Branigan Cultural Center
501 N. Main St., Las Cruces
Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
There is no admission charge.
Land of the People: Ndende bì Ke'ya
From April 4-June 27, we are featuring the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
Within the Land of the People: Shimba Tainin kau natheure wein – Tierra Sagrada - Ndende bì Ke’ya - Naf'ole atsihem - Nde benah - Ndee Biyááh exhibit at the Branigan Cultural Center, a special, changing gallery space allows each Indigenous group to go deeper into their unique stories. From April 4 through June 27, we are featuring the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
The Mescalero Apache have long resided in southern New Mexico, moving seasonally across the desert, grasslands, mountains, and river valleys. Their movements were grounded by their four sacred mountains: Sierra Blanca, Guadalupe, Oscura/Selinas, and the Three Sisters. The Mescalero Apache Reservation is the southernmost Federal reservation in the state. It was formally established through an Executive Order by President Ulysses S. Grant on May 29, 1873.
Today, the Mescalero Apache Tribe consists of three sub-tribes, the Mescalero, and incorporated Lipan Apache, and Chiricahua Apache, with over 5,000 Tribal members from each band residing on the reservation. Throughout the year, the Mescalero continue to celebrate many ceremonies, including the Coming-of-Age Ceremony every Fourth of July.
For more information on up-to-date events visit LasCruces.gov/Museums or Las Cruces Museums’ social media platforms @LCMuseums.
Beginning May 1
Into the Great White Sands: Photographs by Craig Varjabedian at the Branigan Cultural Center
Experience the ever-changing gypsum dunes at White Sands National Park with a new photography exhibition at the Branigan Cultural Center, featuring the work of noted New Mexico photographer Craig Varjabedian. Into the Great White Sands: Photographs by Craig Varjabedian opens with a special reception from 5-7 p.m. on May 1, which includes a gallery talk from 5:30-6 p.m. from NMSU Archives Director Dennis Daily. The exhibition runs through Saturday, September 5.
Craig Varjabedian is an award-winning photographer based in New Mexico who uses photography to share stories of the land and the people who live on it. Through this intimate relationship he offers viewers a new way of seeing – one that transcends everyday perception and expands our awareness of the potential of every moment. His photographs have been exhibited in state and national museums and have been made into several books, including Into the Great White Sands, published by University of New Mexico Press in 2018. It was the 2018 recipient of a New Mexico/Arizona Book Award.
The Into the Great White Sands photographic collection is owned by the NMSU Library, Archives, and Special Collections.
Deming Art Center
100 S. Gold St., Deming
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday
The annual Luna County Fine Arts & Crafts Show will be presented as the May 2026 exhibit at the Deming Art Center. Featured will be local artists and crafters from Luna County. It showcases many different mediums including painting, sculpture, fiber arts, jewelry and more.
Anyone living in Luna County is eligible to participate with up to three items. The exhibit will be from May 2-29 (closed Memorial Day). There will be a time to meet the artists on Sunday, May 3, from 1-2:30 p.m. or our FB page for more information. This project is supported in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Little Toad Creek
May Events
Friday, May 1
Burt Ferguson
8-11 p.m.
Country/classic rock/original music band. Burt Ferguson & Sierra County Line deliver soulful country-Americana, country and rock, with Ferguson on rhythm guitar/lead vocals, Tim Thompson on lead guitar/vocals, Eric Mowels on bass and Derrick Lee on drums.
Saturday May 2
Tour of the Gila Two Bands
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Proud Pete, NMSU's official cover band, performs at local Las Cruces restaurants, fundraisers and festivals. This group plays some of the greatest hits from the past five decades and features incredible instrumentalists and vocalists. This is a cover party band using members of the Pride of New Mexico giving them experience in commercial music and providing scholarships to members of the band. https://prideofnewmexico.nmsu.edu/other-ensembles/proud-pete.html
Rolling Dusk
8-11 p.m.
Sonoran psych rock from Tucson
https://www.facebook.com/ROLLINGDUSK/
Saturday May 2
The Hub Beer Garden Anna Maria and the Unfit Mothers
2-5 p.m.
I sing and play bass; I have a guitar player and a drummer to round out the group. I play my original Americana/country/rock songs and throw in some tasty covers. My voice has been compared to one of the greats, Linda Ronstadt. youtube.com/@AnnaMariaRosalesMusic
Sunday May 3
Ethan Perry
1-4 p.m.
Self-described music as Americana Indie Technicolor Jazz. https://ethanjperry.com/
Thursday May 7
Karaoke
7-10 p.m.
Friday May 8
Lottie
8-11 p.m.
