Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the borderland in the coming week.
Headline Happy Hour at Butter Smith
Join El Paso Matters for an evening of conversation and community from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at Butter Smith Kitchen and Pies’ Westside location, 7801 N. Mesa St. This event offers a chance to meet the journalists and staff behind the nonprofit newsroom dedicated to delivering in-depth local reporting. Enjoy happy hour specials from 5 to 10 p.m., with proceeds supporting El Paso Matters’ mission of independent journalism. Your attendance helps ensure the continuation of quality reporting in our region. Information: elpasomatters.org
El Paso Opera: ‘Tour to Roméo’
Celebrate love, art and music during El Paso Opera’s “Tour to Roméo,” a special free performance by the company’s resident artists at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, at the International Museum of Art, 1211 Montana Ave. The event also features a talk on love throughout the world, highlighting pieces from the museum’s newest collection, Sue Koenig’s “Window to the World.” Admission is free, but full El Paso Opera production tickets are available here. Information: epopera.org
El Paso Symphony Orchestra: ‘Beethoven: Love in the Age of War’
The El Paso Symphony Orchestra presents “Beethoven: Love in the Age of War” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at the Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave. Conducted by Bohuslav Rattay with pianist Awadagin Pratt, the evening features Richard Strauss’ “Don Juan,” Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor” and his “Symphony No. 3 (Eroica).” The performance is being conducted in collaboration with El Paso Pro-Musica. Tickets range from $17 to $49. Information: epso.org or 915-532-3776.
Latinx Museum Professionals Event
The El Paso Museum of History, 510 N. Santa Fe St., will host “Latinx Museum Professionals: Digital Humanities” from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24. This free event, presented by the Stanley and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts at the University of Texas at El Paso, invites the public to learn about careers in museums and related fields. Highlights include a keynote address by Carolina A. Villarroel, a renowned scholar in U.S. Latino literary heritage. Supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the event welcomes participants of all backgrounds and experience levels. Information and schedule: utep.edu
‘A Story of Stories’
Join University of Arizona professor and researcher Cristina D. Ramírez for a lecture on “A Story of Stories: The Texas Border Barrio Life and Writings of Doña Ramona González,” a free event hosted by the El Paso County Historical Society at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Burges House, 603 W. Yandell Drive. The lecture will delve into the rich cultural history of El Paso’s Chihuahuita neighborhood through the lens of Doña Ramona González, whose early 20th-century writings were uncovered in a “magic box” of family documents. González, a pioneering Chicana writer featured in the 1970s journal “El Grito,” provides a rare glimpse into Southwest borderlands history and the lives of barrio residents in 1915. Event will include a book sale and signing.
‘What Once Was … A Holocaust Remembrance Play’
Commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day with “What Once Was … A Holocaust Remembrance Play” at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at the Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave. Presented by the El Paso Community Foundation and the El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center, this multi-sensory production combines poetry, music, dance and visuals to deliver a powerful reminder of history’s darkest chapters. Directed by Georgina Escobar, the play reimagines a 1981 program by Sally Gilbert and Norma Geller, inviting attendees to reflect on the persistence of evil and the enduring lessons of the Holocaust. Admission is free, and no tickets are required. Note that the Plaza Theatre is cashless and enforces a clear bag policy.
Youth Pet Safety Class
El Paso Animal Services, 5001 Fred Wilson Ave., hosts a Youth Pet Safety Class from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, designed to teach children ages 7-12 how to treat pets with kindness and respect while staying safe. This interactive 90-minute session will cover expert tips on preventing bites, understanding pet behavior and creating a safe and happy home for furry companions. Space is limited and reservations are required. Information: EPASoutreach@ElPasoTexas.gov.
Coming Up
El Paso Opera’s ‘Roméo & Juliette’
The El Paso Opera will present a unique take on William Shakespeare’s timeless tale during “Roméo & Juliette,” an immersive portrayal of the iconic star-crossed lovers. Set against the backdrop of St. Rogers Depot, 420 N. Campbell St., the production features Benjamin Werley as Roméo and Helen Huang as Juliette. Performances run from Jan. 30 to Feb. 6, with shows on select evenings at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $45, with the performance sung in French and enhanced by English and Spanish supertitles. Information and tickets: epopera.org
Travel the World in Architecture Tour
Explore the architectural wonders of Downtown El Paso on a free guided tour hosted by the Tom Lea Institute. This experience highlights diverse architectural styles, including the innovative work of Henry C. Trost and the Spanish colonial revival designs of Mabel Weich, one of Texas’ first certified female architects. The tour begins at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Aloft El Paso, 303 Texas Ave. Admission is free, but space is limited — registration is required. Information: 915-533-0048 or tomlea.net
McKelligon Canyon Walk/Run/Hike
Celebrate National Play Outside Day with a walk, run or hike along McKelligon Canyon’s scenic trails beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. This free event is the second in the We Hike Adventure Series, featuring a two- to five-mile trek along the canyon road and trailhead. Enjoy breathtaking views while exploring a loop suitable for all skill levels. Participants are encouraged to bring water, sunscreen, a hat and snacks. Complete two of the three hikes in the series to earn special finisher memorabilia. Information: wehikeadventure.org
Cultivate: Local Food Systems and Sustainability Forum
The El Paso Community Foundation invites the community to the return of the Cultivate: Local Food Systems and Sustainability Forum at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, in the Foundation Room, 333 N. Oregon St. After a five-year hiatus, the forum returns with a lineup of engaging presentations on food systems and sustainability. Featured topics include food equity initiatives by Spoon Flower Grocery, composting practices from Dirt y Girls Compost, and urban water harvesting by High Desert Native Plants. The event also includes the screening of “Harvest Rain,” a short documentary by DSP Media. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy refreshments, network with presenters, and explore innovative ideas to rethink local food systems. Admission is free.
Mark Your Calendar
Swan Lake
Take in the timeless tale as performed by the Nylia Ballet Academy at the University of Texas at El Paso’s Magoffin Auditorium. Follow Prince Siegfried’s journey as he meets Odette, the Swan Queen, and vows to free her from a sorcerer’s curse that traps her in swan form by day. This classic ballet weaves together romance, betrayal, and the power of true love in a mesmerizing performance. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Feb. 1-2. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets: ticketmaster.com
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