(C) El Paso Matters.org This story was originally published by El Paso Matters.org and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . EPSO performs, Tom Lea exhibit opens, more things to do this week [1] ['El Paso Matters Staff', 'Diego Mendoza-Moyers', 'El Paso Matters'] Date: 2026-01-21 Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the borderland in the coming week. EPSO’s ‘Majestic Rhythms’ The El Paso Symphony Orchestra presents a two-night program featuring conductor Bohuslav Rattay and violinist Matthew Vera, with works by Alberto Ginastera, Édouard Lalo and Ferde Grofé. A pre-concert “Opening Notes” talk with Nathan Black begins at 6:30 p.m. each evening in the Philanthropy Theatre. When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 23-24 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 23-24 Where: Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave. Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave. Cost: $17-$49 $17-$49 Information: epso.org Tom Lea: ‘Brushstrokes from the Frontlines of WWII’ An opening reception for a new exhibition exploring the World War II artwork of El Paso-born artist Tom Lea, featuring 36 framed prints created while he served as LIFE magazine’s first accredited war artist-correspondent. The exhibit includes original sketchbooks and materials from Lea’s wartime service and examines his work across four major theaters of war. When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 24 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 24 Where: Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, 500 W. University Ave. Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, 500 W. University Ave. Cost: Free Free Information: tomlea.com Outdoor Cooking 101: A hands-on workshop focused on campfire cooking with a Dutch oven, offering participants an opportunity to practice outdoor cooking techniques at Franklin Mountains State Park. Space is limited and advance registration is required. When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 24 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 24 Where: Franklin Mountains State Park, Visitor Center, 2900 Tom Mays Access Road Franklin Mountains State Park, Visitor Center, 2900 Tom Mays Access Road Cost: $8 (ages 13 and older); $3 with Texas State Park Pass; $1 (ages 5-12) $8 (ages 13 and older); $3 with Texas State Park Pass; $1 (ages 5-12) Information: tpwd.texas.gov Bob Snead was one of El Paso’s best-known artists of the 1980s and ’90s. (Photo courtesy of Snead family) Bob Snead Street Dedication Ceremony El Paso County will formally recognize Robert “Bob” Snead — a decorated combat aviator, Western artist, actor and historian of the Buffalo Soldiers — with a public street dedication ceremony honoring his decades-long impact on the community. When: 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 Where: 3709 Bob Snead Drive 3709 Bob Snead Drive Cost: Free Free Information: El Paso County Facebook page ‘New Year, New Trees’ Community Planting El Paso County Parks and Recreation is launching its 2026 “New Year, New Trees” initiative with community planting events aimed at expanding shade and green space across the county. Volunteers are being invited to help plant trees at sites throughout the county, starting with Tornillo Trail in Coyote Park, part of a broader push that aligns with similar efforts such as the city of El Paso’s 915 Tree Keepers program. When: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 Where: Tornillo Trail at Coyote Park, 600 O.T. Smith Road Tornillo Trail at Coyote Park, 600 O.T. Smith Road Cost: Free Free Information: El Paso County Parks and Recreation Facebook page Coming Up El Paso Opera’s 2025 “Encores and Overtures” performance at the Elmont Special Event Center. (Courtesy El Paso Opera) ‘La Bohème’ with El Paso Opera Giacomo Puccini’s opera will be presented in a reimagined production at St. Rogers Depot, with the venue transformed into a theatrical space for a limited engagement. The 2026 staging features five performances, including a Sunday matinee, with expanded seating options and tiered ticket pricing. When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, with additional performances through Feb. 7 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, with additional performances through Feb. 7 Where: St. Rogers Depot, 420 N. Campbell St. St. Rogers Depot, 420 N. Campbell St. Cost: Varies Varies Information: epopera.org ‘The Edge is a Center’ at Rubin Center gallery A group exhibition dubbed “The Edge is a Center” at the Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts explores contemporary graphic design through the work of University of Texas at El Paso alumni whose practices span murals, packaging, branding and other forms. The exhibition examines how designers shaped by life along the U.S.