A country and western swing dance band with a touch of rock and blues featuring female vocals, smooth, smoking guitar and Nashville fiddle.
Saturday May 9
Aaron Golay
8-11 p.m.
Loud, yet tender with high energy, engaging live performances are what stand out. Aaron is an Idaho born and raised artist whose songwriting has formed a distinct shape over his first three album releases. A blend of Americana, Roots, Rock, and Soul make every song a story you'll immediately remember. https://www.aarongolay.com/
Sunday May 10
Joee Corso
1-4 p.m.
Joee Corso's roots are deeply embedded in the intimate and heartfelt music traditions of Americana, roots, blues, and country. Growing up in New Haven, Connecticut, he was captivated by his grandfather's band playing old Italian songs and his father's renditions of classics by Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Bob Seger, and the Eagles. These early influences, along with his love for artists like Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, The Doors, Santana, Elton John, and Billy Joel, have shaped his distinctive sound.
Thursday May 14
Singo!
7-10 p.m.
Friday May 15
DJ Mischievous
9:30 p.m.-midnight
$5 Cover
With over a decade of experience, DJ Mischievous has established themselves as a powerhouse DJ in the music industry, blending dynamic sounds and electrifying performances to captivate audiences worldwide.
Saturday May 16
Znora Band
8-11 p.m.
Znora is an award-winning three-piece rock band out of the Arizona desert. Adrian Negrete writes the original tunes, sings lead and plays guitar with a mix of varied influences from Chuck Berry and Santana to SRV and Hendrix. Joshua Montano brings his fierce drum skills and passion for 90s rock drummer styles like Dave Grohl and Chad Smith. Johnathan Rohde fills out the low end on the bass and blends rich harmonies. https://www.facebook.com/znora.band/
Sunday May 17
Rhythm Mystic
1-4 p.m.
Come and enjoy a wide variety of dance and original music including world, Latin, pop, reggae, funk, Motown and more.
Tuesday May 19
Gallavant
8-11 p.m.
Gallivant is a three-piece, riff-based groove rock band that sets a high bar for the new age of rock and roll music. They bring a high-energy, arena-sized rock show to stages all across the country. https://www.gallivantband.com/
Thursday May 21
Karaoke
7-10 p.m.
Friday May 22
Blues Fest Opening
4-7 p.m.
CW Ayon may call the Southwestern deserts of New Mexico home but his soul is deeply rooted in the Blues and grooves of the Mississippi Hill Country. With a rather simple kick/snare and tambourine setup he lays down solid beats while picking out some catchy hooks on anything from acoustic to resonator guitars. Sometimes dropping in a bit of harmonica for good measure. All the while building a sound and playing style that is deceptively larger than it seems. https://cwayon.com/
Rudy Boy
9 p.m.- midnight Swinging Dirty Blues with that true Rock n Roll feel. https://www.facebook.com/therudyboyexperiment/
Saturday May 23
Metropolis Man
8 p.m.-noon
Folk Soul Roots Rock n' Roll from Phoenix Arizona. https://www.instagram.com/themetropolisman/?hl=en
Sunday May 24
End of Blues Fest
10 a.m.-noon
Little House of Funk- Connie knows how to start a party, engage the crowd, and keep it H-O-T. Her joy is contagious, and her presence adds a positive punch to any get-together. From a sultry trio background to the fiery 10-piece party extravaganza featuring the Fabulous Funkettes, a LHOF performance is the real deal. Make your event unforgettable. https://www.conniebrannockband.com/little-house-of-funk/
Karma Splice
5-8 p.m.
Karma Splice is a guitar and keys extravaganza whose infectious rhythms and clever wordplay move both body and soul. Composed of country singer and award-winning author, Tom Andes, and Emmy Nominated soundtracking artist and jazz pianist, Keith Burnstein, this power duo plays original roots, funk, and soul with a healthy dose of New Orleans R&B thrown in for good measure (both of us lived and gigged in New Orleans in the aughts and 2010s).
Thursday May 28
Singo!
7-10 p.m.
Friday May 29
Consequences
8-11 p.m.
We're a HIGH Desert Cosmic Americana band from Truth Or Consequences, NM https://www.facebook.com/consequencesmusic/
Saturday May 30
Gila Lobsters
8-11 p.m.
The Gila Lobsters are a four-piece cover band local to Silver City. They play outlaw country and classic rock ranging from the 1960s to '90s.
Sunday May 31
Mineral Hill
1-4 p.m.
