Culture

Culture

Local Artists shine in Albuquerque's first ever ‘Art Battle’

Max Ulz | August 24

Salad Bowl America, a cultural magazine and foundation, organized an “Art Battle” competition on Sunday, Aug. 16 at the Valle De Luna Event Center, consisting entirely of local artists, with six of them participating in one round and another six participating in the second round. Three winners were chosen from each round to compete in the final, from which a single victor was chosen. In contrast to a standard art showcase, this competition decided to be more colorful. The battle had contestants paint on stage in front of bidders, rather than painting prior to the event. The competition also gave artists 15 minutes to set up and 20 minutes to paint.

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Culture

PHOTO STORY: Local band festival comforts the community with music and vibes

Alex Joe | August 20

Some of Albuquerque’s very own took the stage on Saturday, Aug. 15 for New Mexico Jam Band Fest at the Sid Cutter Pavilion at Balloon Fiesta Park to provide hip vibes for the community. The event featured over 60 artisan vendors as well as multiple local bands for entertainment. Food trucks were located outside the pavilion as well, including Raven Sisters Baking Company, Bar X Beef Jerky and a vendor selling chocolate-covered pretzels.

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Culture

PHOTO STORY: ‘Drum Unity’ provides musical boost in peace and energy

Alex Joe | August 14

Music has long been a way for people to connect and let go of unwanted energy. Local musician Chris Martinez hosted one of his Drum Unity community events at the Fusion Theater on Sunday, Aug. 9, to do just that.  “I do these community drum circles to help the community, bring the vibes up. Our main thing with the drum circle is that we have the intention of peace and well being,” Martinez said. “We mix in the drums with the meditation and by doing that, it actually amplifies the effects of the drums.”

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Culture

PHOTO STORY: Antique show attracts collectors and supporters of New Mexico arts

Alex Joe | August 10

The Great Southwestern Antique Show made its way to Expo New Mexico on Aug. 1-2, to the delight of many attendees there to sell their wares or peruse the items on offer. The event showcased collectors pawning off their many treasures they have either found or made themselves. Along with antiques, the event also featured many pieces of art for sale. Apparel such as hats and shirts were available as well. 

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Culture

REVIEW: Fourth Holland Spider-Man really feels like a ‘Brand New Day’

Elliott Wood | August 5

Editor's note: This review contains spoilers If you listened to a comic book fan gush about the first trailer for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” after it was released in March, you might think they were crazy. 

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Culture

REVIEW: Cookie Dough Bliss helps beat the heat

Alex Joe | August 3

Cookie Dough Bliss is an ice cream shop that is perfectly geared to help people through the summer heat, with locations in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

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Culture

PHOTO STORY: Lavender festival bonds the flower’s growers and enjoyers

Alex Joe | July 31

On Saturday, the 23rd Annual Lavender in the Village Festival arrived to bring joy to attendees at Balloon Fiesta Park. The festival serves as a celebration for fans of the flower in all its forms: There were vendors selling a variety of themed foods, apparel, homemade art and the flowers themselves. 

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Culture

PHOTO STORY: Horse rehab rodeos turn rescue steeds into stars

Alex Joe | July 27

This summer, Tamaya Horse Rehab is putting on rodeos for crowds to see in the stables of the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. These rodeos give  rescue horses the chance to show their abilities and demonstrate what their performers can do in a number of activities, including roping, barrel racing and the chicken race —  a timed competition where the performer and their horse go the length of the performance area to circle around a barrel, grab a toy chicken and make it back to where they started as fast as they can. The rodeos will take place every Thursday through August 13.

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Culture

REVIEW: ‘The Odyssey’ is the latest jewel in Christopher Nolan’s crown

Marley Herndon | July 20

“The Odyssey” is director Christopher Nolan’s first film since “Oppenheimer” validated his illustrious work in the 21st century with hardware, as he took home two of the film’s seven Academy Awards in 2024. Following a masterpiece isn’t always easy, but Nolan’s latest film brings Homer’s epic poem to life in a gorgeous film in which the sense of scale is always felt, adapting a script as thematically compelling as it is satisfying and supplying enough wonderful performances to populate ancient Greece.

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Culture

REVIEW: Third time's the charm for Olivia Wilde with 'The Invite'

Marley Herndon | July 6

Olivia Wilde’s latest feature film, “The Invite”, welcomes you into the messy apartment and even messier lives of Joe and Angela. The film follows the couple, who have been together for many years, as they invite their upstairs neighbors to dinner.  The film wraps a simple premise into a film with wonderful filmmaking, beautiful performances from the entire quartet that make up the small cast and a script that is as smart with its set-ups and snappy dialogue as it is touching, with deeply human themes of angst and compassion.

