performs spiritual and
Christmas music at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday,
Dec. 2. 100 pesos.
University Symphonic Orchestra and Ballet
performs The Nutcracker at 5 p.m. Sunday,
Dec. 6. Tickets: 70 to 270 pesos
Dancers Studio presents a musical theater
production, Believe, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec.
15. Call for ticket price.

Expo Vintage The second annual event is

Dec. 4-6 at Jardin Vivaldi, Camino Escobedo
(four blocks west of Av. Lopez Mateos).
Furniture, jewelry, art, antiques and crafts will
be sold, with music, pastorela and theater presentations offered. Hours are noon to 8 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.
to 10 p.m. Sunday. Presented by Claudia Saenz
and Juarez Activo. Information: 656 4163456 or
656 2022988 (cel).
A lecture is at 4:30 p.m. Saturday on The
World of Spiritism by Walter Schaefer and
Alchemia in Art by Antonio Ochoa.
Galeria Virtudes Americas Av 678, two
blocks south of Hermanos Escobar. Electric
Expressions guitar concert by Mario Enrique
Acosta and Abraham Reyes is at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5. Admission: 50 pesos. Bring
your own wine or beer.

Jutsume Star Wars Convention The

convention will feature screenings of six Star

Wars movies, video games, various exhibits and
a paintball tournament Saturday and Sunday,
Dec. 5-6, at Universidad Regional del Norte,
Camino Viejo a San Jose 10051, entrance by
Juarez Porvenir Highway. Admission is 40
pesos. Information: 656 6872447.

Moroccos - Inside Jardines Carta Blanca,

Reforma at Peru. Polo Urias y su Maquina
Nortea, plus Sonora Dinamita and Los Vagos
perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Tickets
are 136 and 455 pesos (donboleton.com).
Neo Cosplay Star The cosplay event is

noon to closing, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1213, at Salon de la Fama, UACJ.

Gimnasio Bachilleres Parque Central

The second annual Christmas Concert is at

6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, presented by Myrna
Barajas and Community Association. Admission
is 50 to 200 pesos. Proceeds benefit charity.
Advance tickets at donboleton.com. Pedro
Meneses Hoyos Av, south end of Parque
Central West.

Museo del Chamizal Chamizal Park

(next to the Bridge of the Americas). Hours are

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Information: 611-1048. The museums rear

Page 14

El Paso Scene

garden now features a replica of Paquime.

Showing through Dec. 13: Revolution and
Revolutionaries, a photographic exhibition on
loan fron INAH (National Institute of
Anthropology and History).

Otaku Bazar Booths, costume displays

and exhibits related to anime, manga and related games will be featured noon to closing
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19-20, at Plaza de
las Americas Mall. Pronaf Zone.

Academia Cervantes Insurgentes 3320

(at Juan Escula). Posada con Bolero concert

with singer Pepe Cervantes and pianist Raul
Lerma is at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26. Only 40
seats available; reservations required.
Admission is 200 pesos, includes appetizers.
Guests may bring their own bottle.
Information, reservations: 656 2510097 or 656
5575264 (cel).

La Rodadora The interactive childrens

museum is in the citys Parque Central. Hours

are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays
and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission: 65 pesos (around $5). Information:
52-656-558-2415 or larodadora.org.
3D Theater admission: 30 pesos ($2.50 US).
Theater/museum combo is 79 pesos ($6.25
US). Family package is 299 pesos.

Bazar Del Monumento The weekly

bazaar is noon to 4 p.m. Sundays at the Benito

Jurez Monument downtown, Vicente
Guerrero and Constitucion Avenues.

Cibeles Convention Center Av.

Toms Fernndez 8450, between Calle
Portales and Antonio J. Bermudez, Zona
Campestre. The center offers three New
Years Eve options:
Dinner at Salon Cibeles, music by
Sentimiento Latino, 695 pesos per person (no
children under 10). Complimentary glass of
wine; guests can bring their own bottle.
Dinner at Salon Olimpo, with music by
Grupo Cliche. 550 pesos.
Jardin Terraza Restaurant; price varies.

Juarez Contemporary The contempo-

rary art gallery, created as part of the Amor

por Juarez campaign, is in a former maquiladora building at Calle 20 de Noviembre 4305.
Showing all month is an art exhibit by the collaborative artists Los Dos. Their Make Shift
project has created characters based on everyday people that are painted and pasted on walls
throughout the city landscape. Hours are 11
a.m. to 6 p.m. Information:
amorporjuarez.com/gallery.

Museo de la Revolucion de la Frontera

(MUREF) Old Customs House, Zona
Centro, Av. 16 de Septiembre at Ave. Jurez.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through
Sunday. Information: muref.org, inah.org or
Facebook.
Permanent exhibitions in nine rooms highlight
the Mexican Revolution. Audio guide available
for 50 pesos.

Museo del INBA - Zona Pronaf. Admission

is free. Information: 616-7414,
Bellasartes.gob.mx. The IV Biennial Ciudad
Jurez/El Paso Biennial exhibit presented by SMart runs through Feb. 7.

Jurez correspondent Walter Schaefer

2 022988 ([email protected]
or [email protected])
December 2015

December Roundup
Contd from Page 13

Tombaugh Observatory NMSUs

Tombaugh Observatory in Las Cruces hosts

open house each Friday nearest the time of the
first quarter moon from September to May,
weather providing. Programs begin with a short
presentation, followed by guided observing
through telescopes. Information: (575) 6464438, or (575) 646-6278 to confirm the observatory will be open that evening.
Upcoming open houses are scheduled for 7
p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 and Jan. 22.

Indian Cliffs Ranch The working cattle

ranch in Fabens offers a childrens zoo, buffalo,
longhorns, deer, rattlesnake pit, movie sets and
the Fort Apache playground. Its also home to
the famous Cattlemans Steakhouse.
Information: (915) 544-3200 or cattlemanssteakhouse.com.

McDonald Observatory The University

of Texas at Austin-run observatory is located at

3640 Dark Sky Drive, near Fort Davis, Texas.
Visitor Center open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
(closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New
Years Day). Information: (432) 426-4138.
The observatory offers daytime tours and
solar viewing at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
Twilight programs begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays,
Fridays and Saturdays (plus Wednesday, Dec.
30). No Star Parties in December; the popular
stargazing events resume at 7 p.m. Tuesdays,
Fridays and Saturdays in January.
Viewing Nights on the 36-inch Research
Telescope are 6:30 p.m. Friday through
Sunday, Jan. 8-10 and 6:45 p.m. Jan. 29-31. A
Special Viewing Night on the Harlan J. Smith
107- inch telescope is 5:30 p.m. Wednesday,
Jan. 13.
Reservations required for all programs. Day
Pass (includes solar viewing and tour): $8 ($7
senior, military and age 6-12); solar viewing
only; $5 ($7 senior, military and age 6-12); twilight program: $5 and $6, depending on program; Star Party $12 ($10 senior, military; $8
age 6-12). Age 5 and younger admitted free to
most programs.
Reservations, event schedule available online
at mcdonaldobservatory.org.
To get there: Observatory is 185 miles from
El Paso. Take Highway 118 from I-10 south at
Kent, for 39-mile drive to observatory. Fort
Davis is on Central Time.

La Via Winery 4201 S. NM Highway

28. The tasting room and patio are open noon
to 5 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday (closed
Wednesdays). Tasting fee is $5. A daily tour is
offered at 11:30 a.m. by appointment only; the
$10 fee includes tasting. Information: (575)
882-7632 or lavinawinery.com.
La Via Sunday Market featuring local food
producers is noon to 4 p.m. Sundays Dec. 620. Admission is free.

Sombra Antigua Vineyard and Winery

430 La Via Road (off NM 28 between

markers 8 and 9), in Chamberino, N.M. Tasting
room open noon to 6 p.m. Thursday through
Monday. Information: (915) 241-4349 or sombraantigua.com.

Zin Valle Vineyards 7315 Hwy 28 in

Canutillo (3/4 mile north of FM 259). Free tastings are noon to 5 p.m. Friday through
Monday. Information: 877-4544 or
zinvalle.com.
Spaceport America Visitor Center

Spaceport America, the worlds first purposebuilt, commercial spaceports new Spaceport
America Experience tour is open for visitors at
301 S. Foch, Truth or Consequences, N.M.
Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Tours to Spaceport America depart promptly
at 9 a.m. Thursday through Monday, returning
at 1 p.m. No tours Tuesday or Wednesday.
Tour cost: $49.99 ($29.99 age 18 and
younger). Information/group reservations: 1844-7-2SPACE. Discounted admission rates
online at spaceportamerica.com/experience.

Ski Apache Wind Rider The hour-long

zip-line adventure at the Alto, N.M. ski resort

begins at over 11,000 feet, spanning 8,900 feet
in three sections, reaching speeds of up to 65
mph. Cost is $75 f($68 children and senior, $62
military). Minimum age is 10; height and weight
limits also apply. Reservations required.
Information: (575) 464-3633 or skiapache.com.

Cant find a copy of the Scene?

Try going online @

www.epscene.com

All the monthly listings & features PLUS

Week-by-week recaps of things to do

Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino

1200 Futurity Dr. (at Sunland Park Drive),

Sunland Park, N.M. Hours are 10 a.m. to 1
a.m. Sunday through Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 2
a.m. Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday
and Saturday. Simulcast racing begins at 10 a.m.
everyday. General admission and parking are
free. Information: (575) 874-5200 or sunlandpark.com.
Live racing season opens Friday, Dec. 18 and
runs through April. Post time is 12:15 p.m.
Fridays through Mondays.

Tigua Indian Cultural Center 305

Yaya Lane, at Socorro Road east of the Ysleta

Mission. The center features a museum on the
Tigua tribe. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday through Sunday. Free childrens
activities daily. Admission is free. Information:
859-7700, ysletadelsurpueblo.org.

Plaza Theatre Tours The free weekly

tours are noon to 2 p.m. Tuesdays at the Plaza,

125 W. Mills in Downtown El Paso. Meet
under the Plaza marquee. Information: 5340660.

December 2015

El Paso Scene

Page 15

Navidad de Las Luminarias- The Chapel

at Loretto Academy, 1400 Hardaway at

Trowbridge, provides the elegant English
cathedral setting for the Bruce Nehring
Consorts annual holiday concerts Dec. 4-6,
featuring the Consort Singers, Five for Brass,
Consort Players and organist Lester Ackerman.
The program of sacred Christmas music ranges
from Renaissance to contemporary, including
international carols and melodies. The Chapel
will be decorated with luminarias, poinsettias
and white lights.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, 5 and 8
p.m. Saturday and 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Ages 7 and older welcome. Tickets: $20
through Nov. 25; $25 at the door. Ages 6-15:
$10. Available online at
brucenehringconsort.org.

NMSU Department of Music Recitals

are in the Atkinson Music Recital Hall at
NMSU. Ticket information: (575) 646-2421 or
music.nmsu.edu.
Chris Kaltenbach Sr. Euphonium Recital is
5:30 p.m., and Ceara Caisido Sr. Violin Recital
is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1.

UTEP Department of Music

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. at Fox Fine Arts
Recital Hall. Tickets (unless listed otherwise):
$5 ($3 seniors, military, non-UTEP students)
and free ages 6 and younger, UTEP students,
faculty and staff). Information: 747-7795 or
utep.edu/music.
UTEP Virtuosi, under the direction of Lowell
E. Graham, present a string concert 7:30 to 9
p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, with music by Bach
and Stokowski, Beethoven, Arensky and
Bartok. Featured soloist is Nathan Black performing Vivaldis Cello Concerto in A Minor.
Tempest Trio, string trio performs at 2 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 10. Information: 747-5606 or
music.utep.edu.

Wind Symphony Concert El Paso

Wind Symphony, directed by Ron Hufstader,
opens its 20th season with holiday music 7:30
p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at UTEPs Fox Fine Arts
Recital Hall. Tickets: $10 ($5 students, military,
seniors). Information:
elpasowindsymphony.com.

LCSO with Elena Ulyanova Las

Cruces Symphony Orchestra presents the
guest pianist, Dec. 5-6, at NMSUs Atkinson
Recital Hall, performing Rachmaninoffs
Variations on a Theme of Paganini and
Brahmss Symphony No. 3. Showtime is 7:30
p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $35$45. Information: (575) 646-3709 or
lascrucessymphony.com.
A Holiday Afternoon with EPSYO

The El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra performs its annual holiday concert for El Paso
Hispanic Chamber of Commerces Education
Foundation at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the
Plaza Theatre, The orchestra, directed by
Andres Moran, features musicians age 14-21
and will play a variety of seasonal music.
Tickets: $$12.50 (Ticketmaster). Information:
566-4066, or epsyos.org.

Winter Ball on the Border El Paso

Choral Society hosts the Songs and Arias

fundraising event at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at
Camino Real Hotels Ballroom. Details to be
announced. Information: epchoralsociety.org.

Page 16

El Paso Scene

Handels Messiah El Paso Choral

Society will present Handels Messiah with

orchestra and professional soloists at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Abraham Chavez
Theatre. The performance will also feature
Finzis Magnificat and Vivaldis Winter
Concerto. Prentice Loftin, EPCS Music
Director, will conduct, and orchestra concertmaster is Dr. Stephanie Meyers. The soloists
are Natanya Washer, soprano; Stephanie
Sanchez, alto; Hugo Vera, tenor; and Levi
Hernandez, bass. Tickets: $10-$40
(Ticketmaster).
The El Paso Chorale has been performing
major choral/orchestral works for over 70
years. El Paso Chamber Choir, formed in 1995,
serves as the chorales professional core group
of singers and has performed in 27 opera productions with El Paso Opera.

New Horizons Band Winter Concert

The band performs at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec.

12, at NMSUs Atkinson Recital Hall, 1075
Horseshoe. The band and the Las Cruces
Good Time Singers, perform a short holiday
concert A Not So Silent Night, and will lead a
Christmas singalong. Admission is free.
Information: (575) 6491465,[email protected].
The band is directed by John Schutz, who
spent more than 40 years with Las Cruces
Public Schools as a middle- and high school
band director and as coordinator of fine arts
before his retirement in 2014. The Good Time
Singers are directed by Diane Schutz, retired
longtime choral director at Las Cruces High
School.

Feliz Navidad! Doa Ana Arts Council

presents the Christmas song and dance event
at 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec.
12-13, at the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N.
Downtown Mall in Las Cruces, as part of its
New Mexico Heritage Series. The performance
features mariachis, folklorico dancers and more
from the new producing organization Bella
Artes. Tickets: $30. Information: (575) 5236403 or daarts.org.
Tis The Season for Opera El Paso
Opera opens its 22nd season with its inaugural
holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18.
at Abraham Chavez Theatre. In the spirit of the
season, holiday-themed scenes from wellknown operas will be presented, featuring
alumni of the world-famous Santa Fe Opera
Apprentice Singers Program. Eight artists will
perform in this concert, including Mexican
mezzo-soprano Sishel Claverie, tenor Cooper
Nolan, and baritone Ricardo Rivera. Tickets:
$15 to $60; discounts for groups of ten or
more, student, military, senior and subscribers
(Ticketmaster). Information: 581-5534 or
epopera.org.
El Paso Pro-Musica Chamber Music
Festival El Paso Pro-Musica presents its

annual festival Jan. 3-29 at various venues in El

Paso and Las Cruces. Performers include
Tempest Trio, Zuill Bailey, Ralph Kirschbaum,
Shaie Wosner, and Paul Jacobs, as well as a
performance of Tales of Hemingway in conjunction with El Paso Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets per performance: $5-$25; EPSO tickets
$15-$40. Information: 833-9400 or eppm.org.

December 2015

For event tickets sold through Ticketmaster,

call 1-800-745-3000 or go to ticketmaster.com.
The UTEP Ticket Center number is 747-5234.
Many clubs sell tickets through other ticket
websites listed. Unless indicated, prices listed
do not include service charges.

Alejandro Fernandez The Grammy-

nominated singer performs at 9 p.m. Saturday,

Nov. 28, at the El Paso County Coliseum,
4100 E. Paisano. Tickets: $61, $81 and $151
(Ticketmaster).
Son of the legendary Vicente Fernndez,
Alejandros most successful album, Me Estoy
Enamorando, included the hit singles Si Tu
Supieras, Yo Nac para Amarte and En El
Jardn, a duet with Gloria Estefan.

El Ten Eleven Live-looping innovators El

Ten Eleven, touring in support of their new

release Fast Forward, perform at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6, at Lowbrow Palace, 111 E.
Robinson. Tickets: $12-$15). Most Lowbrow
events available from holdmyticket.com, or
from All That Music, The Headstand and
Happy House. Information: 356-0966 or
thelowbrowpalace.com.
Kristian Dunn and Tim Fogarty are the only
musicians that appear on Fast Forward; everything the listener hears was done by the two of
them using two basses, electronic drums,
acoustic drums, and myriad looping pedals and
effects.

Flying J Wrangler Christmas Show

Showtime! El Paso presents groups famous

White Mountain Christmas Show at 7:30
p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Abraham Chavez
Theatre, featuring champion yodeler Cindy
Hobbs and singer/songwriter James Hobbs.
Ticket information: 544-2022 or showtimeelpaso.com.
The Flying J Wranglers, known for their harmonies, instrumentals and comedic repertoire,
present their family holiday show of traditional
and original music.

Juan Gabriel One of the worlds best-

known Latin singers performs at 8 p.m. Sunday,

Dec. 6, at UTEPs Don Haskins Center.
Tickets to be announced.(Ticketmaster).
Gabriel has performed for nearly 40 years,
with many top-of-the-chart hits to his credit.
As a Jurez singer, Gabriel used to record at El
Pasos El Adobe Studio. He has been nominated for six Grammy awards, including for his
song El Noa Noa, based on a Juarez night
club.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:

The Musical The beloved TV classic

soars onto the stage this holiday season 7 p.m.

Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 8-9, at the
Plaza Theatre, presented by Jam Theatricals
and El Paso Live present. Tickets: $37.50 to
$52.50. Information: 231-1111,
ElPasoLive.com/Broadway or on Facebook at
Broadway in El Paso.

Bianca Del Rio The Season 6 winner of

RuPauls Drag Race stars in the one-person

comedy special, Rolodex of Hate, at 8 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Plaza Theatre. Adult
content. Tickets: $20 to $50 (Ticketmaster);
limited VIP meet and greet tickets are $75.
Global accolades along with a national tour
brought the New Orleans entertainer once
known as Roy Haylock into the public eye.
Bianca Del Rio headlined this year at El Pasos
Pridefest.
December 2015

Carlos Mencia The superstar standup

comic performs Dec. 10-12, at the Comic

Strip, 1201 Airway. Showtime is 8 p.m.
Thursday, and 8:30 and 10:45 p.m. Friday and
Saturday. Tickets: $27.50 (general admission)
$47.50 VIP Thursday and Friday and Saturday
late show; $32.50 (general admission) $52.50
VIP Friday and Saturday early show; available
from ticketweb.com. No free passes accepted.
Information/showtimes: 779-5233 or
laff2nite.com.
Mind of Mencia debuted on Comedy
Central in early 2005. It became one of the
strongest shows in the networks history, averaging about 1.5 million total viewers.

Dave Koz A Smooth Jazz Christmas

The Grammy-nominated saxophonist and El
Paso favorite presents his 18th annual
Christmas show at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15,
with this years guests Candy Dulfer, Jonathan
Butler and Bill Medley (Righteous Brothers).
Koz Christmas shows have sold out for the
past five years. Tickets: $45-$112
(Ticketmaster).
Koz, a multi-million-selling solo recording
artist, Grammy nominee and composer, is considered one of the most expressive voices in
contemporary music. His past El Paso appearances have sold out. His compilation holiday
CD is Ultimate Christmas.

Ragtime the Musical Jam Theatricals

and El Paso Live present the stories of an

upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician
unfold in turn-of-the-century New York at 7
p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at the Plaza Theatre.
Tickets: $35-$65. Information: 231-1111,
ElPasoLive.com/Broadway or on Facebook at
Broadway in El Paso.
Winning Tony Awards for Best Book and Best
Musical Score, this 13-time Tony nominated
musical is a timeless celebration of life - what it
could and should be.

The Great Russian Nutcracker The

Moscow Ballet presents the 22nd annual performances of the holiday classic at 3 and 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 23, and 1 p.m. Christmas
Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24, at the Plaza Theatre.
Tickets start at $3. (Ticketmaster). Group discounts and VIP packages available. Information:
nutcracker.com.
The performance features 40 Russian dancers
performing Tchaikovskys timeless score. The
Great Russian Nutcracker tells the traditional
story of a young girl meeting her prince and
includes a tribute to world peace and harmony.
Exclusive to the Great Russian Nutcracker is
the Dove of Peace, with a 20-foot wingspan,
created by two dancers moving as one; Russian
folk legends Father Christmas/Ded Moroz and
Snow Maiden/Snegurochka who escort Masha
and Nutcracker Prince to the Land of Peace
and Harmony; life-sized Matrushka Dolls; and
whimsical 10-foot-tall silk puppets.

Colleen and Joshua Evans The

YouTube comedy sensations perform at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 12, at The Plaza Theatre. The
newlyweds have over a billion views online and
millions of dedicated fans around the world.
Tickets: $35 (Ticketmaster).
Colleen, who sometimes appears as her
wacky alter ego, Miranda Sings, has been on
tour in theaters worldwide and is happy to

Please see Page 18

El Paso Scene

Page 17

Ticket

Contd from Page 17

finally be able to bring her husband along for

the ride. Joshua, who also sings when he is not
in front of the camera, is known for his
YouTube channel JoshuaDTV.

Ethan Bortnick Showtime! El Paso pres-

Marie Otero Salon

& Florence Street Gallery

1015 N. Florence

at Arizona
2 blocks north
of Montana

588-4247By Apppointment

Where hair, makeup

& art come together
Hair & Makeup by Marie

Marie Otero has over 30 years of salon experience

and is a frequent fashion consultant
for local film and television productions

ents the child prodigy and his band at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 17, at Abraham Chavez Theatre.
Ticket information: 544-2022 or showtimeelpaso.com.
The pianist/vocalist has been star of two highly popular PBS specials and has been seen on
Oprah and Good Morning America. He has
made the Guinness Book of World Records for
Worlds Youngest Solo Musician to Headline
His Own Tour performing classical, jazz and
popular music favorites.

Killing Joke The punk band performs at 8

p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at Tricky Falls, 209 S. El
Paso, with guest The Soft Moon. Tickets: $20
general admission; $100 VIP (includes soundcheck meet & greet, t-shirt and signed poster).
Information: 351-9909 Online tickets at trickyfalls.com and ticketfly.com.
The origins of Killing Joke lay in the Matt
Stagger Band. Paul Ferguson was drumming for
the group when he met Jaz Coleman (vocals,
keyboards) in the late 70s. The duo recruited
bassist Youth, who had previously played
with the punk group the Rage, and guitarist
Geordie to complete the bands lineup.
Rock of Ages UTEP Dinner Theatre

presents the rock musical by Chris DArienzo

Jan. 29-Feb. 14, celebrating the 1980s rock
hits of the glam metal era. Show time is 7 p.m.
Wednesday through Saturday, Sunday dinner
shows are 2:30 p.m.; non-dinner show Sunday
1:30 p.m.; matinee dates to be announced.
Tickets: $31.50-$44.50 dinner shows; $17.50$27.50 non-dinner matinees. Information: 7476060 or utep.edu/udt. Information: 747-6060
or utep.edu/udt.

