October 2, 2 p.m.
El Paso Pro Musica presents Ying String Quartet with Zuill Bailey
The Ying String Quartet, made up of siblings cellist David, violist Phillip, and violinist Janet, and their newest member, Robin Scott on first violin, will perform at the Rio Grande Theatre with Zuill Bailey, with whom they recently released a CD entitled “Re-Imagined.” The CD includes two cello quintet versions of the Schumann cello concerto and the Beethoven "Kreutzer" Sonata.
The quartet was formed in 1992 when the members graduated from the Eastman School of Music and began a two-year residency in Jesup, Iowa, under a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Five years later, they were named the Faculty Quartet in Residence at the Eastman School. In 2005, they won the Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album for “4+Four” (Telarc) with the Turtle Island String Quartet.
Bailey, widely considered one of the premiere cellists in the world, is a distinguished soloist, recitalist, artistic director, and teacher. He is artistic director of El Paso Pro Musica, the Sitka Summer Music Festival (Alaska), the Northwest Bach Festival (Washington), the Mesa Arts Center Series (Arizona), and professor of cello at the University of Texas, El Paso.
Doors open at 1 p.m. There will be a pre-concert at talk at 1:30 p.m. with the concert beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at www.eppm.org, by calling (915) 833-9400, or at the door. Tickets are $25 adults, $20 senior/military, and $5 students.
October 7, 5 – 7 p.m.
Exhibit Opening in El Paso Electric Gallery with Linda Hagan
Linda Hagan moved to Las Cruces from Ohio in 2004 to pursue her calling for a career in art. She mainly paints in oils and has won several awards while exhibited in local and regional galleries and museums including two one person shows at the Farm and Ranch Museum, The International Museum of Art in El Paso, Crossland Gallery in El Paso, The Roswell International Show, The Branigan Museum, the Phillips Gallery, Main Street Gallery, The Preston Gallery, Nopolitos Galeria and many others. She belongs to the Plein Air Painters of Southern NM as well as Julie Ford Oliver’s Artist Guild.
This exhibit will show the artist love of the Southwest, nature and animals with a focus on the play of light on her subject.
The El Paso Gallery is located in the lobby of the Rio Grande Theatre. Exhibit hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and during Rio Grande Theatre events.
October 7, 7:30 p.m.
New Mexico Heritage Series: An Evening with Yolanda Martinez and special guest Denny Guerrero
Yolanda Martinez, an award-winning Native American performer, songwriter, singer, and recording artist who has performed internationally kicks off the Rio Grande Theatre’s New Mexico Heritage Series, sponsored by Heritage Hotels and Resorts and Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces. On October 7, this New Mexico native and Las Cruces resident will entertain and educate the audience with a concert with special guest singer Denny Guerrero. The concert, entitled “An Evening with Yolanda Martinez and special guest Denny Guerrero,” begins at 7:30 p.m.
A Native American Music Award-winning artist, including Best Female Artist in 2004, Martinez traces her heritage to her Apache, Comanche, and Hispanic ancestors. Martinez is also a two-time winner of the ISMA (Indian Summer Music Award). She conducts drum-making workshops, drumming circles, women’s circles, and concerts. She has been a singer since she was a child and began making drums as an adult almost 30 years ago. She has eight recordings and is a Master Drum-Maker, a title is bestowed by the Native American tribes.
The October 7 concert will feature the wide range of music that Martinez is known for, including contemporary, country, Latin, and drumming, as well as duets with Guerrero. The concert will conclude with audience-participation drumming, attendees are encouraged to bring drums, rattles, and other percussion instruments.
The show is included for those who have purchased the New Mexico Heritage Series. Individual tickets are $17 for the main floor and $12 for the balcony. Tickets may be purchased online at www.riograndetheatre.com or at the Doña Arts Council office on the second floor of the theatre, 211 N. Main Street, during business hours. Tickets may also be available at the door the evening of the performance. For more information, call (575) 523-6403. More information about Martinez can be found at her website, www.yolandadrums.com.
October 9, 3 p.m.
Las Cruces Civic Concert Assn. presents virtuoso trumpeter Brandon Ridenour
Trumpeter Brandon Ridenour was the winner of the 2014 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition. His wide-ranging activities as a soloist and chamber musician paired with his passion for composing and arranging are manifested in his versatile performances and unique repertoire. His concerts present sophisticated arrangements of classical masterworks. Ridenour, a Juilliard School graduate, will be accompanied by Yoonie Han on piano.
At the age of twenty, Ridenour became the youngest member ever to join the iconic Canadian Brass, a position he held for seven years. While with the group, he played in distinguished venues around the world, performed on television, recorded ten albums, and received three Juno Award nominations.
