Calendar of Events – Jan 14th- Jan 20th

Northeast/Central

‘The Unexpected Guest’ — The Agatha Christie mystery is Jan 7-29 at El Paso Playhouse. Directed by Melissa Spalding. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, 16 and 23. Tickets: $10 ($8 seniors, $7 military and students with ID). Information: 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.

A wife stands over her husband’s dead body with a gun, but did she really kill him … or is she covering for someone else?

Dr. Martin Luther King Reflective Service — Calvary Baptist Church, 2608 Blaisdell, will host a reflective service in honor of King at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17. Information (612) 872-7855 or calvarychurchmpls.org.

Eastside

Martin Luther King Jr. Food Drive — The annual city-wide effort to restock area food pantries is Jan. 6-17, with more than a dozen organizations participating. Canned and other nonperishable food items can be dropped off at various public and private locations throughout town. Information: elpasolibrary.org.

Drop-off locations include all City Hall Basement and first floor, County Courthouse first and third floors, Vista Central Grocery Store, El Paso Juvenile Justice Center, El Paso Electric Company facilities, Sheriff’s Department Downtown Jail, headquarters and annex, Socorro ISD headquarters, Rio Grande Power Plant and all public libraries, Big 8 food stores and Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets.

El Paso Psychic Fair — The fair is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 15-16, at the Hawthorn Inn, 1700 Airway (at Boeing). Admission: $5 for both days (private readings not included with admission). Free admission with active duty military I.D. Information: 345-6245 or elpasopsychicfair.com.

The fair features aura photos, tea leaf readings, handmade New Age crystal and gemstone jewelry, spirit writing, Feng Shui products, aromatherapy and readings by 14 professional psychic readers and mediums from across Texas and New Mexico. Readings offered in English and Spanish.

Lower Valley

‘Los Pastores of San Antonio’ — The students of St. Pius X School will host the Christmas season play 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S. San Marcial. Admission: $5 (free for children). Information: 532-7372.

A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — The gospel music evening honoring King is presented by Victory Warriors is 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the El Paso Community College Administrative Service Center, 9050 Viscount. Admission is free. Information: 751-6399.

Dog Obedience Trials — The Rio Grande Obedience Dog Club’s annual obedience and rally trials Jan. 14-17, at El Paso County Coliseum’s Judging Arena (behind the main building), 4100 Paisano. Dogs participate in varying levels of difficulty for prizes and titles. Events begin at 8 a.m. each day. Admission is free to spectators. Information: 779-0220 (leave message) or rgodc.org.

Westside/Downtown

Monster Truck Spectacular — The “Thunder Slam “ monster truck show is 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14-16, at the El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 Paisano. Tickets: $17.50-$22.50, plus service charge. (Ticketmaster).

Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino — The 2010-2011 live horse racing season runs through 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.

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 to $50, plus service charge. Information: 747-5234 or utepathletics.com.

• 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 — Rice

UTEP Women’s Basketball — Home games are in the Don Haskins Center. Tickets: $5.50, plus service charge. Information: 747-5234 or utepathletics.com

• 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16 — Houston

El Paso Puzzler Mountain Bike Race — El Paso’s only endurance mountain bike race is 8 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at Bowen Ranch’s Round House. Hosted by the Border Mountain Bike Association. Registration: $40 by Jan 2; $50 after. Information: 845-1097 or elpasopuzzler.com.

The 3rd annual 50-mile single-track ride (35-mile route also offered) with several climbs and descents. Food and prizes distributed during the event. All finishers receive event shirt.

LYNX Exhibits — The exhibit space is at 300 W. San Antonio (just south of Convention Center). Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday. Last admission is one hour before closing time.

Admission is $10 for adults; $8 seniors, military and students with ID; and $6 ages 4 to 11. Children 3 and younger are free. Information: 533-4330 or lynxexhibits.com.

Opening Saturday, Jan. 15: “Treasure!” Through nine thematic areas, “Treasure!” explores the history of discovered valuables, the art and technology employed in hunting treasure, and the personalities drawn to the hunt. Visitors start with a thrilling simulator ride through a gold mine, and then launch into a treasure hunt. Along the way, they experience hands-on activities such as driving a remotely operated vehicle, sweeping a treasure field with a metal detector, swirling pans of water and sand in search of gold flakes and cracking a real safe.

Days of Remembrance Bridal & Quinceañera Faire — The 20th annual event is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at the El Paso Convention Center, presented by Elegant Penguin Productions. The event gathers more than 100 experts in the field of weddings and quinceañeras, including cakes, catering, dresses, flowers, halls, hotels, photography/video services, tuxedos and more. A variety of door prizes will be given away. Grand prizes include two 4-day honeymoons.