Little River Band The bands 40th

Anniversary Tour comes to the Plaza Theatre

at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. The Little River
Band set a record for having hits in the Top 10
for six consecutive years. They also garnered a
rare status with over 5 million airplays on
American radio for Reminiscing. Tickets: $30,
$45 and $60 (Ticketmaster).

Hits & Grins Grant County Community

Concert Association presents an evening of

country and comedy at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb.
2, at WNMU Fine Arts Auditorium in Silver
City. Tickets: $20 ($5 students 17 and
younger). Information: (575) 538-5862 or
gcconcerts.org.
Nashville songwriters Steve Dean, Victoria
Venier and Broadcast Hall of Famer Bill Whyte
serve up a mix of comedy and song using
unique instrumentation including gandolin,
ganjo, cajon and more.

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan El

mejor mariachi del mundo returns at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Plaza Theatre, with
special guest Yolanda del Rio. Mariachi Vargas
de Tecalitlan, formed in 1898 in the town of
Tecalitlan by Gaspar Vargas and others, has
appeared in 200 movies, recorded dozens of
albums of pasodobles, valses, bailables, polkas
and danzones. Tickets: $35-$100
(Ticketmaster).

Symphonic Springsteen El Paso

Symphony Orchestra presents a tribute to
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at 8
p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Plaza Theatre.
Page 18

El Paso Scene

Ages and older welcome. Tickets: $30, $45,

$60 and $70(Ticketmaster) Information: 5322776 or epso.org.

Gary Clark Jr. The Grammy Award-win-

ning singer, songwriter and virtuoso guitarist

brings his The Rise of Sonny Boy Slim Tour
to El Paso Tuesday, March 8, at Tricky Falls,
209 S. El Paso. Tickets: $30. Information: 3519909. Online tickets at trickyfalls.com and ticketfly.com.

Joe Satriani The rock guitar virtuoso performs his Surfing to Shockwave 2016 Tour,
an evening spotlighting his 30-year career at
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the Abraham
Chavez Theatre. Tickets: $29.75 $45, $55 and
$90.(Ticketmaster).
In 1986 Satriani released his first solo album
through Relativity Records, Not of This
Earth. He just released his 15th solo album,
Shockwave Supernova.

Yanni The world music legend and his

world-renowned orchestra will perform audience favorites from throughout his career as
well as newly reworked arrangements of the
classics 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at
the Plaza Theatre. Tickets: $69.50 and $99.50
(Ticketmaster).

TobyMac The Christian rocker headlines

the Hits Deep Tour is 7 p.m. Sunday, April

3, at UTEPs Don Haskins Center, with Britt
Nicole, Building 429, Colton Dixon, Capital
Kings, Finding Flavor and Hollyn. Presented by
Food for the Hungry. Tickets on sale soon:
$8.25-$62.75 (Ticketmaster).

Carrie Underwood The multiple

Grammy Award winning country pop singer

fame presents her Storyteller Tour at 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 16, at NMSUs Pan American
Center in Las Cruces, with opening acts Easton
Corbin and the Swon Brothers. The performance will be a 360-degree experience in the
round. Tickets: $40.50 and $70.50.
(Ticketmaster).

Celtic Woman: Destiny Tour The

World Music Artists return to El Paso at 7:30

p.m. Friday, May 13, at The Plaza Theatre, celebrating Ireland and the Celtic heritage through
traditional Irish anthems, pop standards and
original music. Tickets: $49 and $75
Ticketmaster). Information: celticwoman.com

The Cure The legendary gothic new wave

band returns to El Paso at 7 p.m. Tuesday,
May 17, at UTEPs Don Haskins Center, with
special guest The Twilight Sad. Tickets: $19.25,
$49.25, $59.25 and $69.25 (Ticketmaster).

Venues & series

Lowbrow Palace 111 E. Robinson.

Doors open at 9 p.m. (show time at 10 p.m.).

Concerts are all ages, unless otherwise listed.
Tickets are regularly $3 more for ages 16-20.
Tickets: $10-$12, unless otherwise listed.
Online tickets at lowbrowpalace.com.
2nd Annual Battle of the Beards The
beard contest is Saturday, Nov. 28, with music
by Triumph Over Shipwreck, Steady
Shakedown, Gentlemen, Abaddon, Devadasi,
Speed Kings and Extremity. Ages 18 and older
welcome. Admission: $5 ($3 surcharge for age
18-20).
Guttermouth The California punk band
performs Sunday, Nov. 29, with Blacklist
Royals ad Sluthammer. Tickets: $13-$15.
El Ten Eleven The Los Angeles drum and
bass duo performs Sunday, Dec. 6, with Rose
Quartz in support of the new album Fast

Please see Page 19

December 2015

Ticket

Contd from Page 18

Forward, featuring the single Peter and Jack.

Tickets: $12-$15.
A.A. Bondy The alternative folk artist performs Tuesday, Dec. 15, with Alabama
Deathwalk and Our Friend the Mountain.
Tickets: $10-$12.
Louis The Child The Chicago producers
perform Thursday, Dec. 17, with Frythm and
Skrittzy. Tickets: $10-$12.
Bright Light Social Hour The Austin psychedelic rockers perform Saturday, Jan. 16.
Tickets: $10-$12.
Saintseneca The folk band performs
Saturday, Jan. 23, with Des Ark. Tickets: $12$15.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra with Lower
Dens The New Zealand rock band and
American indie pop band perform Friday, Feb.
5. Tickets: $15-$17.
Brazilian Girls The NYC electronic band
performs Saturday, Feb. 13. Tickets: $15-$17.
Beacon The Brooklyn electronica duo
perform Monday, Feb. 22, with Natasha
Kmeto. Tickets: $10-$12.

Tricky Falls 209 S. El Paso. All shows are

all-ages (16 and older), unless listed otherwise.

Listings also cover shows in Bowie Feathers.
Information: 351-9909 Online tickets at trickyfalls.com and ticketfly.com.
Advance tickets for some shows available at
Tricky Falls or Bowie Feathers, All That Music
and Video, Eloise and 7th Layer.
Sleepercar The alt country project of Jim
Ward performs at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, with
a DJ set by Lisa Marie. Tickets: $8-$10.
Between the Buried and Me The prog
rock band performs at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec.
3, with Enslaved, Intronaut and Native
Construct. Tickets: $20.
My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult The industrial goth rock legends Elektrik Messiah Tour is
8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8. Tickets: $20.
An evening with Machine Head The metal
titans perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11.
Tickets: $24.
Bash CD release concert The rock band
celebrates the release of their 5th full-length
album, Bash V, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
Tickets: $10.
Kottonmouth Kings The underground
rock bands 8th annual Christmas tour, Jingle
Bowls, is 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, with
Marlon Asher and Chucky Chuck. Tickets: $16.
Infinate In Azmuth The progressive math
core band performs Saturday, Jan. 2, with In
Wakess, UNI and State Limbo. Admission is
free ($3 for age 20 and younger).
Killing Joke The punk band performs at 8
p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, with the Soft Moon.
Tickets: $20 general admission; $100 VIP
(includes soundcheck meet-n-greet, t-shirt and
signed poster). See separate listing.
Nile The metal band performs at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 6. Tickets: $21.
Marty Friedman The metal guitar legend
and former Megadeath guitarist performs at 8
p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, with guest Holy Grail.
Tickets; $21.
Gary Clark Jr. The Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and virtuoso guitarist
brings his The Rise of Sonny Boy Slim Tour
to El Paso Tuesday, March 8. Tickets: $30.

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and

Casino Mescalero, N.M. Shows begin at 8

p.m. Age 21 and older admitted. Tickets sold

through Ticketmaster. Information: 1-877-2775677 or innofthemountaingods.com.
Lynard Skynard The southern rock leg-

December 2015

ends perform Saturday, Dec. 5. Tickets: $40$140.

Clay Walker The country star performs
Saturday, Jan. 16. Tickets start at $25.
Merle Haggard The country music legend
performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. Tickets:
$40-$80.
The annual New Years Eve Party is 8 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 31; with music by Art Deco
and his Society Orchestra; 1920s dress encouraged. Tickets: $125.

Spencer Theater for Performing Arts

Airport Hwy 220 in Alto, N.M. (about 12

miles north of downtown Ruidoso). All shows
listed begin at 7 p.m. Information: (575) 3364800, (888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.
Pre-show buffets are at 5 p.m.; cost is $20.
The Ten Tenors: Home for the Holidays
The Australian group brings their first holiday
program to the U.S. at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec.
13. Tickets: $39-$79.
The Nutcracker Ruidosos Dali Ballet
Company presents its original adaptation of
Tchaikovskys Christmas classic Saturday and
Sunday, Dec. 19-20. Showtime is 2 and 7 p.m.
Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $30.
Cinderella Moscow Festival Ballet presents its version of the classic fairy tale at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 28. Under the artistic direction
of Sergei Radchenko, this company of 50 professional dancers shares the age-old, rags-toriches fairy tale with lyrical charm and physical
enchantment. Tickets: $39-$79.

Flickinger Center for Performing Arts

1110 New York Ave. Alamogordo. Shows

begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise listed.
Information: (575) 437-2202 or flickingercenter.com.
Premier series shows:
Mariachi Christmas 2015 The regional
holiday show is Dec. 15. Dancers in dresses
adorned with vibrant color swirl across the
stage, while violin and the guitarron complement each other as the vocalist belts out ungrito. Tickets: $20. $30 and $40 ($8 age 12 and
younger). Military and senior discounts available.
Other programs (call for ticket information):
Imago dei Academy performs at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 1.
North Elementary Christmas program is 6
p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3.
Academy of Ballet Jazz and Tap performs at
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.
Nutcracker, presented by Academy of
Ballet, is 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday
and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11-13. Tickets: $10$12.50.
House Band concert is 7 p.m. Thursday,
Dec. 17.
AHS benefit show featuring Flying J
Wranglers is 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. Tickets:
$25 ($15 youth).
Bettman & Halpin Trio performs at 7 p.m.
Jan. 23. Bettman & Halpins music takes the
listener from up-tempo down home fiddlin, to
soulful sorrowful ballads, to super hooky
folk/pop with catchy melodies and lyrics.
Tickets: $10-$30.

NM Tech Performing Arts Series

Performances are 7:30 p.m. at New Mexico
Techs Macey Center in Socorro, N.M. All
seats general admission. Information:
nmtpas.org.
Rollin On The Rio The Socorro County
youth dance gala performance is 7 p.m. Friday,
Dec. 11. Tickets: $6 (free for youth).
Mariachi Christmas The holiday performance featuring the traditions of Mexico is
Saturday, Dec. 12. Tickets; $20 ($18 senior;
$10 youth).

El Paso Scene

Page 19

Railroad Blues 504 W. Holland, Alpine,

Sunland Park Racetrack live music

Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, 1200

Futurity Drive, hosts free music at 9.m. on
selected weekends. Age 21 and older admitted.
Information: sunland-park.com.
San Antonio Lights performs a Journey tribute
concert at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. No cover
charge.

La Parada The monthly grassroots event

celebrating local culture and lifestyles is the first

Friday of the month (Dec. 4) at 501 Bar and
Bistro in the San Carlos Building, 501 Texas.
Information: 351-6023 or on Facebook at
laparadaep.

Bash V CD release concert The local

rock band celebrates the release of their 5th
full-length album, Bash V, at 7 p.m. to midnight. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Tricky Falls, 209 S.
El Paso. Tickets; $10. Information: 351-9909
(Tricky Falls), or 727-1575. Online tickets at
trickyfalls.com and ticketfly.com.
The band consists of Sebastian Felix, singer
and guitarist, Michael Russo, bass and Miguel
Sameniego on drums. The album will be the
fifth for the band, which started eight years ago
when Felix was age 14.

1st Armored Division Band Holiday

Concert The Armored Division Band at

Fort Blisss annual holiday show, An American

Holiday Festival is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec.
17, at The Plaza Theatre. Doors open at 6:30
p.m. for ticket holders; 7:15 p.m. for non-ticket
holders. Tickets are free; available ITR
Freedom Crossing, Public Affairs Office, Bldg.
15, Slater Rd. 1AD Headquarters on East Bliss,
or Plaza Theatre Box office. Information: 5682263, 568-7001 or on Facebook at
1stArmoredDivisionBand.

Speaking Rock Entertainment Center

122 S. Pueblo Rd. Live music nightly. Age 18

and older welcome. Information: 860-7777 or

speakingrockentertainment.com. Free entry.
Special events (all at 8:30 p.m.)
Queen Nation (Queen tribute), Saturday,
Nov. 28.
Paradise City (Guns N Roses tribute),
Saturday, Dec. 5.
Smells Like Nirvana, Thursday, Dec. 10.
Hellbent The Judas Priest Experience,
Saturday, Dec. 12.
Satisfaction (Rolling Stones tribute),
Thursday, Dec. 17.
Strangelove (Depeche Mode tribute),
Saturday, Dec. 19.
Denial 3 (Trans-Siberian Orchestra tribute),
Saturday, Dec. 26.

Live Music at Sombra Antigua

Sombra Antigua Vineyard and Winery, 430 La
Via Road (off NM 28 between markers 8 and
9), in Chamberino, N.M. hosts free live music
2:30 to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Food
trucks available most Saturdays; bring a picnic
basket Sunday. Information: (915) 241-4349 or
sombraantigua.com.
Ardovinos Live Music Ardovinos

Desert Crossing, One Ardovino Dr. in Sunland

Park, hosts live music at 7;30 p.m. every Friday
and Saturday. Information: (575) 589-0653.

Every Other Tuesday Doa Ana Arts

Council hosts a variety of musical performances
6:30 p.m. every other Tuesday at the historic
Rio Grande Theatre, 211 Downtown Mall, Las
Cruces. Admission is free. Information: (575)
6403.

Sunland Winery 1769 Victory Lane in

Sunland Park, N.M. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Thursday through Saturday and 3 to 9 p.m.
Sunday. Live music each night; call for lineup.
Information: (575) 589-1214.

Texas. Most performances begin at 10 p.m.

Admission varies. Information: (432) 837-3103
or railroadblues.com.
Friday, Dec. 4: Dough Strahan
Saturday, Dec. 12: Cody Joe Hodges
Friday, Dec. 18: Randall King
Saturday, Dec. 19: King Octopus.

El Paso Comic Strip 1201 Airway.

Shows are at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday,

8:30 and 10:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and
7:30 p.m. Sunday. Closed Dec. 24-25. Ticket
prices vary; VIP booths are $10 more per tickets; available at ticketweb.com.
Information, reservations: 779-LAFF (5233),
laff2nite.com or on Facebook at El Paso Comic
Strip.
Carlos Mencia The superstar standup
comic performs Dec. 10-12. Tickets: $27.50$52.50.
The 29th Annual New Years Eve Party and
Show is Thursday, Dec. 31. Details to be
announced.
Nov. 27-29: Adam Hunter, with feature act
Aaron Bowden. Hunter was a top 8 finalist on
last seasons Last Comic Standing. He can be
seen on Showtimes Whiteboyz in Da Hood,
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn,
Comics Unleashed Telemundos Loco
Comedy Jam and has appeared in sketches on
Conan OBrien.
Dec. 2-3: Ron Jeremy Rock & Roll Comedy
Tour. The stand-up comedy tour is hosted by
actor, comedian and porn legend Jeremy, with
AVN Awards Show host Rebekah Kochan and
Last Comic Standing Headliner Dante. Tickets:
$17.50-$27.50.
Dec. 4-6: Chingo Blings No Mames Tour.
Pedro Herrera III started rapping as the
Mexican/Chicano self-parodying alter ego
Chingo Bling around 2000, and by 2001 he
released his first mixtape called Duro En La
Pintura followed by El Mero Chingon. His
big worldwide debut album, They Cant
Deport Us All, has sold over 830,000 copies
to date. Tickets: $22.50.-$27.50.
Dec. 16-20: Erik Rivera, with feature act
Cody ODell. Rivera starred in the feature film
Stand Up 360 along with Caroline Rhea. He
wrote and directed his first award-winning
short film, The Cyclist last year, and has been
selected by NBC to represent their networks
Stand-Up for Diversity College Tour. Tickets:
$6-$16 Wednesday and Thursday; $12-$22
Saturday and Sunday early show; $8-$18
Saturday and Sunday late show.
Dec. 23-27: The Greg Wilson, with feature
act Steven Roberts. Tickets: $6-$16
Wednesday and Thursday; $12-$22 Saturday
and Sunday early show; $8-$18 Saturday and
Sunday late show.
Dec. 30 performer to be announced.

Bianca Del Rio The Season 6 winner of

RuPauls Drag Race stars in the one-person

comedy special, Rolodex of Hate, at 8 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Plaza Theatre. Adult
content. Tickets: $20 to $50 (Ticketmaster);
limited VIP meet and greet tickets are $75.

Colleen and Joshua Evans The

YouTube comedy sensations perform at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 12, at The Plaza Theatre. The
newlyweds have over a billion views online and
millions of dedicated fans around the world.
Tickets: $35 (Ticketmaster).

Page 20

El Paso Scene

December 2015

Lux Boreal Danza contempornea

The Consul General of Mexico presents the
contemporary dance ensemble at 6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 4, at Chamizal National Memorial,
800 S. San Marcial; and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec.
5, at Rio Grande Theater, 211 N. Main in Las
Cruces. Admission is free. Admission is free.
Information: 533-8555 or sre.gob.mx/elpaso.
The Nutcracker Ballet El Paso Youth

Ballets 6th annual presentation of Pyotr Ilyich

Tchaikovskys classic ballet is 7:30 p.m. Friday
and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4-6,
at UTEPs Magoffin Auditorium, featuring original choreography. Tickets: $15, $20, $25
(Ticketmaster). Information: 747-5481 (UTEP
Ticket Center), 760-6062 (Marta Katz) or epyouthballet.com.

Christmas Dance with Azucar USA

Dance Chapter 5017, hosts its Christmas dance
8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Shundo
Dance Studio, 120 Paragon, with music by
Azucar, along with dance performances, door
prizes, finger foods, and non alcoholic drinks.
Admission: $25 ($20 chapter members).
Information: Rachel, 345-6432 or Nellie, (575)
405-7961. Tickets available online at desertdanceusa.com via Paypal.

Contra Dance The Southern New

Mexico Music and Dance Societys Holiday
contra dance is 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Dec.
11, at Mesilla Community Center, 2251 Calle
de Santiago in Las Cruces, with music by The
Muletones and caller Lonnie Ludeman. The
dance begins with beginners lessons at 7:30
p.m.; no partner needed. Cost: $6 ($4 youth;
$15 family). Information: (575) 522-1691 or
snmmds.org.
The contra dances are old-time dances done
in long lines, accompanied by live music and
callers.
The Nutcracker Ballet The Las

Cruces Chamber Ballets 32nd annual production of Tchaikovskys Christmas classic is Dec.
18-20 at the NMSUs Atkinson Music Recital
Hall, N. Horseshoe and Espina. Performances
are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m.
Sunday. All seats reserved. Tickets: $20
(Ticketmaster).

The Great Russian Nutcracker The

Moscow Ballet presents the 22nd annual performances of the holiday classic at 3 and 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 23, and 1 p.m. Christmas
Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24, at the Plaza Theatre.
Tickets start at $3. (Ticketmaster). Group discounts and VIP packages available. Information:
nutcracker.com.

Big Band Dance Club The club spon-

sors dances 8 to 10 p.m. selected Thursdays or

Fridays, at the Court Youth Center, 402 W.

Court, in Las Cruces. Age 21 and older welcome. Beginners, singles and couples welcome;
no dance partner necessary. Membership
encouraged but not required; dress code. Cost:
$7 (CD music nights); and $9 ($7 members) on
live music nights. Information: (575) 526-6504
or bigbanddanceclub.org.
Beginners group dance lesson at 7 p.m. led
by John Giusto; free with paid admission.

Saturday Night Milonga Paso Del

Norte Tango Club hosts milongas 8 to 11 p.m.

Saturdays, at Sunland Dance Studio, 1769
Victory Lane, Sunland Park. Dancers Studio,
111 Rio Flor, beginning with an easy lesson and
ends with a challenge step. Party starts at 9
p.m. No partner needed. Cost: $8 (includes
free lesson, free beverages and party).
Information: pasodelnortetangoclub.com or
facebook.com/TangoEP.

Belly Dance Classes with Nisreen

Nisreen has trained in Turkey, Egypt and
Morocco. Information: 204-7228.
Kids and Youth Classes are offered Fridays at
Mind Body Studio, 631 N. Resler Ste B201.
Class for ages 5-9 is 4-5 p.m. ($5 per class);
class for ages 10-15 is 5-6 p.m. ($6 per class.
Class for ages 15 and older is 7-8 p.m.
Wednesdays at the Northeast YWCA at 9135
Stahala.
Sunland Dance Studio The studio at

1769 Victory Lane, hosts lessons in Tango,

Latin Dance, Ballroom, Salsa and other styles.
Information: (575) 589-0130 or sunlandballroom.com.
A Ballroom Sampler is 6 to 7 p.m. every
Thursday, to learn a new ballroom dance each
week. Cost: $10 ($8 with class card).
Friday Night Swing classes are 8 to 9 p.m.
every Friday, to learn dances from the 40s,
50s and 60s. No partner needed. Cost: $10.
Information: 227-8953 or 422-3338.
Tango Choreographer and dancer Jorge
Torres will host workshops Saturday and
Sunday, Feb. 20-21, 2016

Belly dance classes Kareesha Willow

hosts belly dance classes for all levels 7 to 8
p.m. Tuesdays at El Paso Conservatory of
Dance, 1060 Doniphan Park Circle, Suite H.
Cost: $30 per month ($10 drop ins).
Information: 585-6825 or
[email protected].

Natya Yoga & Belly Dancing Classes

Performing artist Prabvi GuaLoa will host

Natya Yoga (Indian dance) classes, 3:30 to 4:30

p.m. and belly dancing classes 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesdays, at the Womens Intercultural Center,
303 Lincoln Street in Anthony, N.M. Cost: $4
per class, $7 for both classes; $25 per month.
Information: Magali Almaraz, (575) 882-5556 or
womensinterculturalcenter.org.

SUNLAND ART GALLERY

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

SATURDAY, DEC. 12 10am-6pm

2 0 1 6 C a l e nd a r s Lo te r i a E l Pa s o C hr i s t ma s O r na me n t s & M u c h M o re!
O r ig i n al ar t ma ke s g r e at g if t s ! S up po r t y ou r loca l ar t is t s !

5034-D Doniphan, Placita Santa Fe

December 2015

Hours: Tues.-Sat. 10-6

El Paso Scene

Page 21

College sports

El Paso Rhinos - El Pasos Junior League ice

hockey team home games are at Sierra

Providence Events Center, next to the
Coliseum, 4100 E. Paisano. Regular game time
is 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:30 p.m.
Sunday. Tickets; $20 glass seats; $15 center
line; $10 bluelines; $5 general admission. information: 479-PUCK (7825) or
elpasorhinos.com.
Upcoming home games:
Dec. 4-6: Dallas Snipers
Dec. 11-13: Tulsa Oilers
Jan. 29-31: Ontario Avalanche.

