Community Calendar

Dr. Wladimir Lyra, theoretical astrophysicist and associate professor of astronomy at NMSU, will discuss his research on one of the universe’s great mysteries – black holes – at the NMSU Faculty Lectures @ the Library. "We usually think of black holes as cosmic vacuum cleaners that swallow everything around them. In this talk, I will show that the giant black holes at the centers of galaxies may also do the opposite, building planets out of the dust that swirls around them. There could be millions of these planets around each black hole, some so big they turn into stars."

Dr Lyra earned his PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Uppsala in Sweden, specializing in computer simulations of planet formation. He came to NMSU in 2019, where he leads a NASA and NSF-funded group on computational astrophysics and planet formation.
 

Libros of Enchantment: The 2026 SouthWest Writers Book Fiesta is a first-ever book fair from SouthWest Writers uniting readers and authors. Readers may meet local authors, buy their books, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how a book comes to life. Authors may meet readers and other authors, sell their books, and learn more about their craft. The keynote speaker is local author and Tony Hillerman biographer James McGrath Morris. Panel discussions featuring other local authors will look at the genres of science fiction/fantasy, romance, crime/true crime, paranormal/horror, poetry, and memoir/biography.
Author tables in the bookstore are still available, as are sponsorship and supporter opportunities. Current sponsors are Silverleaf Farm & Farm Stand in Corrales, freelance artist Rebeccah Swanson, The Music of Creation by Paul J. Knight and Chris Allen, and the Author’s Guild.
SWW is a 40-plus year-old regional nonprofit organization for published and aspiring authors and has more than 400 members from across New Mexico and the southwest.

Mesilla Valley Film Society is launching Night School, a new late-night screening series celebrating cult classics, horror landmarks, obscure oddities, and underrated gems. The first set of shows will run Saturday nights at 10:30pm throughout July and August. Conceived by self-proclaimed Professor Austin Wolf-Sothern, and hosted by Austin with fellow film scholars Rian Gonzales and Jeff Bennett. Each show will begin with a PowerPoint presentation pertaining to that week’s film, offering production history, cultural context, and behind-the-scenes trivia.

More than just a screening series, Night School embraces the communal spirit of repertory cinema, where audiences gather to experience movies the way they were meant to be seen: on the big screen, with fellow fans. To honor that, we felt it was important to dedicate our first semester to highlighting the cinematic experience with “Movies at the Movies!” Eight films that take place in, or memorably feature, a movie theater.

The inaugural lineup includes:
• July 11: Popcorn (1991) – A loving celebration of horror gimmicks and movie theater mayhem.
• July 18: Taxi Driver (1976) – A defining portrait of urban alienation and one of American cinema's most influential character studies, celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
• July 25: The Blob (1988) – The gloriously gooey remake that deserves its place among the greatest practical-effects horror remakes ever made.
• August 1: Messiah of Evil (1974) – Or is it MESILLA OF EVIL? A dreamlike descent into cosmic dread and one of horror's most haunting cult discoveries.
• August 8: Hunting Humans (2002) – Presented on VHS, preserving the analog grit and underground spirit of this independent cult oddity. Preceded by a cartoon on 16mm.
• August 15: Anguish (1987) – A mind-bending psychological horror experience that blurs the line between audience and screen.
• August 22: Donnie Darko (2001) – A generation-defining genre blend of science fiction, mystery, comedy, and drama, celebrating its 25th Anniversary.
• August 29: Demons (1985) – An explosive Italian horror classic where the movie theater itself becomes a nightmare.
Each presentation is brief, entertaining, and designed for casual moviegoers and die-hard film buffs alike. Whether you're seeing a favorite for the fiftieth time or discovering it for the first, Night School is designed to make every screening a little more rewarding—and a lot more fun!

Mutual UFO Network New Mexico Chapter has established a Las Cruces program - We are back to our normal start time - 11am !
1957 - All Roads Lead to Alamogordo will be presented Saturday Nov. 7th at 11am at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library on East Picacho AVE in the Road Runner Room. The meeting is free & MUFON membership is not required. Enjoy inspiring thought-provoking discussions regarding aerial phenomena and other high strangeness with like-minded individuals.

