March 2010
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.
Yolanda Martinez — Legends Alive presents the singer/songwriter at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S. San Marcial. Martinez received a 2004 Nammy (Native American Music Award) winner for “Best Female Artist.” Her 2008 CD “America” won for “Best Remake” for the song “Summer Time.” She will perform traditional and original Hispanic and Native American music, including songs from her new Latin music album “Amor Deveras.” Admission: $15; available at the Visitor Center the day of the performance. Information: 532-7273.
Guest performer is Denny Guerrero, and all drums are invited to participate in the Native American Finale.
Daniel Rodriguez — Showtime! El Paso presents the “singing policeman” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, at the Abraham Chavez Theatre. The New York City cop has help bring the country and uplifting spirit of promise and hope with his stirring rendition of “God Bless America” after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Since then, he studied under Placido Domingo, retired from the force and released three albums: “The Spirit of America,” “From My Heart” and “In the Presence.” Tickets are $25 general admission ($10 youth/students), available at the door only. information: 544-2022 or ShowtimeElPaso.com.
Eli Young Band — The popular country music band performs at 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at Whiskey Dick’s, 580 George Dieter. The band’s last El Paso performance sold out. Tickets: $15. Tickets available online through ticketbully.com. Information: 921-9900.
The band’s latest best-selling album, “Jet Black and Jealous,” includes the hits “When It Rains,” “Always the Love Songs” and “Radio Waves.” They were recently nominated for Top New Vocal Group of Duo in the Academy of Country Music awards.
Janis Ian – ASNMSU Cultural Series presents the legendary musician at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at Rio Grande Theatre in the Las Cruces Downtown Mall. Ian is an American songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, columnist and science fiction-fan-turned author. With a highly successful singing career in the 1960s and 70s, she penned the hit song “Jesse,” and the song which won her five Grammies in 1975, “At Seventeen.” Tickets: $15 ($10 students). Ticket information: (575) 646-1420.
Ian’s book “Society’s Child-My Autobiography,” was released her book in paperback the first week of September, 2009 and her 2-disc CD, “Essential Janis Ian” is also out.
Zac Brown Band — The recent American Music Award winners perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at NMSU’s Pan American Center. Best known for the runaway hit “Chicken Fried,” the Zac Brown Band’s other singles include “Toes,” “Whatever It Is” and “Highway 20 Ride.” Tickets: $22-$32, plus service charge (Ticketmaster).
The band “Chicken Fried” was named CMT’s Breakthrough Video of the Year in 2009, and the band also won the 2009 Best New Artist Grammy, among other honors. They have sold more than 20,000 CDs independently, and average more than 200 shows a year performing with a diverse group of artists including Sugarland, ZZ Top, Travis Tritt, Etta James, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers Band, Willie Nelson and BB King.
Boulder Acoustic Society – The roots music group performs at 7:30 p.m. March 5, at the Buffalo Dance Hall in Silver City, N.M. Part of the new wave of American roots music, the group of four songwriters mash up blues, folk, gospel, indie and world music. Part of the Mimbres Region Arts Council’s Folk Series. Tickets: $5-$20. Information: (575) 538-2505 or 1-888-758-7289.
David Parkes dinner concert — Open Arms Community presents fundraiser concert for the Holy Spirit Retreat and Renewal Center featuring internationally known singer David Parkes of Dublin, Ireland 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 5, at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Hall, 10970 Bywood (off Yarbrough). Tickets: $20. Credit card ticket purchases: 820-2692 or 595-0589. Information: openarmscommunity.org.
Guitars Not Guns concerts — The non-profit organization that helps underprivileged children receive music lessons will host fundraising concerts March 6 and 25 at Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Downtown Mall, in Las Cruces. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. for both performances. Tickets: $10 per show; available at the theatre. Information: (575) 312-4685 or (575) 523-6403.
Guitars Not Guns is about music, and trying to help underprivileged children to stay out of gangs. They start with children in the foster care system and take low income children as well, and give them guitar lessons for free.
• Saturday, March 6 — Boulder Acoustic Society. The band plays indie-folk that draws from Appalachian roots, gritty gospel and the contemporary urban soundscapes.
