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TMCNet: Good to go [Las Cruces Sun-News, N.M.]

[January 15, 2010]

Good to go [Las Cruces Sun-News, N.M.]

(Las Cruces Sun-News (NM) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 15--LAS CRUCES -- Go for the drama at opening nights of "Godspell" at the Black Box, the annual one-act play fiesta at Las Cruces Community Theatre or Bob Diven "Live at Boba Cafe." It's also a big weekend for dance with a convention at NMSU, with workshops and public performances. Big band fans can catch performances by Big Band on the Rio Grande and Jazz Unlimited Big Band.


Here's a sampling of what's happening.

"Godspell," one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway musical hits of all time, based primarily on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, runs today through Jan. 31 at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 24 and 31, and a Thursday performance on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, $9 students and seniors over 65 and $7 for all on Thursday. Reservations and info: (575) 523-1223 or online at http://www.no-strings.org Las Cruces singer-songwriter Bob Diven will present his original songs about life, love and road-kill -- and maybe dinosaurs- in "Happy To Be Here" today and Saturday at Boba Cafe, 1900 S. Espina St. Las Cruces. Dinner performances seat at 6 p.m., and show time is 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and include choice of appetizer, entree, beverage (beer/wine included) and gratuity. The cocktail shows seat at 8:15 p.m., show at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 or $8 for students and seniors (65 and older). Info and reservations: (575) 647-5900.

The "Howling Coyote Coffeehouse/Open Mic" begins at 7 p.m. today with sign-up for artists at 6:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, 1809 El Paseo, across from Las Cruces High School. Info: Bob Burns (575) 525-9333 or (915) 799-5684.

Five innovative contemporary artists will show paintings, drawings, sculpture and mixed-media works at the 2010 Winter Exhibition, opening with an artists' reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at Preston Contemporary Art Center at 1755 Avenida de Mercado, at the Mercado de la Mesilla off Avenida de Mesilla. Join the artists in conversation about their works in the exhibit at a free artists' dialogue presentation at 1 p.m. Saturday at the gallery.

Two dance conference shows: the National Dance Association's Pedagogy Conference, The Learning Circle, will bring more than 150 teachers, dancers, performers, and choreographers to NMSU today through Sunday. For registration info, contact NMSU Dance Program at (575) 646-2070. Two public dance performances at Hershel Zohn Theatre on the NMSU Campus include "Celebracion de Danza" showcasing the works of member dance companies of the Pan American Dance Institute at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and "Circle of Dance" featuring the choreography of conference participants with performers Bill Evans and Don Halquist at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Get tickets, at $15 or $10 for students, at the door.

Guided bird tours run from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. every Saturday at the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, 5000 Calle del Norte (turn south right after the Mesilla Bridge). Cost is $5 per vehicle. Info: (575) 523-8009.

Farmers' Market Workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Saturday at Gerald Thomas Hall, room 200, NMSU campus. Guest speakers will be NMSU Extension specialists and agents, agricultural professionals, local farmers and farmers' market vendors. Registration fee is $10 and includes lunch and workshop materials. To register or info: Rosanne Lehman, (575) 646-3215.

The Humane Society of Southern New Mexico and PetSmart host a New Year Adoption event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at PetSmart, 2200 Lohman Ave. There will be cats, kittens and several small dogs. Info: hssnm.org.

The Da Vinci Experience Exhibition opens Saturday and runs through July 10 at the El Paso Museum of History. For information, go to elpasotexas.gov/history and click on The Da Vinci Experience link. For tickets: TicketMaster at ticketmaster.com or call either the museum, (915) 351-3588 or Ticketmaster, (800) 745-3000.

Blessing of the Pets: the 2nd annual Blessing of the Pets begins at 4 p.m. Saturday at St. Anthony of the Desert Orthodox Mission Chapel at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 518 N. Alameda Blvd. Free and open to all. Dogs must be on leash. Info: Michael Elliot (575) 382-9705 Prune Trees and Shrubs workshop at 2 p.m. Saturday at Enchanted Gardens, 270 Avenida de Mesilla covers some of the basics of pruning trees and shrubs with demonstration on pruning cuts, the decisions of what to prune, and shrub and tree care. Free for members and $7.50 for nonmembers. Reservations requested. Info: (575) 524-1886.

