Starting in July, Every Other Tuesday, the free program sponsored by the Doña Ana Arts Council, will be changed to Every 2nd Wednesday to coincide with other Downtown Las Cruces activities like the Night Farmers’ and Crafts Market and Project Main Street. Every 2nd Wednesday will be at the same time, from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, and will continue to feature local performing artists. The event also will continue to be free and open to the public and will be produced 12 months of the year. The first Every 2nd Wednesday will be held Wednesday, July 13, 2016.
Friday, July 1
Downtown ArtRamble 5-7 pm
For the month of July, The El Paso Electric Gallery, located in the lobby of the Rio Grande Theatre, presents “Centennial Celebration, 1916-2016,” an exhibit by the award-winning Mesilla photographer Emmitt Booher. The exhibit recognizes the National Park Services’ 100th anniversary and features photographs of two iconic, yet uniquely different, American landscapes---Yellowstone National Park and Big Bend National Park.
An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 1, during the First Friday Downtown Art Ramble.
Friday & Saturday, July 1 & 2
Missoula Children’s Theatre presents “The Jungle Book”
Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale about a little boy who grows up in the jungle 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 “The Jungle Book” are 7pm on Friday night and 11am on Saturday. Tickets are $7 for Adults and $3 for children 12 years and younger. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance at the Rio Grande Theatre box office, Monday through Friday from 9 am – 5 pm, located on the second floor of the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Main Street, Las Cruces, NM. For more information, visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com or call (575) 523-6403.
Monday, July 4
The Rio Grande Theatre and the Doña Ana Arts Council offices will be closed in observance of Independence Day.
Monday - Friday, July 11-15 and July 18 - 22
Opera Storytellers: Opera Summer Camp for Kids
The Doña Ana Arts Council, in collaboration with the Santa Fe Opera, offers a 2-week summer program in the performing arts. 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, lighting and sound – 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 Friday, July 22 at 3 pm. For registration information, call the Doña Ana Arts Council at (575) 523-6403.
Wednesday, July 13
Every 2nd Wednesday: Pero No 6:30pm
Relative newcomers to the Las Cruces music scene, Pero No is comprised of Nicole Martinez and three other musicians who play guitar, mandolin, recorder and drums. The band classifies their sound as a blend of folk and rock. Pero No has performed at Amaro Winery, High Dessert Brewery and Vintage Wines. They will make their Rio Grande Theatre debut at Every 2nd Wednesday, a Doña Ana Arts Council program that showcases local performers. The event begins promptly at 6:30 pm and is FREE and open to the public. For more information, visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com or call (575) 523-6403.
Saturday, July 23
KRWG Benefit: The Hard Road Trio 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 in advance or $20 at the door for adults; $7.50 in advance or $10 at the door for children 6 – 18 years old. Tickets may be purchased at the KRWG office, Cutter Gallery or RGT Box Office. For more information or to purchase tickets call (575) 646-2222.
Sunday, July 24
Esteban in Concert 6 pm
The Rio Grande Theatre proudly presents internationally renowned guitar virtuoso Esteban, direct from Las Vegas, Nevada. A chart-topping success with roots in Flamenco, Classical, Jazz and Rock ‘n’ Roll, to name only a few genres, the six-string instrumentalist will be joined on stage with his daughter, “violinist extraordinaire” Teresa Joy, for a show that comes straight from the heart. Tickets are $22- $32 for adults and $12-17 for children 12 and under (prices include all fees), and may be purchased via the website at www.RioGrandeTheatre.com, at the Rio Grande Theatre Box Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling 575-523-6403 during box office hours. Student rush tickets will be made available 15 minutes before show time at $12 with valid student ID. For more information visit the website or call (575) 523-6403.
Friday, July 29
Promoting Art in Las Cruces Noon
The featured presenters for July will be Tina Ballew and Collette Marie of Art.NewMexi.co, who will speak on “Self Promotion in a Digital Age.”
Promoting Art in Las Cruces, a free monthly series presented by the Doña Ana Arts Council, explores different ways for artists and arts organizations to promote themselves and their events, and gives individuals or groups the opportunity to connect with other members of the arts community. The event is held monthly on the last Friday of the month at the Main Street Bistro, 139 N. Main Street, Las Cruces. The event is free and open to the public, however, attendees may order the buffet lunch for $10, plus tip; please RSVP by 10 am the day of the event if you will be ordering lunch. (RSVP to admin@daarts.org or 575-523-6403) For more information, visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com or call (575) 523-6403.
On Exhibit in the El Paso Electric Gallery
The featured artwork for the entire month of July will be that of award-winning photographer Emmitt Booher. The exhibit, titled “Centennial Celebration, 1916-2016”, recognizes the National Park Services’ 100th anniversary and features photographs of two iconic, yet uniquely different, American landscapes...Yellowstone National Park and Big Bend National Park.
“National parks and monuments offer great opportunities to experience the classic American landscape. The natural world continues to inspire my photography and I hope that it will encourage the preservation of our national treasures.” Emmitt Booher
Emmitt Booher is a Native New Mexican, born and raised in Eastern New Mexico. He spent his early years living and working on a small ranch, which he credits with cultivating his appreciation of the landscape, history, and people of New Mexico.
Emmitt's photographic training with film based cameras, including 4x5 field cameras, and darkroom processing was invaluable as he transitioned to digital photography. The pursuit of his photographic studies have found him in California, Vermont, Italy, Montana and many locations throughout the Southwest. Influenced by work of the masters of American photography, Emmitt's black and white imagery is a natural choice in which to present his work.
He is the current Artist-In-Residence at the Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument.
His work is represented by The Tularosa Basin Gallery of Photography in Carrizozo, New Mexico.
Emmitt and his wife, Rosa, live in Mesilla, New Mexico with their two rescue dogs, L. Diego and Frida K.
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.