Artists from New Mexico and Texas have come together through the Ghost Town Arts Collective and will be exhibiting “Down Every Side Street: New Directions in Southwestern Art.” The exhibition will include works in a variety of media, including painting, photography, sculpture, and ceramics.
 
An artist of 40 years, Merry ArtToones uses her knowledge of painting and assemblage to create ceramic sculptures that communicate about serious subject matter through humor. Her latest works are influenced by sources including Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” and J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.”

Abraham Gelbart’s “Shreddings” includes paintings, prints, and sculpture and is “based on the premise that identity theft is all around”. The series began as sculptures, but soon evolved and includes works representing “data” that can easily be stolen.  
 
Joel Smith’s dynamic abstract paintings have been featured in international exhibitions from New York to Japan. He creates paintings that have their own “persona” and uses vivid colors and spontaneous brush strokes. His “oil paintings do not represent emotion, they transcend it.”  
 
An artists’ reception will be held September 3, 5-7pm.   
 
As of June 1, new gallery hours are 9 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday.  The Museum of Art is closed Sunday and Monday.

The Las Cruces Museum of Art is located at 491 N. Main Street at the end of the downtown mall. For more information, call (575) 541-2137 or visit the website www.las-cruces.org/museums

Wednesday, September 15, Cracker in concert
Normally seen flying high above the Rio Grande Theatre stage, local aerialist dance troupe, Project IN Motion, will don their promotional hats to host Alt Rock icons Cracker, live in concert as a benefit fundraiser for the troupe and the J. Paul Taylor Center in Las Cruces. Best known for their top Indie hits “Low” and “Teen Angst,” Cracker’s 13th album Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey has been receiving rave reviews ever since its release in May of last year.  They will be joined on-stage by opening band, The Liars and Project IN Motion Aerialists. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 day of show. Showtime is 7:30pm, doors open at 7pm. For more information visit www.ProjectINMotion.com, or to reserve tickets, visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com.

Friday, September 17, NMSU Outdoor Rec presents Reel Rock Tour
NMSU Outdoor Rec’s Adventure Arts Series continues with an all new season, showcasing documentaries and guest lecturers on topics ranging from pressing environmental issues to extreme outdoor sports. This year, Reel Rock turns five and co-founders Sender Films and Big Up Productions are celebrating by taking you on a global ride like never before. From death-defying speed link-ups of the wildest faces in the Alps, to Olympian displays of strength and tenacity on the hardest boulders ever climbed, Reel Rock 2010 features a breathtaking journey through the vertical realm with the heroes of rock and snow. For more information, visit www.reelrocktour.com. Showtime is 7pm, doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets are $8 in advance; $10 at the door day of show. For more information call (575)646-4746.  

 Sunday, September 19, Mesilla Valley Musical Arts Benefit
NMSU’s Lisa Van Winkle, along with several friends, will present an Inaugural Concert to help us launch our organization. Wonderful music by outstanding musicians, running the gamut from much-loved classical repertoire to some wild and wacky selections! Complimentary champagne reception following the concert. Proceeds will benefit Mesilla Valley Musical Arts.  Tickets are $15. Showtime is 3pm, doors open at 2:30pm. For more information or to make reservations, call (575) 523-6403.  

Thursday, September 23, Deolinda in concert
Rooted in the traditional musical styles of the Portugese motherland and its overseas territories, from fado and morna to their Brazilian echoes, Deolinda offers a vignette of the Lisbon streets, through the eyes of a young woman of the same name. It is her acoustic songs that are voiced by expressive Ana Bacalhau, assisted by three masters of double bass and classical guitar. Intimate songs with as much flair as saudade and sparklingly brought to life on-stage. Showtime is 7pm, doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 NMSU students, faculty & staff, seniors and children. Available at the Pan Am Center ticket office and all Ticketmaster locations.

Sunday, September 26, RGT 5th Anniversary Celebration
It has been five years since the Rio Grande Theatre reopened its doors as a live entertainment venue and the Dona Ana Arts Council is celebrating with an Anniversary Party! Master of Ceremonies Dr. Jim Shearer will host musical group Oldies But Goodies, nine talented musicians who, according to group founder Frank Cachia, “bring back the memories of the past by singing oldies as close as we can to the original records.” A suggested donation of $10 will go toward continued renovations of the Rio Grande Theatre. Showtime is 5pm, doors open at 4 pm. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com.

Thursday, September 30, LCCCA presents Daniel Narducci
Classic American baritone, Daniel Narducci, performs songs of legendary heroes and villains from Broadway to Hollywood, including Don Quixote, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde and the Phantom Of The Opera. Since his debut with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, he has appeared with many of the world’s most prestigious orchestras. One the operatic stage, his recent appearances include Sharpless in Madama Butterfly and Escamillo in Carmen. An increasingly active recording artist, he sang the role of Captain Hook on the world premiere recording of Leonard Bernstein’s Peter Pan.  Tickets are $20. Showtime is 7:30pm, doors open at 7pm. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (575)521-4051.  

Every Other Tuesday at the Rio Grande Theatre
September 7 – LC Symphony String Quartet
September 21 – Natalie Masters
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. 

Exhibits in the El Paso Electric and Carolene de Mesilla Galleries

The Plein Air Painters of El Paso
To help celebrate Color Las Cruces–Las Cruces first ever Plein Air Competition and Festival– the Doña Ana Arts Council has invited The Plein Air Painters of El Paso to exhibit at the Rio Grande Theatre for the month of September. Officially formed in 1997, The Plein Air Painters of El Paso started off as a small group of Plein Air enthusiasts, but grew steadily until they were exhibiting at such locales as The International Museum of Art and The Chamizal National Memorial, as well as the Department of Interior Museum in Washington, D.C. Thirteen artists will exhibit their works, all created in locations throughout the area.  Most of the scenes are in the El Paso area, but some were done in the Mesilla Valley.

