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Culture

Dance concert ‘Monstro/us’ explores the monstrous

Gabriel Garcia | February 26

As artists have long known, beauty can be found as readily in a study of the grotesque as in the sublime. “Monstro/us,” the 2022-2023 University of New Mexico faculty dance concert, demonstrates this with four original dance compositions that examine the horrors of war and the darker side of the human psyche. Playing for six performances from Feb. 24 through March 4 in the Rodey Theatre, “Monstro/us” consists of two flamenco and two contemporary pieces in an alternating repertoire. A production of the Department of Theatre and Dance, “Monstro/us” features choreography from both resident and guest faculty and performances by students in the UNM dance program.

GALLERY: 'Chocolate: The Exhibition' at Museum of Natural Science and History

Culture

‘Chocolate: The Exhibition’ shares global history of beloved treat

Addison Key | February 26

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science near Albuquerque Old Town explores the local connections and the global history of chocolate in “Chocolate: The Exhibition,” which opened to the public June 17, 2022 and is set to close March 12, 2023. The exhibit was originally developed by The Field Museum in Chicago. It tracks the history of chocolate through a multisensory experience. It leads viewers from the bitter cacao seed grown in the rainforest to the sweet spot it commands in our global marketplace and personal diets. As part of the exhibit, The Museum of Natural History and Science also hosts family days and lectures that investigate the local connection to the story of chocolate.

Black History Month Exhibit at Nuclear Museum.jpg

Culture

Nuclear Science and History museum exhibit highlights Black scientists

Miyawni Curtis | February 26

On Friday, Feb. 17, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History opened their Black History Month exhibit. The exhibit, which focuses on the achievements of African Americans in the fields of science, engineering, technology and math, will be on display through Tuesday, Feb. 28. With the exhibit, the museum hopes to promote diversity in the sciences by highlighting some of the many contributions African American scientists have made to our world, according to curator James Stemm. “We feel it is important for people from many diverse backgrounds to see themselves represented in the sciences and to encourage an interest in science in all our visitors,” Stemm said.

Culture

Grad students share their stories at ‘Works-in-Progress’ reading series

Gabriel Garcia | February 26

The University of New Mexico’s creative writing program hosted its first “Works-in-Progress” reading of 2023 on Friday, Feb. 24 at Tortuga Gallery from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Approximately 50 students, faculty and community members attended the reading that featured three master’s of fine arts students and one English faculty member: professor Dan Mueller. As the name implies, the reading series offers writers a chance to share their works in the process of being developed and revised, according to Mueller. “The purpose of the series is really to create community. It’s the most popular reading series that is associated with UNM’s MFA program, and it always has been. Graduate students, undergraduate students, and faculty members all really come together to share their work. I think it is one of the great things our program has going for it,” Mueller said.

Culture

EDITORIAL: Addressing inadequacies and inaccuracies in our ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ review

The Daily Lobo Editorial Board | February 26

We, at the Daily Lobo, recently published a review of “Hogwarts Legacy,” the controversial new video game set in the Harry Potter universe. In the process of editing the review, we failed to address the anti-Semitic tropes included in the game’s storyline, which treats the goblins like second-class citizens, according to Forbes. Along with this, we did not properly address the arguments and goals put forward by members and allies of the queer and transgender community who boycotted the game. The game's storyline features goblins as the primary villain. These “goblins” stem from anti-Semitic stereotypes, a commonly-held criticism of the original book series as well.

Culture

One-Liner Madness showcases local comedy talent

Spenser Willden | February 21

Across the street from Dry Heat Comedy Club at Launchpad, audiences gathered to watch sixty-four local comics compete in One-Liner Madness, a March Madness style competition, this past Sunday, Feb. 19. Comics went head-to-head to determine who had the best one-liners in the competition that was hosted by Dry Heat, as determined by audience applause. The competition was founded in New York by comic and writer Emily Winter, who had the idea with her producing partner at the time, Larry Mancini, according to Dry Heat co-owner and comic Sarah Kennedy, who served as one of the judges of the competition alongside Winter and comic Chris Calogero.

