Culture - The Daily Lobo

Culture

Performance lives up to reputation

David Barnes | April 28

by David Barnes Daily Lobo Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy knows what he's doing. The band's concert at the Kiva Auditorium on Tuesday was everything you'd expect from a group that is regarded by many to be one of the best bands today. Drawing heavily on material from 2002's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and 2004's A Ghost is Born, Wilco stormed through a two-hour set without even the smallest hiccup, leaving devoted fans and more recent admirers alike captivated throughout.

Culture

Anti-hero's caper makes a good read

Katy Knapp | April 28

by Katy Knapp Daily Lobo Imagine your grandfather leaves you $5 million in his will, but you can't get near the jackpot until you join the old man's college fraternity or the Marines. Doesn't sound too difficult, right? Well, it is if you are Kurt Stafford, the main character of the book Fubar.

Culture

Film fails to capture Hitchhiker's vision

Abel Horwitz | April 28

by Abel Horwitz Daily Lobo Blame it on "The Lord of the Rings" for taking a book with a ravenous cult following and successfully translating it into a film. If it weren't for director Peter Jackson making such good films, other directors wouldn't think they could do it too.

Culture

Mexican grill a thrifty eatery

April 28

by Abel Horwitz Daily Lobo The first step into El Taco Tote tells you everything. There's unlimited chips and a handful of salsas to your right, fresh grilled meats and tortillas straight ahead. A loudspeaker announces a number telling people their order is ready, first in English, then in Spanish.

Culture

Shining a light on the galaxy's secrets

Marisa Demarco | April 27

When I was a kid, I got in trouble for reading too much. At night, I would read by flashlight under my covers so my mom couldn't see the light seeping out under my door. I spent my allowance on contraband - C batteries. And for about two years, the novel smuggled under the blanket with me was most likely written by Douglas Adams. I checked The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy out of my neighborhood library because of its cover. A green smiley face with no eyes sticks its tongue out and floats over a hitchhiking thumb.

Culture

Band wallows in stale depression

Neelam Mehta | April 27

Even the somber likes of Morrissey and AFI have some competition in the music-to-sit-alone-and-drink-to category from Let There be Morning, the latest record from The Perishers. Although just as passionate, the band doesn't come close to its angst brethren in terms of talent or style.

Culture

Wacky fighting flick fun for all

Abel Horwitz | April 27

"Kung Fu Hustle" is like no movie on the planet. The humor is twisted, the fighting is choreographed by the same guy who did "The Matrix," and the violence finds itself comfortably nestled between Quentin Tarantino and Looney Tunes. If you like kung fu movies and Bugs Bunny, then "Kung Fu Hustle" is the film for you.

Culture

Thornton talks frankly on remaking a classic

Noah Armstrong | April 27

Billy Bob Thornton has not censored his usual personality to promote his upcoming PG-rated children's movie. For example, Thornton doesn't apologize for his public displays of affection toward women. "Show me a man who doesn't like to drink and doesn't like women, and I'll kiss your ass," he said.

Culture

Dialogue adds depth to thriller

Jessica Del Curto | April 27

It's been proven that when Nicole Kidman divorced Tom Cruise, she became a better actress. Her new film, "The Interpreter," shows that in a film that won't take home any Oscars, Kidman still shines.

Culture

Band avoids genre pitfall by inventing its own

John Bear | April 26

by John Bear Daily Lobo Members of the band Gratitude made up a word for the type of music they play. They hail from San Francisco and call their style of music "Bobcore," after bass player Bob Lindsey. They pointed out his choice of clothing for the day: A white polo shirt in the preppie tradition that contrasted sharply with his heavily tattooed arms and checkered Vans.

Culture

Hilton embodies vanity

Matthew Paul Bailey | April 26

by Matthew Paul Bailey Daily Lobo Paris Hilton is great. She is one of the biggest celebrities in the world, and I had the humbling pleasure of interviewing the beautiful heiress, who wanted to talk of her already heavily promoted horror film, "House of Wax.

Culture

Comic details multiple personas

April 21

by John Bear Daily Lobo When people think of Chris Rock, his abrasive manner of speaking during his comedic routines might come to mind. But when he is not on stage, Rock is pretty reserved. He talked of his new film, "The Longest Yard," a comedy about a football team of prison inmates.

Culture

Column: Comic writer departs from norm

Manuelita Beck | April 21

You could read Global Frequency without looking at the cover and know it's written by Warren Ellis. His voice is that distinctive, his touch that inimitable. "Back away from the germs, toerag features," one character tells a would-be biological terrorist.

Culture

Spanish art show transcends time

April 21

by Eva Dameron Daily Lobo The gallery is dimly lit so the aged, sensitive oil paint does not fade. "El Alma de Espa§a" features nearly 100 paintings and sculptures by Spanish painters from the late 16th century to the early 19th century. The show includes such masters as El Greco, Diego Vel†squez, Francisco Goya and Jose de Ribera.

Culture

Spring Crawl's humble start

Jessica Del Curto | April 21

Thirteen years ago, two guys who both dug indie rock became friends. From their friendship sprung the twice-a-year Crawls, held Downtown in the fall and the spring. Michael Henningsen, who recently stepped down as editor of the Weekly Alibi after nine years, said he and Joe Anderson met through their girlfriends at the time.

Culture

Hip-hop battle about the love

April 21

by Jeff Dalton Daily Lobo A hip-hop gathering on Saturday will provide Albuquerque with an alternative to Spring Crawl. The event takes place at Out ch'Yonda and will include a one-on-one B-boy grudge breakdancing contest. There will be live mural painting, music by DJ Shakedown and capoeira.

Culture

One-man orchestra makes mouth music

April 21

by Eva Dameron Daily Lobo UNM has its own Bobby McFerrin, except Ramon Calderon is from Cuba. Like the famed McFerrin, Calderon makes music with his mouth. This Friday he is putting on a concert called "Music with the Mouth Street Style" at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

Culture

Violist plays tones of Brazil

Jessica Del Curto | April 19

by Jessica Del Curto Daily Lobo He and his viola have graced many a stage, but Emerson de Biaggi's oddest performance was at a barbershop. De Biaggi, a Brazilian violist, is in Albuquerque this week working with UNM's Music Department. He has been playing the viola since he was 15.

Culture

Punk album forgets genre's rebel roots

Michael Bennett | April 19

by Michael Bennett Daily Lobo It is said good music goes through three stages, following a pattern of prototype, archetype and stereotype. Bang Sugar Bang's release Thwak Thwak Go Crazy! undoubtedly falls into the stereotype category. It is a sad matter when a band attempts to break conventions and instead languishes in them.

Culture

Handbell ensemble to ring in festival

April 14

by John Bear Daily Lobo Enchantment, the Albuquerque Handbell Ensemble, keeps heads ringing. The group plays English handbells, which according to instructor Gail Downey, originated in 16th century England as a way for bell tower ringers to practice without driving the neighbors crazy.