McDonalds Classic Basketball

Tournament The national high school

tournament is Dec. 10-12, with 180 of the

countrys best student-athletes in boys and
girls basketball from 13 high schools around
the country, including El Paso. Most games
played at Eastwood High School, with selected
games at Bowie, Coronado and Burges.
Admission: $3 ($2 students). Information: 3736708. Full schedule at elpasoclassic.com or on
Facebook at McDonalds Classic - El Paso.
Girls Teams are Burges and Eastwood from El
Paso, Hamilton High from Chandler, Ariz.,
Millennium High School from Goodyear, Ariz.
and Morgan Park High from Chicago.
Boys Teams are Bowie, Coronado and
Eastwood from El Paso, Balboa City School
from San Diego, Diamond Ranch from Pomona,
Calif., Dorsey High from Los Angeles, NFL Yet
Academy from Phoenix and Pro-Vision Prep
from Houston.

Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino

1200 Futurity Drive, Sunland Park. Live racing

season opens Friday, Dec. 18 and runs through
April. Post time is 12:15 p.m. Fridays through
Mondays. General admission and parking are
free. Simulcast racing begins at 10 a.m. every-

Page 22

UTEP Mens Basketball - The Miners

day. Information: (575) 874-5200 or sunlandpark.com.

To get there, take the Sunland Park exit from
I-10, go south (left turn coming from
Downtown) and follow the signs.

Senior All-Star Football Classic The

24th annual greater El Paso football showcase

game is at 1:05 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at
UTEPs Sun Bowl stadium. The Greater El Paso
Football Showcase All-Star Game features El
Paso area football athletes playing on East/West
teams. Also featured are cheerleaders, band,
dancers, trainers, and JROTC cadets. Pre-game
events start at 12:35 p.m. All proceeds benefit
college scholarships for participants. Ticket
information: 478-6904 or gepfs.com.
Halftime entertainment includes the All Star
marching band, flags, dance teams and cheerleaders from area high schools.
The 4th Greater El Paso Football Showcase
Combine 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at the
Socorro Athletic Complex, 1300 Joe Battle,
open to high school seniors seeking to play college football. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m.

Hyundai Sun Bowl The 82nd annual

football classic begins at noon, Saturday, Dec.
26. Teams, to be announced, will come from
the ACC and Pac-12 conferences. Tickets: $22,
$32, $42, $52 and $62 (Ticketmaster).
Captains Club tickets: $652. Information: 5334416, 1-800-915-BOWL or sunbowl.org.
The 17th annual Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta is 4 to 8

p.m. Friday, Dec. 25 (Christmas), at El Paso

Convention Center, with various live bands, a
battle of the university bands, childrens entertainment and more. Admission is $5.
Participating teams will be announced Sunday,
Dec. 6. A Selection Sunday party is 2 p.m. that
day at Frankies Sports Bar & Grille, 5850 Onix.
Other Sun Bowl events:
The Hyundai Sun Bowl Fan Golf Challenge is
noon Sunday, Dec. 20, at Vista Hills Country
Club, 2210 Trawood. Representatives (fans)
from the participating ACC and Pac-12 universities will be pitted against each other in an 18hole two-person scramble match play format
tournament. Team signup deadline is Dec. 16.
Cost: $65 ($50 VHCC members). Wounded
Warrior or soldier sponsorships: $100.
Information: Bill Greenawald, 443-5589 or
[email protected].
The 54th annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun
Bowl Invitational is Monday and Tuesday, Dec.
21-22, at UTEPs Don Haskins Center. UTEP
hosts Kent State, North Dakota and Alcorn
State. Games begin at 5 and 7 p.m. each day.
Tickets: $20-$40 (military and student discounts available). Information: 533-4416 or
747-5234 (UTEP Ticket Center).
The 3rd Annual Sun Bowl Sky Party is 9 to
11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, at the top of
UTEPs South Stadium Parking Garage, with
food, drink live music, giveaways and more.
Admission is free and the public is welcome.

El Paso Scene

home games are at the Don Haskins Center.

Tickets: $8-$50 (Ticketmaster).Information:
747-5234 or utepathletics.com.
Saturday, Dec. 5: UT Arlington, 6 p.m.
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19: NMSU
7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29: UT Rio Grande
Valley
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1: Rice
3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3: North Texas
WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational is
Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 21-22, with
Norfolk State, Sam Houston State and UC
Irvine.
UTEP also takes on NMSU at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 2, at NMSUs Pan American
Center in Las Cruces.

UTEP Womens Basketball - Home

games are in the Don Haskins Center. Tickets:

$5 (Ticketmaster). Information: 747-5234 or
utepathletics.com.
4:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2: New Mexico
7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14: UTPB
7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28: Eastern New
Mexico
7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7: Middle Tennessee
5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10: UAB
The 5th annual Thanksgiving Classic is Friday
and Saturday, Nov. 27-28, with UC Riverside,
Idaho State and Southeast Missouri.

WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl

Invitational The 54th annual WestStar

Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational is

Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 21-22, at UTEPs
Don Haskins Center. UTEP hosts Kent State,
North Dakota and Alcorn State. Tickets: $20-

Please see Page 23

December 2015

Sports

Contd from Page 22

$40 (military and student discounts available).

information: 533-4416 or 747-5234 (UTEP
Ticket Center). Website: sunbowl.org.
The tournament is the nations oldest collegiate holiday basketball tournament.
Games begin at 5 p.m. Monday with UC
Irvine vs. Sam Houston, followed at 7 p.m.
Monday with UTEP vs. Norfolk State.
Consolation game is at 5 p.m. Tuesday with
championship game at 7 p.m.

NMSU Aggies Football The final New

Mexico State University Aggies home game is 6
p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, against Arkansas State
at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces.
Tickets: $12-$30; general admission $10, unless
listed otherwise. Season tickets: $50-$150.
Ticket information: (575) 646-1420 or nmstatesports.com.
NMSU Mens Basketball Home games
are in the Pan American Center in Las Cruces.
Game time is 7 p.m. except as notes. Ticket
information: (575) 646-1447 or
nmstatesports.com.
Wednesday, Dec. 2: UTEP
Sunday, Dec. 13: Wyoming
Wednesday, Dec. 16: New Mexico
Monday, Dec. 21: Oral Roberts
Wednesday, Dec. 30: Arizona Christian
NMSU also takes on UTEP at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19, at UTEPs Don Haskins
Center.

NMSU Womens Basketball Home

games are at Pan Am Center in Las Cruces.
Game time is 7 p.m.; 2 p.m. on Sundays. Ticket
information: (575) 646-1447 or
nmstatesports.com.

December 2015

2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5: UTEP

7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14: Eastern New
Mexico
The Aggie Thanksgiving Classic is Nov. 2728, with teams Northwestern State, Long
Beach State and Northern Arizona.

Bicycling

El Paso Bicycle Club All rides are free

and open to the public; helmets required.

Information: elpasobicycleclub.com. Ride
schedule at meetup.com/elpasobicycleclub.
Repeat riders are encouraged to become a
member of the club; dues are $18 a year or
$25 per family ($30/$40 for two years). Join at
elpasobicycleclub.com.

EP Cyclists The bicycle group offers rides

for all levels. Weekend rides offer options of

various paces and distances. Starting times and
locations are posted at facebook.com/epcyclist.
For more information: Manny Valadez, 8612311 or epcyclists.com.

Golf

First Tee First Tee of Greater El Paso

hosts programs at Ascarate Golf Course, 6900

Delta. Classes for 2016 resume Jan. 16 (Jan. 12
for home schoolers). Space is limited on most
classes. Information, registration: thefirstteegreaterelpaso.org.
Play days are offered 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays,
Dec. 5, 12 and 19. First Tee participants can
come play 9 holes on the Delta nine. Parents
invited; but green and cart fee required.
Players requested to bring one gift worth $10
to $20 to donate to the YMCA Traditional
Living Center (underwear, socks, sports bras,
undershirts, caps & mittens, sweat pants, winter slippers and diapers sizes 2T and up).

The LPGA and USGAs Girls Golf is 10 a.m. to

noon Saturday, Dec. 12.

Sun Bowl Golf Challenge The 2015

Hyundai Sun Bowl Golf Challenge begins with a

shotgun start at noon Sunday, Dec. 20, at Vista
Hills Country Club, 2210 Trawood. Open to all
golfers. Cost: $65 ($50 VHCC members).
Team signup deadline is Dec. 16. Wounded
Warrior or soldier sponsorships: $100.
Information: Bill Greenawald, 443-5589; Vista
Hills Country Club, 592-6565 or
vistahillscc.com. Application forms available
online at sunbowl.org.
Representatives from the participating ACC
and Pac-12 universities will be pitted against
each other in an 18-hole, 2-person scramble
matchplay format.

Recreational Sports

Franklin Mountain Gun Club NRA

High Power Rifle matches are 9 a.m. the second Sunday of the month (Dec. 13), at Fort
Bliss Bow and Gun Club, Range 9. Several
matches at varying distances planned. Entry
office opens for registration at 8:30 a.m. Fee:
$15. Information: Dale Berry, 503-7244.
To get there: Take Railroad Drive to Deer;
turn right.
The final Garand match of the year is 9 a.m.
Sunday, Nov. 29.

Special Olympics Figure Skating The

2015 figure skating competition begins at 10
a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at Sierra Providence
Events Center, 4100 Paisano (at County
Coliseum). Spectator admission is free. The
event is part of the Special Olympics fall games.
Information: 533-8229 or on Facebook at
SOTX19.

El Paso Scene

Archery classes for beginners The

Archers of El Paso Club hosts two-hour supervised shooting classes 9 to 11 a.m. every
Saturday at the Archers of El Paso Range, in
Northeast El Paso off Martin Luther King at
Stan Roberts. Bows and arrows provided for
the seminar. Youth and adults age 7 and older
welcome; parents must be present for kids age
16 and younger. Reservations required; limited
number of spaces available each month. Cost:
$20. Information, reservations: Ricardo Urias,
487-8199 or [email protected] (specify
name, phone number, age, right or left handed).

Runs and walks

8K Holiday Run The family run is 8:30

a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Fort Blisss Soto

Physical Fitness Center, Bldg. 20751
Constitution on East Fort Bliss. This years
theme is Hot Chocolate. Families encouraged
to bring strollers, scooters, bikes or pets; open
to entire El Paso community. T-shirts for all
pre-registered runners. On-site registration and
packet pickup is 7 to 8:15 a.m. Registration (by
Dec. 2): $20; $10 active duty military, children
12 and younger); additional $10 for registration
on race day. Registration at active.com.
Information: 744-5794 or blissmwr.com/intramurals.

Pearl Harbor Triathlon 5K Run/30K

Bike/40M Swim is 7 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at
White Sands Missile Ranges Bell Gymnasium.
Registration: $60 individuals; $70 teams.
Information: (575) 678-3374 (local call) or
wsmrmwr.com (click on Bell Gym). Online
registration at active.com.

Please see Page 27

Page 23

Sports

Contd from Page 26

Walk Empowered: Whats Your

Superpower? The 5K Run/ 1K Walk and

Pet Contest is Saturday, Dec. 5, at Ascarate

Park, 6400 Delta, in honor of World AIDS Day

(Dec. 1). Check-in and registration are 8-8:45

a.m. Run and walk events begin at 9 a.m. Pet
contest starts at 11 a.m. Entry fee is $25 for
run/walk, $10 for pet contest. Registration at
raceadventuresunlimited.com.
Proceeds benefit the Empowerment Center
(empowermentep.org). Wear red to support
AIDS awareness. Information:

[email protected] (915-727-5744)
Packet pick-up is 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday,
Dec. 4, at the Empowerment Center, 211 W.
Yandell.
Event activities also include a Pet Superhero
Costume Contest, Zumba, yoga, music,
refreshments, food trucks and giveaways.
An AIDS Walk After Party for ages 21 and
older begins at 9 p.m. at EPIC Bar & Nightclub,
510 N. Stanton, with drink special for walk participants.

Eastlakes Greatness on the Horizon

The 5K Run, 1-mile Fun Run/Walk and Toy

Drive are Sunday, Dec. 6, at Eastlake High
School 13000 Emerald Pass. Check-in and registration are 7:30-8:15 a.m. Run, walk begin at
8:30 a.m. Entry fee is $20 for run/walk ($25 on
race day). Sponsored by Eastlake Soccer
Booster Club. Registration at raceadventuresunlimited.com.
Packet pick-up is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the high
school.
Information: Mike Coulter, 274.5222 or
[email protected]

Chilly Dash and Splash Las Cruces

Parks & Recreation Departments 2nd annual

City of Las Cruces Chilly Dash and Splash is
Saturday, Dec. 12, at Frenger Pool, 800
Parkview Dr. The 5k run (3.2 miles) around
Frenger Park begins around 9 a.m. followed by
a polar plunge-style dive into the cold waters of
Frenger pool at 11 a.m. Registration through
Dec. 11, at Regional Aquatic Center, 1401 E.
Hadley during normal operating hours. Cost:
$20 ($15 run only; $5 plunge only).
Information: Las Cruces Regional Aquatic
Center, (575) 541-2782.
Late entries will be taken 7 to 8 a.m. day of
event at Frenger Pool. Cost: $25 ($20 run only;
$10 plunge only).

Lady of the Mountain The Half

Marathon, relay, 10K and 5K runs begin at 8

a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Griggs Field,
Fairgrounds Road and N. Florida in
Alamogordo. Entry fee (Dec. 6-11) is $50 for
the half-marathon, $90 per relay team; $45 for
10K; $40 for 5K; and $10 for Kids 1-mile run.
Discount for registration before Dec. 5.
Registration at active.com. Information: ladyofthemountainrun.com.
Proceeds benefit the Lady of the Mountain
Scholarship at NMSU-Alamogordo.
Late registration and packet pick up is 8 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at First National
Bank Atrium, 414 Tenth. No race day registration.

Up and Running Jingle Bell Run The

8th annual 5K run/walk benefitting El Paso High

School girls track is 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec.
19, at Up and Running, 2322 N. Mesa (Rudolph
Plaza). Runners encouraged to wear a Santa
Hat. Cost: $25 per event by Dec. 17; $25 Dec.
18-19. Information: Chris Rowley, 478-5663.
Online registration at raceadventuresunlimited.com.
Packet pick up is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday,
Dec. 18, and 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. on race day at
Up and Running.
Hot chocolate and tamales at finish line. Bestdressed Santa and elf receive a $50 gift card.

Super Scholar Run Clint ISDs 5K run

and 1 mile walk is 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at
Horizon Middle School, 400 N. Kenazo in
Horizon City. Registration by Jan 7: $20 per
event ($10 students and per person); $25 after
Jan. 8. Race day registration is 7:15 to 7:45 a.m.
Online registration at raceadventuresunlimited.com.
Packet pick-up: noon-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7,
at Clint ISD, 14521 Horizon; and noon-6 p.m.

Page 24

El Paso Scene

Friday, Jan. 8, at Up and Running, 1475 George

Dieter, Suite O.

Running clubs:

Run El Paso maintains information on local

races at runelpaso.com.
El Paso Triathlon Club is open to everyone
interested in triathlons and similar events,
including the Southwest Challenge Series.
Information on training programs, get-togethers: elpasotriclub.org. Challenge series: southwestchallengeseries.com.
Hash clubs combine trail running with social
(i.e. beer-drinking) activities. Runs are marked
with chalk, and are open to runners of all levels. Clubs have modest dues, and first run is
free to new-comers.
The Border Jumper Hash House Harriers
meet at various locations. Information:
bjhash.com.
The El Paso Hash House Harriers have one
or more runs a week. Information: 252-5646.
Meet-up spots listed at elpasohash.com.

Winter sports

Cloudcroft Ice Rink The ice rink at 751

James Canyon (Hwy 82), across from
Cloudcroft High School, in Cloudcroft, N.M. is
frozen over mid-December through early
March, weather permitting. Usual hours are 3
to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday
and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday.
Tubing, hot chocolate and bonfires also featured. Available for private events. Skate
rentals: $5. Information/hours: (575) 682-4585
or (915) 449-1200 or on Facebook at
Cloudcroft Ice Rink.

Ski Apache Ruidosos 750-acre ski and

snowboarding area has 11 lifts and 55 trails on

the slopes of Sierra Blanca, with a base elevation of 9,600. The ski area, if weather permits,
is open Thanksgiving weekend through March.
The 24-hour Ski Apache Snow Report number
is (575) 257-9001. Information: (575) 464-3600
or skiapache.com.
Lifts are open from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
depending on weather conditions. All-day lift
tickets are $67 ($60 age 60-69; $58 age 13-17;
$47 12 and younger; $56 military and $42 for
military child; free for ages 70 and older.
(Prices slightly higher on peak days). Season
passes: $305-$700. Call or check website or
multiple-day or half-day skiing prices.
Gondola Rides are $17 ($11 age 6-12; free for
five and younger)
Rental packages available.
The Ski Apache Wind Rider is an hour-long
zip-line adventure that begins at over 11,000
feet, spanning 8,900 feet in three sections,
reaching speeds of up to 65 mph. Cost is $75
for adults, $68 children and senior, $62 military.
Minimum age is 10; height and weight limits
also apply. Reservations required.

Public Ice Skating Skating offered 7 to

10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 3 p.m. and 7 to 10

p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the Sierra
Providence Event Center next to the Coliseum,
4100 Paisano. All ages welcome. Admission
(includes skate rental): $8 ($6 military).
Spectator admission is free. Information: 479PUCK (7825) or elpasohockey.org.
Holiday on Ice hours run through January. See
website for full list of hours.

Ski Cloudcroft The southernmost ski

area in the United States is two miles east of

Cloudcroft on U.S. 82. Information/snow conditions: (575) 682-2333, skicloudcroft.net or on
Facebook. Lift tickets: $35 ($25 age 12 and
younger for full day 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $28 ($20
age 12 and younger) for half day 1 to 4 p.m.
December 2015

Left:Evening program at McDonald Observatory (photo by Ethan Tweedie)

Center:McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis (photo by Frank Cianciolo)
Right:Easter Veil Nebula (photo by Jeffrey O. Johnson)

Grasping
at stars

Winter in the desert is prime time

for enjoying nighttime skies

he vast skies of West Texas and

Southern New Mexico may be best
known for their sunsets, but there
are plenty of reasons to keep looking up
long after dark.
Area stargazers dont have to travel far
from city lights to enjoy prime viewing of
constellations and other attractions of the
night sky. Local astronomy clubs offer
events nearly every week, including many
at state parks, and one of the nations leading observatories offers frequent star parties just a few hours away.
Winter is the best time for astronomy
buffs, offering clearer nights and longer
nighttime hours. For those who want to
explore the cosmos without worrying
about the cold or bad weather, El Paso and
Alamogordo offer planetarium shows to
enjoy the wonders of stars and planets.

Star partying

The premier site for stargazing in West

Texas undoubtedly is McDonald
Observatory in the Davis Mountains, a
three-hour drive southeast from El Paso.
As part of the University of Texas at
Austin, the observatory is used by various
astronomy departments across the country,
including Astronomy & Astrophysics studies at UTEPs Department of Physics. But
its also one of the top tourist attractions in
the region, thanks to its year-round schedule of tours, twilight educational programs
and popular nighttime star parties.
The star parties offer a range of telescopes, from high-end amateur instruments
to even some of the observatorys fixed
telescopes, to give visitors a glimpse of
celestial phenomena, including distant
galaxies, nebulae and binary stars.
According to the facilitys website, the
December 2015

Story by
Lisa Kay Tate

observatory offers daytime tours and solar

viewing at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily, with
twilight programs at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays,
Fridays and Saturdays (plus Wednesday,
Dec. 30). No Star Parties are scheduled in
December; the evening stargazing events
resume at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and
Saturdays in January. Also in January, the
observatory will begin requiring reservations for all programs.
Frank Cianciolo, manager for the observatorys Bash Visitors Center, notes that
the observatory is always busy, in terms of
astronomers and research, but tourism
peaks during spring break.
Pretty much any weekend for which
theres a holiday or long weekend, were
quite busy, he said. Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, the week of
Thanksgiving, and even the week between
Christmas and New Years tend to be
extraordinarily busy. June, July, and the
first half of August all tend to be consistently busy.
With the exception of the holiday weekends, many winter Star Parties and Special
Viewing nights are less crowded.
Lots of folks like seeing the more wintery constellations like Orion, Taurus,
Gemini, and Canis Major and Minor,
Cianciolo said. Then again, there are
great constellations in the summer sky, too,
as well as views of the central regions of
the Milky Way. In the winter, were looking towards the outskirts of the Milky Way.
According to Cianciolo, night sky events
to look forward to in 2016 include Mars in
opposition on May 22, and at its closest on
May 30. There will also be a solar eclipse
on Aug. 21, making a visible path cutting
through many of the U.S. States.
He said McDonald Observatory is one of
the most accessible observatories for El

Paso residents.
Although folks from El Paso are relatively near to other astronomical observatories Apache Point and National Solar
near Cloudcroft and a number of observatories in Arizona most are either not
open to the public or are only open in a
very limited sense, he said.
For example, the National Solar
Observatory in Sunspot, N.M., as indicated
by its name, welcomes visitors during the
day, but not for regular night sky events.
McDonald, on the other hand, welcomes
visitors year round for numerous public
programs ranging from daytime tours of
the research areas as well as live and safe
views of the Sun through special filters to
evening programs like our hugely popular
Star Parties as well as Special Viewing
Nights on several of the large research telescopes, Cianciolo said.
He said, however, he urges El Pasoans to
plan ahead, before visiting, and the observatorys website has a place for reservations. This way, visitors from El Paso
wont be disappointed if they are unable to
get into a filled-to-capacity event.
Over the last few years, weve reached
the limit of what we can reasonably handle
at programs like our Star Parties, he said.
In 2016, we will be limiting attendance so
we definitely dont want folks making the
trip only to discover that the program is
sold out.
Standard prices for visiting McDonald
Observatory range from $5 for solar viewing and twilight programs, $8 for daytime
tour and solar viewing, and $12 for Star
Parties; discounts apply to children ages 612, military and seniors (65 and older).
Children 5 and under are admitted free.
Cianciolo always reminds visitors from
El Paso and New Mexico that there is a

El Paso Scene

one-hour time difference between them

and Fort Davis.
El Paso is on Mountain Time but the
observatory is on Central Time, he said.
We can always tell when someone is
coming from El Paso because they frequently show up precisely an hour late for
their programs.
Cianciolo said urban growth, even in El
Paso, has made it harder and harder to find
dark skies.
It wasnt that long ago that El Paso was
a pretty small town where one could drive
just a little ways outside of the city limits
and enjoy dark nighttime skies, he said.
These days, unfortunately, light pollution
has robbed the vast majority of the people
in the U.S. of views of much of any celestial object short of the Sun, the Moon,
Venus, and Jupiter.

