May 2008
Here's the Ticket
Menu of this month's listings, stories and columns For event tickets sold through Ticketmaster, call 544-8444 or go to ticketmaster.com. The UTEP Ticket Center number is 747-5234. Pan Am Center Box Office is (575) 646-1420. Many clubs sell tickets through ticketbully.com.
Buílle with Karan Casey – ASNMSU Cultural Series present the world music band at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 1 at the Rio Grande Theater, Las Cruces Downtown Mall. Buílle combines the talents of Niall Valley on concertina, Paul Meehan on guitar and Caoimhin Vallely on piano, in collaboration with Karan Casey, one of the most influential (and often imitated) modern folk singers. Their music is based in traditional Irish forms with influences of jazz and classical music. Tickets: $10-$12.50. Information: 544-8444.
Jaci Velasquez and Salvador -- The Latin Christian music artists perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Plaza Theatre for Performing Arts. Tickets: $24-$34, plus service charges (Ticketmaster).
Velasquez’s awards include five Doves, the top award in the Christian music industry.
Salvador, a CCM/Latin hybrid band out of Austin, has returned to the group’s Hispanic roots by releasing its first all Spanish language album, “Con Poder.”
‘Rio Grande Revolution’ -- The Cage Fighting Championship is 7 p.m. Friday, May 2, at NMSU’s Pan American Center in Las Cruces. The event includes a concert by Roberto Griego. General admission: $25 (Ticketmaster).
Alacranes -- The Mexican Duranguense band group performs a special concert and dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 Paisano, with Los Yonics de Jose Manuel Zamacona, Lalo Mora and Imperial Sonora. General admission: $27.50 (Ticketmaster).
Chris “Crazy Legs” Fonseca -- The comedian performs at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Plaza Theatre for Performing Arts, benefiting El Paso Rehabilitation Center, with special guests “Last Comic Standing” winner Alonzo Bodden and Maryellen Hooper. Tickets: $20, $25 and $30, plus service charges (Ticketmaster).
Freestyle Bomb Concert -- Eight performers are scheduled for the Cinco de Mayo concert 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at UTEP’s Don Haskins Center, including Shannon, Rob Base, Cynthia, Johnny O, Suzi Carr, Coro, ABY (original lead singer of TKA), and Nice N Wild featuring David Torres. Tickets: $40.50, $60.50 and $80.50. (Ticketmaster).
Tia McGraff -- The Canadian singer/songwriter performs a dinner concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at La Tierra Cafe, 1731 Montana. Now based in Nashville, McGraff’s last show at Magoffin Home played to a sold-out crowd. Cost: $25, reservations required: Marjorie Foster, 592-5122 or Charlie McDonald, (575) 541-1992.
Little Joe y La Familia -- One of the country’s most popular Tex-Mex bands performs for a special Celebrate Cinco de Mayo concert Sunday, May 4, at Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino in Mescalero, N.M. Tickets: $25 (Ticketmaster). Information: 1-877-277-5677 or innofthemountaingods.com.
Little Joe has been entertaining for more than 40 years and has been described as the “King of the Brown Sound.” He also helped pioneer Tejano music, a mix of traditional norteño, country, blues and rock styles.
Carrie Underwood -- The country pop singer fame presents her Carnival Ride Tour at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at UTEP’s Don Haskins Center, with guest Josh Turner. Tickets: $35-$55 (Ticketmaster).
Winner of the fourth season of American Idol, Underwood is a multi-platinum selling recording artist whose debut album had five No. One country hits: “Inside Your Heaven,” “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Don’t Forget to Remember Me,” “Wasted” and “Before He Cheats.” Other hits include “I’ll Stand by You “So Small” and “All-American Girl.”
Blue Edmonson and Cory Morrow -- The Texas country musicians perform at 9 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Take II nightclub, 6315 N. Mesa. Tickets: $20 (ticketbully.com). Information: 832-0997.
Lupillo Rivera -- The Mexican superstar will perform a special “Serenata a Las Madres” Mother’s Day concert with special guests at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 E. Paisano. Tickets: $30, $45, $70 and $100; VIP packages available (Ticketmaster).
