Tuesday, July 7 - Every Other Tuesday: Grits Wrangler - 6:30 pm
A favorite among the local talent who perform at open mic events throughout Las Cruces and Mesilla, Grits Wrangler classifies himself as a “Reciter of Poetry,” having memorized over 120 poems, from cowboy to classical to children’s verses. A California native who has lived in South Dakota, Wyoming and Arizona before moving to Las Cruces, Grits is a member of Storytellers of Las Cruces. Every Other Tuesday is a Doña Ana Arts Council program that showcases local performers beginning promptly at 6:30 pm. The event is FREE and open to the public. For more information, visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com or call (575) 523-6403.
Friday & Saturday, July 10 & 11 - Missoula Children’s Theatre presents “Red Riding Hood”
The classic fairy tale about a little girl who discovers life is no picnic when she strays too far from the path is brought to life as Missoula Children’s Theatre brings their annual production to Las Cruces, starring over 60 local children ranging in age from 5 to 18. Show times for Red Riding Hood are 7pm on Friday night and 11am on Saturday. For more information, visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com or call (575) 523-6403.
Saturday, July 18 - KRWG Benefit: The Hard Road Tri - 7 pm
Returning for their annual concert to benefit KRWG, The Hard Road Trio is made up of mandolin master Steve Smith, guitarist and songbird Chris Sanders and cellist Anne Luna, playing original southwestern acoustic music at the crossroads of Roots and Bluegrass. Showtime is 7pm with doors opening at 6:30pm. Tickets are $15 for adults; $7.50 for 12 and under. For more information or to purchase tickets call (575) 646-2222.
Monday - Saturday, July 20 - 25 - Opera Storytellers: Opera Summer Camp for Kids
The Doña Ana Arts Council introduces its newest arts education program, co-sponsored by the Santa Fe Opera. Designed for students entering 3rd through 8th grades, Opera Storytellers’ Camp will introduce 25 to 30 students to the elements of opera – libretto writing, music composition and theatrical staging – then give them the opportunity to compose and present their own musical drama based on the Hero’s Journey. The camp will culminate with a performance of the production for family and friends, live on the Rio Grande Theatre stage on Saturday, July 25. For more information, call the Doña Ana Arts Council at (575) 523-6403.
Tuesday, June 21 - Every Other Tuesday: Border Avenue - 6:30pm
Relative newcomers to the Las Cruces music scene, Border Avenue has been taking the southwest by storm, with a recent nomination in the Country Music category at the New Mexico Music Awards for their first, self-titled album. Made up of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Frank Gomez, lead guitarist Jonathan Maynes, bass player Chris Nunez and drummer Sam Campos, the band classifies their sound as a blend of country, rock and pop. Every Other Tuesday is a Doña Ana Arts Council program that showcases local and traveling performers beginning promptly at 6:30 pm. The event is FREE and open to the public. For more information, visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com or call (575) 523-6403.
Friday, July 31 - Promoting Art in Las Cruces - Noon
A free bi-monthly series presented by the Doña Ana Arts Council exploring different ways for artists and arts organizations to promote themselves and their events. The featured presenter for July will be Keagan Karnes, a graduate of NMSU’s Creative Media Institute and full-time filmmaker, on the subject of “The Internet is Revolutionizing Film and Video.” This program is FREE and open to the public. For more information, call (575) 523-6403 or visit the website at www.RioGrandeTheatre.com.
On Exhibit in the El Paso Electric Gallery
The featured artwork for the entire month of July will be that of middle school students taking part in the Doña Ana Arts Council’s annual Career Arts Path (CAP) program. There will be no opening reception for this show. Every month the Doña Ana Arts Council welcomes local artists to exhibit in the El Paso Electric Gallery in the lobby of the Rio Grande Theatre. Regular exhibit hours are 9am–5pm, Monday through Friday. For more information, or to book an exhibit, call the Arts Council offices during regular working hours.
The Rio Grande Theatre is located at 211 N. Main, in Las Cruces, NM and is managed by the Doña Ana Arts Council. For clarification, photos or additional information, visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com or contact the Doña Ana Arts Council, (575) 523-6403, located on the 2nd floor of the Rio Grande Theatre.