Calendar of Events – Dec 31st – Jan 6th

Central/Northeast

New Year’s Eve Dance — El Paso Parks and Recreation will host a senior New Year’s Eve dance 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at San Juan Senior Center, 5701 Tamburo, and Grandview Senior Center, 3134 Jefferson. Information: (San Juan) 772-8365 or (Grandview) 566-1217

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

Eastridge Christmas lights — The residents of the Eastside subdivision of Eastridge participates each year in an elaborate neighborhood-wide holiday lights display. Lights are usually lit around the first week of December, and run through the holiday season.
The subdivision is off McRae Blvd; turn west on Eastridge.

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

Speaking Rock Entertainment Center — 122 S. Old Pueblo Road, hosts a series of free concerts from nationally known touring acts. Ages 18 and older welcome. Information: 860-7777 or speaking-rock.com.
• 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve concert with La Mafia.
• 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 1 — Brenton Wood and Sunny Ozuna & The Sunliners.

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.

Hyundai Sun Bowl — The 77th annual football classic begins at noon, Friday, Dec. 31. The game features the Pac-10 Conference versus the ACC. Teams will be announced Dec 5. Reserved seats: $20-$60; general admission: $15. Captain’s Club tickets: $650. Information: 533-4416, 1-800-915-BOWL or sunbowl.org. (ticketmaster)

Westside/Downtown

Sunland Park New Year’s Eve — Bosee will headline the New Year’s Eve celebration in the Signature Showroom at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino Friday, Dec. 31. Dinner offered 7 to 8:30 p.m. with music and dancing 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $35 (includes dinner buffet, entertainment, favors and champagne toasting); $250 table for eight. Ages 21 and older welcome. Information/reservations: (575) 874-5200.

Ardovino’s New Year’s Eve Celebration — Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, One Ardovino Drive in Sunland Park, will ring in 2011 Friday,Dec. 31, with a special dinner, glass of champagne, and live music. Champagne toast, and party favors. Cost: $100 per person for (optional) dinner. Admission to party alone is free. Information/reservations: (575) 589-0653 or ardovinos.com.

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

El Paso Chamber Music Festival – El Paso Pro-Musica’s 22nd annual festival presents world-class chamber musicians Jan. 5-31. Concerts, recitals and other special events will be offered at various venues. Guests include Rubens String Quartet, violinist Joseph Silverstein and Harlem String Quartet. Tickets: $25 per performance; $25; $20 seniors; $5 students; free for Bach’s lunch events and film series. Information: 833-9400 or eppm.org.

UTEP Women’s Basketball — Home games are in the Don Haskins Center. Information: 747-5234 or utepathletics.com
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6 — East Carolina.

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.
• 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2 — Sam Houston State.
• 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5 — Tulsa

Hyundai Sun Bowl — The 77th annual football classic begins at noon, Friday, Dec. 31. The game features the Pac-10 Conference versus the ACC. Teams will be announced Dec 5. Reserved seats: $20-$60; general admission: $15. Captain’s Club tickets: $650. Information: 533-4416, 1-800-915-BOWL or sunbowl.org. (ticketmaster)

Southern New Mexico

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.
• Flying J Christmas — Alto’s own western entertainers return for their holiday performance at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21. This group of western swing yodelers, singers, fiddlers and more perform timeless spirituals, cowboy Christmas tunes and Flying J originals. Tickets: $26 and $29.
• “Oklahoma” — Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Great American Musical” is 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, two Academy Awards, a Grammy and a special Tony, “Oklahoma” is the classic love story of a handsome cowboy and winsome farm girl. Tickets: $66 and $69.

New Year’s Celebration — Premiere Entertainment will host a pair of New Year’s Eve parties at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at Ramada Palms, 201 E. University Ave, in Las Cruces. A performance by “Phat Soul” with reserved seating is offered in the Ballroom, and entertainment by Dulce and Sunny Padilla featured in the Bar Club. Seating is limited. Ages 21 and older welcome. Tickets for either event: $35 (includes party favors and champagne). Room packages available. Information: (915) 630-2206, (575) 526-4411, ext. 402, pre-e.com or ramadalascruces.com.

‘One-Act Play Festival’ – Las Cruces Community Theatre, 313 N. Downtown Mall, presents its annual evening of short plays Jan 7-16. Directors and titles to be announced. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $5. Information: (575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.

Slaid Cleaves – The Austin singer/songwriter performs Jan. 7 at Opera House in Pinos Altos, N.M. as part of the Mimbres Region Arts Council’s Folk Series. Tickets: $5-$20. Information/showtime: (575) 538-2505, 1-888-758-7289 or mimbresarts.org.