Billy Currington -- The country singer/songwriter performs at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino in Mescalero, N.M. Currington’s hits include “Walk a Little Straighter” and the Top 5 smash “I Got a Feelin.” Tickets: $25-$60 (Ticketmaster). Under 21 must be accompanied by adult. Information: 1-877-277-5677 or innofthemountaingods.com.
Pink Martini -- The ultra lounge group performs at 8 p.m. Friday, May 16, at Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center. Tickets: $23.50 and $33.50 (Ticketmaster).
The Portland, Oregon-based “little orchestra” featuring lead singer China Forbes, was founded in 1994 by pianist Thomas Lauderdal. Their first debut album “Sympathique,” became an international phenomenon, gaining the group nominations for “Song of the Year” and “Best New Artist” in France’s Victoires de la Musique Awards. Seven years later, their follow-up, “Hang on Little Tomato,” reached #1 on Amazon.com’s best sellers list. Their latest album, “Hey Eugene!” was released in 2007.
George Carlin -- The politically edgy comedian brings his returns to El Paso Saturday, May 17, at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets: $31.50 and $38.50. Available through Ticketmaster: 544-8444 or ticketmaster.com.
Famed for his landmark “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” routine, Carlin’s provocative, scathing comic style explores the limits of free speech and good taste.
Carlin was the first-ever host of NBC’s Saturday Night Live on Oct. 11, 1975, and has been featured in various films. In 2004, Carlin was voted No. 2 of the “Greatest Standup Comedians of All Time” by Comedy Central (behind Richard Pryor). Carlin performs regularly as a headliner at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Bowfire -- The eclectic violin ensemble performs at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center. The Canadian musical group of nine violinsts/fidders perform an eclectic mix of classical music, jazz, bluegrass, Celtic music, rock music, and world music. Their most popular piece is “Fiddler in the Hood,” and have performed covers of everything from classical to Led Zepplin. Tickets: $35.50-$45.50 (Ticketmaster).
Formed in June 2000, Bowfire is composed of virtuoso string players who are at the forefront of their respective styles, combined with equally gifted and respected backup musicians on piano and keyboards, bass, percussion, guitars and cello. Fiddlers in the company are also world-class step dancers and tap dancers.
Gospel Blues -- Dona Ana Arts Council present singer Marie Knight Saturday, May 24, at the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 Downtown Mall, in Las Cruces. Information: (575) 523-6403 or daarts.org.
Marty Stuart -- The “Hillbilly Rock” star kicks off the at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino 2008 Summer Concert Series at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 24. Since his first Top 20 hit in 1985, “Arlene,” Stuart has had several hits including “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’” and “This One’s Gonna Hurt You (For a Long, Long Time).” Tickets: $20, $25, $30 and $50. Information: (575) 378-4140.
Upcoming concerts include Lonestar (July 5) and Cross Canadian Ragweed (Aug. 2). Series finale Sept. 13 to be announced.
Jeff Dunham -- The comedian/ventriloquist brings his “Spark of Insanity” tour to El Paso 7 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at the Abraham Chavez Theatre. Tickets: $43, plus service charge (Ticketmaster).
Dunham often plays straight man to his edgy, usual puppets include a woozle named Peanut, a bitter retiree named Walter, Jose the talking jalapeño pepper, Sweet Daddy D, Bubba J., Melvin the Super Hero and Achmed the Dead Terrorist.
‘A Prairie Home Companion’ with Garrison Keillor -- KRWG and NMSU present the show featuring Keillor’s signature “The News from Lake Wobegon” monologue, music and comedy sketches is 3:45 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at NMSU’s Pan American Center in Las Cruces. Tickets: $25, $35 and $50, plus service charges (Ticketmaster).
Additional VIP packages available through KRWG-FM for $250 (includes floor seat, post-production reception and donation to KRWG). Tickets/information: (575) 646-2222 or 1-800-245-5794.
