International appeal: NM Tech Performing Arts Series showcases music, theater from around the globe

Artists from around the world will head to Socorro for another season of the New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series.

The 2024-2025 season showcases internationally known performers in a variety of theatrical events and music concerts.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun this year,” said Dana Chavez-Baca, PAS director, in a statement. “We’re seriously excited for the performances, preshow and special events.”

International appeal: NM Tech Performing Arts Series showcases music, theater from around the globe

SocorroFest, a free, two-day community celebration, kicks off the PAS season from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, and from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, in Socorro’s Historic Plaza. This year, the 512: Selena Experience will headline the festival. The group pays tribute to Selena, the Queen of Tejano music. Local and regional bands will perform on multiple stages.

Other community events include performances starring Socorro youth in NDI “Dream Big!” on Nov. 21, at the Macey Center, 909 Olive Lane; the Community Arts Party featuring arts and crafts projects for all ages on Feb. 8, 2025, at Finley Gym, 202 McCutcheon Ave.; the Women’s Arts Showcase that runs from March 1 through March 31, 2025, at the Macey Center; and Missoula Children’s Theater on June 9, 2025, at the Macey Center. The annual Fourth of July Celebration in 2025 will feature musical performances by New Mexico talent, games, vendors and a spectacular fireworks display choreographed by New Mexico Tech’s Energetic Materials Research and Training Center.

Special events planned as part of the PAS 2024-2025 season are a collaboration between the NMTPAS team, the Macey Center, and New Mexico Tech clubs.

On Friday, Oct. 4, the PAS Macey Club will host “Canvas & Cocktails.” The event is open to beginners as well as experienced painters and will feature expert instruction by Macey Center assistant director, Angela Magoffe.

Play dress up during the Magical Medieval Fayre, featuring games, crafts, and vendors on Saturday, Oct. 26. Eventgoers can enjoy a performance of “Macbeth” by the Socorro Community Theater later that night at the Macey Center.

Stock up on gifts for everyone on your holiday list during La Venta de Navidad on Friday, Dec. 6. The event will showcase arts and crafts by local vendors and traditional holiday food.

Laugh it up during the PM Club Comedy Night on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at the Macey Center. Wine down the following month during the PM Club’s “Let’s Taste Wine!” Sommelier Showdown with Maria Montero. Guests can sample a variety of wines with friends.

On Friday, May 2, 2025, visitors can enjoy Mexican cuisine and a game of lotería during the Tacos & Tequila event.

Also beginning in September is the PAS Subscription Series. It runs from Friday, Sept. 20, through April 2025, at the Macey Center.

The “Popovich Comedy Pet Theater,” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at the Macey Center. The show will feature more than 40 rescue animals, including a miniature pig.

“It will be their fourth visit to Socorro and we’re excited to welcome them back,” Chavez-Baca said in the news release. “It’s a super cute show!”

This year, the Socorro Community Theater will perform the Shakespearean tragedy, “Macbeth” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct 26, as well as a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Macey Center. Pamyua, a quartet that showcases Inuit culture though music and dance performance, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. “Mariachi Christmas” returns at 7:30 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 6, with a colorful seasonal showcase of ballet, folkorico dance and mariachi music.

In 2025, Mamadou Diabate, a storyteller and musician originally from Burkina Faso in West Africa, brings his group, Percussion Mania, for an evening of pulsating melodies at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. International Guitar Night, a touring guitar festival that brings together innovative acoustic guitars from Germany, Great Britain and the Republic of Congo, will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025.

Enjoy Ukrainian folk rock with Yagody at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025. The ensemble is made up of three vocalists, an accordionist, a bass guitarist, a drummer and a cymbalist.

New Mexico Tech’s Department of Communication, Liberal Arts, and Social Sciences and the Socorro Community Theater present three performances of “Anything Goes,” April 4 through April 6, 2025. The performance features the music and lyrics of Cole Porter.

Experience the resonating beats and rich cultural heritage of Japanese drumming during the TAIKOPROJECT at 7:30 p.m. on April 11, 2025.

Another component of the PAS lineup is the Presidential Chamber and World Music Series, sponsored by New Mexico Tech president Mahyar Amouzegar. It features four free concerts for students, faculty, community members and their families at the Macey Center.

The Alejandro Brittes Trio, featuring the Argentine accordion player accompanied by performers playing a seven-string guitar and double bass, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10.

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m., WOR Band Belgium, made up of five musicians, will perform 18th-century melodies from the Flanders region of Belgium in a contemporary style.

Eric Sewell’s Nomad Ensemble comprised of stellar New Mexico musicians on piano, violin and cello will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.

The Presidential Chamber and World Music Series will conclude with Camerata Del Sol, a string quartet that brings together performers from Las Cruces, El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

The four-part chamber music series name was changed from the Presidential Music Series to Presidential Chamber and World Music Series.

“The change reflects that we’re hosting more chamber music from around the world,” Chavez-Baca said in the news release. “Every culture has its own chamber music.”

NMTPAS receives support from New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Western States Arts Federation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the city of Socorro, and is underwritten by NMT.