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Culture

Hello Kitty Cafe Truck comes to Albuquerque

Shayla Cunico | March 5

This Saturday, the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will be rolling into Albuquerque and settling in the courtyard of ABQ Uptown. The pink pickup will be parked in the courtyard near California Pizza Kitchen from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. As part of Sanrio’s debut food related project, the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck made its first trip around the U.S. in 2014. The truck has traveled to more than 80 locations since its debut, and Albuquerque is next on the list. This year Sanrio added 25 locations to their 2019 tour.

Culture

UNM students celebrate Mardis Gras in the SUB

Katie Monette | March 5

This past Tuesday, Mardi Gras was celebrated in New Orleans, but that doesn’t mean New Mexicans can’t party too. Student Activities hosted a Mardi Gras celebration in the Student Union Building as a way “to get students into the SUB and excited about things,” said event coordinator, Emily Louth. Directly translating in English to "Fat Tuesday," Mardi Gras is an old Catholic tradition made famous by the rowdy parties in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Also called Carnival, Mardi Gras is a way to let loose before Lent, the practice of giving up a habit in order to relate to Jesus’ struggles leading up Easter Sunday. “You know, it started in Mobile, Alabama. It’s not the famous one; New Orleans took it over,” said Linda Piper, who attended the event. Today, Mobile has a rich Mardi Gras tradition of its own, as well as Galveston, Texas and some places in southern Mississippi.

Culture

Photo Story: UNM celebrates 130th birthday

Danielle Prokop | March 4

Balloons, banners and all manners of birthday paraphernalia adorned the atrium on Thursday when the University of New Mexico celebrated it's 130th birthday.

Culture

"The Bachelorette" offers a witty, raunchy performance

Justin Garcia | March 4

I’ve been describing “Bachelorette” as a raunchier “Bridesmaids” to pretty much everyone who’s asked me about it. In actuality, I should just tell them to go see it for themselves. This rendition of Leslye Headland’s “Bachelorette” was directed by Rashaad Bond. It’s set to run from March 1 to March 10 at the Experimental “X” theater. Headland’s dark comedy of three seemingly shallow women struggling to cope with the anxieties of adulthood was turned into a movie in 2012. The show is being put on by SCRAP Productions, a student organization, as well as the University of New Mexico Department of Theater and Dance.

Culture

UNM's greenhouse flourishes with life

Justin Schatz | March 4

Spring is nearly here, and there is no better time to checkout the University of New Mexico’s Greenhouse located in Castetter Hall. The greenhouse hosts a number of native and nonnative plant species. With the days noticeably longer, many of the cacti have already begun their spring bloom of pink and yellow flowers. The facility is cared for by greenhouse manager, Wesley Noe, who graduated from UNM in Spring 2017 with a degree in biology. The focus of the greenhouse “is mainly research and teaching,” Noe said. Next to the public greenhouse, illuminated by phosphorescent pink LED lights, is another greenhouse dedicated to research. The research greenhouse hosts undergraduate and graduate research projects and is cared for by Noe.

Culture

Food Truck Review: Don Choche

Cade Guerrero | March 1

The Samaniego family started their food truck “Don Choche” from scratch, building up the truck over the course of two years by installing the stoves, furnace, as well as building the connections with local food purveyors. Jorge Samaniego, the father of the business, has been the backbone to Don Choche’s success and is supported by his wife Nancy and daughter Cristina. “Don Choche was my second food truck after my first one got too small,” Jorge said. “Little by little it came together, building up the money and waiting for the customers.”

Culture

Ariana Grande furthers her sound on "thank u, next"

Megan Holmen | February 28

The Italian-American, mega ponytailed popstar, Ariana Grande, took control of her story on Feb. 8, with her most recent album “thank u, next.” Multiple songs are already topping charts. The 12 track record is the 25-year-old’s fifth album and is consistent with the style of “Sweetener,” her previous album released in 2018. “Sweetener” earned Grande her first Grammy award for Best Pop Vocal Album earlier this month. Since releasing “Sweetener,” which featured her hit track “God is a Woman,” Grande certainly came into her personal musical style and powerful voice. “thank u, next” is a testimony to Grande’s building musical prowess through contemplative personal assessment on previous romances and trauma while keeping her chin high looking towards her future. Her new album takes on new elements of sound, further develops her style and delivers both the possibility of a new Grande era and classic Grandesque tones.

Culture

Upcoming concerts to see in Albuquerque

Shayla Cunico | February 20

As festival season peeks over the horizon and concerts start rolling into town with Albuquerque being a destination for many musicians. Last year we had a variety of acts visit the Duke City including, TDE front runners Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Japanese Breakfast, Beach House, Cuco, Mr. Carmack and Playboi Carti. 2019 is off to the same start with Vince Staples, Hippo Campus, Washed Out and Still Woozy displaying their talents to their northern New Mexico fans. In the middle of the second month of the year, the talent doesn’t look to be letting up any time soon.

Culture

UNM fashion show to support black women

Courtesy:Luisa Pennington | February 20

In honor of Black History Month, this year’s theme for the fashion show put on by the University of New Mexico’s Powerful Movement of Educated Sisters is “Back to Black.” All funds from the fashion show will go towards PMES’s Prom Scholarship, which helps a local female high school student have the prom of her dreams. PMES seeks to unify and support black women through scholarship and community involvement. This includes a solid network of women who share the same passion towards education, professionalism and promoting academic and personal growth.

