Archive for August, 2007

by Bonnie Schranz 
Las Cruces Museum of Art  

Portraits of Salvador Dali by photographer Philippe Halsman and a 13 piece suite of illustrations Dali created for Lewis Carroll’s book Alice in Wonderland will be on display at the Branigan Cultural Center in Las Cruces Saturday, Sept. 8 – Saturday, Sept. 29. There will be no charge to view these exhibits.

Salvador Dali created his original interpretations of the 1865 children’s classic Alice in Wonderland in 1968 – 69. The print suite was published in 1969. The prints glow with vibrant colors that convey the viewer through Dali’s strange, allegorical landscapes. The Halsman photographs, by contrast, evoke Dali’s playful, whimsical side.

Photographer Philippe Halsman (1906 – 1979) was born in Latvia and trained as an engineer in Germany before setting up his studio in Paris in 1932. He rapidly became famous for his bold portraits and his fashion photography. When the Germans invaded France in 1940 he could not get a visa to leave for America until Albert Einstein (who knew his sister) intervened with the authorities. Upon his arrival in the United State he began doing some advertising work and commissions for Life magazine. With 101 Life magazine covers to his credit, he was considered one of the leading portrait photographers of his time.

Halsman studied works of surrealist artists in Paris and learned to make images that surprised his viewers. He worked on a number of projects over three decades with Surrealist Salvador Dali, whom he met on assignment in 1941. Their most notable production was the famous Dali Atomicus with Dali, cats, water, canvas and chair apparently suspended in mid-air. Whenever Dali imagined a photograph so strange that its production seemed impossible, Halsman tried to find the solution, and invariably succeeded. Halsman’s unique photographic interview, Dali’s Mustache, was published in 1954. In 1958, Halsman was named one of the world’s 10 best photographers in an international poll.

The exhibition of Dali prints and Halsman photographs come to the Branigan Cultural Center through Blair-Murrah, a service organization that provides a wide range of exhibitions to institutions worldwide. The two BCC exhibits, offering a rare combination of talent, are perfect companion pieces to the “Dali Illustrates Dante’s Divine Comedy” at the Las Cruces Museum of Art, opening on Friday, Sept. 7 and running through Sunday, Nov. 25. There is a $5 entrance charge for visitors over the age of 18 for the Divine Comedy exhibition.

by Bianca L. Granado  

Where can you find the world’s largest enchilada and some of the hottest entertainment in the Southwest all rolled into one weekend? You’ll only find it in one place: Las Cruces

The 2007 Whole Enchilada Fiesta begins Friday, Sept. 28 and ends Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Hadley Sports Complex. Festivities include two stages with live music, a variety of food, arts and crafts booths, carnival rides and, of course, the making of the world’s largest enchilada. 

Country singer Tony Marques will begin the entertainment when he performs at 7:30 p.m on Friday night followed by Tobias Rene. Popular Tejano singer Bobby Pulido will take the stage on Saturday, and Whole Lotta Rosies, an AC/DC tribute band, will perform on Sunday.

The world’s largest enchilada will be made at 10 a.m on Sunday.

The process of making the enchilada takes approximately two and a half hours. Seven hundred and fifty pounds of stone ground corn is used to make the masa tortillas, 175 gallons of oil are heated to cook the tortillas, 75 gallons of red Chile sauce is spread on the tortillas and 175 pounds of grated cheese and 50 pounds of onions are used to garnish the enchilada.

The Whole Enchilada fiesta began 27 years ago. Years later the fiesta is still going strong. It has been recognized as one of the of the Top 100 events in the USA and has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.

For more information contact the Whole Enchilada organizers at 505-526-1938 or log on to www.enchiladafiesta.com.

Sept. 4, 2-4 p.m.:Harvest Cooking Class
Enjoy cooking with red chile, bell peppers and plums. Chef Carol Koenig from Celebrations will teach us some creative recipes. Pre-registration is required. $20.

Sept. 9, Noon to 5 p.m.: Harvest Festival
This major event features a farmers’ market where Museum visitors can meet area farmers and buy fresh produce. We also will have crafts, music and children’s activities such as cornhusk doll making, scarecrow making, apple bobbing from a string, and turkey in the straw. Regular Museum admission applies.

Sept. 13, 7 p.m.: Fall Lecture Series
Join us for an exciting Chautauqua by Paulette Atencio a traditional storyteller, poet and writer from northern New Mexico. Atencio delights audiences with cuentos (stories) learned growing up in Penasco, N.M. and a lifetime traveling northern and central New Mexico. Stories can be told in English or Spanish, to adults or children. Free admission.

Sept. 15, 1-3 p.m.: Dowsing Workshop
Learn the basics of dowsing (questing, divining, witching), how to use the four basic dowsing tools, and the benefits associated with dowsing. Tools are included with the registration fee. Pre-registration required. $20.