Astronomy clubs

In El Paso and Southern New Mexico

alone, several astronomy clubs offer regular night sky events open to the public,
including the Sun City Astronomers,
Astronomical Society of Las Cruces and
Amateur Astronomers Group of
Alamogordo (AAG).
AAG member Jim Tomaka said stargazers age 9 to 70 contribute to the outreach
efforts, including taking solar telescopes to
local schools.
Tomaka encourages everyone to come to
their events to gain an appreciation for the
night sky, especially since telescopes are
provided. He said one thing AAG stresses
is how much both ancient societies and
modern day pop culture reaches for the
stars on a daily basis.

Please see Page 26

Page 25

Stars

Contd from Page 25

One of the groups regular events are

monthly night sky programs at Oliver Lee
State Park, where it has been hosting programs for the past ten years. He said the
program often begins before sunset with
talks about how ancient cultures viewed
the heavens. A laser pointer is used to
point out the constellations after dark.
The ancient people called the heavens
(the) cosmos, a word with the meaning of
law and order. This differed from the chaos
and confusion here on Earth, Tomaka
said. The night sky was their clock, their
calendar, their evening entertainment in an
era before books, radio and television.
Stories of great heroes and heroines, sea
serpents, animals and creatures were
passed down from generation to generation
and these are depicted in the constellations.
Telescope viewing follows the programs,
and Tomaka said people can bring their
own or use the groups telescopes to see
objects like the Orion Nebula, Andromeda
Galaxy, open and globular star clusters
(spherical mass of stars) during the winter
months. The group will sometimes bring
their collection of solar telescopes out earlier in the day for sun gazing. Group members will also be present to answer any
questions guests have, including how to
use their own telescopes properly.
If you have a telescope but do not know
how to use it, the group is more than willing to help. Others bring binoculars but
dont know where to look. The AAG is
willing to point out objects in the sky, he
said. The purpose of star parties is to get

Page 26

people out under a dark sky. Families are

really encouraged to bring the kids out.
As Oliver Lee State Park is about 12
miles south of Alamogordo and about 65
miles north of El Paso, the light pollution
dome from El Paso, Las Cruces and
Alamogordo is visible in the distance.
This, Tomaka said, provides a good teaching experience for visitors.
Star parties are much more than looking
at the sky, we can see wasted energy being
radiated into the sky from our cities, AAG
programs also discuss light pollution and
mitigation - how we can be smarter about
lights around our home and community.
The difference between the night sky in
the city and a dark sky location outside the
city is amazing, he said. Our wide-open
Southwestern vistas provide great views
almost to the horizon. Almost all of the
stars you see in the night sky are bigger
and brighter than our own sun.
He said the sky changes from season to
season.
During the summer and early fall, the
Milky Way hangs majestically overhead
and many of our visitors look up in wonder and awe of our place in the galaxy, he
said. During the winter we get to highlight the bright stars in the constellation of
Orion and its jewel called the Orion
Nebula.
Tomaka said it is amazing what people
are able to see today with the aid of telescopes: A modest telescope will give you
views better than Galileo had some 400
years ago when he launched us into the
scientific age, he said. The AAG telescopes show large-scale weather patterns
on the solar systems largest planet. Even a
look at our closest celestial neighbor, the

moon, through a telescope can evoke

wows from the park visitors.
At some of the groups school presentations, he added, We tell stories of ancient
cultures and how those people and ideas
are still in our society.
Subaru (the car company) is the
Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster,
which in turn inspires the Subaru logo. The
same can be said for the Ford Taurus
(named after the constellation) and
Mitsubishi Eclipse. We have candies like
Milky Way bars and Starbursts. We name
our rockets Jupiter (which launched
Explorer 1 back in 1958) and Saturn
(which put men on the Moon) and were
developing the Orion space capsule for
missions to Mars. Recent movies like
Guardians of the Galaxy, Interstellar
and The Martian illustrate the draw of the
heavens. Were not all that different than
our ancient relatives.

Planetarium shows

Planetarium shows offer night sky and

space viewing for even those who want to
learn more about the areas sky in a climate-controlled environment.
One of the areas most popular planetarium shows is at the Tombaugh IMAX theatre at Alamogordos New Mexico
Museum of Space History.
Museum marketing director Cathy Harper
said one of the reasons the planetarium
shows are so popular is they allow viewers
the best of both worlds, stargazing while
sitting comfortably in a theater.
They remain popular, even with all the
other options out there, because people of
all ages enjoy learning about the universe,

El Paso Scene

The Astronomical Society of Las Cruces

brought telescopes to the Renaissance
ArtsFaire (photo by Rick Tate)

Harper said. The new planetarium systems, like the portable system we are currently previewing in the Tombaugh
Theater, offer incredible imagery coupled
with fascinating and easy to understand
narrations.
The museum does periodically host other
night sky events, and has often worked
with the local amateur astronomers on
events and projects. The planetarium show
however is offered year round. She feels
the theaters recent upgrades have really
made the shows appealing.
Whether viewers are interested in learning about the constellations, understanding
how the worlds weather works, or would
prefer to galaxy hop through the universe,
its all possible with todays new digital
planetarium systems now showing at the
Tombaugh Theater, Harper said.
El Paso Independent School Districts

Please see Page 27

December 2015

Stars

Contd from Page 26

Gene Roddenberry Planetarium has been

showing area students the stars for several
years, but they also host free programs for
the public one Friday each month.
Planetarium manager Cory Stone stressed
the planetarium is not open to the public
during the day as it is filled with school
groups. He also said these programs are
always packed, as seating is very limited.
The (public) programs are always free
of charge, but, there is a very limited number of tickets, 120, for each showing,
Stone cautioned. Everyone must come
stand in line to get them. The tickets are
handed out, first come first serve, to people in line only starting at 6:30 p.m. each
of those program nights and the program
begins at 7 p.m.
He said they dont advertise the programs
very much, because they are so popular
they have had more than 1,000 people
show up for one show, more than 10 times
the capacity of the planetarium.
Although the planetarium doesnt offer
regular stargazing due to staff limitation,
they do partner with Franklin Mountains
State Park and Hueco Tanks State Park, as
well as the Sun City Astronomers for public stargazing events. They also hope to do
some events with Insights El Paso in the
future, as well.
We also do special events for eclipses
and other astronomical happenings, Stone
said. We had 500 people at the planetarium parking lot on Sept. 27 for the lunar
eclipse, for instance.
Stone said the schedule for the monthly

December 2015

Heres a quick list of the organizations, state

parks, planetariums and observatories that
offer regular or occasional night sky events,
planetarium shows or other information on
enjoying the areas night skies:

McDonald Observatory (near Fort Davis)

(432) 426-4138
mcdonaldobservatory.org

Insights El Paso Science Center

534-0000, insightselpaso.org

Southern New Mexico

El Paso and West Texas:

EPISDs Gene Roddenberry Planetarium

grplanetarium.weebly.com
The planetarium is also serves as the base for
the Sun City Astronomers.
Franklin Mountain State Park:
566-6441
Facebook at FranklinMountainsSP

programs, as well as free daytime programs during summer months, can be

found at the planetariums website, grplanetarium.weebly.com.
Any and all events we do are always
placed on our website mentioned above
well in advance of the event itself, he
said. The website is constantly updated
and is the primary source of information
for everything we are doing for the public.
Insights El Paso Science Center , which
reopened this summer at the former Alamo
Elementary School at 521 Tays, offers a
Cosmos in the Classroom outreach program for grades K-12, focusing on astronomy, earth and space. This program uses
Insights 360 StarLab, an inflatable planetarium, to aid in the study or stars and the
solar system.
Insights Executive Director Mandy

Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site

857-1135
texasstateparks.gov

New Mexico Museum of Space History and

Tombaugh IMAX Dome Theater
1-877-333-6589 or (575) 437-2840
nmspacemuseum.org

New Mexico State Parks

Most of the state parks offer periodic or regular night sky programs. Some with recurring

Kirchgessner says El Pasoans are fortunate

to be in region where the night skies are
almost always spectacular.
I grew up in the Phoenix area, and the
Southwest is the perfect place for night sky
viewing, she said. Our night skies here
are so clear, and we always have great
weather.
Kirchgessner said one thing the area has
going for it is its dedication to preserving
that view.
When you go to the major cities in most
parts of the country, youll see bright white
lights, but in this area youll see orange
lights as an effort to reduce night sky pollution, she said. These orange lights are
beautiful to look at, but they also serve a
purpose. That is one way that helps with
night sky viewing.

El Paso Scene

events include
Leasburg Dam: (575) 5244068
Oliver Lee:(575) 437-8284
City of Rocks: (575) 536-2800
Full list of park events at nmparks.com.
NMSU Astronomy Department and
Tombaugh Observatory
(575) 646-4438
astronomy.nmsu.edu
Astronomical Society of Las Cruces
aslc-nm.org

Amateur Astronomers Group (Alamogordo)

(575) 437-8284
astronomersgroup.org
Alamogordo Astronomy Club
zianet.com/aacwp/

New Mexico parks

Star viewing is a regular event at many of

Southern New Mexicos state parks.
We try to have our star parties once a
month from September through May, said
Gabriel Medrano, park manager at City of
Rocks State Park between Deming and
Silver City. If visitors dont like the cold
nights the best time is September and
October and then in April and May.
Leasburg Dam Park Ranger and
Interpreter Alex Mares said the park has
found a wonderful partner in the
Astronomical Society of Las Cruces
(ASLC), including working with special
events such as Decembers Winter Solstice
Celebration, Turning Back the Sun.

Please see Page 28

Page 27

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Contd from Page 27

I would call this the parks signature

event for night sky viewing, Mares said,
but hopes people come early for the cultural offerings and stay for the stargazing.
Set for Dec. 5 this year, the event combines cultural aspects of the celebration
including Native American stories, food
and dancing, as well as the winter sky. The
society will offer telescopes for both day
and night viewing throughout the events.
The Astronomical Society of Las Cruces
maintains several telescopes for night sky
observing, but they will also have dark sky
viewing, explained society member Sid
Webb, who also serves as president of the
Friends of Leasburg Dam State Park, a
group that promotes the parks offerings.
This includes regular star parties hosted
by the society and park that are now
enhanced by the parks observatory,
installed in 2014.
The parks observatory houses a 16-inch
Meade LX-200 telescope provided to the
park by the NMSU Astronomy
Department, who also hosts open house
events at its Tombaugh Observatory about
once a month. ASLC members hosts dark
sky observing each month on the Saturday
closest to the third quarter moon, beginning at dusk.
People will get look through the telescopes we have offered, but the
Astronomical Society will have the capability to project onto a screen what is

ome miscellaneous musings about

Christmas
Christmas is always a season of some
discontent for me, because I wrestle
with the traditional ways we celebrate
the holiday. Theres a disconnect
between my intellectual understanding
of Christs birth and the way its depicted in the myriad decorations and ubiquitous Christmas music.
Ive grumbled about this before, so I
wont belabor the point. But just as a
few examples: We dont know the actual
date of Christs birth and most scholars
doubt it was in winter. Jesus may have
been laid in a manger, but its unlikely
his family was staying in a stable. The
Wise Men came well after the actual
birth. And so on.
I realize this may seem trivial to some,
but there is at least one good reason to
remind people that some of our
Christmas folklore is based as much on
our own imagination and culture as on
the actual story recorded in scripture.
That reason is that we communicate
what we celebrate. People assume that
we believe what we treat as true. And if
non-believers think that we mindlessly
accept holiday myths, they may suspect
that we dont put much effort into the
rest of our religion.
And if we expect outsiders to give us
some slack about these religious celebrations that take liberties with truth, then
we better show the same tolerance
toward others whose cultural/religious
observances strike us as equally bizarre.
The biggest problem that most nonbelievers have about the Christmas story
is the whole notion of a virgin birth.
Ironically, virgin births are quite com-

Page 28

El Paso Scene

being seen through the observatory telescope, Webb said of Decembers event.
Mares said Leasburg is such a popular
area for night sky viewing for El Paso and
Las Cruces area residents because it provides such a clear view without having to
travel too far.
We have what we call a quality sky
here, Mares said. Even though were
close to Las Cruces, were still clear
enough you can see the Milky Way year
round.
Mares noted with pride that the national
ALCON (Astronomical League
Convention) chose Las Cruces for its 2015
meeting. A Starbeque dinner introduced
astronomers from throughout the country
and the world to the quality night sky at
Leasburg Dam.
There were side trips to places like the
Very Large Array and White Sands, as
well as dinner at Leasburg Dam, Mares
added.
Webb said hosting the convention was a
big honor for the society and the area.
Prior ALCON conventions have been
held in Chicago, Atlanta and San Antonio,
so this was a big deal for us, he said.
Star viewing events, often hosted by Sun
City Astronomers and other groups, are
occasionally offered at Franklin Mountains
and Hueco Tanks state parks as well.
Carlsbad Caverns National Monument also
hosts star parties on selected dates, often
during the summer and fall. White Sands
National Monument also has hosted major
stargazing events.

mon these days: Women are able to conceive without sexual relations thanks to
artificial insemination or even implantation of fertilized eggs. What really bothers people is the idea of a virgin birth
that cant be explained by science.
It reminds me of C.S. Lewiss point
that many of Jesus miracles werent so
much violations of natural law as they
were shortcuts of natural law. Water
turns into wine all the time through the
mechanisms of grapes and winemakers.
It just doesnt usually happen all at once
during a wedding feast.
Finally, I have to comment on this seasons tempest in a coffee cup, the socalled controversy over the Starbucks
cups without any of the typical yuletide
adornments. Theyre just a basic red
with the Starbucks logo, but no
snowflakes, Christmas tree or tinsel.
As far as I can tell, this so-called culture war is not much more than one
mans viral video campaign against the
caffeine conglomerate. Mainstream
media glommed onto the story and made
it sound like it was a real thing that
bothered a lot of Christians.
I for one would vote for simplicity as
the real spirit of Christmas and congratulate Starbucks for their restraint.

Randy Limbird is editor of

El Paso Scene. Comments?
Send to [email protected]
December 2015

El Paso Zoo 4001 E. Paisano. Zoo

Entrance hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Zoo admission is $12 for ages 13 to 59; $9 for
ages 60 and older and active duty military
(including spouse) with ID; $7.50 ages 3 to 12;
and free for ages 2 and under. Zoo members
admitted free. The Zoo will be closed on
Christmas Day and New Years Day.
Information: 532-8156, 521-1850 or elpasozoo.org.
Meet The Keeper talks are 10:30 to 3:15
p.m. at various locations throughout the zoo.
Keepers will on hand to meet with guests, discuss their experiences and talk about the animals.
African Star Train ride tickets are $2 plus
tax ($1.50 for children and society members).
Asian Elephant Training Encounters scheduled
at noon daily.
The zoo now includes the Foster Tree House
Playground, five tree houses blended into a natural setting for kids of all ages.
The El Paso Zoo is a 35-acre home to 228
species of animals. About 420 mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds, 106 fish and 294
invertebrates live in a variety of natural habitat
exhibits including a Reptile House, South
American Pavilion, Americas Aviary, Cisneros
Paraje, Birds of Prey Exhibit, Forest Atrium,
Asian Grasslands and an Elephant Complex, and
the Kalahari Research Station energy exhibit.
The zoo is hosting its annual Zoo Membership
drive. during the holiday season. All memberships purchased at this time receive a free zoo
plush animal. Information: 212-0245.

Franklin Mountains State Park Most

hiking and mountain-biking trails begin in the

Tom Mays area, off Transmountain Road on
the west side of the park (east of I-10).
Entry fee is $5 per person, free for age 12 and
under (with family). Correct cash or check
only. Group rates available. Hours are 8 a.m. to
5 p.m. daily. Information: 566-6441 or on
Facebook at FranklinMountainsSP.
A public meeting for the Lincoln National
Forests Forest Revision Plan is 10 a.m. Friday,
Dec. 4.
Guided hikes and bike rides are $3 additional
fee ($1 ages 5-12; under 5 free). Bring water,
snacks, sturdy shoes/boots, hiking stick, maps
and binoculars. Dogs welcome on leash on
some hikes. Reservations required: 566-6441
ext. 221, 224 or
[email protected].
Nature Walk Trail Hike is 9 a.m. Saturday,
Nov. 28.
Guided Beginners Mountain Bike Ride is 9
a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.
A Howl-iday Hounds Hike is 9 a.m. Saturday,
Dec. 12.
A Christmas Mine Tour is 10 a.m. Sunday,
Dec. 13.
Twas the Hike Before Christmas is 9 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 18.
A Birding 101 workshop with Wayne Pope is
1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19.
The 24,000-acre park extends north from the
heart of El Paso to the New Mexico state line.
The highest point is North Mt. Franklin, 7,192
feet above sea level.

Rio Bosque Wetlands Park UTEPs

Center for Environmental Resource

Management offers free guided walking tours
and other activities at Rio Bosque Wetlands
Park in El Pasos Mission Valley. Tours last
December 2015

about two hours. Information: 747-8663 or riobosque.org.

Bird tour is 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.
Introductory tour is 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec.
12.
Meeting place is a bridge crossing Riverside
Canal. Take Americas Ave. (Loop 375) to Pan
American Drive, turn left and travel 1.5 miles.

Gene Roddenberry Planetarium The

El Paso Independent School District

Planetarium, 6531 Boeing (District
Administration Building), hosts monthly evening
programs for the public. Admission is free; but
seating is very limited. Tickets available on a
first come, first-serve basis 30 minutes prior to
the show (no large groups). No advance tickets
given away; dates and times subject to change.
Information:grplanetarium.weebly.com.
The next program is a night sky update on
Pluto and Ceres, at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, followed by the presentation Back to the Moon
for Good, about the Google Lunar X Prize;
narrated by Tim Allen.
The EPISD planetarium is named after the El
Paso-born creator of Star Trek.

El Paso/Trans-Pecos Audubon Society

The Societys bird-watching field trips are

open to the public. Bring a lunch, insect repellent and water. Information: Mark Perkins, 6373521.
A weekend trip to visit Rio Grande Nature
Center State Park in Albuquerque, and look for
rosy finches in Sandia Crest is Saturday and
Sunday, Dec. 12-13.

Mesilla Valley Christmas Bird Count

The Mesilla Valley Audubon Societys 41st
annual Christmas Bird Count is Saturday, Dec.
19. A program about the count and how to
participate is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, at
Southwest Environmental Center, 275 N.
Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. Learn the history and methods of the count, go through a collection of bird photos of likely species, organize
CBC teams, distribute maps, bird lists and prepare for the count. Admission is free.
Information: mvaudubon.org.

Palomas, (575) 434-7200.

Cloudcroft (Sacramento), Hwy 82 and
Curlew, (575) 682-2551.
Ruidoso (Smokey Bear), 901 Mechem, (575)
257-4095.
Carlsbad (Guadalupe), 114 S. Halagueno,
(575) 885-4181. Not open Saturday dates.
Gila National Forest:
Trees may be cut from late November to
Christmas Eve.
All offices are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Silver City (Supervisors Office), 3005 E.
Camino del Bosque, (575) 538-2771.
Mimbres Ranger Station, NM Hwy 35, (575)
536-2250.
Black Range, 1804 Date St., Truth or
Consequences, (575) 894-6677.
Glenwood Office, Hwy 180 in Glenwood,
(575) 539-2481.
Non-traditional holiday season trees (century
plant, agave, and yucca stalks) may be obtained
with a Decorative Material permit.

Master Gardener calendars El Paso

Master Gardeners are selling 16-month

(September 2015-December 2016) calendars
for their annual fundraiser. The calendar provides gardening tips, articles and information
about local desert plants and more. Cost: $10.
Information/orders: 771-2354 or txmgelpaso.

Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic

Site The site is famed for many Native

American rock paintings and unique geology.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission: $7
(free for children 12 and younger). Additional
activity cost for tours (including morning hike):
$2 (free for age 4 and younger). Information:
857-1135 or texasstateparks.gov. Reservations
are recommended for the self-guided area and
for camping: (512) 389-8900.

Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park

5000 Calle del Norte in Mesilla. All events free
with park admission, unless listed otherwise.
Hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through
Sunday; call for seasonal variations. Day use fee:
$5 per vehicle ($40 annual pass). Information:
(575) 523-4398.
Audubon Bird Walks are 7:15 a.m. Saturdays,
led by park volunteers.
Ranger-led Nature Hikes are 2:30 p.m.
Sundays.
Fitness in Nature walks with the Second
Chance Walker Program are 8:30 a.m. every
Saturday beginning at the Visitor Center.
Bring binoculars, water, sunscreen; wear hiking shoes.

Please see Page 30

Hike Up Cristo Rey

Sunday, Dec. 27, noon

Family and friends in town? This easy-to-hike trail,

with spectacular panoramas of two countries and three
cities, leads 2.5 miles to the summit to the famous
statue of Christ on the Cross.
The hike begins at noon and lasts about 2 1/2 hours.

Cut down your own Christmas tree

Permits are available for people to cut down

their own Christmas tree in designated areas of
the Lincoln and Gila National Forests in New
Mexico through Dec. 24. Limit is one tree
up to 10 feet in height per household, and
the permit includes a map of areas where cutting is allowed.
Permits available to purchase for $5 per tree;
special permits available for trees over 10 feet.
Forest officials advise people to check weather and road conditions before entering the forest. Tree-cutters should dress appropriately,
take a vehicle suitable for the area and leave
information at home where they are going.
Maps of tree-cutting areas available at each
ranger station.
Mail-in permit applications are available in El
Paso at the Chamber of Commerce, Chamizal
National Memorial, and most southern New
Mexico communities, and many other locations;
allow 7 to 14 days for processing. Applications
must be received by Dec. 14. Applications
available online at fs.usda.gov.
Lincoln National Forest; call for hours.
Alamogordo (Supervisors office), 3463 Las

Tours offered Wednesday through Sunday, by

prior arrangement at 849-6684 or 857-1135.
Participants must carry at least one bottle of
water per person. Pets not allowed on tours,
and may not be left unattended in vehicles.
Pictograph tours are 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.;
rock climbing/bouldering tours are 9:30, 10 and
11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; hiking tours are 9, 9:30 and
10 a.m. and 2 p.m. during winter months, by
advance request only.
Birding tours are 8:30 a.m. on the third
Saturday of the month (Dec. 19). Advance
sign-up encouraged.
Bring water and good shoes for all hikes.
To get there: Take Montana Avenue (U.S.
Highway 62-180) all the way into the Hueco
Mountains then turn left on Ranch Road 2775.
North Mountain is available for self-guided day
use, for up to 70 people at a time; reservations
recommended. There is an annual orientation
program for visitors. Guided access is offered
to the rest of the site. Call for reservations and
other information: 857-1135.

No reservations needed.
Information: (915) 542-1422
Requested $5 donation ($2 children) to support
the Mt. Cristo Restoration Committee.

Hike subject to cancellation because of rain or snow.

To get there: Take Sunland Park Drive to Doniphan, turn south, then
west on Racetrack Drive. Cross the Rio Grande bridge, then turn
south on McNutt Road (Highway 273). Go about 1 mile and turn
right on road leading to the Mt. Cristo Rey parking lot.

Please see Page 30

El Paso Scene

Security will be provided along trail and in parking lot.

