DECEMBER
Friday 01
Silver City/Grant County
Steve Smith and Hard Road–Bluegrass, gospel and modern folk, blending in original instrumental and vocal works to create modern/retro sounds. $15 members, $20 non-members. 7:30 p.m., Pinos Altos Opera House. Mimbres Region Arts Council, 538-2505, www.mimbresarts.org.
Gypsy Feet–Twisted Vine, 108 E. Broadway, 388-2828.
The Glory of Christmas–Through Dec. 2. WNMU University Singers and The Heard vocal ensemble. 6 p.m., WNMU Parotti Recital Hall, 538-6614.
Las Cruces/Mesilla
A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas–Through Dec. 3. Based on one of the most popular 20th-century series of children's book. This story takes place in one of the gaps between the Ingalls family's adventures in the "Big Woods" and those in the "Little House on the Prairie," a time when they managed a hotel in a small Wisconsin town. Laura worries that the family's poverty and her mother's depression will lead her parents to give her away to some rich neighbors. The story has a heart-warming ending and will be enjoyed by all ages. Friday and Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. St. Paul's, 255 W.Griggs Ave., 526-6689.
Annual Holiday Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony–5:30 p.m., Albert N. Johnson Park, corner of Main St. and Picacho Ave., 541-2200.
Annual Old-Fashioned Holiday La Casa Christmas Bazaar–Through Dec. 3. Friday 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dickerson's Event Center, 3920 W. Picacho Ave., 526-2819/524-1222/523-4286, khancock@lacasainc.org.
Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol–Through Dec. 17. The real story behind Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"–Jacob Marley's heroic behind-the-scenes efforts to save old Scrooge's soul and, in the process, save his own. Aided by a Bogle, a malicious little hell-sprite with an agenda of his own, his hilarious journey takes him from the Jaws of Death to the Mouth of Hell and beyond. Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. $8, $7 students, $5 children under 6. Las Cruces Community Theater, 313 N. Downtown Mall, 523-1200, www.lcctnm.org.
Lady Vengeance–Almost Midnight Film Series. Free admission. 9:45 p.m. Fountain Theater, 2469 Calle de Guadalupe, 524–8287, www.fountaintheatre.org.
Las Cruces Symphony–Through Dec. 3. Corey Cerovsek on violin, Lonnie Klein conducting. Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. NMSU Music Center Recital Hall, 646-2421, www.nmsu.edu/~music.
Miniatures–A pocket view of local art priced below $200. 4-5:45 p.m., Terrace Gallery, Branigan Public Library, 200 Picacho St.
NMSU Aggies Men's Basketball Lou Henson Classic–NMSU Pan American Center, University Ave., 646-1420, www.nmstatesports.com.
Remembering the Forgotten River–The newest exhibit at the Southwest Environmental Center's Cottonwood Gallery looks at how the Rio Grande in the Paso del Norte area has changed over the past century and a half, as evidenced by three sources: historic maps of the river; beautifully detailed wildlife illustrations from the US-Mexico Boundary Survey of the early 1850s; and, SWEC's Remembering the Forgotten River oral history project, in which 20 long-time residents of El Paso, Juarez and southern New Mexico share their memories of growing up with the river and the changes they witnessed. Some of the oral history participants will be in attendance at the opening, 5-7 p.m. Southwest Environmental Center, Downtown Mall at Las Cruces Ave., 522-5552.
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles–Through Dec. 7. Ken Takakura stars as Gou-ichi Takata, a taciturn resident of a remote fishing village. On learning that his estranged son, Ken-ichi (Kiichi Nakai), is dying of cancer, he boards a bullet train for Tokyo, only to be rebuffed at the hospital room. Given a videotape by his distraught daughter-in-law, Takata discovers his son's passion for the folk opera of rural China and sets off on an odyssey of reconciliation. He arrives at a village in Yunnan Province to search out Li Jiamin, the star of the masked opera that gives the film its name, whom Ken-ichi wished to film before illness sent him home. Li has since been jailed for his participation in a drunken brawl, but with the help of a sweet-natured guide, Takata charms the local bureaucracy into allowing him access to the prisoner. Nightly 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinee 2:30 p.m. $6, members $4, students and seniors $5, matinees $5, Wednesdays $4. Fountain Theater, 2469 Calle de Guadalupe, 524 8287, www.fountaintheatre.org.
Running on Full–Through Dec. 30. Works by Christy Hengst. Sculptures in porcelain and wax. Reception 5-7 p.m., Las Cruces Museum of Art, 490 N. Water St., 541-2137.
