Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta 2011-2012

The Utah cheerleaders performed in the battle of the bands vs Georgia Tech at this year's SunBowl fan fiesta. The Utes and Yellowjackets play tomorrow afternoon in the Sun City. We are looking forward to a great game and hope both offenses light up the scoreboard. Attending this bowl game has become a tradition for our family and is another reason why we love living in El Paso.

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EP GRIDIRON - Greater El Paso Football Showcase All Star Game (2011)

Riverside vs El Paso High in Bi-District championship

The Riverside Rangers travel to El Paso High today to take on the Tigers at 1pm today in the bi-district championship. The Rangers are looking to air it out against the Tigers and stop the tough El Paso running game.

Del Valle lost in their bi-district game last night to the Andress Eagles 28-0. Andress size just seemed to big of an obstacle for DV to overcome. Andress will play Denton Ryan in the next round.

Horizon and Burges played a heck of a game last night in the far East. Burges was able to pull out the victory in four overtimes. Burges 34 Horizon 31. Burges will play the winner of the Lake Dallas and Canyon High game.

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Week five high school football scores in El Paso.

Chapin 64 Irvin 15
Riverside 54 SanElizario 14
Del Valle 41 Ysleta 2
Burges 14 Andress 7
Canutillo 38 Parkland 0
Montwood 62 Eastwood 19
Monahans 49 Mt. View 7
Franklin 49 Socorro 6
Cathedral 27 Fabens 7
Jefferson 14 Bowie 13
El Dorado 35 Bel Air 7

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Subrosa Union Concert at the Chamizal

Marc Martel (guitar)

Jazzy and I finally got a chance to head out to the Music Under The Stars concert series at The Chamizal tonight to catch Subrosa Union in action.  Subrosa Union has been touring for nine years and are now based out of Austin.  These guys put on a great show and had the crowd, including my Jazzy, dancing to their funky reggae/latin style. 

Jazzy enjoying the concert

The crowd at the Chamizal seemed small at first, probably a direct result of the alcohol ban, but it quickly grew as the sun went down.  I know many El Pasoans are upset about the alcohol ban but I am glad that the park decided to prohibit booze from their concerts.  The city has plenty of events where you can drink and listen to music on any given night.  If you absolutely have to throw one back you can head out to Speaking Rock and drink to your hearts delight.

 If you missed this show tonight because of the alcohol ban, you missed catching a great and energetic band playing their tails off for a supportive El paso crowd.  I encourage you to fill up your ice-chest with your favorite non-alcoholic beverage and head out to the Chamizal next Sunday.  I really don't think you'll be disappointed.

Michael Anaya (guitar and vocals)

Check out the groups website to learn more about the music of Subrosa Union. Subrosa Union Website

Delta Nove will be bringing its "World Funk Sound" to the Music Under The Stars Stage next Sunday.

Listen to Delta Nova by clicking on their link.   Delta Nove

Upcoming Summer Theatre Productions In El Paso

I was happy to see that a new theatre company called the Green Apple Theatre Collective is staging its first production on Friday  July 15th at the Glasbox Gallery located at 1500 Texas Avenue.  The company will be taking on the entertaining play Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks.  The play chronicles the lives of two brothers Lincoln and Booth as they try to survive and cope with women, racism, gambling, and their rough upbringing.  I applaud the Company for breathing new life into the El Paso theatre scene and wish them all the success in the world with their debut.  Check out the article by Doug Pullen of the El Paso Times that sheds more light on the company and the production.  Doug Pullen Article on Green Apple Theatre Collective




The Utep Theatre Department will be staging Urinetown The Musical as part of its dinner theatre season this month. Urinetown debuted at the New York International Fringe Festival, and then was produced Off-Broadway at the American Theatre for Actors, from May 6, 2001 to June 25, 2001. The show takes place at the Utep Dinner Theatre located at the Utep Union, West Wing.  Show runs through July 24th.  Performances are at 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 pm July 17th and 24th.  For more information call  747-5234, or 747-6060.  Check out the article written in the El Paso Times for more details on the production. Urinetown Article in the El Paso Times

The UTEP Department of Theatre and dance will be staging the William Shakespeare Classic The Tempest from July 22nd thru July 31st.  Tickets for the show range from $8-$10 dollars. For reservations and more info call 747-5118.



The El Paso Playhouse is nearing the finish line for its run of the A Few Good Men.  I have had a great time performing with the talented cast in this first production of the 2011-2012 season for the Playhouse. The director, Darci Georges, deserves a ton of credit for bringing such a great story to life.  The show will have its final two performances on Friday July 15th and Saturday July 16th at 8pm.  To reserve your seat for the show call (915) 532-1317.  Remember to tell them Smiling Jack
Ross sent you.





