Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the borderland in the coming week.
El Paso Locomotive Season Opener
El Paso Locomotive FC will kick off its 2025 USL Championship season at home at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8, when it hosts the Colorado Springs Switchbacks at Southwest University Park, 1 Ballpark Plaza. It is the first of 15 home matches on the team’s 30-game schedule. Newly re-signed defender Guillermo “Memo” Diaz is among the players expected to stand out for the Locomotive this season. Information and tickets: eplocomotivefc.com
El Paso Matters Book Club Book Launch — ‘The Crossing’
Journalist and El Paso native Richard Parker will debut his latest book, “The Crossing: El Paso, the Southwest, and America’s Forgotten Origin Story,” at a special launch event hosted by the El Paso Matters Book Club at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at Margin Notes Bookbar, 7460 Cimarron Market Ave. Building 2, Suite 300. The event will feature a discussion on El Paso’s role as a cultural and historical crossroads, followed by a Q&A session and book signing. Attendees can purchase “The Crossing” on-site and enjoy Aurellia’s El Paso Matters Beer, a Mexican-American lager brewed exclusively for El Paso Matters. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are encouraged. Information and registration: elpasomatters.org
Artspace Gallery Juried Art Exhibition
Artspace Gallery will host a Juried Art Exhibition from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 7, at the Artspace El Paso Lofts, 601 N. Oregon St. The free event will feature a selection of works from local artists, offering attendees a chance to engage with the region’s creative community. The exhibition is juried by industry professionals, including Andrea Tirres, president and CEO of Borderplex Connect, and Ricardo Bustamante, operations manager of the El Paso Downtown Management District. Artists and musicians are invited to apply to showcase their work, with prizes awarded to top visual art entries. Information: artspaceep@gmail.com
UTEP Women’s Basketball Season Concludes
The University of Texas at El Paso women’s basketball team closes its 2024-25 home schedule this week at the Don Haskins Center, 151 Glory Road. The Miners (10-17 overall, 3-13 in Conference USA) host Sam Houston State University at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6, and Louisiana Tech University at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 8. The Conference USA tournament begins March 11 at Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama. Information and tickets: ticketmaster.com
Imani Winds at UTEP
Grammy Award-winning wind ensemble Imani Winds will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at the University of Texas at El Paso Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall in a concert presented by El Paso Pro Musica. The acclaimed quintet will showcase a blend of classical and contemporary music. The group recently won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Classical Compendium for Passion for Bach and Coltrane and is celebrating 25 years of artistry. Information and tickets: elpasopromusica.org
Billy the Kid Breakout Show
Step back in time at the Billy the Kid Breakout Show on Sunday, March 9, at the San Elizario Historic District. Hosted by the Pistoleros De San Elizario, this free event brings history to life with reenactments of Billy the Kid’s legendary jailbreak in front of the Old El Paso County Jail Museum, 1551 Main St. in San Elizario. Performances take place at 1 and 3 p.m. during the Mission Trail Art Market, offering visitors a chance to experience the Old West while browsing local arts and crafts.
Coming Up
Poppies Fest: The El Paso Museum of Archaeology’s 18th annual Poppies Fest returns next month, celebrating the region’s vibrant poppy bloom with a month-long series of events. Held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday in March, the festival will feature performances, exhibitors, vendors, food trucks and workshops, with each weekend offering a unique theme. The lineup includes Native American traditions March 8, a spotlight on local culture March 15, a celebration March 22, and a community engagement focus March 29. Information: epmarch.org
Mark Your Calendar
Mexican American Cultural Center Grand Opening: The city’s long-awaited Mexican American Cultural Center, 201 W. Franklin Ave., will open its doors to the public March 22. The grand opening celebration for the MACC will have activities such as guided tours of the facility, hands-on activities, two new exhibits and food trucks, and others and will also celebrate the renovations to the adjacent Cleveland Square Park. The MACC, located in the state-designated Downtown Arts District, is a three-story, 41,000-square-foot cultural center located as part of the Main Library and the El Paso Museum of History. Information: epmacc.org
Change Makers: Celebrate Women’s History Month during Change Makers, a collaborative event presented by Progress321 and El Paso Matters from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at the Hotel Paso del Norte, 10 Henry Trost Court. This year’s luncheon honors outstanding women in health from various fields. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Nirma D. Bustamante, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mexico Country Director. Information: elpasomatters.org
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