We bring salty Americana, funk, honky-tonk, bossa nova, psychedelia, polka, New Mexico gothic, disco…. Enthusiastic fans have described us as “surprisingly tolerable,” “dork core” and “the house band at the human dog park.” http://mineralhillband.com/
Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society
To help celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence, the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society is presenting a weekly film series that will run from May 14 through June 25.
The series, entitled “Crucible of Liberty: The American Revolution in Film,” will be shown on Thursday evenings at the Santa Clara Armory Building, located across US Highway 180 from the Village of Santa Clara. (Next to Dollar General, and in the same building as Open Space Brewery).
Doors open at 6 p.m. with programs starting at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, donations are accepted.
The series is highlighted by the showing of the critically acclaimed PBS Miniseries “John Adams”, which is based on historian David McCulloch’s prize winning book of the same name. Other titles in the series are: “Johnny Tremain,” “1776,” “The Patriot,” “The Man Who Would Not Be King,” and “A More Perfect Union.”
Each showing will be introduced by Dr. Doug Dinwiddie, President of the FBHPS, and Professor Emeritus of New Mexico State University. The Jacob Bennett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution join the FBHPS in urging members of the community to attend the series as we reflect on the meaning and significance of the founding period of our country’s history.
Gallery 925
925 N. Mesquite Street in the Mesquite Historical District near the corner of Spruce St.
Fridays, 1-5 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays 1-5 p.m.
The Annual Printmaking & Photography Invitational
Each year Gallery 925 invites Southern New Mexico’s and El Paso Printmakers and Photographers to submit work to this annual show. A huge variety of printmaking and photographic techniques will be shown.
This invitational show also celebrates International Print Day in May, an annual, global celebration of printmaking that takes place every first Saturday in May. It’s a worldwide printmaking action where tens of thousands of artists in over 80 countries make prints and share their work online, creating a community chain of creativity.
At the gallery, Saturday, May 2, starting at 10 a.m. there will be free printmaking demos all day until 4 p.m.
Gabriele Teich will demonstrate from 10–11 a.m. how to print a linocut greeting card. Everyone can take home a free card printed in the color of their choice.
Gustavo Muniz from 1–2 p.m. presents Print Anywhere: Woodcut Printing by Hand. In this engaging demonstration, you’ll see how Gustavo makes his prints using a simple wooden spoon, as well as a basic platen-style press. He will also share his experiences printing off of linoleum and wood, and how the surfaces influence the outcome of the print. Further discussion will include his experiences and preferences of papers and inks.
Diane Alire from 2:30–4 p.m. will discuss and demonstrate the photogravure process. This process allows anyone to take a photo and turn it into a one-of-a-kind limited-edition works of art.
Back Room Gallery
We are showing photographs and limited-edition photogravures by Diane Alire, beautiful affordable gift items from silversmith jewelry maker Lauren Goldstein, pottery by Jan Archey and Native American potter Albert Alvidrez, whimsical laser cut earrings by Colleen Gino. We also have Tess Lane’s colorful enamel on copper earrings and necklaces and treasure boxes by Diane Sperling.
The show opens on First Friday, May 1 with the reception from 4-8 p.m., with artists in attendance. The show runs from May 1–May 31.
WNMU Cultural Affairs
Tickets at www.wnmu.edu
For event info go to www.wnmu.edu
Light Art Space
209 West Broadway. Silver City
Gallery Hours: Thursday 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. and by appointment.
Lightartspace.com, 575-574-8444
Light Art Space presents two new exhibitions from April 2-May 30.
North Gallery
Silver City artist Richard Harper presents Mystery of the Sphere, oil paintings often described as imaginary landscapes.
Flash Gallery
The Colors of Light, photographs by San Lorenzo artist Robert Alfred Brooks
Gallery Artists
Light Art Space will present two gallery artist talks in the month of May.
On Friday, May 1 at 5:30 p.m. Richard Harper will talk about his exhibition, Mystery of the Sphere. Refreshments will be served during this First Friday at the Galleries event.
On Sunday May 24 at 3 p.m. Robert Brooks will speak about his photography exhibition, The Colors of Light.
Both exhibitions continue through May 30.
Film Screening
Light Hall Theater
Wednesday, May 6
7 p.m.
An investigation into the life, work, and enduring influence of the writer George Orwell, connecting his ideas to the contemporary world.
Mad Hatter Gallery
221 N. Main Street, Las Cruces
Sunday, May 17
The voices of the next generation will take center stage at The Mad Hatter Gallery for a special afternoon of spoken word and music. From 2-3 p.m., high school students from Organ Mountain High School will present an original showcase of poetry and performance.
