2012-2013 performing arts guide

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2012-2013PERFORMINGARTS GUIDE

El Paso Electric presents Broadway in El Paso

“A Chorus Line’ opens the season series Nov. 19

Your annual guide to area per formingarts groups and season schedules

UTEP Theatre & Dance opens its season with ‘Othello’ Sept. 21-30 starring Will Badgett. See Pages 7, 13

Left: Showtime! El Paso bringsthe ‘Masters of Motown’ to theAbraham Chavez Theatre Jan. 20.See Pages 2, 17

Right: Craicmore opens thePremier Season Sept. 21 at the

Flickinger Center in Alamogordo.See Pages 6, 19

Lola Productions’ 7-show SignatureSeries opens with ‘Sacred Music,Sacred Dance’ Nov. 11. See Pages 11, 15

The Parnas Duo are among theguest artists at El Paso Pro-Musica’s Chamber Music FestivalJan. 10-Feb. 2. See Pages 4, 12

El Paso Symphony Orchestra’sseason finale will feature MaestroGürer Aykal as guest conductor.See Pages 9, 14

Season Sponsor of the 2012-2013 Performing Arts Guideis the El Paso Convention & Performing Arts Centers

See Pages 6, 8, 10, 20

— El Paso Scene 2012-2013 Performing Arts Guide

September

The Lovin Spoonful — The American rocklegends perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, atthe Spencer Theate, Alto N.M. (575) 336-4800or spencertheater.com.

‘Opera for All’ — El Paso Opera opens itsseason with popular arias from four operas at 7p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at the Abraham ChavezTheatre. Tickets: $25. 581-5534 orepopera.org.

ETHEL and Robert Mirabel — The pio-neering Native American string quartet per-forms with guest artist Grammy-winning flutistRobert Mirabel to open the 2012/2013 NSMUCultural series season at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept.7, at NMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall.Tickets: $15 ($10 NMSU students). Seasontickets are $81. Information: (575) 646-1420 orpanam.nmsucom.edu.

Pickamania!’ — Mimbres Region ArtsCouncil celebrates folk, bluegrass andAmericana acoustic musical traditions Sept. 7-9 in Gough Park, Silver City, N.M. (575) 538-2505 or mimbresarts.org.

‘When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder?’— The Las Cruces Community Theatre pres-ents the play written and directed by MarkMedoff Sept. 7-23 at the Rio Grande Theatre,Las Cruces. (575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.

‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ – El PasoPlayhouse, 2501 Montana, presents NeilSimon’s romantic comedy Sept. 7-29.Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $5-$10. 532-1317, elpa-soplayhouse.com.

‘The Man In Black: The Music OfJohnny Cash’ — 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8,at the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 DowntownMall in Las Cruces, starring Robert Shaw andhis Lonely Street Band. Tickets $12. (575) 523-

6403 or RioGrandeTheatre.com.

‘Bells of Old Mesilla’ — DriftwoodProductions hosts the musical celebrating NewMexico’s Centennial Sept. 14-30, at the RioGrande Theatre, Las Cruces. (575) 523-6403or RioGrandeTheatre.com.

John Siquieros — Music Forum El Pasopresents the classical guitarist at 2:30 p.m.Sunday, Sept. 16, at El Paso Museum of Art.Free. musicforum-elpaso.org

Canteca de Macao — The eclectic Spanishband performs at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20,at NMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall. Theband’s diverse sound includes samplings of reg-gae, jazz, rock and Mediterranean influences.Tickets: $15 ($10 NMSU students). Part of theNMSU Cultural Series. Information: (575) 646-1420 or panam.nmsucom.edu.

Jason Coleman — Las Cruces CivicConcert Association presents the pianist andgrandson of Floyd Cramer at 7:30 p.m.Thursday, Sept. 20, Rio Grande Theatre, LasCruces. Tickets: $20. (575) 521-4051.

Craicmore — The contemporary traditionalCeltic musicians perform 7:30 p.m. Friday,Sept. 21, at the Flickinger Center, 1110 NewYork Ave., Alamogordo. Tickets: $10, $20, $25and $30. (575) 437-2202 orflickingercenter.com.

Jason Coleman “The Legacy of FloydCramer” — Grant County CommunityConcert Association opens its season at 7:30p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at WNMU Fine ArtsCenter Theater in Silver City. $5-$20. (575)538-5862 or gcconcerts.org.

El Paso Symphony Orchestra - TheSymphony opens its 82nd season and continues

its search for new conductor at 7:30 p.m.Friday and Saturday, Sept. 21-22, in the PlazaTheatre, with guest pianist Ilya Yakushev. Guestconductor Arthur Post, Music Director ofCanada’s Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestraand San Juan Symphony, will lead a programwith “Count Up” by Stewart Goodyear,Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, op. 37, Cminor and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, op.36, F minor. 532-3776 or epso.org.

‘Othello’ — UTEP Department of Theatreand Dance presents Shakespeare’s tragedy ofthe Moor of Venice Sept. 21-30, in the FoxFine Arts Wise Family Theatre. Directed byChuck Gordon. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday andSaturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $9-$12. Information: 747-5118 ortheatredance.utep.edu.

2012-2013 Performing Arts CalendarFollowing are performing arts events events in El Paso and southern

New Mexico listed by month. Events that overlap months are listed in the

first month they occur. All events and dates are subject to change. Please

call the number or check the website to confirm event information.

An overview of area performing arts organizations with contact information and ticket prices begins on Page 16.

For updates of this event schedule, please pick up a current copy of El Paso

Scene (published monthly) or check our website, www.epscene.com

El Paso Scene Performing Arts GuideRandy Limbird, Editor & Publisher

Lisa Kay Tate, Assistant Editor

El Paso Scene, P.O. Box 13615, El Paso TX 79913Phone: (915) 542-1422 FAX: (915) 542-4292

web: www.epscene.com email: [email protected]

Season SponsorEl Paso Convention &

Performing Arts Centers

6, 8, 10, 20

SponsorsShowtime El Paso! 2, 17

El Paso Pro-Musica 4, 12

Flickinger Center 6, 19

El Paso Symphony 9, 14

UTEP Theatre & Dance 7, 13

Lola Productions 11, 15

Co-SponsorsEl Paso Chopin Festival 5, 18

NMSU Cultural Series 3, 18

El Paso Scene 2012-2013 Performing Arts Guide —

‘Shakespeare on the Rocks’ TheaterFestival - The annual Shakespeare festival isSept. 21-Oct. 14, at Chamizal NationalMemorial’s Amphitheatre, 800 S. San Marcial.Showtime is 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m.Sunday and 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11.Admission: $6-$10, 474-4275 or shakespeare-ontherocks.com.• “Taming of the Shrew” is Friday throughSunday, Sept. 28-30.• “Twelfth Night” is Friday through Sunday,Sept. 21-23

‘Legacy of Floyd Cramer’ — ShowtimeEl Paso opens its season with a performance byJason Coleman, grandson of the legendaryFloyd Cramer at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23,at the Abraham Chavez Theatre. Cramer’s dis-tinctive sound is still alive and powerful todaythrough Coleman, who has been playing thepiano since he could reach the keys. AfterColeman made his Grand Ole Opry debut atage 17, he was given the honor of playing forthe Country Music Hall of Fame MedallionCeremony recognizing his grandfather’s induc-tion into the Hall of Fame. Information: 544-2022 or ShowtimeElPaso.com.

‘The Last Days of Judas Iscariot’ — ElPaso Community College’s Department ofDrama begins its season with the play by AdlyGuirgis at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday,Sept. 27-Oct. 6, at the EPCC TransmountainCampus Forum. Directed by Keith Townsend.$7-$15. 833-2228, 227-2397 or epcc.edu.

High Desert Production — AmericanSouthwest Theatre Company presents the newwork Sept. 28-Oct. 14, at NMSU’s HershelZohn Theatre. $10-15. (575) 646-4515.

‘The Importance of Being Ernest’ —No Strings Theater Company presents OscarWilde’s classic comedy Sept. 28-Oct. 14 atthe Black Box Theatre, Las Cruces. $7-$10.(575) 523-1223 or no-strings.org.

LCSO’s New Mexico CentennialCelebration — Las Cruces SymphonyOrchestra opens its season at 7:30 p.m.Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29-30, atNMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall. Guestartist is violinist Pip Clarke. $35-$45. (575)646-3709 or lascrucessymphony.com.

The Capitol Steps — Impact|Programs ofExcellence presents the “hilarious, politicallyincorrect musical parody comedy troupe” at 6p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at the Plaza Theatre(Ticketmaster). Information: impactprogram-sofexcellence.com.

October

Chinese Cirque — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.3, at the Spencer Theater, Alto, N.M. Tickets:$66 and $69. Information: (575) 336-4800,(888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.

Zuill Bailey – El Paso Pro-Musica presentsthe renowned cellist in a special performancein conjunction the “Golden Age Exhibit”Thursday, Oct. 4, at the El Paso Museum ofArt. Information: 833-9400 or eppm.org.

‘The Canterville Ghost’ — Oct. 5-28, atKids-N-Co., 1301 Texas. 7:30 p.m. Fridays andSaturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Information:351-1455.

‘Shakespeare on the Rocks’ TheaterFestival - The annual Shakespeare festival isSept. 21-Oct. 14, at Chamizal NationalMemorial’s Amphitheatre, 800 S. San Marcial.Admission: $10 adults ($8 full-time studentswith ID; seniors 65 and older). Group tickets:$6 each for groups of 10 or more; available at474-4275 or shakespeareontherocks.com.• “Richard III” is 7 p.m Friday and Saturday,Oct. 5-6 and 6 p.m Thursday, Oct. 11.• “Taming of the Shrew” is 7 p.m. Saturday,Oct. 13.

• “Twelfth Night” is 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14.

David Ball and the Pioneer Playboys— The traditional country, western swing andprogressive cowboy hit-maker performs at 7p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at the SpencerTheater, Alto, N.M. $56 and $59. (575) 336-4800or spencertheater.com.

Hot Club Of San Francisco — 7 p.m.Friday, Oct. 12, at the Rio Grande Theatre, LasCruces. (575) 523-6403 orRioGrandeTheatre.com.

Monty Python’s ‘Spamalot’ — UTEPDinner Theatre opens the season Oct. 12-28with the musical “lovingly ripped off from theclassic Monty Python comedy “Monty Pythonand Holy Grail.” Information: 747-6060.

‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ – El PasoPlayhouse, 2501 Montana, presents the come-dy thriller Oct. 12-Nov. 3. $5-$10. 532-1317,elpasoplayhouse.com.

‘Reentry’ — UTEP Department of Theatreand Dance, and Frontera Rep presents theSouthwest premiere of the play by EmilyAckerman and KJ Sanchez Oct. 12-14 in theFox Fine Arts Studio Theatre. The docudramais the story of five Marines getting ready forand returning from combat, and explores therelationships between Marines and civiliansShowtime is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $7-$9. Information: 747-5118 or theatredance.utep.edu. Additional per-formances are Oct. 5-6 at Fort Bliss.

El Paso Chopin Music Festival — The2012 fall series of piano concerts is sponsoredby El Paso Community College and the El PasoChopin Festival Society. Concerts are 7 p.m.Saturdays, Oct. 13, 27 and Nov. 9. Admissionis free, but people are advised to arrive early.Information: 584-1595 or elpaso-chopin.com.• Oct. 13 — Lucy Scarbrough, atTransmountain Forum Theatre, 9570 GatewayNorth. Scarbrough, the festival’s founder andartistic director, will perform two of her ownworks along with works by Chopin.• Oct. 27 — Andrew Tyson, at ChamizalNational Memorial, 800 S. San Marcial. FirstPrize Winner of the 2011 Young ConcertArtists International Auditions, Tyson will makehis New York debut at Merkin Hall and hisWashington, D.C. debut at the KennedyCenter’s Terrace Theater this season in theYoung Concert Artists Series.

Dala — The folk duo performs 2 p.m. Sunday,Oct. 14, at the Flickinger Center, 1110 N.New York in Alamogordo, N.M. Drawing uponinfluences like The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, NeilYoung and Bob Dylan, Dala writes songs thatare both catchy and insightful. Amanda’s ethe-real soprano voice blends seamlessly withShelia’s velvety alto, creating the lush har-monies that have become their trademark.Tickets: $10, $20, $25 and $30. Information:(575) 437-2202 or flickingercenter.com.

Chamber Music Consortium of theSouthwest — Music Forum El Paso presentsthe classical ensemble performing ErmannoWolf-Ferrari’s Chamber Symphony at 2:30 p.m.Sunday, Oct. 14, at El Paso Museum of Art.Free. Information: musicforum-elpaso.org

Yolanda Kondanassis — El Paso Pro-Musica presents the harpist in concert Tuesday,Oct. 16, at UTEP’s Fox Fine Art Recital Hall.Presented in partnership with El PasoSymphony Orchestra. Tickets: $25 ($20 seniorsand military; $5 students). Information: 833-9400 or eppm.org.

El Paso Symphony Orchestra - TheSymphony, in collaboration with El Paso Pro-Musica, performs with guest harpist YolandaKondanassis at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday,Oct. 19-20, in the Plaza Theatre. Guest con-ductor is Bohuslav Rattay, Artistic Director of

El Paso Pro-Musica has been aChamber and classical music mainstay inthe Sun City for 35 years, but its musicalpresence and knack for bringing freshand original classical-centered perform-ances to the city keep make it a newexperience formusic lovers sea-son after season. Artistic Director

Zuill Bailey saidthis year’sanniversary sea-son will present amix of returnartists who havegained both anestablished audi-ence in the area as well as new andunique performers visiting the city forthe first time.

“The audience can truly expect notonly some of the most original classicalprogramming, a commission composedspecifically for El Paso Pro-Musica,audience favorites like violinist CheeYun and pianist Awadagin Pratt, but alsoone-of-a-kind performances never beforeenjoyed by this region, including‘Igudesman and Joo Duo,’ and a classi-cal garage band,” Bailey said.

Yun will be one of the guests for the ElPaso Pro-Musica Chamber MusicFestival Jan.11-Feb. 3, with performanc-es in both El Paso and Las Cruces. Otherfestival guests include Australian pianistPiers Lane, the Parnas Duo in a concertin collaboration with El Paso SymphonyOrchestra and NPR’s Rob Kapilow of“What Makes Music Great.”

