Culture

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.

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Culture

Graduating culture reporter Elijah Ritch comments on commentary

Addison Fulton | May 12

After a year of working for the Daily Lobo, culture reporter Elijah Ritch is graduating from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor's degree in film studies and a concentration in film criticism and history. “I came on at the beginning of my senior year, and because I had never thought (the Lobo) would be something for me, or something that I would be into or would enjoy, or something that would benefit me career-wise,I always thought that I wanted to go into other things,” Ritch said. “But an internship last summer made me realize that my calling in life is to be a writer in some form or fashion.”

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Culture

Documentary about dementia explores memory, identity and family

Emmett Di Mauro and Elijah Ritch | May 11

On March 6, Albuquerque’s Guild Cinema hosted two screenings of filmmaker Kyle Henry’s new documentary “Time Passages.” A Q&A session with Henry was held after each screening. “Time Passages” is a portrait of the filmmaker coming to terms with his mother’s dementia, which forces him to reflect on his childhood, his relationship with his mother and his perception of his family members’ lives.

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Culture

The Doo Wop Project returns to Popejoy Hall

Leila Chapa | May 10

On May 11, at 3 p.m., the Doo Wop project returns to Albuquerque to perform at Popejoy Hall for the third time. The Doo Wop project takes audiences back in time, giving a vintage spin and adding a nostalgic element to contemporary songs, which they call being “doowopified,” according to a Popejoy press release. “The Doo Wop Project brings the stage to life, weaving the history of doo-wop into a vibrant experience that’s equal parts concert, tribute, and celebration,” the press release reads.

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Culture

UNM Sustainability Expo highlights eco-friendly local businesses and organizations

Elijah Ritch | April 30

On Thursday, April 24, the 15th annual University of New Mexico Sustainability Expo invited the community to visit dozens of booths that promoted efforts to increase sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices. Ansely Emeanuwa, whose business — Live Flowers by Ansely the Flower Guy — can be found at the Downtown Growers’ Market and the Rail Yards Market on the weekends, said the expo was a rare opportunity for UNM students to have access to locally grown vegetables, herbs and flowers on campus.

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Culture

Buy ‘Lobo’ sell high: ‘80s ad manager recounts history of ads at the Daily Lobo

Addison Fulton | April 28

Troy McCasland was the ad manager for the Daily Lobo in 1985. He began his work in ad sales in 1981, and immediately became fond of the Daily Lobo as a community. “It was a fraternity, it was a business organization, it was an education,” McCasland said. “It was like everything all wrapped up into one. It was truly the best part of my whole time at UNM.” McCasland was fascinated by the vast archives of old Daily Lobo issues and the rich history of the newspaper. He recalled seeing Lobo coverage of anti-Vietnam protests when National Guardsmen struck students with bayonets.

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Culture

Guild Cinema May preview

Elijah Ritch | April 28

Here are a few of the many films that will be shown at Albuquerque’s Guild Cinema in May. Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 1997 film “Cure” is a masterpiece of Japanese horror. The film follows a worn-out detective, played by renowned actor Kōji Yakusho, investigating a series of murders — each of which have been committed by a different person, but with the same calling cards left behind. His search leads him to a troubled young man who refuses to provide any answers. “Cure” is set amid the metropolitan malaise of late-‘90s Tokyo. Its abandoned buildings and haunting shadows provide the perfect setting for an existential horror/noir mash-up. Kurosawa’s film is all the more terrifying because it could easily be real.

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Culture

‘Safe State’ photography show opens at Bingo Studios

Addison Fulton | April 23

On April 12, the photography exhibit “Safe State” by Jimmy Himes-Ryann opened at Bingo Studios art gallery in Albuquerque. The exhibit intends to explore through a visual medium what it means to be a transgender person in a “safe state.” Himes-Ryann is a journalist, photographer and adjunct professor in the communication and journalism department at the University of New Mexico. As they explained, much of the exhibit was inspired by state laws meant to protect seekers and providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care, leading many people to use the term “safe state” to describe New Mexico. Through their work, Himes-Ryann questions — and invites others to question — what a “safe state” really means.