Artists in the show will be Corinne Abeyta-Spinnler, Bob Adams, Louise Bagg, Cheryl Bower, Melinda Etzold, Winfrey Hearst, Candy Mayer, Ann Mitchell, Dee Olga MinYoung-Phillips, Krystyna Robbins, Rami Scully, Kathleen Squires and A. Stein. Some of the members, including Candy Mayer will be participating in the Plein Air competition on September 11th. The show will run through the month of September, 2010, in both the El Paso Electric and Carolene de Mesilla Galleries, beginning with an artist reception on August 6, 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 clarification, photos or additional information, please visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com or contact the Rio Grande Theatre Manager, David Salcido, at 575-523-6403.

Booths will be set up on the plaza from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. No pets, alcohol or smoking allowed on the plaza. For more information call 524-3262 ext. 116.

To increase Las Cruces’ rank, vote for the market online at www.farmland.org/vote

The America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest is hosted each year by American Farmland Trust (AFT). The online contest is a nationwide challenge to see which of America’s farmers markets can rally the most support from their communities. At the end of the contest, on August 31st, one large, medium, small, and boutique sized farmers market will win the title of “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” for 2010.

Farmers markets are a vital link between local farms and their supporting communities, providing fresh and healthy food and an experience that cannot be matched anywhere else. By partnering with farmers market managers, AFT is encouraging consumers to consider the importance of farmland and to support local farmers.

In 2011, the Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts market will be celebrating its 40th anniversary, and making it to the number one spot in the nation would be the pinnacle of success. Anyone can vote in support of their region’s farmers, community and market. To vote for the Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market, please go to www.farmland.org/vote.

“Farmers markets are one of the best ways for consumers to support local farms and farmers,” says Julia Freedgood, Managing Director for AFT’s Growing Local Initiative. “A great way to find seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, farmers markets also support public health and economic development opportunities in our communities.” The 2007 U.S. Agricultural Census reports a 49 percent growth in sales from farms directly to consumers since 2002-representing $1.2 billon that stayed in local communities. But at the same time, more than 800,000 acres of farmland are developed each year – most around cities where there is the greatest demand for local food. “We need to make the connection: there’s no local food without local farms and farmland,” says Freedgood.

AFT is a national nonprofit organization working with farmers and ranchers to protect the land, produce a healthier environment, and build successful communities. As the nation’s leading advocate for farm and ranch land conservation, AFT has ensured that more than three million acres of land stay bountiful and productive. AFT’s national office is located in Washington, D.C. The phone number is 202-331-7300.www.farmland.org

For more information about the Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market, please contact Eric Montgomery at 575-541-2288 or fcmarket@las-cruces.org.

“Barroco en la Frontera: Baroque on the Border” is inspired by “life along the border – the brutality associated with drug cartels, tales from folklore, and everyday moments of domestic tranquility.” These epic paintings depict anger, fear, and despair through the use of dramatic lighting, strong shadows and vibrant color in 17th century Baroque style.

Mr. Gonzalez received his MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art in 2004. He is a native of Reynosa, Mexico and was raised in San Juan, Texas. Mr. Gonzalez recently completed a two-year Artist Residency program in Roswell, NM.

New gallery hours are 9 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. The Museum will be closed Sundays and Mondays. For more information, call (575) 541-2137 or visit the website www.las-cruces.org/museums.

Funded by the City of Las Cruces, the Las Cruces Museum of Art is located at 491 N. Main Street at the north end of the downtown mall.

Mitchell started his own magical journey at the age of 8 and has been fine tuning his act ever since throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. He was a featured performer for the 1993 NCAA Final Four in New Orleans for Coca Cola, and has performed for the Commodore Cruise Lines aboard the Enchanted Isle. He worked as the Magic Consultant for the USA Networks television series “The Big Easy” and was an honorary Grand Marshall for a Mardi Gras parade. Here in Las Cruces he has performed for several corporate and charitable events. Chris teaches magic classes to young kids and icebreakers to executives, and looks forward to sharing the gift magic with all.

The Rio Grande Theatre is located at 211 N. Downtown Mall, in Las Cruces. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show begins at 7pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under and can be purchased via the website at www.RioGrandeTheatre.com. For more information, call (575) 523-6403.

A final call is going out to artists wishing to be part of the first Color Las Cruces Plein Air Competition and Community Arts Festival, September 11 & 12, 2010. During the event weekend, juried artists will compete for cash and merchandise prizes in one of two Plein Air categories. In addition, on Thursday, September 9 and Friday, September 10, Denver artist Kevin Weckbach will give a two-day Plein Air workshop, which is open to artists of all levels. The deadline to get applications in for both the Plein Air competitions and the two-day workshop is August 13, 2010.

Color Las Cruces is sponsored in part by the City of Las Cruces, the Las Cruces Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, The New Mexico Tourism Department, the Frame and Art Center, Jack Richeson & Co. Inc., Larson Juhl and Reuel’s Art & Frame. The premiere event will be two full days of ongoing activities in Downtown Las Cruces, featuring an artist workshop, a “Quickdraw” competition, two Plein Air competitions, a VIP Artist Reception and a Citywide gallery hop. For artist entry applications, workshop enrollment and/or any general information, call (575) 523-6403 or visit www.Las-Cruces-Arts.org.

“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.