Composer Ben Wallfisch, known forhis work in such diverse motion picturesas “Pride and Prejudice,” “The Soloist”and “V For Vendetta,” the latter of whichwas nominated for the 2006 AcademyAward for Best Score, will share hiscomposition “Chopin’s Waterloo,” creat-ed especially for El Paso Pro-Musica.

The season’s EPPM concert finaleApril 9 marks another milestone, pianistAwadagin Pratt’s 20th anniversary ofwinning the International NaumbergCompetition. Pratt, who was the firstAfrican-American pianist to win thishonor, has performed with most majororchestras in the United States, andserves as Artist in Residence atUniversity of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Some of hismost visible performances have includedperforming at the White House forPresident Bill Clinton, with the NewYork Philharmonic at Lincoln Center,and in television appearances on “TodayShow,” “Good Morning America” and“Sesame Street.” Pratt and Bailey haveperformed several duo recitals through-out the United States.

Bailey said it is “simply a joy” for himto bring Pratt, an audience favorite, backto the region to celebrate the 35thanniversary season.

“What makes him so very special isthat he is such a multi-faceted artist, and

has performed in El Paso as aConductor, Violinist and Pianist,” hesaid. “What people don’t know aboutAwadagin is that he also a culinary artist,an incredible wine and food enthusiast,not to mention a ranked tennis player.His El Paso concert will celebrate ‘a fewof his favorite things,’ and all he isrenowned for, including being a worldclass soloist.”

Other performances include a collabo-rative concert with El Paso SymphonyOrchestra featuring YolandaKondonassis on Oct. 16 and the YingString Quartet on Nov. 8-9.

Kondonassis is considered one of theworld’s foremost classical harpists, andher album “Air,” featuring works byDebussy and Takemitsu, was nominatedfor a Grammy Award. The Ying StringQuartet has been nominated for multipleGrammys, including winning one in2005 for a collaboration with TurtleIsland Quartet, The group also serves asthe quartet in residence at EastmanSchool of Music.

Bailey believes this season will befilled with highlights, which include per-formances by some exceptionally inno-vative and creative musicians. Some orthe classical artists coming to performduring the season use historically classi-cal instruments, but will infuse all sortsof musical styles.

“We are showcasing creative youngAcademy Award-nominated composerBen Wallfisch, Igudesman and Joo Duo,presenting ‘A Little Nightmare Music,’ afinely tuned cocktail of comedy andclassics in ways we have never seenthem presented before, and Time forThree, a classically trained garage bandfeaturing a new style of improvisation alltheir own,” he said.

Time for Three (aka Tf3), performingMarch 5, has received attention for theirDaft Punk-inspired classical remix ofKanye West’s “Stronger,” which not onlyshowcased the diversity of classicalinstruments, but also shared a positivemessage for young people. Having metas music students at the Curtis Instituteof Music in Philadelphia, they have per-formed hundreds of engagementsthroughout the world.

“We don’t discriminate against anykind of music. If we like it, we play it,”they shared about their musical philoso-phy. “We're trying to reach out to anaudience broader than the traditionalclassical music audience, and we haveactively included jazz, bluegrass, popand other genres in our concerts.”

Bailey feels every performance in fortheir 35th anniversary is a not-to-be-missed experience.

“This promises one of the finest sea-sons yet,” he said.

Tickets are $25, $20 seniors and mili-tary, $5 for students; available inadvance or at the door at all concerts.Season ticket packages are also avail-able. For information, call 833-9400 orvisit eppm.org.

El Paso Pro-Musicamarks 35th season

Zuill Bailey



�02�*/'02."4*0/��$"--��&."*-�$)01*/'&34�3#$(-0#"-�/&4�02�6*3*4�777�&-1"30�$)01*/�$0.��

�5$8��$"2#205()�"452%"8��$4��

�2"/3.05/4"*/�".153��025.�)&"42&��

�05/%&2�"/%��24*34*$��*2&$4020'��-��"30��)01*/�&34*6"-��"/%�+5%(&�*/�4)&��"4*0/"-

�)01*/��0.1&4*4*0/

��

��

��

�--�$0/$&243�"2&�"4� ��1�.��%.*33*0/�*3��"/%�01&/�40�4)&�15#-*$�

�"2-8�"22*6"-�&/$052"(&%�

�(02��06$)*/3,8�"452%"8��06��)".*9"-�"4*0/"-�&.02*"-�)&"42&

�*234��2*9&� *//&20'�4)&��"34."/�/4&2/"4*0/"-��*"/0�0.1&4*4*0/�"/%�"4*0/"-��)01*/�*"/0��0.1&4*4*0/

�/%2&7��830/�"452%"8��$4�� )".*9"-�"4*0/"-�&.02*"-�)&"42&�*234��2*9& *//&2�0'�4)&��!05/(�0/$&24��24*343�/4&2/"4*0/"-�5%*4*0/3

��

the Muncie Symphony and Music Director ofthe Lake Charles Symphony, who will lead theorchestra in Shostakovich’s “Festive Overture,”Ginastera’s “Concerto for Harp, op. 25, andDvorák’s Symphony No. 8, op. 88 in G major.Information: 532-3776 or epso.org.

‘Flamenco!’ — Local dance team PacoAntonio and Lucilene de Geus, with guestdancers, perform at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday,Oct. 19-20, at the Rio Grande Theatre, LasCruces. Information: (575) 523-6403 orRioGrandeTheatre.com.

‘Steel Magnolias’ — Las CrucesCommunity Theatre presents the play byRobert Harling Oct. 19-Nov. 4 at the RioGrande Theatre, Las Cruces. (575) 523-1200or lcctnm.org.

‘Tap-The Show’ — Showtime El Paso pres-ents the non-stop explosion of rhythmic energyat 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at the AbrahamChavez Theatre. “Tap” is the winner of theHeartbeat Award, the top IAAPA accolade.Wrapped in dazzling costumes and backed by asoaring orchestral score, this cast of eightaward-winning dancers and two singers travelsover decades of styles from Broadway and bigband to world music and pop/rock.Information: 544-2022, ShowtimeElPaso.com.

‘Die Fledermaus’ — El Paso Opera pres-ents informal productions of the Johann Straussopera at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct.25-26 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at theSummit Ballroom, 120 N. Festival. $51.20 to$64. 581-5534 or epopera.org.

‘Brighton Beach Memoirs’ — El PasoCommunity College’s Department of Dramapresents the comedy by Neil Simon Thursdaythrough Saturday, Oct. 25-Nov. 3, at theEPCC Transmountain Campus Forum. Directedby Hector Serrano. Information: 833-2228,227-2397 or epcc.edu.

Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra —7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at WNMU Fine ArtsCenter Theatre, with guest artist James Houlis,tenor saxophone. Presented by MimbresRegion Arts Council and Grant County ConcertAssociation. $5-$25. (575) 538-2505 or mim-bresarts.org.

‘Annie’ — Alamogordo Music Theatre’s pres-ents the Depression-era musical Oct. 26-Nov.3, at the Flickinger Center, 1110 N. New Yorkin Alamogordo, N.M. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets:$10. Information: (575) 430-9162 or alamogor-domusictheatre.org.

LCSO with James Houlik — Las CrucesSymphony welcomes the guest tenor saxo-phonist at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m.Sunday, Oct. 27-28, at NMSU’s AtkinsonMusic Recital Hall.$35-$45. (575) 646-3709 orlascrucessymphony.com.

November

VoicePlay — Grant County CommunityConcert Association presents the a capellagroup at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at WNMUFine Arts Center Theater in Silver City. $5-$20.(575) 538-5862 or gcconcerts.org.

Capitol Steps: “Take The Money andRun for President” — The WashingtonD.C. musical parody comedy troupe performsat 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the SpencerTheater, Alto N.M. Tickets: $76 and $79. (575)336-4800 or spencertheater.com.

Ying String Quartet — El Paso Pro-Musicapresents the fearlessly imaginative classical four-some Nov. 8-9. Performances are Thursday atNMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall in LasCruces and Friday at the Scottish Rite Theatrein El Paso. Tickets: $25 ($20 seniors, military;$5 students). 833-9400 or eppm.org.

LCSO Family Concert — Sunday, Nov.11, at NMSU’s Atkinson Recital Hall in LasCruces. Information: (575) 646-3709.

‘Aladdin’ — 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 9-10, Rio Grande Theatre, LasCruces. Presented by A Children’s Theatre ofthe Mesilla Valley. $6. (575) 571-1413.

‘Still Life With Iris’ — No Strings TheaterCompany’s production of the adventure byStephen Dietz is Nov. 9-25 at the Black BoxTheatre, Las Cruces. $7-$10. (575) 523-1223or no-strings.org.

Igor Lovchinsky — The internationalpianist, hailed by Gramophone as a ”star of thefuture” and acclaimed by Piano Magazine forthe “elegance and rapturous beauty” of hismusic-making, performs the final solo concertof the El Paso Chopin Music Festival at 7 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Chamizal NationalMemorial. Admission is free, but people areadvised to arrive early. Information: 584-1595or elpaso-chopin.com.

Eisenhower Dance — The contemporarydance group performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday,Nov. 10, at the Flickinger Center, Alamogordo.Tickets: $22, $27, $35 and $40. Information:(575) 437-2202 or flickingercenter.com.

‘Sacred Music Sacred Dance’ — LolaProductions Inc. kicks off its 2012-2013Signature Series with the Tibetan Monks fromthe Drepung Loseling Monastery Sunday, Nov.11, at UTEP’s Magoffin Auditorium. The per-formance features multiphonic singing, whereinthe monks simultaneously intone three notes ofa chord. Information: 747-5234, 1-800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

‘Simply Streisand’ — Carla DelVillaggiopays tribute to Barbra Streisand at 7 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 11, at the Rio Grande Theatre,Las Cruces. (575) 523-6403 orRioGrandeTheatre.com.

‘The Fever Chart: Three Visions of theMiddle East’ — The UTEP Department ofTheatre and Dance presents three one-actplays by Naomi Wallace Nov. 14-18, in the FoxFine Arts Studio Theatre. All are about peoplewho have suffered as a result of conflicts in theMiddle East Showtime is 8 p.m. Wednesdaythrough Saturday and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday.Tickets: $7-$9. Information: 747-5118 or the-atredance.utep.edu.

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys— The New Orleans Cajun band performs at 8p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at NMSU’s AtkinsonMusic Recital Hall. Tickets: $15 ($10 NMSUstudents). Part of the NMSU Cultural Series.Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys’ perform-ance of Cajun French music propelled theminto the world music limelight early on, and bytheir third release, “Trace of Time,” had gar-nered them a Grammy nomination for tradi-tional folk music. The band’s latest album“Grand Isle” was also nominated for a Grammy.Information: (575) 646-1420 or panam.nmsu-com.edu.

Eliza Gilkyson — The politically minded,poetically gifted singer performs at 7:30 p.m.Friday, Nov. 16, at the Buckhorn Opera Housein Pinos Altos, N.M. as part of the MimbresRegion Arts Council’s Folk Series. $15-$20.(575) 538-2505 or mimbresarts.org.

El Paso Symphony Orchestra - TheSymphony performs Handel’s “Messiah” with ElPaso Choral Society and guest soprano TheaCordova, mezzo-soprano Melissa Parks, bari-tone Levi Hernandez and tenor Francisco A.Almanza at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov.16-17, in the Plaza Theatre. Guest conductor isFort Worth Symphony Associate ConductorAndrés Franco, who will also conduct Bizet’sSymphony No. 1, C major. Information: 532-3776 or epso.org.

‘Lend Me A Tenor’ – El Paso Playhouse,2501 Montana, presents Ken Ludwig’s comedyNov. 16-Dec. 8. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridayand Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. $5-$10. 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.

‘The Rocky Horror Show’ — AmericanSouthwest Theatre Company presents thebeloved cult musical Nov. 16-Dec. 9, NMSU’sHershel Zohn Theatre. Tickets: $10-$15.Information: (575) 646-4515.

Zeke Meza — Music Forum El Paso presentsthe classical pianist at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov.18, at El Paso Museum of Art. Admission isfree. Information: musicforum-elpaso.org

EPSYO Fall Concert - El Paso SymphonyYouth Orchestra opens its season 3 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 18 at the Plaza Theatre. 532-3776, 525-8978 or epsyos.org.

‘A Chorus Line’ – The Broadway in El PasoSeries kicks off with the Tony Award winningmusical at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, at thePlaza Theatre. As casting for a new Broadwaymusical is almost complete, 17 dancers auditionfor the chance of a lifetime; something theyhave trained for hours every day of their lives.Tickets to be announced (Ticketmaster).

‘A Chorus Line’ — 7 p.m. Tuesday andWednesday, Nov. 20-21, at the SpencerTheater, Alto N.M. $56 and $59. (575) 336-4800 or spencertheater.com.

‘Seussical the Musical’ — Nov. 23-Dec.16 at Kids-N-Co., 1301 Texas. Information:351-1455.

December

The Platters — 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, atthe Spencer Theater, Alto N.M. $66 and $69.(575) 336-4800 or spencertheater.com.

‘The Birth of Opera’ — El Paso Operahosts a performance by Jeffrey Lentz at 8 p.m.Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1-2, El PasoMuseum of Art. $40 ($75 couples) Saturday;$25 all tickets Sunday. 581-5534, epopera.org.

LCSO with Norman Krieger — LasCruces Symphony welcomes the pianist at 7:30p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1-2, atNMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall. $35-$45.(575) 646-3709 or lascrucessymphony.com.

Ron Thielman’s Big Band — 3 p.m.Sunday, Dec. 2, Rio Grande Theatre, present-ed by Las Cruces Civic Concert Association.$20. (575) 521-4051.

‘White Christmas’ — Las CrucesCommunity Theatre presents the Irving Berlinmusical Dec. 7-23, at the Rio Grande Theatre.$7-$10. (575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.

Mesilla Valley Chorale — 3 p.m. Sunday,Dec. 9, at Rio Grande Theatre, Las Cruces.$10. Information: (575) 647-2560.

‘Cirque Dreams Holidaze’ – Broadway inEl Paso Series presents an evening of holidaywonderment at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, atthe Plaza Theatre. An international cast ofmore than 30 multi-talented artists create anexperience of gingerbread men flipping mid air,toy soldiers marching on thin wires, snowmendaringly balancing, icemen powerfully sculpting,penguins spinning, puppets dancing, reindeersoaring high above a landscape and more.Tickets to be announced (Ticketmaster).

