Culture

Culture

Hypnosis show entrances students

Maria Fernandez | September 1

On Thursday, Aug. 28, hypnotist Zach Pincince performed at the University of New Mexico showcasing his abilities in hypnotizing students. After avid interest from the crowd, Pincince chose to hypnotize the entire group at once, asking students to shut their eyes, listen to the sound of his voice and breathe. During the performance, students entered a hypnotic state, in which any idea Pincince supplied to those hypnotized would become their experience of reality, and that anything he told them would be “unquestionably true” in that state, Pincince said.

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Culture

ABQ Backyard Refuge Program hosts informational talk at Blackbird Coffee House

Addison Fulton | August 17

On Aug. 12, Blackbird Coffee House in Old Town hosted a talk with Laurel Ladwig, director of the ABQ Backyard Refuge Program of the Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge and the University of New Mexico R.H. Mallory Center for Community Geography. Sponsored by the Museum of Natural History and Sciences, the event was hosted at Blackbird Coffee House as the museum is closed for renovation. The ABQ Backyard Refuge Program is dedicated to providing information and resources that encourage locals to create landscape spaces friendly to native wildlife. Techniques include planting more native plants, such as any of the more than 250 plants native to the Middle Rio Grande Valley, Albuquerque Metro Area and East Mountain regions.

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Culture

Thousands of tarantulas to surface this fall

Leila Chapa | August 11

This year, thousands of tarantulas are predicted to emerge in larger than average numbers throughout New Mexico than the past as male tarantulas leave their burrows, wandering to find a female to mate with. In a statement to the Daily Lobo, Jerome Rovner with the American Arachnological Society wrote that tarantulas mating is an annual occurrence. This year, he said there is predicted to be a higher number of males due to wetter-than-usual weather. “Wetter conditions provide more insect prey to eat and also make digging a burrow in the soil easier — both factors increase the ability for tarantulas to survive and show up in greater numbers than usual,” Rovner wrote.

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Culture

New ice cream shop brings color and sweetness to Albuquerque neighborhood

Paloma Chapa | August 4

On July 20, the new homemade ice cream shop, Burque Licks, opened its doors with free ice cream scoops for every customer who came during the first hour of opening. Even after the first hour, the shop was packed with people both inside and outside. Customers held cones topped with a variety of flavors, and the sweet scent of ice cream carried its way outside into the small parking lot. Burque Licks is located near the intersection of Lomas Boulevard and Washington Street and is a five-minute drive from the University of New Mexico’s main campus. The colorful building and ice cream shaped bench can’t be missed when driving past the shop.

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Culture

Paleoartist speaks on the process of depicting extinct animals

Addison Fulton | July 28

On July 23, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science hosted a Science Spotlight, highlighting Alaina Wiwi — a paleoartist for the “Hall of Ancient Life.” The exhibit opened in February 2025 and highlights fossils found in New Mexico. Wiwi is an artist who creates visual depictions of extinct creatures using fossil evidence and modern-day relatives to construct a picture of what the species may have looked like. As a paleoartist, Wiwi was responsible for many of the 113 illustrations, models, dioramas and murals that can be found in the “Hall of Ancient Life.”

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Culture

Guild hosts free film showing of “Gaza: Journalists Under Fire”

Addison Fulton | July 21

On Saturday, July 19, the Guild hosted a free showing of Robert Greenwald and Brave New Films’ “Gaza: Journalists Under Fire.” The documentary tells the story of three journalists killed in Gaza, among the 178 journalists killed since the start of the conflict after the Oct. 7 attacks  and the documentary's production.The death toll has now risen to more than 185 journalists killed, including 171 Palestinian journalists, four Israeli journalists, nine Lebanese journalists and one Syrian journalist, according to the International Federation of Journalists.

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Culture

Shark and Ray Awareness Day is a splash at Albuquerque Biopark

Addison Fulton | July 14

On Friday, July 11, the Albuquerque BioPark Aquarium hosted its annual “Shark and Ray Awareness Day” event. It highlighted these aquatic animals, bringing attention to their unique attributes and the threats to their survival. Visitors were given a chance to meet the BioParks sand tiger, sandbar, nurse and zebra sharks. Volunteers and docents attended tables that taught visitors about sharks and rays.

