Good to go [Las Cruces Sun-News, N.M.]

Aug. 27--LAS CRUCES -- It's the start of Full-Tilt Fiesta Season.

In addition to Sunday's MainStreet SalsaFest and today's opening of the new Branigan Cultural Center show of Nickolas Muray's Frida Kahlo photographs, weekend attractions include Deming's Great American Duck Races continuing through Sunday, and Saturday's community 90th birthday bash for J. Paul Taylor.

Get a preview of exciting new developments in the burgeoning Mesquite Street art district from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Border Artists 20th anniversary show at Unsettled Settled Gallery. Head across the street to catch the three-year old Friendship Painters' group show happening at the same time at Mesquite Street Studio and Gallery.

Here's a sampling of what's happening.

J. Paul Taylor's 90th birthday and his distinguished career as an educator, administrator and state legislator will be celebrated at a free public party from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday on the Mesilla Plaza.

"Festivities will include music, refreshments and a brief ceremony. People are being asked to leave copies of photographs or written recollections of activities they shared with J. Paul," said Cynthia Garrett, chairwoman of Friends of the Taylor Family Monument. In 2003, J. Paul, his wife, Mary, who died in 2007, and their family donated the Taylors' historic Mesilla Plaza home and two commercial buildings to the Museum of New Mexico as a state monument. Info: (575) 915-5756 or e-mailFriendsofTaylorMonument@gmail.com.

Deming's 31st annual Great American Duck Race continues today though Sunday. Highlights include the 10:30 a.m. Saturday Tournament of Ducks Parade, Duck Mart, carnival, hot air balloon ascensions, Outhouse Race, Tortilla Toss, live entertainment, dances, a breakfast, barbecue and duck races. Heats are noon to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday and begin at noon Sunday with duck race eliminations and finals at 3 p.m. Sunday. The entry fee is $5 for each race entry and ducks are available on site. For more information about GADR activities, call toll-free at (888) 345-1125 or visit www.demingduckrace.com.

The Border Artists mark their 20th anniversary with a unique group show "Intense Dialogue," which opens with a gala reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday and runs through Oct. 2 at Unsettled Gallery, 905 N. Mesquite St.

Participating artists include Jenni Higgenbotham, Michael Ponce, Jean Reece Wilkey, Terry Wolfe, Sherry Doil-Carter, Janice Cook, Tauna Cole-Dorn, Tom Gerend, Winfrey Hearst, Annetta Hoover, Suzanne Kane, Cassandra Lockwood, Rosemary McLoughlin, Diana Molina, Jesse Reinhard, Jeanne Rundell, Jo-an Smith, Dan Tapper, Scott Weaver and Bob Willis. Unsettled's regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and by appointment. For information, call (575) 635-2285 or visit online at unsettledgallery@aol.com.

Friendship Painters' "Fall, Fairs, Fiestas, Etc.!!" opens with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Mesquite Street Studio and Gallery, 922 N. Mesquite St.

Participating artists include Kaye Faircloth, Regina Nelson, Alejandrina Nunez, Gail Makowsky, Joyce Yearly, Judy Franzak, Bob Zeissel and Pat Bonneau-White. Info: (575) 647-3546.

The Chamber Jazz Ensemble kicks off the 2010-2011 St. Paul's Sunday Afternoons concert series with "An Afternoon of Jazz" at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 225 W. Griggs Ave. The group features Curt Warren, guitar; Jim Shearer, tuba; Allan Kaplan, trombone and Eric Unsworth, bass.

S. Derrickson Moore can be reached at (575) 541-5450

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