• Thursday, March 25 — Asylum Street Spankers. A collision of ragtime, two step, jazz, vaudeville, off color blues, hip hop, country and western makes the Asylum Street Spankers unique.
The Guerrilla Girls — NMSU Women’s Studies presents the internationally known group of feminist “masked avengers,” bringing the fight for gender justice in the arts to Las Cruces at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 11, at the Court Youth Center, 402 West Court.
The performance marks the 20th anniversary of the NMSU Women’s Studies Program. Tickets: $12 ($5 students); available from Ticketmaster and the Pan Am Center Box Office. Information: (575) 646-3448 or nmsu.edu/~wstudies.
Through facts, humor and outrageous visuals, this historic activist group, famed for wearing gorilla masks, exposes sexism, racism and corruption in politics, art, film and pop culture. The women (artists themselves) take the names of famous deceased female artists to conceal their own identities while keeping the focus on issues. The performers coming to Las Cruces use the names Frida Kahlo and Kathe Kollwitz – two women artists whose works broke international art boundaries.
The program also celebrates Waded Cruzado Gender Justice Week (named for NMSU’s former provost and interim president), along with International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.
‘Tejano Legends’ — Little Joe headlines the Tex-Mex music style tour at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the County Coliseum. Special guest to be announced Tickets: $20, $30, $40 and $50, plus service charge. (Ticketmaster).
‘Cabaret’ – Broadway in El Paso presents the Tony-Award-winning musical at 7:30 p.m. March 15, at the Plaza Theatre. The pre-World War II tale life in a Berlin cabaret has not only been a successful Broadway production and revival, one of the memorable movie roles for stage icon Liza Minnelli. Features such hits as “Money, Money,” “Willkommen” and “(Life Is A) Cabaret.” Part of the Broadway in El Paso Series. Tickets: $25-$48.50, plus service charges. (Ticketmaster)
LoCura — The eclectic contemporary world music band performs at 9 p.m. Thursday, March 18, at Take II, 6315 N. Mesa. Also performing is El Paso’s Radio La Chusma and DJ SystemAddict. Tickets: $7 ($10 under age 21); available at Take II or ticketbully.com. Information: 832-0997.
LoCura is a collective of musicians fusing Rumba Flamenca with reggae and Cuban rhythms together with elements of hip hop and American folk. With lyrics in Spanish and English, LoCura’s music travels the cultural borderlands of Spain and California.
Vienna Boys’ Choir – The world famous choir performs in both Las Cruces and El Paso March 23-24 as part of a U.S. tour.
• Doña Ana Arts Council concludes its 2009/2010 Cultural Arts Series with two performances by the world famous choir Tuesday, March 23, in the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. Showtimes are 6 and 8 p.m.; doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets: $40; available online at riograndetheatre.com. Information: (575)523-6403.
• El Paso Youth Choir at St. Paul’s sponsors the choir’s performance at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, at First Presbyterian Church, 1340 Murchison. Tickets are $20. Information: 533-0201 or saintpauls.elpaso@gmail.com
The Choir is the modern-day descendent of the official choir of the Viennese Court and has been touring as a professional musical group since 1924, wowing audiences the world over with their unique sound.
In existence since 1498, when Emperor Maximilian of Hapsberg decreed its establishment, the choir as it exists today is a private, not-for-profit organization which performs approximately 300 concerts each year, in front of more than 500,000 people. Among the composers represented in the choir’s repertoire are Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig von Beethoven, Georg Friedrich Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert and many more.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the Vienna Boys Choir has sought to update its image, recording pop music selections and adopting an alternative uniform to the sailor suits worn since 1924. Despite the heavily debated modernization, they still remain the best known choir in the world.
Megadeth ‘Rust in Peace’ Tour — The heavy metal performs its iconic album’s 20th anniversary tour at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 28, at Club 101, 1148 Airway, with special guests Testament and Exodus. Tickets: $36. (ticketbully.com).
Megadeth will perform its landmark album in its entirety, in addition to other hits and songs from its new CD “Endgame.”
