El Paso Scene Weekly for Jan. 11-17, 2010
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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.
• Simone Dinnerstein and the ACME Ensemble 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at NMSU’s Atkinson Recital Hall in Las Cruces; and Saturday, Jan. 16, at UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall.
• Afternoon Classics — 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, at First Baptist Church featuring works by Dvorak.
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. 13 — “Thirty Two Short Films about Glenn Gould”
‘National Monuments’ – El Paso Wind Symphony presents a musical celebration of national pride at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15 at UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Tickets: $12.50 ($7.50 students). Information: 760-5599.
The El Paso Wind Symphony, directed by Dr. Ron Hufstader, includes woodwind, brass and percussion.
Rock Laser Spectaculars — The popular laser rock shows in 3-D/H-D format are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 15-16, at Abraham Chavez Theatre. (Ticketmaster).
Friday’s show features the music of Pink Floyd. Tickets: $19.50, $24.50 and $29.50, plus service charges.
Saturday’s show features the music of Michael Jackson. Tickets: $24.50, $29.50 and $35, plus service charges.
Dog Obedience Trials — The Rio Grande Obedience Dog Club and Dog Obedience Club of Las Cruces will hold their annual obedience and rally trials Jan. 15-18, at El Paso County Coliseum’s Judging Arena, 4100 Paisano. Dogs participate in varying levels of difficulty for prizes and titles. DOCLC trials are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with RGODC trails all day Sunday and Monday. Admission is free to spectators. Information: rgodc.org.
Whiskey Dick’s — 580 George Dieter. Performances start at 10:15 p.m. Tickets available online through ticketbully.com. Information: 921-9900.
• Casey Donahew Band — Saturday, Jan. 16. Tickets: $12.
El Paso Psychic Fair — The fair is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 16-17, at the Hawthorn Inn, 1700 Airway (at Boeing). Admission: $5 for both days (private readings not included with admission). Free admission with active duty military I.D. Information: 345-6245 or elpasopsychicfair.com.
The fair features aura photos, handmade New Age crystal and gemstone jewelry, new vendors, spirit writing, Feng Shui products, aromatherapy and readings by 14 psychic readers and mediums from Texas and New Mexico. Readings offered in English and Spanish.
Martin Luther King Day events — Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed Monday, Jan. 18. Special events:
• The annual gospel musical tribute is 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Chamizal National Memorial Theater. Presented by the Project Change/Victory Warriors. Admission is free. Information: 751-6399
• A Dr. Martin Luther King Day Soul Food Dinner and Service is 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at Calvary Baptist Church, 2608 Blaisdell, followed by a reflective service at 7 p.m. with guest speaker U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota’s 5th District. Cost is free; a free-will offering will be collected. Information: (612) 872-7855 or calvarychurchmpls.org.
Freemasonry history lectures — Historian Akram Elias will present a two-part lecture on the founding of the United States and the Republic of Texas and how they relate to Freemasonry at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at the El Paso Scottish Rite Theater, 301 W. Missouri. Eias is a 33-degree Scottish Rite Freemason and the immediate past Grand Master of the District of Columbia Freemasons. He is a historian for the History Channel, expert on the symbolism of Washington, D.C. and the Dan Brown book “The Lost Symbol.”
Admission: $5 ($4 for military, students, freemasons and Knights of Columbus members). Tours of the building are offered beginning at 1 p.m. Information: 533-4409 or elpasoscottishrite.org.
Days of Remembrance Bridal & Quinceañera Faire — The 20th annual event is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, at the El Paso Convention Center, presented by Elegant Penguin Productions. The event gathers more than 100 experts in the field of weddings and quinceañeras, including cakes, catering, dresses, flowers, halls, hotels, photography/video services, tuxedos and more. A variety of door prizes will be given away. Admission fees benefit the El Paso Child Crisis Center.
Admission: $5 (free for children under age 10). Information: 592-8897, 252-4411 or eptuxs.com.
