El Paso, TX Calendar of Events – Dec 17- Dec 23rd

Northeast/Central

Holiday Celebration of Tchaikovsky — The Ballet Centre School of Classical Dance, directed by David Alejandro Duran, presents its celebration of Tchaikovsky through dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at El Paso High School Auditorium, 800 E. Schuster. More than 15 intermediate and advance level students will perform excerpts from “Swan Lake,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Nutcracker,” featuring both traditional and original choreography. Admission is free. Information: 544-4348 or balletcentre.us.

Navidad de La Fe Luminarias — La Fe Clinic will light up Scenic Drive with more than 4,000 luminarias for its 19th annual event 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Admission is free, but sightseers are invited to donate canned and dry goods or cash or checks (made to “Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe” to benefit families served by La Fe.
Scenic Drive will be open only to one-way traffic during the event, accessible from Richmond/Alabama streets in Central El Paso. Cars proceed slowly westward with lights off to view the luminarias and the city lights of El Paso and Juárez. Drivers will also get to view Santa and his elves and a live Nativity scene. Volunteers and sponsors are always needed. Information: 534-7190.

St. Anthony’s Seminary Posada — The seminary, at Crescent and Hastings in Central El Paso, celebrates the traditional custom of the posada at about 6:30 p.m. nightly Dec. 16-23, with rosary, songs by Los Franciscanos and procession, followed by the breaking of piñatas. The posada is conducted in Spanish. The seminary’s famous Nativity scene will be on display through Christmas Day. Information: 566-2261.

Cumberland Circle — Luminarias and Christmas lights adorn the circle each Christmas Eve in the central El Paso neighborhood. From I-10, take Trowbridge northwest to Pennsylvania Ave. Pennsylvania leads directly into the circle.

Eastside

Holiday Light Show — A brilliant display of holiday lights choreographed to music will be featured Fridays through Sundays, Dec. 3-Jan. 1, at 12001 Paseo de Oro (one block north of Montwood, off Bob Mitchell). Admission is free.

Lower Valley

Ascarate Park Winter Wonderland — The county park and lake is lit for the holidays through early January. Hours are 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Admission is $1 per vehicle. Information: 772-5605.

Westside/Downtown

‘Nutcracker’ — El Paso Youth Ballet’s 2nd annual presentation of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet is Dec. 17-19, at UTEP’s Magoffin Auditorium, featuring the choreography of Erick Campos from the Compañia Nacional de Danza in Mexico City and local dancers in leading roles, along with around 60 youth and 20 adult local and guest dancers and all-new sets and costumes. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $15, $20 and $25, plus service charge; available at UTEP Ticket Center, 2901 N. Mesa or 747-5234. Information: Martha Katz, 252-5601 or elpasoconservatoryofdance.com.

‘Desert Winter Wonderland’ — The Desert Dancer Chapter of the United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers’ Association hosts a gala winter dance 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Union Depot Plaza, 700 San Francisco in Downtown El Paso. The event includes amateur, instructor and professional shows, general dancing to a live band and optional dinner. Tickets: $50 ($35 USA Dance members). Non-dinner tickets are $15. Deadline to purchase dinner tickets is Dec. 10.
Reservations/information: Diana, 549-6101, Michelle, 615-9348 or DesertDanceusa.com.

UTEP Men’s Basketball – Home games are at the Don Haskins Center. Game time is 7:05 p.m., unless otherwise listed. Individual tickets: $14-$50, plus service charge. Information: 747-5234 or utepathletics.com.
• Wednesday, Dec. 15 — Louisiana-Monroe
• Saturday, Dec. 18 — Texas Tech

UTEP Women’s Basketball — Home games are in the Don Haskins Center. Information: 747-5234 or utepathletics.com
• 7:05 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17 – Texas State

Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino — The 2010-2011 live horse racing season runs Dec. 10-April 19. Race days are Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. First post is 12:25 p.m. each race day. General admission is free to the track and casino. First post time is 12:25 p.m. Turf Club seating is $7. Information: (575) 874-5200 or sunland-park.com
Simulcast racing begins at 10 a.m. everyday. General admission and parking are free. Information: (575) 874-5200.
To get there, take the Sunland Park exit from I-10, go south (left turn coming from Downtown) and follow the signs.

Senior All-Star Football Classic — The 19th annual high school all-star football game is at 1:05 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at UTEP’s Sun Bowl stadium. Pre-game festivities begin at 12:35 p.m. featuring cheerleaders, band, flags, dance teams, choir, and JROTC cadets. The game features 92 seniors from 33 public and private high schools throughout El Paso County. West Head Coach is Mike Jackson and East Head Coach is Phil Hatch. All proceeds benefit college scholarships for participants. Tickets: $6 in advance; $8 at the gate (free for ages 6 and younger). Information: 478-6904 or allstarfootballclassic.com.