Testament will support its new CD “The Legacy.” Special VIP Testament fan packages available, featuring a meet-and-greet and photo ops with select Testament members, autograph opportunities and more. Information: testamentlegions.com.
Exodus, the forefathers of Bay Area thrash, is expected to release its ninth studio album, “Exhibit B: The Human Condition” this spring.
Sesame Street Live ‘123 Imagine! With Elmo and Friends’ — The Sesame Street Live friends’ annual Easter week shows are April 1-4 at the Abraham Chavez Theatre. Presented by VEE Corporation. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday, 2 and 7 p.m. Friday, 10:30, 2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $11, $15, $20 and $28, plus service charge. All seats opening night are $11 (excluding gold circle seats). (Ticketmaster). Information: sesamestreetlive.com.
The magical journey begins as Sesame Street’s mail carrier, Sam, stops by to deliver special postcards from far-away places. When Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and friends wish to visit the exciting locations, Sam shares her secret on how they can – it’s as easy as counting “1-2-3 Imagine!”
Bill Maher — The ‘politically incorrect’ comic performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets: $45.50-$75.50, plus service charge. sold through Ticketmaster.
For the last 15 years, Maher has set the boundaries of where funny, political talk can go on American television. First on “Politically Incorrect,” and for the last seven years on HBO’s “Real Time,” Maher’s combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 21 Emmy nominations. In October of 2008, this same combination was on display in Maher’s swipe at organized religion, “Religulous,” directed by Larry Charles. The documentary became the seventh highest grossing documentary ever.
Chicago — The classic rock band returns to El Paso at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets: $48, $58 and $78, plus service fees. (Ticketmaster)
Chicago is second only to the Beach Boys as the most successful American rock band of all time, in terms of both albums and singles, according to Billboard charts. They have been performing to sold-out crowds for more than 30 years, with 20 Top Ten singles, 12 Top Ten Albums (five of which reached Number 1), and more than 120 record sales. Hits include “Make Me Smile,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “Colour My World,” “Saturday in the Park,” “Just You ‘n’ Me,” “(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long,” “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard Habit to Break,” “You’re the Inspiration” and many more.
An Evening with Coach Dungy — The retired NFL Super Bowl-winning coach Tony Dungy will speak at 8 p.m. Friday, April 9, at UTEP’s Don Haskins Center. Proceeds benefit UTEP Athletics student-athlete scholarship fund. Tickets: $20, $30 and $60; available at the Miner Athletic Club in UTEP’s Brumbelow Building. Information: 747-8759.
‘La Cage Aux Folles’ – The award-winning musical version of the comic collision of gay and straight worlds is April 9-May 16 at UTEP Dinner Theatre. Showtime is 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; dinner matinee performance is 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 25; non-dinner matinees are 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 2, 9 and 16. Tickets $26-$38 dinner shows; $12-22 non-dinner matinee. Information: 747-6060.
A gay nightclub manager and his drag queen partner pretend to be a straight couple when the manager’s son brings home his fiancée and her ultra-conservative parents. Written by Harvey Fierstein with lyrics and music by Jerry Herman.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ — The Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice masterpiece returns to Las Cruces at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 12, at NMSU’s Pan American Center. Tickets: $52 floor; $26, $36 and $42 in the bowl, plus service charge. Discounts offered for groups or ten or more and children age 2 through 12. (Ticketmaster).
One of the most popular and enduring works ever created for the musical theatre, this multiple-Tony Award nominee features such hits as “Superstar,” “Everything’s Alright” and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.”
Ted Neely, who first starred in the title role on stage and in film version in the early 1970s, again performs as Jesus.
Ballroom Marfa — 108 E. San Antonio Street in Marfa. The ballroom hosts visual and performing arts events at several local venues. Ticket information: (432) 729-3700 or ballroommarfa.org.
Yeasayer performs Tuesday, April 13. Based in Brooklyn, New York, the group describes their sound as “Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel.” The new album is “Odd Blood.”
Bassekou Kouyate – ASNMSU Cultural Series presents the international musician 8 p.m. Thursday, April 15 at the Rio Grande Theatre in the Las Cruces Downtown Mall. One of Mali’s best-known ngoni players, Kouyate has collaborated with many important traditional musicians of his country as well as international performers such as Carlos Santana, U2 and more. Tickets: $15 ($10 students). Ticket information: (575) 646-1420.
