Things to Do in El Paso! – Calendar of Events Nov 5-11

Evans Blue and Smile Empty Soul — The alternative hard rock bands perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, at House of Rock, 8838 Viscount with special guests to be announced. Tickets: $20; available through ticketbully.com.

Planetshakers — The Christian worship band from Australia performs at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, at Abundant Living Faith Center, 1000 Valley Crest. Admission is free. Information: 740-8786 or 594-3305.

Machete Music Tour 2010 — The music tour featuring many of today’s hottest Latin urban artists including Ivy Queen, Tego Calderon and Cosculluela is 8 p.m. is Thursday, Nov. 4, at El Paso County Coliseum. Also featured are Angel Colderon, Angel y Khriz, Flex, Chino y Nacho and Jowell y Randy, JKing and Maximan. Tickets: $45, $55 and $65, plus service charges. (Ticketmaster) Information: machetemusic.com.

Jeff Strahan — The Texas musician performs at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at King’s X, 4119 N. Mesa. Strahan walked away from a career in law to pursue his passion for music, and performs what he calls a “melting pot” of Americana music, rooted in blues, country, rock and gospel. Admission is free; ages 21 and older admitted. Information: 544-4795 or thekingsx.com.

Whiskey Dick’s — 580 George Dieter. Joe Nichols, the man behind the hit “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,” performs Friday, Nov. 5. Tickets: $20. Showtime is 10 p.m.; early arrival recommended. Tickets available at (ticketbully.com). Information: 921-9900.

UTEP Department of Music — Performances are at 7:30 p.m. at Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, unless listed otherwise. Information: 747-5606 or utep.edu/music.

• UTEP Jazz Ensembles – Wednesday, Nov. 3. Tickets: $3-$5 (free for children, UTEP ID).

• “A Schumann Celebration” — Friday, Nov. 5 (Faculty Recital Series). The performance featuring tenor Sang-In Han, pianist Dena Kay Jones, and violinist Mark Schuppener honors the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of one of Germany’s most outstanding composers, Robert Schumann, who was deemed the “quintessential romantic.” Tickets: $5-$12 (free for UTEP faculty/staff).

A free pre-concert lecture is 6:30 p.m. in Fox Fine Art Room 402.

• Dominic Dousa and Colleagues — 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, (Faculty Recital Series). Dousa presents a concert of original works including a variety of instrumental and vocal colors, with performances by UTEP faculty artists Stephen Haddad, tuba; Sang-In Han, tenor; and Mark Schuppener, violin. NMSU’s La Catrina Quartet will join Dousa in the presentation of his piano quintet “Evocations from the Plains.” Tickets: $3-$8.

Belly dance fall fundraiser — Area belly dancers will host a fundraiser for Pregnancy Center of El Paso at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Al-Zaituna Restaurant, 4172 N. Mesa, featuring Al-Zaituna’s House Dancers, Kareesha, Ileana, Casey and Sheena. Raffle prizes include free dance classes, gift certificates to the restaurant and more. All tips will be donated to the center. Information: Zakia Hamwee, 474-2739. Reservations: Al-Zaituna, 838-1260.

Jeff Strahan at ADC — Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, One Ardovino Drive in Sunland Park, presents the blues/rock singer at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. Sponsored by Polo for AIDS. Admission is free. Information: (575) 589-0653 or ardovinos.com.

Thunder Drums Challenge – Coronado High School Band Boosters’ 10th annual percussion competition is Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Coronado High School’s Thunderbird Stadium, 100 Champions Place, featuring drums and percussion from the area’s top high schools. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. with final awards presentation at 9 p.m. Admission: $5 ($3 children) Information: 373-3029.

La Tierra Café Dinner Shows — 1731 Montana. The café offers dinner shows featuring local musicians and dancers once or twice a month. Jazz Night with Ruben Gutierrez & Billy Townes is Saturday, Nov. 6. Doors open at 6, dinner begins at 6:45 and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets sold at the café. Information: 533-8890.

