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Culture

National Farmers’ Market Week highlights need to support local businesses

Megan Gleason | August 10

Local businesses have been struggling amidst the coronavirus pandemic, and local farmers’ markets are no exception. National Farmers’ Market Week was Aug. 2 through Aug. 8 this year, bringing a much-needed burst of attention to farmers’ markets across the country. “(The pandemic) has definitely sent a shockwave through the farmers’ market sector,” Ben Feldman, executive director at Farmers Market Coalition, said. “For quite some time now, it’s been pretty much impossible to be a market operator.” The Albuquerque Growers’ Market Alliance banded together to present the Downtown Growers’ Market, the Rail Yards Market, the Mile-Hi Farmers’ Market and the Dominga Baca Farmers’ Market during National Farmers Market Week.

Culture

Instituto Cervantes conducts interviews revealing pandemic’s cultural impacts

Jasmine Casillas | August 7

A series of interviews conducted by the Instituto Cervantes of Albuquerque brought together three musicians in a collection titled “Porque Canto en Español.” The videos explain cultural influences as well as the impact of the pandemic on being a musician. The interviews were conducted via video conferencing and then uploaded in late July onto the Instituto Cervantes YouTube page. The director of the non-profit institute and interviewer of the series, Silvia Grijalba, states the purpose of the project is “to introduce people who live in the United States (born here or not) and have chosen Spanish to develop their career.”

Culture

‘Saving Alex:’ An education on coming out and escaping systematic abuse

Hevyn Heckes | August 7

This article contains spoilers. When Alex Cooper was fifteen years old, she told her strict Mormon parents that she was gay. She was then shipped off to live in St. George, Utah to participate in a “conversion therapy” program where she was abused for eight months by her host family. “Saving Alex” is her story. Her account is an eye-opening education on how coming out to one’s parents can go horribly wrong and the anxiety young LGBTQ+ people share when contemplating doing so. Cooper’s memoir divulges the events that transpired while she was under the guardianship of fundamentalist strangers in Utah. The moment her parents left her in their care, her worldly possessions were stripped from her and withheld.

Culture

Tradition, courage and honor: ‘Ghost of Tsushima’ dazzles with state of the art graphics, combat engine

Gino Gutierrez | August 4

This review contains spoilers. A true masterclass in storytelling, the newly released video game “Ghost of Tsushima” takes players on a sweeping journey filled with rich character development and stunning visuals. “Ghost of Tsushima” is a new title from Sucker Punch Studios, released on July 17 and available exclusively on the Playstation 4 (PS4). Set on the island of Tsushima during the first Mongol invasion of Japan, “Ghost of Tsushima” puts players in the shoes of Jin Sakai, a samurai and sworn protector of the people of Tsushima. For Jin and his fellow samurai, the Mongol Empire represents a threat unlike any other. They are an enemy with no remorse, conscience or honor, which comes into direct conflict with the way the samurai live their lives.

Culture

Balloon Fiesta drive-in offers safe and enjoyable summer activity during pandemic

Lauren McDonald | July 25

With almost everyone stuck at home this summer, the Balloon Fiesta Park’s new drive-in theater offers a fun and exciting option to get out of the house and make a new memory. This drive-in was created by three friends from St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe. Other locations hosting drive-ins include O'Reilly's Pub, Cottonwood Mall and the occasional night hosted by the Guild Theatre at Balloon Fiesta Park. Due to the pandemic, the drive-in’s operators need to heed ongoing social distancing regulations, keeping cars four to six feet apart and requiring masks whenever outside of a car.

Culture

Lobo face masks helping bring campus back to work

Daniel Ward | July 22

After nearly four months into the dawn of COVID-19 safety regulations from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, many people are beginning to stylize what masks they wear. The University of New Mexico has joined the trend with Lobo face masks available in the bookstore. There are multiple types and designs of Lobo masks that have been created by different vendors for the bookstore. Marketing Divisions Manager Lisa Walden said the demand for masks is high, not only to keep everyone safe, but because people want to show off their love for the Lobo. She said they sometimes sell about 250 masks in a day between individual sales and orders from departments.