Sponsored by
Destination El Paso and El Paso Scene

Page 29

Nature

Contd from Page 29

White Sands National Monument

The glistening gypsum dunes are about 15 miles

southwest of Alamogordo, N.M., on U.S. 70.
Visitor Center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
through Dec. 11; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 12-Jan.
3. Park hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through
Dec. 31. Entrance fee: $5 age 16 and older.
Free for children. Information: (575) 479-6124,

ext. 236 or (575) 679-2599, ext. 232; or go to

nps.gov/whsa.
Sunset strolls are offered daily one hour
before sunset (4 p.m. through Jan. 3).
A Holiday Open House is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 4, with live music, ranger programs childrens activities and luminarias. Dress
for weather.
Crafty Kids 30-minute interpretive program
and take home craft projects geared towards
ages 6 to 10 and their parents are 2 p.m. daily
Dec. 19-Jan. 3.
Lake Lucero Tour is 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec.

27. Reservations required; accepted one month

in advance on the park website. Program fee;
$8 ($4 age 15 and younger).
Skins and Skulls mammal identification talks
are 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in the Visitor
Center.
Tent talks are 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays
to learn some of monuments lesser-known
stories such as where the gypsum came from
and how animals survive in the harsh environment.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

110 miles east of El Paso on the way to

Carlsbad, the 86,416-acre park includes the
highest point in Texas: Guadalupe Peak, 8,749
feet. Entry fee: $5 for ages 16 and older, good
for one week and all trails. Pine Springs Visitor
Center hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Camping is $8 per site per night. Information:
(915) 828-3251 or nps.gov.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park The

park is about 160 miles east of El Paso, off the

Carlsbad Highway (U.S. 62-180). Information:
(575) 785-2232 or nps.gov/cave.
Winter hours: Visitor Center open 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. daily; tours available 8:30 a.m. to 3:30
p.m. Last entry into cave via natural entrance is
2 p.m. with last entry into cave via elevator
3:30 p.m. (be in line to exit cave by 4:30 p.m.).
Plan 3-1/2 hours for a walk-in tour and 1-1/2
hours for Big Room tour of the Caverns. Cost
is $10 (free or ages 15 and younger). The
parks audio self-guided tour is $3 extra (also
available in Spanish).
Free admission on Nov. 1 for Veterans Day.
Other guided tours are available; call or check
website for details.

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State

Park 1504 Miehls Drive N., Carlsbad, N.M.

Admission: $5 ($3 ages 7-12; free for 6 and

under). Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (last entry
at 3:30 p.m.). Information: (575) 887-5516.
A Holiday Bells handbell concert is 11 a.m. to
12:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.
The annual Holiday with the Animals event
with childrens crafts, cardmaking for the animals and other activities is 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday,
Dec. 12.
The zoo features animals native to the
Chihuahuan Desert, in natural desert surroundings. A large greenhouse is devoted to succulents and cactus from around the world. The
headquarters building includes exhibits on minerals, history, archaeology and other subjects.

New Mexico State Parks Day-use fee

is $5 when visiting any state park. All programs

are free with park entrance, unless otherwise
listed. Information: (575) 744-5998 or
nmparks.com.
Leasburg Dam 12712 State Park Road in
Radium Springs, two miles off Interstate 25 at
Exit 19. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for day use.
Information: (575) 5244068
Turning Back The Sun winter solstice celebration is noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, with
traditional coyote stories real buffalo stew and
Pueblo adobe oven baked bread, Native
American Dancing, and sky viewing.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park, Information:
(575) 744-5923.
The 21st Annual Luminarias on the Beachwalk
is Saturday, Dec. 12, with 4,000 luminarias,
hayrides, caroling, lighted boat parade, refreshments and more.
Monthly Bird ID Tours are 8 to 10 a.m. the
final Saturday of the month (Dec. 26).
Mesilla Valley Bosque Park 5000 Calle del
Norte, Mesilla. Guided bird tours are first
Saturday of every month.
Oliver Lee State Park, Highway 54 south of
Alamogordo at the Dog Canyon turnoff.
Page 30

El Paso Scene

Information: (575) 437-8284.

A night sky viewing of the Perseus Story Cycle
is 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
Rockhound State Park, five miles south of
Deming on State Road 11 and then east on
Rockhound Road (State Road 141) for nine
miles. Day use hours: 7:30 a.m. to sunset.
Information: (575) 546-6182 or (575) 7445998.
A Luminaries Night with more than 1,000
luminarias, hot chocolate and cookies is 5 to
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
Pancho Villa State Park, Columbus, N.M.,
State Roads 11 and 9. Day use hours: 7 a.m. to
9 p.m. Information: (575) 531-2711.
A Luminaria Walk with is 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday,
Dec. 20, with hot chocolate, cookies and raffles for free baked hams.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National

Monument 44 miles north of Silver City

on NM Highway 15 in the middle of the majestic Gila Wilderness, the first and one of the
largest wilderness areas. Entrance fee: $5 per
person; $10 per family. Information: (575) 5369461 or nps.gov/gicl.
The trail to the cliff dwellings is open from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. year round. Everyone must be
off the trail by 5 p.m. Visitor center is open 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Keystone Heritage Park and El Paso

Desert Botanical Garden 4200

Doniphan (across from Frontera). Hours are 10

a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission: $3 (free for members). Information:
584-0563, keystoneheritagepark.org or elpasobotanicalgardens.org.
The parks 2-acre Botanical Garden, funded
by the Rotary Club of El Paso and the Junior
League, features native plants, amphitheater,
butterfly garden, wedding garden, childrens
maze, and a Butterfly House.
Keystone Heritage Park has 189 species of
migratory and local birds, and a 4,500-year-old
archaeological site.
The site is open for bird watching 9:30 a.m. to
noon the second and last Saturday of the
month.
Keystones Chihuahuan Desert Experience
(immediately west of the wetland) is open daily
from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for walking and
bird watching.

Alameda Park Zoo Alameda Park, 1321

North White Sands Blvd. (U.S. 54/70),
Alamogordo. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission: $2.50 ($1.50 ages 3-11 and 60 and
older; free for ages 2 and younger).
Information: (575) 439-4290.

Area hiking websites A variety of

organizations in the El Paso/Las Cruces area

offers hiking opportunities. Hikes typically are
rated as easy, moderate, or strenuous. Solo or
new hikers are welcome.
Meetup.com offers a variety of groups for all
activities, including the El Paso hiking meetup
club (meetup.com/El-Paso-Hiking) and the Las
Cruces hiking meetup club (meetup.com/jornada-hikers)
Celebrations of Our Mountains now offers an
ongoing calendar of hiking and related events at
celebrationofourmountains.org/
Elpasonaturally is a blog by Jim Tolbert on
various environmental topics and includes information about Sunrise Hikers morning events.
Information: elpasonaturally.blogspot.com or
[email protected].
The El Paso chapter of the Sierra Club posts
its hikes at sierraclub.org/elpaso.
Outdoorelpaso.com offers an interactive
map, of El Paso County hiking and running
trails, calendar of events and more.
Information: 546-2098 or epcounty.com.
December 2015

Desert camping trip

Taking a Look Back
ended with surprise
by John McVey Middagh

n one camping trip, Dad, my

brother Bill, Ray Past and his son
Chip, Roger Haynes, Doug Early,
Dean DuPree and I traveled out to the
desert, our ultimate goal being a whiskey
run to Palomas, Mexico, south of
Columbus, N.M.
For weeks we had been discussing this
trip. The Christmas season was upon us
and this meant the need for holiday spirits. Going to Palomas made it possible to
bring back a large quantity of booze as
New Mexico allowed a quart to be
brought back from Mexico for each person no matter the age.
At Christmastime the Middaghs hold
their annual Tamale and Noche Buena
Dark Beer Open House. It begins midmorning Christmas Day and everyone
always looks forward to joining in. One
year Dad decided not to have it so our
family could go to another gathering.
The neighbors, students, and friends
picketed our house in protest. They
threw tamale wrappers and empty beer
bottles all over the yard. Dad never
again though of forgoing another
Middagh Christmas open house.
While planning this trip my dad and
Ray heard that Dwayne Godwin, a regular camper and student, would not be
able to make it as he had a conflicting
engagement. Everyone made a big deal
about it, harassing him.
Godwin grew angry, Piss on you guys,
go on without me.
And so we did, reaching our favorite
camping spot 15 miles east of Columbus
and set up camp. We gathered firewood,
put the chuck boxes out, set out our
beds, shot the guns, ate and built the fire
up. We kids sat and listened to the adults
talk. Soon our bedrolls called us and we
went to sleep.
The next morning we realized we needed more wood for the fire. This provided
me with a wonderful opportunity to
drive the car, an old faded blue 1951
Plymouth.
I jumped up, saying, I knew where I
could find a lot of wood just down the
road. Ill take the car.
I knew my dad would let me drive as
we were out in the desert where I
learned to drive in the first place. Dad
nodded, Go on.
I asked Chip if he wanted to go along.
We jumped into the car leaving a gale of
dust behind. About a quarter -mile down
the road we turned left, heading south to
a clump of dead mesquite.
All the left turns we took to get to the
wood put us just below our camp. We
loaded up the trunk and back seat. We
turned the car around and were doing
fine until we ran into some soft sand.
I learned an important lesson: Dont
slow down when hitting soft sand as

youll get stuck. We did, and where we

were we could see camp. We looked up
to see them watching us.
Chip and I talked over the problem and
Chip came up with the idea that if we let
some air out of the tire this would allow
for more surface area to form on the tire.
Wouldnt that be better than the tire
cutting down into the sand?
I agreed and let about half the air out.
All we accomplished was to make a
wider ditch. By this time the grown-ups
reached the car. Chip and I explained his
theory. My dad looked at the situation
and shook his head.
Dammit, honey, you dont ever let the
air out of your tires in the dirt, maybe in
the mud, but not in sand. Dammit,
honey.
I stood there listening to him. I was six
foot tall, 160 pounds, and starting to get
facial hair but being called honey.
We jacked the car up, changed the tire,
got the shovel and dug out front and
back. Gathered whatever we could to put
under the tire. With everyone pushing
we got the car unstuck and back to
camp. They didnt need the firewood
anymore; Chip and I ate a cold breakfast.
While cleaning things up we heard an
airplane approaching. Everyone stopped
what they were doing and looked by to
see the plane heading straight for us. It
flew over, then turned for a return
sweep. This time it flew lower, definitely
buzzing us, not once but twice. On the
second time over Dad ran and got his
rifle. He aimed at the plane and pretended to shoot. The pilot must have seen
this because the plane made a hard turn
and headed up into the sky.
Everyone laughed. We showed him
someone said. Another blurted out, Bet
he pissed in his pants.
Just then we heard the plane coming by
again, but this time it stayed high, passing right over head. As the plane flew
by, something was thrown out the window. A small parachute opened. As it got
closer we saw the small whiskey bottle
attached. We ran over to retrieve it and
found it half-full of some yellow liquid
with a note attached.
PISS ON YOU GUYS GODWIN.
We all had a big laugh and waved at
Dwayne as he flew back by heading for
El Paso, tipping his wings as he flew off.
He could not make the trip and spend
the night, but he found time to rent a
plane and find us. He made sure Dad
and Ray didnt have the last word. Even
if it had to be delivered by airmail.

John McVey Middagh is a former

saddle shop owner and amateur
local historian. You can reach him
at [email protected].

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December 2015

El Paso Scene
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Page 31

Centennial Museum University at

Wiggins, UTEP. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30
Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Dec. 24-Jan.
4. Admission is free. Information: 747-8994,
747-6669 or museum.utep.edu.
Showing through Jan. 16: Juntos Art
Association exhibit, Icons and Symbols of the
Borderland. A lecture on Vrgen de
Guadalupe is noon Saturday, Dec. 12.
Permanent exhibits on the Third Floor focus
on the history of the Chihuahuan Desert. The
Chihuahuan Desert Gardens on the museum
grounds have more than 800 species of plants
native to the region.
The Lhakhang Cultural Exhibit is open to the
public for viewing 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every
Wednesday (except Dec. 30), and 1 to 4:30
p.m. the first Sunday of the month (Dec. 6).

El Paso Exploreum The citys living

laboratory museum for children, 300 W. San
Antonio, will close Dec. 30. Hours are 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6
p.m. Sunday; except major holidays. Last
admission is 5 p.m. Information: 533-4330,
elpasoexploreum.org or on the museums
Facebook page. Admission: $8 ($6 seniors over
60, active military and educators with ID; free
for infants).
El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study
Center 715 N. Oregon. Hours are 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday. Closed Monday.
Admission is free unless listed otherwise.
Information: 351-0048 or elpasoholocaustmuseum.org.

El Paso Museum of Archaeology

4301 Transmountain in Northeast El Paso
(west of U.S. 54). Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sundays,

Mondays and city holidays. Admission is free.

Information: 755-4332 or
elpasotexas.gov/arch_museum/.

El Paso Museum of Art One Arts

Festival Plaza, downtown El Paso. For exhibit
information, see Southwest Art Scene.
El Paso Museum of History 510 N.

Santa Fe. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday

through Saturday (until 9 p.m. Thursdays), and
noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays and
city holidays. Museum admission is free, except
for selected exhibits. Information: 351-3588 or
elpasotexas.gov/history.
Activities for Celebration of Lights are 4 to 9
p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, with photo booth (photos shared on DIGIE), hot chocolate and music.
The museum, in conjunction with the
Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso, hosts a
traditional Mexican Posada 6 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 17, with villancicos, piata
breaking, candy, tamales, hot chocolate, live
music, and more.
The museums Mini DIGIE will be at Veterans
Recreation Center, 5301 Salem, Dec. 8-Jan. 5.
Information: 821-8909.
Free Kids Drop-In events are 2 to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 28, to make leather stamping
ornaments, and Dec. 26 to learn to build a
community with recycled items. The
December event activity is in conjunction with
the exhibit Drawing on the Past: El Paso
During Artist Tom Leas Childhood, 19071924,

Showing through Jan. 3: The Traditions,

Influence and Legacy of El Pasos Cowboy
Boots.

Insights Science Center Insights new

permanent home 521 Tays Street (former

Alamo Elementary). Hours are 11 a.m. to 5
p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and noon to 5
p.m. Sunday (closed Dec. 24-25 and 31).
Admission is $5.50 ($3.50 ages 4-12), with $1
discount for military and family. Information:
insightselpaso.org, 534-0000 or on Facebook at
InsightsElPasoScience Center.
The center will be the site for the El Paso
Chess Academy Tournament is Dec. 19-20.
Call center for details.
A Winter Kids Day Camp is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, for ages 7-12. Kids can enjoy science
activities, crafts, presentations and lunch. Cost:
$20 first child ($15 each additional child in the
same family).
The new Geek Night Out monthly event for
adults interested in learning something from a
science expert while socializing with friends in a
bar atmosphere is planned for Tuesday, Dec.
29. Time and location to be announced.

Magoffin Home State Historic Site

1120 Magoffin. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday. Visitors can begin
their tour at the Visitor Center across the
street (1117 Magoffin, a recently restored 1901
home). Tours on the hour; last tour at 4 p.m.
Spanish language tours offered Thursday
through Saturday; call for availability. Cost: $4
($3 ages 6-18). Admission is free to Visitor
Center. Group tours available with advance
registration. Information: 533-5147 or visitmagoffinhome.com.
The annual Holiday Open house is 4 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12, with holiday lights and decorations, choirs, childrens activities, music and
refreshments. Admission: $2 at the door.

National Border Patrol Museum and

Memorial Library 4315 Transmountain

Drive. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday

through Saturday. Closed Sunday, Monday and
major holidays. Admission is free. Information:
759-6060 or borderpatrolmuseum.com.

Rafael Garcas Boxing Museum The

boxing museum named for The Legend
Rafael Garca is now open at 6519 N. Mesa.
Information, hours: 346-5085.

San Elizario Veterans Museum and

Memorial Walk 1501-B Main Street in

San Elizario. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission
is free. Information: Ann Lara, 345-3741 or Ray
Borrego, 383-8529.

Tigua Indian Cultural Center 305

Yaya Lane, at Socorro Road east of the Ysleta

Mission. The center features a museum on the
Tigua tribe, offering a glimpse of five centuries
of Pueblo history and tradition. Hours are 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Free childrens activities daily. Admission is
free. Information: 859-7700, ysletadelsurpueblo.org.

War Eagles Air Museum 8012 Airport

Road, Doa Ana County Airport, Santa Teresa.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through
Sunday. Admission: $5; $4 senior citizens and
military; free for children under 12.

Page 32

El Paso Scene

Information: (575) 589-2000 or war-eagles-airmuseum.com.

The warbirds of World War II and Korea, and
other historic military aircraft, are displayed in a
54,000-square-foot building and surrounding
area. The collection of more than 30 aircraft
and 40 automobiles includes the P-51 Mustang,
P-38 Lightning, A-26 Invader and the German
Fieseler-Storch. Among later aircraft are the F86 Sabre and MiG-15s.
To get there: Take the Artcraft exit off
Interstate 10, head west past the Rio Grande to
Santa Teresa and follow signs to the airport and
museum.

Las Cruces area

Branigan Cultural Center Branigan

Building, 501 N. Main, (Downtown Mall) Las
Cruces. hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday. Information: (575) 541-2154, lascruces.org/museums or on Facebook.
Showing Dec. 4-26 is Around the World,
Around Other Cultures, by Alejandra Gamez.
Gamez developed her own style of producing
monotypes while studying at UACJ in Jurez.
Showing Dec. 4-Jan. 23:
Remembering the Mays, an exhibit celebrating local history and one of Las Cruces
pioneering families.
The Beggars of Venice, by Ed Smith.
Reception for all exhibits is 5 to 8 p.m. Friday,
Dec. 4, as part of the Downtown Art Ramble.
Las Cruces Museum of Nature and
Science 411 N. Main in the Las Cruces

Downtown Mall. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30

p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. Saturday, plus 5 to 7 p.m. during the First
Friday Ramble. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Information: (575) 522-3120 or lascruces.org/museums.
The Prehistoric World Around You exhibit
runs through Jan. 2 in collaboration with
NMSUs Zuhl Collection.
The new family Science, Nature, and Art
Program (SNAP!) program, is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
every Saturday in the atrium
Animal Encounters are 11:30 a.m. Saturdays.
Evolved presentations are 3 p.m. Fridays,
with a lecture and craft or hands-on activity, for
all ages.
Family Science Saturdays are 10 a.m. every
Saturday, for all ages.

Las Cruces Railroad Museum The

museum is in the Santa Fe train depot, 351 N.
Mesilla (at Las Cruces avenue west of the
Downtown Mall). Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. Saturday, plus 5 to 7 p.m. during the First
Friday Ramble. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Admission is free. Information: (575) 647-4480
or museums.las-cruces.org.
Family Game Day is 10 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of each month. Families can try
out early 20th century games and puzzles.
Mrs. Pricketts Story Time is 11 a.m. the second Thursday of each month.
The Ladies Coloring Clubs for adults is 10
a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 18. Bring your own
book and colored pencils; color pages and
other supplies available.
Learn to play Train Dominoes 1 to 4 p.m.
the fourth Saturday of each month.
NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum

4100 Dripping Springs, Las Cruces. The 47acre museum chronicles the 3,000-year history
of agriculture and rural life in New Mexico.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through

Please see Page 33

December 2015

Museum

Contd from Page 32

Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission:

$5 for adults, $4 seniors 60 and older; $3 children age 4-17; free for museum members, veterans and children age 3 and under.
Information: (575) 522-4100 or nmfarmandranchmuseum.org.
Christmas take-home Crafts for Kids are 10
a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Participation
free with regular museum admission.
The Museums annual December living history
event Stories of Holidays Past is 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 10, in the museum theater, as
part of the museums Culture Series. Visitor get
a retrospective view of New Mexico history
during the holiday season. Admission: $2.
Showing Dec. 11-April 3, 2016 in the Arts
Corridor: Linda Hagen: Light Affects. In this
collection of paintings by Las Cruces artist
Linda Hagen accepts the challenge of capturing
light on canvas on form, distance and color. A
love of animals, the West, and nature inspire
her work.
Showing through Sept. 26, 2016: In a
Nutshell: Growing Nuts in New Mexico, in
the North Corridor.

NMSU Art Gallery D.W. Williams Art

Center, 1390 E. University Ave, (Williams Hall)
on the NMSU campus, Las Cruces (east of
Solano). Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday
through Saturday. Admission is free. Parking
free on weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays. Information: (575) 646-2545 or
uag.nmsu.edu.

NMSU Museum Kent Hall, University at

Solano, Las Cruces. Hours are noon to 4 p.m.
Tuesday through Friday. Admission is free.
Information: (575) 646-5161 or
nmsu.edu/museum/.

White Sands Missile Range Museum

and Missile Park Exhibits feature the his-

Hubbard Museum of the American

West 841 U.S. Hwy 70 West, next to

Ruidoso Downs (N.M.) Race Track. Hours are

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday
(closed Tuesday and Wednesday). Docent-led
tours of permanent exhibits are 10 a.m.
Fridays. Admission: $7 ($5 for seniors, military;
$2 children 6-16; free for children 5 and
younger and museum members). Information:
(575) 378-4142 or hubbardmuseum.org.

Museum of the Big Bend Sul Ross

State University (Entrance 3), Hwy 90 in
Alpine, Texas. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m.
Sunday. Guided tours available. Admission is
free, donations accepted. Information: (432)
837-8143, [email protected] or museumofthebigbend.com.

New Mexico Museum of Space

History 3198 SR 2001, Alamogordo. The

museum features the International Space Hall

of Fame and the Tombaugh IMAX Dome
Theater and Planetarium.
Space center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission: $6 ($5 for seniors and military, $4
ages 4-12, children 3 and younger free). Call
for school tours and group ticket arrangements. Information: (877) 333-6589, (575) 4372840 or nmspacemuseum.org.
The Launch Pad Lecture Series runs the 9 to
11 a.m. the first Friday of each month.
Admission is free; coffee and donuts provided.
For IMAX schedule, see Film Scene.
Combo tickets available (included museum
entrance and one IMAX ticket): $10 ($9
seniors and military, $7 children.

Sacramento Mountains Historical

Museum U.S. 82 across from the

Chamber of Commerce in Cloudcroft, N.M.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and
Saturday. Admission: $5 ($3 ages 6 to 12).
Group rates and tours available with prior
notice. Information: (575) 682-2932.

tory of the Trinity Site (site of the first atomic

bomb test), the V-2 rocket, ranchers on the
range and missile optics. An outdoor Missile
Park displays rockets and missiles tested on the
range. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through
Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and
Sunday. Closed on federal holidays. Free
admission.
To get there: take U.S. 54, and after the freeway ends, keep going north on Martin Luther
King, which leads directly to the range. Or
enter from the north off U.S. 70 east of Las
Cruces. Visitors must provide a current license,
car registration and proof of insurance.
Information: (575) 678-8824 (local call) or
wsmr-history.org.

