What to do in El Paso? Calendar of Events – Feb 25-March 3rd

Northwest/Central

‘Blithe Spirit’ — Noel Coward’s British comedy is through March 5 at El Paso Playhouse, 2501 Montana. Directed by Jean Ames. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $10 ($8 seniors, $7 military and students with ID). Information: 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.

Wine, Cheese and Chocolate — Assistance League of El Paso, 2728 E. Yandell, will host the fundraising tasting event 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, offering wine, cheese and chocolate tastings and a silent auction. Admission: $20. Information: 772-9410.

EPCC Black History Month — Black History Month Men’s Choirs perform

7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, at Transmountain Campus Forum Theater, Gateway North and Diana. Admission is free. Information: 831-6359.??Black History Month Parade and Rally — The annual Inter-Club Council Black History Month Parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Montana and Pershing and travels east on Montana to Copia then south to Missouri ending at Mary Webb Park. The rally immediately follows the parade noon to 3 p.m. in Mary Webb Park, with vendor booths, family activities and entertainment. Admission is free.

American Muscle CarShow and Funfest — Southwest Career College, 1414 Geronimo, will host a car show benefiting Children Grief Center of El Paso 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, featuring early and late model muscle cars, classic and racing vehicles. Live entertainment by Eddie and the Impacts and food vendors offered. Admission is free. Information: 449-1032 or elpasostreetscene.com.

‘Two Pianists, Two Nine-Footers’ — The Bruce Nehring Consort presents duo pianists Richard Steinbach and Howard Helvey with the Consort Singers at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25 and 27, at First Baptist Church, 805 Montana. Tickets: $15 ($10 senior/military; $5 students). Information: 534-7664.

Steinbach and Helvey perform everything from early Bach and Mozart to contemporary pieces by Copland and Corigliano. Steinbach was top prize winner at the 1995 France Piano International Competition. Helvey is organist/choirmaster at the historic Calvary Episcopal Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is popular performer, composer, conductor and speaker.

Lower Valley

El Paso Rhinos — El Paso’s Junior League ice hockey team home games are at the Sierra Providence Events Center, next to the Coliseum, 4100 E. Paisano. Regular games times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $5 general admission; $10, $15 and $20 reserved. Information: 479-PUCK (7825) or elpasorhinos.com. Feb. 25-27 — Boulder Bison.

‘Freedom Road’ — The play about the colonial era of England and Spain is 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25-27, at Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S. San Marcial. Admission: $25 ($15 children).

Speaking Rock Entertainment Center — 122 S. Old Pueblo Road, hosts a series of free concerts from nationally known touring acts. Shows begin at 10 p.m., unless otherwise listed. Ages 18 and older welcome; 16 and older for outdoor shows. Information: 860-7777 or speaking-rock.com.

• Wednesday, Feb. 23 — Stone Temple Pilots

• Friday, Feb. 25 — Slaughter

• Saturday, Feb. 26 — Skid Row

Eastside

Kickball Clash Tournament — El Paso Kickball will host its 3rd annual adult coed tournament benefiting United Way Americorps HIPPY (Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Rancho del Sol Park, 1080 Ted Houghton. Cash prizes for first place winner, rebates for all runner-ups for EP Kickball’s 2011 Spring season. Registration (by Feb. 10): $300 per team of 15 players max. Information: Eric Garcia, 274-7903. Register online at elpasokickball.com.

Empty Bowls Soup Dinner — The Art Student Society at El Paso Community College will sponsor the soup dinner and silent auction to raise funds and awareness of world hunger noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at El Paso Community College Administrative Service Center, 9050 Viscount, Building A. All attending the dinner get to choose a folk art bowl to keep. Admission: $10. Information: 831-2460, 595-1060 or epcc.edu.

The dinner emphasizes international and local hunger problems. All the money goes to the West Texas Food Bank for El Paso County. EPCC Culinary Arts Department with chefs from the American Chef Federation of Greater El Paso Chapter provide the food.

Bassett Place — 6101 Gateway West. Information: 772-7479 or bassettplacemall.com.

• Kids-N-Co.’s Show Choir presents its Valentine’s show at noon and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, featuring love songs of today and yesterday.

• A Bridal and Quinceañera Fair is noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, with the latest bridal fashions from David’s Brida and La Popular. There will be outside vendors including cakes, flowers and event and banquet facilities.

Rock Against Autism — The benefit concert is 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, at the House of Rock East, 8838 Viscount, featuring Jimmy Newquist of Caroline’s Spine and John Easdale of Dramarama backed by an “all star” El Paso band, as well as other local acts. Proceeds benefit the Autism Community Network of El Paso. Tickets: $10. (ticketbully.com) Information: info@sun2nightent.com.