‘Magic of the Guitar, with a Flair’ — The Bruce Nehring Consort hosts international guitarist Peter Fletcher at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6-7, at El Paso High School auditorium, 800 E. Schuster. The program will feature works by Dowland, Reusner, Bach, Ponce, Albéniz, Grieg, Koshkin, Villa-Lobos, Ravel and Domeniconi. Pre-concert entertainment by the Franklin High School Guitar Ensembles. Tickets: $15 ($10 senior/military; $5 students). Information: 534-SONG (7664).

Fletcher has received rave classical guitar performance reviews since age 15, as be believes in carrying on the Segovia tradition of classical guitar repertoire. He has recorded five albums raging from baroque music to works by Erik Satie.

EPSYO Fall Concert — El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra, featuring its new director Andres Moran, presents its opening performance of the 2010-2011 season 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, at The Plaza Theatre, featuring music by Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Offenbach. Tickets: $12 ($7 student, senior, military); available at 532-3776. Information: 525-8978 or epsyos.org.

The orchestra will perform the world premiere of composer Austin Jaquith’s “Kinesis.” Coronado High School senior Michael Staffeldt is featured in a performance of William Walton’s Concerto for Viola and Orchestra.

Piano Recital — The El Paso Music Teacher’s Association-Student Affiliate presents its students in recital at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, at the Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S. San Marcial. Admission is free. Information: 532-7273.

Jeff Strahan — The Texas musician performs at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at King’s X, 4119 N. Mesa. Strahan walked away from a career in law to pursue his passion for music, and performs what he calls a “melting pot” of Americana music, rooted in blues, country, rock and gospel. Admission is free; ages 21 and older admitted. Information: 544-4795 or thekingsx.com.

Club 101 — 1148 Airway. Showtime is 9 p.m. for most performances. Advance tickets for most events available at Club 101, All That Music, Psycha and online at ticketbully.com, unless otherwise listed. Information: 544-2101 or club101.com.

• Bring Me The Horizon — 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, with Polar Bera Club, This Is Hell and Emerson Grey. Tickets: $15.

• Battle of the DJS — The inaugural DJ contest is 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4. Cash prizes for first, second and third place winners. Entry fee: $20. Spectator admission: $10 ages 21 and older; $13 ages 18-20.

Low Brow — 112 Robinson. Showtimes/ticket information: 443-8464.

• Peelander-Z — The New York City-based Japanese action comic punk band performs 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, with special guest Japanese punk girl-band TshShiMaMiRe. Call for tickets.

• Iration — The Hawaiian reggae band performs at 9:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, with guests The Movement. After their first full-length album “No Time for Rest” debuted in 2007, the band’s single “Cookie Jar” reached Number One in Hawaii and was featured on Fuel TV’s Triple Crown of Surfing recap. Their latest single “Summer Nights” debuted at Number 2 on iTunes reggae singles charts. All ages show. Tickets: $12.

ALSO THIS WEEK

Dia De Los Muertos Festival — Concordia Heritage Association will host a special Day of the Dead festival 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, at Concordia Cemetery, 3700 E. Yandell (between Stevens and Boone). Concordia Cemetery will feature select graves decorated for the occasion with lit candles and other decorations, and booths will be set up with Dia de Los Muertos, paranormal and Halloween items. Fortune tellers also available. Attendees encouraged to dress up in costume. Live music, guest speakers, and more. Admission is $5 ($2 seniors, military and children under 12). Information: 581-7920, 591-2326 or concordiacemetery.org.

‘La Soga’ — UTEP’s Cinema Novo and Binational Independent Film Festival host a free special advance showing of “La Soga” (“The Rope”) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, at the UTEP Cinema. Manny Perez (“Bella”), who stars as a government killer in the Dominican Republic who turns on a corrupt general, will attend the screening and answer questions. The movie opens Nov. 5.