-Mexico border navigate and redefine boundaries across cultures, disciplines and media. When: Opening reception, 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29. Exhibit closes April 11 Opening reception, 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29. Exhibit closes April 11 Curator walkthrough: Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, led by guest curator Ana Gabriela Becerra and senior curator Andres Payan Estrada Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, led by guest curator Ana Gabriela Becerra and senior curator Andres Payan Estrada Where: Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts, 720 Dawson Road Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts, 720 Dawson Road Cost: Free Free Information: utep.edu “Early Citizens,” and illustration by renowned El Paso artist Tom Lea, is among the works featured in William W. Mills’ “Forty Years at El Paso, 1858-1898.” (Courtesy Tom Lea Institute) ‘40 Years in El Paso’: Tom Lea Collection Exhibit The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park will unveil Tom Lea’s “W.W. Mills: 40 Years in El Paso” with an opening reception celebrating the hotel’s 95th anniversary. The exhibit features 22 illustrations by Tom Lea along with the original book, presented in partnership with the Tom Lea Institute. Wine and light refreshments will be served, with remarks scheduled for 5:30 p.m. When: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 Where: Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park, 106 W. Mills Ave. Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park, 106 W. Mills Ave. Cost: Free Free Information: tomlea.com Peak Challenge: North Franklin Peak A strenuous, guided hike that takes participants from the West Cottonwood Springs trailhead along a steep, rocky ridgeline to North Franklin Peak, the highest point in Franklin Mountains State Park, offering 360-degree views of El Paso, New Mexico and Mexico. Organizers note the roughly 8-mile trek is physically demanding and requires adequate footwear and water. When: 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1 Where: West Cottonwood Springs Trailhead, Franklin Mountains State Park, 2900 Tom Mays Access Road West Cottonwood Springs Trailhead, Franklin Mountains State Park, 2900 Tom Mays Access Road Cost: $5 (ages 13 and older); free for Texas State Park Pass holders and children 5-12 $5 (ages 13 and older); free for Texas State Park Pass holders and children 5-12 Information: 915-444-9100 Mark Your Calendar 3rd Annual Black History Tour A daylong community tour highlighting the lives and legacies of prominent Black historical figures connected to El Paso, including Estine Davis, Henry O. Flipper and Dr. Lawrence Nixon. The event is organized by the McCall Neighborhood Center and the Eastside-Central Coalition. When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 Where: Tour meets at McCall Neighborhood Center, 3231 Wyoming Ave. Tour meets at McCall Neighborhood Center, 3231 Wyoming Ave. Cost: Free Free Information: mccallcenter.org 2026 El Paso Black Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala The El Paso Black Hall of Fame will host its second annual induction ceremony honoring 15 individuals and one organization for community impact, professional achievement and sustained contributions to the region. The event will also recognize legacy leaders posthumously, with El Paso’s first Black fire chief, Jonathan P. Killings, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. When: 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 (doors open 5:30 p.m.) 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 (doors open 5:30 p.m.) Where: Starlight Event Center, 6650 Continental Drive Starlight Event Center, 6650 Continental Drive Cost: $75 early bird; $100 after Dec. 31 (tables available) $75 early bird; $100 after Dec. 31 (tables available) Information: blackhof.com The Art and Flavor of Desert Foods at the MACC A hands-on community workshop exploring the region’s food traditions as part of the exhibition Les Sembrantes (The Sowers). Participants will learn about desert foodways through guided cooking activities led by local food practitioners, with opportunities to taste, learn and engage with the culinary heritage of the Chihuahuan Desert. The program is presented in collaboration with the Rubin Center for the Visual Arts and the El Paso Mexican American Cultural Center. When: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 Where: Mexican American Cultural Center, 201 E. Franklin Ave. Mexican American Cultural Center, 201 E. Franklin Ave. Cost: Free Free Information: utep.edu Change Makers 2026: Women in the Arts The annual Women’s History Month celebration presented by Progress321 and El Paso Matters this year will honor women whose creative work or advocacy has shaped the arts across the El Paso borderland, including artists, musicians, writers, performers, filmmakers, designers and arts supporters. Nominations for Change Makers 2026 are open through Friday, Feb. 21. When: Thursday, March 26 Thursday, March 26 Where: Mexican American Cultural Center, 201 E. Franklin Ave. Mexican American Cultural Center, 201 E. Franklin Ave. Cost: To be announced To be announced Information: El Paso Matters Events BTS at Sun Bowl Stadium Global K-pop superstars BTS will make their first appearance in El Paso as part of their 2026 world tour, performing two nights at Sun Bowl Stadium. The shows mark the group’s return to the stage following a multi-year hiatus while members completed mandatory military service in South Korea. When: Saturday-Sunday, May 2-3 Saturday-Sunday, May 2-3 Where: Sun Bowl Stadium, 2701 Sun Bowl Drive Sun Bowl Stadium, 2701 Sun Bowl Drive Cost: Ticket prices to be announced Ticket prices to be announced Information: Presale begins 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22; general sale begins 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at livenation.com [END] --- [1] Url: https://elpasomatters.org/2026/01/21/epso-performs-tom-lea-exhibit-opens-more-things-to-do-this-week/ Published and (C) by El Paso Matters.org Content appears here under this condition or license: Creative Commons CC BY-ND 4.0 International. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/elpasomatters/