Now in its third year, this annual event has become a staple for the local arts community, highlighting the creative growth of Las Cruces youth. The reading is organized by local poet and educator Tim Staley, who has spent the 2025/2026 school year mentoring these young writers.
The upcoming performance features a curated selection of the "sharpest, brightest, and best" performers from Staley’s current classes.
The event is free and open to the public. Members of the community, families, and fans of the literary arts are encouraged to arrive early to secure seating.
Whiskey Creek Zócalo
11786 HWY 180 East, Arenas Valley, NM
575-388-1266
Tickets & Info: https://www.whiskeycreekzocalo.com/
May 2026
Friday, May 1
Jay Gavin & Denver Venoit
Country Western
6 p.m.
By Donation
Jay Gavin is an independent outlaw country and folk singer-songwriter. Known for authentic storytelling, foot-stomping, and autobiographical everyman songs, his music bridges traditional country with a punk-rock attitude, producing a nostalgic and emotionally driven sound. Jay writes and sings songs for fans of real county music and is making a name for his catchy hooks, foot-stomping, autobiographical, everyman songs and good timin’ live shows.
Saturday, May 2
Bayou Seco Memorial Celebration
3-5:30 p.m.
Family and friends of Bayou Seco, the beloved Ken Keppeler and Jeanie McLerie, will gather together to remember these award-winning musicians through the music they taught us. The Community is invited to enjoy the special blend of southwestern traditional music, called Chilegumbo by our beloved friends. This event will showcase the many musicians who played with Bayou Seco, or who learned these special songs on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo and ukulele. Come join the singing, dancing and hospitality as we remember our dear friends and all the joy they brought our community.
Slade Stage Dedication & Local Music Showcase
5:30 p.m.
Free
We continue the honoring of Music in our Community with a Celebration to Commemorate our New Outdoor Stage featuring Music with three of Silver City’s own… The String Beans, The Gila Lobsters, and Ray & the Sunshines.
Sunday, May 3
Jazz Brunch with the John Mitchell Trio
1 p.m.
Free/By Donation
Come listen to the jazz stylings of the John Mitchell Trio. Journeyman improvisational keyboardist, John Mitchell and Friends will be playing a variety of tunes from their vast repertoire. Playing professionally for over five decades, Mitchell has an innate ability to play and lead, an insatiable fire to innovate and grow his craft, and an intensely creative approach to his playing.
Wednesday, May 6
10 Year Anniversary Celebration of Print Fiesta
Fundraiser
6-8 p.m.
$20 at the door
Please join us to celebrate ten years of Print Fiesta.
Featuring live music by Dustin Hamman, printmaking activities, a silent auction, raffle and more.
Come show your support for this beloved local event and learn about what’s in store for this year.
Thursday, May 7
Acoustic Jam
5:30pm in ‘the Lodge’
Welcome to our monthly Acoustic Jam. This is a reoccurring event.
Hosted the First Thursday of every month in ‘the Lodge’ by the Mittelstadts.
All acoustic styles welcome. We’ll be playing by ear and swapping tunes and songs.
Thursday, May 7
Levi Platero/ Full Band
Blues & Vintage Rock
Doors: 6pm
$15/adv, $20/door
Levi Platero is from the Navajo Nation of the Southwest region of the United States. In 2016 Platero won the New Mexico Music Awards for Best Blues.
Levi’s quiet nature is unleashed in a style that mixes a spectrum of Texas Blues, vintage rock, to modern guitar heroes such as Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. With a captivating live show he ranges from flurries of guitar acrobatics all the way down to soulful expressiveness. Levi is a guitarist and talent to be reckoned with and will continue to shine in the Blues/Rock genre.
and his Amazing Blues Band Indigenous Blues
Sunday, May 10
Ora Cogan
Indie Alternative
Doors: 6 p.m.
$15/adv, $20/door
Please Note: This Show is Scheduled at a time we are normally Closed.
Ora Cogan's music is alchemical: part instinct, part ritual, and always born from the edges where life feels sharpest. Hard Hearted Woman, her debut for Sacred Bones, arrives as a spell for anyone trying to stay wild in a world that keeps hardening.
Cogan's approach to songwriting melds traditional, experimental, and psychedelic into something wholly unique. Cogan is known for her singular voice and cinematic compositions. She has collaborated with a multitude of artists while touring extensively throughout Europe & North America, sharing the stage with the likes of Grouper and Mazzy Star.
Wednesday, May 13
The Cat Daddies
Jazz & Improv
6 p.m.
Free/ by Donation
A fun and versatile music ensemble with virtuoso players and tasteful tunes.