Fuerza Bruta — The New York-based Argentinean aerialists perform Nov. 4-20, at the Union Depot as part of Paso del Norte Group’s Amor Por Juarez project. Information: amorporjuarez.com.

‘A Christmas Fair’ — The Junior League of El Paso’s 37th annual holiday shopping fair, “Christmas in New York” is Friday through Sunday, Nov. 5-7, at the El Paso Convention Center. The fair brings together around 200 shops and specialty stores from across the country as well as arts, crafts, live entertainment, music, photos with Santa and more.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission: $8 ($7 children 6-12, military and seniors 60 and older; free for children 5 and younger). Advance tickets are $1 less, available at the Junior League of El Paso, 520 Thunderbird. Information: 584-3511 or info@jlep.org. Web: jlep.org.

Photos with Santa begin at 10 a.m. to daily. Cost to be determined.

Storytime with Santa is 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., with milk and cookies. Free with fair admission.

Special events (reservations required):

“Girls Night Out” private preview shopping is 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, featuring appetizers, cocktails, live music, fashion show and shopping the streets of “New York” before the rest of the crowd. Tickets: $40.

“Breakfast with Santa” children’s party is 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, with coffee, juice, breakfast goodies, holiday crafts, and entertainment. Tickets: $20 children ($15 adults). Adult’s ticket includes breakfast and that day’s fair admission (after 10 a.m.). Children’s ticket includes breakfast, fair admission and photo.

The Signature Event, ‘Gangsters, Glitter, & Gambling’ is 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Plaza Theatre, with drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music, silent and live auction items, gambling and more in a 1920s “speakeasy” setting. Tickets: $60.

Sun Bowl Art Exhibit 2010 — The annual show is on display Nov. 4-Dec. 30 at the International Museum of Art, 1211 Montana. Museum hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Opening reception is Thursday, Nov. 4. Admission is free. Information: 543-6747.

El Paso Museum of Archaeology — 4301 Transmountain in Northeast El Paso (west of U.S. 54). Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Information: 755-4332.

Showing Oct. 30-Jan. 30, 2011: “Tradiciones y Simbolos: Traditions and Symbols.” This anthropological and historical exhibit features artwork and altars of the Juntos Art Association of El Paso. The works explore Hispanic-American traditions, including Día de los Muertos, Navidad, Las Posadas and Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day). Artists featured include Lourdes Aguilar, Socorro Quezada Diamondstein, Gabriel Gaytán, Romy Saenz Hawkins, Lydia Limas, Candy Mayer, Diana Molina, Oscar Moya and Maria Almeida Natividad.

Opening reception and introduction is 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, featuring a discussion of the cultural origins of the traditional symbols use by the Juntos Art Association.

SCRG Charity Bout and Car Rally — Sun City Roller Girls women’s flat track roller derby league will host its next bout benefiting Toys of Tots “Naughty-or Nice” at 6 p.m. Sunday,Nov. 7, at Mission Valley Ballroom, 10600 North Loop, #H. The bout features the Nutt Crushers vs. the Goodi Tu-Tus. Doors open at 5 p.m. Halftime music by Raw Deal. Guests encouraged to bring an un-wrapped toy. Admission: $5 at the door. Free admission for first 400 guests with an unwrapped toy. Information: pollypiston@yahoo.com or suncityrollergirls.com.

The bout is preceded by a Car Rally 2 to 8 p.m. open to classics, rods, muscle, custom 4X4s, bikes and bugs. Toy donations will be taken. Live music by Mexklan, Silk Flamingo and the Beat, Low Luster League, Valley Rats, Lava Snake and The Aerospace Machine. Car set-up begins at 12:30 p.m.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day Gala — The Air Defense Artillery Association’s Veterans Day Gala dinner is 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at the Centennial Club at Biggs Army Airfield. The celebration will honor veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts. This year’s guest speaker is Lt. Gen. Robert Lennox, former Fort Bliss commanding general. A Chinese auction also held. Ticket information: 751-4699.

