Culture

Bright Ideas

As guest of honor at Albuquerque’s 10th Annual Solar Fiesta last weekend, the sun made a strong enough appearance to power a solar oven over 20 feet tall. New Mexico is exposed to about 7.5 kilowatts of solar energy per square meter every day, according to a 2004 report from the Center for Electric and Hydrogen Technologies and Systems, and it looks like Albuquerqueans are getting serious about harnessing that power. Hundreds of people flocked to the fiesta on Sept.

Plays put unique spin on traditional ‘Dracula’ tale

Dracula swoops into UNM this weekend as a harbinger of the Halloween season. “The Land Beyond the Forest: Dracula and Swoop,” produced by the UNM Theatre Department in conjunction with the Tricklock Theater Company, features the original adventure of everyone’s favorite vampire and a new tale set over the skies of Manhattan.

UNMH gallery benefits artists, uplifts patients

Hospitals usually aren’t known for high-class art, but cardiologist John Abrams is trying to change that. For about 20 years, the UNM Hospital has provided space in its hallways on four floors for artists to show their work, Abrams said. The hospital recently named the gallery after Abrams to honor his dedication to the gallery, which has exhibited more than 100 shows.

Artist's Avenue

Tony Mark, who lives in Santa Fe, produced the film “Georgia O’Keeffe,” which debuted Sept. 19 on Lifetime Television.

Religion across the board

A game where Buddha, Jesus, Moses, Kali and an unnamed Muslim figure battle against one another might be considered anti-religious, but Ben Radford, creator of “Playing Gods,” disagrees.

World music showcased at local festival

— Indian Ocean plays a mélange of familiar classical, western and Indian folk music that creates its own genre. The band plays Saturday at Globalquerque in Mayor Plaza at 10:20 p.m.

Quirky clips unearthed in comedic hodgepodge

A bachelor on an 80s dating show leans coolly in a denim jacket and v-neck shirt, his mullet reflecting the bright stage lights. “I’m looking for the goddess,” he says, a rose held daintily at his side.

State Fair a feast of cultures, food

When the smell of corn dogs and fresh animal waste hits your nose, you know it’s time for the State Fair. I’ve lived in Germany for the past three years, during which time I haven’t been to a single state fair. I felt like a kid again last week when I went to the New Mexico State Fair for the first time. I was simply having fun, something we often forget to do in the daily hustle of school and work.

Split-action play pokes fun at marriage

The Fusion Theatre Company is the first company in Albuquerque to perform “How the Other Half Loves,” a play written by Alan Ayckbourn, who also wrote “Standing Room Only.” Director Gil Lazier said “How the Other Half Loves” is a fast-paced classic comedy that has entertained audiences since the show opened Sept.

Hungarian band gets audience hopping

Little Cow, a band from Hungary, is a “gypsy, punk, ska and rock band,” said Ben Yonas, the band’s producer.

Local Heat

New Mexicans are seeing green: it’s chile roasting season. Roasting season means business for farms and grocery stores as natives and visitors alike flock to get their fix of the spicy pepper. Lee Romero, who is one of three owners of the Fruit Basket stores in Albuquerque, enjoys the extra business. The green chile has been roasting since mid-August, and Romero said this year the harvest has been especially good because of additional labor to help pick at the chile farms.

Poetry of Ángel González brought to life in theater

Guitar, flamenco and dramatic acting have been fused together in an unforgettable poetry presentation. “Para que yo me llame Ángel González,” or “For me to be called Ángel González,” premieres this Saturday at the National Hispanic Cultural Center downtown.

Jay-Z a legend in his own time

There’s no whiting out Jay-Z’s indelible mark on mankind. After all, he is the “only rapper to rewrite history without a pen,” as he rapped in “Death of Autotune.” Jay-Z’s new album, The Blueprint III, was released on Sept.

Fashion Q&A

'Earth house'promotes artistic sustainability

If you’ve walked passed Johnson Center recently, you may have noticed a little shack covered in soil, with grass growing out of its side walls and roof. This “earth house” is titled Culture Digest(e).

The Cube mixes modern setting, classic cuisine

To the untrained palate, barbecue is barbecue. But not at The Cube on Central Avenue. The restaurant specializes in Memphis, Tenn.-style barbecue, and also offers other American-style food and hot dogs. Owner Manny Aka said he wanted to give UNM students another option for authentic barbecue. The difference between Memphis-style barbecue and other styles, such as Texas-style barbecue, is the meat, Aka said.

Artist's Avenue

Sol Aravena, 37-year-old Chilean and creator of Muza, just moved to Taos to work with Petroglyph Records. Aravena traveled to New Mexico without her original Chilean musicians, but she has teamed up with two musicians from Taos to soothe ears all over the Southwest.

Author brings tales of immigration to UNM

Antonio’s Gun and Delfino’s Dream, by Sam Quinones, is a series of short stories and essays that begins with a break-dancing bricklayer and ends with drug-dealing German Mennonites in Mexico.

Flames, fireworks and 50 feet of catharsis

“¡Que Viva!” That’s what 20,000 people will chant tonight in Santa Fe as Old Man Gloom, aka Zozobra, burns to the ground. The Kiwanis Club has constructed the 50-foot effigy for the past 85 years on Fort Marcy and Magers Field. Ray A.

'9' a lot to look at, little to think about

In spite of having an incoherent story line, “9” redeems itself with ornate visual design and sound effects.