Club 101 — 1148 Airway. 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.

• Glassjaw — The alternative hard rock band performs at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, with special guests to be announced. All ages show. Tickets: $20.

• Sharan of Deep Dish — 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25. Tickets: $11.

Westside/Downtown

Southwest Fitness Throwdown — The fitness event is Feb. 26-27, at the Franklin High School parking lot off Redd Road. Check-in time is 7 to 7:45 a.m. Saturday. There are three divisions this year including RX, Firebreather and team. All fitness levels welcome. Spectator admission is free. Information/registration: 203-0899 or southwestfitnessthrowdown.com.

UTEP Men’s Basketball – Home games are at the Don Haskins Center. Individual tickets: $14 to $50, plus service charge. Information: 747-5234 or utepathletics.com.

• 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 21 — UCF

• 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 — Memphis

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

• 7:05 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 — Southern Miss

‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ – UTEP Dinner Theatre presents Terrance McNally’s Tony Award-winning musical based on the Manuel Puig novel “El Beso de la Mujer Arana” Feb. 11-27, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Showtime is 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; dinner matinee performance is 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13; non-dinner matinees are 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20 and 27. Tickets $26-$38 dinner shows; $12-$22 non-dinner matinee. Information: 747-6060.

Black History Month at UTEP — All events are free. Information: 747-8650.

• A screening of the movie “54th Massachusetts” is 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, at UTEP Language Arts Building, Room 323

• Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club exhibit and panel discussion, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, UTEP Student Union Breezeway

• Chef (and author) Pierre Thiam of La Grand Dakar Restaurant in Brooklyn, N.Y., lectures on “African Food, Global Presence” UTEP, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, LART Room 203, UTEP.

• Rev. Felicia P. Hopkins speaks on “Strength, Courage and Wisdom: Looking Back and Looking Forward,” 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, Templeton Suite 313E, Student Union Bldg.

• Dr. T. Andre Feagin conducts the UTEP Symphony Band in “Portrait of an American Spirit,” a mental, physical and emotional journey from Africa to El Paso, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at the Fox Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. Admission is $5.

Holocaust Museum book club — The El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center’s book club meets at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, to discuss “The Lioness of Judah: A Jewish Lion Tamer’s Memoir of Resistance and Survival” by El Paso Holocaust survivor Sara Hauptman. Discussion leader is El Paso Scene publisher Randy Limbird. Light refreshments served. Admission is free, but donations welcome. Information/RSVP: 351-0048 ext. 24 or maribel@elpasoholocaustmuseum.org.

Love Affair and Bridal Expo – The 14th annual event presented by KISS-FM begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, at the Camino Real Hotel. The expo, features three bridal fashion shows, and several vendor booths in the hotel’s grand ballroom, mezzanine, and lobby. Admission is free. Information: 544-9550 or 534-3000.

Southwest Book Awards — The annual Border Regional Library Association Awards Banquet is 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, One Ardovino Drive in Sunland Park. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 7 p.m. The event honors the latest works of outstanding area authors, and also awards scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students pursuing degrees in library/media. The BRLA librarian and library staff member of the year will also be honored. Reservation deadline is Feb. 21; no payments accepted at the door. Cost: $30. Reservations/information: Sebastian Diaz, sdiaz@utep.edu, Cindy Williams, cwilliams36@yahoo.com or brla.info.

Steve Smith, Chris Sanders with Anne Luna — The trio performs with a special guest at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing Sunset Hall, One Ardovino Dr. in Sunland Park, N.M. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; full bar service available Tickets: $15; available at the door, or in advance at Ardovino’s, All That Music in El Paso and Enchanted Gardens in Las Cruces. Table seating offered; call for details. Information: (575) 589-0653.

Bale Folclorico Da Bahia – Brazil’s only professional folk dance company performs at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26, at UTEP’s Magoffin Auditorium. Said to be the most African part of Brazil, the state of Bahia is a place where otherwise long forgotten gods are still remembered. Balé Folclórico da Bahia is a 38-member troupe of dancers, musicians and singers that performs a repertory based on Bahian folklore, including Capoeira (martial arts), Samba de Roda and Afixire dances. Balé Folclórico presents the region’s most important cultural manifestations with thrilling choreography, joyous rhythms, and a feisty, flirtatious exuberance. Presented by Lola Productions. Tickets are $47.85 including service charge (Ticketmaster).

George Jones — The country legend performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets: $42.60 and $83.85; includes service charge. (Ticketmaster).

