Archive for May, 2010

The Southwest Environmental Center’s thirteenth annual Raft the Rio will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2010 on the Rio Grande, near Las Cruces. The family-friendly event is open to individuals and teams of all ages willing to get wet and have fun. Creativity and the use of discarded materials in building rafts are highly encouraged.  

The three-mile rafting adventure will begin at La Llorona Park beneath the Picacho Street bridge, and end just upstream from the Calle del Norte Bridge (“Mesilla Bridge”). There will be refreshments, food vendors and live music at the finish line. 

Prizes will be awarded to homemade boats in the following categories:  

• First to finish
• Least likely to finish (must be floating at start of race)
• Best use of recycled materials
• Most spirited (most enthusiastic crew)
• Best theme (most thorough application of a theme to vessel and crew)
• Champion of the River (best promotes appreciation for the Rio Grande)

This year there are two divisions: Kids and Open. Prizes will be awarded in both divisions. The Kids Division race begins at 10 a.m. sharp, followed by the Open Division at 10:15. To be eligible for the Kids’ Division, at least half the sailors on a boat must be under 13 years of age.  

The river is expected to be full, due to releases of irrigation water from Caballo Reservoir. Teams may register at the starting line beginning at 8:00 a.m., or in advance by contacting the Southwest Environmental Center.  

The entry fee is $10 per raft in advance (or $20 on race day), plus $5 for each crew member 13 years and older (after the first two). Motorized craft are not allowed. New Mexico law requires that children 12 and under wear personal flotation devices. 

Participants who are also members of the Southwest Environmental Center will be entered in a drawing to win an exciting whitewater raft trip for two on the Rio Grande near Taos, courtesy of event sponsor Far Flung Adventures. In keeping with the environmental spirit of the event, participants are encouraged to minimize their purchase of new materials for making rafts.  

Sponsors for this year’s event include: Positive Energy, Inc., Aggie Recreational Equipment, GeoInsight, Blue Moon Bar, Sunspot Solar Enery Systems, LLC, RETHINK Real Estate, Mott Pots, and Mountainview Regional Medical Center. 

For more information, contact the Southwest Environmental Center at (575) 522-5552, or visit www.wildmesquite.org.

The City of Las Cruces will begin the Music in the Park series on Sunday, May 30th with the Mayor’s Jazz Fest. Music in the Park is a 14-week musical extravaganza offering Las Crucens an eclectic mix of music performed by local, regional and nationally recognized artist, at Apodaca Park, Klein Park and Young Park. Music types include: jazz, rhythm and blues, Mariachi, classical, country, Tejano, bluegrass, new wave and pop, among others.

All concerts listed begin at 7:00pm, (except for the Mayor’s Jazz Fest). The following is the 2010 schedule:

Apodaca Park      801 E. Madrid Ave.

 May 30        (Mayor’s Jazz Fest, 6:00 p.m.)
Gerald Veasley – Smooth Jazz – Philadelphia, PA
Roundtrip – Bebop Jazz and Standards – Santa Fe, NM
Ritmo Caluroso – Latin Jazz – Las Cruces, NM

June 6        
The Buzz Tones – Variety – Las Cruces, NM
Benji Rivas – Blues/Variety – Las Cruces, NM

June 13      
Syd Masters & the Swing Riders – Western Swing – Tijeras, NM
Bob Einweck – Folk – Phoenix, AZ

June 20      
Windy City – (Tribute to Chicago) Pop – El Paso, TX

June 27    
Steve Smith & Chris Sanders – Bluegrass – Las Cruces, NM
Rhythm Mystic – World Music – Pinos Altos, NM

Klein Park            155 N, Mesquite St.

July 11        
Fast Lane – C&W, variety, blues – Las Cruces, NM
Redneck Cowgirl – C&W, gospel – Deming, NM

July 18        
Undiskovered featuring Carol Portillo – Variety – Las Cruces, NM
Mariachi Feminil Flores Mexicanas – Mariachi – El Paso, TX

July 25        
Remember Then – Doo Wop & Oldies – Las Cruces, NM
Gene & the Starliners -Oldies but Goodies – Las Cruces, NM

Young Park 1905 E. Nevada Ave.

