El Paso's Barbed Wire Open Mic Series hosts the city’s biggest open mic nights with some of the Southwest's most talented performers, and they’ve just expanded into Las Cruces, New Mexico. If you’ve never heard of the Barbed Wire Open Mic Series, or BWOMS for short, then you are missing out on one of the most influential and constant events in the borderland.

F.A. Montejano (left) and Richie D. Marrufo (right) at Grounded Lounge in Las Cruces
Director of Engagement, F.A. Montejano, (left) and Project Director of BWOMS, Richie D. Marrufo, (right) in front of artist Christin Apodaca's mural at Grounded Lounge in Las Cruces
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Run by Richie D. Marrufo and Fernando A. Montejano (who you may know as, me, Grizz from Iris and Grizz in the Morning!), BWOMS is a traveling open mic night that both works with and supports local El Paso businesses to provide a space for performers from all over. Some nights there are featured performers from out of town taking the stage, other nights see local musicians and poets working on their craft. The open mic goes everywhere too! 

Lara Linette performing at Joe Vinny Bronsons Cafe (F.A. Montejano)
Lara Linette performing at Joe Vinny Bronsons Cafe (F.A. Montejano)
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Cafes, bars, breweries, libraries, it doesn't matter the space! As long as the people who own the venue are proud supporters of the local art scene, BWOMS can make a home there. 

Break-dancer Freeman Medina (left) with local rapper Tres Sabores (center) and Break-dancer Skuatz LO (right) after a feature performance at Craft Rhythm and Brews (F.A. Montejano)
Break-dancer Freeman Medina (left) with local rapper Tres Sabores (center) and Break-dancer Skuatz LO (right) after a feature performance at Craft Rhythm and Brews (F.A. Montejano)
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The Barbed Wire Open Mic manages to draw crowds in from cities and even states away! Now, performers from Las Cruces will have a much shorter drive to make as BWOMS finds itself expanding into New Mexico! 

El Paso BWOMS Badge designed by Richie D. Marrufo
El Paso BWOMS Badge designed by Richie D. Marrufo
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The El Paso BWOMS family has grown as the open mic series expanded into Las Cruces with an official new chapter of the organization. Las Cruces BWOMS is officially active and being run by two local powerhouses in the LC open mic world. 

Las Cruces BWOMS Badge designed by Richie D. Marrufo
Las Cruces BWOMS Badge designed by Richie D. Marrufo
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Anneliese Trujillo and Liz Liano, also known as The Lizard King, have become the leaders of the Las Cruces Chapter of The Barbed Wire Open Mic Series. Musicians, songwriters, poets, and storytellers have a new home in Cruces. 

Las Cruces BWOMS Project Director Anneliese Trujillo (left) and Official LCBWOMS Host, Liz Liano aka The Lizard King (right) (F.A. Montejano)
Las Cruces BWOMS Project Director Anneliese Trujillo (left) and Official LCBWOMS Host, Liz Liano aka The Lizard King (right) (F.A. Montejano)
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Anneliese Trujillo is the founder of Las Cruces Spoken Word which has now merged to become the Las Cruces Branch of BWOMS. The Lizard King is an active Las Cruces poet and musician with years of experience in event planning and mental health advocacy, creating events including live music, poetry, and fundraising for local organizations that work hard to provide aid to the Las Cruces area. Together, these two have begun hosting Barbed Wire Open Mic events in New Mexico and the reception from local area businesses has been incredible! The launch event held at Grounded Lounge in January was met with a full house and standing room only crowd. 

Full house at Grounded Lounge during the Las Cruces BWOMS launch event (F.A. Montejano)
Full house at Grounded Lounge during the Las Cruces BWOMS launch event (F.A. Montejano)
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The Barbed Wire Open Mic in El Paso is officially recognized by the City of El Paso with its own day, December 13th, and is hoping to find the same kind of recognition in Las Cruces. 

“The open mic is growing! We love seeing the way people take to this space.” said Marrufo. “We are always looking for volunteers to help out and are even on the lookout for new hosts to expand into other areas of the city under the BWOMS umbrella!” Richie stated. 

Richie D. Marrufo setting up before a Barbed Wire Open Mic (F.A. Montejano)
Richie D. Marrufo setting up before a Barbed Wire Open Mic (F.A. Montejano)
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So if you or someone you know is dedicated and passionate about local arts, you could be the next host of a Barbed Wire Open Mic Night! Follow @elpasobwoms on Instagram or Facebook to learn more about dates and times for the next show in El Paso. Be sure to reach out to find out what it takes to become a part of the team! 

 

Follow @lascrucesbwoms on Instagram to keep up to date on every Open Mic Night coming up in Las Cruces!

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