El Paso, Texas

UTEP Football — The Miners open their season with a home game against the perennial powerhouse Oklahoma Sooners at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Sun Bowl Stadium. Ticket information: 747-5234, 544-8444 or utepathletics.com.

El Paso Diablos Baseball - The American Association minor league team regular home game time is 7:05 p.m. (Sundays at 6:05 p.m.) at Cohen Stadium in Northeast El Paso. Tickets: $7 general admission; $8 box seats; free for ages four and younger (season packages available): 755-2000 or diablos.com.
• Aug. 31-Sept. 3 — Sioux Falls Pheasants

‘Dancing Backwards in High Heels’ — The Women’s Business Border Center of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce presents the 8th annual Women’s Business Symposium 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at Wyndham El Paso Airport, 2027 Airway. Cost:
$65 ($55 students, military and seniors 60 and older). Sponsorships and booth space available. Information: 566-4066 or ephcc.org.

Minerpalooza 2012 — UTEP’s 22nd annual back-to-school bash and pep rally is 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Aug. 31, in the center of UTEP’s campus, corner of University and Hawthorne. The family-friendly event features fall sports teams, games, information booths and appearances by UTEP athletes, along with live entertainment and family activities. Admission is free; food and some activities sold separately. Miner game tickets will be sold. Information: 747-5670 or utep.edu/minerpalooza.

Orange River Fiesta — Fox 92.3 FM hosts the UTEP vs. Oklahoma game tailgate party at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, along Cincinnati Street (between Stanton and Mesa) near UTEP. Admission: $6; advance tickets available on ticketbully.com.
  Block party activities begin at 10 a.m.

Sun City Music Festival — The annual electronic music festival at 4 p.m. Sept. 1-2, at Ascarate Park, 6900 Delta, with headliner David Guetta Saturday and Above and Beyond Sunday, with about 30 other acts. Tickets: $40 per day; $70 weekend pass (general admission). VIP tickets for 21 and older are $60 per day; $100 for weekend. Available in advance at Happy House, Headstand, All That Music and online at groovetickets.com. Also performing are Sander van Doorn, Wolfgang Gartner, Funkagenda, Umek, Brodinski, Knife Party, Morgan Page, Crizzly, Dada Live, John Dahlback, Destructo, Nic Fancuilli, Dirty Phonics, Downlink, Kevin Focus, Dillon Francis, Gesalffestein, Kill the Noise, Lucky Date, M.A.N.D.Y., Modestep, Audrey Napoleon, Stefano Noferini, Revolvr, Alvin Risk, Nicky Romero, Riva Starr, Gina Turner, Joris Voorn and Zedd.

Fiesta de las Flores — The Hispanic Cultural Center presents the festival is Friday through Sunday, Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 Paisano, with food, vendors, music, dances and more. Information: 533-3730 or fiestadelasflores.org.

St. Anthony’s Bazaar — The 49th annual Labor Day weekend festival is noon to 11 p.m. Saturday through Monday, Sept. 1-3, at the seminary, 4501 Hastings. Admission is free. Information: 566-2261.

KLAQ BBQ — Hinder headlines the 27th annual event begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at Western Playland in Sunland Park. The one-day food fest barbecue, rides and live entertainment. Tickets: $16.70. Information: 544-8864, (575) 589-3410 or klaq.com.  Hinder (“Lips of An Angel”) concert begins at 8 p.m.

Civic-Cultural Organization of Puerto Ricans — The El Paso group’s traditional Labor Day weekend family celebration is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at El Paso Veteran’s Park, 5301 Salem, with salsa music, traditional dancing troupes and Puerto Rican dishes for sale. Please bring chairs, umbrellas and canopies. Alcoholic beverages not allowed. Admission is free. Information: 877-2884, 227-5582, 584-4177 or occpr.org.

Cool Canyon Nights — The summer series of free outdoor summer concerts are Thursdays through Aug. 30 at McKelligon Canyon. Information: 544-9550, 231-1100 or coolcanyonnights.com. Aug. 30 — Dirty River Boys.