Veterans selected to represent the different war eras are:

• World War II — Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Thomas A. Stinnett and Pfc. Jacinto Romo.

• Korea — Marine Cpl. Daniel Lopez.

• Vietnam — Maj. Gen. William J. Riley, Air Force Col. Robert W. Pitt, Lt. Col. Leon L. Anderson and Lt. Col. John A. Szilvasy.

• Desert Storm — Col. Michael A. Bills, and Command Sgt. Maj. Antonio Murguia.

• OIF/OEF — Capt. William C. Swaims;, and Sgt. Maj. Scott L. Denson.

Airbourne Open House — The Veteran Paratroopers, Benavidez-Patterson “All Airborne” Chapter, 82nd Airborne Division Assn., Inc. will host a Veterans Day open house for its “Partida Hall” starting at noon Saturday, Nov. 6, at 2608 Fort Blvd. immediately following the annual Veteran’s Day Parade. Information: 494-9698 or JohCeb@msn.com.

San Elizario Veterans Day Celebration — San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society hosts its 14th annual patriotic celebration beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, with a parade from San Elizario Cemetery on Thompson Road to Veterans Memorial Plaza in front of historic San Elceario Church for a patriotic service to honor all nation’s veterans. Grand Marshall is Carmen Cruz. Admission is free. Information: Frank Soto, 851-1682.

Following the parade at 10:30 a.m. is the lighting of the Candles and the POW-MIA table ceremony. Five Korea War Era Veterans will be honored for their service, with patriotic music played by local high school bands. Food and beverages offered.

Veterans Day Parades — The downtown El Paso parade begins at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. The 1.3-mile parade, sponsored by the United American Veterans Organization, starts at Myrtle and Florence streets and circles San Jacinto Plaza. Information: 751-5800.

The annual Las Cruces Veterans Day parade is 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, beginning and ending at Loretto Towne Center. Route follows Church Street past City Hall and back on Hadley Avenue. Information: 541-2000 or las-cruces.org.

Veterans Day originated at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the Allied powers signed a ceasefire agreement with Germany, which brought closure to World War I. Known as Armistice Day, Congress voted the day a federal holiday in 1938.

Free meals for Veterans — Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar, will serve free meals to all veterans and active duty military with ID Thursday, Nov. 11, in honor of Veteran’s Day. Meals must be purchased from the “Veterans Day Menu” list. Information/locations: applebees.com.

Bazaars and fairs

Animal Rescue ‘Pawzaar’ — Animal Rescue League of El Paso, 7256 La Junta in Canutillo, will host a fundraising arts and crafts bazaar 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, featuring local artists, dog and cat related items, jewelry, salsa, jellies, soaps, lotions, wood pens, quilts, photography, stained glass and more. Information: 877-5002 .

Also featured is a “Blessing of the Animals,” pet adoptions and raffles. All well-behaved pets welcome on leash.

Blended Nation craft fair – Blended Nation Fellowship, 498 McCombs (at Luna Azul) in Chaparral, will hosts its 2nd annual craft fair 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, featuring handmade jewelry, crocheted items, foods, aromatherapies and other crafts. Free coffee served. Admission is free. Information: (915) 637-1503 or blendednationfellowship.com.

Elegant Consignments YWCA Fundraiser — The 4th annual fundraiser sale of antiques, furniture, jewelry and other items is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday,Nov. 6-7, at the Joyce Whitfield Jaynes YWCA, 1600 Brown. All items donated for the sale by Elegant Consignments and its customers, and all proceeds benefit the YWCA. Information: 584-4440.

Fort Bliss Holiday Bazaar — The NCO Wives’ Club’s annual Bazaar will host the annual bazaar Nov. 6-7 at the National Guard Armory on Hondo Pass. The bazaar features vendors from throughout the Southwest offering arts, crafts and food. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $1; includes free door prize ticket.

Bassett Place — 6101 Gateway West. Information: 772-7479 or bassettplacemall.com. Holiday Arts and Crafts Show is Friday-Sunday, Nov. 5-7.