Sept. 18, 6-8 p.m.: Cooking With Class
Our chef for this class is Kimberly Ming, owner of the Lemongrass, an authentic Thai cuisine restaurant. Learn unique and creative ways of preparing delicious and elegant cuisine. Pre-registration is required. $30.

Sept. 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Dutch Oven Workshop
Learn the basics of Dutch oven cooking, find out how to bring a rusted Dutch oven back to life, and then enjoy a great meal in this hands-on workshop with Robert Murphy. Pre-registration is required. $30.

Sept. 29, 9 a.m. to noon: Wood Carving Workshop
Learn basic woodcarving techniques in this workshop led by the Dona Ana Woodcarvers. Take home your own woodcarving. Bring a utility knife with a sharp blade or ask to reserve one when you sign up. You must be over 16 to participate or accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. $20.

To register for a class or workshop, or for more information, please call (505) 522-4100.

by Bianca L. Granado

“El Grito de Dolores” by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1810 started it all; the first revolution against Spain’s occupation in Mexico.

Years passed in Mexico’s quest for independence, but in 1821 finally received what Hidalgo called for. Almost two-hundred years later people are still celebrating that call for independence.

Celebrating their Mexican heritage, the Town of Mesilla will host its annual Diez y Seis de Septiembre festivities from noon to midnight on Saturday, Sept. 15 and from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16.

“Mesilla celebrates Diez y Seis de Septiembre because of the ties it has to Mexico,” said Kristie Medina, event coordinator. “At one time, the Mesilla area was claimed by Mexico.”

Medina explained that many early settlers of Mesilla went to live in Mexico when Mesilla became a part of the United States and as a result many residents in Mesilla have ancestors in Mexico.

A parade will kick-off the celebrations on Saturday at 11 a.m. along Avenida de Mesilla. The parade will feature floats, equestrian units, marching bands, color guards, spirit squads, antique vehicles, fire trucks and other groups.

This year’s opening ceremonies will begin at noon on Saturday, Sept. 15 and will feature representatives from the Mexican Consulate in El Paso as well as a military marching band from Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Tradition is also a reason for the festival.

“The fiesta allows Mesilla to keep traditions alive,” said Medina.

Entertainment highlights the fiesta with mariachi groups, Folklorico dance groups, Flamenco dancing, soloists and live bands.

About 30 vendor booths will line the plaza offering a variety of products including art, crafts, games, drinks and food. There will be a greased pole climb, sponsored by Andele Restaurant in Old Mesilla, and piñatas for kids.

Attendees may bring folding chairs for their convenience. Alcohol, smoking and pets are not allowed on the plaza.

by Bianca L. Granado 

Art lovers prepare yourselves to tour some of Las Cruces’ most talented galleries and artists and contribute to middle school student’s love of art at the 2007 ArtsHop event on Friday, Sept. 7 in Las Cruces.

This one evening event, sponsored by the Dona Ana Arts Council (DAAC), showcases a tour of selected galleries and talent in the area’s growing gallery scene. All net proceeds will support the DAAC Career Art Path (CAP) for middle school students. CAP is an intensive two-week visual arts program for that introduces students to a variety of art media and to the many art-related careers available

“Beyond the fact that it benefits middle school students and has the potential to benefit economic growth to the area,” said Cati Waterman, Events Coordinator for the DAAC, “ArtsHop creates more exposure for local galleries and artists.”

Waterman said 14 galleries will be participating in the event this year. Galleries include the Branigan Cultural Center, the Tom Baugh Gallery, White Raven Studio, and the Main Street/Blue Gate Gallery among many others. Refreshments will be provided at each location by different local restaurants.

Tickets may be purchased at participating art galleries or in the DAAC office in the Rio Grande Theatre located at 211 N. Downtown Mall. Tickets are $20 dollars if purchased in advance or $25 dollars if purchased the night of the event. Tickets will be required for admittance at all participating galleries.

For more information, contact the DAAC at 505-523-6403.

by Bianca L. Granado

Chile, apples and wine all have one thing in common Labor Day weekend in and around Las Cruces: they all have festivals in their honor.

Whether you’re looking for good wine, some of the hottest Chile west of the Mississippi, a plethora of apples for that great pie, all you have to do is take a trip to one of many Labor Day festivals around Las Cruces.

Frequently featured on Food Network and other documentaries around the world, the Hatch Chile Festival was started 36 years ago by local Chile farmers as a big party to celebrate the Chile harvest.

“People from all over the country wait all year to come to Hatch during the festival to get their fresh green Chile supply for winter,” said Marcia Nordyke, festival coordinator. “The chamber receives calls daily making sure when the festival is so they can make the pilgrimage here to get that fresh roasted drug.”

Events include a parade, queen coronation, musical entertainment and contests among other activities.

