El Paso Chamber Music Festival – El Paso Pro-Musica’s 20th annual festival presents world-class chamber musicians Jan. 6-31. Concerts, recitals and other special events will be offered at various venues: UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, Trinity First United Methodist Church, Western Hills United Methodist Church, El Paso Museum of Art, First Baptist Church, 2900 Kitchen and NMSU’s Atkinson Recital Hall. Ticket prices to be announced; free for Bach’s lunch events and film series. Information: 833-9400 or eppm.org.
• Maude Powell Tribute - 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at Western Hills Methodist Church, featuring works by Bach.
• Perlman/Zukerman in Concert — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at UTEP Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall.
• Schumann’s World — 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, at First Baptist Church.
Free Museum of Art’s “Bach’s Lunch” Series concerts are at noon Thursdays, Jan. 7-28.
In conjunction with the festival, a series of free music-related films will be featured at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, at Trinity First United Methodist Church, 801 N. Mesa (at Yandell).
• Jan. 27 — “Song of Love.”
Young El Paso Singers — The new choral group consisting of singers age 8 to 18 hosts its debut concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Western Hills United Methodist Church, 524 Thunderbird. Director is Dr. Cindy Jay, with accompanist Ruben Gutierrez on piano. The performance includes musical theatre, classic rock and sacred music. A reception will follow the concert. Admission is free. Information: 581-4503 or cindyjay@thepeakofbalance.com.
‘American Carnage Tour’ — Heavy metal bands Slayer and Megadeth co-headline the thrash/metal tour at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at El Paso County Coliseum, with special guest Testament. For their first U.S. tour together in nearly two decades, a limited amount of tickets will be offered at their “1991 Clash of the Titans Tour” price of $10. Regular ticket prices: $49.50-$59.50, plus service charge. (Ticketmaster).
“Ultimate Fan” ticket packages available with premium seats and parking, pre-show party, Megadeth gift bag, meet and greet photo op and more. Details at iloveallaccess.com.
Testament meet and greet ticket packages are $209.50.
Both Megadeth and Slayer are supporting new albums: Megadeth’s 2009 album, “Endgame,” and Slayer’s “World Painted Blood.” Testament’s “The Formation of Damnation: Special Tour Edition,” will be released in February, 2010.
UTEP Department of Music — Performances are 7:30 p.m. in the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, unless otherwise listed. Tickets: $5 ($3 seniors/military/non-UTEP students; free for children, unless listed otherwise. Information: 747-5606 or utep.edu/music.
• Luke Franco, guest flutist — Friday, Jan. 29. Franco and rhythm company bring together the stylistic worlds of jazz, contemporary, and avant-garde through vibrant free improvisation and extended flute teck.
‘Good Vibrations: The Ultimate Tribute to the Beach Boys’ — The Beach Boys tribute band performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino’s Signature Showroom. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets: $16; available at the track’s gift shop or Club Fiesta. Information: (575) 874-5200.
‘New Shanghai Circus: Cirque Du Chine’ – 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at The Plaza Theatre. The world famous Chinese Acrobats present their latest show. Athletes defy gravity and execute breathtaking feats as they stretch the limits of human ability in the New Shanghai Circus’ spellbinding show. Tickets: $33-$38 (children are $14.50) plus service charges. Family packs available; discounts for seniors and military. (Ticketmaster).
Nearly Neil and the Solitary Band — Showtime! El Paso presents a tribute to music legend Neil Diamond at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, at the Abraham Chavez Theatre, featuring Diamond tribute artist Bobby Bruce on lead vocal and rhythm guitar. Bruce has spent the past 11 years rocking thousands of screaming fans world wide with his tribute to one of pop music’s most successful singer/songwriters. He has also toured with both the Las Vegas-based “Legends of Rock” in the United States as well its Australian counterpart. Tickets are $25 general admission; no advance sales. Information: 544-2022 or ShowtimeElPaso.com.
National Latino Congreso Convenes — The annual event that brings together Latinos from all walks of life to create a united Latino agenda on a variety of issues is Friday through Sunday, Jan. 29-31, at Camino Real Hotel, El Paso Street. This year’s topics include Justice for Immigrants, Climate Change, Saving homes and Creating Jobs. Reservation deadline is Jan. 25. Registration: $50 per day; $150 three-day pass. Information/registration: registration@latinocongreso.org or latinocongreso.org.
The Congreso first broke new ground in 2006 with delegates representing more than 260 endorsing organizations and individuals from 20 states creating a platform of 70 resolutions.
‘Pets, Parks, and You!’ — Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S San Marcial, hosts the special event promoting pet responsibility, ownership, and control in celebration of February as Responsible Pet Owners Month 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. Admission is free. Information: Dora Martinez, 532-7273, ext. 128.
The event is centered on the opening of a new photo exhibit “Bred to Death” by Isabel Fierro Taylor featured in the Abrazos Gallery Jan. 30-Feb. 20. Her work captures the stark realities of the plight of countless stray and abandoned animals that wander our city streets and parks in search of food and shelter.
The event also features useful information and activities to educate our
community and make pet ownership a more rewarding experience. Valley Feed & Supply/Pet’s Barn, the Humane Society, and the Animal Rescue League will be on hand with their 48-foot trailer of lovable dogs and cats for adoption.
Other programs include
• Rio Grande Obedience Dog Club special dog exhibitions.
• The City of El Paso Department of Public Health’s Animal Services free spay/neuter services for low income families’ dog or cat (arrive at the Pet Care-A-Van by 7:30 a.m.; wait time after surgery is performed is a few hours). Call for pre-surgery information: 842-1000 for pre-surgery guidelines & information.