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Culture

REVIEW: ‘Star Wars’ creature feature too afraid to slow down

Elliott Wood | June 29

Last month, the first “Star Wars” film in almost seven years, subtitled “The Mandalorian and Grogu”, was released in theaters. It follows the titular Mandalorian peacekeeper Din Djarin and his very small companion on another adventure after three seasons of the show that introduced audiences to the characters in 2019.  The first big question that arises after you adapt a show into a movie tends to be, “Is it worth it?” The big budget, the advertisements and global press tour? The answer isn’t quite as obvious as the question, but after reflecting on all of its parts, this film replies “no.”

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Culture

REVIEW: UNM staging of “Ashes” is unsettling in a very correct way

Nicholas Skaldetvind | June 4

There are productions that ask to be understood, and there are productions that alter the conditions under which understanding takes place. “Ashes” is one of the latter. Presented by the University of New Mexico Department of Theatre and Dance, “Ashes,” directed by professor Alejandro Tomás Rodriguez, ignites an atmosphere where thought itself is slowed, through its repetitions, silences, fractured exchanges, visuals and soundscapes.

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Culture

Progress made on downwinders compensation amid continued uranium mining interest

Max Ulz | May 18

A memorial recognizing the impact of radiation exposure in New Mexico and urging statewide outreach to affected citizens through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was unanimously passed in the senate during the 2026 legislative session earlier this year.  Originally passed in 1990, RECA establishes ...

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Culture

‘360 ALLSTARS’ urban circus, street acrobat performance takes Popejoy stage

Leila Chapa | May 15

  Bringing hip-hop and street culture to the international stage touring throughout the world, from Broadway to the Sydney Opera, ‘360 ALLSTARS’ makes a stop at Popejoy Hall this Friday, May 15. Performers from a variety of backgrounds showcase BMX biking, basketball freestyle, acrobatics and percussion, forming an urban circus performance seen by millions of people worldwide.

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Culture

Popejoy Hall showcases Dance Theatre of Harlem

Leila Chapa | May 2

  On Saturday, May 2, Popejoy Hall invites the internationally-renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem to take the stage for a dynamic classical ballet performance. The program features “Donizetti Variations” by George Balanchine, Robert Garland’s “Higher Ground” — set to the music of Stevie Wonder — and “New Bach,” a fusion of neoclassical and modern styles, the Popejoy press release reads.

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Culture

UNM Sustainability Expo showcases resilience initiatives

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | April 27

The University of New Mexico Cornell Mall transformed into a growers’ market as dozens of local organizations, businesses, UNM departments and student groups lined the mall with booths, displaying and highlighting sustainability initiatives at the annual campus Sustainability Expo. On Thursday, April 23, Hundreds of students passed through the expo and networked with different vendors, some leaving with plants and fresh eggs. Freshman Avah Trujillo and sophomore Taylor Alwin said it was their first time at the expo and they both enjoyed the Lobo Garden table, which was handing out fresh herbs.

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Culture

Earth Day at UNM-Valencia flourishes fun, environmental awareness

Paulina Acosta-Marta | April 27

To celebrate the progress made towards a more sustainable future and learn more about what more can be done, students came together at the University of New Mexico-Valencia campus during its Research and Earth Day.  The Tuesday, April 21 event hosted various presentations, including the art club demonstrating how to recycle paper, a biology class on how to make bird feeders with recycled materials, another class raising awareness of the effects of fast fashion and the event’s tradition of showcasing baked cookies with a solar oven.  Professor of English and member of the community garden’s table, Anicca Cox said she loved the event.

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Culture

Students ask are we doing enough during Earth Month

Camillo Cretara | April 27

With Earth Month upon the University of New Mexico, some students have been reflecting on the importance of sustainability, as well as imagining how they could better serve our grassy plains and blue sky home. Political science student Alex St. Classis Brown said he often thinks of environmental sustainability. “When I think of sustainability, I think of more accountability for corporations primarily, and we all need to reduce our energy consumption,” St. Classis Brown said.

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Culture

‘Native American Business Showcase’ features artists, crafts

Shin Thant Hlaing | April 27

In an event featuring talented professionals standing by their glistening jewelry and clothing, the University of New Mexico has once again brought together Native American businesses, organizations and student entrepreneurs in this year’s Native American Business Showcase. Hosted by the American Indian Business Association, the Thursday, April 23 event marks the third annual showcase that has been held at UNM. Executive Director of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico Marvis Aragon opened the event, encouraging entrepreneurship and collaboration among Native small businesses. 

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Culture

Musings on mulch: participants reflect on ‘Campus Clean Up’

Addison Fulton | April 27

In the morning sun of Friday, April 24, the University of New Mexico hosted a Campus Clean Up as part of the Office of Sustainability Earth Month celebration. After being served coffee and burritos, volunteers were sent to different locations around campus to pick up trash, pull weeds, spread mulch and plant trees. Office of Sustainability Director Anne Jakle said the event drew roughly 50 volunteers.  “There is a place for everybody to help implement sustainability at UNM, and there’s so many different areas that people can help in,” Jakle said. “This helps people get out onto campus, to appreciate the trees, the grounds, the amazing wellness benefits that the community, that the campus environment brings, but also have ownership over it, too.”