4 Best Performing Arts in Southwestern New Mexico, New Mexico

Tierra del Encanto Ballet Folklorico performs folk dances of Mexico at the annual weekend in November.

New Mexico State University presents lectures, concerts, sports, and other special events at its Pan American Center.

A rare two-story adobe theater, the Rio Grande was restored and refurbished inside and out in 2005. This 1926 vintage movie house now functions as performing-arts space. Note the spritely colored blue-and-green bas-relief trim on the brick-, tile-, and stucco Italian Renaissance facade; the classically incised tin ceiling; and the bright-red neon sign. With 422 seats—including a balcony—it's just the right size for the film series, spoken word, and live music events it currently hosts.

The Fountain Theatre, which still has its original 1870s facade and vintage murals from the 1910s and 1920s inside, was bought in 1905 by the prominent Fountain family, who began showing movies here in 1912. Now under the aegis of the Mesilla Valley Film Society, the oldest continuously operating theater in New Mexico presents independent films, amateur theater, and some chamber music concerts.