Socorro Art Stroll Will Light Up The Night On The Plaza

By John Larson

SOCORRO – The Plaza area will be lighted up by hundreds of well placed luminarias, this Friday, Dec. 4, for the Annual Socorro Art Stroll.
Organizer Joy Miler said the candles will be lit from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and businesses and shops in the vicinity will stay open, providing art, goodies and music for holiday shoppers.
Music and entertainment will be provided by the McTeggart Irish Dancers, Roon, Mary Templton and Shirley Coursey, Doug Figgs, and more.
Local artists displaying their latest works include:
Liz Alvarez, Shawn La Brier, and Linda Martinic, at Socorro Office Supply
Bobbi Jo Lesperance at Sundance Gifts
Paula Riley at Jessie’s Dress Shop (in the beauty salon area)
Karyn DeBont and Beverly Hansen at Socorro Insurance Mart
Olaf Heintz at Spoke ‘N Word
Leon Miler and Jill Domschot at Manzanares Street Coffeehouse
Burt Calkins at Gambles True Value
Maureen Wilks at Socorro Picture Framing
Other participating businesses include:
Casa de Regalos
Capitol Bar
Stage Door Grill
Curious Crow/Fullingim, Isenhour, Leard Galleries
Socorro High School students will be displaying their art and providing complimentary gift wrapping at the Chamber of Commerce.
Official lighting of the Christmas tree will be at 6 p.m. Santa will be on hand as well as young carolers from the Socorro Youth Program.
La Gran Pastorela
Celebrate the winter holiday at the El Camino Real International Heritage Center with a special presentation of La Gran Pastorela. This traditional New Mexico Christmas Play will begin at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12.
La Gran Pastorela is a version of the shepherds’ plays performed in New Mexico for centuries in villages all along the Camino Real. The story and script has been passed on from generation to generation, and recounts the shepherds’ journey to Bethlehem as they encounter manifestations of evil that attempt to keep them from reaching their destination.
Presentation of the story had been a traditional part of the Christmas season in Socorro thanks to the efforts of the late Bobby Romero, who for many years took on the responsibility for producing the play featuring elementary school children.
This year’s play is performed in colonial Spanish by Los Pastores de Belén, a group of amateur actors who have been performing and keeping alive this traditional Christmas play for the past thirty-six years.
The City of Socorro will provide transportation for la Pastorela, departing from the Socorro Plaza at noon and returning at 3 p.m. Reserve your seat on the shuttle by calling 835-1501. Shuttle fee is $1 each way.
Admission to the center is $5 for adults, kids 15 and under are free. For more information call 854-3600.
Origami Workshop
Socorro County Arts will be holding a workshop on making origami gift boxes, Saturday, Dec. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Alamo Mercantile and Gallery, 1008 N. California St.

Photo: Crews decorate the tree in the median in front of City Hall last Wednesday. The lighting of the community Christmas tree will be this Friday during for the Luminarias on the Plaza and Art Stroll. Pictured on the Fire Department ladder (from left): Matilde Acosta, and Mario Amaro.

Socorro Art Stroll Will Light Up The Night On The Plaza