Silver City Museum 312 W. Broadway,

Silver City, in the historic H.B. Ailman House.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through
Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and
Sunday. Open until 7 p.m. the first Friday of
the month. Admission: $3 suggested donation.
Information: (575) 538-5921, 1-877-777-7947
(out of town), or silvercitymuseum.org.
A free chautauqua presentation with Sherry
Robinson, Apache Voices is 10:30 a.m.
Monday, Dec. 7; seating is limited.
The 31st annual Victorian Christmas
Celebration is 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec.
10, with music, craft and cookies. Special childrens hour is 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Also

N. White Sands Blvd., Alamogordo. An actual

train depot built in 1898, the building now
houses a gift shop and model shop, with more
than 1,200 feet of model railroad track and
hundreds of model and toy trains on display.
Hours are noon to 4:40 p.m. Wednesday
through Sunday. Admission: $4. Information:
(575) 437-2855 or
toytraindepot.homestead.com.
The 1/5 scale train track offers rides around
Alameda Park 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday
through Sunday. Cost: $4.

Zuhl Museum NMSU Alumni Visitors

Center, 775 College Dr. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.
Information: (575) 646-3616 (visitor center),
(575) 646-4714 (museum director),
[email protected] or nmsu.edu/zuhl.
Deming Luna Mimbres Museum 301
S. Silver, Deming, N.M. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is
free. Information: (575) 546-2382, 1-800-8484955 or lunacountyhistoricalsociety.com.

Geronimo Springs Museum 211 Main

in Truth or Consequences, N.M. Hours are 9

a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon
to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $5 ($2.50 students 6 to 18; free for ages 5 and younger).
Family rates: $15. Information: (575) 894-6600
or geronimospringsmuseum.com.
December 2015

Toy Train Depot Alameda Park, 1991

Tularosa Basin Historical Society

Museum The museum is next door to the
Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce, 1301
White Sands Blvd. (U.S. 54/70). Open from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
Information: (575) 436-4438.

El Paso Scene

Page 33

Agave Rosa Gallery 905 Noble (next to

the International Museum of Art). Hours are 10

a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The
gallery features paintings, sculpture, jewelry and
photography by area emerging artists.
Information: 533-8011 or agaverosagallery.com.

Art Avenue Gallery The gallery space is

at 1618 Texas, Suite E. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5

p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Information: 2134318 or theartave.com.
Showing Dec. 3-Jan. 9: Mestizoan, abstract
paintings by Erin Galvez inspired by re-conceptualizing traditions. The 25-piece exhibit is
focused on serape collections and expressive
pieces, with multiple layers of acrylic, leaf,
graphite and wax.
Galvez is a former commercial artist who
recently moved to El Paso from Portland,
Oregon. She will conduct a workshop
Thursday, Jan. 7, at the gallery.

Artistic Celebration of Our Mountains

Exhibit The 15th annual juried art show at

Ardovinos Desert Crossings Sunset Hall, One

Ardovino Drive in Sunland Park, runs through
December, with works inspired by the regions
mountains. Information: (575) 589-0653, ext. 3.

Bert Saldana Art Gallery The new

gallery featuring Southwestern Art is at 1501
Main Street in the San Elizario Arts District.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday
through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and
noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Information: 479-2926
or bertsaldana.com.

Candy Mayer Studio Open House El

Paso artist Candy Mayer will host her 4th annual open house at her home studio at 1317
Tierra Roja 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and
Sunday, Dec. 5-6. All of Mayers work will be
available for purchase, including large pieces

Page 34

not usually displayed at shows. Available will be

her new game, Loteria El Paso, with 50 different El Paso images. Also featured are new
Da de los Muertos originals and collages and a
new print of the Chihuahua Ball Park. New gift
items include 2016 Images of El Paso calendars, ornaments, mouse pads and coasters.
Also on display will be her husband Charlies
photographs, many from Mexico and Spain.
Information: 581-4971 or candymayer.com.

Chinati Foundation Marfa, Texas.

Created by artist Donald Judd, the Foundation

houses one of the worlds largest collections of
permanently installed contemporary art. The
collection is open for guided tours throughout
the year at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday
through Sunday. Admission is $10 ($5 for students, seniors). Full tour is $25 ($10 students).
Information: (432) 729-4362 or chinati.org.
Writers Lawrence Weschler and Alva No will
talk at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Marfa Book
Company. Each writer contributed to the catalogue accompanying the exhibition Strange
Pilgrims, currently on view in Austin.

Creative Kids at Fountains at Farah

Artwork created by local children will be on
display 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Dec. 19, at
Suites 2825 and 2830, at the Fountains at
Farah, 8889 Gateway West. Information: fountainsatfarah.com or creativekidsart.org.
The Fountains will host free art classes every
Saturday for ages 12-18 and Sunday for ages 7-

11. Reservations required; space is limited.

Reservations: [email protected].

Crossland Gallery The El Paso Art

Associations gallery is at 500 W. Paisano (in the

Art Junction of El Paso). Hours are 11 a.m. to 4
p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturdays. Gallery closed Dec. 26-Jan. 5.
Admission is free. Information: 534-7377,
[email protected] or
CrosslandArtGallery.com.
Showing Dec. 5-19: The Snow Show
fundraising mini-canvas exhibit featuring works
with a chilly, snowy and wintertime or holiday
theme. Submissions from artists being taken
through Dec. 1 at [email protected].
Opening festivities are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5.
The gallery is seeking artwork based on the
human figure or portrait through Jan. 6, for its
2nd annual figurative exhibit, conFIGUREation
two. This years judge is UTEP Professor of Art
Tom Birkner. Show opens Jan. 15.

El Paso Museum of Art One Arts

Festival Plaza, downtown El Paso. Hours are 9

a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and
Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, and 9 a.m. to
9 p.m. Thursday. Closed Mondays and holidays.
Admission is free unless noted otherwise.
Information: 212-0330 or
elpasoartmuseum.org.
Showing through Jan. 3: Hal Marcus: Lyric
Modern. Marcus specializes in colorful and

El Paso Scene

lyrical acrylics and mixed media on canvas,

which are variously populated with a panoply of
people he loves and his hometown.
Showing through Jan. 29: Marc Chagall,
The Green Violinist, as part of the Modern
Masters Series.
IV Biennial Ciudad Jurez/El Paso Biennial by
S-Mart runs through Feb. 7, 2016 at the
museum and the Museo de Arte de Cd. Juarez.
Featured artists from both Mexico and the
United States will have one piece featured at
each museum.
Showing through May 1, Cristos, Vrgenes y
Santos: Highlights from the Hamilton
Collection, with 158 retablos and other items
from the collection of retablo collector and historian Nancy Hamilton.
Artists on Art with Roya Mansourkhani is 5:30
p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10.
Monthly Spark Saturday activities are 10:30
a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Most activities are free.

Escamilla Christmas Extravaganza

Impressionist artist Alberto Escamilla hosts his
annual holiday show and sale 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5-6,
in his gallery, 1445 Main Street, Suite B1-2 in
Placita Madrid in historic San Elizario, with live
holiday music, appetizers with refreshments
and special discounts. Information: 851-0742 or
albertoescamilla.com.
UTEP opera student Rocio Manriquez will
sing Christmas carols and other music noon to
4 p.m. Sunday.
Escamilla will showcase his new paintings,
along with numerous gift items adorned with
his artwork. The gallery also includes Escamilla
religious artwork, including his newest image of
Our Lady of Lourdes. Also at Placita Madrid

Please see Page 35

December 2015

Art Scene

Golden Eagle Gallery 1501 Main Street,

International Museum of Art 1211

Montana. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday and Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and
Sunday. Free guided tours available on a walkin basis. Admission is free. Information: 5436747 or internationalmuseumofart.net.
The 16th annual Sun Bowl Art Exhibition, featuring works by regional artists, runs through
Jan. 3.
Jays Pix presents the weekly Facts Behind
the Films at 2 p.m. Saturdays. See Film
Scene for details.

Hal Marcus Gallery 1308 N. Oregon.

by S-Mart runs through Feb. 7, 2016 at El

Paso Museum of Art, One Arts Festival Plaza in
El Paso, and Museo de Arte de Ciudad Juarez.
Featured artists will have one piece featured at
each museum. Information: (El Paso Museum of
Art) 212-0330 or elpasoartmuseum.org;
(Museo de Arte de Ciudad Juarez) 613-1708 or
Bellasartes.gob.mx.

Contd from Page 34

are artist Debra De Santis and guest artist

Robert Dozal and other vendors.
The gallery is also the home of the studio and
gallery of Debra DeSantis (contemporary
Impressionism and abstract art, religious jewelry).Dancing with Paint mini workshops now
offered.

in the San Elizario Historic District. Gallery

hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday
through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and
noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Information: 851-0093.
Showing through Dec. 13: Rhythmic
Expression group exhibit, with works by Sandi
Smith, Desiree C. Foix, Sally B. Avant, Ben L.
Avant, Deirdra Juarez, Stacy Myers, Robert
Dozal and Manuel Alvarado.

The gallery specializes in local and early El Paso

art. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday,
Wednesday and Friday; noon to 7 p.m.
Thursday or by appointment. Information: 5339090 or halmarcus.com.
Showing through Dec. 31: Remembering
Rak, Tribute exhibit to Bill Rakocy (19242015), with works spanning 70 years.
Marcuss home and studio, located across the
street, are available for personal tours.
The Hal Marcus/Lyric Modern exhibit runs
through Jan. 24, at El Paso Museum of Art,
One Arts Festival Plaza.
The 45th annual Happy Holidaze Open House
arts and craft fair 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday,
Dec. 12, with local vendors, appetizers, and
live entertainment. Visitors are encouraged to
come in hippie garb. Admission is free.

December 2015

IV Biennial Ciudad Jurez/El Paso

Biennial The binational exhibit presented

Krystyna Robbins Studio Krystyna

Robbins will host her annual holiday open

house noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the
Robbins Studio, 5070 Yucca, featuring retablos,
miniatures and small paintings by the artist, and
her 2016 calendar. Information: 584-0953, 3091898 or krystynarobbins.com.
Robbins will lead a Winter Workshop in Oils
and Acrylics Jan. 4-7 at Innsbruck Village in
Ruidoso. Call for details.

Rubin Center UTEPs Stanlee and Gerald

Rubin Center for the Visual Arts is next to Sun
Bowl Stadium. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Information: 747-6151, rubincenter.utep.edu or
on Facebook at RubinCenter.

Showing through Feb. 27, 2016: Territory

of The Imagination: At the Border of Art and
Space, a collaborative project that looks at the
work of artists who engage in disruptive, alternative, and collective interactions with space
and space technology or who appropriate and
reinterpret existing data sets.
Projects include:
Art In Orbit, a collection from the
Ecuadorian exhibit Arte En Orbita.
Matters of Gravity, Artists reflecting on
Gravity by its Absence, featuring works by
artists Ale de la Puente Arcngelo Constantini,
Fabiola Torres-Alzaga, Gilberto Esparza, Ivn
Puig, Juan Jos Daz Infante, Marcela Armas,
Miguel Alcubierre, Nahum and Tania Candiani.
Inverse Imaginary, part of a cross-border
installation.
Astrovandalistas: The Making of Aerosolar,
by Tomas Saraceno.

San Elizario Art District Several gal-

leries and artist studios are located 1445 to

1501 Main Street near the San Elizario Plaza on
the Mission Trail. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday
through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and
noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Information: 474-1800
or 851-0093.
The First Friday ArtWalk is 6 to 9 p.m. Friday,
Dec. 4, with artist galleries open late, live
demonstrations and music. A Ghost Tour
begins at 10 p.m.
Featured gallery artists include Albert
Escamilla, Rob Mack, Palmira Lopez, Manuel
Alvarado, Maria Branch, Bert Saldaa, Joanna
Franco, Melissa Himes, M. Concepcion, Robert
Lichlyter, Amado Pena Jr. and Arturo Avalos.

Sol Goddess Designs Open House

The open house for Deana Hicks gallery and

studio at 6421 Cloudview (off Resler) is 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6, with

El Paso Scene

wine tasting and refreshments. The gallery features functional pottery art, crosses, junk jewelry, glass painting and original acrylic paintings
ranging from $5 to $100. Information: 2418808, [email protected] or elpasorealtyplus.com.

Soldier Art Workshop Program El

Paso Art Associations collaborative project

addresses soldier and family anxiety and stress
issues resulting from deployment.
The final program of the year is a pastel workshop led by Rami Scully 9:30 a.m. to noon and
1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 1-3, at Fort Bliss.
An exhibition of this years artist and soldier
student work will be on display starting Dec. 3
and running through the end of the month at
the Fort Bliss Museum and Centennial Hall,
Information: John Robbins, 309-1891,
ElPasoArtAssociation.com or
CrosslandArtGallery.com.

Sun Bowl Art Exhibition The 16th

annual show and art competition, featuring

works by regional artists, runs through Jan. 3
at the International Museum of Art, 1211
Montana. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday and Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday
and Sunday. Admission is free. Information:
543-6747 and internationalmuseumofart.net.

Sunland Art Gallery 5034-D Doniphan,

in Placita Santa Fe. The co-op gallery features
original paintings and photographs, jewelry,
prints and gift items by local artists. Hours are
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Information: 584-3117 or 474-0053.
The gallerys Christmas Open House is 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, with small
gift items, 2016 calendars and ornaments.

Please see Page 36

Page 35

Art Scene

Contd from Page 35

Titovets School of Art Show & Sale

The school hosts its 15th annual show 5 to 9
p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec.
12-13, at the Womans Club of El Paso, 1400
N. Mesa, featuring works by new and established artists who are students of Sasha and
Lyuba Titovets. Admission is free. Information:
539-9015 .

Waynelyn Segotta Art Show The

local artist will host the show 3 to 5 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 7, at the Womans Club of El
Paso, 1400 N. Mesa. Segotta, 74, began showing her work Crossland Gallery last year, and
also works with quilts and as and childrens
book author and illustrator. Artist remarks at 4
p.m. The works will remain on display through
the month of December. Admission is free.
Information: 532-6131 or wcoep.org.

Las Cruces/Mesilla

Aa Studios 2645 Doa Ana Road (Calle

de Oro), Open the second weekend of the

month. The gallery features emerging artists as
well as the multi-media work by gallery owner
Roy van der Aa. Information: (575) 520-8752.
Showing through Jan. 2: New Paintings &
Monotypes, by Las Cruces abstract artist
Michael Pavao. Pavao works in acrylic and
watercolor, figurative and abstraction, and was
a member of Will Barnets Smoke Room
Gang at the Art Students League of New York
in the 60s and 70s. He has shown extensively
throughout the Northeast and the Southwest.

Adobe Patio Gallery and Studio

1765 Avenida de Mercado in Mesilla. The
gallery features works by Carolyn Bunch,
Anthony Pennock, Kelley S. Hestir, Cheryl
Derrick and other local and regional artists.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through
Saturday. Information: (575) 532-9310 or
adobepatiogallery.com.
Showing through Jan 4: Small is Beautiful,
small works by Border Artists Margaret
Berrier, Carolyn Bunch, Tauna Cole, Janice
Cook, Sherry Doil-Carter, Tom Gerend,
Sharbani DasGupta, Winfrey Hearst, Annetta
Hoover, Amanda Jaffe, Suzanne Kane,
Cassandra Lockwood, Rosemary McLoughlin,
Jo Rango, Jeanne Rundell, David Shaw, Jo-an
Smith, Dan Tapper, Jean Wilkey, Bob Willis and
Terry Wolfe.
Cutter Gallery 2640 El Paseo (at

University), Las Cruces. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5

p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday. Information: (575) 541-0658.
The New Mexico Christmas Art Show is 1 to
4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, featuring folk art, figures and drawings by Susi and Richard
Bergquist.
Other gallery artists in the show include Molly
Gamboa Barth, Nancy Frost Begin, Fred
Chilton, Tom Gerend, Linda Gendall, Stephen
Hansen, Carlitta Harvey, Robert Highsmith,
Mark Hohnstreiter, Tracy Jamison, Suzanne
Kane, Virginia Roach, Rosemary McLoughlin,
Jo-an Smith, Mary Talamini, Dan Tapper, Dan
Stouffer and Paula Voris.

Firebird Rising Fine Art 330 W.

Mountain in Las Cruces. The new gallery is

founded by visual artist Michael C. Gutierrez.
Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday
through Sunday. Information: (575) 303-2434
or [email protected].
Showing through Jan 2: with the group exhibition Union of Flames, featuring works by

Page 36

El Paso Scene

local, national and international artists Paul

Neff, Lilith Love, Wes Naman, Chris Bardey,
Jodie Herrera, Jef Bourgeau, Deret Roberts,
Cody Jimenez, Michael Ponce, Praxis, David D.
Sorensen, Stephanie Sweet, Maureen Bachaus
and Gutierrez.

Las Cruces Museum of Art 491 N.

Main (Downtown Mall). Hours are 10 a.m. to

4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Saturday, plus 5 to 7 p.m. during the
First Friday Ramble. Closed Sunday and
Monday. Information: (575) 541-2137 or lascruces.org/museums.
Showing through Jan 16: Paul Outerbridge:
New Photographs from Mexico and California,
1948-1955. Outerbridge (1896-1958) is
regarded as one of Americas earliest masters
of color photography. The exhibition is comprised of 35 images that were never printed
during the artists lifetime.
The family Science, Nature, and Art Program
(SNAP!) program is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every
Saturday, in the atrium between the Museum
of Art and Museum of Nature and Science.

Mesilla Valley Fine Arts Gallery

2470-A Calle de Guadalupe in Mesilla, across
from the Fountain Theatre. Hours are 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. daily. The gallery features more than
30 artists in various media. New works displayed every three months. Information: (575)
522-2933 or mesillavalleyfinearts.com.
Decembers featured artists are Bert Gammill
and Lori Shalett. Gammill is a mixed media
artist who works in watercolor, oils, pastels
and pencil, rendering realistic things that are
close to her; horses, dogs, cats, family and
friends. Shalett is a gemstone jeweler, designing
original patterns that includes a range of styles.
The gallerys newest member is basket weaver Mike Shalett.
Mesquite Art Gallery 340 N. Mesquite,
Las Cruces. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday and Friday, 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Information: (575) 640-3502 or mesquiteartgallery.com.
The gallery will be available to restore and
print old photographs Thursday through
Saturday, Dec. 10-12.

The Big Picture Gallery 311 N. Main

Street, in the Las Cruces Downtown Mall.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through
Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Information: (575) 647-0508.
Showing through December is Southwest
Visions, by fine artist Greg Allen. Inspired by
the mystical terrain of the desert, Allen brings
to life the landscapes of the Southwest, capturing light, forms, and architecture. Artist reception is 5 to 7 p.m. Friday Dec. 4, as part of the
Downtown Ramble.

Tombaugh Gallery First Unitarian

Universalist Church of Las Cruces, 2000 S.

Solano. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, or by
appointment. Information: (575) 522-7281 or
uuchurchlc.org.
Showing through Nov. 29: Worlds Within
Worlds: Encounters with Spirits of the Land,
an exhibit of photographic works by Lyndia
Radice.
Showing Dec. 6-Jan. 22: Steel and Wings
an exhibit of new works by Las Cruces artists
Jill Somoza and John Northcutt. Somozas
paintings, all done in the last two years, display
the simple lines of juxtaposed panels combined
with curved wood. Northcutts sculpture is
minimal kinetic and viewer participatory,

Please see Page 39

December 2015

December 2015

El Paso Scene

Page 37

6-month show highlights retablo collection

hile most patrons of the El Paso

Museum of Art are familiar with
its Kress Collection and works
by notable American and regional artists,
few realize that the museum now ranks as
the second-largest retablo repository in the
United States.
This ranking was achieved in the fall of
2014 when El Paso native Nancy
Hamilton, a nationally recognized retablo
collector and historian, gifted the museum
with about 500 pieces from a diverse personal collection that included retablos, bultos, prints, nichos, and altar objects. Added
to the museums existing collection of
Mexican religious imagery previously
donated by Dorrance and Olga Roderick
and the Frank and Sara McKnight families,
Hamiltons generous gift raised the inventory of EPMA holdings to 900 objects,
ranking it just behind New Mexico State
Universitys collection of some 1,700
pieces of devotional art.
As the perfect prelude to the Christmas
season, the EPMA open an exhibition entitled Cristos, Vrgenes y Santos:
Highlights from the Hamilton Collection
Nov. 22. Running through May 1, the exhibition will showcase 158 works from
Hamiltons retablo collection.
Deeply rooted in Mexicos Spanish history, these retablos (the name literally translates to behind the altar) were small
paintings done on wood, tin or copper.
Distances were great and priests few
before the 20th century in Mexico, so for
many Catholic worshipers the retablo
became the focal point of family altars
honoring a specific patron saint.

Page 38

Venerating a wide variety of holy personages, retablos represented the heart and
soul of traditional religious beliefs in the
18th and 19th century Mexican culture,
making them truly the art form of the common person.
Hamilton shares, In contrast to the elaborate religious paintings produced by highly skilled painters in Europe, this private
devotional art was primarily created by
popular local painters with little or no formal training. Influenced by their European
counterparts, these artists chose to paint
the saints made popular by the missionaries who came to Mexico: Franciscans,
Jesuits and Dominicans.
In later years, the New World images
were gradually modified to fit into the
Mexican folk culture, with artists adding
Mexican saints such as Our Lady of
Guadalupe to their repertoire.
Hamilton relates, Familiar subject matter was repeated again and again. A prolific retablero might have painted the same
subject hundreds of times during his
career. Nuestra Senora del Refugio de
Pecadores Our Lady of Sorrows was
perhaps the most popular of these, along
with images of the Christ Child and the
Madonna.
While some retablos were rendered on
wood, most were painted on tin. This was
because tin took oil paint well, and it was
less expensive due to the fact that most
(tin) was produced for commercial usage,
most frequently (for use as) stamped ceiling panels. For this reason, retablos came
in standard sizes such as 14 x 10 or 7 x
10. Retablos were very popular until the

turn of the century when printing processes

made it possible to obtain paper prints,
which were much more reasonable than
hand painted images.
In the 1960s dealers from Mexico began
bringing retablos up to the U.S. to trade for
the prints. Hamilton recalls that these were
packaged and sold in stacks of 50 to 100.
An avid historian, fascinated both by biblical archeology and border history,
Hamilton began purchasing Mexican devotional art at flea markets in South El Paso
or from Francis Tolland, a dealer who sold
Mexican pottery and other artifacts from
his home.
Born in 1929 and raised in El Paso,
Hamilton earned an undergraduate degree
in journalism and a masters in English
from Texas Western College (now UTEP),
which led to a long and productive career
working at her alma mater. She began
working with the college newspaper and
eventually became associate director of
Texas Western Press.
Hamilton credits her mother, Corrine
Miller, for encouraging this interest and
assisting her in starting her collection.
Mom was an oil painter who studied
under Eugene Thurston. Having a good
eye for art, she loaned me the money when
I had to buy a big stack of retablos. In the
early 1960s, dealers sold them according
to the size, $5 for the little ones and $10
for the larger ones, regardless of the condition. Of course that didnt last very long
once the demand for them began to
increase.
Over the past half century Hamilton not
only amassed one of the nations finest
collections of Mexican devotional art but
also built a reputation as a nationally recognized authority on the subject.
Im not Catholic, so I had a lot to learn
about the lore of the saints, especially
those from Mexico.
In 1981, while working at Texas Western
Press, Hamilton had further opportunity to
put her knowledge about retablos to use
when the director of San Antonios
Institute of Texan Cultures came by asking
for suggestions as to what might be a popular display for their Folklore Festival.
I suggested that retablos might be interesting, especially those with Texas place
names rivers, towns, etc. (that were
named for saints).
As she became more involved with the
international collecting community,
Hamilton on one occasion sent eight of her
Guadalupe images to an exhibition in
Warsaw, Poland that Pope John Paul would
be attending. They were celebrating the
two Dark Virgins The Dark Virgin
of Mexico and Our Lady of
Czestochowa from Poland. From August
1991 through 2002, Hamilton edited and

El Paso Scene

published the Retablo Newsletter that went

to collectors, museums and libraries
throughout the country.
Despite downsizing her personal collection, she continues to be bitten by the collectors bug.
Somehow I just cant resist. Just last
week I purchased a Santo Nino de
Atocha (image of the Holy Child evolving
from 8th century Spain) from Ruby
OLeary, who was one of my main sources
after Fran (Tolland) passed away. The
piece was absolutely charming. Its halo is
a raised gold circle around his head, the
edge of which is scalloped with red lines.
Ive never seen a halo quite like that. At
this point only a small number of originals
being are brought up from Mexico and the
price for those of any quality ranges anywhere from $400 to more than $1,000.
For all wanting to meet Hamilton, and
learn more about this fascinating aspect of
our cultural heritage, the El Paso Museum
of Art will hold a reception for Hamilton
from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13.