‘Sounds of the Holidays’ — Holiday entertainment is offered 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Dec. 13-22, at San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown El Paso. The annual event includes various school and community choirs, local bands and ensembles performing Christmas and seasonal music. Sponsored by the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department. Admission is free. Information: 252-9031 or 240-3310.
• Monday, Dec. 13 — St. Clements Wildcat Praise Band
• Tuesday, Dec. 14 — Sun Ridge Middle School
• Wednesday, Dec. 15 — Carta De Cristo Church Choir
• Thursday, Dec. 16 — CBA Posada
• Friday, Dec. 17 — Jaime Hernandez

Christmas Celebration — Abundant Living Faith Center, 1000 Valley Crest, will host its annual orchestral production and candlelight communion services celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ Dec. 19-24, in the center’s auditorium. The production includes musical comedy, dance, drama, candlelight communion and live Nativity scene. Performances are 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 and 7:30 p.m. Friday. Nursery and children’s classes provided. Admission is free. Information: 532-8543 or alfc.com.

‘A Feast of Carols’ — Western Hills United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church present a joint concert of Randol Alan Bass’s holiday piece Sunday, Dec. 19, featuring the combined Chancel Choirs, Orchestra and Quintessential Brass. Also featured are selections from Handel’s Messiah and congregational singing. Performances are 2 p.m. at Western Hills, 524 Thunderbird, and 5 p.m. at First Presbyterian, 1340 Murchison. Admission is free. Information: 584-2133 or westernhillsep.org.

Southern New Mexico

NEW MEXICO BOWL —UTEP, representing Conference USA, plays BYU of the Mountain West Conference at noon Saturday, Dec. 18, at the University of New Mexico Stadium. The football game, the first of the bowl season, will be broadcast on ESPN. Information: newmexicobowl.com.

Spencer Theater for Performing Arts — Airport Hwy 220 in Alto, N.M. (about 12 miles north of downtown Ruidoso). Free public guided tours are 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays (except show dates). Information: (575) 336-4800, (888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.?• “The Nutcracker” — Ruidoso Dance Ensemble annual production of the Tchaikovsky classic is 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. The ensemble’s original adaptation of the Christmas ballet features student and professional dancer, precision choreography and a colorful set. Tickets: $28.??Art Market Holiday Sale — The annual sale is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, in the Silco Theater in Silver City N.M. Information: (800) 548-9378.??Doña Ana Modular Railroad Display — The Doña Ana Modular Railroad Club will present a display 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18-19, at Good Samaritan Village, 3025 Terrace Drive, in Las Cruces. Admission is free. Information: (575) 644-7758 or (575) 532-1751.??Flickinger Center for Performing Arts — 1110 New York Ave. Alamogordo. Performances at 7:30 p.m. unless listed otherwise. Ticket information: (575) 437-2202 or flickingercenter.com.? The Academy of Ballet presents “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 and 19. Tickets: $10.??‘The Nutcracker Ballet’ — The Las Cruces Chamber Ballet’s 28th annual production of Tchaikovsky’s Christmas classic featuring more than 70 dancers of all ages is Dec. 16-19 at the NMSU Atkinson (Music Center) Music Recital Hall, N. Horseshoe and Espina. Showtime is 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $21.50 and $23.50; includes service charge (Ticketmaster) Information: Pan Am Center ticket office, (575) 646-1420 or Michelle’s Dance Academy, (575) 527-1893.??‘Greetings!’ – Las Cruces Community Theatre presents Tom Dudzick’s mixed-up holiday comedy Dec. 3-19. Directed by Ken Eastlack. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $7-$10. Opening gala event is Dec. 3, with buffet and drinks. Information: (575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.? Andy has a sweet Catholic mother, a sour father and a severely disabled younger brother named Mickey. When he brings his Jewish atheist fiancé to meet the folks on Christmas Eve, his worst fears about family blow-ups are realized. But Mickey, whose entire vocabulary is “oh boy” and “wow,” suddenly says “Greetings!” An ancient, wise and witty spirit who is set upon healing the family has borrowed Mickey’s body.??‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’ — No Strings Theatre presents its 7th annual dramatic reading of the Dylan Thomas holiday classic at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces, read by No Strings donors and volunteers. Refreshments served following the performance. The role of Dylan Thomas will be read by Peter Herman. Tickets: $7. Reservations strongly recommended. Information: (575) 523-1223 or no-strings.org.??Las Cruces Half Marathon — The URSA half-marathon, 5K and Fun Run benefiting Asombro Institute is 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18 in Las Cruces, N.M. Start line for both events is at the corner of Motel and W. Picacho (Hwy 70). Music featured throughout the route, as well as at the finish line after-pary. Commemorative shirts and goodie bags for all runners; medals to all half-marathon finishers. Cost: $65 through Dec. 16, $70 on race day for marathon; $40 for 5K; $10 for fun run ($15 after Dec. 16). Information: lascruceshm.com.? Half marathon begins at 8 a.m., 5K run/walk at 8:15 a.m. and Fun Run at 9:45 a.m. Awards begin at 10 a.m. for 5 K and 11 a.m. for half marathon.?