The El Paso Independent School Distict will stage the musical Bye Bye Birdie at Coronado High School's Ross Capshaw Theatre July 20-23.  Curtain goes up at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are a steal at only $5 ($3 for students, seniors, and military).  The theatre is located at 100 Champions Place.




The EPCC Summer Repertory Company will conclude its 3rd annual summer season with four productions at the EPCC Transmountain Campus Forum theatre on Highway 54 (Diana exit). Tickets for the productions start at $10 ($5 for students, faculty, staff, military, and seniors).  Box office opens at 6:30 pm.  Info: 831-5056 or 831-3205.

July 14-16  Eleven: A New 1930's Musical Fable.

July 16, 23, and 30. Rodeo Mongolia: A Children's Musical (shows begin at 2pm)

July 21-22.   My Big Gay Italian Wedding

July 28-30.  The Great American Trailer Park Musical

 

About a month ago, I was fortunate enough to be cast in the El Paso Playhouse production of A Few Good Men.

The rehearsal process is now over and the run of this brilliant production has begun.  The cast is filled with stage veterans and actors that have been bitten by the stage bug for the very first time.  The cast and crew are amazing and do their very best in bringing the characters of the Aaron Sorkin play to life.

 The show is directed by  the wonderful Darci Georges and is the opening play of the 2011/2012 season.  Our director deserves a ton of credit for sticking with the show despite facing obstacles that would have crippled even the most veteran of directors. 

We had an amazing opening night with a full audience and a nice reception. It was nice to be able to perform for a full house and we look forward to many more audiences like the one we had last night.

 If you are looking for an entertainig way to spend the evening or a lazy Sunday afternoon head out to the Playhouse and catch a moving production of A Few Good Men.  Tell them Smling Jack  Ross sent ya!

Riverside Wins UTEP 7 on 7 Tournament

The Riverside Ranger 7 on 7 squad went undefeated in last week's  UTEP tournament to take home the  championship.  The boys beat Franklin in the championship game at the Sun Bowl.  Utep did a great job of hosting the tournament and the competition was tougher than a Texas rattlesnake.  Del Valle beat Coronado to take second place in the tournament.  The Rangers beat Socorro, Eastlake, Franklin, Alpine, and Cathedral.  Riverside will play in the Hanks 7 on 7 State Qualifier this Saturday.  Great Job Rangers.

Ranger defense played lights out

Win vs Alpine

Bucket checking the play

QB Brian Hinojo

The Lethal Offense

Celebrating a Touchdown

JB making a tough catch

Ranger Defense

Kid makes a great catch

Rangers vs Cathedral

Ranger Offense

Rockin' The Rez Festival At Speaking Rock

This Kid was amazing

We took the kids to the Rocking The Res' festival a few weeks ago at Speaking Rock and had a great time.  The festival featured traditional Native American dances and songs from tribes all over the Southwest.  We haven't had a chance to attend any of the free concerts yet but look forward to heading down there this summer.

 Upcoming Concerts (free) at Speaking Rock:

Heroine - June 17th

Sunny Ozuna - June 19th

Blue October - June 24

Tesla - July 1st

Cowboys From Hell Paso

Cinderella - July 2nd

Adema - July 3rd & 4th

Jackyl - July 3rd

ONE (Metallica tribute band) - July 3 & 4

Buckcherry - July 4th

YMCA 125th Birthday and Art in the Park

Jess and I took the kids to two great events this past Saturday.  The YMCA 125th celebration was held at Ascarate Park and was free to all families.  The YMCA did a great job of having fun activities and entertainment for the kids.   Jazz liked the art projects stations and Stevo spent most of his time playing basketball in one of the inflatable jumping balloons.  The YMCA of El Paso deserves a great big pat on the back for putting on this great family event.

Jazz making a flower at one of the arts and crafts stations

One of the arts and craft tables

Jazz running in the shuttle relay

The YMCA Festival Tent

We headed out to Memorial Park after the YMCA bash to check out the Art In The park Festival.  This was the first year we had ever attended the festival and had a good time checking out all the local artists and dance groups.  We had a great time at the festival and look forward to attending again when the festival returns in the Fall.

Stevo tries his luck at the fishing pond

Some of the booths at the festival

Chalk to the Hand Sidewalk Chalk Festival at Riverside High School

Congratulations are in order for the students that participated in the second annual sidewalk art chalk festival last Friday. Riverside Art instructors Ricardo Boisselier and Rudy Martinez organized the festival and provided the students of Riverside High with a creative outlet for displaying their talent. The festival was well attended and the level of artistic talent on display was amazing. Here are a few of the pictures from the event. This is just another example that Riverside High School is home to talented and inspiring students and faculty members.