Culture

Wind Symphony concert cycle starts on high note

Katie Monette | February 18

Marking the beginning of this semester’s concert cycle, Popejoy Hall hosted the University of New Mexico’s Wind Symphony on Monday. The ensemble was under the direction of Dr. Eric Rombach-Kendall, and featured soloist John Marchiando, associate professor of trumpet. The hour-long program was highlighted by two selections, one of which being “Concerto for Trumpet and Wind Ensemble” featuring Marchiando. This jazzy piece was written by Spanish composer, Luis Serrano Alarcón. If the listener closes their eyes during the performance, they might find themselves in a smoke-filled bar circa the Golden Age.

Culture

Column: Disney fans should give live-action "Aladdin" a chance

Makayla Grijalva | February 18

Disney and live-action remakes are beginning to become synonymous. In 2019 alone they are planning to release a live-action remake of “Dumbo,” “Lion King” and “Aladdin” — arguably the most controversial of the three. While many Disney fans are skeptical about the “Aladdin” remake for various reasons, I trust Disney to successfully execute the film and to hold up the integrity of the original 1992 animated version. “Aladdin” was a clear candidate for the next Disney live-action remake. The original 1992 version was a staple of the Disney Renaissance period, and helped pull the Walt Disney company away from the financial and commercial struggles they had in the 1980s.

Culture

ASUNM President Becka Myers shares her five favorite books

Justin Garcia | February 14

From tragic to uplifting and cheerful to sobering, Associated Students of the University of New Mexico President Becka Myers’s five favorite books cover a wide range of time and genre. “It has to be good but it also has to have impact,” Myers said describing why she chose these five books. “All of these books have had some sort of larger contextual things behind why they are my favorite books.”

Culture

LGBTQ pioneer Michael Sam speaks at UNM

Kyle Land | February 14

Students were filled with both tears and cheers when Michael Sam, the first openly gay athlete drafted by a major American sports league, spoke at the University of New Mexico on Tuesday night. The public speaking event was held in the Student Union Building ballrooms, where hundreds of students and community members gathered to hear Sam tell his life story. “I have an amazing opportunity to share my story and going around the nation to do that,” Sam said in an exclusive interview with the Daily Lobo.

Culture

Student helps kids express themselves through writing

Cade Guerrero | February 12

University of New Mexico senior Reina Davis started writing at a young age and is now inspiring young kids to do the same. “I’ve been writing since I was really young. I was always really really shy, and poetry gave me a way to talk about stuff and think about things that made things approachable and sacred,” Davis said. Davis has been teaching for about six months through a program called “Burque Revolt” under Warehouse 508, a non-profit that works with the youth in non-traditional art such as graffiti, spoken word and rap.

Culture

Four internships to help you get a head start

Luisa Pennington | February 11

As internships open up and deadlines are quickly approach, the Lobo recognizes you may be swamped with this Spring’s coursework. This is why why we did some searching for you. For students seeking employment opportunities, here are four unique internship positions:

Culture

ASUNM Craft Studio offers fun, creative hobby

Sophia Sambrano | February 11

Sophomore Gabriela Escarcega is the executive director of the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico Craft Studio, where she oversees all studio programming and staff. The ASUNM Craft Studio is a jewelry and craft workshop open to UNM students, staff and community members and houses several student employees. As a studio arts minor, Gabriela learned of the job during a summer arts apprenticeship.

Culture

Art exhibit celebrates women and coding

Sophia Sambrano | February 5

Master’s of fine arts student Amy Traylor’s art exhibit, “Making House,” imagines new futures where women are able to create their own realities through computer coding. The exhibit showcases textiles, prints, 3D projections and a virtual reality experience. At the exhibit’s opening reception on Feb. 1 at the University of New Mexico’s Center for Fine Arts (CFA) Downtown Studio, gallery attendees were able to experience Traylor’s reality in many forms. “Everything in the room is made with code,” Traylor said.

Culture

Cat cafe offers yoga classes

Anthony Jackson | February 5

Tables and chairs pushed to the edge of the wall created a wide open space at Catopia, a new cat cafe in Northeast Albuquerque. One by one, yoga mats of various colors were unrolled on the wooden floor as the cafe’s residents introduced themselves to guests in workout wear. The assortment of calico, grey and tabbys of all shapes and sizes walked through aisles that the guests made. “It’s also a fun place for people to hang out — by being here, they’re helping socialize the cats and makes them a little more adoptable when they’re used to being around people,” said Sandy Dierks, the owner of Catopia. “That’s our underlying purpose is to get these guys homes.”

Culture

Five and Why: Dr. Becknell explains his five favorite books

Sophia Sambrano | February 3

Dr. Charles Becknell Jr. is an alumni of the University of New Mexico, and the Director of UNM’s Africana Studies program. After completing his undergraduate degree at UNM, Dr. Becknell earned his master’s degree . in Criminal Justice Administration from Clark University, and returned to UNM to complete his doctorate and postdoctoral work. He has also held positions in the Office of Equity and Inclusion. Dr. Becknell has taught in Africana Studies and in the College of Education, so the Daily Lobo was eager to receive his top five book recommendations.

Culture

Movie Review: "The Upside" is a good representation of life with disabilities

Tiffani Watteyne | January 31

In recent years, the movie industry has sought to bring more diversity and representation to theatres. “The Upside,” a drama/comedy based on a true story about a wealthy quadriplegic, has been anticipated by audiences since the release of its trailer back in October 2018. The film’s plot focuses on two main characters — Dell, played by Kevin Hart, an ex-convict struggling to find work and keep a relationship with his family, as well as Phillip, played by Bryan Cranston, a rich quadriplegic who is looking for someone to care for him. With the help of his assistant Yvonne, played by Nicole Kidman, he eventually meets and hires Dell knowing of his inability and lack of qualification to do the job.