The Mutual UFO Network, MUFON invites you to a free meeting that is open to the public where you can share your experience or sighting.
 We meet at 11am in the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, Road Runner Room
 Opinions are welcome, without judgement come out to enjoy the discussion with likeminded individuals who have interest in this ongoing phenomenon.
 Flying Saucers, UFO , UAP or whatever you call them is discussed with the New Mexico MUFON State Director.
 Library is located at 200 East Picacho Ave. Las Cruces, New Mexico

Mesilla Valley Film Society is launching Night School, a new late-night screening series celebrating cult classics, horror landmarks, obscure oddities, and underrated gems. The first set of shows will run Saturday nights at 10:30pm throughout July and August. Conceived by self-proclaimed Professor Austin Wolf-Sothern, and hosted by Austin with fellow film scholars Rian Gonzales and Jeff Bennett. Each show will begin with a PowerPoint presentation pertaining to that week’s film, offering production history, cultural context, and behind-the-scenes trivia.

More than just a screening series, Night School embraces the communal spirit of repertory cinema, where audiences gather to experience movies the way they were meant to be seen: on the big screen, with fellow fans. To honor that, we felt it was important to dedicate our first semester to highlighting the cinematic experience with “Movies at the Movies!” Eight films that take place in, or memorably feature, a movie theater.

The inaugural lineup includes:
• July 11: Popcorn (1991) – A loving celebration of horror gimmicks and movie theater mayhem.
• July 18: Taxi Driver (1976) – A defining portrait of urban alienation and one of American cinema's most influential character studies, celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
• July 25: The Blob (1988) – The gloriously gooey remake that deserves its place among the greatest practical-effects horror remakes ever made.
• August 1: Messiah of Evil (1974) – Or is it MESILLA OF EVIL? A dreamlike descent into cosmic dread and one of horror's most haunting cult discoveries.
• August 8: Hunting Humans (2002) – Presented on VHS, preserving the analog grit and underground spirit of this independent cult oddity. Preceded by a cartoon on 16mm.
• August 15: Anguish (1987) – A mind-bending psychological horror experience that blurs the line between audience and screen.
• August 22: Donnie Darko (2001) – A generation-defining genre blend of science fiction, mystery, comedy, and drama, celebrating its 25th Anniversary.
• August 29: Demons (1985) – An explosive Italian horror classic where the movie theater itself becomes a nightmare.
Each presentation is brief, entertaining, and designed for casual moviegoers and die-hard film buffs alike. Whether you're seeing a favorite for the fiftieth time or discovering it for the first, Night School is designed to make every screening a little more rewarding—and a lot more fun!

The World According to Sound, created by Chris Hoff and Sam Harnett, is an immersive live audio experience that asks audiences to listen differently. Surrounded by sound, listeners are taken through recordings, stories, research, and unexpected sonic landscapes that reveal the world through the ear instead of the eye. Blending public radio craft, sound art, and live performance, the show turns listening into a powerful shared experience

Mesilla Valley Film Society is launching Night School, a new late-night screening series celebrating cult classics, horror landmarks, obscure oddities, and underrated gems. The first set of shows will run Saturday nights at 10:30pm throughout July and August. Conceived by self-proclaimed Professor Austin Wolf-Sothern, and hosted by Austin with fellow film scholars Rian Gonzales and Jeff Bennett. Each show will begin with a PowerPoint presentation pertaining to that week’s film, offering production history, cultural context, and behind-the-scenes trivia.

More than just a screening series, Night School embraces the communal spirit of repertory cinema, where audiences gather to experience movies the way they were meant to be seen: on the big screen, with fellow fans. To honor that, we felt it was important to dedicate our first semester to highlighting the cinematic experience with “Movies at the Movies!” Eight films that take place in, or memorably feature, a movie theater.

The inaugural lineup includes:
• July 11: Popcorn (1991) – A loving celebration of horror gimmicks and movie theater mayhem.
• July 18: Taxi Driver (1976) – A defining portrait of urban alienation and one of American cinema's most influential character studies, celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
• July 25: The Blob (1988) – The gloriously gooey remake that deserves its place among the greatest practical-effects horror remakes ever made.
• August 1: Messiah of Evil (1974) – Or is it MESILLA OF EVIL? A dreamlike descent into cosmic dread and one of horror's most haunting cult discoveries.
• August 8: Hunting Humans (2002) – Presented on VHS, preserving the analog grit and underground spirit of this independent cult oddity. Preceded by a cartoon on 16mm.
• August 15: Anguish (1987) – A mind-bending psychological horror experience that blurs the line between audience and screen.
• August 22: Donnie Darko (2001) – A generation-defining genre blend of science fiction, mystery, comedy, and drama, celebrating its 25th Anniversary.
• August 29: Demons (1985) – An explosive Italian horror classic where the movie theater itself becomes a nightmare.
Each presentation is brief, entertaining, and designed for casual moviegoers and die-hard film buffs alike. Whether you're seeing a favorite for the fiftieth time or discovering it for the first, Night School is designed to make every screening a little more rewarding—and a lot more fun!