"Victory Warriors" performance features a youth celebration in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S. San Marcial St., in El Paso. Free. Info: Scott Einberger, (915) 532-7273, ext. 127.

The Michael Jackson Laser Spectacular begin at 8 p.m. Saturday at Abraham Chavez Theatre in El Paso. Tickets are $24.50, $29.50 and $35 at Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com.

Allen "Hook" Hill, a New Mexico Bootheel Western poet and storyteller, will perform at 2 p.m. Saturday at Morgan Hall, 109 East Pine St., in Deming. Admission is $6 at the door.

Swinging Dancers of Munson Center: Couples, singles and their guests are welcome at a dance from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Munson Center, 975 Mesquite St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $6 cover charge. Info: (575) 528-3000.

Southern New Mexico Music and Dance Society Community Contra Dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. today at the Mesilla Community Center, 2251 Calle de Santiago, in Mesilla features callers Lonnie Ludeman and Lewis Land and live old-time music from the Muletones. Lessons at 7:30 p.m. for beginners. It's $5 or $2 for 17 and under. Info: (575) 522-1691.

The Las Cruces Arts Association meets at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Good Samaritan Village, 3011 Buena Vida Circle, featuring Karen Greenstein who developed the Web site lascrucesarts.org. Members are asked to bring works to be photographed for use on the site. Bring a one- or two-sentence biography along with your pictures. After a brief meeting, an art garage sale will be held. Bring art and/or art supplies that you wish to exchange or sell. VHS tapes will also be for sale. Info: (575) 532-6293.

The Jazz Unlimited Big Band performs at 2 p.m. Sunday at the St. Paul's Sunday Afternoon Concert Series, St. Paul's Methodist Church, 225 W. Griggs Ave. The band, founded in El Paso, features jazz-loving musicians from a variety of professions, including university educators, both active and retired, engineering consultants and three local musicians, former Las Cruces Mayor Ruben Smith, his brother Jerry Smith, and Tom Wildman. The concert is free.

Acoustic Music Jam runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at main branch of Dona Ana Community College in Room 129. Info: (575) 526-5174.

The Mesilla Valley Jazz and Blues Society meeting will be held Sunday at the First Christian Church, 1809 El Paseo Road. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. with jazz at 7 p.m. The Big Band on the Rio Grande will be featured and its styles of Stan Kenton and Don Ellis with arrangements of "Stompin' at the Savoy," "All the Things You Are," and more. Fees are $1 students, $5 members and $8 non-members. Info: Bob Burns, (575) 525-9333.

Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations will include a panel discussion, music and a community breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Ramada Palms de Las Cruces, 201 E. University Ave. To reserve tickets, at $30, call Alma Bone at (575) 526-8528.

A Children's Theatre of the Mesilla Valley will present its spring production class beginning Tuesday, meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Mesilla Park Recreation Center, 304 W. Bell Ave., in Mesilla Park. K-2nd grade will meet from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.; 3rd-5th grade and up will meet from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The play is "The Birds," by Aristophanes. All participants will be cast. Tuition is $110. Film classes begin Jan. 25 and preschool classes are Jan. 26 through Feb. 23 Info: zianet.com/act or (575) 571-1413.

Camera Club: The Dona Ana Camera Club meets at 7 p.m. Thursday at the St. Genevieve Village, 1634 E. Mulberry Ave., Building C1. Monthly meeting topic is "Photo Composition." Attendees are encouraged to bring their best photos taken in the past year on memory sticks, CD, DVD, or as photos.

Calling senior artists: Artists and crafters age 50 and up are sought for the Munson Center Mini Art Gallery, Feb. 16 through 19 at 975 S. Mesquite St. Info: (575) 528-3000.

Cowboy Up: Helping Hands Event Planning is seeking vendors for Cowboy Days March 13 and 14 at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces. About 5,000 are expected to attend the event which includes music, exhibits and demonstrations of ranching heritage, educational programs and an art show. The registration deadline is Feb. 12 for Western Art Show & Sale indoor and outdoor booth space, assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, at $50 for the weekend. Info: Helping Hands Event Planning at (575) 522-1232.

S. Derrickson Moore can be reached at dmoore@lcsun-news.com, (575) 541-5450 To see more of the Las Cruces Sun-News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.lcsun-news.com.

Copyright (c) 2010, Las Cruces Sun-News, N.M.

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