Soldiers workshops

John and Krystyna Robbins, who helped

start this years first-ever Soldier Art
Workshop Program, report that the first
year was an enormous success, and we
have just received Fort Bliss approval for
extending the program through 2016 and
2017. Fort Bliss Morale Welfare &
Recreation (MWR) Organization is our
partner in the Program and we are in the
process of working with them to plan for
24 workshops next year. Two of these will
be held at and sponsored by the
International Museum of Art (IAVA), who
will be exhibiting Soldier/Artist work next
year in two major exhibits.
The Robbinses invite the public to view
an exhibition of this years artist and soldier student work at the Fort Bliss
Museum and Centennial Hall, on display
starting Dec. 3 and running through the
end of the month. For a brochure on next
years workshops, email John Robbins at
[email protected].

Myrna Zanetell is a freelance writer

specializing in the visual arts.

December 2015

Art Scene

Contd from Page 36

exploring the concept of the existence of multiple planes within a plane and their interaction.
Artist reception is 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6, with a second reception 5 to 7
p.m. Friday, Jan. 8.

West End Art Depot The We.AD, at

401 N. Mesilla in Las Cruces, is an arts cooperative and incubator in a 7,000-square-foot
Quonset hut warehouse in the Alameda
Historic Depot neighborhood. Studio members
and community support welcome. Hours are 4
to 8 p.m. Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday,
noon to 3 p.m. Sunday or by appointment.
Information: Chris, (575) 312-9892 or wead.org.
Showing Dec. 4-13: New works in photography and sculpture by David A. Canales.
Opening reception is 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec.
4.
Ongoing classes and workshops offered. All
sessions $30 with preregistration. Online registration, schedule at we-ad.org.
Portraits in oils, pastels and watercolor is
noon to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays, through Dec. 12,
with Greg Decker. Registration: [email protected].

Paso Del Norte Paranormal Society

and Haunted History The nonprofit

organization offers a variety of ghost tours.

Age 13 and older welcome; children must be
accompanied by an adult age 21 or older.
Information, reservations: 274-9531 or
[email protected]. Societys offices are at
the Ghosts915 Paranormal Research Center,
108 E. San Antonio.
Concordia Cemetery Ghost Tours are 9 to
11 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, at the
cemetery, 3700 E. Yandell. Meet at 8:30 p.m.
at the Yandell entrance. Proceeds benefit
restoration and preservations efforts for the
cemetery. Tickets: $15.
Downtown Ghost Tour is 9 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19. Meet at 8:30 p.m. at 108 E.
San Antonio. Walk the streets of haunted
downtown El Paso, and hear stories of betrayal, unique symbolism of buildings, and see the
deadliest intersection of the Old West. Family
friendly tour includes going inside the Palace
Saloon, and the basement of the former museum. Tickets: $15.

History Notes Lecture Series The

monthly program is 1 p.m. the second

Thursday of each month at the Branigan
Cultural Center, 501 N. Main, north end of the
Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. The 2015 series
focuses on American Indian Cultures of the
Southwest. Admission is free. Information:
(575) 541-2154 or las-cruces.org/museums.
Dec. 10: Insurrection: A Brief History and
Archaeology of the Pueblo Revolt, with Maria
Hroncich-Connor.

El Paso Corral of the Westerners

The monthly dinner program is 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 18, at Country Inn and Suites, 900
Sunland Park Dr. Program is Frontier
Christmas, featuring stories and songs by
members of the El Paso Corral. Cost: $20.
Visitors welcome, but RSVP needed by Dec.
December 2015

Also

Art Hop MainStreet Truth or

Consequences sponsors the event 6 to 9 p.m.

the second Saturday of each month (Dec. 12)
in the downtown gallery district. The event features the monthly art opening of new shows
throughout the galleries of Truth or
Consequences, including fine arts, pottery, and
fabric arts. Many shops and restaurants stay
open late for this monthly event, with live
music in several locations. Information torcmainstreet.org.

Deming Arts Center The Deming Arts

Councils gallery and gift shop is at 100 Gold
Street in Deming, N.M. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is
free. Information: (575) 546-3663 or
demingarts.org.
Showing Dec. 2-29: December Christmas
Boutique, featuring handcrafted items from
various artists. Reception is 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday,
Dec. 6.

Silver City Art Walk Silver City Art

Association will host an art walk Saturday, Dec.
5, at the downtown Silver City galleries, with
holiday open house celebrations throughout
the day. Some locations will be open until 7
p.m. Information: (575) 590-1587.

13: 759-9538. Information: 591-2326.

El Paso Corral of Westerners, established in
1965, is a Chapter of Westerners International,
an organization of history buffs.

San Elizario walking tours The San

Elizario Historic District hosts free guided
walking tours of its nationally recognized
historic district at noon and 3 p.m. the
fourth Sunday of the month starting at Main
Street Mercantile, 1501 Main Street. Learn
about the 17 historic sites of San Elizario,
about the arrival of Don Juan de Onate to
the area in 1598 and the First
Thanksgiving Celebration, the Presidio de
San Elizario and the San Elcear Chapel on
the Mission Trail. Information: 851-0093 or
SanElizarioHistoricDistrict.org.
To get there: Take Loop 375 to Socorro
Road then go east seven miles to San
Elizario. District is on the right. Look for the
brown signs.
El Paso-Juarez Historical Museum
Curator and founder is historian Fred

Morales, who hosts historic exhibits, lectures and walking tours at various locations. Information: 307-3748 or [email protected].
Showing through December at El Paso
Public Librarys Main Branch, 501 N.
Oregon, is Old Saloons of Cd. Juarez and
Historic Old Buildings in Cd. Juarez.

Los Portales Museum and Visitor

Center 1521 San Elizario Road. The

museum is operated by the San Elizario

Genealogy and Historical Society, and is
housed in an 1850s Territorial-style building
across from the San Elizario church. It
offers gifts, family trees, historical artifacts
as well as information on the First
Thanksgiving and the Salt War of 1877.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday
through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is free. Information: 851-1682.
El Paso Scene

Page 39

Tumblewords Project The writing

workshops are 12:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Saturdays at the Memorial Park Public Library
meeting room, 3200 Copper. Workshops are
free; donations for the presenter are encouraged. Information: 328-5484 (Donna Snyder)
or on Facebook at Tumblewords.
No workshop Dec. 26.
Dec. 5: Tell Me What You See with writer
and visual artist Yvonne Collins.
Dec. 12: Behind My Music with singer and
songwriter Frank Morales.
Dec. 19: Writing for the Dark Time. with
Donna Snyder. For more than a decade Snyder
has presented an annual workshop near the
Winter Solstice that explores the concept of
darkness in both its negative and positive
aspects.

Santa Claus library visits Santa Claus

will appear at all El Paso Public Library branches Dec. 10-19. Parents encouraged to bring
their cameras. Admission is free. Information,
schedule: 543-5433 or elpasolibrary.org.
Barnes & Noble (East Side) The

Fountains at Farah, 8889 Gateway West, Suite

120. Information: 590-1932.
A Polar Express 30th Anniversary Pajama
Party storytime for kids is 7 p.m. Friday, Dec.
4, hosted by Kids-N-Co.
Local author Vanessa Betts will sign copies of
her childrens book The Grasshopper in My
Peas, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
Local author Sherri Rowe will sign her book
Able Seaman Just Nuisance, based on a true
story, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19.
Santas Storytime is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every
Sunday in December. Childrens storytime is 11
a.m. every Saturday.

Barnes & Noble (West Side) 705

Sunland Park. Information: 581-5353.

A Polar Express 30th Anniversary Pajama
Party storytime for kids is 7 p.m. Friday, Dec.
4, with crafts and other activities.
Childrens storytimes are 11 a.m. Saturdays.

Books Are Gems 7744 North Loop Ste

B (behind Compass Bank). The nonprofit

organization sells and gives away new and used
books. Books are sold for $1-$2, and children
who come to the store may receive five free

Page 40

El Paso Scene

New on the Border Bookshelf

My Favorite El Pasoans: Past
and Present by James Robert

Murphy (BookBaby). El Paso writer and

musician JMurphy has compiled a list of
200 El Pasoans who have made their
mark (but not always in a good way) in
the fields of performing arts, literature,
athletics and charitable causes, politics,
history, crime and other areas.
Murphy said he began the project
three years ago and put in on the back
burner until a friend encouraged him to
revisit it.
My first version was a little stiff you
might say; filled with the regular happygo-lucky El Pasoans everybody hears
about all of the time, Murphy explains
on his website. So I went back to work
and gathered a host of new colorful
characters like escape artist Fred
Brown. After his incredible 1937 street
performance in San Antonio, Texas, the
police arrested him for vagrancy.
Other notables Murphy celebrates
include pioneering auto mechanic Tom
Ogle, bootmaker Tony Lama, blues guitarist Long John Hunter, record producer Terry Manning, actress Irene Ryan
(Granny from Beverly Hillbillies), and
even notorious serial Night Stalker
killer Richard Ramirez.
The book retails for $20 and is available via jamesrobertmurphy.com.

used books. Teachers can also receive free

books for their classroom. Hours are 11 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday. Information: 8455437 or booksaregems.org.

Barnes & Noble (Las Cruces) 700 S.

Telshor in Mesilla Valley Mall. Information:
(575) 522-4499.
A Polar Express 30th Anniversary Pajama
Party storytime is 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.
Childrens storytimes are 10 a.m. Fridays and
11 a.m. Saturdays.

December 2015

Musical version of Shrek

comes to Las Cruces stage

as Cruces Community Theater president Janet Beatty-Payne wanted to

do a show that her special needs
son, Spencer, would enjoy.
Shrek the Musical became the obvious
choice for their holiday show.
He has literally watched the movie thousands of times and has the entire movie
memorized. He talks about Shrek, Fiona,
and Donkey all the time and can quote just
about any line from the movie. I was looking for a way to help Spencer, who is 13
years old but functions at a 3-year-old
level, to be able to understand and enjoy
coming to the theater. He has never been
able to sit and watch a musical that I have
been in or directed, due to not understanding the subject matter. I decided to bring
the subject matter to his enjoyment level,
Beatty-Payne said.
Shrek tells the story of the grumpy
green ogre as he goes on a mission to
secure his solitude in the swamp he calls
home after an army of fairytale creatures
have been banished there. Shrek reluctantly takes on a talking Donkey as a companion to confront the vertically challenged
Lord Farquaad. Shrek is told to rescue
Princess Fiona from a fire-breathing dragon and return her for Farquaads hand in
marriage. The mission results in lifechanging self-discovery and an unconventional road to happily ever after.
Shrek is based on the DreamWorks
Animation motion picture and the book by
William Steig. The book and lyrics are by
David Lindsay Abaire with music by
Jeanine Tesori. Besides Beatty-Payne,
music direction is by NMSU Theatre Arts
Professor Megan McQueen and choreography by Karlos Saucedo.
The show stars Cameron Lang as Shrek,
Francesca Perez-Wright as Princess Fiona,
Mark Kitanga as Donkey, Joel Fisk as
Lord Farquaad and Vanessa Dabovich as
Dragon. A mob of fairytale creatures
comes to life with Mike Dick as
Pinocchio, Cindy Pitts as Gingy and
Robert Bobcat Young as Big Bad Wolf.
Beatty-Payne said her biggest challenge
was how to bring such vivid and highly
recognizable animated characters to life in
a recognizable manner.
Costuming would have been a huge hurdle, but LCCT was able to provide a large
enough costuming budget so that we could
rent most of the costumes from another
theater company in Montana, she said.
Makeup poses a difficulty when five people in the show have to be turned into
green ogres. We have been working on the
makeup already and are working out the
glitches as we speak. Some of the special
effects required for the show, such as the
dragons flames, have been handled
through the purchase of new LED fog
machines. LCCT has made a major financial investment to bring this beautiful show
to the stage in the proper fashion and spirit
of Shrek.
But all the extra work has been worth it
to Beatty-Payne.
The truest joy for me personally is
knowing that my son will enjoy this show
and that other children and their families
can come enjoy live theatre together during the holiday season.
December 2015

Kids-N-Co. presents A Christmas Spectacular Dec. 12-13

Las Cruces Community Theatre

performs Shrek Dec. 4-20

Kids-N-Co. will perform A Christmas

Spectacular as part of El Paso
Community Foundations Jewel Box Series
in the Philanthropy Theatre.
Courtney Alyce Curtis, a regular in
UTEP Dinner Theatre shows, fell into the
role of director by being in the right place
at the right time. She had helped backstage
during KNCs Aladdin, and took over
the Christmas Spectacular after the original director for the show had to back out.
It is set up to be a lot like a Christmas
review because we dont have any dialogue, just singing and some choreography, Curtis said.
Our song list includes a range of songs
from Where are you Christmas, sung by
an adorable 5-year-old, Let it Snow ... to
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and
All I Want for Christmas is You.
The hour-long show will feature KNC
favorites Morgan Bailey (also currently
playing the title role of Annie in that show
which opens Nov. 27 at KNCs 1301 Texas
theater), Justin Hogue, Gracie Blandon,

Anthony Borrego, Harmony Schlesinger

and Reilly Robins, as well as some brand
new students.
Curtis biggest challenge has been getting
the show together when most of the cast is
either in Annie or their own school productions.
My biggest delight would have to be
seeing the hard work and dedication of
each and every child pay off in the end,
Curtis said. They all work so hard at
home, and knowing that we have a shortened rehearsal schedule compared to most
shows, they really have been putting all
they have into what rehearsal time we
have. So knowing that I have asked a lot
of them and so far seeing that they have all
been prepared and ready to go for
rehearsals has been delightful. I feel like a
proud momma bear.
Carol Viescas is a veteran of
community theater and teaches
journalism at Bel Air High School.

The show evokes ideals we all try to

keep in mind, especially during the holiday
season. Open your heart, do what makes
you happy, and build friendships that will
be cherished throughout a lifetime.
***
From theater that will entertain children,
we move onto children entertaining us
with holiday selections.

El Paso Scene

Page 41

Frankenstein American Southwest

Theatre Company presents the R.N Sandbergs
adaptation of the classic horror through Dec.
6, at NMSUs Center for the Arts.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $5-$17.
Information: (575) 646-4515 or
nmsutheatre.com.
Set in the icy polar regions where scientist
Victor Frankenstein has chased the creature he
brought to life, this highly theatrical and emotional version traces Frankensteins path to the
final confrontation with his intelligent, articulate, sensitive, and powerful creature.

On Golden Pond No Strings Theatre

Company presents the Ernest Thompson play,

directed by Larry Chandler, through Dec. 6,
at Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall
in Las Cruces. Performances are 8 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Sunday; 7 p.m. Thursday Dec. 3. Tickets: $12
($10 students and seniors 65 and older; $8 all
seats Thursday). Reservations: (575) 523-1223.
This funny and warmly perceptive study of a
spirited and lovable elderly couple introduced a
significant playwright to theatre.

Shrek The Musical Las Cruces

Community Theatre, 313 N. Main in the Las

Cruces Downtown Mall, presents the hit family
musical by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine
Tesori, Dec. 4-20. Directed by Janet Beatty
Payne. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets: $14 ($13 students, seniors, military,
$11 per person for groups of 10 or more; $10
age 6 and younger. Information: (575) 5231200 or lcctnm.org.
An ogre finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking donkey and a
feisty princess who resists her rescue.

The Last Five Years: The Musical

UTEP Dinner Theatres new Side Dish Student
Productions, presents Jason Robert Browns
off-Broadway hit Dec. 4-13 at UTEP Dinner
Theatre, 2nd Floor Union Building West, UTEP
Campus. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday and
Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $15
($10-$12 for ages 4-12, non-UTEP Students,
military; $10 UTEP students). Information: 7476060 or utep.edu/udt.
A Drama Desk winner, the emotionally powerful and intimate musical is about two New
Yorkers in their twenties who fall in and out of
love over the course of five years. The shows
unconventional structure consists of Cathy, the
woman, telling her story backwards while
Jamie, the man, tells his story chronologically;
the two characters only meet once, at their
wedding in the middle of the show.
Side Dish Productions plans to present a
non-dinner student musical production each
Decembert in an intimate black box setting
inside the Dinner Theatre.
A Kids-N-Co. Christmas Spectacular
Kids-N-Co. presents a holiday performance

sponsored by El Paso Community Foundation

as part of its Jewel Box Series Dec. 12-13, at
the Philanthropy Theatre in the Plaza Theatres
Annex, written and directed by Tanisha Lewis,
and co-directed by Mira Carreon. The magic
and wonder of Christmas told in a story full of
old and new Christmas favorites and a few
dances. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Saturday and
Page 42

El Paso Scene

2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $16; available on

Ticketmaster. Information: 351-1455 or
epcf.org.

Picasso at the Lapin Agile El Paso

Playhouse, 2501 Montana, presents the Steve

Martin about an imaginary meeting of Albert
Einstein and Pablo Picasso through Dec. 12.
Directed by Mario Rodriguez-Alvarado.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and
2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $10 ($8 seniors; $7 students and military). Information: 532-1317 or
elpasoplayhouse.com.
The plays put Einstein and Picasso in a Paris in
1904, when both men were on the verge of
unveiling their greatest works. This was the
first full-length play by Martin, best known as a
stand-up comedian and actor.

A Christmas Carol The UTEP

Department of Theatre and Dance presents

their annual adaptation of Charles Dickenss
Christmas classic Dec. 13-20, in UTEPs Fox
Fine Arts Wise Family Theatre. Adapted by
Chuck Gorden and directed by Austin Savage.
Show time is 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday,
2:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $14 ($11 seniors,
military, group, UTEP alumni and non-UTEP
students; $9 UTEP students; ages 4-12).
Information: Information: Information: 7475118, theatredance.utep.edu or on Facebook.
Come along for the journey of reflection and
redemption as Scrooge learns the true meaning
of holiday spirit.

Its a Wonderful Life El Paso

Playhouse, 2501 Montana, presents the play in

two acts, based on the holiday classic film by
Frank Capra, at 8 p.m. Thursday through
Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17-20.
Tickets: $10.25 ($8.25 seniors 62 and older,
$7.25 military/students and per person for
groups of ten or more). Information: 532-1317,
elpasoplayhouse.com.
The saga focuses on George Bailey, the
Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls
whose dreams of escape and adventure have
been quashed by family obligation and civic
duty. His guardian angel has to descend on
Christmas Eve to save him from despair and
remind him, by showing him what the world
would have been like had he never been born,
that his has been, after all, a wonderful life.

Annie: The Musical Kids-N-Co. presents the beloved musical based on Little
Orphan Annie by Charles Strouse, Martin
Charnin and Thomas Meehan Nov. 27-Dec. 6
and Dec. 18-20 at 1301 Texas. Directed by
Mia Carreon, with musical direction by Selina
Nevarez. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Possible
holdover Jan. 1-3. Tickets: $5-$7. Information:
351-1455 or on Facebook at El Paso Kids-n-co.
With equal measures of pluck and positivity,
little orphan Annie charms everyones hearts
despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New
York City. She is determined to find her parents who abandoned her years ago on the
doorstep of a New York City orphanage run by
the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the
help of the other girls in the orphanage, Annie
escapes to the wondrous world outside. She
finds a new home and family in billionaire
Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace
Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
December 2015

Jays Pix Presents at the International

Museum Film historian Jay Duncan and the

Sunset Film Society hosts film presentations at

2 p.m. Saturdays at International Museum of
Art, 1211 Montana. Presentations will include
commentary, anecdotes and facts behind the
films. No screening Dec. 26. Admission is free.
Popcorn, beverages, candy and snacks available
for purchase. Information: 543-6747 (museum),
or sunsetfilmsociety.org.
Dec. 5: Harvey (1950). The whimsical fantasy was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play
by Mary C. Chase. Elwood P. Dowd (James
Stewart) is aa good-natured man whose best
friend is an invisible, 6-foot-3 rabbit.
Dec. 12: The Night They Saved Christmas
(1984). An oil drilling company in the North
Pole threatens the very existence of Santas toy
factory with dynamiting. Starring Art Carney as
Santa, directed by Jackie Cooper.
Dec. 19: Through the Eyes of a Child, a
trip through time with a series of holiday season animated and live action shorts, including
Mr. Magoos Christmas Carol (1962), Peace
On Earth (1939), The Snowman (1982) and
The Red Balloon (1956).
This month continues the original Superman
serial (1948) before each screening.

Film Salon The Film Salon at Trinity First

United Methodist Churchs Resler Hall Chapel,
801 N. Mesa (at Yandell), concludes its fall
series, Making Movies, a survey of a few
choice films that probe the filmmaking process
at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Admission is
free. Information: 533-2674 or filmsalon.org.
Pax Christi Film Series The series

presents a double feature of Pax Christi USA:

A Journey of Faith and Hope and Cite Soleil:
Sun, Dust, and Hope, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec.
13, at the Mother Teresa Center, 2400 E.
Yandell. Discussion follows. Admission is free,
donations accepted. Information: 740-3962.
Pax Christi USA looks at the roots and
ideals of Pax Christi USA. Cite Soleil tells the
story of a peace education program started in
2007 by Pax Christi Port-au-Prince. It shows
Haitians promoting active nonviolence.