Thursday, May 14
Marley Hale/ Jesse Navarro
Country Folk
Doors: 6pm
By Donation
With a beguiling voice that would feel right at home on classic country radio, Marley Hale delivers a captivating country/folk sound rooted in the refined yet adventurous musicality she's cultivated almost her entire life.
Friday, May 15
Poetic Outlaws Open Mic
5:30 p.m. In ‘the Lodge’
Silver City Poetic Outlaws is a recurring open mic event focused on the spoken word.
Poetry, readings from stories and books, monologue, improv...all forms of spoken word are welcome.
Friday, May 15
Josh Glenn Experiment
Doors: 6pm
Free/ by Donation
Josh Glenn isn’t your typical solo singer-songwriter. Acoustic guitar strums, percussive guitar taps, and clever riffing braid into themselves as Glenn’s show usually involves him building his songs live using loop pedals, making for an engrossing experience. The listener becomes entranced and enveloped into the musical process as energy is reciprocated between the moving of hips and the layering of sounds. Sometimes folky singer-songwriter, sometimes spontaneous mad-folk scientist, Josh takes you on a very personal musical journey, utilizing unique techniques along the way.
Thursday, May 21
The SuperSuckers and Scott Biram
Country/ Rock’n’ Roll
Doors: 6pm
$20/adv • $25/door
It’s a Blues Fest Precurser
Scott H. Biram aka The Dirty Old One Man Band is an American musician whose music draws from a variety of styles, including blues, punk and outlaw country. Biram has appeared on national television shows such as NBC's, The Tonight Show and performed in prestigious and legendary venues such as the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and CBGB in New York City, The Fillmore, Roxy Theater, and many more. His music has been featured in many American television shows and films. He has also appeared as himself in several films and documentaries. The Dirty Old One Man Band has continuously toured in the U.S., Canada, and Europe since 1998.
The Supersuckers are a a high-energy, genre-blending of punk rock, hard rock, and alternative country (cowpunk). Self-proclaimed as "The Greatest Rock-n-Roll Band in the World," their music features loud, catchy guitar riffs, raw energy, and humorous, often raunchy lyrics, influenced by Motörhead, AC/DC, and the Ramones.
Friday, May 22
Blues Fest Kickoff w/Ozomatli
World Music/Latin-Funk-Reggae Fusion
Doors: 6pm
$25/adv, $30/door
Outside Stage/ Limited Seating/Standing Show
Ozomatli is a Los Angeles-based, Grammy-winning band known for a high-energy, eclectic fusion of Latin, hip-hop, salsa, dancehall, cumbia, funk, and rock. Emerging in 1995 from community activism, they are celebrated as cultural ambassadors with a party-oriented, socially conscious sound that incorporates international influences, including Middle Eastern and African, into their distinct urban-Latino style.
Sunday, May 24
Blues Fest Wrap-Up with Betty Benedeadly and Her Band
Psychedelic Blues
Doors: 6pm
Free/ by Donation
We are excited to welcome Betty Benedeadly back to the Zócalo Stage.
Madrid, New Mexico–based, Betty Benedeadly channels psychedelic spaghetti western, freak folk, and desert noir into hypnotic songs and cinematic live performances with her full band.
Friday, May 29
Tab Benoit w Ghalia Volt Band
Roots & Delta Swamp Blues
Doors: 6pm
$35/adv, $40/door
Limited Seating/ Standing Show
And the BLUES Continue!
Bringing Tab Benoit to the Zócalo stage is a dream come true!
Tab Benoit is a renowned Louisiana-based blues guitarist and singer, celebrated for his signature "bayou blues" sound that blends Delta blues, swamp rock, and soulful gritty vocals. Known for a raw, stripped-down, and energetic style, his music often features socially conscious lyrics about Louisiana's wetlands, delivered with an intense, captivating, and authentic, musical style. Benoit has wonf multiple Blues Music Awards, including Contemporary Male Artist, B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, and Contemporary Blues Album.
New Orleans, Ghalia Volt is a Belgian-born blues-rock singer, guitarist, drummer, and songwriter whose dynamic, gritty music blends roots, hill country blues, garage, and rock ‘n’ roll influences. After cutting her teeth as a street performer in Europe and immersing herself in American roots music, Volt has released five acclaimed albums — including Shout Sister Shout!, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Top Blues Albums Chart.
Volt has toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe and has performed at major festivals including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Mammoth Bluesapalooza, Telluride Blues and Bilbao Blues Festival, Blues Peer, etc. Whether performing solo or with a full band, she delivers high-energy, trance-driven sets that connect across generations and genres — blues & roots-based music that’s physical, loud, and built for the live stage.
