Socorro – New Mexico Tech consistently garners praise academically at the national and international level and its associated research facilities are held in high regard. So it’s not surprising that there’s an active music and performing arts community associated with the school.
The Performing Arts Series has a rich and varied history and has grown from a totally voluntary group of professors and scientists (some 50 years ago) to one supported by the college, and the community which fosters and supports community and youth programs throughout the year.
The success of the NMTech Performing Arts Series has been at the hands of director Ronna Kalish whose enthusiasm and dedication has grown the program to a few classical programs a year series to one which brings national and internationally acclaimed musicians and also attracts attendance from around the state.
Ronna is an inveterate music promoter and makes no secret of her desire to expose her audience to the widest range of performing arts possible. Through the years, PAS members have come to expect at least one evening of Celtic music, and one theatrical performance along with the full complement of other emerging or established artists playing classical, contemporary, traditional and experimental from cultures around the world. Ronna works with other music promoters in the area to bring in acts otherwise unavailable.
The 2008-9 season proves no exception as the series unfolds from “classic rock ‘n roll” to the perennial favorites Chinese acrobats and New Mexico’s own Al Hurricane.
Fri. September 26 The Official Buddy Holly Tribute starts the season off with a blast from the past as John Mueller recreates the rock and roll legend. Croons Niki Sullivan (of the Crickets) “John (Mueller) is a reincarnation of Buddy Holly. He is that good.”
Friday, Oct. 10 Fiamma Fumana The female ensemble’s music is described as ethno-techno roots music direct from Italy. They describe their name as “Fiamma = energy; the energy of the present; Fumana=mist, the mysterious resilience of the past. The group is on a continuing mission to remember what is today being forgotten in their local culture and bring the songs to pop music.
Nov. 1,: The Complete History of America (Abridged), 3-man comedy troupe known for their short ,sharp comedies, just in time for the election with “The Special Election Edition”
Nov. 21: Rhythm and Passion by the Otero Dance Company. They promise to get your sensations stirring with “sexy salsa, sensual tango and explosive gaucho.”
Feb. 11: Footloose, the musical dance show celebrating youthful independence based on the 1984 movie.
Feb. 27: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Old Timey Music from the Carolina Piedmont
March 20: Beoga & Gráda, St. Patrick’s “week”. Celtic double-bill with two of Ireland’s up and coming traditional and contemporary bands
April 7: New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. Need we say more?
April 30: Golden Dragon Acrobats, amazing acrobatic troupe from China
May 8: Al Hurricane & Al Hurricane Jr Band, for Cinco de Mayo week, New Mexico’s kind of rock and roll.
In between there’s the Presidential Chamber Music Concert series (Oct. 3, Nov. 10, Jan. 19 and March 30).
Season memberships are now on sale. For details contact the PAS office, 575.835.5688 or visit their site http://nmtpas.org
The Performing Arts Series has a rich and varied history and has grown from a totally voluntary group of professors and scientists (some 50 years ago) to one supported by the college, and the community which fosters and supports community and youth programs throughout the year.
The success of the NMTech Performing Arts Series has been at the hands of director Ronna Kalish whose enthusiasm and dedication has grown the program to a few classical programs a year series to one which brings national and internationally acclaimed musicians and also attracts attendance from around the state.
Ronna is an inveterate music promoter and makes no secret of her desire to expose her audience to the widest range of performing arts possible. Through the years, PAS members have come to expect at least one evening of Celtic music, and one theatrical performance along with the full complement of other emerging or established artists playing classical, contemporary, traditional and experimental from cultures around the world. Ronna works with other music promoters in the area to bring in acts otherwise unavailable.
The 2008-9 season proves no exception as the series unfolds from “classic rock ‘n roll” to the perennial favorites Chinese acrobats and New Mexico’s own Al Hurricane.
Fri. September 26 The Official Buddy Holly Tribute starts the season off with a blast from the past as John Mueller recreates the rock and roll legend. Croons Niki Sullivan (of the Crickets) “John (Mueller) is a reincarnation of Buddy Holly. He is that good.”
Friday, Oct. 10 Fiamma Fumana The female ensemble’s music is described as ethno-techno roots music direct from Italy. They describe their name as “Fiamma = energy; the energy of the present; Fumana=mist, the mysterious resilience of the past. The group is on a continuing mission to remember what is today being forgotten in their local culture and bring the songs to pop music.
Nov. 1,: The Complete History of America (Abridged), 3-man comedy troupe known for their short ,sharp comedies, just in time for the election with “The Special Election Edition”
Nov. 21: Rhythm and Passion by the Otero Dance Company. They promise to get your sensations stirring with “sexy salsa, sensual tango and explosive gaucho.”
Feb. 11: Footloose, the musical dance show celebrating youthful independence based on the 1984 movie.
Feb. 27: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Old Timey Music from the Carolina Piedmont
March 20: Beoga & Gráda, St. Patrick’s “week”. Celtic double-bill with two of Ireland’s up and coming traditional and contemporary bands
April 7: New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. Need we say more?
April 30: Golden Dragon Acrobats, amazing acrobatic troupe from China
May 8: Al Hurricane & Al Hurricane Jr Band, for Cinco de Mayo week, New Mexico’s kind of rock and roll.
In between there’s the Presidential Chamber Music Concert series (Oct. 3, Nov. 10, Jan. 19 and March 30).
Season memberships are now on sale. For details contact the PAS office, 575.835.5688 or visit their site http://nmtpas.org