GALLERY: Jake Skeets Poetry Reading Workshop

Culture

Award-winning poet and UNM alumnus returns for poetry reading

Annya Loya | February 20

On Thursday, Feb. 16, award-winning poet Jake Skeets visited the University of New Mexico, his alma mater, for a poetry reading from his book “Eyes Bottle Dark with a Mouthful of Flowers” at George Pearl Hall. Skeets read five poems: three from his book collection and two unpublished works. Throughout the event, he explained the significance and background of each poem. The event was followed by a Q&A session and book signing. On Friday, Feb. 17, Skeets led a poetry master class in Dane Smith Hall, which was open to all UNM students, faculty, staff and the general public, free of charge.

Culture

REVIEW: ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ is big fun of average quality

Jessica Baca | February 20

This review contains spoilers On Friday, Feb.17, the Marvel Cinematic Universe released “Antman and the Wasp: Quantumania.” It is an excellent edition for the MCU, though this movie is not one of my favorites from the MCU. It is, however, the best “Ant-Man” movie yet. Even though this is not in my top ten favorite Marvel movies, that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. It still had a ton of laughs and featured some amazing world-design for the Quantum Realm. The film follows Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), the Wasp (Evangeline Lily) and family as they get sucked into the Quantum Realm against their will. They are forced to find a way out with Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) looking for them.

Culture

REVIEW: Hogwarts Legacy is an enchanting open-world delight

Aldo Jurado | February 20

Friday, Feb. 10 saw the release of the long-awaited and highly controversial “Hogwarts Legacy,” an open world role-playing game based on the “Harry Potter” novel series. The game sold 500 million copies through Steam on its release day alone, and for good reason: the game provides you with the opportunity to inhabit the world of “Harry Potter” in a sprawling, fun experience, even if it can be somewhat overwhelming at times. The game starts with you as a new student at Hogwarts: there is a mystery afoot around your presence at the infamous school. It is later revealed that your character uses an ancient type of magic, setting in motion the subsequent events of the game.

Culture

Campus greenhouses provide control for research, peaceful space

Maddie Pukite | February 20

Castetter Hall at the University of New Mexico is home to several greenhouses, utilized for everything from research to serving as a peaceful oasis on campus for students to gather and study, according to greenhouse manager Wesley Noe, who cares for the public greenhouse and teaching labs, along with providing support for the researchers. Housed in Castetter Hall, biology students can utilize the numerous greenhouses for research purposes, according to Noe. Alongside faculty, graduate students are also able to use the greenhouse for their research projects.

Culture

5 and Why: 5 fresh book recommendations

Zara Roy | February 20

As a college student overloaded with essays and homework, it can be difficult to settle down with the book that’s been sitting on your desk for months to read for pleasure. For those wanting to jump back in and reignite their love of reading, University of New Mexico freshman Faryn Long shared her favorite recently discovered pageturners worthy of a glance from her fellow bookworms.

Culture

UNM students celebrate friendship at ‘Galentine’s Day’ event

Detroit Kallunki | February 16

On Monday, Feb. 13, the University of New Mexico hosted a “Galentine’s Day” celebration in the Student Union Building atrium. With a combination of information tables and fun holiday activities, the event was equal parts entertaining and educational; conversations around consent and activism were a focal point, according to event organizer Courtney Love. Several tables sporting festive pink and red tablecloths were set out in the atrium. Students could circle each table and participate in cookie decorating and card making. Attendees also took turns in front of a decorative backdrop to have their photos taken by Love with a polaroid camera.

Culture

REVIEW: 2023 Super Bowl halftime show doesn’t quite ‘shine bright like a diamond’

Elizabeth Secor | February 16

Households across the U.S. tuned in to watch the Kansas City Chiefs square off against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl on Sunday Feb. 12. Did I watch any of it? Nope. However, I did start paying attention when the halftime show began and Rihanna replaced the football players on the field. I found the halftime show a bit lackluster, but still enjoyable. Rihanna’s singing and the set list was what made the show for me. The performance included songs I easily recognized to ones I didn’t — though this may be because I realized I don’t listen to nearly as much Rihanna as I thought I did. The set list included songs like “Work,” “Run This Town” and “Diamonds.”