Movies in the Canyon — The 4th annual free movie season at the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater is Friday and Saturday, through Oct. 20. Showtimes are at dusk (8:30 p.m.). Concessions available (no food or beverages may be brought in). Information: 534-0665 or moviesinthecanyon.com.
• Friday, Aug. 31 — Puss In Boots
• Saturday, Sept. 1 — The Adventures of Tin Tin

Cigarettes After Sex and Box Cutter EP Release — Trade Wind presents the indie and electronic rock CD release party 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at Low Brow Palace, 111 Robinson, with live performances by the band, as well as opening act Halfbreed Lovers. Admission: $5 age 21 and older ($8 ages 18-20). Information: 355-9052 or tradewindpresents.com.

Champion Studio — The studio presents its annual “Folklórico Summer Fiesta 2012” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Chamizal National Memorial Theatre, 800 S. San Marcial, with a colorful and cheerful representation of traditional Mexican dances. The folklórico group will perform dances from the states of Tabasco, Michoacán, Yucatán, and Jalisco. Admission is free. Information: 593-2729.

Ronny Cox — The Cloudcroft-born folk musician and actor, (“Deliverance” “Beverly Hills Cop”), performs at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at The Percolator Café, 217 N. Stanton. Tickets: $20; available at The Percolator. Information: 351-4377.

Danny Ray Sanchez Memorial Run — The 2nd annual 5K run and 1-mile fun walk benefiting the Danny Ray Sanchez Memorial Fund is 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Montwood High School, 12000 Montwood.

Eagle in the Sun Triathlon — El Paso’s only USA Triathlon-sanctioned multisport race, with a 400m swim, 20K bike ride, and 5K run is 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, starting and ending at the Tigua Recreation and Wellness Center. Entries are sold out. Information: 433-3439.

 

Southern New Mexico

Cloudcroft Labor Day Fiesta — The annual family party is all day Friday through Sunday, Aug. 31-Sept. 3, on Burro Avenue in Cloudcroft. The event includes live music, games, a sidewalk sale food, street dance, wild west show and outhouse races. Admission is free. Information: (575) 682-2733 or 1-866

All-American Gun & Western Collectible Show — The annual show is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2, at the Ruidoso Convention Center. Hundreds of guns, gun-related items, Indian artifacts, knives, cowboy gear and more will be on display. Proceeds benefit Lincoln County charities. Admission: $5 (free for age 12 & under free). Age 18 and younger must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Information: (575) 257-6171 or trekwest.com/gunshow.

Cottonwood Festival — The 22nd annual Labor Day Weekend arts and craft festival is Sept. 1-3 in Alameda Park, alongside White Sands Blvd. (U.S. 54/70) in Alamogordo. The event offers more than 80 booths of arts and crafts, entertainment, car show, zumba and hip hop demonstrations, dancers, food, carnival rides and more. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday (welcome ceremony at 11 a.m.), 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. Admission is free. Information: Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce, (575) 437-6120, 1-800-826-0294 or alamogordo.com.  An Ambassador Pancake Breakfast is 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost: $6.50 per plate.

Franciscan Festival of Fine Arts — Holy Cross Retreat Center, 600 Holy Cross Road in Mesilla Park, will showcase the works of around 75 area artists 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2. Admission is free. Food, enchilada dinner, beer garden, music and raffle also offered. Information: (575) 524-3688 or franciscanfestival.org.

Harvest Wine Festival — The New Mexico Wine Growers Association presents its 2012 Labor Day Weekend festival noon to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday, Sept. 1-3, at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, Las Cruces. Admission: $15, includes souvenir wine glass; under 21 free accompanied by parent of legal guardian. Monday is Military Day, with $3 discount for active duty military with ID. All adults must have valid ID, regardless of age; designated drivers encouraged. No pets, coolers or open containers allowed. Information: (575) 522-1232 or wineharvestfestival.com.  To get to the fairgrounds, take I-10 West toward Deming, then take the fairgrounds exit and follow the signs.