“A Prairie Home Companion,” now in its 32nd year of production, is featured Saturday nights on public radio throughout the country. “A Prairie Home Companion” debuted as an old-style variety show before a live audience on July 6, 1974, featuring guest musicians and a cadre cast doing musical numbers and comic skits replete with elaborate live sound effects.
The show was punctuated by spoof commercial spots from such fictitious sponsors as Jack’s Auto Repair and Powdermilk Biscuits, “the biscuits that give shy persons the strength to get up and do what needs to be done.” It ran until 1987, when Keillor to work on other projects. He revived it in 1993 with nearly identically formatted programs, and has done so since.
Ironically, Keillor receives no billing or credit (except “written by Sarah Bellum,” a joking reference to his own brain); his name is never mentioned, except occasionally by a guest addressing him by his first name or the initials.
This performance will be broadcast live over KRWG-FM.
Power Jam 2008 -- Power 102 presents its annual hip-hop and rap concert Saturday, May 31, at Wet ‘N’ Wild Waterworld in Anthony, Texas. Information: 351-5400 or kprr.com.
Eliza Gilkyson -- The singer/songwriter performs at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Downtown Mall, in Las Cruces. Gilkyson has made numerous albums, including the Emmy-nominated “Land of Milk and Honey,” “Paradise Hotel” and her new CD “Beautiful World” to be released May 27. Tickets: $18 ($15 students/seniors 60+ in advance); $20 all tickets at the door. Information: (575) 571-7435.
Gilkyson is a former New Mexican, third generation musician and a prolific and gifted songwriter, whose voice has been described as “honeyed and weathered” and her songs courageous and “startlingly intimate.”
Sara Hickman House Concert -- The popular folk artist performs and intimate house concert 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at Las Alturas House Concerts, 4055 Tamarisk Road, in Las Cruces. Light refreshments will be served, attendees may bring a bottle of wine. Admission: $15 artist donation. Information: (575) 522-5197 or houseconcerts.wordpress.com.
‘Ain’t Misbehavin’’ – The UTEP Dinner Theatre concludes its 25th Anniversary season with Fats Waller’s swingin’ musical June 6-29, at UTEP Dinner Theatre. Showtime is 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; dinner matinee performance is 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 8; non-dinner matinees are Sunday, June 15, 22 and 29. Tickets: $23-$35 dinner shows; $10-20 non-dinner matinee. Information: 747-6060.
‘Stronger Than Hell Tour’ -- Christian metal and hard rock bands perform at 7 p.m. Friday, June 6, at Club 101, 3233 N. Mesa, Suite. 300, featuring Demon Hunter, Living Sacrifice, The Famine and Advent. All ages show. Admission: $20. Advance tickets for most events available at All That Music, Club 101 and at ticketbully.com. Information: 544-2101 or club101.com.
‘Rock the Ages’ concert -- Heavy metal legends Dokken and Great White will headline 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Wet-N-Wild Waterworld, I-10 Exit 0, in Anthony, N.M., with special guest El Paso’s own Ulysses. Both groups broke out into the hard rock/heavy metal scene in Los Angeles in the early 1980s. Proceeds will benefit a charity to be announced. Admission: $20 through June 3, after $25 (show only); $30 day of show (includes concert and regular Wet-n-Wild admission). Information: (575) 882-0706 or premiere-e.com.
Dokken’s hits include “Breaking the Chains,” “Alone Again,” “Into the Fire,” “Just Got Lucky” and “It’s Not Love.” Great White’s hits include “Once Bitten Twice Shy,” “Save Your Love,” “Face the Day,” “Rock Me” and “House of Broken Love.”
SummerSlam Tour -- The WWE Raw Championship match is 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 20, at NMSU’s Pan American Center in Las Cruces. Championship matches include John Cena vs. Randy Orton, DX vs. Umaga & Snitsky and Chris Jericho vs. Mr. Kennedy, as well as an Intercontinental Championship Match featuring Jeff Hardy vs. Lance Cade, and World Tag Team Championship match with Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes vs. Carlito and Santino Marella. Tickets (on sale May 10): $20, $25, $30, $40 and $60 (Ticketmaster).
