Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the borderland in the coming week.
Cool Canyon Nights
El Paso’s popular music series, Cool Canyon Nights, returns for its 15th season starting Thursday, May 15, at the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater. The weekly concert series runs through July 31, featuring 25 musical acts and themed performances including jazz, country, Latino and a Selena tribute. Gates will open at 6 p.m. each Thursday with a performance on the patio stage. Main stage performances begin at 7 p.m. The event will feature food trucks, vendor booths and giveaways. Free general admission and parking. VIP tickets offering reserved seating, hors d’oeuvres and a beverage are available online for $20-$30. VIP tickets: Townsquare Media
Las Artistas Spring Show and Call for Artists
Las Artistas is accepting applications until Thursday, May 15, for its 55th annual Art & Fine Crafts Show, set for Nov. 15-16 at the EPIC Railyard Event Center in South El Paso. The juried show features work from painters, sculptors, mixed media artists and other fine arts professionals, attracting collectors from across the region. A $35 jury fee and five images, including a booth shot, are required. Information: lasartistas.org
Archaeology After Dark
Archaeology After Dark returns for hands-on fun at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology, 4301 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive, from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 16. This 21-and-over event offers a playful night of history-themed activities, including atlatl throwing, treasure digging, trivia and dancing with DJ Rodriga. Guests can also explore the museum after hours while enjoying snacks and drinks. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance at epmarch.org/events. EPMArch members receive free admission with reservation. Information: epmarch.org
Kids to Park Day
Families are invited to celebrate Kids to Parks Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Lomaland Park, 709 Lomita Drive. The free event will feature performances, outdoor games, face painting, and activities hosted by more than a dozen community organizations. Children of all ages can participate in tug-of-war, jumbo games, and other engaging activities designed to promote outdoor play and community connection.
El Paso Zoo Bug Fest
The El Paso Zoo’s Bug Fest returns May 17-18 with hands-on learning, bug-themed games and culinary adventures. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., families can explore an educational fair featuring live insects, trivia, music and a cooking contest with local personalities preparing edible bug dishes. Kids will encounter spiders, scorpions and Madagascar hissing cockroaches while learning about their ecological importance. All events are included with zoo admission. Information: elpasozoo.org
Benjamin Alire Sáenz Book Reading at Studio 1929
Award-winning poet, novelist and artist Benjamin Alire Sáenz will host a special book reading and signing at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Studio 1929, his new gallery space located at 328 Leon St. in Downtown. The event will include a Q&A session after the reading, as well as a reception. Sáenz, whose work often reflects life along the U.S.-Mexico border, invites the community to join him in celebrating the city that shaped his voice and career.
Armed Forces Day Parade
Fort Bliss will host its annual Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, beginning along Sheridan Road and culminating at Smith-Bliss Parade Field. The free, family-friendly event honors the U.S. armed forces with a community parade, military working dog demonstrations, static displays, inflatables, games, live music and a food truck court. Attendees without base access will need to secure a Community Access Pass in advance. Information: 915-588-8247.
El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra Season Finale
The El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra will close out its season with a finale concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Abraham Chavez Theatre, 1 Civic Center Plaza. Featuring more than 200 student musicians from the El Paso, Juárez and southern New Mexico region, the EPSYO brings together young talent in a celebration of orchestral music. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $15 for children ages 4-12. EPSYO is a division of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and has served the region’s youth since 2005. Information: epso.org
Coming Up
El Fresco Music Series: The El Fresco Music Series returns at 7 p.m. Friday, May 23, to Downtown El Paso for the first of four free outdoor concerts hosted by the city of El Paso and El Paso Live. This year’s series will take place at the El Paso Convention Center plaza and continue June 27, July 11 and Aug. 29. With a “Ritmo & Rodeo” theme, each event will feature a mix of country and Latin music performed by local bands, celebrating the region’s diverse musical heritage. Attendees can expect live performances, food vendors and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Latinx Muralism Exchange: The El Paso Museum of Art, 1 Arts Festival Plaza, will host “Latinx Muralism Exchange: El Paso, TX / Los Angeles, CA,” a three-day event — May 22-24 — exploring the role of muralism in shaping Latinx identity and borderland culture. The free, public convening will feature artist panels, workshops, demonstrations and mural tours that spotlight the influence of public art as a form of resistance, reflection and community storytelling. With participation from artists and cultural leaders from both El Paso and Los Angeles, the exchange aims to foster cross-city dialogue and celebrate the legacy and future of Latinx muralism. Registration opens in early May. Information: epma.art
‘Paint: Rachelle Thiewes’: The El Paso Museum of Art will present “Paint: Rachelle Thiewes” from May 30 through Sept. 21 in the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Gallery. The exhibition showcases Thiewes’ recent work, which draws inspiration from the hues of lowrider automobile paint. Blending elements of jewelry and sculpture, Thiewes uses steel, silver and automobile paint to explore cultural identity and surface luminosity in unexpected ways. A nationally acclaimed metalsmith and longtime UTEP educator, Thiewes’ influence can be seen in collections and classrooms across the country.
Mark Your Calendar
Pages & Pints: Celebrate El Paso’s punk roots and literary scene at Pages & Pints, a free, family-friendly event hosted by El Paso Matters Book Club and Old Sheepdog Brewery from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Old Sheepdog Brewery, 3900 Rosa Ave. Inspired by the book “Chuco Punk: Sonic Insurgency in El Paso” by Tara López, the event will feature a Q&A and book signing with the author, a market with local writers, vendors and live music. Guests can also enjoy food trucks, craft beer and a welcoming atmosphere for readers, music lovers and families. Pets are welcome. Information: elpasomatters.org/bookclub
Sal y Limón Festival: Downtown El Paso will come alive with music, food and family fun at the fourth annual Sal y Limón Street Festival from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 7. The all-ages event in the area around San Jacinto Plaza will feature live lucha libre wrestling, mariachi performances, and DJs and musical acts, including a headline performance by Los Tucanes de Tijuana, known for their viral hit “La Chona.” More than 10 local taco vendors, two main stages, interactive art and shaded rest areas will round out the festivities. General admission and VIP ticket packages are available, with VIP access including premium amenities and front-stage views. Information and tickets: salylimonfestival.com
El Paso Opera’s Bon Appétit!: El Paso Opera invites audiences to indulge “Bon Appétit!,” a two-act musical performance blending song and cuisine Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, 1 Ardovino Drive in Sunland Park. The show, which will be staged at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 14, includes dessert and a beverage, and features food-themed tunes performed by the company’s resident artists. In the second act, mezzo-soprano Cherry Duke reprises her role as Julia Child in a live staging of “Bon Appétit!” The show offers a light-hearted experience for all ages, celebrating the joy of food, music and laughter. Information: epopera.org
Viva! El Paso: Viva! El Paso returns this summer to McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre, celebrating the region’s rich history through music, dance and storytelling. The colorful outdoor musical, which begins June 21, highlights the four cultures that have shaped El Paso — Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Western American — brought to life by a cast of more than 50 performers. The long-running tradition offers a vibrant showcase of the city’s heritage against the scenic backdrop of the canyon. Performances run Fridays and Saturdays from late June through August.
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