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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.

Culture

"Weekend" vs. "Love, Simon": How to make an LGBTQ movie

Kyle Land | January 28

There was no shortage of big-name LGBTQ movies in 2018. However, no gay film got heterosexual people more excited to see two men kissing each other than “Love, Simon.” Unfortunately. One could really spend a good seven hours picking apart and dissecting the various flaws in the Greg Berlanti film. Besides the fact that Simon has virtually no character traits other than being gay and delves into all the stereotypes associated with coming out (including a cringey Google search on “how to dress like a gay guy”), the worst part about this movie is how Simon, from the very beginning, tries to appease all of the straight people in his life and how they treat him in response.

Culture

Researcher lectures on "genízaro" identity

Katie Monette | January 28

As part of the lecture series, People & Places, held in Zimmerman Library, Enrique Lamadrid gave a talk entitled “Sueños del Coyote: The Emergence of Genízaros in the Nuevoméxicano Literary Imagination.” The University of New Mexico’s regularly holds lectures in its Frank Waters room, hosted by the Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections. Lamadrid works in the New Mexico museum system as a researcher and author. He also teaches in UNM’s Spanish department and serves as the editor of the “Querencia” series.

Culture

Movie Review: "Escape Room" offers exciting mystery film

Tiffani Watteyne | January 24

Since the beginning of 2019, there have been many movies that have piqued the interests of audiences everywhere. One of these movies, “Escape Room,” started out the year right. The movie centers around the drama/mystery genres and brings an entertaining, yet terrifying take to the new real world trend of escape rooms. Its main plot focuses on a group of six strangers — Zoey (Taylor Russell), Ben (Logan Miller), Jason (Jay Ellis), Mike (Tyler Labine), Amanda (Deborah Ann Woll) and Danny (Nik Dobani). All receive a puzzle box that when solved gave them an invitation to the escape room promising the winner a cash prize.

Culture

Blind Spots tour sheds light on unconscious bias

Justin Garcia | January 22

“This is in a foreign language,” a women said referring to the pre-recorded voice on a telephone at the Check Your Blind Spots Unconscious Bias mobile tour. According to a worker with the tour bus that was, in fact, the point. That was Thursday in Smith Plaza at the University of New Mexico, when the tour equipped with virtual reality headsets, tablets and other technology came to main campus. The bus, which is part of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, featured several interactive exhibits promoting values of diversity and inclusion.

Culture

5 and Why: C&J Chair David Weiss' favorite plays

Luisa Pennington | January 22

Interested in society’s relationship with the media, Dr. David Weiss, the Department Chair for the University of New Mexico’s Communication and Journalism Department, spends his time researching media discourse, political and religious communication and the media and popular culture industries. In addition to research, Dr. Weiss is an Associate Professor within the Communication and Journalism Department. There, he teaches courses in strategic communication, political communication and media studies. Weiss got his PhD from UNM in 2005. He is also an alumni of Cornell University and the University of Oregon. Between graduating from college and going back to school for a master's degree, Weiss lived in New York City for 17 years. While in NYC, he was an executive at several of the country's largest advertising agencies. Though he was extremely busy, he did have time to go to several plays. So, when we asked him to name his top five plays and why, this is what he said:

Culture

Political cartoonist and UNM alum tackles immigration

Justin Garcia | January 14

Political cartoonist Eric Garcia is not afraid to speak his mind. He’s not afraid to draw it either. On January 10, Garcia stopped by the National Hispanic Cultural Center to speak about his life drawing against oppression. About 80 people were in attendance as the University of New Mexico alumni began his talk. Throughout the talk, Garcia (no relation to the writer) belabored that his cartoons, one of which portrayed Former Attorney General, Jeff Sessions as a Ku Klux Klan member, were more than just a quick buck.

Culture

The historic rise of Asian representation in 2018

Macey Rose | January 6

2018 proved to be a historic year for Asian representation in several different industries. For years the minimal representation portrayed on film for Asian-Americans capitalized on racial stereotypes for entertainment. However, the actors, directors and musicians signified the representation that many Asian-Americans have not seen much of, broke down those stereotypes by showcasing different Asian identities and cultures.

Culture

Where to enjoy the snow in and around Albuquerque

Megan Holmen | January 6

This winter season has brought an unusual amount of snow to Albuquerque and the surrounding area. During the upcoming cold months Burqueños have a variety of places to go for sledding, winter hiking, skiing and other forms of snow play. However, before going out to any of these locations check the weather forecast and make sure to be wearing the appropriate amount of clothing.

Culture

Movie Review: "Bird Box" fails to live up to expectations

Tiffani Watteyne | January 6

As Netflix’s list of original content grows, the new film “Bird Box” was one of the most highly anticipated releases in the history of the streaming service.