The event also features fashion shows of wedding and quinceañera gowns and formal wear.
El Paso Museum of History — 510 N. Santa Fe. Hours (including gift shop) are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays and city holidays. Admission is free for all exhibits, unless otherwise listed. Information: 351-3588 or elpasotexas.gov/history.
Showing Jan. 16-July 10: “The Da Vinci Experience Exhibition.” El Paso will be the exhibit’s West Texas stop. It consists of more than 60 precise and working machines described and designed by Leonardo Da Vinci along with replicas of his greatest paintings; most notably the Mona Lisa. One piece is a precursor to the Gatling gun, weighing 2 tons. Tickets: $14 ($12 seniors 65 and older; $10 ages 5-11; $9 each for groups of 10). Family packages (sold in groups of five): $7 per ticket. (Ticketmaster).
ON STAGE
‘Driving Miss Daisy’ — The stage version of the movie will be presented Jan. 15-17, at Grace United Methodist Church, 400 Carolina. Call for times and other information: 772-7481 or graceumcelpaso@yahoo.com.
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.
‘Willie Wonka’ — Montwood High School Emerald Players presents the scrumdiliumpcious musical based on the book by Roald Dahl at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 15-16 and Jan. 22-23, at Montwood Emerald Theatre, 12000 Montwood. Directed by Rudolfo Herrera. Admission: $5. Information: 937-2464 or sisd.net
The play follows five lucky kids on an amazing chocolate factory tour where they discover life’s lessons along the way.
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.
• Saturday, Jan. 16 — Southern Miss
Monster Truck Spectacular — The monster truck show is 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at the El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 Paisano. Pit party access for all ticket holders. Tickets: $$20-$25 ($10-$20 children; $18 seniors, military students; $12.50 family fun pack; free for ages 2 and younger). (Ticketmaster).
Southwest Fitness Throwdown — The fitness event benefiting March of Dimes is 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at The Human Laboratory, 1057 Doniphan Park, Suite G. Participants see how fit they are and return March 6 to see how much they have improved. All fitness levels welcome. Registration: $60 by Jan. 14; $75 after. Information: 203-0899 or swfitnessthrowdown.com.
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. 16 — La Senora Handicap. 3-year-old NM-bred fillies. 6 furlongs.
Southern New Mexico
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.
• Blake Shelton — The popular country musician performs at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14. His first single “Austin” spent five weeks at number one. Since his debut, Shelton has charted 16 singles on the country charts, including five No. 1 hits. Tickets: $25-$75.
‘A Journey of the Heart’ — Friends of the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library present Chautauqua performer Van Ann Moore as Mamie Bier Bernard Aguirre, a Southern Belle from the Old West, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at Good Samaritan Auditorium, 3011 Buena Vida Circle in Las Cruces. Admission is free. Information: (575) 382-5070 or vanann.com
Peter Mulvey – Mimbres Region Arts Council’s Folk Series presents the folk vocalist at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan 15, at the Silco Theatre, 311 Bullard in Silver City. Mulvey is known for the fullness of his vocals and guitar, and his most recent collection of songs, “Notes from Elsewhere,” has been praised by both critics and fellow songwriters. Tickets: $5-$20. Information: (575) 538-2505 or 1-888-758-7289.
Opening act is Nicole Reynolds.
‘The Music of Stan Kenton and Alumni’ — The 17-piece Big Band on the Rio Grande performs for the Mesilla Valley Jazz and Blues Society at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, at First Christian Church, 1809 El Paseo in Las Cruces (across from Las Cruces High School). Music begins following a brief meeting. Admission: $8 ($5 members; $1 students). Information: Helen Sachs, (575) 373-2188.
‘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.
‘One-Act Play Festival’ – Las Cruces Community Theatre, 313 N. Downtown Mall, presents its annual one-act play festival Jan. 15-24. Directors and titles to be announced. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $5 (free for season ticket holders). Information: (575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.