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Culture

REVIEW: Lorde’s exploratory album, ‘Virgin’ doesn’t find much new

Addison Fulton | July 9

On June 27, 2025, New Zealand singer Lorde released her fourth studio album, “Virgin.” The album keeps the melancholic, almost meditative quality of Lorde’s discography while exploring some new themes — gender and the politics of the body — alongside old themes like relationships, growing up and ambition. One of my favorite aspects of this album is actually its cover. It’s an X-Ray of Lorde’s uterus. In the image, you can see dark spots for her zipper, belt buckle and IUD. 

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Culture

REVIEW: PinkPantheress’ ‘Fancy That’ has fans turning heads

Dannely Verduzco | June 30

On May 9, 2025, PinkPantheress released her new album “Fancy That.” The British singer has amassed huge success since the beginning of her career, with approximately 2.7 billion streams on Spotify. You may recognize her from the song “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2” with Ice Spice, or “Pain,” a song that first gained popularity on TikTok. The unique process of production is one of the defining features behind her success.

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Culture

Guild Celebrates Juneteenth with ‘Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not be Televised)’

Addison Fulton | June 25

On June 19-20, the Guild Cinema hosted a special showing of “Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not be Televised)” in honor of Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the day that news of Emancipation reached Texas — the last state to be informed. “Summer of Soul” focused on the Harlem Cultural Festival, a free summer music and cultural fest that was held during the summer of 1969 in Harlem in New York City. It was hosted by Tony Lawrence and filmed by Hal Tulchin. The festival was recorded, but the footage sat untouched and unseen for more than 50 years, until directors Questlove and Hal Tulchin combined the recording with testimonies from artists, organizers and attendees to create “Summer of Soul.”

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Culture

Bookworks hosts Raha Gopal Bhattar with ‘Queering Constellations’

Addison Fulton | June 18

On June 10, Albuquerque bookshop book works hosted a talk with artist Raja Gopal Bhattar on their latest book “Queering Constellations,”a collection of poetry, prose, coloring pages and interactive activities. Bhattar is a Gender-Queer organizer, speaker and author originally from India. According to their website, they are currently Program Manager for the Social Justice and Career Advancement Academy for Association of California Community College Administrators. Bhattar said that “Queering Constellations” is meant to be a conversation. The book is meant to be explored in any order, creating a unique experience for each reader.

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Culture

‘Atomic 66’ event makes space for space

Addison Fulton | June 13

On June 10-14, the City of Albuquerque is hosting “Atomic 66” — a multi-day, multi-location exhibition, conference and celebration for space lovers, regardless of their specialties. “Atomic 66” includes scientists, entrepreneurs, historians, activists, artists, filmmakers and enthusiasts. The event served to bring the community together to celebrate New Mexico’s long and unique relationship with space. The cornerstone event — the Space Fiesta — was held on June 11 at the Historic Lobo Theater. The event had music by a robot DJ, interactive art exhibits, speakers, performers and booths where various groups could share their work.

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Culture

New Mexico Herpetological Society celebrates turtle conservation with ‘Low ‘n’ Slow’ fundraising event

Paloma Chapa | June 9

On June 1, Canteen Brewhouse held a fundraiser for the New Mexico Herpetological Society to raise awareness about the turtles, tortoises and other reptiles and amphibians of New Mexico and the Southwest, according to NMHS coordinator Max Havelka. Canteen brewhouse brewed a turtle-themed beer called “Low ‘n’ Slow.” A portion of the beer sales will fund NMHS turtle conservation, Havelka said. The turtle-themed beer can depicts a turtle riding a bike and reads “drink beer, save turtles.”

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Culture

‘First We Bombed New Mexico’ — New Mexico’s History with Nuclear Fallout

Lexis Lovato | June 9

“First We Bombed New Mexico” is a film that captures the nuclear related tragedies occurring within New Mexico communities, which alter the environment, overall health, wellbeing and environment of individuals who live in fallout areas such as those near the Trinity Test Site. Lois Lipman, the director and producer of “First We Bombed New Mexico,” is an award-winning documentarian who has produced numerous social justice films globally. Lipman is regularly based in London, however, for nearly 10 years, she documented Tina Cordova’s experience in New Mexico and Cordova’s work in communities by the Los Alamos Trinity Test Site.