Suite for Kitty–Through Dec. 30. Works by Ouida Touchon. (See March 2006 Desert Exposure.) Reception 5-7 p.m., Rio Grande Theater Galleries, 635-7899, 523-6403.
The Contemporary Ceramics of Mata Ortiz–Through Jan. 20. Over 300 potters of the village of Mata Ortiz in northern Mexico create remarkable ceramic work inspired by an ancient native art tradition. Opening reception 5-7 p.m., Las Cruces Museum of Art, 490 N. Water St., 541-2137.
Voz Vaqueros Holiday Concert–See story in Tumbleweeds section. 8 p.m. Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1327 N. Miranda.
Saturday 02
Silver City/Grant County
26th Annual Mimbres Hot Springs Ranch Studio Sale–Through Dec. 3. Artists offer unique handmade gifts for your home and holiday giving. Live music, food and door prizes. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Six miles south of San Lorenzo off Hwy. 61; follow signs 2 1/2 miles to MHSR.
Bayou Seco–At the Grand Opening of the Hub (see the November 2006 Desert Exposure). 12-1 p.m. 534-0298, bayouseco@aol.com.
Gila Valley Artisans Craft Fair–Through Dec. 3. Local artisans, food, door prizes, music and fun for the family. Community Center on Hwy. 211 in Gila. 535-2151.
Levy Breaker–From Las Cruces, playing classic rock and rock of the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. 8-12 p.m. Isaac's, Bullard and Broadway, 313-1700.
Melodrama Theatre–"Billy the Kid or It's Just a Little Gun Play." Every Friday and Saturday. See the March 2006 Desert Exposure. 8 p.m. Pinos Altos Opera House, 388-3848, www.pinosaltos.org/melodrama.
Starlight Band–Twisted Vine, 108 E. Broadway, 388-2828.
The Glory of Christmas–See Dec. 1. 6 p.m., WNMU Parotti Recital Hall, 538-6614.
Las Cruces/Mesilla
A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas–Through Dec. 3. See Dec. 1. 7 p.m. St. Paul's, 255 W.Griggs Ave., 526-6689.
Annual Old-Fashioned Holiday La Casa Christmas Bazaar–Through Dec. 3. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Dickerson's Event Center, 3920 W. Picacho Ave., 526-2819 / 524-1222 / 523-4286, khancock@lacasainc.org.
Annual Trail of Lights–Warm your hearts and your souls with free hot cocoa and cookies. Enjoy the sounds of music amid the glow of 3,000 luminarias along the historic Downtown Mall. 6-8 p.m. 541-2288 / 528-3204, ohennessey@las-cruces.org.
Art, the Enduring Gift–Works by the gallery artists. Reception 1-4 p.m., Patio Art Gallery, University and El Paseo, 541-7401, www.patioartgallery.com.
Dona Ana Modular Railroad Display–Through Dec. 3. Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Good Samaritan, 3025 Terrace Drive, 532-1751, troeller@zianet.com.
Everyone Their Grain of Sand–This award-winning documentary reveals the struggles of the citizens of Maclovio Rojas in Tijuana, Mexico, as they battle the state government's attempts to evict them from their homes to make way for multinational corporations seeking cheap land and labor. Filmmaker and guest Beth Bird followed the fiercely determined residents for three years as they petition the state for basic services like running water, electricity and pay for their teachers, only to be met with bureaucratic stonewalling. Eventually, several community leaders are targeted for persecution, and one is arrested while others are forced into hiding. $3, free for Mesilla Valley Film Society members. 1:30 p.m. Fountain Theater, 2469 Calle de Guadalupe, 524 8287, www.fountaintheatre.org.
Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol–Through Dec. 17. See Dec. 1. 8 p.m., $8, $7 students, $5 children under 6. Las Cruces Community Theater, 313 N. Downtown Mall, 523-1200, www.lcctnm.org.
Las Cruces Symphony–Through Dec. 3. See Dec 1. 8 p.m. NMSU Music Center Recital Hall, 646-2421, www.nmsu.edu/~music/.
Magic Carpet Story Time–11:30 a.m., Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N Downtown Mall. 523-6403l, info@daarts.org.
NMSU Aggies Football vs. Louisiana Tech–1 p.m., NMSU Aggie Memorial Stadium, Payne St., 646-1420, nmstatesports.com.
NMSU Aggies Men's Basketball Lou Henson Classic–NMSU Pan American Center, University Ave., 646-1420, www.nmstatesports.com.