Jones, 76, has been performing for more than 50 years. His No. 1 country hits include “White Lightning,” “I Always Get Lucky With You,” “She Thinks I Still Care,” “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “Still Doin’ Time.” He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

Rock & Worship Road Show — Christian music heavyweights MercyMe perform with Jars of Clay and Thousand Foot Crutch perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at the Don Haskins Center, with Matt Maher, The Afters and LeCrae. MercyMe frontman Bart Millard will also provide some spoken word worship. Admission: $10 at the door. VIP passes are $50 and $100; available at rockandworkshiproadshow.com.

American Music Award winners MercyMe’s latest CD is “The Generous Mr. Lovewell” featuring single “All of Creation.”

UTEP Department of Music — Performances are at 7:30 p.m. at Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Tickets: $5 ($3 seniors/military/non-UTEP students; free for children/UTEP students, faculty and staff).

• Chamber Players — Tuesday, Feb. 22, conducted by T. André Feagin.

• Symphonic Winds — Wednesday, Feb. 23, conducted by Dr. Ron Hufstader.

• Symphony Band presents “Portraits of an American Spirit” — Thursday, Feb. 24, conducted by Feagin. The performance is a tribute to Black History Month.

Southern New Mexico

‘Mostly Mozart’ — New Horizons Symphony, conducted by Shawn Robinson, performs their “For the Love of Art Month” concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at NMSU’s Atkinson Recital Hall in Las Cruces, featuring soloists Gordon Butler and Ross Palmer. Admission is free. Information: (575) 522-5571 or nhsocruces.com.

Mozart penned more than 600 works before his death at age 35. Songs include “Symphony No. 40,” “Concert Rondo,” “Haffner Serenade in D Major” and a piece by local composer and NHSO member Jim Gray, “A Mozart Overture for Phyllis.”

Caroline Herring – The indie folk singer performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at Opera House in Pinos Altos, N.M. as part of the Mimbres Region Arts Council’s Folk Series. Tickets: $20 ($15 MRAC members). Information/showtime: (575) 538-2505, 1-888-758-7289 or mimbresarts.org.

Herring’s hauntingly personal sound is inspired by the iconic female folk singers and songwriters of the 60s and 70s.

Rebecca St. James — The Christian pop rock singer/songwriter performs 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at  First Assembly of God, 5605 Bataan Memorial West. Las Cruces. Tickets are $30, $50 and $75 and $100 ($100 ticket includes meeting the artist), plus service fees (Ticketmaster). The event is a fundraiser for Mesilla Valley Christian Schools. Information: (575) 524-0654.

St. James won a Grammy Award in 1999 for Best Rock Gospel Album, and has sold 2 million albums since the 1990s. She also is an author and actress, with her 9th book due this year, and three films currently in post-production.

Gathering of Quilts — The Winter Quilters Guild’s show is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26, at the Ralph Edwards Civic Center, 460 4th Street, Truth or Consequences, N.M. featuring vendors and quilts by local quilters; and appraisals offered with advance reservation. Admission is free, but donations accepted. Information: Ginger Van Gundy, (575) 744-5472; Dotty, (575) 744-4669 or winterquilters@yahoo.com.

Mescalero Warrior Challenge — Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino in Mescalero, N.M. will host the mixed martial arts fighting event featuring six professional bouts and five amateur fighting bouts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. Main event features New Mexico’s Coty “Ox” Wheeler vs. Mike Chupa. Tickets: $35 (Ticketmaster).

‘The Prisoner of Second Avenue’ — Las Cruces Community Theatre presents Neil Simon’s Manhattan comedy Feb. 11-27. Directed by James Jensen. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Opening Night Gala is Friday, Feb. 11, with buffet and drinks. Tickets: $10 ($9 students, seniors and military; $8 per seat for groups of 10 or more; $7 ages six and younger). Information: (575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.

Mel Edison is a well-paid executive of a high-end Manhattan firm who “gets the ax” when it hits the skids. His wife takes a job to tide them over, but she soon gets fired. Compounded by a variety of other problems, he does the only thing left for him to do-he has a nervous breakdown and it’s the best thing that ever happened to him.

‘Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead’ — American Southwest Theatre Company presents Bert V. Royal’s comedic unauthorized parody of the “Peanuts” comic strip) Feb. 18-March 6 at NMSU’s Hershel Zohn Theatre. CB and the gang are back, though now teenagers facing real problems. A dead dog, drug use, friends who have been institutionalized, trouble at school: Good Grief! Contains adult content; not intended for youth. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $10-$15. Information: 1-800-525-ASTC (2782).

‘A Bad Year For Tomatoes’ — Lincoln County Community Theatre presents the comedy at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26, at the Community Youth Warehouse, 200 Church Rd., Ruidoso (behind the Cornerstone Bakery). Tickets are $10. The performances are a fundraiser to take the show to a state American Association of Community Theatre competition in March in Artesia. Information: (575) 336-1530.