Culture

Comedy juggles art, zaniness

As I prepared to watch Simon Pegg's second foray into feature film, "Hot Fuzz," I was braced for a major disappointment.

Fashion Q&A

Vanessa Mikan Aviators American Eagle Outfitters $12.50 T-shirt Old Navy $1.50 Sweatpants Goodwill $5.00 Mikan doesn't like to spend more than $15 when she goes shopping. As a Pilates instructor, she keeps her style casual. The most extravagant item she owns is a Jade bracelet given to her by a ...

More than clothing: Radicals sell culture

Free radicals are atoms or molecules that incite chemical reaction. But free-thinking radicals John and Nan Morningstar try to bring people together through the punk rock ethos embodied by their shop.

Tantalizing Japanese food down the road from UNM

There is no word that can explain Mirai Express and still give it the credit it deserves. The restaurant, on 120 Harvard Drive S.E., offers affordable and tantalizing Japanese fare close to UNM.

Shop brings sex from bedroom to classroom

Two Albuquerque entrepreneurs are capitalizing on sexuality. At Self Serve: Your Sexuality Resource Center, at 3904B Central Ave. S.E., you can feel comfortable browsing for anything from gourmet chocolate to affordable sex toys.

Large and diverse, the Land of Enchantment may as well be its own country

Exceeded in size by Alaska, Texas, California and Montana, New Mexico is America's fifth largest state. Within New Mexico's 121,365 square miles, you could fit more than 78 Rhode Islands, 62 Delawares, 21 Connecticuts or 13 New Jerseys. All of America's 10 smallest states could fit inside New Mexico's borders with room to spare, as could all five states of New England.

Geeks go to Burt's to think and drink

Albuquerque geeks will soon have a place to spend their Monday nights. Burt's Tiki Lounge, at 313 Gold Ave. S.W., will introduce Geeks Who Drink on Aug. 6. The event will be hosted by Eric Kohen, also known as Quizmaster Eric the Jewish Viking.

Burlesque troupe revamps art form

There's more to burlesque than what meets - or doesn't meet - the eye. The members of Burlesque Noir, a self-described neo-burlesque troupe, practice for about six hours each week, said Holly Rebelle, the troupe's founder. And the rehearsal has clearly had an effect on Burlesque Noir's artistic evolution.

From sweet to savory, cafe's fare pleases palettes

My brunch cravings were getting annoying until I found this fine desert eatery. I went to the Slate Street CafÇ during its Saturday brunch. Breakfast was served from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., and lunch was available anytime after 11 a.m. I hadn't been awake for long, so I decided to go the breakfast route.

Roswell's stellar dairy industry sits in the forefront of citizens' civic pride

If you were to ask most New Mexicans - or even most Americans - to name the most strange, controversial and wildly celebrated place in our entire state, chances are the name of one town would be mentioned again and again: Roswell. If you were to ask those same people exactly why Roswell has such a reputation or how it became such a mythic destination, they would probably all reply: "The milk!"

Film sequel deconstructs reality

"Fay Grim," the improbable sequel to the '97 indie hit "Henry Fool," confirms auteur Hal Hartley's devotion to the portrayal of present-day civilization, narrative prowess and trickster nature.

A new spin on the other f-word

You are a feminist, according to author Jessica Valenti.

'Overlord' puts powers of evil in players' hands

Over the past 10 years, a lot of games have come out that let the player choose between being good and evil. Some of these games have been spectacularly good, such as BioWare's "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic." A few have been somewhat less spectacular, as in the case of the overhyped "Fable." Codemasters' latest release, "Overlord," gives the player a similar choice. The only difference is that it's a choice between evil and ridiculously evil.

Art space fires up atypical night

It was not your average Friday night show in Albuquerque. Musician Scott Nobody began his set at The Curio by cooking and serving seitan to the audience while reciting stream-of-consciousness poetry. Later, audience members set off firecrackers indoors.

The Lobo threesome

Pharoahe Monch digs back up from the underground

Eight years ago, Bill Clinton was president, "Family Guy" was funny and listening to Limp Bizkit was considered socially acceptable. Obviously, a lot has changed. And no one knows better than Pharoahe Monch, who released his last album in 1999.

Gay movement's history a riot onstage

Sometimes it takes one fierce queen to make history. Sometimes it takes a couple thousand. In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, a dehumanizing routine raid on a Greenwich Village gay bar became the catalyst for the empowerment and radicalization of the American gay rights movement.

Richardson shook so many hands that he set a world record

In 1998, Kevin Cole, of Carlsbad, New Mexico set a new world record for the farthest spaghetti nasal ejection, sending 7 1/2 inches of noodle rocketing from his nose in a single blow.

Paisano's offers traditional fare made from scratch

It's difficult to find a restaurant with authentic recipes and excellent service. Paisano's is as authentic as your Italian grandmother's cooking. When everything is made from scratch, it results in a noticeably positive experience.

Mad hatters with sewing needles

A pair of friends are dressing the townsfolk in colorful hats. Folk musician Ben Wood and skateboarder Eli Wentzel-Fisher have a project called Hannah's Hats. The hats sell for $25 a piece, and they've sold 13 so far. "My friend Hannah made me this hat for my birthday a few years ago, and I wore it for awhile," Wentzel-Fisher said.