KPA Rummage Sale — Kern Place Association will host a fundraising rummage sale at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Madeline Park, 900 Baltimore. Information: 544-0402 or spierka@sbcglobal.net.

Zeta Phi Beta Yard Sale — Eta Iota Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority hosts a yard sale 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at 4501 Skyhawk, near Gateway North, Rutherford and Croton. All proceeds benefit the chapter’s scholarships. Admission is free. Information: 276-5479.

St. Mathews Fall Fiesta — St. Mathews Catholic School, 400 W Sunset, will host its fall fiesta and bazaar 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7. Information: 584-3461. Vendor space information: 355-4868.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Signature Chefs Auction – The 6th annual benefit for the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation is Thursday, Nov. 4, at Grace Gardens, Westside Drive. El Paso area chefs gather to present their signature dishes, along with a menu of gourmet auction packets. Cocktails and chef samplings are 5:30 to 6:40 p.m., with live auction of chef packages 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $250 ($2,500 table for 10). Information: 590-9499

This year’s lead chef is Nickolas “Nikko” Gravalos of Morrison Healthcare Food Services. Other participating chefs are Chantima Suebsang of Tara Thai, Francisco Rosales of Wyndham Airport, Roy Rosales of Doubletree Hotel, William “Billy” A. Means of Mesa Street Bar & Grill, JJ Castañeda of NoFish, Jorge Lara and Jaime Baquera of Morrison Healthcare Food Services, Victor Miranda of Coronado Country Club, Rodolfo “Rudy” Valdes of Crave Kitchen & Bar, Marcella “Marcy” Rangel of Baby Cakes by Marcy, Personal Chef Megan Hoover and Caro Mendez of Marcello’s Ristorante Italiano.

‘Wine & Chocolat!’ — KCOS-TV will host a Chef Showcase of selections from local culinary masters at the annual fundraising event 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, at El Paso Community College Administrative Service Center, 9050 Viscount, Building A. Advance tickets: $35 ($30 for KCOS members). At the door: $40. Available at the KCOS-TV offices in the EPCC Administrative Service Center. Information: Alicia Meier, 590-1313 or kcostv.org.

The event will showcase samples from Capetto’s Italian Restaurant, EPCC Culinary Arts Facility, Magic Pan and Chilie Chipotle, along with wine pairings and samples from dozens of wineries around the world. The event also features a variety of cheeses and chocolates provided by Holiday Inn Airport, live music by Frank Zona & Urban Edge and El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra, and live and silent auctions.

Attendees will receive a commemorative KCOS wine glass and tours of the new state-of-the-art EPCC Culinary Arts Facility. This year’s commemorative poster is by local artist Melinda Etzold.

2010 Border Heroes Award Dinner — Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center will host its annual event 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Mercado Mayapan, 2101 Myrtle. This year’s honorees are journalist Diana Washington Valdez, the late Esther Chavez Cano of Casa Amiga and the late Lorenzo Guel of Taller Colibri. Cocktail hour is 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Silent auction held 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets: $75 donation; $600 table for 8. RSVP: louiegilot@las-americas.org. Information: 544-5126 or las-americas.org.

‘Gangsters, Glitter, & Gambling’ — The Junior League of El Paso’s gala “Roaring 20’s” Signature Event at A Christmas Fair is 7 p.m. ton midnight Saturday, Nov. 6, at The Plaza Theatre. Flapper and Gangster Attire encouraged. Reservations required. Tickets: $60. Information: 584-3511 or info@jlep.org.

The event recreates the clandestine cocktails and gambling in a 1920’s Speakeasy, with drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music, silent and live auction items, gambling and other surprises of the era.

The Junior League’s “A Christmas Fair” runs Nov. 5-7 at El Paso Convention Center, with this year’s theme “Christmas in New York.”