Sunday, May 31
The Altons w/Introverted Funk
Reto-Soul & Indie-Funk
Doors: 6pm
$20/adv, $25/door
Limited Seating/Standing Show
Please Note: This Show is Scheduled at a time we are normally closed.
The Altons are a Southeast Los Angeles-based band crafting a unique blend of retro-indie soul, rock, and Latin-inspired rhythms. Known as key figures in the West Coast "souldies" scene, they combine romantic, vulnerable songwriting with soulful dual vocals from Adriana Flores and Bryan Ponce, often evoking "backyard party" nostalgia.
Introverted Funk is a Los Angeles-based duo that blends R&B, disco, boogie, and funk to create a soulful, modern sound with nostalgic undertones. The band consists of producer/multi-instrumentalist Daniel Valle and singer/songwriter Veronica Rosa, forming a cross-California collaboration.
Las Cruces Symphony
Voices, Violins, and Dual Conductors
The Las Cruces Symphony and the Masterworks Choir Perform Spectacular Requiem and Scheherazade in Final Season Concert
May 2, 7 p.m. and May 3 at 3 p.m.
Atkinson Recital Hall, NMSU
Get your tickets at the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra Website. www.lascrucessymphony.com
To close the 2025-6 symphony season, the Las Cruces Symphony has saved its best concert for last. On May 2-3 the symphony will perform two dynamic pieces familiar to many classical music fans.
The first part of the show sees the renowned NMSU Masterworks Chorus join the Symphony for a deeply moving version of Fauré’s Requiem. The amazing Requiem depicts the timelessness of human existence, the procession of generations, human longings and sorrow, as well as light, hope, and the ultimate joys of heaven. Above all, Requiem depicts peace. Conductor Alex Gerlemann will lead the first part of the program.
In the second half, Maestro Jorge Martinez-Rios will lead the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra in performing the celebrated Scheherazade, a masterpiece by Korsakov that shows the lush and brilliant orchestral colors of the “One Thousand and One Arabian Nights” collection of stories. The violin solo to be played by Brigid McCarthy represents the storyteller Scheherazade herself, often accompanied by the harp, and evokes the atmosphere of a Persian fairy tale of Sultans and sailors. In fact, the opening movement is designed to capture the motion of Sinbad’s ship on the ocean. It is a spectacular piece to end our season with and it is guaranteed to be a hit.
Memorial Day 2026
Ft. Bayard National Cemetery
200 Camino De Paz, Santa Clara
575-537-3982
Flags for Fallen Heroes
Saturday, May 23, 8 a.m.
Memorial Day Commemoration
Monday, May 25, 10 a.m.
Volunteers needed
Mesilla Valley Film Society
Fountain Theatre
mvfs.office@gmail.com
For tickets and showtimes, visit the Mesilla Valley Film Society website http://mesillavalleyfilm.org
May Film Lineup
International documentaries, new releases, cult classics, and science on the screen.
May 1-7
Ghost Elephants
The month opens with Werner Herzog’s latest documentary, tracking legendary gargantuan elephants through the Angolan highlands with South African conservationist Steve Boye.
“Ghost Elephants shows that Herzog is fiercely determined to explore new frontiers while they still exist and capture the poetic phenomena of nature and the unshakeable dreams it continues to instill in mankind.” — Slant Magazine
Dir: Werner Herzog • 99 min • Not Rated • Documentary / Nature
Tuesday, May 5, 7:30 p.m.
All the President’s Men (1976)
Dir: Alan J. Pakula. Rated PG. 138 min.
Starring Robert Redford as Bob Woodward and Dustin Hoffman as Carl Bernstein, this taut, solidly acted paean to the benefits of a free press and the danger of unchecked power is made all the more effective by its origins in real-life events.
May 8-14
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Dir: David Borenstein. Not Rated. 90 min. Russian w/ subtitles. Made with footage smuggled out on encrypted platforms, this Oscar-winning documentary records how the war with Ukraine has intensified Putin’s propaganda machine.
Sunday, May 10, 7:30 p.m.
Preserved
Dir: Benjamin Clark. Not Rated. 94 min. Documentary. In an era of wildfires, drought, and species decline, Vermejo Park Reserve in northern New Mexico shows that ecosystem restoration works, even amid environmental crises. A timely film demonstrating how everyone — from farmers to outdoor enthusiasts — can help heal nature.
May 15-21
The Christophers
Dir: Steven Soderbergh. Rated R. 100 min. Desperate for an inheritance, two siblings conspire to forge their father’s unfinished paintings so they become valuable after his death. Starring Ian McKellen, Michaela Coel, and James Corden.