Ridenour has appeared as a concerto soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Indianapolis, Jacksonville, and Edmonton Symphony Orchestras. He has played with leading ensembles including the New York Philharmonic, International Contemporary Ensemble, the Knights, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Other solo performances include the Kennedy Center, Walt Disney Hall, and Carnegie Hall, where he most recently appeared in a performance of Penny Lane alongside Sting and James Taylor.
Ridenour is the winner of the 2006 International Trumpet Guild solo competition and a recipient of the Morton Gould ASCAP Young Composer Award. He has recorded three solo albums; his latest release is “Fantasies and Fairy Tales,” which features his own arrangements of classical masterworks for trumpet and piano.
Tickets for this concert are $25 and may be purchased online at www.riograndetheatre.org or at the door one hour prior to show time. Take advantage of the LCCCA Concert Season tickets to get four great concerts for one low price of $58.
October 12, 6:30 p.m.
The Doña Ana Arts Council presents Every 2nd Wednesday with the Cadillac Kings
This free monthly event replaces the Every Other Tuesday performances. October’s performers are the Cadillac Kings, a local group which plays Country & Western, Classic Rock, Swing, and Rhythm & Blues. The Cadillac Kings are made up of Chuck Tidwell on guitar and vocals; Jerry Phillips on rhythm guitar and vocals; Bob Turner on keyboard, fiddle, and vocals; Phil Holmes on bass guitar and vocals; and Scott Kyle on drums and percussion.
Every 2nd Wednesday is a free monthly program offered by the Doña Ana Arts Council showcasing local musicians. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the performance begins at 6:30 p.m. For additional information, visit www.RioGrandeTheatre.com or contact the Doña Ana Arts Council at (575) 523-6403.
October 15, 2 p.m.
The Law of Harmony and Christian Science Healing with Josh Niles
Josh Niles, a former U.S. Army Ranger, is now a practitioner and teacher of Christian Science healing and a member of the Christian Science Board of Leadership. He will speak on the topic of harmony and healing. Doors will open at 1 p.m. and the talk will begin at 2 p.m. There is no charge for this presentation.
October 21, 6:30 p.m.
PRC Productions and Borderlands Media present film premier of “Lady Belladonna’s Night Shades”
Produced by PRC Productions and Borderlands Media, “Lady Belladonna’s Night Shades” is an anthology feature film that takes elements of “Rod Serling’s Night Gallery,” “Mystery Science Theatre 3000,” and “Elvira, Mistress of The Dark,” then shakes liberally to create an irreverent showcase for short films packaged together under a common theme: The Sins of Man.
Hosted by seductive hellion Lady Belladonna (Tawnya Bass) from her torture dungeon somewhere in the twisting depths of Hades, through segments created to bridge the gap between individual shorts, “Lady Belladonna’s Night Shades” was conceived and directed by David Salcido. Troy Scoughton, Sr. and Troy Scoughton, Jr. serve as producers for the film.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the film will begin at 6:30. Tickets are $5 and are available at www.riograndetheatre.com or at the door an hour prior to the event.
October 28, noon
Promoting Art in Las Cruces
“Growing New Mexico’s Creative Economy” A presentation on U.S. Senator Tom Udall’s Comprehensive Resources for Entrepreneurs in the Arts to Transform the Economy Act (C.R.E.A.T.E. Act). Presented by Melanie Goodman from Senator Tom Udall’s office.
The program will be presented at the Main Street Bistro next door to the Rio Grande Theatre. The meeting is free; lunch may be ordered on your own.
October 28, 7 p.m. and October 29, 1 p.m.
A Children’s Theatre (ACT) presents “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
Actors ranging in age from 5 to 15 will take the stage when A Children’s Theater of the Mesilla Valley (ACT) presents this classic story perfect for the Halloween season. Performances for the general public are 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $3 for children, $7 for adults. For more information, or to reserve tickets, call (575) 523-6403 or visit the website at www.RioGrandeTheatre.com.
El Paso Electric Gallery, located in the lobby of the Rio Grande Theatre
Artist for October: Linda Hagan
Linda Hagan moved to Las Cruces from Ohio in 2004 to pursue her calling for a career in art. She mainly paints in oils and has won several awards while exhibited in local and regional galleries and museums including two one person shows at the Farm and Ranch Museum, The International Museum of Art in El Paso, Crossland Gallery in El Paso, The Roswell International Show, The Branigan Museum, the Phillips Gallery, Main Street Gallery, The Preston Gallery, Nopolitos Galeria and many others. She belongs to the Plein Air Painters of Southern NM as well as Julie Ford Oliver’s Artist Guild.
This exhibit will show the artist’s love of the Southwest, nature and animals with a focus on the play of light on her subject.
Every month the Doña Ana Arts Council welcomes local artists to exhibit in the El Paso Electric Gallery in the lobby of the Rio Grande Theatre. Regular exhibit hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, or to book an exhibit, call the Arts Council offices during regular working hours.