Flying J Wranglers’ White MountainChristmas — Southern New Mexico’s owncowboy quintet performs at 7 p.m. Thursday,Dec. 13, at the Spencer Theater, Alto N.M.$30. Information: (575) 336-4800 orspencertheater.com.

Alamogordo may be known for manythings from space history to nearbywhite sands, but one of its best-keptsecrets may be in the world of perform-ing arts — the Flickinger Center.

The Flickinger Center for PerformingArts is a 590-seat theater that shares itsname with the non-profit arts and cultureorganization. It plays hosts to a varietyof entertainment, including concerts,plays, musicals, dance recitals, and beau-ty pageants, both by professional stagecompanies and by local amateur groups.

Once a movie theater, the Flickingerwas the vision of the Civic Auditorium,Inc., a group founded in 1983 to providea performing arts center for Alamogordoand Otero County. In 1988, the theaterwas donated to the non-profit board andnamed the Flickinger Center forPerforming Arts (although the namewasn’t legally changed to Flickingeruntil 1994).

The public was immediately receptiveto this new venue though donations ofmaterials, labor and time. This includedbuilding a temporary stage with stagelighting provided by local churches, pub-lic schools and theater groups.

Since its opening in 1988, the centerhad depended solely on volunteer helpfor concession sales, ticket sales, janitor-ial and all other services, though a part-time manager was hired in 1990.

The center continued to progress as asuccessful Capital Campaign in 1991helped bring renovations to the buildingplus the purchase of an adjacent proper-ty. Improvements included the additionof an orchestra pit, dressing rooms,wooden stage and sound system. Afterbriefly closing in 1992, the center re-opened to present its inaugural season.

Flickinger’s Executive Director JimMack said the center presents nationaland international touring artists eachthrough its Premier Series season.

“Such artist as Arlo Guthrie, MichaelMartin Murphy, Al Hurricane Jr. and Sr.,Little Tony y la Familia, Jesse Cook,Sons of the Pioneers, State Street Ballet,Dean Regan, and many more, have per-formed at the Flickinger Center,” Macksaid.

This year’s Premier line-up includesmusic, dance and theatre. Musical per-formances include Celtic bandCraicmore, folk duo Dala, a MariachiChristmas performance, classical mastersRichterUzer Duo, and flamenco andLatin jazz guitar virtuoso RobertMichaels.

Performances in dance include the criti-cally acclaimed Eisenhower DanceCompany, the Golden Gates RussianFolk Music Dance Group’s “MoscowNights” at the National Dance Companyof Ireland’s hit musical journey throughthe ages “Rhythm of the Dance.”

Their annual Valentine’s Day event andfundraiser, Chocolate Buffet andCabaret, offers traditional Hawaiianmusic by Kahumko Jr. and Masters ofHawaiian Music. New this year,Flickinger will host the Kokopelli Jazz

and Blues FestivalSept. 29 at AlamedaPark.

For six Saturdaysin the summer,Flickinger hosts out-door concerts for itsTailgate Series inthe upper parkinglot of the NewMexico Museum ofSpace History.Season spaces forthe event often fill up well in advance ofthe season, although “walk-in” admis-sion is available.

The center is also home to local organi-zations such as the AlamogordoAcademy of Ballet that produces showsin December such as “The Nutcracker”and “Christmas Story” and in May, andAlamogordo Music Theater (AMT) thatthree shows each year.

The Alamogordo Music Theatre’s showthis season starts with the family favorite“Annie” Oct. 26-Nov. 3, with theirremaining season’s shows, “Clue: TheMusical,” “How to Succeed in BusinessWithout Really Trying” and “The RockyHorror Show” planned for the spring.

New this year, Flickinger will host theKokopelli Jazz and Blues Festival Sept.29 at Alameda Park.

Mack said one of the priorities of theFlickinger Center is making program-ming accessible to the area’s youth.

Since the inaugural season, theFlickinger Center has regularly offeredat least one season of public events grad-ually sharing all the artists with areaschools. The Flickinger Center hasgrown from presenting eight events to 14seasonal events, and three concerts oflocal performers, thanks to generousgrant monies from Marshall L. andPerrine D. McCune Foundation. Thisgrant also allowed the Flickinger Centerto set up a school bus fund, allowingschools to attend any event they choose.

“During the 2011-2012 season, over6,000 school children were brought intoFlickinger to enjoy special school showsperformed by the nationally and interna-tionally touring artist,” he said. “TheAcademy of Ballet and AlamogordoMusic Theater also put on several schoolshows each year.”Area public, private and home schools

may use the center free of charge forconcerts, plays, awards and other schoolprograms.

Mack feels the Flickinger’s presencehas certainly been and invaluable enter-tainment and cultural asset to theAlamogordo community.

“The Flickinger Center for PerformingArts is a shinning star for the arts, cul-ture and community events in OteroCounty,” he said.

The Flickinger Center for PerformingArts is located at 1110 New YorkAvenue. Premier season tickets (for nineshows) range from $104 to $224. Formore information on the center, call(575) 432-2202 or flickingercenter.com.

Flickinger is culturalcenter of Alamogordo

Fall 2012 is right around the corner andplanning is well underway for a seasonfilled with entertainment opportunities atthe El Paso Convention and PerformingArts Centers (CPAC) .

September is packed with activitiesincluding continuation of the 10thAnniversary Alfresco Fridays! Series.The series will conclude with doublefeature performances on Sept. 14(Brown Betty and Sobredosis del Sabor),Sept. 21 (Sha’Vonne and the Vibe andPrime 80’s Xperience) and Sept. 28(Magistral Sonora and Azucar). Showsbegin at 6 p.m.

Movies in the Canyon, another FREEseries presented by CPAC, began inAugust and will continue until Oct. 20.A free movie will be shown atMcKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre everyFriday and Saturday night (weather per-mitting). All movies are family friendly.

Opera for All is on the schedule, theannual Feria de la Familia, DisneyLive’s popular Phineas and Ferb, El PasoComic Con, the premiere of the filmBless Me Ultima, Showtime El Paso’sLegacy of Floyd Cramer, the annualUpper Rio Grande Workforce SolutionsJob Fair, the spectacular FEMAP gala,El Paso Loves St. Jude Fashion Showwill all be featured in September.

The El Paso Symphony kicks off its2012/2013 season, The Price is RightLive! and the talented voices of Il Volomusicians will all add to the excitement

at the Plaza Theatre in September.The annual El Paso Realtors

Convention, Texas Tech’s annualUniversity Breast Care Luncheon, theGrantmakers for Children, Youth andFamilies Convention, a celebration ofTom Lea at the Plaza Theatre, Chalk theBlock, a Border Security TechnologyConference and Expo, the annualCelebrity Chef gala, and many otherevents will be in the venues in October.And is it possible that it’s already time

for the Junior League Christmas Fair?Start saving your shopping dollars nowfor this weekend of delirious shoppingpleasure!

November and December continue thefun at CPAC. The El Paso Electric pres-ents Broadway in El Paso series kicksoff in November with A Chorus Line andwe’ll have a special Broadwayannouncement on Nov. 2 that you won’twant to miss! So get the family togeth-er, grab your significant other or justcome on downtown by yourself. Wewelcome you to attend all the publicevents offered by CPAC this fall!

Be sure to join us on Facebook andTwitter or just check out our website atvisitelpaso.com/cpac to get all the latestentertainment, trade and consumer showinformation and become part of theCPAC/CVB family!

By Carol McNeal, Director, Facilities

Sales and Marketing, EPCPAC

Busy fall for CPAC venues


‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ – El PasoPlayhouse, 2501 Montana, presents the holidayclassic Dec. 14-22. $5-$10. 532-1317, elpaso-playhouse.com.

‘Los Pastores’ — Driftwood Productionspresents the Mexican Mystery play Dec. 14-23, at the Rio Grande Theatre, Las Cruces.(575) 523-6403 or RioGrandeTheatre.com.

‘A Christmas Carol’ — UTEP Departmentof Theatre and Dance presents its annual pro-duction of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic ofEbenezer Scrooge Dec. 16-22, in the Fox FineArts Wise Family Theatre. Adapted by ChuckGordon. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday andSaturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $12($10 UTEP faculty/staff/alumni associationmembers, seniors, military, groups of 10 ormore and non-UTEP students; $9 UTEP stu-dents and children age 4 to 12). Information:747-5118 or theatredance.utep.edu.

‘The Nutcracker” — Ruidoso DanceEnsemble’s adaptation of the holiday classic is 7p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday,Dec. 21-23, at the Spencer Theater, Alto N.M.$28. (575) 336-4800 or spencertheater.com.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band — LolaProductions Inc. presents the resident ensem-ble at New Orleans’ famed Preservation Hall ina “Creole Christmas” Saturday, Dec. 22, atUTEP’s Magoffin Auditorium. The musiciansrange in age from 38 to 78 and will demon-strate through music how Christmas is done inNew Orleans. 747-5234, 1-800-745-3000 orticketmaster.com.

January 2013

‘Sherlock Holmes and the FirstEnglish Gentleman’ – Jan. 4-26 at El PasoPlayhouse, 2501 Montana. $5-$10. Information:532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.

El Paso Chamber Music Festival - ElPaso Pro-Musica’s 24th annual festival presentsworld-class chamber musicians Jan 11-Feb. 3.Performers include Australian pianist PiersLane, violinist Chee Yun, the Parnas Duo, incollaboration with the El Paso SymphonyOrchestra, NPR’s Rob Kapilow and Oscar-nominated composer Ben Wallfisch and his spe-cial composition for El Paso Pro-Musica,“Chopin’s Waterloo.” Performances are atUTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall in El Paso, St.Paul’s United Methodist Church in Las Crucesand other venues. Individual tickets: $5-$25.Festival packages available. Information: 833-9400 or eppm.org.

‘Hair’ – Broadway in El Paso Series presentsthe Public Theater’s new Tony-winning produc-tion of the electric celebration of peace andlove in a turbulent time at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday,Jan. 15, at the Plaza Theatre. This focus onyoung Americans in the Vietnam era featureshits like “Aquarius,” “Let The Sunshine In,”“Good Morning, Starshine” and “Easy To BeHard.” For mature audiences. Tickets to beannounced (Ticketmaster).

‘Carousel’ — The Las Cruces SymphonyAssociation presents the classic musical Fridaythrough Sunday, Jan. 18-20, at NMSU’sAtkinson Music Recital Hall, under the directionof Mark Medoff and Lonnie Klein. $35-$55.(575) 646-3709 or lascrucessymphony.com.

‘The Fantasticks’ — No Strings TheaterCo. presents the timeless musical Jan. 18-Feb.3 at the Black Box Theatre, Las Cruces. $7-$10. (575) 523-1223 or no-strings.org.

‘If the Shoe Fits’ — Kids-N-Co., 1301Texas, presents a modern day fairy tale Jan.18-Feb. 10. 351-1455.

Masters of Motown — Showtime El Pasopresents the tribute to the Motown legacy at2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Abraham

Chavez Theatre. Ten vocalists and musicianshave come together to reproduce the style,sound and ultimate feel that Motown broughtyears ago. They become Stevie Wonder, FourTops, Diane Ross and the Supremes andJackson Five. Information: 544-2022 orShowtimeElPaso.com.

H’Sao — The a capella group performs at 8p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, at NMSU’s AtkinsonMusic Recital Hall, as part of the NMSUCultural Series. Drawing from gospel, tradition-al African music, as well as their Chadian roots,H’sao displays clear soul, pop, and R&B influ-ences. All the members of this Montréal afro-pop group are singer/songwriters. Tickets: $15($10 NMSU students). Information: (575) 646-1420 or panam.nmsucom.edu.

Moscow Nights — The Golden GatesRussian Folk Music Dance Group performs7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the FlickingerCenter, Alamogordo. Golden Gates offers audi-ences an entertaining and authentic glimpseinto Old Russia through music, song, anddance. The repertoire is centered on master-pieces of Russian folklore and represents thediversity of the culture, from gently humoroussongs, to elaborate lyrical suites, to pulsatingdance numbers. Tickets: $15-$35. Information:(575) 437-2202 or flickingercenter.com.

Yana Reznik — Grant County CommunityConcert Association presents the pianist at7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at WNMU Fine ArtsCenter Theater, Silver City. $5-$20.Information: (575) 538-5862 or gcconcerts.org.

‘Give Us This Day’ — A riveting stageadaptation of the 1956 memoir by SidneyStewart about the Battle of Bataan is 7 p.m.Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25-26, at theRio Grande Theatre, Las Cruces. (575) 523-6403 or RioGrandeTheatre.com.

El Paso Symphony Orchestra - TheSymphony performs in collaboration with ElPaso Pro-Musica’s Chamber Music Festival at7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25-26, inthe Plaza Theatre, with guest performersMadalyn Parnas, violin and Cecily Parnas, cello.Guest conductor Lawrence Loh leads a pro-gram with Hindemith’s “SymphonicMetamorphosis,” Saint-Saëns’ “The Muse andThe Poet” and Elgar’s “Enigma Variations.”Information: 532-3776 or epso.org.

Lee Trio — Las Cruces Civic ConcertAssociation presents the chamber trio at 3 p.m.Sunday, Jan. 27, at the Rio Grande Theatre.$20. I(575) 521-4051.

‘Nunset Boulevard’ starring CindyWilliams — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at theSpencer Theater, Alto N.M. $66 and $69.(575) 336-4800 or spencertheater.com.

February

‘Grease’ — UTEP Dinner Theatre presentsthe hit ’50s musical by Jim Jacobs and WarrenCasey Feb. 1-17. Information: 747-6060.

‘The Mousetrap’ —Las Cruces CommunityTheatre presents the Agatha Christie thrillerFeb. 1-17 at the Rio Grande Theatre, LasCruces. $7-$10. (575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.

LCSO with Ilya Yakushev — Las CrucesSymphony welcomes the pianist at 7:30 p.m.Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2-3, atNMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall. $35-$45.(575) 646-3709 or lascrucessymphony.com.

Nation Beat — The American/Brazilian col-lective performs at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, atNMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall), as part ofthe NMSU Cultural Series. Nation Beat plays a21st century mash-up inspired by Brazilianmaracatu drumming, New Orleans second linerhythms, funk and country-blues. Tickets: $15($10 NMSU students). Information: (575) 646-1420 or panam.nmsucom.edu.