Nordyke said Hatch is know as the Chile Capital of the World for many years and grows the best Chile around because of the soil and temperatures in the valley.

During the festival, it is estimated that the small municipality of 1,700 people grows to about 15,000 to 20,000 people.

Not even harsh rains or floods can stop this festival from happening as was the case in 2006.

“The Placitas Arroyo flood hit us August 15 and we went ahead with the festival Sept. 2,” Nordyke said. “It rained all weekend. We told people we were up to our ankles in mud but we would be there as long as they were.”

The festival begins Saturday, Sept. 1 with a parade at 10 a.m.

Apples, apples and more apples can be found at the annual Hillsboro Apple Festival located 60 miles north of Las Cruces on Interstate 25.

“We started off as a street sale 43 years ago and evolved into a full blown festival,” said Maree Westland, festival coordinator.

Westland said there would be many vendors offering different games, a variety of food, and arts and crafts.

“We usually get a very large crowd and the vendors play a big part in the events that take place at the festival,” Westland said.

Tradition and longevity are two things that follow this apple festival.

“One of the sweetest moments was when a grandfather introduced his grandchildren to me and said, ‘I brought my kids to this festival and now I’m bringing my grandchildren.”

The festival will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday.

A glass of wine and you’ll be fine at the Eighth Annual Harvest Wine Festival that was started in the tradition of celebrating the grape harvest.

“The wine festival is a great place for people to sample a large assortment of different wines and learn more about the types of wines grown all over New Mexico,” said Dawn Starostka, event planner.

Starostka said there will be 12 wineries to sample over 70 wines from, wine education classes, 45 arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, live music all day, and hourly grape stomps. About 11,000 people attend every year and more are expected this year, she said.

For more information, contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at 505-541-2444, or by email at cvb@lascrucescvb.org.

Former Aggie Head Coach/New Sacramento Kings Head Coach, Reggie Theus, to Host the Dallas Mavericks at the Pan American Center on Tuesday, October 16

Reggie Theus’ fans will have one more chance to see the former head Aggie basketball coach in action in Las Cruces as the Sacramento Kings face the Dallas Mavericks in a Tuesday, Oct. 16 preseason home contest at the Pan American Center located on the corner of University Ave. and Payne St.

The game will signify a homecoming for new Kings Head Coach Reggie Theus and Assistant Coach Randy Brown. Theus, a two-time All-Star who played 13 years in the NBA and was a member of the 1985 inaugural Sacramento Kings, is fresh off the heels of leading New Mexico State to a berth in the NCAA Tournament (a first for the school since 1999).  

Theus coached the Aggies for two seasons, compiling a 41-23 record.  In his first year at the helm of the NMSU program, Theus guided the Aggies to a tie for the fifth-best turnaround in all of Division I basketball and the best single-season improvement of any NMSU squad since the 1985-86 season.

“It’s an honor to go back to New Mexico State and a program I will always consider myself a part of,” said Theus. “It’ll be great to see all the Panamaniacs and Reggie Nation one last time and have the opportunity to address my former players. It will definitely feel like I am coming home. I have much love and respect for the school, players, administration, Dr. Martin and Dr. Boston, the Board of Regents and the community. The best thing about Las Cruces is that the community and the administration are one big family.  Everyone is pulling for the right thing.”

Brown, a three-time NBA Champion with the Chicago Bulls and 12-year NBA veteran, enjoyed a two-year career at New Mexico State. He played four years (1991-95) for the Kings after being drafted by Sacramento in the second round (31st overall) of the 1991 NBA Draft and spent five seasons (1995-00) in Chicago, leading the Bulls in assists during the 1999-00 campaign. Brown also was a member of the Kings the last time the team played a preseason game at New Mexico State in 1993.

“I’m very pleased that the Maloof brothers and Coach Theus have decided to play a preseason game at NMSU this fall,” said Dr. McKinley Boston, NMSU Athletic Director.  “It is a great opportunity for our fans, especially the ‘Panamaniacs,’ to rally in support of the work that Coach Theus did in turning around our basketball program and laying the foundation for us to build upon.  It is also another wonderful development and branding opportunity for our Department and we look forward to working with the Kings in making this a very successful event for the Kings, NMSU and our community.”

The Kings will feature NBA veterans such as Mike Bibby, Ron Artest, Brad Miller and Kevin Martin, as well as first round draft pick (10th overall) Spencer Hawes. The Mavericks, holding the best regular season record in the NBA during the 2006-07 season, will showcase forward Dirk Nowitzki, who claimed the NBA’s MVP award last season, as well as Josh Howard, Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse.

Tickets are priced from $15 to $75 and may be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com. Tickets also may be purchased by calling the Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone at (915) 544-8444 or (505) 532-2060 or visiting the Pan Am Center Ticket Office or any Ticketmaster Outlet.