Calendar of events overflows with change of season

As our mountains turn gold and our chiles turn red and our skies get even more impossibly blue, the weather is so perfect and crisp (yes, crisp is finally in the forecast), that it creates a problem.

But it’s a good problem. The calendar of events overflows.

Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of this glorious season?

Take, for example, only events involving music this week on the High Plains. It’s a dazzling array, and many of these offerings are free.

In the interest of space, here are some of the highlights. All of the details (plus a wealth of other happenings) may be found in the events calendar at easternnewmexiconews.com .

This merrily melodic week kicks off at 3 p.m. today with the Eastern New Mexico University Wind Symphony Concert in Buchanan Hall in the ENMU Music Building. This concert is an every-semester jewel of a tradition, under the direction of Dustin Seifert and Sid Shuler. It’s free and it’s beautiful.

Setting a seasonal tone, the Clovis Community College Cultural Arts series brings “Sugar Skull! A Dia de Muertos Musical Adventure” to Clovis’ Marshall Auditorium at 7 p.m. Thursday. This presentation of dance and music promises to be fun for all ages.

Tickets are $20 general admission, but the series offers numerous discount options, including a $45 family friendly pass that buys five tickets.

Also on Thursday, the ENMU jazz ensembles are in action from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Portales, playing smooth tunes for one of their popular big band dances in Eastern’s Campus Union Ballroom.

Admission is a $5 donation. Dancing is encouraged, but not required. Feel free to sit and tap your toes to these talented ensembles led by Richard Schwartz.

Friday evening brings us a virtual smorgasbord of musical main courses all in one setting, courtesy of ENMU’s community-based family weekend party they’ve dubbed the “Rally on Main.”

An outdoor stage at 413 Main St. in Portales will be the setting for three free concerts, and a pep rally, to boot.

The ENMU jazz combos (fresh off Thursday’s big band dance) will be playing from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by Matthew Palmer and the Mammoth Cults from 5-7 p.m.

From 7-7:30, look forward to 30 minutes of spirited cheers led by the Portales High School and ENMU cheerleaders before Roosevelt County’s own Will Banister takes the stage to finish off the evening with two-plus hours of classic country songs and his own compositions.

Portales’ Enchantment Vineyards will be hosting a beer and wine garden nearby, with tasty treats available from local food trucks.

Finally, don’t forget that the coming weekend is the 51st Peanut Valley Craft and Music Festival at the Roosevelt County fairgrounds. Numerous area performers are scheduled to be on the stage and the slab on both Saturday and Sunday.

Anticipated musical guests include Los Escalantes, Audra and the Stringbenders, the Pony Creek Trio, Rosa Blanca, and Portales’ own Baile Folklorico dancers.

Admission to the festival is free, but there will be vendors and food trucks galore, so don’t forget to pocket some funds.

But pace yourself. The rest of October is every bit as packed.

If I hear anyone make a comment about how there’s nothing to do around here, I may have to smack them with a freshly roasted green chile.

Betty Williamson looks forward to a full, fine, and festive fall. Reach her at:

[email protected]