El Paso Toy Run — El Paso Motorcycle Coalition’s 28th annual toy run parade is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, beginning at International Truck Driving School, 141 Quinella in Sunland Park and ending at El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 Paisano, for toy drop-off. Registration is at 9 a.m.; parade leaves at 11:15 a.m. All proceeds benefit the underprivileged children of El Paso County and its surrounding area. Entry: $10 plus a new toy donation. Children under 10 admitted free with a new toy donation. Information: 494-4881, 740-9991 or elpasomotorcyclecoalition@gmail.com.

ON STAGE

‘Singin’ In The Rain’ – UTEP Dinner Theatre opens its season with one of the best loved musicals of all time, based on the 1952 MGM film through Nov. 7 with music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics and Arthur Freed. Showtime is 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; non-dinner matinees are 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 7. Tickets $26-$38 dinner shows; $12-$22 non-dinner matinee. Information: 747-6060.

Hollywood in the 1920s is the setting for this zany, light-hearted romantic comedy about the early days of sound film, when many a movie studio found itself scrambling to salvage the career of its chipmunk-voiced silent picture star. “Singin’ in the Rain” features some of the best loved comedy routines “Good Morning,” “Make ‘em Laugh,” “You Were Meant For Me” and the most famous song-and-dance number of all time, “Singin’ in the Rain.”

‘Royal Gambit’ – El Paso Community College’s Performers Studio present the Hermann Gressieker drama 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5-6, at the EPCC Transmountain Campus Forum. Directed by Hector Serrano. Tickets: $10 ($5 students/seniors/military). Information: 637-4029, 831-5056 or epcc.edu.

The play is a metaphysical portrait of Henry VIII and the six women in his life.

‘The Bourgeois Gentleman’ — Coronado High School Drama Club presents the play by Moliere with English translation by H. Baker and J. Miller Nov. 3 and Nov. 6-8, at the school’s Lee Ross Capshaw Auditorium. Showtime is 7 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $5 in advance; $6 at the door. Information: 269-5788.

Jourdain is a middle-aged “bourgeois” man whose father grew rich as a cloth-merchant. He now has one aim in life, to rise above this middle-class background and be accepted as an aristocrat.

SPORTS

UTEP Men’s Basketball – Home games are at the Don Haskins Center. Individual tickets: $10-$50, plus service charge. Information: 747-5234 or utepathletics.com.

• Texas A&M-Kingsville (Exhibition), 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5

UTEP Football — The Miners’ final home game of the season is 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, against SMU at Sun Bowl Stadium. Tickets: $25.30, $30.45 and $62.70. (Ticketmaster). Information: 747-5234, 544-8444 or utepathletics.com.

UTEP Women’s Basketball — Home games are in the Don Haskins Center. Information: 747-5234 or utepathletics.com

• St. Mary’s, 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7

Special Olympics Fall Games — The 2010 fall games are Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 4-6. Spectator admission is free. Information: 533-8229.

• Thursday, Nov. 4: Powerlifting, 6:30 p.m. at the Fred Loya Family YMCA, 2044 Trawood. Weigh-in at 6 p.m.

• Friday, Nov. 5: Opening Ceremonies, 6 p.m. at El Paso Community College Valle Verde Gym, 919 Hunter. Features the Parade of Athletes, introductions of VIPs, entertainment and more. Victory Dance follows 7 to 9 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 6: Softball, 8 a.m. to noon at Veteran’s Park Softball Field, 5301 Salem, and Bowling at 9 a.m. to noon (singles) and 1 to 4 p.m. (doubles and teams) at Bowl El Paso, 11144 Pellicano.

‘Grape Race’ — The 6th annual 10K run and 2-mile non-competitive fun walk benefiting El Paso Humane Society is 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Zin Valle Vineyard, 7315 Hwy 28, in Canutillo, Texas. Race day registration is 4 to 4:45 p.m. Registration: $25 pre-registration; $20 military; $40 day of race. Fee includes dinner, long-sleeved t-shirt and glass of Zin Valle wine. Top three male and female runners in each age group receive “wine” trophies; All racers entered in drawing for a pair of Spira shoes. Information: 478-5663 or zinvalle.com. Register on-line at race360.com

Dinner by P.F Chang’s and music by Captain Radio and the Flyers follows the run at Zin Valle. Dinner tickets for non-runners: $10 (includes glass of wine). RSVP by Oct. 31: 877-4544.