May 22–28
All That’s Left of You
Dir: Cherien Dabis. Not Rated. 145 min. Arabic w/ subtitles. In the Occupied West Bank of the 1980s, a Palestinian teenager is swept into a protest that changes the course of his family’s life.
Note: Thursday, May 28: 2:00 PM matinee only; no evening show.
May 29-June 4
Steal This Story, Please!
Dir: Carl Deal & Tia Lessin. Not Rated. 98 min. Documentary. A gripping account of trailblazing journalist Amy Goodman, whose unwavering commitment to truth-telling spans three decades.
The Theatre’s popular specialty series continue in May:
Cult Classic presents Carnival of Souls (1962) on Tuesday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. Dir: Herk Harvey. Rated PG. 80 min. After a traumatic accident, a woman becomes drawn to a mysterious abandoned carnival, which may hold the secret to her tragic past.
Science on Screen returns Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. with Oliver Sacks: His Own Life (2020). Dir: Ric Burns. Not Rated. 114 min. Friends, family members, colleagues, and patients discuss the remarkable life and career of Dr. Oliver Sacks. The screening will be followed by a presentation from Michael C. Hout, Associate Dean of Research at the NMSU College of Health, Education and Social Transformation, and cognitive scientist specializing in visual cognition and neural network modeling.
Made in Silver City Gallery
206 W. Broadway St., Fort Bayard
Opens May 1
Fort Bayard in Bloom: photography by Kendra Milligan.
Gallery has a flowery feature for May
History is in full bloom for the month of May at in Bloom, a photography show by Kendra Milligan will be on display for the month with a reception scheduled on Friday, May 1, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Milligan’s vision took six years to photograph during her strolls around the historic ghost fort, which is designated a National Historic District.
For more information follow the gallery on Instagram or Facebook @madeinsilvercity or email us at info@madeinsilvercity.com.
Open Space Brewing
11990 US-180 Santa Clara
Hours: Thursday-Friday 2-9 p.m., Saturday 12-9 p.m.
May 2
Tour of the Gila Pop-up Beer Garden & After-Party
Seedboat Collective
214 W Yankie, Silver City
12-9 p.m.
Grab a pint between watching laps at the downtown criterion stage race of the Tour of the Gila. Live music from Black Phillip. Fire & Ice Pizza in the courtyard.
May 8
LIVE MUSIC!
Grant County Line takes the Sunset Stage at Open Space Brewing. Free show! 6-8 p.m. Playing rock, country and blues. 4-piece, electric band.
May 16
KURU 89.1 Live!
Celebrate local radio at Open Space Brewing, featuring live DJ sets from the patio, radio swag, and a chance to meet the voices behind the station.
May 21
Beavers in the Gila: It's About Dam Time! Join us at Open Space Brewing for an evening with the New Mexico Beaver Project, highlighting the vital role beavers play in restoring ecosystems and protecting watersheds across the Southwest. Learn about local conservation efforts, connect with the community, and enjoy a fun night of good beer and meaningful beaver chat!
Tranquil Buzz Coffee House
300 N. Arizona St.
1st Friday only
3-5 p.m.
Music / House Band
1st Saturday
Noon-2 p.m.
Open Mic
2nd Saturday
Noon-2 p.m.
Fireside Poetry & Prose
3rd Saturday
Noon-2 p.m.
Open Mic
4th Saturday
no regularly scheduled events
5th Saturday
no event
Every Sunday
Noon-2 p.m.
Church of the Singing Heart Music Performance
Mesilla Valley Fine Arts Gallery
2470-A Calle de Guadalupe, Mesilla, across from the Fountain Theatre
Gallery hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
For more information call 575-522-2933 or visit the website: www.mesillavalleyfinearts.com
Featured artists for May 2026
Mark Morden and Frank Peacock.
Mark was born in New York and raised in Florida and has lived in New Mexico for 46 years. He retired as an architect from the Pacific Northwest and moved to Las Cruces in 2018. He earned a BA from the University of Oregon in 1980. In addition to architecture, he studied pastels and drawing while at school. Locally he is active in the Border Artists and other fine art organizations.
Nopalito’s Galeria
326 S. Mesquite, Las Cruces
A Still Small Voice presents Poetry Out Loud, a poetry reading series
featuring readings of original works by local, diverse Poets, Saturday, May 9 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Silver City Museum
Opening Reception, 2–4 p.m.
Everyone’s invited to join this special gathering at the Silver City Museum, celebrating the grand opening of a unique exhibit! Come explore two decades of learning in community as the Western Institute of Lifelong Learning marks its 20th anniversary.