The University of Texas at El Paso’sDepartment of Theatre and Dance willfocus it 2012-2013 season on timelessmasterpieces, modern retellings of clas-sic tales, portraits of the effects of war-fare and even a tribute to a music leg-end.All productions are in the Fox Fine Arts

Center’s Wise Family Theatre or StudioTheatre. Wise Family Theatre produc-tions, all directed by Chuck Gordon,include a trio of classic productions:“Othello,” “A Christmas Carol,” and“Eurydice.”

The season begins with WilliamShakespeare’s tragedy of the Moor ofVenice, ‘Othello,’ Sept. 21-30. “Othello”is the ultimate story of love, deceptionand death. It is a towering tragedy full ofintrigue as the audience travels into thedeceiving mind of Iago as he destroysOthello in mind, body and spirit in thename of jealousy and greed or asShakespeare says, “the green-eyed mon-ster which doth mock.”As a special addition to the season, the

title role of “Othello” will be played byguest Will Badgett of L.A. ClassicalTheater and Ensemble Studio Theatre.Badgett has also performed regionallywith the Guthrie Theater, BostonShakespeare Company, ClevelandPlayhouse and Trinity Rep.

The department continues its holidaytradition with Gordon’s adaptation ofCharles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”Dec. 16-22. This inspiring tale ofEbenezer Scrooge and his journey toredemption on Christmas Eve has beenfamily favorite for several seasons. Thedepartment invited guests to bring theirentire family to “a truly spectacular andunforgettable story of compassion andjoy.”

The season’s closer is a story fromGreek mythology, “Eurydice” April. 19-29. Eurydice is the retelling of the mythof Orpheus from the perspective of hiswife, Eurydice, who after an untimelydeath is sent to Hades and struggles tofind her memories that will help hermake the untimely choice of whether toreturn to each with Orpheus or to say inHades with her father.

Studio Theatre performances this yearare “Reentry,” “The Fever Chart: ThreeVisions of the Middle East,” “Reentry”and “Electricidad.”

The department also will collaboratewith the group Frontera RepertoryTheatre Company to present theSouthwest premiere of Emily Ackermanand KJ Sanchez’s “Reentry” Oct. 12-14.Presented as a “docudrama,” “Reentry isthe story of five Marines getting readyfor and returning from combat, andexplores the relationships betweenMarines and the civilians they fight foroverseas and must contend with whenthey return home.”

“Reentry” is presented as part of theTom Lea Institute’s annual Tom LeaMonth celebration of the life and workof the late artist, who memorable imagesof soldiers in combat. Additional per-formances are Oct. 5-6 at Fort Bliss.

The department is looking forward toits joining forces with “Frontera Rep,”and calls this inaugural collaboration a“dynamic creative partnership.”

“Reentry” is one of two performancestaking on wartime issues. “The FeverChart: Three Visions of the Middle East”by Naomi Wallace consists of three one-act plays about five people who havesuffered as a result of conflicts in theMiddle East. Wallace’s work questionsthe human ability to be compassionateand selfless in extraordinary circum-stances such as war.

“Along with the characters, the audi-ence is forced to question their personalchoices and reflect on their lives,” thedepartment says of the play, to be pre-sented Nov. 14-18. “Using music, proseand poetry, Wallace brings a heartfelttrilogy about the presence of loss, thelack of love and the need for compassionin today’s society.”

The department adds a Latino twist toSophocles’ tragedy “Electra” with LuisAlfaro’s “Electricidad,” directed byRebecca Rivas, March 13-17. Set in thegangland world of East L.A., it mixesGreek lament, physical comedy drawnfrom traditional Mexican theatre forms,and the poetry of Spanglish.According to the department, Alfaro

“reinvents Electra as a young, old-schoolchola clinging to the power structureways of her East L.A. neighborhood asshe ferociously grieves over the body ofher murdered father.”

The department’s spring dance per-formance will give a lively tribute to theSongs of Ray Charles and other danceswith “Hit The Road Jack!” Feb. 15-24 inthe Wise Family Theatre. The productionis choreographed by Myron Nadel andLisa Smith, and uses the blues and soulmusic of Ray Charles as inspiration toexplore the effects of love gone wrong.New works by UTEP dance faculty willalso be featured.

Showtime for most productions is 8p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m.Sunday. Tickets for Wise Family Theatreperformances are $12 ($10 UTEP facul-ty/staff/alumni association members,seniors, military, groups of 10 or moreand non-UTEP students; $9 UTEP stu-dents and children age 4 to 12). Studiotheatre prices are $9 ($8 UTEPfaculty/staff/alumni association mem-bers, seniors, military, groups of 10 ormore and non-UTEP students; $7 UTEPstudents and children age 4 to 12).

Information: 747-5118 or visit thedepartment website,theatredance.utep.edu.

Classics, war tales,

music, dance all

part of UTEP season


‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, NowChange’ — Feb. 8-24, at the Rio GrandeTheatre, Las Cruces. Presented by DriftwoodProductions. Information: (575) 523-6403 orRioGrandeTheatre.com.

Meow Meow — Lola Productions Inc. pres-ents the locally renowned “kamikaze cabaret”performer Saturday, Feb. 9, at UTEP’sMagoffin Auditorium. Meow Meow is a fre-quent collaborator with an eclectic mix of theworld’s greatest artistic visionaries includingPina Bausch, David Bowie, Iain Grandage, PinkMartini, John Cameron Mitchell, and theDresden Dolls. Information: 747-5234, 1-800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

‘Sylvia’ — El Paso Playhouse, 2501 Montana,presents A.R. Gurney’s comedy Feb. 9-March2. $5-$10. 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.

EPSYOs Winter Concert — 3 p.m.Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Abraham ChavezTheatre. 525-8978 or epsyos.org.

Tommy Dorsey Orchestra — 7 p.m.Tuesday, Feb. 12, Rio Grande Theatre, LasCruces. (575) 523-6403.

‘Love Letters’ — The 13th annualValentine’s Day production by No StringsTheatre Co. is 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, at theBlack Box Theatre, Las Cruces. $9-$10. (575)523-1223 or no-strings.org.

Chocolate Buffet and Cabaret — Theannual Flickinger Center fundraiser is Thursday,Feb. 14, at the Flickinger Center forPerforming Arts in Alamogordo, with tradition-al Hawaiian music and dance by four-timeGrammy winner George Kahumoku Jr. andMasters of Hawaiian Music. Kahumoku (slackkey guitar and vocals) is joined by son, KeokiKahumoku (slack key and ‘ukulele) and UncleRichard Ho’opi’i (ukulele), an NEA FolkHeritage Fellow for Hawaiian falsetto singing.Performance begins at 7:30 p.m. with buffet at6 p.m. Tickets: $22-$40. Information: (575)437-2202 or flickingercenter.com.

‘Hit The Road Jack!’ — UTEP Departmentof Theatre and Dance presents a tribute to“the Songs of Ray Charles and Other Dances”Feb. 15-24 in the Fox Fine Arts Wise FamilyTheatre. Choreographed by Myron Nadel andLisa Smith. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursdaythrough Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.Tickets: $9-$12. Information: 747-5118 or the-atredance.utep.edu.

Oscar Macchioni — Music Forum El Pasopresents the pianist and friends at 2:30 p.m.Sunday, Feb. 17, at El Paso Museum of Art.Free. Information: musicforum-elpaso.org

Bella Gaia — Lola Productions Inc. presentsthe immersive theatre experience Thursday,Feb. 21, at UTEP’s Magoffin Auditorium. BellaGaia shows the moving beauty of planet Earthas seen through the eyes of astronauts by suc-cessfully simulating space flight. Created byaward-winning director, composer and violinistKenji Williams in collaboration with NASA, itfeatures a live performance by Kenji and worldmusicians, against a large screen backdrop oforbiting visualizations of Earth from space.Information: 747-5234 or ticketmaster.com.

El Paso Symphony Orchestra - TheSymphony performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday andSaturday, Feb. 22-23, in the Plaza Theatre,with guest violinist Livia Sohn. Guest conductoris Peter Rubardt conducting Beethoven’sSymphony No. 5, op. 67, C minor, Korngold’sViolin Concert, op. 35, D major and Bernstein’s‘On the Waterfront.” 532-3776 or epso.org.

‘Our Town’ — American Southwest TheatreCo. presents Thornton Wilder’s slice ofAmericana Feb. 22-March 10, at NMSU’sCenter for the Arts. $10-$15. (575) 646-4515.

Terry Barber — 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23,

at WNMU Fine Arts Center Theater in SilverCity. Presented by Grant County CommunityConcert Association. $5-$20. (575) 538-5862or gcconcerts.org.

Terry Barber — Showtime El Paso presentsthe countertenor at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24,at the Abraham Chavez Theatre. As a memberof the multiple Grammy-winning ensembleChanticleer, Barber worked his way throughthe repertoire performing opera, classical,gospel, jazz and folk music in a dozen languagesat over a hundred concerts around the globe.In 2001, he made his New York City Operadebut, joined the roster of the MetropolitanOpera in 2002 and made his debut at CarnegieHall in 2004. Information: 544-2022 orShowtimeElPaso.com.

Monty Python’s “Spamalot” — 7 p.m.Monday, Feb. 25, at the Spencer Theater, AltoN.M. $76 and $79. (575) 336-4800 orspencertheater.com.

‘Godspell’ — El Paso Community College’sDepartment of Drama presents the musical byStephen Schwartz and Michael Tebelak, basedon the life of Jesus Christ, Thursday throughSaturday, Feb. 28-March 9, at the EPCCTransmountain Campus Forum. Directed byKeith Townsend with musical direction by CodyRitchey. Information: 833-2228, 227-2397 orepcc.edu.

March

‘Twitch’ — No Strings Theater Companypresents the new play by Amy Lanasa March1-17 at the Black Box Theatre, Las Cruces. $7-$10. (575) 523-1223 or no-strings.org.

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ — Kids-N-Co., 1301 Texas, presents the Shakespearefantasy, adapted by Layle Chambers, March 1-24. Information: 351-1455.

Juan de Marcos & The Afro-Cuban AllStars — Lola Productions Inc. presents theCuban music sensation Sunday, March 3, atUTEP’s Magoffin Auditorium. Following in thefootsteps of legendary Cuban orchestras LosVan Van, the Buena Vista Social Club, andIrakere, the Afro-Cuban All Stars have becomeone of the best-known and most successfulCuban orchestras performing today. Led bybandleader, producer, and arranger Juan deMarcos, the All Stars ensemble concept spansthree generations of musicians, and promotesthe full range of Cuban musical styles.Information: 747-5234 or ticketmaster.com.

Rhythm of the Dance — 3 p.m. Sunday,March 3, Spencer Theater, Alto N.M. $66 and$69. (575) 336-4800 or spencertheater.com.

Rhythm of the Dance — The NationalDance Company of Ireland performs at 7:30p.m. Monday, March 4, at the FlickingerCenter, Alamogordo. The show is an epic jour-ney through the ages, from ancient mythologyto the travels of the Irish emigrants, from therolling hills and stonewalls of Connemara all theway to the modern skyscrapers of New York.$22-$40. (575) 437-2202, flickingercenter.com.

Time for Three — El Paso Pro-Musica pres-ents the classically trained garage band Tuesday,March 5, at the Scottish Rite Theatre, 301 W.Missouri. Tickets: $5-$25. 833-9400 oreppm.org.

Rhythm of the Dance — 7 p.m.Wednesday, March 6, at WNMU Fine ArtsCenter Theatre. Presented by Mimbres RegionArts Council. $5-$25. (575) 538-2505, 1-888-758-7289 or mimbresarts.org.

Dala — The folk duo performs at 8 p.m.Thursday, March 7, at NMSU’s Atkinson MusicRecital Hall), as part of the NMSU Cultural

Please turn to Page 14

By Carol McNeal

A plan hatched, a play executed … callit either of the above but really it is adream realized. The Plaza Theatre hassoared to new heights and more than ful-filled the promise made to El Paso just afew short years ago.

It’s hard to imagine that a few impas-sioned El Pasoans sat down, put theirheads together and dared to think theycould save the crumbling old PlazaTheatre from destruction. While the“Save the Plaza” story has been recount-ed many times in the media, we don’toften see or hear the stories from behindthe scenes.

It’s hard to imagine today how thisgroup persevered when naysayers threwup one obstacle after another. But it wasthrough the incredible vision, courageand tenacity of these few that the dreamof a state-of-the-art multipurpose facilitycame to be in downtown El Paso.

It is true that the risk was great, thecost was high and the effort to gain pub-lic support has never slowed. But thePlaza Theatre, in its sixth year followingrestoration, is truly a dream realized.

I don’t think anyone involved in savingthe Grand Old Dame would say the jour-ney was a proverbial “bed of roses,” butI know everyone involved would happilydo it again in a heartbeat.

The final pre-opening days in March,2006 were frenzied … we wondered ifthe seats would ever be installed, if thepainters would ever finish their work, ifwe’d get the carpet down before our firstreception started and if the elegant hand-polished bar would ever make it throughcustoms. Of course everything cametogether in time and our opening monthof events was a blockbuster. TheRiverdance troupe danced their heartsout, Tony Bennett had tears in his eyesas he stood on the stage and sang acapella to the crowd … it’s all just ahappy memory now.

We never, in those days, dared to imag-ine that the Plaza Theatre would, in sixshort years, host so many internationallyknown performing artists while, at thesame time, establish itself as a perform-ing arts center ranked among the “Top100 Worldwide Theatres in TicketSales.”

We all hoped, but we did not dare toimagine in 2006 that the Plaza Theatreand El Paso could or would support a16-show run of a Broadway show thatwould attract nearly 32,000 patrons! Butat that time none of us knew much aboutWICKED.

On separate trips to Chicago in 2009,our Assistant General Manager BryanCrowe and I each saw the Broadwayblockbuster WICKED and we boththought it was the most amazing touringshow we had seen. Our discussionsevolved into a plan to persuade ourBroadway promoting partners JAMTheatricals to help us bring the show toEl Paso. We dared to believe that El

Paso would embrace the idea, but it tookus a couple of years and an unbelievableamount of behind the scenes work tobring the plan forward. We kept thesecret of “W” for so long that I thought Iwould burst. We could not share the planwith even our closest associates in fearthat we would somehow jinx the oppor-tunity and lose the show. The risk washigh, the cost was great and we dared tohope that we could encourage the publicto engage with us in showing the worldthat El Paso wants and will supportworld-class entertainment.