USATF championship — The USTAF Border Association’s masters and open cross country championship starts at 7 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Westside Regional Park, at Resler and High Ridge. The Men’s 10K and Women’s 6K races meet on a mountain road course. Trophies for overall male and female finishers, with medals for top 10 finishers overall. Cost: $30 individuals, $60 teams (includes one-year USATF membership). Information: 877-1578 or usatf.org.

Pre-race packet pick up is 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, and 6 to 6:45 a.m. on race day at Westside Regional Park.

Southern New Mexico

Renaissance Artsfaire — The 39th annual event, sponsored by the Doña Ana Arts Council, is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6-7, at “Ye Olde” Young Park, intersections of Walnut and Lohman, in Las Cruces. Admission: $5 donation (free for children 12 and under). No pets except service animal allowed. Information: (575) 523-6403 or las-cruces-arts.org.

This year’s event features more than 150 artists, as well as food such as turkey legs and information booths. The faire also features on-going entertainment at three different entertainment areas, royal processions, and the Children’s Realm, a large designated area full of family activities and entertainment.

Continual lake canoe rides around the faire’s mascot “Magellan” the dragon are offered both days. The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) will have a large encampment featuring horse games, battles, and demonstrations, and The Ratcatcher and his catapult will entertain both days.

Other areas include the Merry Court of Sherwood Oak with the Queen’s “Bawdy Balladeer” and medieval fashion show, Middle Eastern Village and Imperial Wine Garden.

Continuous live entertainment featured on the Main Stage including award-winning musician Randy Granger, crowd favorites La Cella Bella and The Whistling Diva. Also featured are Hawkquest majestic birds of prey, magician Chris Mitchell, comedic juggler “Catch” Jeffrey Daymont and the Outrageous Theatre Company.

Free shuttles to and from the Mesilla Valley Mall to the park run every 10 to 15 minutes beginning at 10 a.m. both days. Look for signs and yellow school buses.

Quartetto Gelato – Grant County Community Concert Association presents the ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at WNMU’s Fine Arts Center Theater. For more than a decade, this group has enchanted audiences and critics worldwide with their exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion, and charismatic anecdotes. Tickets: $20. Information: (575) 538-5862 or gcconcerts.org.

Rajeev Taranath — NMSU Cultural Series presents the internationally acclaimed performer at 8 p.m. Nov. 4, at NMSU’s Atkinson Music Recital Hall. Tickets: $15 ($13.50 seniors, NMSU faculty/staff and children 2-12; $10 NMSU students with ID). Information: (575) 646-1420 or panam.nmsu.edu.

Taranath is one of the world’s leading exponents of the sarod, a fretless stringed instrument that, like the sitar, is a mainstay of Indian classical music. Taranath’s performances masterfully combine the depth and rigor of the tradition of Hindustani classical music with an inspired imagination and emotional intensity.

Po’ Girls – The Canadian folk band performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at historic Buckhorn Opera House in Pinos Altos, N.M. as the kick-off of the Mimbres Region Arts Council’s 2010-2011 Folk Series. Tickets: $20 ($15 members). Information/showtime: (575) 538-2505, 1-888-758-7289 or mimbresarts.org.

Folk series season passes (includes four shows) are $55.

The All-Girl Boys Choir — The garage rock/indie band performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. The duo features drummer Alicia Warrington and guitarist Marlene “The Hammer” Hammerle. Admission: $10. Information: (575) 933-7611 or equinoxlc@gmail.com.

Warrington has toured with Kelly Osbourne, Disney’s Hannah Montana and Lillix. Hammerle is formerly of Detroit’s Gore Gore Girls.