‘Summer Slaughter Tour’ -- “The Most Extreme Tour of the Year” hits El Paso at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, at Club 101, 3233 N. Mesa, Suite. 300, featuring The Black Dahlia Murder, Kataklysm, Vader, Cryptopsh, The Faceless, Despisedicon, Aborted, Born of Osiris, Psychopic and Whitechapel. Tickets: $20 in advance; $25 day of show. Advance tickets for most events available at All That Music, Club 101 and at ticketbully.com. Information: 544-2101 or club101.com.
Gospel Music Fest -- Promised Land Ministries presents its “Searching For God’s Anointed” music competition at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at The Plaza Theatre Performing Art Center. The event is open to all Christian groups and solo performers of all ages. Prizes include a professional recording session, instruments and gift certificates. Tickets: $12-$20 (Ticketmaster).
Santana -- Guitar legend Carlos Santana performs Friday, Sept. 26, at UTEP’s Don Haskins Center, with special guest the Salvador Santana Band. Tentative showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $40, $50 and $60, plus 50 cent Milagro Charity and convenience charge. Tickets go on sale May 17. (Ticketmaster).
Since the late 1960s, Carlos Santana is best known as the leader of the band that bears his last name. His fluid, signature guitar style is responsible for a string of hits including “Black Magic Woman,” “Evil Ways,” “Gypsy Woman,” “The Game of Love,” and “Oye Como Va.”
His 1999 album “Supernatural,” featured many tracks co-written by guest stars such as Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 and Eric Clapton, and included the biggest selling hits of his career, “Smooth,” and “Maria Maria” as well as winning Santana eight Grammy Awards.
Venues & series
Club 101 -- 3233 N. Mesa, Suite. 300. Advance tickets for most events available at All That Music, Up and Running, Club 101 and at ticketbully.com, unless otherwise listed.
Information: 544-2101 or club101.com.
-- Anything Box -- 7 p.m. Friday, May 2, with guests The Echoing Green and Leiahdorus. Tickets: $20 in advance; $25 day of show.
-- Cross Canadian Ragweed -- 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, with special guests to be announced. Tickets: $20 in advance; $25 day of show.
-- Mindless Self Indulgence -- 8 p.m. Sunday, May 18, with special guests The Birthday Massacre and Combichrist. All ages show. Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
-- Thund/HER/Struck: The Ultimate All-Girl Tribute to AC/DC. 7 p.m. Sunday, May 25, with special guest former AC/DC drummer Chris Slade. Tickets: $10.
-- “Stronger Than Hell Tour” -- 7 p.m. Friday, June 6, featuring Demon Hunter, Living Sacrifice, The Famine and Advent. All ages show. Admission: $20.
-- “Summer Slaughter Tour” -- 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, featuring The Black Dahlia Murder, Kataklysm, Vader, Cryptopsh, The Faceless, Despisedicon, Aborted, Born of Osiris, Psychopic and Whitechapel. Tickets: $20 in advance; $25 day of show.
The Comic Strip -- Reed’s on the Ten, 9515 Gateway West. Shows are at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 and 10:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. nightly with “happy hour” until 7:30 p.m. Admission: $6 Wednesday and Thursday; $10 Friday and Saturday late show; $12 Friday and Saturday early show, $8 Sunday, unless listed otherwise. Information/reservations: 581-8877 or laff2nite.com.
-- April 30-May 4 -- Nathan Timmel. Feature act is Cesar Cervantes.
-- May 7-11 -- Loco Comedy Jam. Join Rick Martinez, Pedro Hernandez and several of Los Angeles’s top young comedians for a night of laughter live from the Hollywood Improv.
-- May 14-25 -- New York hypnotist Rich Guzzi. Special “Extreme Adult Shows” on May 18 and 25. Tickets: $8 Wednesday and Thursday; $14 Friday through Sunday.
