Archive for July, 2010

“Jam Session in Las Cruces,” a two-month long series of events that focus on the art and culture of jazz, will take place at various city locations between December 10, 2010 and February 3, 2011. The project will feature multi-media exhibits, concerts, films, public gallery talks, and educational outreach to students of all ages. Sponsored by the Branigan Cultural Center, the Dona Ana Arts Council, the New Mexico State University Department of Music, the Center for the Arts/NMSU Foundation, the ASNMSU Cultural Series, the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau, and KRWG, this citywide event is the product of over eighteen months of planning and preparation.

The centerpiece of the project is an exhibit on loan from the Meridian International Center in Washington, D.C. titled “Jam Session:  America’s Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World.” Consisting mainly of photographs and other important historical documents, the exhibit tells the story of American cultural diplomacy as the U.S. Department of State sent jazz musicians—including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, and Dave Brubeck, among many others—around the world beginning in the mid-1950s. In Las Cruces, the exhibit will be housed at the Branigan Cultural Center and will be open for public viewing Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm each day. Additionally, during all special film and concert events at the Rio Grande Theatre, the Branigan exhibit will stay open late so patrons can take in the exhibit before the evening shows.

Other associated events include four major concerts by internationally renowned touring artists. These concerts begin with a tribute to Louis Armstrong featuring trumpet player and vocalist Byron Stripling with the NMSU Jazz Ensemble on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 7:30 pm at the Rio Grande Theatre. The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, best known for their acclaimed public radio show “Live From The Landing,” will play a concert at the Atkinson Recital Hall on the NMSU campus on Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 7:00 pm. Jazz and classical pianist Willis Delony will perform inside the exhibit space at the Branigan Cultural Center on Wednesday, January 26 at 7:30 pm, and the series will conclude with New York jazz piano legend Junior Mance and his quintet at the Rio Grande Theatre on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 8:00 pm.

The Rio Grande Theatre will host a film and local concert series throughout the entire “Jam Session in Las Cruces” project. Building on the theatre’s already successful “Every Other Tuesday” concert series, during this special two-month project there will be live concerts every Tuesday at 5:30 pm, followed by a jazz-oriented film at 7:00 pm. The entire film series and all Every Other Tuesday concerts are free and open to the public. Films will include “High Society,” “Round Midnight,” “The Benny Goodman Story,” “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Satchmo: The Genius of Louis Armstrong,” and a special holiday double feature of “Holiday Inn” and “White Christmas.”  Local performing artists will include the New Horizons Band, the MST Jazz Trio, Roman Chip, Allan Kaplan, the Creole Jazz Band, and Ken Neidig with the Jazz Unlimited Big Band.

The Rio Grande Theatre will also have two galleries filled with local and Southwest jazz memorabilia. One gallery will deal specifically with the history of jazz in the Las Cruces/El Paso area, and the other will be devoted to the jazz photography of noted Albuquerque artist Jim Gale.

NMSU Music Professor Dr. James Shearer, along with Bob Burns, Ken Neidig, and Dr. Bill Thompson, will offer a series of gallery talks every Saturday at the Branigan Cultural Center beginning at 11:00 am (with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day). These talks are free and open to the public. Dr. Shearer will also be on site throughout the exhibit giving tours to student groups of all ages. Specialized tours are available to any interested group.

To schedule a guided tour or for more information about any of these events, please contact the Branigan Cultural Center at 575-541-2155 or visit the “Jam Session in Las Cruces” website at:  www.lcjazz.org.

Thomas Branigan Memorial Library is located at 200 E. Picacho Ave. Las Cruces, NM 88001.

The Rio Grande Theater is located at 211 N. Downtown Mall Las Cruces, NM 88001.

Harvest Cooking Class

Aug. 3, 2-4 p.m.

Enjoy a variety of creative recipes in our monthly cooking class. This month’s recipes feature corn, watermelon and onions. Carol Koenig is the chef. Pre-registration is required. $35.

Monthly Lecture Series: Made in New Mexico Westerns

Aug. 12, 7 p.m.

This is the second compilation of clips from 22 different Western movies of the over 150 that have been made, at least in part, in New Mexico, since 1898. Presented in chronological order with live narration by local film historian and reviewer, Jeff Berg, this set of films ranges from 1930 to 2004, and includes rare scenes from Westerns shot around Las Cruces, and elsewhere in the state. This 95-minute presentation is guaranteed to have something for everyone, whether or not you love Westerns. Admission is a suggested donation of $2.