Ana Moura – ASNMSU Cultural Series closes its season at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 at the Rio Grande Theatre in the Las Cruces Downtown Mall. The 25-year-old Portuguese vocalist’s soulful and riveting interpretation of her land’s captivating fado style has made her a star in Europe. Her poetic, deeply expressive sound personifies the Portuguese psyche as it explores such universal themes as lost love, separation and longing. Tickets: $15 ($10 students). Ticket information: (575) 646-1420.
Norah Jones — The superstar singer/songwriter performs April 29 at the Plaza Theatre (Ticketmaster). At age 23, the daughter of Ravi Shanki emerged on the music scene with a 2002 debut album that earned five Grammys. She has sold over 40 million albums worldwide.
Jones, who also plays piano, keyboard and guitar, is known as a jazz vocalist influenced by soul, folk and country.
Hunt Family Fiddlers – Grant County Community Concert Association presents the award-winning group 7:30 p.m. May 13, at WNMU Fine Arts Center Theater. This family of Irish step dancers, fiddlers and singers perform Celtic, bluegrass, inspirational and popular tunes. They have performed for Queen Elizabeth during her 2007 U.S. visit, and have released four albums. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets: $20 at the door. Information: (575) 538-5862.
Robin and Linda Williams — The “Prairie Home Companion” perennial favorites perform a special house concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at Charlie McDonald’s house in Las Cruces. Cost: $40. Reservations required; BYOB. Information: (575) 541-1992 or (915) 592-5122.
Venues & series
Club 101 — 1148 Airway. Advance tickets for most events available at Club 101, All That Music, Psycha and online at ticketbully.com, unless otherwise listed.
Information: 544-2101 or club101.com.
• 8 p.m. Thursday, March 4 — Sick Puppies. The Australian band’s latest major label album is Tri-Polar. Also performing are Aranda and Violent Soho. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets: $16.50 in advance, plus service charge; $20 at the door.
• 7 p.m. Sunday, March 28 — Megadeth “Rust in Peace” Tour, with guests Testament and Exodus. Tickets: $36.
Rio Grande Theatre — The renovated historic theater is at 211 Downtown Mall, Las Cruces. Information: (575) 523-6403, (575) 523-0807 or RioGrandeTheatre.com.
• Glenn Miller Orchestra — 7 p.m. Monday, March 1, as part of the Doña Ana Arts Council Cultural Series. Miller was one of the most successful of all the dance bandleaders back in the Swing era of the 1930s and ‘40s. This Orchestra was formed in 1956 to continue the legacy of his music. Tickets are $40.
• Boulder Acoustic Society — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6. This young quartet specializes in all things acoustic: fiddles, ukuleles, accordions, upright basses. Tickets: $10.
• Sharman Apt Russell — 7 p.m. Thursday, March 11. NMSU Outdoor Recreation continues its Adventure Arts Series. Russell is widely anthologized and has received a number of prizes and awards, including a Rockefeller Fellowship. Tickets: $12 day of show.
• LoCura and Nuevo Sol — 7 p.m. Friday, March 12. Direct from San Francisco’s vibrant music scene, en route to the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, the Latin music and dance ensemble LoCura mixes grooves and melodies. Joining LoCura are local-rising-stars, Nuevo Sol. Tickets: $15.
• Vienna Boys Choir — The internationally renowned choir performs two shows, 6 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, as part of Doña Ana Arts Council’s Cultural Series. Emperor Maximilian of Habsberg established the choir in 1498, and it continues today, performing about 300 concerts each year,. Among the composers represented in the choir’s repertoire are Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig von Beethoven, Georg Friedrich Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert and many more. Tickets are $40.
• Asylum Street Spankers — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25. The group began in 1994 during a party at the Dabbs Hotel in Llano, Texas. Within a year they conquered Austin. Since then, they’ve toured regularly throughout Europe, Japan and the U.S. The Asylum Street Spankers are considered an underground institution, yet one of the best live acts working today. Presented by Guitars not Guns. Tickets: $10.