The department will also offer vaccinations ($10-$19) and microchips ($15) on a limited basis starting at 7:30 a.m.
Adair Margo Fine Art — Margo’s new gallery is at 215 Stanton, Suite 602 (in The Martin Building). Hours are 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by appointment. Information: 533-0048 or adairmargo.com.
Showing Jan. 29-Feb. 19: Exhibition of Classic Photographs by Bruce Berman. An opening reception is 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29. Following the reception, Berman will give a talk on Three Decades of Photographing the Border , 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. at the Percolator, 217 N. Stanton.
El Paso Museum of Archaeology — 4301 Transmountain in Northeast El Paso (west of U.S. 54). Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Information: 755-4332.
Showing through Feb. 14: “Rarámuri: The Foot Runners of the Sierra Madre,” photography by Diana Molina. The exhibit includes 25 ilfochrome color prints, as well as 25 Rarámuri hand-crafted artifacts. Molina captures the contemporary life of the Rarámuri of the Sierra Madre. A zip tour of the exhibit is 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. Molina will provide a personal tour of her exhibit, speak of her experiences with the Rarámuri for over a decade, and discuss the interrelationship between the Rarámuri and the challenging environment in which they live.
LYNX Exhibits — The exhibit space is at 300 W. San Antonio (just south of Convention Center). Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday. Last admission is one hour before closing time.
Admission is $10 for adults; $8 seniors, military and students with ID; and $6 ages 4 to 11. Children 3 and younger are free. Information: 533-4330 or lynxexhibits.com.
Showing Jan. 30-May 30: “Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss,” featuring hands-on exhibits on the technology necessary for deep-sea exploration. The exhibit also depicts the mysteries of the ocean’s greatest depths including newly discovered life forms, thermal vents, close-up views of deep-sea research submersibles and shipwrecks, including the Titanic. Included is a dramatically recreated ocean-floor environment, a simulator ride with dolphins, multiple hands-on activity tables and an aquarium exhibit featuring unusual and rare sea life.
From the Command Center, visitors may simulate the launching of “Alvin,” the robotic submersible that explored the Titanic. Visitors also may fly a remotely operated vehicle over a model of the Titanic’s deck and test their skill at manipulating Alvin’s robotic arm.
ON STAGE
I’m Not Rappaport’ – El Paso Playhouse, 2501 Montana, present the hit Herb Gardner dramedy Jan. 8-30. Two old men — one Jewish, one black — spend their days on a New York Central Park bench. Contains adult language. Directed by Chet Frame. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $10 ($8 seniors, $7 military/students). Information: 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.
‘Little Women’ – Kids-N-Co. presents the classic Alcott tale Jan. 23-Feb. 14 at Kids-N-Co. Performance Space. 1301 Texas. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $5-$7 at the door. Information: 351-1455.
The story by Louisa May Alcott, inspired by her own childhood with three sisters, is set in post-Civil War Massachusetts. Each of the four March girls struggle to overcome character flaws: Meg, vanity; Jo, a hot temper; Beth, shyness; and Amy, selfishness.
‘Alice in Wonderland Jr.’ — Eastwood Trooper Theatre Troupe presents a family-friendly production of the musical based on Disney’s 1951 classic retelling of Lewis Carroll’s novel Jan. 28-31, at Eastwood High School Theater, 2430 McRae Blvd. Performance times are 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $5 ($3 students and children 12 and younger). Information: 434-4108. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
Join Alice as she drifts off to sleep and finds herself in a land of her own imagination, Wonderland. She meets a sly Cheshire Cat, late White Rabbit, energetic Dodo, bumbling Tweedles, girly Flowers, hip Caterpillar, Mad
SPORTS
UTEP Men’s Basketball - Home games are at the Don Haskins Center. Game time is 7:05 p.m. except as indicated. Tickets: $9-$25. Information: 747-5234 or utepathletics.com.
• Wednesday, Jan. 27 — Tulane
El Paso Rhinos — El Paso’s Junior League ice hockey team home games are at the Sierra Providence Events Center, next to the Coliseum, 4100 E. Paisano. Regular games times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Ticket information: 479-PUCK (7825) or elpasorhinos.com.
• Jan. 29-31 — Tulsa Rampage
Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino — The 2009-2010 live horse racing season runs through April 20. Race days are Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (and Wednesday, Feb. 17). First post is 12:25 p.m. each race day. General admission is free to the track and casino. First post time is 12:25 p.m. Turf Club seating is $7.
Simulcast racing begins at 10 a.m. everyday. General admission and parking are free. Information: (575) 874-5200.
• Saturday, Jan. 30 — KOFX – Radio Handicap. 3-year-olds and up. 350 yards.
• Saturday, Jan. 30 — SPRC Claiming Series – Phase I. 3-year-olds and up. 5 and 1/2 furlongs.
Southern New Mexico
Steve Smith and Chris Sanders — The Las Cruces bluegrass musicians perform house concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, as part of the Las Alturas House Concerts. Potluck and socializing begins at 6 p.m. Cost: $15. Information/reservations: Lee (575) 522-5197 or houseconcerts.wordpress.com.
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.
• Moscow Festival Ballet’s ‘Cinderella’ — 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. More than 50 dancers from throughout Russia star in Prokofiev’s ballet classic based on the familiar fairy tale. Tickets: $56-$59.
‘Godspell’ — No-Strings Theatre Company presents one of the world’s most successful musicals Jan. 15-31 in the Black Box Theatre. Godspell is based on the Gospel of Matthew and boasts songs such as “Day by Day” and “Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord.” Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24 and 31, and 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28. Tickets: $7-$10. Information: (575) 523-1223 or no-strings.org.