August 1               
Azucar – Latin Jazz, Salsa – El Paso, TX
Red Hot & Red – Jazz – El Paso, TX

August 8               
NM Symphony Brass Quintet – Chamber Music, pop – Las Cruces
Madera Winds – Chamber Music – Las Cruces, NM

August 15             
Crystal Ship – 60′s Rock, British Invasion Rock – Las Cruces, NM
Los Changos Del Mar – Surf Music – Taos, NM

August 22             
The James Douglas Show – Funk, R&B – Los Angeles, CA

August 29            
 Nosotros – Latin Rock – Las Cruces, NM

Entertainers, locations and dates are subject to change without prior notice. The City has provided the Music in the Park Series as a public service, free of charge, since 1994.   Residents are reminded that in accordance with a City of Las Cruces policy, pets are not permitted at special events held at City of Las Cruces facilities.

For more information, contact the City of Las Cruces PIO office at (575) 541-2200, or online at www.las-cruces.org.

Friday, June 18
Southern New Mexico Pride’s Gaylapalooza
Over the past 20 years, the GLBTQ community in Las Cruces and surrounding areas has celebrated Pride month with a variety of events aimed at celebrating the diversity of its members and their achievements. This year, the Rio Grande Theatre will host a kick-off event co-sponsored by Southern New Mexico Pride and the Doña Ana Arts Council, entitled Gaylapalooza, featuring three of the best and brightest Queer Indie artists touring today: Daniel Cartier, Namoli Brennet and Eric Himan. The musical extravaganza, hosted by Mistress of Ceremonies Ivonna Bump, will kick off a weekend of family-oriented activities and events. Doors open at 6:30pm and the performance begins at 7pm. Tickets are $20, with a portion of the proceeds going to Southern New Mexico Pride as a fundraiser for its weekend events. For more information visit www.SouthernNMPride.org, www.RioGrandeTheatre.com or call (575) 523-6403.

Every Other Tuesday at the Rio Grande Theatre

June 1 – New Horizons Swing Band
Under the direction of Shawn Robinson, this offshoot of the New Horizons Band present such classic standards as  “The Girl from Impanema,” “In the Mood,” “My Funny Valentine,” “Bandstand Boogie” and “The Hawaiian War Chant.”

June 15 – Tuco John Band
A very special engagement with the local Jazz quartet that specializes in standards from the 1930s through the 1950s, with classic rock, R&B and soul tunes thrown in to mix things up a bit.

June 29 – McLaughlin Kids
They first took the Rio Grande Theatre stage a year ago, almost to the day, as part of the David Diaz-created ensemble group Regardless. Now they’re back to show that one doesn’t have to be “seasoned” to rock out old school style.

Please note: Every Other Tuesday performances always begin at 5:30 pm and are free to the public.  For more information contact DAAC at 575-523-6403. 

On Exhibit in the El Paso Electric and Carolene de Mesilla Galleries
Photographer/Filmmaker Mark Vasconcellos
The world of diverse cultures will be examined through the photographic works of local filmmaker Mark Vasconcellos in the Rio Grande Theatre galleries. The exhibition, entitled One World, features 20 color and black & white images taken during his travels throughout the world and will be on display in both the El Paso Electric and Carolene de Mesilla Galleries. The show will run through the entire month of June, 2010, beginning with an artist reception on June 4, from 5 to 7pm, as part of the Downtown Art Ramble.

The Rio Grande Theatre is located at 211 N. Main, in Las Cruces, NM. For additional information, please visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com or contact the Rio Grande Theatre Manager, David Salcido, at 575-523-6403.

Hampton Hotels has honored the Hampton Inn & Suiteslocated at 2350 E. Griggs in Las Cruces, NM with the company’s Lighthouse Award, designating it as one of the top performing Hampton hotels in the country.

The property was recognized for its high rankings in overall accommodations, service and quality. The award criteria was based on customer feedback measured through guest satisfaction surveys, as well as product quality and service scores measured quarterly by the Hilton/Hampton Hotel brands. 