Randy Granger Concert–A fundraiser for KRWG-fm public radio. A concert of seasonal music by Granger, a Native American flute player. See the May 2006 Desert Exposure. $5-$15, 7:30 p.m., Rio Grande Theatre, 211 Downtown Mall, 541-8073/ 646-4525, www.krwgfm.org.
Steve Smith and Hard Road–$12 advance, $15 door. 8 p.m., Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall, 525-0559, www.desertnight.com.
Tour of Otero Mesa–An all-day outing to one of the largest desert grasslands remaining in the US, now threatened by oil and gas development. $5 donation. Southwest Environmental Center, 522-5552, swec@zianet.com.
Alamogordo
COPE Benefit–7:30 p.m., Flickinger Center for Performing Arts, 1110 New York Ave., 437-2202.
Sunday 03
Silver City/Grant County
26th Annual Mimbres Hot Springs Ranch Studio Sale–See Dec. 2. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Six miles south of San Lorenzo off Hwy. 61; follow signs 2 1/2 miles to MHSR.
Gila Valley Artisans Craft Fair–See Dec. 2. Community Center on Hwy. 211 in Gila. 535-2151.
House of Sand–An intriguing meditation on aging, the impermanence of time, and man's place in nature. This film follows three women through 60 years. WNMU-Silver City International Film Society. 4 p.m., Real West Cinema II, Hwy. 180 E.
Instrumental Holiday Concert–Performances by the University Concert Band and Orchestra, String Ensemble, Rio Pan Steel Drum Band and the WNMU Faculty Jazz Project. 2 p.m., WNMU Fine Arts Center Theatre, 538-6614.
Las Cruces/Mesilla
A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas–3 p.m. See Dec. 1. St. Paul's, 255 W.Griggs Ave., 526-6689.
Annual Old Fashioned Holiday La Casa Christmas Bazaar–9 a.m.-4 p.m., Dickerson's Event Center, 3920 West Picacho Ave., 526-2819/524-1222/523-4286, khancock@lacasainc.org.
Dona Ana Modular Railroad Display–9 a.m.-3 p.m. Good Samaritan, 3025 Terrace Drive, 532-1751, troeller@zianet.com.
First Sunday Library Reading Series–Bobby Byrd and Michelle Holland read from their recent work. 3 p.m., Dresp Room, Branigan Public Library, 521-9314.
Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol–Through Dec. 17. See Dec. 1. 2 p.m., $8, $7 students, $5 children under 6. Las Cruces Community Theater, 313 N. Downtown Mall, 523-1200, www.lcctnm.org.
Las Cruces Symphony–See Dec 1. 3 p.m. NMSU Music Center Recital Hall, 646-2421, www.nmsu.edu/~music.
The Flying J Wranglers Annual Christmas Show–A show of music and good clean family-style laughs. $30 advance, $35 door. 7 p.m., New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road, 522-4100.
Voz Vaqueros Holiday Concert–See story in Tumbleweeds section. 7 p.m. University Terrace Good Samaritan Social Center Auditorium, 3011 Buena Vida Circle.
Columbus
Columbus Christmas Festival–Information, 531-2236.
Monday 04
Silver City/Grant County
Open Mic–Twisted Vine, 108 E. Broadway, 388-2828.
Las Cruces/Mesilla
Learning to Love without Pain–Mondays through Dec. 11. $8, 7-8:30 p.m., 116 W. Las Cruces Ave., 292-5293, www.meditationnewmexico.org.
Deming
Green Tea–Open house and reception. Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, 546-2832.
Tuesday 05
Silver City/Grant County
Poetry Night–Twisted Vine, 108 E. Broadway, 388-2828.
Las Cruces/Mesilla
Every Other Tuesday–Free concert. 5:30-6:30 p.m., Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Downtown Mall, 523-6403, info@daarts.org.
Harvest Cooking Class–Pistachios and pecans are holiday favorites; learn new ways of preparing them. Pre-registration required, $20. 2-4 p.m. New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road, 522-4100.
Alamogordo
An Evening with Groucho–By Burt Broadcasting. $25, $18, $10. 7:30 p.m., Flickinger Center for Performing Arts, 1110 New York Ave., 437-2202.
Wednesday 06
Silver City/Grant County
Light Up a Life Ceremony–Remember your loved ones by placing a light and photo on the tree at Gila Regional Medical Center. Gila Regional Medical Center, 574-4934.
Trivia Night–Twisted Vine, 108 E. Broadway, 388-2828.