Those lucky individuals who scoredseats to the Emerald Garden are stilltalking about their experience withdelight. Comments continue like, “It wasso sophisticated, very big city,” and “Ihave never experienced anything likethis before in El Paso and I’ve lived hereall my life!”

While WICKED itself was an amazingaccomplishment, we should not mini-mize the excitement created when otherevents occur in the Plaza Theatre. ThePlaza Classic Film Festival, billed as theworld’s largest, celebrated its fifth yearwith Al Pacino’s recent appearance,James Taylor’s unforgettable show, thegentleman who lost control of his emo-tions and shouted, “I love you Norah,”during the Norah Jones performance, thememorable El Paso Symphony searchfor a new conductor and the bandChicago’s almost annual trip to the PlazaTheatre all created great memories forpatrons.

Pollstar, the well-respected entertain-ment trade magazine recently ranked thePlaza Theatre 31st among all theatres inthe world in ticket sales for First Quarter2012. Joining the top 100 theatres wasan achievement first realized in 2011 andwe’ll continue to make every effort toremain on this prestigious list.

So call it a dream realized, a planhatched, a play executed … call it what-ever you like, but none of us could haveknown back when the El PasoCommunity Foundation centered theball. None of us could have predicted thephenomenal success of the Plaza Theatrewhen the ball was handed off to the Cityof El Paso and when the city engagedSMG to manage the El Paso Conventionand Performing Arts Centers to carry theball on their behalf.

El Pasoans can be proud of the PlazaTheatre. I know I certainly am!

Carol McNeal is Director, Facilities

Sales and Marketing, for the El Paso

Convention and Performing Arts Centers.

The Plaza Theatre:A Dream Realized


Series. Juno nominees and winners of the 2010Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group ofthe Year, Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabineof Dala sing in harmony best described as“angelic.“ Tickets: $15. Information: (575) 646-1420 or panam.nmsucom.edu.

‘Peter Pan’ — 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m.Saturday, March 8-9, Rio Grande Theatre, LasCruces. Presented by A Children’s Theatre ofthe Mesilla Valley. $6. (575) 571-1413.

“Fiddler on the Roof” — 7 p.m. Saturday,March 9, at the Spencer Theater, Alto N.M.$76 and $79. Information: (575) 336-4800 orspencertheater.com.

‘Messhugah-Nuns’ — DriftwoodProductions presents the “Nunsense” spinoffMay 10-26, Rio Grande Theatre, Las Cruces.(575) 523-6403, RioGrandeTheatre.com.

‘The Barber of Seville’ — El Paso Operacloses its season with Rossini’s comic operaMarch 14 and 16 at the Abraham ChavezTheatre. Tickets: $18-$90. 581-5534 orepopera.org.

‘Electricidad’ — UTEP Department ofTheatre and Dance presents Luis Alfaro’s adap-tation of Sophocles’ tragedy “Electra” set in thegangland world of East L.A. March 13-17 inthe Fox Fine Arts Studio Theatre. Directed byRebecca Rivas. Mixing Greek lament, physicalcomedy drawn from traditional tanda and carpaMexican theatre forms, and the poetry ofSpanglish, Alfaro reinvents Electra as a young,old-school chola chilling to the power structureways of her East L.A. neighborhood as sheferociously grieves over the body of her mur-dered father. Showtime is 8 p.m. Wednesdaythrough Saturday and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday.Tickets: $7-$9. Information: 747-5118 or the-atredance.utep.edu.

‘Harvey’ — El Paso Playhouse, 2501Montana, presents the charming comedy abouta man and his invisible six-foot rabbit March15-April 6. $5-$10. 532-1317, elpasoplay-house.com.

‘We are One, Dance One Drum’ — The7th annual student dance and drumming show-case is 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the RioGrande Theatre, Las Cruces.(575) 639-1616.

Chamber Music Consortium of theSouthwest — Music Forum El Paso presentsthe chamber ensemble at 2:30 p.m. Sunday,March 17, at El Paso Museum of Art. Free.Information: musicforum-elpaso.org

EPSYO and EPSO ‘Side-by-Side’Concert — Performers from El PasoSymphony Youth Orchestras and El PasoSymphony Orchestra combine forces to per-form during the 6th annual concert at 3 p.m.Sunday, March 17, at the Plaza Theatre, inconjunction with Downtown KidPalooza.Information: 525-8978 or epsyos.org.

Mark Erelli — The 1999 Kerrville New Folkcontest winner and multi-instrumentalist per-forms at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, at theBuckhorn Opera House in Pinos Altos, N.M. aspart of the MRAC Folk Series. $15-$20. (575)538-2505 or mimbresarts.org.

La Catrina String Quartet — GrantCounty Community Concert Association pres-ents the classical quartet with a Latin flavor at7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at WNMU FineArts Center Theater in Silver City. $5-$20.(575) 538-5862 or gcconcerts.org.

‘Lord of The Dance’ — Broadway in ElPaso Series presents Michael Flatley’s “show-piece extravaganza” at 7 p.m. Sunday, March24, at The Plaza Theatre, with a mesmerizingblend of traditional and modern Celtic musicand dance. Based on mythical Irish folklore,

Don Dorcha, Lord of Darkness, challenges theethereal lord of light, the Lord of the Dance.The action is played out over 21 scenes on agrand scale of precision dancing, dramaticmusic, colorful costumes and state-of-the-artstaging and lighting. Tickets to be announced(Ticketmaster).

April

‘Twelve Angry Men’ — The Las CrucesCommunity Theatre presents the drama April5-21 at the Rio Grande Theatre, Las Cruces.$7-$10. (575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.

The Fab Four — The uncanny Beatles trib-ute is 7 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the SpencerTheater, Alto N.M. $66 and $69. (575) 336-4800 or spencertheater.com.

Baby Boomer Comedy Show — 7 p.m.Saturday, April 6, at the Rio Grande Theatre,Las Cruces. Stars veteran comedians JanMcInnis and Kent Rader. (575) 523-6403 orRioGrandeTheatre.com.

Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra —7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6-7, at NMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall withguests Stephen Jackiw, violin, Edward Arron,cello and Jeremy Denk, piano. $35-$45. (575)646-3709 or lascrucessymphony.com.

Awadagin Pratt — El Paso Pro-Musicapresents a Musical Milestones performance cel-ebrating the pianist’s 20th anniversary of win-ning International Naumberg CompetitionTuesday, April 9. Tickets: $100. Information:833-9400 or eppm.org.

‘The Children’s Hour’ — El PasoCommunity College’s Department of Dramacloses its season with the play by LillianHellman Saturday, April 11-20, at the EPCCTransmountain Campus Forum. Directed byHector Serrano. 833-2228, 227-2397.

Side Street Strutters — Grant CountyCommunity Concert Association’s season finaleis 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, at WNMU FineArts Center Theater in Silver City. $5-$20.(575) 538-5862 or gcconcerts.org.

‘Dead Man’s Cell Phone’— No StringsTheater Company concludes its season withthe new comedy by Sara Ruhl April 12-28 atthe Black Box Theatre, Las Cruces. $7-$10.(575) 523-1223 or no-strings.org.

Les Ballets Trockadero de MonteCarlo — Lola Productions Inc. presents theCuban music sensation Saturday, April 13, atUTEP’s Magoffin Auditorium. Founded in 1974by a group of ballet enthusiasts for the purposeof presenting a playful, entertaining view of tra-ditional, classical ballet in parody form, LesBallets Trockadero de Monte Carlo first per-formed in the late-late shows in Off-OffBroadway lofts. Information: 747-5234, 1-800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

Work o’ the Weavers — The Weaverstribute performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April13, at the Buckhorn Opera House in PinosAltos, N.M. as part of the MRAC Folk Series.$15-$20. (575) 538-2505 or mimbresarts.org.

2Cellos — Lola Productions Inc. closes itsseason with the wildly popular cello duoWednesday, April 17, at UTEP’s MagoffinAuditorium. The meteoric success of 2Cellosstarted when former cello rivals Luka Sulic andStjepan Hauser decided to join forces. InJanuary 2011, they uploaded a unique cello ver-sion of “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jacksononto YouTube. Within just a few weeks, theirvideo became a huge viral sensation, receivingover 5 million views. Other popular rangefrom Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” toGuns N’ Roses’ “Welcome To The Jungle.”Information: 747-5234 or ticketmaster.com.

Cont’d from Page 8

El Paso Symphony Orchestra’s 2012 –2013 season will again be a season ofguest conductors, some of whom will befamiliar to last season’s concertgoers andone will be very familiar to long-timeSymphony fans.

“We are so excited for the fantasticprogram we have in store for this, our82nd year,” EPSO Executive DirectorRuth Ellen Jacobson said. “There issomething for everyone!”

The search for the EPSO’s seventhMusic Director/Conductor began in 2010when Sarah Ioannides retired after sixyears. Two Music Director/Conductorcandidates who appeared last season,Lawrence Loh and Peter Rubardt, willreturn to the podium this season, alongwith three new contenders for considera-tion: Andrés Franco, Arthur Post andBohuslav Rattay.

“The selection of our next MusicDirector/Conductor is an incrediblyimportant one,” Board of TrusteesChairman Sue Woo said. “This personwill serve as the face for our organiza-tion, set the tone for our performances,must have good chemistry with theorchestra, and must be able to select pro-grams that will appeal to the varying sty-listic preferences of our patrons.”

Post is now in his second season asMusic Director of Canada’s ThunderBay Symphony Orchestra, while contin-uing for a tenth season as Music Directorof the San Juan Symphony. He hasestablished a reputation for groundbreak-ing programming that combines the mas-terworks of the orchestral repertoire withmusic reflecting local cultures and con-cerns. He will conduct the El PasoSymphony at its opening season con-certs, Sept. 21-22, 2012.

In his sixth season as the ArtisticDirector of the Muncie SymphonyOrchestra and beginning his second asMusic Director of the Lake CharlesSymphony, Czech conductor Rattay hasbeen acclaimed for his fresh and inspiredinterpretations of works ranging fromperennial concert-hall favorites to thecontemporary, with special appreciationgiven to his insightful understanding ofthe music of his native Bohemia. Heconducts the EPSO Oct. 19-20.

Franco is currently AssociateConductor of the Fort Worth SymphonyOrchestra, Principal Conductor ofCaminos del Inka and Conductor of theFort Worth Youth Philharmonic, andappears regularly as guest conductorworldwide. An accomplished pianist, hereceived his master’s degrees in PianoPerformance and Conducting from TCU.He will conduct Nov. 16-17.

Loh is the Resident Conductor of thePittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, MusicDirector of the Northeastern Pennsyl -vania Philharmonic and Music Directorof the Pittsburgh Youth SymphonyOrchestra. He received further training atthe world-renowned Aspen Music

Festival and School and has additionaldegrees from Indiana University and theUniversity of Rochester. Loh returns toconduct the Symphony Jan. 25-26, 2013.

Entering his 16th season as MusicDirector of the Pensacola SymphonyOrchestra, Rubardt continues to inspireartistic excellence and to create innova-tive programs for the Pensacola, Fla.community. A Fulbright scholar in 1984,he studied piano and conducting at theVienna Academy of Music, and pursuedfurther studies at the Tanglewood MusicCenter and the Los AngelesPhilharmonic Institute. Rubardt returnsas guest conductor Feb. 22-23, 2013.

“While all the conductors we invitedlast year were excellent and highly quali-fied, we believe our patrons should havethe chance to experience these new, verytalented candidates before resting on thisvital decision,” Woo said.

The recommendation for the nextEPSO conductor lies in the hands of aSearch Committee comprised equally ofEPSO Board of Trustees members aswell as members of the orchestra.

Weighing heavily on their final deci-sion is the public input, collectedthrough social media venues includingFacebook and Twitter.

“Now more than ever we need ourpatrons to share their response to eachcandidate,” Jacobson said. “We werethrilled with the insight and thought ourpatrons put into their feedback on thisselection, and cannot move forward withthis critical decision without them.”

In addition to the contenders, there willbe a special guest appearance April 19-20, 2013 by EPSO Emeritus ConductorGürer Aykal, who served as conductor ofthe EPSO fromthe 1992-1993season to the2003-2004 sea-son. A native ofTurkey, Aykalworks asGeneral MusicDirector andPrincipalConductor ofBorusan IstanbulPhilharmonicOrchestra in Turkeyand performs as questing conductor ofmany orchestras abroad. In March 1996,he led the EPSO on a European tour,which included performances in some ofGermany's finest concert h alls.

“We are excited and gratified thatMaestro Aykal will join us this season,”said Jacobson. “He was a celebratedleader of the symphony for many years,and we’re sure many of our patrons aswell as orchestra members will be happyfor his return.”

More on the symphony’s season andguests conductors may be found onlineat epso.org.

Guest conductors for

EPSO 2012-2013 season

include familiar faces

Gürer Aykal


El Paso Symphony Orchestra - TheSymphony performs its season finale with thereturn of Gürer Aykal as Emeritus Conductorand guest pianist Jon Nakamatsu at 7:30 p.m.Friday and Saturday, April 19-20, in the PlazaTheatre. The program includes Packales’s“Tour/Retour (Tango for Orchestra) Op. 71,Rachmaninoff’s Concerto for Piano No. 3, op.30, D minor and Resphigi’s “Ancient Air andDances.” Information: 532-3776 or epso.org.

‘Eurydice’ — The UTEP Department ofTheatre and Dance presents the story fromGreek mythology April. 19-29 in the Fox FineArts Wise Family Theatre. Eurydice is theretelling of the myth of Orpheus from the per-spective of his wife, Eurydice, who after anuntimely death is sent to Hades and strugglesto find her memories that will help her choosewhether to return to earth with Orpheus or tosay in Hades with her father. Directed byChuck Gordon. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday andSaturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $9-$12. Information: 747-5118 ortheatredance.utep.edu.

‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile’ — AmericanSouthwest Theatre Company ends its seasonwith the hit play by Steve Martin April 19-May5, at NMSU’s new Center for the Arts, 1000 E.University Ave. $10-15. (575) 646-4515.

‘The Temperamentals’ — El PasoPlayhouse, 2501 Montana, presents JohnMarans’s play about the founding of theMattachine Society April 19-May 11. $5-$10.532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.

‘Evita’ — UTEP Dinner Theatre presents theTim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber classicmusical about the life of Evita Peron April 19-May 12. 747-6060.