Culture

Multicultural Greek Council offers Greek life experience for all

Elizabeth Secor | February 13

For a diverse array of students at the University of New Mexico, the Multicultural Greek Council fosters experience in leadership, collaborations across campus and much more through providing a space for cultural connection and community. The Multicultural Greek Council consists of nine sororities and seven fraternities, each of which aims to provide a space for their students to collaborate, communicate and support each other through community, according to their website. The multicultural Greek organizations on campus first founded the UNM MGC in order to form a community for students of color and help them through college and beyond, according to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. member Danielle Bell. She was particularly interested in joining the Divine Nine, a national council made up of nine historically black sororities and fraternities

Culture

Black Education Act seeks to support Black students

Maddie Pukite | February 13

The Black Education Act, which passed during last year's legislative session, has since been implemented to support Black students from preschool through higher education by giving students more resources and expanding curriculums to include the Black American experience. On Jan. 23, 2023, the Florida Department of Education blocked the inclusion of Black history in their school curriculum by blocking the creation of an AP African Studies course in the state, calling the course “a form of political indoctrination and a violation of state law,” according to NPR. This AP course follows others that already study different regions' histories, cultures, politics and languages, among other science and math classes.

Culture

OPINION: No way to justify the Oscars’ continual snubbing of Black artists

John Scott | February 13

Casual and hardcore movie fans waited with bated breath on Tuesday, Jan. 24 to see what films would garner nominations for the 95th annual Academy Awards: would we see a best director nod for Gina Prince-Bythewood for “The Woman King?” or maybe Jordan Peele for “Nope”? Could Keke Palmer break through and grab a Best Supporting Actress — or even Best Actress — nomination?

Culture

Black Student Union builds community through outreach, education and advocacy

Spenser Willden | February 13

The Black Student Union, a Black student organization in the African American Student Services department at the University of New Mexico, aims to foster community for Black students through a combination of outreach, education and advocacy work. The BSU offers a space for Black students to connect with the community, both on campus and across the city, according to Nakia Jackson: BSU president and UNM junior majoring in signed language interpretation.

Culture

OP-ED: Black is joy, community, culture and love

Imani Knox and Kaelyn Moon | February 13

From Feb. 1 to Feb. 28, African Americans across the nation celebrate the impact Black culture has had on this country. They pay tribute to the ones who came before them and recognize the countless contributions that have been made by African Americans and their ancestors. This month, the hub for Black students on campus, African American Student Services, is centering the notion that Blackness is not a monolithic experience through the themes of Black joy, community, culture and love.

Culture

Hot-diggity dog: Clowndog brings joy to Nob Hill through hot dogs

Elizabeth Secor | February 6

On the corner of Central Avenue and Hermosa Drive sits a clown-themed hot dog restaurant with over 50 different topping options called Clowndog. The owner, Rich Bartel, was inspired to open Clowndog because of similar restaurants in Cleveland, Ohio. “There's a place in Cleveland that does (a) build-your-own hot dog concept and a couple of other places in the Cleveland area opened up doing the same … and I thought, well, if they can do it three times there, we can do it once here,” Bartel said.

Culture

Navajo Code Talker collections open in the Center for Southwest Research

Cyrrene Giaccardo | February 6

In November 2022, the Center for Southwest Research at the University of New Mexico opened the Carl N. Gorman and William Dean Wilson Collections, presenting the materials and records of two original Navajo Code Talkers from the largest donation of Indigenous history materials ever received by the CSWR. Zonnie Gorman, a doctoral candidate within the UNM history department whose research focuses on the Navajo Code Talkers, discussed her journey maintaining the materials of her father and uncle, Carl Gorman and William Dean Wilson, two original Navajo Code Talkers. The process of bringing these materials to the Center of Southwest Research took between two to three years, according to Gorman.