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Culture

“Lowrider Lifestyle” docuseries highlights NM car culture

Addison Fulton | May 30

On May 28, Guild Cinema held a premier of the first season of “Lowrider Lifestyle,” hosted by Bryant Johnson and Candice Neu. The four part docuseries was centered around the 2024 Lowrider SuperShow hosted at The Albuquerque Convention Center. The SuperShow is an exhibition and competition, allowing members of car clubs to show off their vehicles. Prizes, including best of show, are awarded based on era of car and level of customization. The SuperShow features lowrider cars — which are vintage, highly customized cars with specialized hydraulics allowing the car to ride low to the ground. Lowrider culture emerged in the 1940s in Chicano communities in the Southwest. Many of the first lowriders were servicemen returning from World War II who transferred their skills into working as mechanics at auto shops, according to the documentary. Part of reacclimating to civilian life was customizing their vehicles as a means of self-expression.

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Culture

Paranormal expert teaches aspiring ghost hunters at the Painted Lady Brewery

Addison Fulton | May 19

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Painted Lady Bed and Brewery hosted a ghostology class with paranormal expert Cody Polston. The class delved deep into the science and history of ghost hunting, then allowed attendees to experiment with various equipment and go on ghost hunts of their own on the Painted Lady Grounds. Cody Polston, an author and paranormal expert, has been investigating ghost sightings since 1985 with his group the Southwest Ghost Hunters association. The presentation covered the science and history of ghost hunting, the traits of compelling evidence of ghosts as well as the various kinds of ghosts. 

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Culture

Preview of a few of UNM's most popular events

Lexis Lovato | May 19

Students can look forward to some of the most renowned student events returning this fall, such as the Red Rally, Friday Night Live and Silent Lights. Each of these events are sponsored by the Associated Students at the University of New Mexico — the undergraduate student government of UNM. The events are a part of a “Welcome Back” series, which welcome students to the new school year and encourage them to make new friends at the University.

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Culture

“Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” brings Broadway and rock ‘n’ roll to Popejoy Hall

Leila Chapa | May 15

On Thursday, May 15, “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,” comes to Popejoy Hall. The musical is a Broadway in New Mexico selection; it tells the story of a woman who breaks through barriers of racism and sexism to rise and become the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” The musical celebrates the comeback story of adversity and rising against the odds. Turner ultimately won 12 Grammy Awards, and held live shows with millions of viewers and more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history, according to the Popejoy website.

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Culture

Advertising Manager Nevaeh Lucero graduates after years of dedication

Lexis Lovato | May 12

Nevaeh Lucero’s two years as advertising manager for the Daily Lobo comes to a bittersweet ending as she graduates with the spring class of 2025 after just two years at the University of New Mexico. As she reflects on her memories with the Daily Lobo, she shares some of her accomplishments that were made possible from working with the student news publication. In 2023, Lucero graduated from the College & Career High School with five associate's degrees: pre-law, liberal arts, sociology, criminology and applied science in integrated studies. This made it possible for her to more quickly complete her bachelor’s degree in instructional technology & training.

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News

Marcela Johnson cultivates community through journalism

Isaac Suarez Flint | May 12

Four years ago, Marcela Johnson walked into the newsroom of her hometown’s newspaper, The Silver City Daily Press, as a summer intern with little interest in journalism and an undeclared college major. Now, four years later, she is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism & mass communication with a distinction in Honors from the University of New Mexico. Johnson has spent three of the last four years at the Daily Lobo as a reporter, making her way up to the senior reporter position. Beyond the Daily Lobo, she has served as the editor-in-chief of Limina: UNM Nonfiction Review, an Honors Pathmaker mentor and as a member of the Association for Jotería, Arts, Activism and Scholarship (AJAAS). Within each of her commitments, Johnson has demonstrated her deep devotion to community.