Culture

Paint for Peace 505 restores beauty in a desolate downtown

Megan Gleason | July 21

Although the pandemic has caused local businesses in downtown Albuquerque to close up shop, their boarded-up windows have given local artists a new canvas to display their work. Paint for Peace 505 is a local movement in Albuquerque to cover boarded-up windows with art. Many local artists contributed to this movement simply for the benefit of the community. “It was really healing to turn that area into something so beautiful,” Jessica Anderson, one of the organizers, said. After two weeks of work and preparation, an art show was held for the public on the evening of July 17. People drove or walked through, all wearing masks and keeping their distance.

Culture

Splash of Funk art exhibit displayed at OT Circus

Daniel Ward and Cameron Ward | July 21

therapeutic escape of selling his art. While battling depression, Cantrell found peace in the never-ending creation of his paintings. On June 18, a solo pop-up show dedicated to Cantrell and his art called “A Splash of Funk” shared a wide range of good vibes, including a live DJ and food from Elevate Food Truck. Cantrell’s art was also on display inside OT Circus Gallery and was available to purchase, with prices ranging between $60 and $300. “I try to up the game every time I have a show here,” Cantrell said. “Last time, I was the first person to have a caterer; this year, I have a DJ and the food truck is on the premises instead of out on the street.”

Culture

Mental health resources available at Student Health and Counseling during the summer

Lauren McDonald | July 19

Dealing with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic can be stressful. Luckily, Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) at the University of New Mexico is available to students during this time, over the summer and in the future as well. All regular services of SHAC are currently open, such as counseling, acupuncture, appointments, nutrition, pharmacy, physical therapy, sexual and reproductive health services and call-ahead coronavirus-related visits for students who may have symptoms. “We are having people do telephone or Zoom appointments. There has been a slight increase in calls but not necessarily COVID related,” said Victoria Cee, manager at SHAC. “We are all functional, everything in the SHAC is open, (but) students do have to call ahead of time or call when they are in the building.”

Culture

Renowned artist recounts systemic racism within artistic institutions

Beatrice Nisoli | July 17

The recent resurgence of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has proven that racism is not solely confined to the streets. Its systemic influence pervades all institutions — including artistic ones. Several artists have found that the galleries they sell to on commission are unwilling to accept BLM-themed art out of fear of diminishing customer interest, thus prioritizing business over the racial justice movement. Bruce Carlton (B.C.) Nowlin, a renowned artist and New Mexico local, has been painting since high school and has utilized his Southwestern roots to produce vibrant, culturally significant artwork. Nowlin’s work has never had issues selling — indeed, it has appealed to celebrity circles and album covers for decades — but a recent painting of his has been met with a ringing silence from collectors.

Culture

UNM duck pond is cleaned and ready for fish, ducks and turtles to return

Lauren McDonald | July 17

Every couple years, the University of New Mexico duck pond is drained by UNM’s Facilities Management department. The drainage makes the pond a cleaner and healthier environment for the fish, ducks and turtles that reside in the center of campus. “We take all the turtles and fish to one of the golf courses while it’s emptied, then bring them back once the cleaning is done,, but there’s still a few of them — turtles and ducks — around here. They hang out, you know?” said Dwayne Jones, UNM’s water systems master technician.

Culture

UNM Art Museum helps public destress with meditative art practices

Megan Gleason | July 12

The coronavirus pandemic has caused an enormous amount of stress to sweep the nation, but University of New Mexico art history professor Justine Andrews has a solution that involves a combination of art and meditative practices. Andrews has teamed with the UNM Art Museum (UNMAM) to host “Mindful Looking,” which will take place every Wednesday in July at 2 p.m. UNMAM’s website says it is “a series of guided exercises designed to help participants slow down, look closely and experience works of art in a whole new way.” The series of events is open to the public, and no prior art experience or knowledge is necessary.

Culture

Hamilton hits different on screen

Daniel Ward | July 10

Because the original soundtrack to this play was released in 2016, this review contains spoilers. After watching a recording of the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton,” which won 11 Tony awards in 2016, I’m not sure I will ever be satisfied. On July 3, the streaming platform Disney+ released a recording of the play with the original cast performing live in New York at Richard Rodgers Theatre in 2016. Like every other Hamilton fan, I was excited to see the recording of a play and have listened to the soundtrack non-stop. But after sitting through the nearly three hour-long play, I couldn’t help but want more.