Admission: $5 (free for children under age 10). Information: 592-8897 or eptuxs.com. Admission fees benefit the El Paso Child Crisis Center.

The event also features fashion shows of wedding and quinceañera gowns and formal wear.

Gabriel Iglesias — The “fluffy” comedian and El Paso favorite performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at the Plaza Theatre. Iglesias’ second one-hour special and DVD “I’m Not Fat…I’m Fluffy: Live from El Paso” premiered on Comedy Central in 2009 after being filmed in front of two sold-out crowds earlier that year. Tickets: $42.10, includes service charge. (Ticketmaster)

Iglesias’ high-octane show is a hilarious mixture of storytelling, parodies, characters and sound effects that bring all his personal issues to life. His clean, animated comedy style has earned national crossover appeal.

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. Information: 833-9400 or eppm.org.

• The Australian Didjeridu — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, at Western Hills United Methodist Church, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at Rio Grande Theatre, featuring William Barton. Barton is one of Australia’s leading didjeridu (also known as the didgeridoo) players and composers. Born in Mount Isa, he was taught the instrument by his uncle, a tribal elder in western Queensland.

• Rubens Quartet — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Western Hills United Methodist Church. The Quartet’s members come from the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States, and has become one of the finest young quartets of its generation since being founded in 2000.

• World Music @ 2900 Kitchen/Lounge — 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at 2900 Kitchen, 2900 N. Mesa, Suite D. Tickets:

The Music Film series is 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Philanthropy Theatre in the Plaza Annex. Admission: $5. Jan. 12 — “Bach & Friends.” The Michael Lawrence documentary includes performances of Bach’s music by leading musicians such as Joshua Bell, Bobby McFerrin, Philip Glass, Béla Fleck and Hilary Hahn. 

Free Bach’s Lunch concerts are noon Thursdays, Jan. 6-27 at the El Paso Museum of Art.

Southern New Mexico

nn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino — Mescalero, N.M. Age 21 and older admitted. (Ticketmaster) Information: 1-877-277-5677 or innofthemountaingods.com. The Marshall Tucker Band performs at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14. Tickets: $20-$60.

Antique and Collectible Show — The 24th annual winter nostalgia show and sale is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15-16, at St. Genevieve’s Parish Hall, 1025 E. Las Cruces Ave. in Las Cruces. Free appraisals offered and food will be served. Admission: $2 (good for both days). Information: (575) 526-8624.

Wells Fargo Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally — Nearly 70 balloons, including a variety of special shapes, are expected at the 2011 rally Jan. 15-16 at Brown Farm Field in Las Cruces. The event also includes food vendors, balloonist competitions, pony rides, live entertainment and more. Admission is free. Information: (575) 522-1232 or mvbr.com.

The official opening ceremonies begins 7 a.m. Saturday followed by mass ascension at 7:30 a.m. both days

An afternoon “fun launch” is 3 p.m. Saturday, weather permitting, and a “balloon glow” and concert is 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Tethered rides offered beginning at 8:30 a.m. both days an continue until fuel is gone or weather is unagreeable. Cost: $2 donation; proceeds benefit Mesilla Valley Hospice.

The launch field is across from St. John Mobile Home Park on El Camino Real and south of Armstrong Road.

‘One-Act Play Festival’ – Las Cruces Community Theatre, 313 N. Downtown Mall, presents its annual evening of short plays Jan 7-16. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $10 ($9 students/seniors/military, $8 per seat for groups of 10 or more; $7 ages 6 and younger). Information: (575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.

This year’s plays:

• “Bake Off” by Sheri Wilner. Directed by Les Boyse. Last year, the largest cash prize in Pillsbury Bake Off history was awarded to a man. This year, one female contestant will make sure that the male entrants get their just desserts.

• “Do You Ever Wonder…?” written and directed by Rebeka Riley. A series of questions, and each question is acted out behind the speaker.

• “First Impressions,” written and directed by Autumn Gieb. Two people meet in a restaurant, one claiming the other has taken her friend’s seat and the other refusing to move. As the night progresses they get to know one another and discover why they’re really there.

• “Sermon” by David Mamet, a 10-minute monologue delivered by Richard Rundell.

• “Trash” by Don Gordon. Directed by Marcus Vickers. In a small bar in Baltimore, a university math and physics professor engages a pedicurist in conversations ranging from horse races to what they find attractive in the opposite sex in an attempt to satisfy their own loneliness

• “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell. Directed by Autumn Gieb. In a remote farmhouse, a man has been discovered murdered. Now as his wife sits in prison under suspicion, the sheriff and county attorney search the house for evidence to keep her there.