Northeast/Central
B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Cheese) Happening — A night of spoken word, musical and video entertainment is 8 p.m. Friday, July 30, at Forum Arts and Culture, 1500 Texas Ave, with videos by Leon de la Rosa, discussion by Dr. Deb Hoag, poetry by Lawrence Welsh, Donna Snyder, Ray Ramos and Jen Shugert, videoremixing by Rene Lopez and Tipo with DJ Kidmonks. Wine served, “bring-your-own-cheese.” Cost: $5 suggested donation. Information: Jonathan, 613-5237.
The Percolator — 217 N. Stanton. Live music events are scheduled regularly at downtown cafe and gallery. Information: 351-4377 or myspace.com/thepercolator915.
• Corima and Remainder, 8 p.m. Friday, July 30.
‘El Sueño de Petra’ — “Viva Mexico” Theater Ensemble presents the original comedy by Rubert Reyes at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 30-31, at EPCC’s Transmountain Lecture Forum, 9570 Gateway North. Translated and directed by Malena Cano, the production stars Mario Cano, Luz Elena Duarte, Chris Fraga, Dora Gomez, Jose Manuel Lara, Anahi Claudia Rose, Maria Elena Salazar, Francisca Sanchez, Alberto Trevizo and Gustavo Urrea. Admission: $5. Information: 772-3905, 329-7774 or 831-7802.
Family Camp Out Adventure — El Paso Parks and Recreation Department will host the family overnight event 4 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday, July 30-31, at Memorial Park Reserve area, 3251 Copper. Cost is $5 for ages 17 and under, and $10 for others, which includes hot dogs, entertainment and more. All campers must bring their own tents and sleeping bags. Information: 240-3310 or elpasotexas.gov/parks.
The event features picnic, swimming, overnight movies and dancing, games and more. Security provided onsite.
San Ignacio’s Kermes — St. Ignatius Church, 408 S. Park, will celebrate its 105th year, July 30-Aug. 1, with historical exhibits, gorditas, carnival rides, games, music, dancing and more. Mayor John Cook’s new barbecue sauce will be sold benefiting the homeless and parish. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 5 to midnight Saturday and 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Raffle tickets available to win $500 cash and grocery store gift certificates. Admission is free. Information: 532-9534.
El Paso Diablos Baseball — The American Association minor league team regular home game time is 7:05 p.m. (Sundays at 6:05 p.m.) at Cohen Stadium in Northeast El Paso. Tickets: $8 box seats; $7 general admission (free for age 4 and younger). Information: 755-2000 or diablos.com.
• July 24-30 — Grand Prairie Air Hogs
Eastside
Peter Piper Pizza ‘Back to School Classic’ — One of the premier youth basketball tournaments in the Southwest is July 31-Aug. 1, featuring local top high school teams and teams from throughout Texas. Four games guaranteed per team, followed by single elimination events. Games will be held throughout El Paso. Entry fee: $150 per team. Information: 540-0043 or pppbtsc.com.
lower Valley
Baila Academy — The academy’s annual dance festival is 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 30-31, at Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S. San Marcial. Admission is free. Information: 532-7273.
Music Under the Stars — The 27th summer concert series, Music Under the Stars World Festival, presented by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, features local and international performers 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sundays, through Aug. 15, at the Chamizal National Memorial amphitheater, 800 S. San Marcial. Admission is free. Information: 541-4481 (MCAD), 532-7273 (Chamizal) or elpasoartsandculture.org.
Grills permitted in park, but not within the amphitheater itself. No glass containers or pets permitted at park.
Free park-and-ride shuttles available from El Paso Zoo to Chamizal and depart regularly 6:30 to 10 p.m.
• Aug. 1 — Hot Club of Cowtown (Western Swing)
Festival of Lights — The family festival is 6 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 30-Aug. 1, at Ysleta ISD Fine Arts Complex Amphitheater, 8455 Alameda, featuring food and craft vendors, games for children, jumping balloons, rock wall, obstacle course and more. The annual performance of “Viva los Niños” is at 8 p.m. Admission is free. Information: 434-9700.
See below for details of “Viva los Niños.”
‘Viva los Ninos!’ — The original pageant for and about the children of El Paso is presented at 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 30-Aug. 1, at Ysleta ISD Fine Arts Complex Amphitheater, 8455 Alameda. The cast includes children who attended the YISD Fine Arts Summer Camp.
Westside/downtown
Dancing in the City — The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department presents the outdoor salsa dance 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at Arts Festival Plaza, with live music by Team Havana. Dance lesson precedes the event at 7 p.m. Beverages and food available for purchase; no outside food or drinks permitted. Cost: $5 ($8 couples). Advance tickets at the MCAD office, first floor of El Paso City Hall. Information: 541-4942.
Skateboarding Classes — El Paso Parks and Recreation Department will host the free demonstration for upcoming August skateboarding classes 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 31, at Westside Recreation Center, 7400 High Ridge. Class open to ages 5 and older. Cost: $18. Information: 587-1623
Alfresco! Fridays — The free outdoor concerts begin at 5:30 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 10 at Arts Festival Plaza (between El Paso Museum of Art and Plaza Theatre). Presented by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department. No outside food or beverages, or pets allowed. Information: 534-0689, 541-4481, or alfrescofridays.com.
• July 30 — La Imperial Sonora (Latin cumbia)
100th Anniversary of Cub Scouting Lock In – Boy Scouts of America Yucca Council will host the overnight event for families beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at Adventure Zone, Redd Road. The event features exclusive use of Adventure Zone with unlimited non-redemption game play, golf, boats and go-carts until 3 a.m. Participants may bring tents. No admission after 11 p.m. Cost: $19 per person; pre-registration by July 28. No walk-ins accepted. Information: 772-2292 or yuccabsa.org.
