Arts Roundup - April 11-17

Eli Young Band

Known as a smart, relevant antidote to overdone cliches in Country music, the chart-topping band from Texas continues its tour of the United States, with opening act singer/songwriter Ashley McBryde

Kick up some sawdust at 8 p.m., Friday, April 11, at Cowtown Event Center, 11451 Gateway Blvd. W., El Paso. Info: 915-900-3978

TaikoProject

Traditional Japanese drummers feature their fresh and innovative style of physical percussion in a dynamic, high-energy performance that combines music, dance, lighting, martial arts and athletics.

Feel the beat at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 11, at the Macey Center, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 801 Leroy Pl., Socorro. Info: 575-835-5688

El Paso Comic Con

The annual nerdfest returns with an exciting lineup of guest stars, activities, and immersive experiences, including Q&A panels, trivia contests, a costume contest, an escape room, and the Lucha League wrestling showcase.

Let your nerd flag fly at 10 a.m., April 11-13, at the El Paso Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, El Paso. Info: ElPasoComicCon.com

September 5

The Mesilla Valley Film Society presents the searing docudrama about the American sports broadcasting team who were forced to adapt to live coverage of the terrorist activities surrounding the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Relive the drama at 7:30 p.m., April 11-17, at the Fountain Theatre, 2469 Calle de Guadalupe, Mesilla. Info: MesillaValleyFilm.org

The Prom

American Southwest Theatre Company presents the Drama Desk Award-winner for Best Musical, about four eccentric Broadway stars who join forces with a courageous girl who wants to bring her girlfriend to the prom, despite the PTA’s wishes.

Cheer the underdogs at 7:30 p.m., April 11-27, at ASNMSU Center for the Arts, 1000 E. University Ave., Las Cruces. Info: 575-646-4515

Persona Poems: Stepping Out of Yourself

The Write Stuff Writing Series presents Grant County Poet Laureate Heather Frankland giving a workshop that challenges attendees to look at objects, famous characters, and places from a different perspective.

Get in touch with your inner persona from 9-11 a.m., Saturday, April 12, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 3845 N. Swan St., Silver City. Info: Kris at KrisNeri.news@gmail.com

Food to please just about everyone’s taste is served at the Dutch Oven Gathering.

Glenwood Dutch Oven Cookoff

Teams from across New Mexico and adjoining states prepare full meals the old-fashioned way, in large cast iron kettles over charcoal, then serve them up to attendees who purchase tickets for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Eat your fill from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, April 12, at Glenwood Community Park, Catwalk Rd. (Route 174) off Hwy 180. Info: DutchOvenGlenwood@gmail.com

World Art Day Carrizozo

Celebrate the international holiday a few days early with visual art exhibits, open art galleries, a performance by Hanuman Puppet Theatre, a concert by the Nosotros Quartet, a fashion show by Biban & Company, and more.

Expose yourself to Art from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, April 12, throughout the town of Carrizozo. Info: WorldArtDayCarrizozo

WCZ Two Year Anniversary

Celebrate two years of Whiskey Creek Zocalo, the multi-faceted venue outside of Silver City, with free hot dogs, churros, corn hole, ping pong, horseshoes, raffles, and a free evening concert by Siempre Bayard.

The fun starts at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 12, at Whiskey Creek Zocalo, 11786 Hwy 180 E., Arenas Valley. Info: 575-388-1266

Trunk

NMSU alum Riley Samuel Merritt presents his interactive one-man show that narrates the trials of a young artist circumnavigating his imminent demise, through poetry, music and years of cumulative writing.

Experience life through the eyes of a flawed everyman at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 12,  and 2 p.m., Sunday, April 13, at the Isabel M. Crouch Reader’s Theatre, 1317-1467 International Mall, NMSU Campus, Las Cruces. Info: RileySamuelMerritt.com

Las Cruces Pecan Festival

This is your opportunity to discover all the wonderful things pecans do for our community, via food, art, live entertainment, vendor competitions, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, a beer and wine garden, and much more.

Go nuts at 10 a.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 12 & 13, at Young Park, 850 S. Walnut St., Las Cruces. Info: LasCrucesPecanFestival.com

Las Cruces International Film Festival

Whether it’s narrative features, documentaries, short films, animation, or foreign films you crave, LCIFF has got you covered, whether you’re a filmmaker, a student of cinema, or just an avid movie-goer wanting to meet a celebrity.

Catch a movie or two, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., April 12-16, at the Allen Theaters Cineport 10, 700 S. Telshor Blvd., Las Cruces. Info: LasCrucesFilmFest.com

Artistic Salon Series

Dark Circles Contemporary Dance launches its new brunch event featuring intimate Q&A sessions and lecture demonstrations led by acclaimed choreographer Joshua L. Peugh, as a way to foster connections within the community.

Get insightful with the dancers from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday, April 13, at the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, 2640 El Paseo Rd., Las Cruces. Info: DarkCirclesContemporaryDance.com

Requiem for Rosa Elena’s Dream

The El Paso Community Foundation Jewel Box Series presents a new drama by El Paso playwright Felix Arenas, exploring what happens to one family’s dreams and wishes when life takes its toll over three generations.

Get a taste of borderland life at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, April 13, at the Philanthropy Theatre, One Civic Center Plaza, El Paso. Info: 915-533-4020

Taste of Ireland

One of the world’s top Irish dance shows, combining Irish charm with sensational talents for an unforgettable evening of entertainment, featuring melodic folk music mashups, live acapella tap battles and craic galore.

Go Irish at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, April 13, at the Plaza Theater, 125 W. Mills Ave., El Paso. Info: 915-532-3776

Mulholland Drive

The Mesilla Valley Film Society presents David Lynch’s psychological thriller about a young woman who loses her memory after an automobile accident, only to get caught up in a twisting mystery with more questions than answers,

Enter the Lynchword at 7:30 p.m., Sunday April 13, at the Fountain Theatre, 2469 Calle de Guadalupe, Mesilla. Info: MesillaValleyFilm.org

Aggie Sustainable Fashion Show

NMSU’s Fashion Merchandising and Design students will introduce their 2025 sustainable fashion designs with the theme “Bohemian Jungle,” using recycled, repurposed, and utilized sustainable materials.

Dress for sustainability at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 17, in the Aggie Lounge at Corbett Center Student Union, International Mall, NMSU Campus. Info: KCoffeen@nmsu.edu

Hadestown

The winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, follows two intertwining love stories – Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and Persephone – that take audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back.

Spend some time in the underworld, at 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 2 p.m., April 17-19, at the Plaza Theater Performing Arts Center, 125 W. Mills Ave., El Paso. Info: 915-532-3776