Culture

Performative social media actions amidst BLM resurgence not enough, activists say

Beatrice Nisoli | July 6

Since George Floyd’s murder at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer on May 25, Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests have been revived across the nation to advocate for racial equity and an end to police brutality. In addition to voicing their opposition on the streets, individuals of all ages and races are utilizing social media as a platform to educate their followers and publicize their opinions. African American Student Services (AASS) representative Dannelle Kirven said social media can be a vehicle for social justice due to its capacity to efficiently share information. “There are several posts being shared on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., telling people exactly what they can do to show support and uplift the Black community, from supporting Black-owned businesses in their area to providing numbers to dial to demand justice for those who have been victims of police brutality,” Kirven said.

Culture

AMP Concerts sustains local entertainment industry on life support

Cameron Ward | July 6

While most live concerts have been on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, AMP Concerts has been reaching out to local artists and bands to provide work and entertainment for the community. AMP — a New Mexico-based nonprofit organization — has presented over 200 concert events every year since 2004, but operations have come to a halt due to safety concerns. Because the CDC has labeled large gatherings as “high risk,” AMP is using its money to go toward new ways of entertainment such as drive-in concerts and live streams. Before the pandemic hit, AMP was hosting concerts at Albuquerque branch libraries funded by Friends of the Public Library, the Santa Fe Opera, parks and many more. Now AMP has officially moved toward free livestreams on Facebook and YouTube.

Culture

Little Free Libraries inject literature into reading-starved community

Daniel Ward | July 6

It’s always exciting to come across a miniature library box at a park or on a trail with the words “take a book, leave a book.” While public libraries and bookstores had to temporarily shut down to prevent spread of the coronavirus, a nonprofit organization known as Little Free Library (LFL) is thriving as an easy way to get literary resources in the Albuquerque community. With over 60 registered boxes in town, people of all ages can find something enjoyable to read, especially during the extended pandemic. LFL recently partnered with the City of Albuquerque and hopes to expand in the near future.

Culture

Couponing: The do’s and don’t’s

Angelina Pompeo | July 6

College can be one of the most financially stressful points in your life. You have to balance classes, pay thousands of dollars for tuition and even more for a place to live. Suddenly, a job is necessary to help with the financial burden that is almost instantly placed on your shoulders in the transition to adulthood. If you’re not on a college meal plan, you’re left trying to keep your belly full with limited funds. My solution for this is an efficient couponing process. There are a few apps from different grocers that try to help with saving, but which of these different apps are actually helpful, and which should you steer clear of?

Culture

Fourth of July draws controversy during pandemic, protests

Megan Gleason | July 6

As fireworks lit up the sky on the Fourth of July, so too rang out shouts of injustice in the night amidst a resurgence of controversy surrounding the holiday. A social media call for opinions about the Fourth brought down a wave of vastly different answers, all strongly opinionated for one side or the other. “I don’t celebrate the founding of an ongoing genocidal, violently oppressive, white supremacist empire,” Nicholas Jacobsen said on Instagram. The necessity for equality was a large factor for many in their decisions not to celebrate this year.

Culture

Electric Playhouse’s summer coding camp stimulates young minds

Cameron Ward | July 3

A new generation of creators, artists, coders and engineers in the making have a unique opportunity to learn the basics of coding during lockdown. Albuquerque’s young superstars aged 6-12 are welcome for the ongoing summer and educational camp at Electric Playhouse, which styles itself as a “all-ages dining, gaming and recreation wonderland.” “Electric Playhouse produces creative worlds for immersive and interactive experiences including games, dining and special events for all ages,” according to the company’s website. The playhouse has a motion-sensitive interactive course that doesn’t require visitors to touch anything, which is perfect for staying six feet apart due to coronavirus safety guidelines.

Culture

African American Student Services discusses future steps for BLM activism

Beatrice Nisoli | July 3

What will happen to keep the positive momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement going and ensure social justice efforts continue when the media shifts its focus away from it? “When the Hashtag Stops Trending,” an online Zoom event hosted by African American Student Services (AASS) on June 25, asked precisely that — and the query resulted in a litany of answers on concrete actions Black activists and allies can take going forward. The event was a part of an online video series that discussed contemporary issues faced by the Black community.