Silver City and Bayard Lions Club
Bayard Community Center
209 Hurley Ave, Bayard
Bingo
2nd Sunday Every month
1:30 p.m.: food by the Divas
3 p.m.: Bingo sales start at 1:30 p.m.
Grant County Home & Garden Expo
May 2–3
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Grant County Business and Conference Center
Attendees can explore a wide variety of exhibits focused on home improvement, landscaping, gardening, agriculture, and rural living.
The Home & Garden Expo provides a unique opportunity for community members to connect with local professionals, discover new products, and gather inspiration for their homes and outdoor spaces. Whether you’re planning a renovation, starting a garden, or simply looking for ideas, the expo has something for everyone.
Booth space is still available for vendors interested in showcasing their products or services.
For more information, to register for a booth, or to stay updated on event details, follow the Grant County Farm and Livestock Bureau on Facebook, or contact Autumn Robertson at 575-284-4270.
Southern NM Music and Dance
Contra Dance with Lewis Land and the Mesilla Valley String Band
May 15, 7:15-10 p.m.
2251 Calle de Santiago, Mesilla
$10 General Admission ($8 under 21)
More information: 575-636-5509
This will be our last monthly contra dance until September. Southern NM Music & Dance would really like to thank you for your continued support.
Mesilla Valley Jazz and Blues Society
Local jazz group BARLOW will headline the monthly gathering in May. Head to Alma d’Arte Charter High School, 402 W. Court Ave., on Sunday, May 17 for a 6:30 p.m. social followed by a short society update. BARLOW will take the stage at 7 p.m.
Weaving For Justice
Third Saturday Sale
Saturday, May 16
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
First Christian Church, 1809 El Paseo Rd, Las Cruces
Unique Hand-Woven Maya Art & Crafts including clothing, housewares, gifts, toys & bags.100% of proceeds go to Maya Women Weaving Collectives in Chiapas, Mexico.
Dances of Universal Peace
May 24, every 4th Sunday
5:30-7 p.m.
Church of Harmony
609 N. Arizona St. Silver City
Info: 575-534-1441
Locks of Love
Hair Donation Event During Tour of the Gila Presented by New Mexico True
Saturday, May 2
Tour of the Gila presented by New Mexico True, along with 2026 sprinter jersey sponsor Gila Regional Cancer Center, are partnering to host a Locks of Love hair donation event during the Downtown Silver City Criterium.
Starting with Gila Regional Cancer Center oncologist Dr. Michael Luca Durando, people who have grown out their hair will take the opportunity to chop their ponytails or braids to support Locks of Love in providing hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. The hair donation event kicks off on the start/finish line at noon, just ahead of the Citizen Fun Races. It will continue throughout the afternoon in The Hub Plaza at the hospital’s booth.
Mesilla Valley Chorale
Fairacres, NM
262-490-7068
Spring Concert
Sunday, May 3, 3 p.m.
Rio Grande Theatre
Traditional paper tickets are now available from chorus members for the Mesilla Valley Chorale’s spring concert, “I Hear America Singing.” The program will include a selection of songs covering the nation’s history, from before the Civil War to the present era, including “Shenandoah,” “Look to the Rainbow,” Take Me Home Country Roads,” “That Old Time Religion,” “Rock Around the Clock,” and many more.
Tickets are still only $10:00 and can be purchased from any chorale member as well as online from the chorale website at https://www.mesillavalleychorale.org/. While they may possibly be available at the door the day of the concert, patrons are encouraged to get their tickets early to avoid disappointment, as previous concerts frequently have been sold out .
NMSU Department of Art and University Art Museum
“Raw Perception - BFA Exhibition”
Mullennix Bridge Gallery and throughout Devasthali Hall
NMSU (Dept. of Art)
Featuring the work by Melise Butler, Zoë Char, Candace Deskin, Imperio Hernandez, Chantay Herrera, Grace Kyle, Asa Lambert, Angelina Lopez, and Meredith Rose.
The exhibition will run from May 1-16. Please join us for an artist Q&A and walk-through on Friday, May 1 at 4 p.m., followed by an opening reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Creative Flow
“A” Space Studio and Gallery
110 West 7th Street, Silver City
Friday, May 1
4-6 p.m.
The Neuroscience of Flow and Enhancing Personal Change Through Art
REDUCE cultural noise and indecision in your life by embracing simplicity.
REDIRECT your brain by learning how to trigger flow states to enhance your sense of well-being.
RECLAIM your creativity in a world designed to addict you to an endless stream of distraction.