New Mexico’s Mutual UFO Network Alamogordo Chapter meets at Otero Arts on 12th & Indian AVE at 11am on the 3rd Saturday of the month. We discuss Flying Saucers and our local aerial phenomenon experiences. Join MUFON for Coffee Cups & Flying Saucers a meeting of like-minded individuals with a common interest in sharing what we see in the skies. This free monthly meeting is open to the public.

Mesilla Valley Film Society is launching Night School, a new late-night screening series celebrating cult classics, horror landmarks, obscure oddities, and underrated gems. The first set of shows will run Saturday nights at 10:30pm throughout July and August. Conceived by self-proclaimed Professor Austin Wolf-Sothern, and hosted by Austin with fellow film scholars Rian Gonzales and Jeff Bennett. Each show will begin with a PowerPoint presentation pertaining to that week’s film, offering production history, cultural context, and behind-the-scenes trivia.

More than just a screening series, Night School embraces the communal spirit of repertory cinema, where audiences gather to experience movies the way they were meant to be seen: on the big screen, with fellow fans. To honor that, we felt it was important to dedicate our first semester to highlighting the cinematic experience with “Movies at the Movies!” Eight films that take place in, or memorably feature, a movie theater.

The inaugural lineup includes:
• July 11: Popcorn (1991) – A loving celebration of horror gimmicks and movie theater mayhem.
• July 18: Taxi Driver (1976) – A defining portrait of urban alienation and one of American cinema's most influential character studies, celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
• July 25: The Blob (1988) – The gloriously gooey remake that deserves its place among the greatest practical-effects horror remakes ever made.
• August 1: Messiah of Evil (1974) – Or is it MESILLA OF EVIL? A dreamlike descent into cosmic dread and one of horror's most haunting cult discoveries.
• August 8: Hunting Humans (2002) – Presented on VHS, preserving the analog grit and underground spirit of this independent cult oddity. Preceded by a cartoon on 16mm.
• August 15: Anguish (1987) – A mind-bending psychological horror experience that blurs the line between audience and screen.
• August 22: Donnie Darko (2001) – A generation-defining genre blend of science fiction, mystery, comedy, and drama, celebrating its 25th Anniversary.
• August 29: Demons (1985) – An explosive Italian horror classic where the movie theater itself becomes a nightmare.
Each presentation is brief, entertaining, and designed for casual moviegoers and die-hard film buffs alike. Whether you're seeing a favorite for the fiftieth time or discovering it for the first, Night School is designed to make every screening a little more rewarding—and a lot more fun!

Mesilla Valley Film Society is launching Night School, a new late-night screening series celebrating cult classics, horror landmarks, obscure oddities, and underrated gems. The first set of shows will run Saturday nights at 10:30pm throughout July and August. Conceived by self-proclaimed Professor Austin Wolf-Sothern, and hosted by Austin with fellow film scholars Rian Gonzales and Jeff Bennett. Each show will begin with a PowerPoint presentation pertaining to that week’s film, offering production history, cultural context, and behind-the-scenes trivia.

More than just a screening series, Night School embraces the communal spirit of repertory cinema, where audiences gather to experience movies the way they were meant to be seen: on the big screen, with fellow fans. To honor that, we felt it was important to dedicate our first semester to highlighting the cinematic experience with “Movies at the Movies!” Eight films that take place in, or memorably feature, a movie theater.

The inaugural lineup includes:
• July 11: Popcorn (1991) – A loving celebration of horror gimmicks and movie theater mayhem.
• July 18: Taxi Driver (1976) – A defining portrait of urban alienation and one of American cinema's most influential character studies, celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
• July 25: The Blob (1988) – The gloriously gooey remake that deserves its place among the greatest practical-effects horror remakes ever made.
• August 1: Messiah of Evil (1974) – Or is it MESILLA OF EVIL? A dreamlike descent into cosmic dread and one of horror's most haunting cult discoveries.
• August 8: Hunting Humans (2002) – Presented on VHS, preserving the analog grit and underground spirit of this independent cult oddity. Preceded by a cartoon on 16mm.
• August 15: Anguish (1987) – A mind-bending psychological horror experience that blurs the line between audience and screen.
• August 22: Donnie Darko (2001) – A generation-defining genre blend of science fiction, mystery, comedy, and drama, celebrating its 25th Anniversary.
• August 29: Demons (1985) – An explosive Italian horror classic where the movie theater itself becomes a nightmare.
Each presentation is brief, entertaining, and designed for casual moviegoers and die-hard film buffs alike. Whether you're seeing a favorite for the fiftieth time or discovering it for the first, Night School is designed to make every screening a little more rewarding—and a lot more fun!