Jays Pix Presents Film historian Jay

Duncan and the Sunset Film Society host the

monthly film series is noon Sunday, Dec. 20, at
Ardovinos Desert Crossing Gallery, One
Ardovino Drive in Sunland Park. Admission is
free but reservations strongly recommended;
RVSP via sunsetfilmsociety.org.
This months film is a 50th anniversary showing of The Sound of Music, starring Julie
Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

Fountain Theatre 2469 Calle de

Guadalupe in Mesilla, N.M. The historic theater, operated by the Mesilla Valley Film
Society, features films at 7:30 p.m. nightly, plus
1:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. No
matinee Nov. 28 and Dec. 26; closed Nov. 26,
Dec. 11, Dec. 24-25, and Dec. 31. Admission:
$7 ($6 seniors, military and students with ID;
$5 children and society members); $5 on
Wednesday. Information, schedule: (575) 5248287 or mesillavalleyfilm.org.
Special matinee screenings of Christmas in
the Clouds are 1:30 p.m. Monday and
Tuesday, Dec. 21-22. The film is a classic comedy during the holiday season at a ski resort
that is owned and operated by Native
Americans. All seats $5.
December 2015

Nov. 27-Dec. 3: The Assassin. A female

assassin during the Tang Dynasty begins to
question her loyalties when she falls in love
with one of her targets.
Dec 4-10: Truth. Newsroom drama
detailing the 2004 60 Minutes report on
President George W. Bushs military service by
anchor Dan Rather (Robert Redford) and producer Mary Mapes (Cate Blanchett).
Dec. 12-17: Pawn Sacrifice. American
chess prodigy Bobby Fischer (Tobey Maguire)
is caught between two superpowers and his
own struggles as he challenges Soviet champion
Boris Spassky (Liev Schreiber).
Dec. 18-23: Freeheld. New Jersey police
lieutenant Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore) and
her registered domestic partner Stacie Andree
(Ellen Page) battle to secure Hesters pension
benefits when she is diagnosed with terminal
cancer. Admission for MVFS members is free.
Dec. 26-30: He Named Me Malala.
Intimate portrait of Pakistani schoolgirl Malala
Yousafzai, who was wounded when Taliban
gunmen opened fire on her school bus.

New Mexico Museum of Space

History 3198 SR 2001, Alamogordo. The

museums Tombaugh IMAX Dome Theater

tickets are $6 ($5.50 for seniors and military;
$4.50 ages 4-12). Ages 3 and under free for all
shows. Museum/IMAX combo tickets available.
Information: (877) 333-6589 or (575) 437-2840
or nmspacemuseum.org. Currently showing:
National Geographics Sea Monsters: A
Prehistoric Adventure. Showtimes are 11
a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.
Journey Into Amazing Caves. Show times
are 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m.

Jays Film Forecast Film historian Jay

Duncan prepared this list of top monthly

Coming Attractions for movie fans, listed by
studio and release date (subject to change):
Nov. 27:
Creed (Warner Bros.) Sylvester Stallone,
Tessa Thompson, Michael B. Jordon. Directed
by Ryan Coogler. The 7th film in Rocky series
and the first not to be written by Stallone.
The Danish Girl (Focus) Alicia Vikander.
Directed by Tom Hooper.
The Good Dinosaur (Disney) CG
Animation. Featuring voices of Raymond
Ochoa, Frances McDormand, Sam Elliot.
Directed by Peter Sohn.
Janis: Little Girl Blue (FilmRise)
Documentary on 60s rock star Janis Joplin.
Directed by Amy Berg.
Killing Them Safely (IFC) Documentary
(on police use of Tasers). Directed by Nick
Berardini.
Victor Frankenstein (20th Century-Fox)
Daniel Radcliffe, Jessica Brown, James McAvoy.
Directed by Paul McGuigan.
Dec. 4:
Hitchcock Truffaut (Coen Media Group)
Documentary. Filmmakers discuss how
Francois Truffauts 1966 book Cinema
According to Hitchcock influenced their work.
Directed by Kent Jones.
Krampus (Universal) Toni Collette, Adam
Scott, Allison Tolmon. Directed by Michael
Dougherty.
Life (Cinedigm) Robert Pattinson, Lauren
Gallagher, Peter Lucas. Directed by Anton
Corbijn.

Please see Page 44

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The Scene comes out the last week of the month.
Pick up your copy at these and other locations.
Or subscribe by mail! See Page 46 for order form.

VILLAGE INN
1500 Airway
7144 Gateway East
4757 Hondo Pass
2929 N. Mesa
5863 N. Mesa
7801 N. Mesa
2275 Trawood
1331 N. Zaragoza
3464 Joe Battle
In Las Cruces:
1205 El Paseo
455 S. Telshor

GOLDEN CORRAL
4610 Transmountain
1460 N Lee Trevino

FURRS
11925 Gateway West

EP FITNESS
145 Paragon
1430 Lee Trevio
12145 Montwood
981 N. Resler
1224 Wedgewood

THE CLEANERS
ALL LOCATIONS

WALGREENS
890 N Resler Dr
5900 N Mesa St
8050 N Mesa
2800 N. Mesa
2879 Montana
5401 Montana
1100 Geronimo
8401 Gateway West
5150 Fairbanks
9428 Dyer
10780 Kenworthy
1210 Wedgewood
3355 N Yarbrough
1831 N. Lee Trevino
2950 George Dieter
11685 Montwood
12390 Edgemere
1607 N Zaragoza
800 N. Zaragosa
100 N. Americas
8045 N. Loop
14300 Horizon

THE MARKETPLACE
BASKIN ROBBINS
ALL LOCATIONS
RIVIERA

5034 Doniphan

MANDOS

AY CARAMBA!
8001 N Mesa

ALL THAT MUSIC

6800 Gateway West

BARNES & NOBLE

705 Sunland Park Dr.

CAFE EAST
11251 Rojas

SU CASA
2030 E. Yandell

BARON GROCERY
7555 Aculpulco
2231 Zaragosa
3920 Doniphan
121 N. Kenazo, Horizon
10005 Alameda, Socorro

VISTA MARKETS

INTL BAKERY
6513 N Mesa

CROSSLAND
GALLERY / EPAA
500 W. Paisano

YSLETA ISD
9600 Sims

5218 Doniphan

5420 Doniphan

ESCAMILLA
GALLERY

HELLO PIZZA

THE BAGEL SHOP

1445 Main, San Eizario

River Run Plaza

3400 N. Mesa

AVANT-EDGE
PHARMACIES

CASA JURADO

CLINT ISD
LIBRARIES

14476 Horizon
1576 Lomaland

ANDRES PIZZA
7000 Westwind

HAL MARCUS
GALLERY
1308 N. Oregon

LA TERRAZA
11250 Montwood

GOOD COFFEE

1346 N. Lee Trevio

AVILAS
6232 N. Mesa

4772 Doniphan

WING STOP
1757 George Dieter
9530 Viscount
2900 N. Mesa
865 Resler
9008 Dyer, 8825 N. Loop

JJS
5320 Doniphan

LEOS
7520 Remcon

VALENTINE BAKERY
11930 Picasso
6415 N Mesa

ARDOVINOS
PIZZA

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El Paso Scene

EL PASO
INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
UTEP LIBRARY
EPCC CAMPUSES
YMCAs
EP CONV. CENTER
EL PASO
PUBLIC
LIBRARIES
TX TOURISM
CENTER

In Jurez
Museo del INBA, Museo del
Chamizal, Cibeles, Alianza
Francesa, Biblioteca
Municipal Parque Borunda,
Telon de Arena

Page 43

Film Scene

Contd from Page 43

Macbeth (Weinstein Co.) Michael

Fassbender, Elizabeth Debicki, Sean Harris.
Directed by Justin Kurzel.
The World of Kanako (Drafthouse) Kji
Yakusho, Nana Komatsu, Satoshi Tsumabuki;
Directed by Tetsuya Nakashima.
Youth (Fox Searchlight) Michael Caine,
Rachel Weisz, Harvey Keitel. Directed by Paolo
Sorrentino.
Dec. 11:
The Big Short (Paramount) Brad Pitt,
Karen Gillan, Steve Carrell. Directed by Adam
McKay.
The Dark Horse (Broad Green) Cliff
Curtis, Miriama McDowell, James Rolleston,
Directed by James Napier Robertson.
In the Heart of the Sea (Warner Bros.)
Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Brendan
Gleeson; Directed by Ron Howard. Based on
the 1820 event that inspired Herman Melvilles
Moby Dick.
The Lady in the Van (Sony Classics
Dominic Cooper, Maggie Smith, James Corden.
Directed by Nicholas Hytner.
Legend (Universal) Tom Hardy, Emily
Browning, Taron Egerton. Directed by Brian
Helgeland. Based on Britains most notorious
criminals, identical twins Reggie and Ronnie
Kray, during the 1960s.
Dec. 18:
Son of Saul (Sony Classics) Gza Rhrig,
Levente Molnr, Urs Rechn. Directed by
Laszso Nemes.
Sisters (Universal) Amy Poehler, John
Cena, Tina Fey. Directed by Jason Moore.
Star Wars: Episode VII, The Force Awakens
(Walt Disney) Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher,

Mark Hamill. Directed by J.J. Abrams. Set 30

years after Return of the Jedi (1983).
Dec. 25:
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip
(20th Century-Fox) CG Animation.
Featuring the voices of Bella Thorne, Kaley
Cuoco, Christina Applegate. Directed by Walt
Becker. 4th film in the series.
Concussion (Columbia) Will Smith, Bitsie
Tulloch, Alec Baldwin. Directed by Peter
Landesman.
Daddys Home (Paramount) Will Ferrell,
Linda Cardellini, Mark Wahlberg. Directed by
Sean Anders and John Morris.
The Hateful Eight (Weinstein Co.) Kurt
Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Samuel L. Jackson;
Directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Joy (20th Century-Fox) Bradley Cooper,
Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro. Directed
by David O. Russell.
Point Break (Warner Bros.) Luke Bracey,
Teresa Palmer, Tobias Santelmann. Directed by
Ericson Core. Inspired by the 1991 hit starring
the late Patrick Swayze.
The Revenant (20th Century-Fox) Tom
Hardy, Leonardo DiCaprio, Domhnall Gleeson.
Directed by Alejandro Gonzlez Irritu.

DVD Releases

Dec. 1:
Amy. R
Mistress America. R

Dec. 8:
Minions. PG
Ant-Man. PG-13

Dec. 15:
Mission: Impossible, Rogue Nation. PG-13
Ted 2. R
Dec. 29:
Hitman: Agent 47. R

Many options for rockin

around the Christmas tree

It appears as I get older time moves much

faster, which can be a depressing prospect if
one dwells on it, so I wont except to note
the reason behind this revelation is the holidays rapid approach that seems sooner and
sooner every year. One of the best things to
come from this time of year is the onslaught
of new holiday music. This year Legacy
rolled out great compilations from Earth,
Wind and Fire and from Sarah McLachlan,
but the most impressive is its Classic
Christmas 80s Album, complete with pixelated artwork. The 15 cuts are incredibly
diverse with Fishbone, New Kids on the
Block, Dave Edmunds and Buster Poindexter
all on the same disc. Other labels have gotten
into the spirit with veteran Rod Stewart, as
well as Aussie 80s favorite Kylie Minogue,
and adult radio staple Train all taking on the
genre. If that isnt enough, check out last
years Americana Christmas with Bob
Dylan, Johnny Cash, and the Old 97s. Or
turn it up to eleven with Gift Wrapped: Tis
the Season with Devo, Soul Coughing and
the Flaming Lips.

Jesse Malin, Outsiders, One

Little Indian

After a half-decade drought of new music,

we are now in the middle of a downpour
from Jesse Malin. Only six short months ago
he gave us New York Before the War, and
now he is already back with the Outsiders,
which may just be his best solo work to date.
The 11 tracks take us on a wild ride with the
needle instantly dropping to some primal
rock, immediately followed by a fiddleheavy acoustic ballad, with a sharp dip into
his all too familiar punk pond. Thats a genre
he was well entrenched in a little more than
20 years ago with his band D Generation,
which recently reformed to release a RecordStore-Day-only, 10-inch vinyl single with
two new songs. The brilliance train also
makes stops in alt. country, Beatle-esque
pop, rockabilly, garage rock, a big brass
Mardi Gras number, and that doesnt even
touch on Whitestone City Limits, a track
well-coated in Rolling Stones paint, complete with doo doo doos reminiscent
of their cut Hang Fire. If he keeps up this
amazing output, the rest of the world will no
longer be outsiders to the incredible talents
of Jesse Malin.

Bottle Rockets, South

Broadway Athletic Club,
Bloodshot Records

The disc starts off with thoughts of how time

moves so quickly and before you know it is
Monday again. What doesnt move swiftly
are the years between Bottle Rockets albums.
Waiting for a new collection from the guys
from St. Louis, Mo. becomes painful as the
anticipation mounts. Luckily for us the fouryear gap has closed and theyre out with a
brand new one titled South Broadway
Athletic Club. They continue to demonstrate
why it is essential that their name is mentioned right along alt. country greats like
Gram Parsons and Uncle Tupelo. They are
close to a dozen proper CDs in their career
and the fuzzed-out, feedback-riddled guitar
combined with that twanged-out drawl provides the soundtrack to life in rural America.
It covers all the important topics from life
workin on the line building cars, to lovin
your dog, and plain ol doin Big Fat
Nuthin at the end of a hard days work. The
Bottle Rockets have helped establish the
roots rock scene, and when the question is
raised as to who helped pioneer this sound ,
the answer should come as quick and loud as
their Fourth of July namesake.
Page 44

El Paso Scene

Drive By Truckers, Its Great

To Be Alive, ATO Records

Christmas came early with the release of an

amazing live collection by the Drive By
Truckers. It has been six long years since we
were treated to a concert recording by the
band unless you are part of the vinyl convoy, then it hasnt been quite as long for you.
Either way they have never released a colossus of greatness like this before. Perhaps
they are taking a tip in the expanded live
show forum from the Allman Brothers,
Bruce Springsteen the Grateful Dead, or
even more recently Ryan Adams six platters
from Carnegie Hall. Their newest is spread
across three CDs and is titled Its Great To
Be Alive, capturing the band at San
Franciscos Fillmore Auditorium. The threehour-plus set goes by in the blink of an eye
as the band is in full throttle mostly throughout, and the pace is even more amped up on
the final disc. Of course there is plenty of
storytelling, ramblings and rants, as expected
at any of their shows, which only adds to the
experience as they cover the brightest
moments of their entire career, including a
cut from frontman Patterson Hoods first
band with guitarist/singer Mike Cooley from
1987. They steer their ship swiftly through
their catalogues waters up to selections from
their last English Oceans. It is absolutely a
great time to be alive especially with the
Drive By Truckers at the wheel.

Collectibles: Rolling Stones,

Live at the Tokyo Dome,
Eagle Vision

Eagle Visions Rolling Stones vault series

continues to dazzle and amaze. Now to many
of you 1990 may not be digging too far in
the vaults, but this particular tour holds a
very significant spot in my heart. This was
the very first time I saw the band live and for
that reason it was a lifetime ago, easily
falling into the historical vault category for
me. This show is Live at the Tokyo Dome
(mine was at the Los Angeles Coliseum) and
the bill included Living Colour and Guns n
Roses, but this is more information than you
signed on for. Anyway, this Tokyo show is
pure bliss and will transport you as if you are
at the show yourself, from the opening
pounding drums of Continental Drift complete with a fireworks blast, straight into
Start Me Up. Buckle up because you are in
for one incredible ride. The set is heavy on
hits of course, and includes more than a couple of their then-recent radio staples. Keith
Richards even treats us to the fan favorite
Happy and to Cant Be Seen, which was
from the Steel Wheels album that they
were touring behind. The entire concert runs
two dozen tracks. No need to wait in line for
a bathroom or a beer, and no traffic when its
all over. So kick back, crank it up, and settle
in for one of the best shows from the last
quarter century.

Brian Chozick is owner of Tumblin

Dice Music. Drop him a line at
[email protected].

December 2015

UTEP Mens Basketball - Don Haskins

Center. Tickets: $8-$50. Information: 747-5234
or utepathletics.com.
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1: Rice
3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3: North Texas
7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21: Florida Atlantic
7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23: FIU
El Paso Pro-Musica Chamber Music
Festival El Paso Pro-Musica presents its

january
PREVIEW

annual festival Jan. 3-29. Information: 8339400 or eppm.org.

UTEP Womens Basketball - Don

Haskins Center. Information: 747-5234 or

utepathletics.com.
7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7: Middle Tennessee
5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10: UAB
1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17: UTSA
7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28: Southern Miss
2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30: Louisiana Tech

The Hollow El Paso Playhouse, 2501

Montana, presents the Agatha Christie mystery

Jan. 8-30. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and
Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $7-$10.
Information: 532-1317 or
elpasoplayhouse.com.

Transfiguration of Dreams El Paso

Society for Musicians of the Future presents a

multimedia collaboration of music and dance
featuring classical guitarist Danielle Anaya at 7
p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9-10,
at the Philanthropy Theatre. Tickets: $16.
Information: 533-4020 or epcf.org.

Super Scholar Run Clint ISDs 5K run

and 1 mile walk is 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at
Horizon Middle School, 400 N. Kenazo in
Horizon City. Registration by Jan 7: $20 per
event ($10 students); $25 after Jan. 8. Race day
registration is 7:15 to 7:45 a.m. Online registration at raceadventuresunlimited.com.
Tempest Trio The string trio performs at

2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, at Fox Fine Arts Recital

Hall, UTEP. Information: 747-7795 or
utep.edu/music. Information: 747-5606 or
music.utep.edu.

Colleen and Joshua Evans The

YouTube comedy sensations perform at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 12, at The Plaza Theatre.
Tickets: $35 (Ticketmaster).
Shooting Star No Strings Theatre

Company presents the love story by Steven

Dietz Jan. 15-31, at Black Box Theatre in Las
Cruces. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays at 8 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m.
Thursday Jan. 28. Tickets: $8-$12 Reservations:
(575) 523-1223.

El Paso Psychic Fair The fair is 11 a.m.

to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 16-17 at

Hawthorn Inn, 1700 Airway, at Boeing.
Admission: $5. Information: 345-6245 or elpasopsychicfair.com.

Valinor Quartet Las Cruces Civic

Concert Association presents the quartet and
its unique blend of jazz and classical at 3 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 17, at the Rio Grande Theater,
211 N. Main in the Las Cruces Downtown
Mall. Ticket information: (575) 405-7429, or
lascrucescca.org.

Ethan Bortnick Showtime! El Paso pres-

ents the child prodigy and his band at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 17, Abraham Chavez Theatre.
Information: 544-2022, showtimeelpaso.com.

El Paso Symphony Orchestra

Variations on Friends 7:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23, Plaza Theatre,

with guest cellist Zuill Bailey. Tickets: $15-$40.
Information: 532-3776 or epso.org.

December 2015

Neon Psalms Las Cruces Community

Theatre, 313 N. Main in the Las Cruces

Downtown Mall, presents the Thomas Strelich
comedy Jan 22-Feb. 7. Performances are 8
p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets: $9-$12. Information: (575) 523-1200
or lcctnm.org.

Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball El Paso

Chapter, The Links Inc. hosts its 9h annual

black tie dinner gala 6:30 to 10 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Jan. 23, at EPIC Railyard Event
Center, 2201 Mills. Tickets $60. Information:
linksinc.org.

Los Folkloristas Amigos de la Fundacion

Mascareas opens its Matices Culturales series

with the traditional Latin American music pioneers at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at Centro
Cultural Paso del Norte in Juarez. Tickets information: 612-4075. In El Paso: 544-5118. Web:
fmascarenas.org.

Killing Joke The punk band performs at 8

p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at Tricky Falls, 209 S. El

Paso, with guest The Soft Moon. Tickets: $20
general admission; $100 VIP. Information: 3519909. Online tickets at trickyfalls.com.

Flickinger Center for Performing Arts

1110 New York Ave. Alamogordo.
Information: (575) 437-2202 or flickingercenter.com.
Sawyer Brown, 8 p.m Friday, Jan. 15.
Bettman & Halpin Trio, 7 p.m. Jan. 23.

El Paso Rhinos - El Pasos Junior League ice

hockey team hosts the Ontario Avalanche 7:30

p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:30 p.m. Sunday
Jan. 29-31, at Sierra Providence Events
Center, 4100 E. Paisano. Information: 479PUCK (7825) or elpasorhinos.com.

Rock of Ages UTEP Dinner Theatre

presents the rock musical by Chris DArienzo

Jan. 29-Feb. 14. Information: 747-6060 or
utep.edu/udt.

Little River Band The bands 40th

Anniversary Tour comes to the Plaza Theatre
at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. Tickets: $30, $45
and $60 (Ticketmaster).

EPSYOs Winter Concert The El Paso

Symphony Youth Orchestras, directed by

Andres Moran, performs at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan.
31, at the Abraham Chavez Theatre. Tickets:
$8-$13. Information 525-8978, epsyos.org.

NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum

4100 Dripping Springs, Las Cruces. The
annual Antique Treasures Day is noon to 4
p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31. Information: (575) 5224100 or nmfarmandranchmuseum.org.

El Paso Scene

Page 45

Affordable Health Ins.

Ageless MedSpa & Salon

Alma Calderon

Alpha Auto Center

Advertiser Index

23
34
7

Ananda Yoga

21

Ardovinos Pizza

20

ATMAS Healing

21

Ardovinos Desert Crossing 39

Around and About Tours
Baskin Robbins

Bingo Plus

Blanca Del Rio

Books Are Gems

Bruce Nehring Consort

10
6

Geico

Hans Martial Arts

Inside Out Designs Inc.

Johnson Jewelers

KTEP

La Tierra Caf

45
16

29
9

33

40

18

46

13

Magoffin Hall

18

15

Marie Otero

18

42

MegaMates

45

13

El Paso Exploreum

36

El Paso Scene

43

Leos Mexican Food

12

El Paso Playhouse

Page 46

44

El Paso Choral Society

EP Gem & Mineral Show

Fountain Theatre

24

Hike Up Cristo Rey

17

46

El Paso Live

26,48

35

Desert Sun Chiropractic

EPCC

Flickinger Center

Forum Ballroom

34

Collectibles

El Paso Art Association

24

Hal Marcus Gallery

17

Counterpoint

Fit 30

Executive Singles

Cattleman's

Coronado Baptist Church

19

41

42

Cecila Burgos LPC

Escamilla Gallery

EP Wind Symphony

Furrs Family Dining

Bruces Air

Caboots

33

20

14

Bert Saldana Art Gallery 36,46

Bertha Valdez, M.A.P.

El Paso Zoo

Elegant Consignments

39

27
19

Lucy Aquirre-Barrios

Magoffin Home St. Hist Site

The Marketplace

Mesa Street Antique

Mesilla Book Center

Mustard Seed Caf

Naydas Gems & Stones

New Years Dance

Paseo Christian Church

30

Perkins Jewelry Supply

PhiDev Inc

Precision Prosthetics

PTEP

Reidsan Dog Training

Krystyna Robbins

Smartz Printing

Sombra Antigua

Sun Bowl Assn.

Sunland Art Gallery

Sunland Park Racetrack

Sunny Smiles

Texas Satsang

Texas Star Beverage

24

17

38

15

21

28

21

22

16
8

30

Tigua Indian Cultural

15

Thunderbird Digital

Tulips Antiques

Unity Bookstore

UTEP Athletics

UTEP P3 Pers. Enrich.

UTEP Theatre & Dance

Vanities

Village Inn

14

41

46

31

47

37

40

Walgreens

38

Western Technical

12

White Sands FCU

11

Western Traders

38

Wyler Aerial Tramway

20

41

The Cleaners

30

44

36

32

41

44

20

December 2015

December 2015

El Paso Scene

Page 47