The “Lighthouse Award” was presented to the property this past March in Dallas, TX, ranking it in the top 5% of Hampton hotels in the United States.

“Thank you, Las Cruces and all surrounding areas for embracing us and for your continued support,” said General Manager Belia Alvarez. “We are incredibly humbled and grateful to be placed in this category.”

The hotel is managed by Premier Hospitality Property and is one of 1,800 Hampton properties worldwide.

“Our goal is to build life-long relationships with our guests and to invent reasons for them to come back to our little corner in “The Land of Enchantment,” said Alvarez.  “Our motto – “We love having you here” – has become a very contagious phrase and our award shows our commitment to it.”

The hotel was also awarded the “Top Performer Award” in 2008 by Hampton, the “Wall of Fame Award” in 2007 and a National Hampton Spirit Award was presented to Bonnie Caldwell, the hotel’s office manager, recognizing her as a “true hospitality leader and for presenting extraordinary service and commitment to guests and teammates.” 

For more information, contact Belia Alvarez at (575) 527-8777.

Las Cruces, NM – “Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program 1942-1964” remains on display at Branigan Cultural Center through July 24, 2010. Several programs are planned in conjunction with the exhibit.

Wednesday, June 9th at 7 p.m. – Bracero Documentary and Lecture
“Los Braceros – Strong Arms to Aid the U.S.A.,” a documentary produced by KVIE, PBS station in Sacramento, CA, provides an overview of the Bracero program.  Following the documentary, Minnie Cheatum will share her remembrances of the Rio Vista Processing Center in Socorro, Texas, where she was a clerk. 

Thursday, June 10th at 2 p.m. – Guided Tour of Bracero exhibit
The public is cordially invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Cultural Center Docents.  A guided tour of the Bracero exhibit will be led by staff.

Saturday, June 26th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Bracero Oral Histories
Anyone who had contact with the Bracero program is strongly encouraged to contact the Cultural Center to set up an interview with the Institute of Oral History at UTEP.  The oral history program is an official partner of the Bracero Archives.  Dr. Kristine Navarro and students will be at the Cultural Center all day to conduct interviews.  For more information on the Bracero Archives visit www.braceroarchive.org

Thursday, July 8 at 1 p.m. – “History Notes”
Guest speaker Cameron Saffell, Curator of History and Oral History Program Director at the NM Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, will talk about the Bracero Program.

Bittersweet Harvest is a traveling exhibit from Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibits. Funding is made possible through the Smithsonian’s Latino Center, which celebrates Latino culture, spirit and achievement in America by facilitating the development of exhibitions, research, collections and education programs. For more information, visit www.latino.si.edu.

The Branigan Cultural Center is located at 501 N. Main Street, at the north end of the Downtown Mall in Las Cruces.  The exhibits and events are free and open to the public. 

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

For more information, contact the Branigan Cultural Center at (575) 541-2154 or visit the Center’s web site at www.las-cruces.org/museums

The Mesilla Valley Fractal Artists will present their latest work at the Branigan Cultural Center from June 4 through June 26, 2010.  A reception to meet the artists will be held during the First Friday Ramble from 5-7 p.m. on June 4th.

Fractal art is a relatively new form of visual art derived from mathematical formulas and algorithms. Using a computer and specific fractal-generating software, artists create images that are inherently abstract.  Maria Kruse, whose work is included in the exhibit, sums it up best, “it’s magic.” 

A NOVA documentary, “Fractals, Hunting the Hidden Dimension,” will be shown at 10 a.m. on Saturdays in the gallery to help visitors to understand the art and science of fractals.  An after-hours tour of the exhibit, a fractal demonstration, and gallery talk will take place on Friday, June 18th at 5:30 p.m.

The Branigan Cultural Center is located at 501 N. Main Street, at the north end of the Downtown Mall in Las Cruces.  The exhibits and events are free and open to the public. 

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

For more information, contact the Branigan Cultural Center at (575) 541-2154 or visit the Center’s web site at www.las-cruces.org/museums.

Harvest Cooking Class
June 1, 2-4 p.m.
Enjoy a variety of creative recipes in our very popular monthly cooking class. This month’s recipes feature beets, carrots and blueberries. Carol Koenig is the chef. Pre-registration is required. $35.