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Culture

Cherry Reel Film Festival celebrates 10th anniversary

Lexis Lovato | April 21

The Associated Students at the University of New Mexico Southwest Film Center celebrated the 10th anniversary of its annual Cherry Reel Film Festival on Friday, April 18, awarding Golden Cherries for Best in Fest, audience’s choice and best animation, cinematography, script, acting, directing and experimental. Submissions for Cherry Reel are free for all UNM students. Entries must be 12 minutes or less and submitted by someone involved in the project. Cherry Reel Chair Jax Maloney said the festival has especially grown within the past few years. This year welcomed a new award category for best acting, as well as the return of the animation category that was introduced during the 2024 festival.

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Culture

UNM faculty members hold discussion, Q&A on tariffs

Lexis Lovato | April 14

On Wednesday, April 9, the Albuquerque Consulate of Mexico and four University of New Mexico faculty members held a public meeting to discuss and answer questions about the tariffs recently implemented by President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, Trump paused tariffs on nearly 60 countries, but imposed 145% tariffs on products from China, according to the New York Times. In the simplest form, tariffs are taxes on goods that come from other countries, Reilly White, a UNM associate professor of finance, told the Daily Lobo in March. Event coordinator and law professor Paul Figueroa believes that tariffs will raise government revenue, but he finds “less empirical evidence” to substantiate the idea that the tariffs will save money for the average consumer, he said.

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Culture

Who are the ‘bad girls’ of New Mexico history?

Lexis Lovato | April 14

On Saturday, April 12, Casa San Ysidro hosted a talk on the “Bad Girls of New Mexico” with historian Robert Tórrez. Casa San Ysidro is a reconstructed historical building located in the village of Corrales. The property is owned by the Albuquerque Museum. On the second Saturday of every month, free public events are held there, featuring guest speakers who cover New Mexico history. Visits to and tours of Casa San Ysidro typically cost $4-$6 on weekdays, but admission is free every Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

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Culture

Jo’s Farms celebrates lavender with plant sale

Elizabeth Bolke | April 14

Jo’s Farms — located in Albuquerque’s North Valley — held a plant sale from April 4-6 as part of its mission to highlight love and enthusiasm for lavender. Owner Lisa Fontanarosa purchased Jo's Farms in 2017. The farm is named after her mother, Josephine, she said. When Fontanarosa purchased the property, it was filled with horses, donkeys and alpacas, she said. But she saw the vision of a lavender field.

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Culture

White Boy of the Month contest at UNM shut down

Maria Fernandez and Nate Bernard | April 14

The “White Boy of the Month” contest, an event with 21 contestants and over 50 attendees, was abruptly ended by University of New Mexico authorities on Thursday, April 10. The 21 contestants would have competed with impressions, dancing and any audience-suggested options while standing on a stool. Event posters posted around campus, featuring images of Zac Efron, Timothée Chalamet and Justin Bieber, encouraged all to compete.

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Culture

UNM hosts book talk on emotional connections to water bodies

Dylan Anthony | April 14

On Tuesday, April 8, the third floor of Hodgin Hall hosted readings from “Water Bodies: Love Letters to the Most Abundant Substance on Earth,” edited by Laura Paskus. The event was put on by the University of New Mexico Water Resources Program and co-sponsored by three other UNM entities. Many of the event’s attendees came from sustainability programs at UNM, dealing with the political and scientific issues surrounding water use. But this particular night focused on emotional connections to bodies of water. “Water Bodies: Love Letters to the Most Abundant Substance on Earth” is a 2024 anthology featuring the works of writers, artists and poets. “Specifically, I wanted an anthology that would help us remember that water isn't just what it serves us. It's not just for irrigation; it's not even just for fish and ecosystems,” Paskus said. “Water is an entity, I believe, unto itself — with its own desires and needs and wants — and should have its own rights.” Paskus led the readings, followed by Leeanna Torres, Desiree Loggins, Maria Lane and Michelle Otero. Afterwards, instead of a Q&A, the speakers and audience took turns naming their favorite body of water. “I think it is important for us all to be together in community, especially right now, and to collectively allow water — and why water is important to us each individually — into our awareness,” Paskus said. Paskus — a longtime environmental journalist — stepped down from hosting the NMPBS series “Our Land: New Mexico’s Environmental Past, Present and Future” at the end of January. “I spent twenty-something years as a journalist writing about the science, the legality, the management, the politics,” Paskus said. “With this book, I really just wanted to focus on the emotional connections.” Dylan Anthony is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at culture@dailylobocom or on X @dailylobo