Singles Game Night — Peggy Kligman, inventor of “The Goat Game” will host an evening for singles at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 30, at Fuddrucker’s Restaurant, 5030 N. Desert. Bar service and dinner menus available. Seating is limited. Cost: $10 (cash only). Information: 239-4224 or goatgame.com.
Farmer’s Market at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing — The 8th annual market is 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays through mid-October. This “producers only” market features quality farmers, backyard gardeners and artisans such as Cactus Mary’s soap and crafts, Mysterious Horizons Farm herbs and Villa Simplicity handmade spa products. No re-selling permitted. The CoffeeStream will serve breakfast and coffee on the patio until 11 a.m. Information: Luis, (575) 589-0653, ext. 6.
Romeo & Juliet’ — UTEP Department of Theatre and Dance’s summer production presents Shakespeare’s classic love story July 23-Aug. 1 at UTEP’s Wise Family Theatre. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Directed by Chuck Gorden. Tickets: $10 ($8 ages 4-12, UTEP students/faculty and staff/alumni, military, seniors and groups of 10 or more), plus service charges. (Ticketmaster). Information: 747-5118.
Fashion Palooza — Boys and Girls Clubs of El Paso will host the gala fundraiser 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, at The Garden Restaurant and Bar, 511 Western, in Union Plaza, featuring a runway fashion show, cash bar, hors d’oeuvres and live music by Morry and the Sochat Special 20s. Tickets: $50 in advance; $65 at the door; available online at BGCEPOnlinePurchase. Information: Crystal Mireles, 532-7410.
‘Nuestra Belleza El Paso’ Pageant — The inaugural Spanish-language Latina beauty pageant is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at The Plaza Theatre, with more than 55 young women from El Paso, Juárez, and Las Cruces competing for the crown. Participants competed in beauty, style and cultural appreciation events, emphasizing on the opportunity for personal development while serving the community. Part of the contestants’ judging points will be based on votes by the public. Tickets: $25, plus service charge (Ticketmaster).
Southern new Mexico
Ruidoso Chamber Music Festival — The 6th annual event is July 30-31 at The Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts on Airport Hwy 220 in Alto, N.M. (about 12 miles north of downtown Ruidoso). Tickets: $49 per concert($25 for ages 18 and younger). Three-concert package: $125. Tickets available for order via the Spencer Theater, 1-888-818-7872 or spencertheater.com.
This year’s featured performance will be the 2009 Van Cliburn Piano Competition Gold Medalist Mariangela Vacatello at 8 p.m. Saturday, with a pre-concert talk at 7 p.m.
Friday’s concert features the multiple award-winning Jasper String Quartet at 8 p.m. Pre-concert talk at 7 p.m.
Saturday’s afternoon concert is 2 p.m. featuring 20-year-old violin virtuoso Ray Chen.
Other events:
• The “Fabulous Festival Fling” fund-raising gala is 6 p.m. Friday before the concert in the theater’s Crystal Lobby, featuring hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets: $30.
• A free Youth Concert featuring Jasper String Quartet is 10 a.m. Saturday.
• A “Between concert” buffet dinner is 5 p.m. Saturday. Cost: $30.
Zia Weekend at Ruidoso Downs — The annual arts and craft show is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 31-Aug. 1, at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, featuring all-New Mexico made artworks, handmade items and live entertainment. Admission is free. Information: (575) 378-4431 or ruidownsracing.com.
Tommy Allsup ‘Stories & Music’ — The Grammy-winner will sing songs and tell stories about his career, the many people he made music with, and the adventures he had along the way 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday,July 30-31, in the Johnny and Marty Cope Learning Center, at the Hubbard Museum of the American West — 841 U.S. Hwy 70 West, next to Ruidoso Downs (N.M.) Race Track. Cost: $20 ($15 museum members); seating is limited. Information: (575) 378-4142. or hubbardmuseum.org.
Rio Grande Theatre — Pre Entertainment presents former Funk Brothers member Ronnie Rathers in an evening of hit R&B and Soul classics 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 Downtown Mall, Las Cruces. Tickets: $25 general admission; $40 VIP (includes hors d’oeuvres and meet and greet with musicians). Portion of proceeds go towards Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces. Information: (575) 523-6403, (575) 630-2206 or RioGrandeTheatre.com.
The concert presents hits by the Four Tops, Gladys Knight, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations and more. Rathers was a regular performer with such artists as Ray Charles, The Average White Band, Chubby Checker, Tavares, The Drifters and Percy Sledge.
‘A Delicate Balance’ — No Strings Theatre Company will opens its 10th season with Edward Albee’s 1967 Pulitzer Prize-winning play July 23-Aug. 8 at Black Box Theatre, 420 N. Downtown Mall, in Las Cruces. Directed by Ceil Herman. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1 and 8, and 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5. Tickets: $10 ($9 students and seniors over 65, $7 all seats on Thursday). Information: (575) 523-1223 or nstcbbt@zianet.com.
A wealthy middle-aged couple Agnes and Tobias, have their complacency shattered when longtime friends Harry and Edna appear at their doorstep. Claiming an encroaching, nameless “fear” has forced them from their own home, these neighbors bring a firestorm of doubt, recrimination and ultimately solace, upsetting the “delicate balance” of Agnes and Tobias’ household.