 
Monthly Lecture Series: Buffalo Soldiers: Military Heroes of the Southwest
June 10, 7 p.m.
Fred Hampton will portray Lt. Matthias Day in this Chautauqua program in the Museum’s theater. Hampton, who might be joined by other members of the Buffalo Soldiers Society of New Mexico, will display more than 50 period artifacts used by the soldiers. Admission is a suggested donation of $2.
 
Antique Treasures Day
June 13, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This is the one day a year that visitors are allowed to take guided tours through the Museum’s enormous Collections Room where all of the hundreds of artifacts are stored and preserved. Also, our curators will be on hand to answer questions regarding identification and preservation of your family heirlooms or objects. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and $2 for children 5 to 17.
 
Kids Camps
 
Historic Games and Crafts Camp
June 9-10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ages 6-10
Cost: $40
Love music, dancing and storytelling? Want to learn how to play games that your great-great grandparents may have played? Enjoy some of the popular games, toys, songs and stories of the 1800s. Students in this camp will make a carry-all pail, and a spoon doll, play classic games such as “Kick the can,” and learn to sing traditional Hispanic songs. Please bring lunch each day. Pre-registration and a non-refundable class deposit of $10 is required. Deadline for class deposit is June 9.  

Photography Camp
June 15-17, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Ages 11-15
Cost: $85
This camp will give students a brief overview of the history of photography and will teach them basic photography techniques such as working with lighting and composition. Students will shoot a roll of film, print their own Cyanotypes, or “Sunprints,” and take home their very own camera! Please bring lunch each day. Pre-registration and a non-refundable class deposit of $20 is required. Deadline for class deposit is May 28.

Sheep and Wool Camp
June 23-24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ages: 8-12
Cost: $50
Ever wonder how a sheep’s fleece is transformed into fabric? Join us for a fun-filled exploration of wool crafting. We’ll clean and card wool, and learn the basics of spinning and weaving. Students will take on the challenge of dying wool and will learn wet felting methods. Please bring lunch each day. Pre-registration is required.
 
Living History Camp
June 29-July 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ages 9-14
Cost: $75
Have you ever wanted to travel back in time? Interested in history? Students will learn the basics of doing living history and improvisational performance as they develop and portray a historical character from the Great Depression. Students will dress in historically accurate costumes and stage an outdoor time travel performance to the New Mexico of 1936 on the last day of the class. Please bring lunch each day. Pre-registration is required. 

 
For more information, or to register for a class, contact the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum at (575) 522-4100 or visit www.frhm.org. The museum is located at 4100 Dripping Springs Rd.

Take a rare and exciting look at the life of dinosaurs through their eggs, nests and embryos in Hatching the Past: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies. This remarkable hands-on exhibition is composed of more than 50 authentic dinosaur eggs and nests collected from all over the globe—including those from each of the major plant and meat-eating dinosaur groups. The exhibition opens at the Las Cruces Museum of Natural History on May 21st from 6:00 pm. to 8:00 pm.

Hatching the Past presents new discoveries about dinosaur reproduction and behavior and introduces the fascinating people and science behind these discoveries. This multi-media experience gives credence to long-debated theories that dinosaurs and birds are closely related.

A captivating experience for all ages, Hatching the Past invites visitors to touch a real dinosaur bone, dig for eggs, experience hands-on exploration stations and view animated video presentations.  Each science-rich section is enhanced with exciting life-like models of embryos and hatchlings, colorful illustrations of dinosaur family life and stunning photographs of some of the world’s most renowned dinosaur hunters and their discoveries. 

Hatching the Past was developed by Charlie and Florence Magovern of The Stone Company, Boulder, Colorado, in association with the Harvard Museum of Natural History. The Museum of Natural History strives to inspire curiosity about the sciences, facilitate life-long learning, and promote stewardship of the natural environment of the Chihuahuan desert and southern New Mexico.

If you need accommodation for a disability to enable you to fully participate in this event, please contact the museum 48 hours before the event at (575) 522-3120.

The museum is located at 700 S. Telshor Blvd. insides the Mesilla Valley Mall.