Cottonwood Festival — The 22nd annual Labor Day Weekend arts and craft festival is Sept. 1-3 in Alameda Park, alongside White Sands Blvd. (U.S. 54/70) in Alamogordo. The event offers more than 80 booths of arts and crafts, entertainment, car show, zumba and hip hop demonstrations, dancers, food, carnival rides and more. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday (welcome ceremony at 11 a.m.), 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. Admission is free. Information: Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce, (575) 437-6120, 1-800-826-0294 or alamogordo.com.

Hatch Chile Festival — The “chile capital of the world’s” 41st annual celebration is Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2, at the Hatch Airport on N.M. Hwy 26, 1 1/2 miles west of Hatch, featuring vendors, carnival rides, arts and crafts, chile food and ristra tying and painting demonstrations, live music, beer garden and fresh roasted Hatch green chile. Admission: $10 per carload. Information: (575) 267-5483 or hatchchilefest.com.

Hillsboro Harvest Festival — Percha Creek Traders Artisan’s Cooperative hosts the 4thannual Labor Day weekend festival Saturday, Sept. 1, in Hillsboro, N.M. Information: (575) 895-5797 or perchacreektraders.com.

Spencer Theater for Performing Arts — Airport Hwy 220 in Alto, N.M. (about 12 miles north of downtown Ruidoso). Free public guided tours are 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays (except show dates). Information: (575) 336-4800, (888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.  Pre-show buffets are served at 6 p.m. for $20 per person.  The Lovin Spoonful: The American rock legends perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1. In the 1960s’ the band created such hits as “Do You Lovin’ Believe in Magic,” “Daydream,” “You Didn’t Have to be So Nice,” “Darlin’ Be Home Soon,” “Never Goin’ Back,” “She’s Still A Mystery to Me,” “Nashville Cats” and more. Tickets: $56 and $59. A shrimp and beef kebab buffet served.

All American Futurity — The running of the 53rd All American Futurity is Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3, which marks the end of the racing season at Ruidoso Downs. From 160 to 180 quarterhorses compete in the trials, with the 10 fastest advancing to race for a $2 million purse.  General admission and parking are free; reserved seating varies; Turf Club admission is $10; valet parking is $5. Information: (575) 378-4431 or (575) 378-4140 or raceruidoso.com.

‘Shirley Valentine’ — No Strings Theater Company’s production of one-woman comedy by Willy Russell runs through Sept. 2 at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall, in Las Cruces, directed by NSTC Artistic Director Ceil Herman. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets: $10 ($9 students and seniors over 65 and $7 all seats Thursday). Information/reservations: (575) 523-1223.

‘Circle Mirror Transformation’— lo-fi productions presents the play by Annie Baker at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 31-Sept. 1 and Sept. 7-8, at NMSU’s Reader’s Theatre (behind the English Building) in Las Cruces. Directed by Brandon Brown. Admission: $5. Information: lo_fiproductions@hotmail.com.
 

 

West Texas

Marfa Lights Festival — The 26th annual festival that pays tribute to Marfa’s mysterious lights is Friday through Sunday, Aug. 31-Sept. 2 in Marfa, Texas. Activities over the Labor Day Weekend include food and crafts booths, a main street parade, contests, concerts and street dances in the Presidio Courthouse area. Vendor booths are open at 5 p.m. Friday, plus all day Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Information: (432) 729-4942, 1-800-650-9696 or info@marfacc.com. Web: marfacc.com. The annual parade is 10 a.m. Saturday, with street dances Friday and Saturday nights.

Big Bend Balloon Bash — The 2012 hot air balloon festival in Alpine, Texas, will feature nearly 30 colorful balloons Saturday through Monday, Sept. 1-3 at the Sierra La Rana community 2 miles south of Alpine on State Hwy 118. Gates open at 7 a.m. mass ascension at 7:30 a.m. each day. Admission to the launch site is free; no pets allowed. Information: (432) 837-7486 or bigbendballoonbash.com