The Texas Tenors — The vocal group per-forms at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at theSpencer Theater, Alto N.M. $76 and $79. (575)336-4800 or spencertheater.com

RichterUzur Duo — 7:30 p.m. Saturday,April 20, at the Flickinger Center,Alamogordo. The duo performs originalarrangements blending classical and pop.Tickets: $10-$30. Information: (575) 437-2202or flickingercenter.com.

Bonnie Whalen and Paul Kroger —Music Forum El Paso presents the pianists per-forming four-hand piano at 2:30 p.m. Sunday,April 21, at El Paso Museum of Art. Admissionis free. Information: musicforum-elpaso.org

Sebastian Baverstam — Las Cruces CivicConcert Association presents the cellist at 7:30p.m. Sunday, April 21, at the Rio GrandeTheatre, Las Cruces. $20. (575) 521-4051.

‘Elvis Lives’ — Broadway in El Paso Seriespresents the multi-media live journey acrossElvis’ life at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27, PlazaTheatre. His iconic life and style are embracedby many of today’s artists, and the show fea-tures finalists from Elvis Presley Enterprises’worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contestas well as a tribute to Ann-Margret.(Ticketmaster).

42Five — Showtime El Paso concludes itsseason with the a capella group VoicePlay at2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the AbrahamChavez Theatre. This award-winning quintetsings songs from the ’60s to the tunes of today,including Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,”Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” and Three DogNight’s “Joy to the World.” Information: 544-2022 or ShowtimeElPaso.com.

“Elvis Lives!” — The Ultimate Elvis TributeArtist event is 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, April 28,at the Spencer Theater, Alto N.M. $53-$59.(575) 336-4800 or spencertheater.com.

May

LCSO with Mark Kosower — Las CrucesSymphony welcomes the guest cellist at 7:30p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 4-5, atNMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall. $35-$45.(575) 646-3709 or lascrucessymphony.com.

EPSYOs Season Finale Concert — ElPaso Symphony Youth Orchestras’ season finaleis 7 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the PlazaTheatre. Information: 525-8978 or epsyos.org.

Chamber Music Consortium of theSouthwest — Music Forum El Paso presentsthe chamber ensemble at 2:30 p.m. Sunday,May 19, at El Paso Museum of Art. Admissionis free. Information: musicforum-elpaso.org

‘The Addams Family’ — Broadway in ElPaso ºSeries presents the smash-hit comedythat brings to life the darkly delirious world ofGomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandma,Wednesday, Pugsley and Lurch at 8 p.m. Friday,May 24, at the Plaza Theatre. The spooky, sillyspectacular is for the whole family. Tickets tobe announced (Ticketmaster).

Silver City Blues Festival — May 24-26at Gough Park, Silver City. Sponsored by theMimbres Region Art Council. (575) 538-2505or mimbresarts.org.

‘And Then There Were None’ — El PasoPlayhouse, 2501 Montana, presents the AgathaChristie mystery May 24-June 15. $5-$10.532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.

Robert Michaels — The flamenco and Latinjazz guitar virtuoso performs at 7:30 p.m.Tuesday, May 28, at the Flickinger Center,Alamogordo. Tickets: $15-$35. Information:(575) 437-2202 or flickingercenter.com.

‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’— Las Cruces Community Theatre closes itsseason with the hit musical May 31-June 16 atthe Rio Grande Theatre, Las Cruces. $7-$10 .(575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.

June

‘Viva El Paso!’ — The summertime pageantreturns to McKelligan Canyon Amphitheatre,weekends in June through early August.Information: 433-3684 or viva-ep.org.

Music Under the Stars — The 30th sum-mer concert series runs Sundays June throughAugust at the Chamizal National Memorialamphitheater. Admission is free. Information:elpasoartsandculture.org.

Tailgate 2013 — The annual outdoor jazzconcert series in Alamogordo, N.M., raisingfunds for the Flickinger Center, begins at 8 p.m.on various Saturdays throughout the summer inthe upper parking lot at the New MexicoMuseum of Space History. Information: (575)437-2202. Online reservations at flickinger-center.com.

EPCC Summer Repertory — El PasoCommunity College Performer’s Studio pres-ents three summer shows in June and July atthe Transmountain Campus Forum Theatre onHwy 54; titles to be announced. Information:637-4029 or epcc.edu.

July

‘In The Heights’ — UTEP Dinner Theatrecloses its season with the 2008 Tony Awardwinning musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda July 5-21. Information: 747-6060.

‘The Gondoliers’ — The Gilbert andSullivan Company of El Paso’s 44th summerproduction is planned for July and August.Performances are usually in both El Paso andLas Cruces.

For years, Lola Productions has broughta unique mix of international performingarts to the El Paso area and the 2012-2013 “Signature Series” marks Lola’smost ambitious season ever.

The season’s seven shows range fromthe sacred sound of Tibetan monks toAmerican jazz and Creole, ballet, a clas-sical twist on contemporary favorites, atrip to the era of Buena Vista SocialClub and an immersive performance thatis literally “out of this world.”All shows are at UTEP’s Magoffin

Auditorium.Juanita Vasquez of Lola Productions

said Lola has played an important role innurturing the arts as well as energizingthe “social, economic and educationalfabric” of the city for the past 13 years.

“Lola Productions has been committedto the arts and culture in El Paso by pre-senting internationally renowned theatri-cal and musical stage productions rang-ing from jazz and off-Broadway, to fami-ly-oriented stage extravaganzas andspeakers,” she said.

The season begins Nov. 11 with“Sacred Music Sacred Dance” featuringTibetan Monks from the DrepungLoseling Monastery.

Endorsed by His Holiness the DalaiLama, the tour has three basic purposes:to make a contribution to world peaceand healing; to generate a greater aware-ness of the endangered Tibetan civiliza-tion; and to raise support for the Tibetanrefugee community in India. The per-formance features multiphonic singing,traditional instruments, dance and cos-tuming

Returning to El Paso Dec. 22 is thePreservation Hall Jazz Band with“Creole Christmas.”

The show is the resident band of thefamed Preservation Hall’s annual “must-see” event for audiences of all ages,bringing holiday classics with a NewOrleans twist such as “Swinging In aWinter Wonderland,” “I’m Dreaming OfA White Christmas,” “We Wish You AMerry Christmas,” “Bells Will BeRingin” and selections from the band’smost requested, timeless, crowd pleasers.All About Jazz magazine said this per-

formance gives audiences “a range ofemotions, from pure joy to awe, as thesegifted musicians ranging in age from 38to 78 took command of the stage todemonstrate how Christmas jazz is donein New Orleans.”

Lola’s first performance of 2013 is the“kamikaze” cabaret phenomenon MeowMeow Feb. 9.

Critics say Meow Meow “drags cabaretkicking and screaming into the 21st cen-tury” and have hailed her a “cabaret divaof the highest order” among other acco-lades.

She performs in venues as diverse asthe Sydney Opera House, Joe's Pub inNew York, London's West End and innumerous international arts festivals. Sheis a frequent collaborator with an eclec-

tic mix of the world's greatest artisticvisionaries such as Pina Bausch, DavidBowie, Iain Grandage, Pink Martini,John Cameron Mitchell, and the DresdenDolls among others.

On Feb. 21 is the immersive production“Bella Gaia” (Beautiful Earth) thatexpresses the deeply moving beauty ofplanet Earth as seen through the eyes ofastronauts by simulating space flight.Created by award-winning composer andviolinist Kenji Williams in collaborationwith NASA, “Bella Gaia” features a liveperformance by Kenji and world musi-cians, against a large screen backdrop oforbiting visualizations of Earth fromspace.

The “Bella Gaia” experience is so richeven NASA Astronaut and spacewalkerPier Sellers was impressed.

“Bella Gaia is just beautiful,” Sellerssaid of the show. “It really felt like I wasback in space.”

The sound of Buena Vista Social Club-inspired Cuban music is March 3 withJuan de Marcos & the Afro-Cuban AllStars. Following in the footsteps of leg-endary Cuban orchestras Los Van Vanand Irakere, the Afro-Cuban All Starshave become one of the best-known andmost successful Cuban orchestras per-forming today.

The series concludes with two very dif-ferent yet equally enjoyable performanc-es in April, starting with Les BalletTrockadero de Monte Carlo April 13.

Founded in 1974 by a group of balletenthusiasts for the purpose of presentinga playful, entertaining view of tradition-al, classical ballet in parody form, LesBallets Trockadero is an inspired blendof a loving knowledge of dance, impec-cable comic approach and the astoundingfact that men can, indeed, dance enpointe without falling flat on their faces.

The series’ grand finale on April 17 isone of the hottest classically trained duosperforming today, 2 Cellos.

The duo Luka Sulic and Stjepan’sunique cello version of “SmoothCriminal” by Michael Jackson ontoYouTube went viral, receiving more than5 million views. The song debuted atNo. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 DigitalSongs Chart. Their self-titled CD fea-tures arrangements for works byNirvana, Guns N’ Roses, Coldplay andmore.

Vasquez said this series presents abroad international spectrum of eventsthat will uplift audiences with spectacu-lar and unforgettable performances.

“All of the shows in the series havereceived critical acclaim, and togetherthey offer jazz, Latin music, cabaret, theancient sounds of Tibetan chanting, andballet performances,” she said. “It’s ascintillating mix that we are truly excitedabout.”

Ticket sales begin Sept. 14 at the UTEPTicket Center at 747-5234 or throughTicketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.

Lola offers 7-show

‘Signature Series’



El Paso Chopin Music FestivalThe El Paso Chopin Music Festival was

founded in 1995 by Dr. Lucy Scarbrough,Musician in Residence at El Paso CommunityCollege, and is sponsored by El PasoCommunity College and El Paso ChopinMusic Festival Society.

Mailing address is 260 Puesta del Sol, ElPaso, TX 79912. Information: 584-1595,[email protected] or elpaso-chopin.com.• Oct. 13: Lucy Scarbrough• Oct. 27: Andrew Tyson• Nov. 10: Igor Lovchinsky

Performances are at EPCC’s TransmountainCampus Forum Theatre (Oct. 13) 9670Gateway North, and Chamizal NationalMemorial, 800 S. San Marcial. Admission isfree, early arrival strongly recommended.

El Paso Community CollegeDepartment of Drama

El Paso Community College’s Performer’sStudio, or “The Studio” presents its productionsat EPCC’s Transmountain Forum Theatre, 9670Gateway North (off Diana). Information: 831-3205 or epcc.edu/theater. Ticket information tobe announced.• Sept. 27-Oct. 6: The Last Days of JudasIscariot• Oct. 25-Nov. 3: Brighton Beach Memoirs• Feb. 28-March 9: Godspell• April 11-20: The Children’s Hour

2013 Summer Repertory shows to beannounced.

El Paso Convention andPerforming Arts Center(CPAC)

CPAC produces, promotes, markets and man-ages events in the El Paso Convention Center,Plaza Theatre, Abraham Chavez Theatre,McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre and othercity-owned venues. Broadway in El Paso, nowin its 9th season, is presented at the PlazaTheatre for Performing Arts. Information: 534-0609 or elpasocvb.com• Nov. 19: A Chorus Line• Dec. 11: Cirque Dreams Holidaze• Jan. 15: Hair• Feb. 6: The Midtown Men• March 24: Michael Flatley’s Lord of theDance• April 27: Elvis Lives!• May 24-25: The Addams Family

Six show series tickets: $205 and $345. Fiveshow series (A Chorus Line, Hair, MidtownMen, Elvis Lives and Addams Family) is $170and $290. Four show series (A Chorus Line,Hair, Midtown Men and Addams Family) is$135 and $230. Season extra: Michael Flatley’s“Lord of the Dance,” tickets are $30-$55.Season tickets information: 231-1111.Individual tickets available throughTicketmaster: 544-8444 or ticketmaster.com.

El Paso PlayhouseEl Paso Playhouse is El Paso’s longest-run-

ning community theater, presentingcomedy,mystery, musical and light drama productions.The Playhouse is at 2501 Montana, El Paso, TX79903. Information: 532-1317, [email protected] or elpasoplayhouse.com• Sept. 7-29: Last of the Red Hot Lovers• Oct. 12-Nov. 3: Arsenic and Old Lace• Nov. 16-Dec. 8: Lend Me A Tenor• Dec. 14-22: It’s A Wonderful Life• Feb. 9-March 2: Sylvia• March 15-April 6: Harvey• April 19-May 11: The Tempermentals• May 24-June 15: And Then There WereNone

Tickets: $10 ($8 seniors, $7 military/studentswith ID).

El Paso OperaEl Paso Opera began in 1994 and presents for-

mal and informal opera performances at a vari-ety of venues. Director is David Grabarkewitz.Offices are at 310 N. Mesa, Suite 601.Information: 581-5534, [email protected] orepopera.org

• Sept. 7: Opera for All• Oct. 25-26 and Oct. 28: Die Fledermaus• Dec. 1-2: The Birth of Opera• March 14-16: The Barber of Seville

Performances are at Abraham Chavez Theatrefor “Opera for All” and “The Barber ofSeville,” the Summit Ballroon, 126 N. Festivalfor “Die Fledermaus” and El Paso Museum ofArt, One Art Festival Plaza, for “The Birth ofOpera.”

“Opera for All” tickets are $25; free for ages16 and younger. “Die Fledermaus” tickets are$64 ($57.60 for season subscribers; $51.20 forseniors subscribers, active military, students andeducators). “The Birth of Opera” tickets are $40($75 couples) for Saturday; $25 all ticketsSunday. “The Barber of Seville” tickets areTickets: $40, $55, $70, $85 and $90 ($18, $20,$36, $49.50, $63, $76.50 and $81 for seasonsubscribers).

El Paso Pro-MusicaFounded in 1977, El Paso Pro-Musica has

established itself as the premiere chambermusic organization in the region. Along with itsMain Series Season, the El Paso Pro-MusicaChamber Music Festival each January includesperformances by world-renowned musicalartists, educational outreach, free “Bach’sLunch” performances and a free Film Series.Artistic Director is Zuill Bailey, and ExecutiveDirector is Felipa Solis.