Las Cruces/Mesilla
Border Jazz Quartet–Ages 21 and up. 8-11 p.m., El Patio, 2171 Calle de Parian, 526-9943.
Thursday 07
Silver City/Grant County
Acoustic Cafe–Double bill: Farhad and Ron McFarland. A weekly music series featuring original music from songwriting musicians. 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7). $3, Gallery 400, 400 N. Arizona.
WNMU Mustangs Women's Basketball vs. University of Nebraska Kearney–6 p.m., Mustang Fieldhouse, www.wnmu.edu/athletic/w-basketball/sporthome.htm.
WNMU Mustangs Men's Basketball vs. University of Nebraska-Kearney–8 p.m., Mustang Fieldhouse. www.wnmu.edu/athletic/m-basketball/sporthome.htm.
Las Cruces/Mesilla
Time Travel at Night by Lantern Light–Through Dec. 9. Take an interactive trip through time and visit people from New Mexico's past. After that, stick around and enjoy music, a hay ride and other old-fashioned fun. 6-9 p.m., New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road, 522-4100.
Friday 08
Silver City/Grant County
Festival of Trees–Through Dec. 10. An annual community event benefiting Penny Park. Come see the park transformed into a winter wonderland, buy some baked goods and see the Christmas trees decorated by members of the community. Trees are for sale. Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Penny Park, 1305 Grant St., 534-0261, www.pennypark.org.
Melodrama Theatre–8 p.m. Pinos Altos Opera House, 388-3848, www.pinosaltos.org/melodrama.
Wally Lawder–Twisted Vine, 108 E. Broadway, 388-2828.
Wil Hanson and Phillip Parotti–Opening reception for exhibit of Hanson's "Dreams and Sandwiches" and Parotti's woodcuts. 5-8 p.m. Leyba & Ingalls ARTS, 315 Bullard St., 388-5725, LeybaIngallsART@zianet.com, www.LeybaIngallsARTS.com.
Las Cruces/Mesilla
A Child's Christmas in Wales–Through Dec. 10. David Edwards will read the part of Dylan Thomas, the narrator, and NSTC donors and volunteers will read the other parts. Each performance will be followed by a reception with holiday treats. 8 p.m., $7, Black Box Theater, 430 Downtown Mall, 523-1223, www.no-strings.org.
Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree–Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the plaza in Mesilla and great music. Businesses in Mesilla will stay open late for holiday shopping. Tree lighting 6 p.m., music 6-6:30 p.m. Old Mesilla Plaza, 524-3262, kmedina_tom@comcast.net, www.vivamesilla.org.
Celebraciones de Navidad–Through Dec. 9. NMSU Choirs present a holiday program emphasizing Mexican music, Spanish music and old holiday favorites performed in new and different ways, including a traditional candlelight carol to put you in the holiday spirit. $10, $12, $15. NMSU Music Center Recital Hall, 646-2067. saraorton@comcast.net, www.nmsu.edu/~music.
Factotum–Through Dec. 14. Starring Matt Dillon and Lili Taylor in two of their best film performances, this movie is about the LA underbelly, as recalled by an expert–Charles Bukowski. Adapted from Bukowski's 1975 novel, the movie spins a yarn that, like most of the author's prolific output, is semi-autobiographical. Bukowski, who died in 1994, was a rough, razor-sharp chronicler of the bum's life, a poet of cheap booze and sex and a master of the pared-down literary style of Ernest Hemingway and John Fante. The title refers to "a man who performs many jobs." And that's what we see Bukowski's literary alter ego Henry ("Hank") Chinaski doing here: floating from job to job, binge to binge. Rated R. Nightly 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinee 2:30 p.m. $6, members $4, students and seniors $5, matinees $5, Wednesdays $4. Fountain Theater, 2469 Calle de Guadalupe, 524-8287, www.fountaintheatre.org.
Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol–Through Dec. 17. See Dec. 1. 8 p.m., $8, $7 students, $5 children under 6. Las Cruces Community Theater, 313 N. Downtown Mall, 523-1200, www.lcctnm.org.
Time Travel at Night by Lantern Light–Through Dec. 9. See Dec. 7. 6-9 p.m., New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road, 522-4100.
Alamogordo
Flying J Wranglers–A benefit for the Opportunity Center. Flickinger Center for Performing Arts, 1110 New York Ave., 437-2202.
Deming
Hi Lo Silvers–Deming Performing Arts Theater presents this all-female singing group. Christmas music and sing-along session. $5, under 10 free. 7 p.m. Morgan Hall, 109 E. Pine St.