Culture

Cirque Le Masque not the typical big-top act

Flying through the air on a trapeze is no longer confined to an outdoor arena. In fact, you can see it at Popejoy Hall this weekend. Dennis Schussel, founder and producer of Cirque Le Masque, said his circus will present this and other exciting acts. Schussel said he and his brother Bernie started an entertainment company 30 years ago and they conceived the idea for Cirque Le Masque 14 years ago.

Twitter users meet up for charity

Twitter is bringing people together in unexpected ways and building the Albuquerque community in the process. Chroma Studios and Best Buddies New Mexico have come together to present Albuquerque's first charity Tweet Up on Thursday June 11 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.

Creating land art in the bosque(video)

Local MC brings his indie sound to Burt's

Jerry Cena, a.k.a. 'Solar One,' said he didn't find success the first time he released a demo CD while he was in high school. "I kind of got more accepted in town when I got more accepted out of town," Cena said. "I got introduced to Grieves and Type and those guys are from Seattle so when they came into town they put me on their shows and I ended up doing some big shows that way.

"Salvation" a better-than-average popcorn flick

"Terminator: Salvation" has been getting a bum rap the last couple of weeks. This isn't to say that it's a great movie, because it isn't, but saying that it's worse than "T3" is a telling sign of an ignorance not usually seen amongst those who review films -- or breathe on a regular basis.

Bosque offers artists material, inspiration

The Albuquerque Bosque's trash is an artist's treasure. Joshua Willis, the Open Space Visitor Center coordinator, helped find artists for Land/Art New Mexico, a collaboration with 516 Arts to showcase local artists who create land-based art. Willis said most of the exhibits will be finished by June 1, but some are still being constructed.

Rock out at arts and crafts fair at Mama's Minerals

Looking for trilobites, authentic arrowheads and geodes? You can find them at Mama's Minerals, which will host its fifth annual arts and crafts fair on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. Owner Laura Randolph said Mama's Minerals had humble beginnings in Albuquerque 23 years ago.

Freshmen can become hip-hop 'scholars'

Imagine going to your first college class, and as you sit down the professor starts bumping a track by hip-hop artist Brother Ali. You haven't died and gone to hip-hop heaven - you are probably in Finnie Coleman's Intro to Hip-Hop Culture class. The freshman-learning-community course is only offered to incoming freshmen.

Albuquerque offers treats for summer-fun seekers

Gelato Is it too much to ask for gelato in the middle of the desert? No, said Brandon Gradeless, owner of Ponte Rialto Gelato Shop, located at Albuquerque Indoor Karting. Gradeless said his gelato is set apart from the competition because he uses a machine that no one else in New Mexico has.

Albuquerque go karts

Artist rewards creative peace efforts

Artist Paul Ré established a peace prize in 2007 for UNM affiliates, including students, who work toward conflict prevention and are at the creative forefronts of their fields. "Persons in any field of endeavor can contribute to peace in the world," Ré said.

Filmmakers set out to show the real Pakistan

In response to an October 2007 Newsweek cover article calling Pakistan "the most dangerous country in the world," Nasir Khan and Ayesha Khan decided to make a documentary about life in Pakistan. "I had just come back from (Pakistan), and there was nothing particularly dangerous going on there at the time," executive producer Ayesha said.

'Star Trek' a mix of wit, modern action

"Star Trek" has made the crossover from that show your geeky friend used to watch into the modern, action-packed movie. With special effects and witty one-liners, the movie, directed by J.J. Abrams, is now more accessible to moviegoers of all ages. The older "Star Trek" movies have a distinct look that matches the original series.

Hands-on henna

Making henna is like making a cake. You can tweak the ingredients to change the product, said Kayla Mansfield, a local henna tattoo artist and founder of Kayla's Face Painting. She has been doing henna tattoos for four years in Albuquerque, often at UNM. "I didn't know how to make the henna at first, and my friend Pam, who is also a henna artist, taught me how to make it," Mansfield said.

Soundscape duo mixes at the margin

The local experimental music scene extends an open invitation to everyone. Metal Rouge will perform at ARTS Lab on Friday at 9 p.m. The group from Los Angeles will appear with local duo Mesa Ritual. Andrew Scott hails from New Zealand, where he met Helga Fassonaki during her three-year visit from the United States.

Flamenco students reflect on why they flocked

Montserrat Andreys moved from Chicago to study flamenco at UNM, where the dance program has gained notoriety through the annual Festival Flamenco Internacional de Albuquerque. "I found a Web site about the festival, and the info in the festival led me to find the flamenco program at UNM," Andreys said.

Choir group prepares for NYC trip with local show

Las Cantantes is a small concert choir group with big dreams. The all-women group is one of four UNM concert choirs. Las Cantantes will perform Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. John, 318 Silver Ave. S.W. The Cantantes recently released a Christmas CD, My Dancing Day, and plan to record another CD this coming fall, said Darci Lobdell, UNM student and Las Cantantes member.

Artist's Avenue

UNM student D'Andre Quinn Curtis Armand DQ, or Dre, collects fine art. He stores it at his mom's home in Arizona and in his apartment. His home also doubles as a sewing studio, where he recently stitched, from scratch, a sleek Three Stooges vest with silky threads.

Students capture college life for MTV

Breaking up with your girlfriend on national TV might be hard to get through, but it could get you a spot on MTV's "College Life." At least that's what Jordan Hickson found out. Hickson, a member of the show's current season, is from Mukwonago, Wis., and has been attending Madison University for two years.

Fashion Q&A