Offices are at 6557 North Mesa, El Paso,Texas 79912. Information: 833-9400, 833-9425,

[email protected] or eppm.org.• Oct. 4: Golden Age Exhibit Special ConcertZuill Bailey• Oct. 16: Yolanda Kondonnassis• Nov. 8-9: Ying String Quartet• Jan. 10-Feb. 3: El Paso Pro-Musica ChamberMusic Festival• March 5: Time for Three, Classically TrainedGarage Band• April 10: EPPM 100 Special Event withPianist Awadagin Pratt

Performances are planned at El Paso Museumof Art, Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall-UTEP,Atkinson Recital Hall-NMSU, Western HillsUnited Methodist Church, Plaza Theater withother venues to be announced.

Tickets are $25 ($20 seniors and military, $5);available in advance or at the door at all con-certs. Special Season Ticket Packages availableat eppm.org, at the EPPM office or by calling833-9400.

El Paso Symphony OrchestraNow in its 82nd season, the symphony con-

tinues auditions this season for its new conduc-tor, with a guest conductor each performance.The symphony’s pre-concert events include theBackstage Pass dress rehearsal and casual din-ner, “Opening Notes,” pre-concert discussionsone hour before the classical concerts.

Mailing address is P.O. Box 180, El Paso, TX79942. Information: 532-EPSO (3776),[email protected] or epso.org.• Sept. 21-22: Guest conductor Arthur Post,guest soloist Ilya Yakushev• Oct. 19-20: Guest conductor BohuslavRattay, guest harpist Yolanda Kondanissis• Nov. 16-17: Guest conductor Andrés Franco,

guest vocalists El Paso Choral Society, TheaCordova, Melissa Parks, Levi Hernandez andFrancisco A. Almanza• Jan. 25-26: Guest conductor Lawrence Low,guest musicians Madalyn Parnas and CecilyParnas• Feb. 6-8: Young People’s Concerts• Feb. 22-23: Guest conductor Peter Rubardt,guest violinist Livia Sohn• April 19-20: Emeritus conductor GürerAykal, guest pianist Jon Nakamatsu

Individual tickets are $15, $20, $30, $35 and$40. Season tickets are $ $63, $87, $150, $171and $201. Ticket information: 532-3776.

El Paso Symphony YouthOrchestras

EPYSOs were founded in 2005 as anEducational Program of the El Paso SymphonyOrchestra. Its current director is Andres Moran.The symphony includes talented young musi-cians age 8-22 from throughout the El Pasoarea.

Information: 525-8978 or EPSYOs.org.• Nov. 18: Fall Concert• Feb. 19: Winter Concert• March 17: “Side-by-Side” Concert with ElPaso Symphony Orchestra• May 11: Season finale concert

Performances are at The Plaza Theatre forthe Performing Arts and Abraham ChavezTheatre (Winter Concert). Ticket information tobe announced.

El Paso Wind SymphonyThe El Paso Wind Symphony, founded by its

current director Dr. Ron Hufstader in 1995,offers a five-concert season at UTEP’s Fox FineArts Recital Hall. They also perform at theChamizal each July 4 for the annual patrioticshow and fireworks display. The 2012-2013season to be announced. Mailing address is P.O.Box 22038, El Paso, TX 79913. Information:760-5599 or elpasowindsymphony.com.

Gilbert and Sullivan Company of El Paso

The Gilbert and Sullivan Company of ElPaso (G&S) was founded in 1969 by the lateJoan Quarm, and presented its first operetta,“Patience” in the spring of 1970. The companyis committed to producing and presenting theoperettas of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivanand other allied endeavors to the general public.Artistic Director is Stephanie J. Conwell andco-business manager is Alicia A. Williamson.Mailing address is 10132 Cork El Paso, TX79925. Information: 591-6210, 584-9319 orGandSelpaso.org.

Performances are held each July in El Pasoat venues such as Adobe Horseshoe, ChamizalNational Memorial or Scottish Rite Theatre,with additional performances in early August atthe Black Box Theatre in Las Cruces. The 2013production is “The Gondoliers.”

Kids-N-Co.Kids-N-Co. is a non-profit organization that

provides quality theater experience and hands-on theatrical training to area youth. Camps andclasses are offered throughout the year for 5 to21-year-olds. Stage plays for the entire familyare presented each season.

Performances are at Kids-N-Co. Educationand Performance Center, 1301 Texas, withadditional performances at Chamizal NationalMemorial. Ticket information to be announced.

Mailing address is P.O. Box 971333, El Paso,TX 79997. Information: 351-1455, kidsnco.orgor [email protected].• Oct. 5-28: The Canterville Ghost• Nov. 23-Dec. 16: Seussical the Musical • Jan. 18-Feb. 10: If the Shoe Fits• March 1-24: A Midsummer Night’s Dream• April 19-May 12: To be announced.• Aug. 16-Sept. 8: To be announced.

Lola Productions, Inc.For over 13 years, Lola Productions has pre-

sented internationally renowned theatrical andmusical stage productions ranging from jazzand off-Broadway, to family-oriented stageextravaganzas and speakers. Lola Productionsis the presenting company of Juanita Vasquez.This year marks the start of a full season ofseven shows through its Signature Series. LolaProductions can be reached at [email protected].• Nov. 11: Sacred Music Sacred Dance• Dec. 22: Preservation Hall Jazz Band “CreoleChristmas”• Feb. 9: Meow Meow• Feb. 21: Bella Gaia• March 3: Juan de Marcos & The Afro-CubanAll Stars• April 13: Les Ballet Trockadero de MonteCarlo• April 17: 2Cellos (Sulic & Hauser)All performances are at UTEP’s Magoffin

Auditorium. Tickets available via Ticketmasterbeginning Sept. 14.

Music Forum El PasoMusic Forum El Paso begins it 24th season

this year as a non-profit presenter of free con-certs, promoting classical music and musiciansthrough performances, educational outreach andfundraising efforts. Information: musicforum-elpaso.org.• Sept. 16: John Siquieros, guitar• Oct. 14, March 17 and May 19: ChamberMusic Consortium of the Southwest• Nov. 18: Zeke Meza, piano• Feb. 17: Oscar Macchioni, piano• April 21: Bonnie Whalen and Paul Kroger,pianoAll performances are at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays

at El Paso Museum of Art. Admission is free,but memberships for supporters are availablestarting at $15.

Showtime! El PasoFormerly El Paso Community Concerts, the

organization began in 1934 as part of the nation-wide Community Concerts network. The El Pasoassociation renamed itself in 2003 but remains anon-profit organization dedicated to the found-ing principles of Community Concerts, provid-ing a variety of top-class entertainment at a veryaffordable season subscription rate.

Mailing address is P.O. Box 3797, El Paso TX79923. Information: 544-2022 or showtimeelpa-so.com• Sept. 23: Legacy of Floyd Cramer• Oct. 21: Tap — The Show• Jan. 20: Masters of Motown• Feb. 24: Terry Barber• April 28: VoicePlay (42Five)All performances are at the Abraham Chavez

Theatre. Season tickets are $85 ($35 youth andstudent). Family season packages are $205.Parking passes are $25 (covers all five shows).Individual tickets to be announced.

UTEP Dinner TheatreThe University of Texas at El Paso Dinner

Theatre, started in 1983 when current dinnertheatre director Gregory Taylor was a graduatestudent at the university. The Theatre office isat 207 Union West, El Paso, TX 79968-0552.Information: 747-6060, utep.edu/udt,[email protected].• Oct. 12-28: Monty Pythons’ Spamalot• Feb. 1-17: Grease

Guide to PerformingArts Organizations

• April 19-May 12: Evita• July 5-21: In The Heights

Performances are at UTEP’s Union Ballroom.Tickets range from $33-$45 for Friday andSaturday dinner performances; $30-$40 forWednesday, Thursday and Sunday matinee din-ner shows and $16-$26 for non-dinner mati-nees. Tickets available at the University TicketCenter: 747-5234 or utep.edu/tickets.

UTEP Department of Theatre and Dance

The department, hosts a variety of popularand original plays that highlight the talents ofthe university’s students and faculty. The cele-brated UTEP Ballet is also part of the depart-ment. Department chair is Dr. Joel Murray.Mailing address is 500 West University Ave.,Fox D 371, El Paso, TX 79968. Information:747-5146 or utep.edu/theatre• Sept. 21-30: Othello• Oct. 12-14: Reentry• Nov. 14-18: The Fever Chart: Three Visionsof the Middle East• Dec. 16-22: A Christmas Carol• Feb. 15-24: Hit The Road Jack! A Tribute tothe Songs of Ray Charles and Other Dances.• March 13-17: Electricidad• April 19-29: EurydiceAll performances are at UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts

Wise Family Theatre or Studio Theatre. Tickets for the Wise Family Theatre are $12

($10 UTEP faculty/staff/alumni associationmembers, seniors, military, groups of 10 ormore and non-UTEP students; $9 UTEP stu-dents and children age 4 to 12). Tickets forStudio Theatre shows are $9 ($8 UTEP facul-ty/staff/alumni association members, seniors,military, groups of 10 or more and non-UTEPstudents; $7 UTEP students and children age 4to 12). Ticket information (theatre box office):747-5118.

Southern New Mexico

American Southwest TheatreCompany

Formed in 1984 by Tony Award winningplaywright Mark Medoff and Dr. Bruce Street,American Southwest Theatre Company is acompany of theatre professionals and guestartists that work alongside. NMSU’sDepartment of Theatre Arts. Department Headis Tom Smith.

Mailing address is Box 30001, Dept. 3072,

Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001. Information:

(575) 646-4515, 1-800-525-ASTC ortheatre.nmsu.edu/astc• Sept. 28-Oct. 14: High Desert Production• Nov. 16-Dec. 9: The Rocky Horror Show• Feb. 22-March 10: Our Town• April 19-May 5: Picasso at the Lapin Agile

Performances are at NMSU’s Hershel ZohnTheatre, 3014 McFie Circle and the newNMSU Center for the Arts, 1000 E. Universityin Las Cruces. Individual tickets are $15 ($13seniors/NMSU staff and faculty with ID; $10NMSU students and students age 3-17 withID). Season packages range from $52- to $100.

Doña Ana Arts Council andRio Grande Theatre

Doña Ana Arts Council, Inc. (DAAC) is anon-profit organization working to improve thequality of life in Las Cruces and Southern NewMexico by ensuring the performing, visual andliterary arts are an integral part of education,economic growth and community development.

Mailing address is P.O. Box 1721, LasCruces, NM 88004. Information: (575) 523-6403, [email protected] [email protected] or riograndetheatre.com• Sept. 8: The Man in Black: The Music ofJohnny Cash• Oct. 10: Hot Club of San Francisco• Oct. 19-20: Flamenco!

• Nov. 11: Simply Streisand• Feb. 12: Tommy Dorsey Orchestra• April 6: Baby Boomer Comedy Show

Other shows:

• Sept. 14-30: Driftwood Production’s “Bellsof Old Mesilla.”• Dec. 14-23: Driftwood Production’s “LosPastores”• Feb. 8-24: Driftwood Production’s “I LoveYou, You’re Perfect, Now Change”• March 16: We Are One, Dance and Drum• May 10-26: Driftwood Production’s“Messhugah Nuns.”All performances at the Rio Grande Theatre,

211 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces, N.M.Prices vary. Every Other Tuesday performancesare free. Ticket information: (575) 523-6403.

Flickinger Center forPerforming Arts

The Flickinger Center opened more than adecade ago to offer the surrounding communi-ties a place to enjoy world-class entertainment,from local talent to performers from around theworld. The center’s popular summer TailgateSeries bring live music to the AlamogordoMuseum of Space History every other Saturdayin June, July and August.

The center is at 1110 New York Ave. inAlamogordo, NM 88310. Information: (575)437-2202 or flickingercenter.com.

Premiere Series:

• Sept. 21: Craicmore• Oct. 14: Dala• Nov. 10: Eisenhower Dance Company• Dec. 8: Mariachi Christmas• Jan. 25: Moscow Nights• Feb. 14: Chocolate Buffet with Masters ofHawaiian Music• March 4: Rhythm of the Dance• April 20: RichterUzer Duo• May 28: Robert Michaels

Season tickets are $104, $153, $193 and $224(nine show package). Individuals show ticketsvary.

Grant County CommunityConcert Association

Mailing address is P.O. Box 2722, SilverCity, NM 88062. Information: (575) 538-5862or [email protected] or [email protected]• Sept. 21: The Legacy of Floyd Cramer• Nov. 2: VoicePlay• Feb.23: Terry Barber• March 23: La Catrina String Quartet• April 12: Side Street StruttersAll performances are at WNMU’s Fine Arts

Center in Silver City, N.M. Individual ticketsare $20 ($5 students 17 and younger). Seasonpackages are $45.

Las Cruces Civic ConcertAssociation

Established by Las Crucens in 1945, the non-profit, all-volunteer organization presentsnational and international musical events.Mailing address is P.O. Box 16112, Las Cruces,NM 88004 Information: (575) 521-4051. • Sept. 20: The Legacy of Floyd Cramer• Dec. 2: Ron Thielman’s Big Band• Jan. 27: Lee Trio• April 21: Sebastian BaverstamAll performances are in the Rio Grande

Theatre, 211 N. Downdown Mall in LasCruces. Individual show tickets: $20.

Las Cruces CommunityTheatre

Now in their 48th season, the all-volunteer,non-profit theatre has performed at the LasCruces Downtown Mall since 1977. Mailingaddress is P.O. Box 1281, Las Cruces, NM88004-1281.• Sept. 7-23; When You Comin’ Back, RedRyder?• Oct. 19-Nov. 4: Steel Magnolias

Showtime! El Paso has been a consis-tent presence in El Paso’s performingarts scene for several years as the city’slargest and oldest all-volunteer present-ing organization.

The organization began in the early1930s as El Paso Community Concerts,with the purpose of bringing affordablelive entertainment to the El Paso area ina time when economic hardships in thenation made it difficult for touring enter-tainment to find paying venues.

The Community Concert concept waspart of a New York-based network oflocally based performing arts non-profitorganizations operating under the con-cept that money for touring acts wouldbe raised in advance by selling a wholeseason at a time. El Paso came on boardthe Community Concert plan in 1934. In2003, the association changed its nameto Showtime! El Paso, but has continuedto pursue its original intent of live enter-tainment opportunities at very affordableticket prices.

Since its founding, nearly 600,000audience members in the El Paso areahave enjoyed concerts with some of themost popular entertainers of their time.The initial years included such stars asVladimir Horowitz, Nelson Eddy, LilyPons and Yehudi Menuhin. Showtimecontinues to boast one of the largest per-forming arts memberships in the city,with about 700 season subscribers.

