by Scott Albright Daily Lobo On Saturday the Silver Board Shop held its Silver Skate Jam '05, which consisted of skateboarding, live music, break dancing, art and concession stands. Silver Avenue was blocked off between Harvard and Yale so skaters could have the freedom to ride the ramps and rails that were placed outside the shop without having vehicles impede their riding.
As the rain soaked Downtown Albuquerque on Saturday night, the 2005 National Poetry Slam finals were under way inside the Kiva Auditorium. After three days of intense competition, the 75 teams that traveled from all over North America, as well as one team from Paris, sat down to watch the championship bout.
by John Bear Daily Lobo "Cronicas" avoids the trappings of protagonists who stand firmly on moral high ground, choosing an alternate path where no one comes out squeaky clean. The film features hyper-ambitious journalists who seek out the truth only if it will further their own careers and a loving family man who may be the infamous serial killer, The Monster of Babahoyo.
by Maria DeBlassie Daily Lobo Think of Kan'Nal as world music meets Pearl Jam. That's what Tierro, lead guitarist of the band, said. Lead singer Tzol said their show is a unique blend of music, dancing and images of sacred places around the world. In past performances, the dancers roamed the audience while feeding people grapes, passing out wine or filling the room with incense, depending on the occasion.
by Eva Dameron Daily Lobo Bad habits are something to laugh about. And so is the Tony Award-winning play "Bad Habits," a two-part comedy penned by playwright Terrence McNally in 1974. "It's about addictions and habits," director Marty Epstein said. "It's about two approaches to treating them but done in a very comic sense.
by AnneMarie Mal Daily Lobo Sounding like Sublime wannabes on its latest album Closer to the Sun, Slightly Stoopid definitely lives up to its name. It is no great surprise that Skunk Records, the infamous label started by Sublime front man Brad Nowell, who handpicked this band himself, helped produce Slightly Stoopid.
by John Bear Daily Lobo Even if you lack a strong disposition toward all things poetic, the 2005 Albuquerque Slam Team probably has something for you. The team is five strong, and each member brings a different voice to the whole. Their styles run the gamut of possibilities, ranging in tone, content and delivery.
by Eva Dameron Daily Lobo OFF Center is a community art studio where anyone can come in and make art. It is geared toward people with low or no income, because they are usually the ones lacking resources. "We're trying to make sure there's space for people who may not have access to materials or to a space," said founder Janis Timm-Bottos.
by Maria DeBlassie Daily Lobo Slam is the extreme sport in the world of poetry. That's what Ken Rodriguez, coach and member of the Albuquerque Slam Team, said. "The definition of slam poetry is to take poetry back to the people," he said. This year Albuquerque will be holding the National Poetry Slam, and publicity director Don McIver said the events are located in various venues Downtown.
by John Bear Daily Lobo He may have a hit show on Comedy Central, but if you call an upscale hotel in New York City and ask for Carlos Mencia, odds are you will be transferred to housekeeping. That's what happened when I called. But he didn't seem at all concerned with it.
by Maria DeBlassie Daily Lobo Skull Control is into conspiracy theories and Stephen King. The underground hip-hop duo is made up of Jeremy "Sarif" Wilson and Zach "Ridicule" Case. Wilson said their lyrics touch on political issues because they want to educate people about what's going on around them.
by John Bear Daily Lobo It becomes increasingly apparent with each passing day that the future is going to be a major drag. At least if it resembles in any way Hollywood's idea of what the future holds. "The Island" is the latest offering of bleak near-future schmaltz to make one nostalgic for the good old days - the '70s - when bad movies about all the horrible things still to come were at least entertaining.
by Eva Dameron Daily Lobo Local artist Michael Graye's music writes itself - fractions of a tune come to his head while he's doing chores around the house, he said. Then he goes to the piano to work out the music and lyrics. "That's happened to me so many times that I can't even count it," Graye said.
by Maria Staiano-Daniels Daily Lobo AIDS is a subject that should constantly be in everybody's face, said director Kenneth Bennington. This was the motive behind directing the play "Lonely Planet." The play was presented as a benefit for New Mexico AIDS services.
by Maria DeBlassie Daily Lobo Women are rocking the city. The Ya Ya Boom Project!, Hit by a Bus, Broken Djembe and Hollis Wake, all bands featuring female members, played at the Outpost on July 9. Despite the fact that rock is considered a testosterone-driven music scene, women are becoming more common, said Monica Demarco, bass player for The Ya Ya Boom Project! "Female musicians don't have to be a groupie or roadie," she said.
by Scott Albright Daily Lobo The All-American Rejects can reject themselves out of the stereo and move along back into the studio. The album Move Along is a dry collection of edgy beats and shaky riffs with the addition of some nicely construed piano and strings.
by Jessica Del Curto Daily Lobo Comedic male actors should all strive to play the characters Vince Vaughn and brothers Luke and Owen Wilson play. Their characters are typically the same in every movie - goofy guys who think up ridiculous plans to get laid, only to come out shining in the end.
by John Bear Daily Lobo In an attempt to fill the void left by Dave Chappelle's mysterious, yet highly publicized absence, Comedy Central introduces "Mind of Mencia." Stand-up comedian Carlos Mencia is on the offensive with his show, not merely dancing on the politically correct line but curb-checking it, robbing it and then standing around telling ethnic jokes.
by John Bear Daily Lobo The play "Take Me Out" follows the trials and tribulations that befall a professional baseball team after its star player publicly announces he is gay. The play was penned by Richard Greenberg, and it won a Tony for best new play and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
by Eva Dameron Daily Lobo Albert Rosales is all about meeting people. He has gathered a group of Chicano artists who met each other sporadically through networking, and put together "Revolution: Chicano Art Show." The show is on Sunday, July 10 at the Harwood Art Center.
Solutions by The State News