Spencer Theater for Performing Arts — Airport Hwy 220 in Alto, N.M. (about 12 miles north of downtown Ruidoso). Free public guided tours are 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays (except show dates). Information: (575) 336-4800, (888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.
• ‘Cats’ — 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 6. Andrew Lloyd Webbers’s masterpiece and winner of seven Tony Awards, three Grammys, six Olivers, a Golden Globe, Oscar and an International Emmy, is considered the “musical of the century.” Tickets: $73-$76 (matinee) and $76-$79 (evening show).
• ‘Big Band Broadcast’ — 8 p.m. April 8. Holly Larocque and the 13-piece Mark Ferguson Orchestra sing and dance audiences back to the golden age of radio broadcasts in performances of 1940’s classics like “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,” “Stardust,” “In The Mood” and “The Angels Sing.” Tickets: $56-$59.
• The Legendary Drifters — 8 p.m. April 24. The 1950s doo-wop and R&B group of lore perform their timeless hits like “There Goes My Baby,” “Under The Boardwalk,” “Up On The Roof,” “On Broadway,” “This Magic Moment” and “Please Stay.” Tickets: $56-$59.
Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino — Mescalero, N.M. Age 21 and older admitted. (Ticketmaster) Information: 1-877-277-5677 or innofthemountaingods.com.
• Aaron Lewis of Staind — The alternative rocker presents an intimate solo acoustic evening at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 11. Lewis, known for two of Stand’s popular singles, “Outside” and “It’s Been Awhile,” has been nominated for three Grammys. Tickets: $20-$60.
• The Doobie Brothers — The classic rock band performs at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 25. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and has sold over 30 million albums in the United States. Tickets: $25-$100.
• Creedence Clearwater Revisited — 8 p.m. Friday, April 16. Tickets: $25-$75.
• Gabriel Iglesias — One of the region’s favorite comics performs. 8 p.m. Thursday, May 6. Tickets: $25-$75.
• Heart — The classic rock sister-act performs at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 9. Tickets: $40-$125.
Flickinger Center for Performing Arts — 1110 New York Ave. Alamogordo. All performances at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, $18 and $25. Information: (575) 437-2202 or flickingercenter.com.
• Kahuna Beach Party — Friday, March 12. This music and comedy ensemble includes harmony, twangy guitars and audience participation comic antics. Audience members encouraged to wear their favorite Hawaiian outfit.
• “Troop I, 111 Cavalry” – Friday, March 26. Chautauqua performer Ron Grimes portrays his father, Pvt. Wayne B. Grimes in this story of the Carlsbad-based New Mexico National Guard unit. Admission is free.
NM Tech Performing Arts Series — Performances are 7:30 p.m. selected Fridays at New Mexico Tech’s Macey Center, 801 Leroy Place, in Socorro, N.M. Doors open at 7 p.m. All seats general admission. Information: (575) 835-5688 or nmtpas.org.
• Enter the Haggis — March 26. Uplifting future of Celtic, rock and world music. Tickets: $16 ($14 senior, $12 youth).
• The Jason Bishop Show — April 9. Illusionists Jason and Kim combine cutting edge illusions with fast-paced performance. Tickets: $16 ($14 senior, $12 youth).
• Robert Mirabel: ”Dancing Earth” — April 23. The Grammy-winning Native American flute player shares the stage with Ruland Tangen’s indigenous contemporary dance company. Tickets: $16 ($14 senior, $12 youth).
• Esperanza Spaldling — May 7. The young music prodigy revives classic jazz with masterful bass playing, original compositions and engaging voice. Tickets: $16 ($14 senior, $12 youth).
El Paso Scene MONTHLY
This month's listings,
stories and columnsFeature story
Roundup
Music
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Here's the Ticket
Program Notes
On Stage
Sports
Southwest Art Scene
At the Museum
History Lessons
Nature
Film Scene
Keep on Bookin'
Becoming Bicultural
Liner Notes
Stage Talk
Gallery Talk
Better ParentingCopyright 2010 by Cristo Rey Communications.