Exhibit Opening: Skylines & Byways

Aug. 19, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This fine art exhibit features works from local artists who are members of the The City of Artists Promotional Association (CAPA). “Skyways & Byways” will be on display in the Museum’s Arts Corridor and features many paintings, along with some photography pieces, sculptures and collages. The exhibit includes 46 pieces in all. The artists will be on hand for the reception on Aug. 19, which is free to the public and includes refreshments. The exhibit will be on display through Dec. 5, 2010.

For more information, or to register for a class, please call (575) 522-4100.

New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum

4100 Dripping Springs Road 

Las Cruces, NM 88011 

www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org

America’s favorite summer treat — ice cream — is the star of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum’s most popular event of the summer.

The seventh-annual Ice Cream Sunday is set for 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 18. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children 17 and under.

The annual ice cream sandwich eating contest and race is scheduled to start at 2 p.m., with registration beginning at 12 p.m. There were will be several different age categories, and the contestants this year must move from table to table, eating one sandwich at each table.

There will be an ongoing living history performance, with a rural family creating and enjoying homemade ice cream. Museum visitors may make their own ice cream by rolling tin cans. Also, there will be green chile ice cream for sale, made from a tractor-engine-powered ice cream maker.

The event’s first 600 paid visitors will receive a coupon for a free 5-ounce cup of Caliche’s Frozen Custard, which will be served at the museum throughout the afternoon. They will have a choice of two toppings only – strawberry or mango.

Aside from Caliche’s Frozen Custard, the Southwest Dairy Farmers and Price’s Creameries also are sponsoring events and providing treats.

For more information, please call (575) 522-4100.

Mesilla, N.M.– The Town of Mesilla is hosting a dedication ceremony of a sign depicting the historic Civil War Battle of Mesilla and Major Isaac Lynde’s Retreat on the Mesilla Plaza Saturday, July 24 at 2 p.m. The historic event took place in Mesilla July 24-27, 1861.

The sign, which will be displayed at the southeast corner of the plaza, was donated to the Town of Mesilla by the New Mexico Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The event will feature re-enactors, including a salute and cavalry.

Admission is free. No alcohol, pets or smoking are allowed on the plaza. For more information, contact Joy Ahlfeldt at (575) 524-3262 ex. 117.

LAS CRUCES, NM – If the legends of cowboys and the mysteries of the night sky peak your curiosity then travel to Aguirre Spring on Saturday, July 10 for two programs that will immerse visitors in the rich history of the area.

The Organ Mountain Summer Series 2010, hosted by the Bureau of Land Management, allows the public to enjoy the beauty and culture of the land while also learning about its past. This year’s programs are entitled Origins of Cowboy Culture and The Night Sky: A Cultural Clock.

Origin of Cowboy Culture will begin at 6:00 p.m. and include an emphasis on Spanish/Indian/Mexican and African-American cowboy stories presented by Rudy Avila, Jaime “Slim” Salas, and Alex Mares. It will also include stories about the origins of cowboy equipment, words, folklore, and legends.

The atmosphere alone will indulge the senses and transport listeners back in time with the smell of campfire cooking and fresh mountain air. Visitors can look forward to tasting biscuits made in a Dutch oven and cowboy coffee made over a campfire all while enjoying a spectacular view of the Tularosa Basin and Organ Mountains.

After hearing stories of the old west visitors are welcomed to take part in The Night Sky: A Culture Clock at 8:30 p.m. Once the sun has set and the stars are visible Interpretive Park Ranger Charles Wood will give a laser guided tour of the constellations. Visitors will also learn about the celestial cycles, how early cultures used the night sky to time their daily lives, and hear stories of the constellations.

For those interested in taking part in the programs they will take place at the Aguirre Spring Campground located on the east side of the Organ Mountains, east of Las Cruces in Doña Ana County. There is no fee for attending; however, a $3.00 vehicle pass will apply except for those who possess the Golden Age, Golden Access, America the Beautiful, or LCDO Recreation Pass.

For more information please contact McKinney Briske at (575) 525-4334