-- May 28-June 1 -- J.R. Brow. This rising star’s “clean-but-not-squeaky” show combines insightful stories with several oddball characters and amazingly accurate impressions (such as the cast of Mayberry aboard the USS Enterprise).
Inn of the Mountain Gods -- The resort/casino is in Mescalero, N.M. (near Ruidoso). Event tickets available through Ticketmaster. Information: 1-877-277-5677 or innofthemountaingods.com.
-- Little Joe y La Familia -- One of the country’s most popular Tex-Mex bands performs for a special Celebrate Cinco de Mayo concert Sunday, May 4. Little Joe has been entertaining for more than 40 years and has been described as the “King of the Brown Sound.” He also helped pioneer Tejano music, a mix of traditional norteño, country, blues and rock styles. Tickets: $25.
-- Billy Currington -- 8 p.m. Thursday, May 15. The country singer/songwriter’s Top 10 hits include “Walk a Little Straighter” and “I Got a Feelin.” Tickets: $25-$60.
-- Beach Boys -- The legendary band kicks off summer Thursday and Friday, June-5-6. The Beach Boys have 36 U.S. Top 40 hits including four #1 singles and a never ending stream of best-selling albums, including “Surfin’ Safari,” “Endless Summer,” and “Pet Sounds.” Tickets: $25-$100.
-- Ron White -- The one and only “Tater Salad” performs June 21-22. Best known as the cigar smoking, scotch drinking funnyman from the “Blue Collar Comedy” phenomenon, White has established himself as a star in his own right.
-- Trace Adkins -- The country star performs Friday, Aug. 8. Known for his baritone voice and soul-searching anthems, Adkins’s hits include “I’m Tryin,” “I Got My Game On,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and many others.
Chic’s Bar & Billiards -- 9809 Montana. Ticket information/showtime: 433-5340 or chicsbar.com.
-- Eluveitie -- The Pagan metal band performs Monday, May 12.
-- San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans, Death Angel, will perform Monday, May 19, as part of its first full U.S. tour since the group’s initial split 18 years ago. Joining them on the “In Thrash We Trust” tour is God Forbid, Soilent Green and Light This city. Death Angel’s latest release is “Killing Season.”
-- Hatebreed -- The hardcore metal band performs Thursday, May 29. The band is about to release its first live DVD, featuring a sold out tour in Detroit, as well as highlights from various other shows. Over the course of the band’s four albums and countless live shows, Hatebreed has sold over 1 million albums in the U.S. alone, and re-defined the hardcore metal genre today with hits like “Under the Knife,” “Perseverance” and “Satisfaction Is The Death Of Desire.”
Spencer Theater for Performing Arts -- Alto, N.M. (about 12 miles north of downtown Ruidoso). Information: (575) 336-4800,(888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.
-- Irving Berlin’s ‘I Love a Piano’ – 8 p.m. Thursday, May 1. Six actors and a trio of musicians perform Berlin’s enduring favorites. Tickets: $46-$49.
-- Marvin Hamlisch – 8 p.m. Friday, May 9. The Spencer closes its winter season with the living legend. In his musical career, Hamlisch has won three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize. Black tie optional. Tickets: $85.
Summer Season 2008 runs May 31-Aug. 3. Season ticket order now being taken.
-- Don McLean -- 8 p.m. Saturday, May 31. The Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee has been called a master of “spirituality in rhythm and verse” for classics such as “American Pie” and “Starry, Starry Night.” Tickets: $76 and $79.
Flickinger Center for Performing Arts -- 1110 New York Ave. Alamogordo. Ticket information: (575) 437-2202 or flickingercenter.com.
-- Alamogordo High School production -- 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 2-4. Ticket prices to be announced.
-- Dallas Brass -- 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 16. The Dallas Brass has established a unique blend of traditional brass instruments with a full complement of drums and percussion. Tickets: $10, $18 and $25.
-- Academy of Ballet presents “Beauty and the Beast” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 23-24. Ticket prices to be announced.
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Here's the Ticket
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Better ParentingCopyright 2008 by Cristo Rey Communications.