This season’s shows include pianistJason Coleman and “Tap: The Show” inthe fall, and Masters of Motown, coun-tertenor Terry Barber and a capellagroup VoicePlay (formerly 42Five) inthe winter and early spring.

Opening the season Sept. 23 isColeman’s “Legacy of Floyd Cramer.”As the grandson of piano legend FloydCramer, Jason Coleman keeps Cramer’sdistinct sound alive through his musicaland performance skill. Coleman hasbeen playing the piano since he couldreach the keys and made his Grand OleOpry debut at age 17. He was also giventhe honor of playing for the CountryMusic Hall of Fame MedallionCeremony recognizing his grandfather’sinduction into the Hall of Fame.

Coleman says his touring experience,which begin in 2010, has been “unfor-gettable, especially being able to hearstories from people in every city he visit-ed about what an impact Cramer’s musichas had on their lives.

“I’m excited now to be able to continuesharing these ‘Legacy of Floyd Cramer’concerts with audiences across the coun-try,” he says. “I feel truly blessed to havelived such a rewarding life up to thispoint.”

“Tap: The Show,” which comes to ElPaso Oct. 21, is winner of the HeartbeatAward, the top accolade by theInternational Association of Amusement

Parks and Attractions as one of the resi-dent shows at Hershypark inPennsylvania. It features a cast of eightdancers and two singers who travelthrough the decades, from Broadway andthe Big Band era to contemporary popand rock. Critics have called the show a“powerhouse production” with iconic tapmoments and impressive professionalism.

The 2013 concerts kick off Jan. 20 withMasters of Motown, a 10-member castof singers and musicians who reproducethe aura of the Motown sound by takingon the personas of artists like StevieWonder, Four Tops, Diana Ross and theSupremes and the Jackson Five.

Venues across the country have ravedabout the group’s continuous ability todraw sell-out crowds and garner standingovations with each show.

“I have never seen a group so warmlyreceived by an audience,” Martha Coferof Grenada Arts in Mississippi said of arecent show. “They won over the audi-ence on the first note and continued per-forming with thundering applause to theend. We wanted them to play all night.”

Countertenor Terry Barber, who per-forms Feb. 24 for Showtime, joined theroster of the Metropolitan Opera in 2002for their staging of “Sly,” starring operalegend Placido Domingo. In 2001, hemade his New York City Opera debut in“Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria and cov-ered Daniel Taylor in the NYC Opera’sproduction of Handel’s “Rinaldo” star-ring David Daniels. He made hisCarnegie Hall debut in 2004 as Orlovskywith the National Chorale’s performanceof “Die Fledermaus” under the directionof Martin Josman. As a countertenor’s voice range is the

equivalent of a mezzo-soprano, Barber’svocal ability is a rare talent among maleperformers. His voice has been hailed asa “rippling tone of warm silver, bothexciting and tenderly moving, that isunusually satisfying.”

The season concludes April 28 withaward-winning a capella quintet“VoicePlay” (formerly known as42Five), singing songs from the ‘60sthrough current day such as Journey’s“Don’t Stop Believing,” Queen’s “Don’tStop Me Now” and Three Dog Night’s“Joy to the World.”

Their latest CD, “Once Upon a Time,”pays tribute to the magical world animat-ed films and other stories such as “GrimGrinning Ghosts” from Disney’sHaunted Mansion attraction to the themefrom “Rango.”All performances are at 2:30 p.m. at

Abraham Chavez Theatre. Season ticketsare $85 for all five concerts, and areinterchangeable for all shows with openseating. For information visit show-timeelpaso.com.

Showtime! openswith ‘Legacy ofFloyd Cramer’


• Dec. 7-23: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas• Feb. 1-17: The Mousetrap• April 5-23: Twelve Angry Men• May 31-June 16: The Best LittleWhorehouse in Texas

Season tickets are $50 for adults and $45 forseniors, military and students. Individual showtickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, mili-tary and students, $8 each for groups of ten ormore and $7 for children under age 6.Reservations may be made one week prior toeach show.

Las Cruces Symphony The Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra at New

Mexico State University, directed by LonnieKlein, offers classical, pops concerts,youth/family concerts and a Chamber Orchestraconcert.

Mailing address is P.O. Box 1622Las Cruces,NM 88004. Information: (575) 646-3709, [email protected] orlascrucesymphony.com.• Sept. 29-30: Classics One: NM CentennialWorld Premiere• Oct. 27-28: Classics Two: Guest JamesHoulik, saxophone• Nov. 8 and 11: Youth and Family Concert• Dec. 1-2: Classics Three: Guest NormanKrieger, piano• Jan. 18-19: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s“Carousel”• Feb. 2-3: Classics Four: Guest IlyaYakushev, piano• April 6-7: Classics Five: Guests EdwardArron, Jeremy Denk and Stephen Jakiw• May 4-5: Classics Six: Guets MarkKosower, cello

Performances are at New Mexico StateUniversity Atkinson Recital Hall, 1075 N.Horseshoe; and the Las Cruces ConventionCenter, 680 E. University in Las Cruces.Season tickets are $165-$240; $35, $40 and $45for individual Classics Series concerts; $35,$45 and $55 for Pops concert.

Mimbres Region Arts CouncilThe Mimbres Region Arts Council just com-

pleted its 33rd year and has been rated the No.1 Local Arts Council in New Mexico by NewMexico Arts multiple times. Offices are at 1201Pope Street, Silver City, N.M. Mailing addressis PO Box 1830, Silver City, NM 88062.Information: (575) 538-2505, [email protected] or mimbresarts.org.

Main venue is the WNMU Fine Arts Center inSilver City.• Sept. 7-8: Pickamania (Gough Park)• Oct. 26: Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra,presented with GCCCA• March 6: Rhythm of the Dance• May 24-26: Silver City Blues Festival(Gough ParkK

Folk Series (Buckhorn Opera House in PinosAltos, N.M)• Nov. 16: Eliza Gilkyson• March 22: Mark Erelli• April 13: Work o’ the Weavers

Folk Series and Performance Series tickets are$20 ($15 MRAC members); Blues Festival andPickamania! performances are free.

NMSU Cultural SeriesThe series, created by the Associated Students

of New Mexico State University (ASNMSU),and brings a variety of musical performances ina variety of cultures and genres from around theworld.

Mailing address is Box 30001 Dept. 3SE, LasCruces, NM 88003. Information: (575) 646-4413 or panam.nmsucom.edu.• Sept. 7: ETHEL and Robert Mirabel• Sept. 20: Canteca de Macao• Nov. 15: Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys• Jan. 24: H’Sao• Feb. 7: Nation Beat• March 7: Dala

All performances are at the Atkinson MusicRecital Hall on the NMSU campus. Individualtickets are $15 ($10 NMSU students). Seasontickets are $81. Tickets information: (575) 646-1420 or panam.nmsucom.edu.

No Strings Theatre Company No String Theatre Company is a community-

based non-profit organization dedicated toexpanding theater horizons in Las Cruces.Artistic Director is Ceil Herman.

Mailing address is 430 N. Downtown Mall inLas Cruces, 88001. Information: (575) 523-1223, no-strings.org or [email protected]• Sept. 28-Oct 14: The Importance of BeingErnest• Nov. 9-25: Still Life With Iris• Feb. 14: Love Letters• March 1-17: Twitch• April 12-28: Dead Man’s Cell Phone

Performances are at the Black Box Theatre,430 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces.Individual tickets are $10 ($9 students and sen-iors over 65 and $7 all seats Thursday).Regular season tickets are $50; $45 for seniorsand students. Reservations: (575) 523-1223 orno-strings.org.

Spencer Theater for thePerforming Arts

The Spencer Theater for Performing Artsopened in 1997. Noted for its striking architec-ture and location on a mesa framed by moun-tains, the facility includes a 514-seat perform-ance hall. The theater is at 108 Spencer Road,Airport Highway 220 in Alto, NM 88312.Information : (888) 818-7872 or (575) 336-4800 or spencertheater.com• Sept. 1: Lovin’ Spoonful (2012 summer sea-son finale)• Oct. 3: Cirque Chinois• Oct. 11: David Ball and the Pioneer Playboys • Nov. 3: Capitol Steps• Nov. 20-21: A Chorus Line• Dec. 1: The Platters• Dec. 21-23: Ruidoso Dance Ensemble pres-ents The Nutcracker• Jan. 29: Nunset Boulevard• Feb. 2: Stomp• Feb. 14: Valentine Soiree• Feb. 25: Monty Python’s Spamalot• March 3: Rhythm of the Dance• March 9: Fiddler on the Roof• April 6: The Fab Four• April 28: Elvis Lives!

2013 summer season begins in late May orearly June and run through August. Season tobe announced.

Individual ticket prices vary. Season ticketpackages available.

Other presenters, choirs andorchestras:• El Paso Civic Orchestra, 584-1595 or [email protected]• El Paso Community College MusicDepartment: 584-1595• El Paso Youth Choir 422-8793. • El Paso Youth Symphony Orchestra, withmaestro Phillip Gabriel Garcia: 820-2952,EPYSO.com.• El Paso Chorale, El Paso Choral Society andEl Paso Conservatory or Music: 479-1056.• Impact|Programs of Excellence, impactpro-gramsofexcellence.org• Mesilla Valley Chorale: Shows include theHoliday Concert Dec. 9. in the Rio GrandeTheatre. Information: (575) 647-2530.• New Horizons Band and Goodtime Singers:(575) 523-1652• NMSU Music Department: (575) 646-2421,nmsu.edu/~music/• UTEP Music Department: 747-5606,music.utep.edu.• Young El Paso Singers and the EliteEnsemble: 227-6002 or youngelpasosingers.org.

Frederic Francois Chopin lived to beonly 39 years old, yet his musical legacyhas spanned over two centuries andreached around the world to millions ofmusic lovers. They include the thou-sands of El Pasoans who for 18 yearshave enjoyed world-class pianists per-forming the Polish master’s works at theEl Paso Chopin Music Festival.

Each year the three-concert series cele-brates the “Poet of the Piano” to stand-ing-room-only audiences.A performance by festival founder and

artistic director, Dr. Lucy ScarbroughbyScarbrough will open the festival Oct. 13at El Paso Community College’sTransmountain Campus Forum Theatre.

Scarbrough has founded several presti-gious artistic events and groups includ-ing College Arts Festival and El PasoCivic Orchestra, both of which sheserved as director. She served on theChopin Foundation of the United States’Selection Jury for the National ChopinCompetitions in 2005 and 2010, respec-tively.

In addition to Chopin's music,Scarbrough will play her own composi-tions, “Puerto de Luna” and “MephistoBrujo. “Puerto de Luna is passionate andromantic. Mephisto Brujo represents theburning of the evil spirit. It will be quitea scintillating experience,” she said.

The festival’s final two performances,featuring American pianist AndrewTyson on Oct. 27 and Russian performerIgor Lovchinsky on Nov. 10, will takeplace at Chamizal National Memorial.

“This year, I am particularly happy tohave First-Prize winners of national andinternational piano competitions,”Scarbrough said. “It is like having thegold medal winners of the Olympics (forthe piano) appearing here in El Paso.”

Tyson is the First Prize Winner of the2011 Young Concert Artists InternationalAuditions and will make his New Yorkdebut at Merkin Hall and hisWashington, D.C. debut at the KennedyCenter’s Terrace Theater this season inthe Young Concert Artists Series.

Lovchinsky has been hailed byGramophone as a “star of the future.”His debut CD features music by Chopinas well as other works.

Scarbrough said the Chamizal hasalways served the festival well, but thatthe newly renovated Forum Theater’sacoustics are perfect for intimate con-certs and the second venue “will broadenthe spectrum of our audience.”

Showtime for all performances is 7p.m. Although admission is free, seatingis limited and fills up quickly, so earlyarrival is encouraged. For more informa-tion, go to elpaso-chopin.com.

Chopin Festival adds

Forum Theatre as venue

Once again, the NMSU Cultural serieshas put together a diverse sampling ofworld music mixed with the multicultur-al tapestry of American sounds.Although the series always features

great variety, said Barbara Welch, incharge Marketing and Booking for PanAmerican Center, this year’s acts arereally high-energy.

“Most of the artists this year playmusic that is uptempo and a lot of fun —from the eclectic world music of NationBeat to the New Orleans’ style of SteveRiley and the Mamou Playboys,” shesaid. “I can pretty much guarantee thatpeople will be dancing in the aisles.”

The quartet ETHEL and Grammy -win-ning Native American flutist RobertMirabel join together to open the seasonSept. 7. Using the instruments of thestring quartet, Native American flutesand drums, as well as the voices of stu-dents and community members, ETHELand Mirabal create a cross-cultural con-temporary music event.

The eclectic Spanish band Canteca deMacao performs Sept. 20, with a soundthat includes bits of reggae, jazz, rockand Mediterranean influence, all whichcan be heard on their latest album“Nunca Es Tarde.” Also inspired by Latin sounds, the

American/Brazilian Nation Beat arrivesin Las Cruces Feb. 7. Nation Beat playsa 21st century mashup inspired byBrazilian maracatu drumming, NewOrleans second line rhythms, funk and

country-blues. They were the firstAmerican group to record in Brazil withlegendary Mestre Walter and MaracatuNação Estrela Brilhante.

The a capella group H’Sao providessounds from a different region Jan. 24,drawing from gospel, traditional Africanmusic, as well as their Chadian roots. Allthe members of this Montréal afro-popgroup are singer/songwriters.

Two tributes to American music diver-sity are New Orleans Cajun band SteveRiley and the Mamou Playboys Nov. 15,and folk duo Dala, which closes out theseason March 7.

The Mamou Playboys’ release “Traceof Time” garnered them a Grammy nom-ination in the worldwide field of tradi-tional folk music. The band’s latestalbum “Grand Isle” was also nominatedfor a Grammy.

Dala, consisting of Amanda Waltherand Sheila Carabine, are Juno nomineesand winners of the 2010 Canadian FolkMusic Award for Vocal Group of theYear. Their original songs draw uponinfluences like The Beatles, JoniMitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan. All events this year are at 8 p.m. at

NMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall inLas Cruces. Tickets are $15 or $10 forNMSU students. Season tickets are $81,available at the Pan American CenterTicket Office on the NMSU campus.Additional fees may apply. For moreinformation (575) 646-1420 orpanam.nmsu.edu.

NMSU series big on variety


2012-2013 performing arts guide

Documents