Lots of reasons to want to live near a university coming up this weekend

I’ve always said I would never want to live in a community without a college or a university.

The coming weekend provides several reasons why, with a “triple play” of fine arts offerings at Eastern New Mexico University: a heartwarming play, a beloved musical, and an afternoon symphony complete with a visiting conductor.

First the play.

The ENMU Theatre kicks things off Thursday evening with a one-act show called “Native Gardens.”

Written by Karen Zacarías and directed by professor of theater Anne Beck, “Native Gardens” uses both heart and humor to tell the story of a young Latino couple who become next door neighbors to an older couple, long established in their Washington, DC, neighborhood.

The del Valles – he’s a young attorney, and she’s finishing a degree and pregnant with their first child – want to have a planet friendly garden for their new backyard, while the Butleys – both business professionals – pride themselves on a meticulous yard with a solution for every pest.

To complicate that, the del Valles discover that the Butleys have a larger yard than they do, the result of a long overlooked survey mistake. It’s a mistake the del Valles decide to correct, much to the dismay of the Butleys.

The show runs a little over an hour and content is appropriate for all ages, but younger kids might not appreciate the quiet pace or understand some of the dialogue.

Curtain time is 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. For this production on the spacious Mainstage, you can likely pick up tickets at the door, but reserved seats are available in advance at http://www.enmu.edu/theatrelive . General admission is $10, with $7 tickets available for seniors (60 and up) and active-duty military.

Meanwhile on the stage at Buchanan Hall in ENMU’s Music Building, a charming rendering of the musical comedy “Once Upon a Mattress” is scheduled for two performances this weekend, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.

This lively retelling of “The Princess and the Pea” features a cast of 20, including four with local ties: Clayton Thrasher and Daisha Rivera, both freshmen from Clovis, Hamilton Gillis, a sophomore from Clovis, and Colton Morrison, a senior from Portales.

Besides a familiar story line, this musical is jam-packed with clever lyrics and perpetually hopping with choreography and comic action, making it a great choice for all ages. The run-time is two hours, including intermission.

All seats are $7, and advance tickets are on sale at http://www.enmu.edu/operalive . If the online system stumps you (my computer doesn’t like it), call ENMU assistant professor of music Stephanie Beinlich at her office number – 575-562-2461 – and leave a message with a callback number. She promises to help navigate the system.

If seats are still available at performance time (not a guarantee for the 250-seat Buchanan Hall), tickets may also be purchased at the door.

No worries about tickets for the final event of the weekend. The ENMU Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony concert at 3 p.m. Sunday in Buchanan Hall is offered free of charge.

ENMU music faculty Dustin Seifert and Sidney Shuler will share baton duty with guest conductor, Andrew Yozviak, director of bands of West Chester University in Chester County, Pa.

Like most ENMU music events, this concert (a traditional crowd-pleaser) will be livestreamed and available on Eastern’s YouTube channel. You can find that at http://www.youtube.com/@enmudepartmentofmusic7367

By the way, there is also a slew of sporting events as basketball winds down, and softball, baseball, and track ramp up, but I’ll leave those for the folks on the sports pages.

I’ll be too busy losing myself in the world of local live theater and music, and being grateful for every magical moment.

Betty Williamson hopes there is a prize for most miles driven next weekend. Reach her at:

[email protected]