Culture

Culture

Famous comic performs at the SUB

Makayla Grijalva | October 18

Students filled the Student Union Building ballrooms in order to see comedian Azhar Usman perform on Tuesday in a free event hosted by Associated Students of the University of New Mexico’s group, Student Special Events. Usman, a Chicago native, has previously opened for fellow comedians including Dave Chappelle. He assisted in writing Hasan Minhaj’s White House Correspondents speech. He also had his hand in producing several stand-up specials and has his own in the works.

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Culture

Harvest Festival celebrates fall in Albuquerque

Veronica Apodaca | October 15

With the weather slowly but surely beginning to move toward cooler temperatures, the Albuquerque BioPark marked the beginning of autumn with its annual Harvest Festival on Oct. 13. Held at the Heritage Farm in the BioPark Botanic Garden, the event, previously known as the Cider Festival, has now expanded to include other aspects of local agriculture such as roasted green chile, a pumpkin patch where visitors were able to purchase and harvest their own pumpkins and a farmer’s market with flowers available for purchase. “Here at the Heritage Farm, we’re really looking to support community agriculture and sustainable agriculture,” said Pamela Dupzyk, the Botanic Gardens’ education coordinator.

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Culture

Movie Review: "Venom" exceeds all expectations

Tiffani Watteyne | October 15

This year has been full of high expectations for superhero movie releases, including “Venom,” which did not disappoint. Warning, to those who are waiting and have yet to see the film. There are hints to plot points, spoilers to the film and the extras after the credits present in this article. If you do not wish to ruin the movie before you see it, please consider skipping over this article. The story focused on journalist Eddie Brock, played by Tom Hardy, whose hard hitting news stories dealt with bringing down corrupt people in society. Carlton Drake, played by Riz Ahmed, the founder of the human conservation and life lengthening research project called the Life Foundation, is the next on Brock’s list of people to take down.

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Culture

Spooky Podcasts to listen to this Halloween

Megan Holmen | October 13

It’s October and that means Halloween is creeping around the corner. Spooky themed movies, music and decorations are all around and if you too are a podcast junkie, this is the list for you. “Spooked” By Snap Judgement Average Spookiness of Season: 8.5/10 Hosted by Glynn Washington, this podcast holds a serious tone with very little humor in it and is perfect for listeners who want to get creeped out. Washington hosts a variety of guest speakers who have all kinds of unexplainable or unusual stories to tell, all from their own experiences.

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Culture

On the run: The chase crew of the Balloon Fiesta

Justine Lopez | October 9

Thousands of visitors packed into Balloon Fiesta Park last Saturday for the opening day of the 47th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Hundreds of balloons of all shapes and sizes took to the morning sky as spectators cheered on the pilots and bid them a safe trip. The work of a balloon pilot is no easy feat. Pilots and chase crews arrive to the park well before dawn to take part in the event. Keith Lutz and his crew have been participating in the fiesta for the better part of a decade. Lutz and his wife Michelle first took an interest in ballooning as spectators. Later they became participants on a chase crew until Lutz decided he wanted to become a pilot. Now Lutz and his crew, named The Flying Monkeys, help him fly his balloon, High Maintenance II.

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Culture

Movie Review: "A Star is Born" shows Gaga at her best

Veronica Apodaca | October 9

“A Star is Born,” the latest adaptation of a story that has been told in Hollywood for decades, is a deeply affecting film showcasing the darker side of life in the spotlight. The film, which opened on Oct. 5, marks the directorial debut of Bradley Cooper, who stars alongside Lady Gaga. Cooper plays Jackson Maine, a successful country-rock musician who tries to hide his alcoholism and hearing loss from the public. After a concert which leaves him visibly drained, Jackson stops at a bar where he encounters struggling singer Ally, played by Gaga. Jackson instantly recognizes Ally’s talent and encourages her to come on tour with him. As they travel and perform together, they bond over their love of music and begin to form a romantic relationship. Although they clearly love each other, Jackson’s drinking problem and declining career continuously drive a wedge between them.

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Culture

On the rise: The 2018 International Balloon Fiesta

Shayla Cunico | October 7

The 47th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicked off this weekend with hundreds of balloons and thousands of spectators, with some balloons ascending and some remaining static due to weather limitations. Balloonists from all over the world gather in Albuquerque every year to celebrate the unique story that each balloon tells, featuring balloonists from Great Britain and Ireland, with a big flight of local Albuquerque balloons. Each group of balloonists gives out collectable cards that state the home of the balloon, the balloon’s name and sometimes including information on the pilot. Another popular collectable item that attendee’s sport are traditional enamel pins.

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Culture

Chinese culture celebrated at Dragon Lights Festival

Macey Rose | October 7

Beginning Oct. 5, the Dragon Lights Festival, previously called the Chinese Lantern Festival, made its return to Expo New Mexico. Vibrant lantern displays were powered by more than 15,000 LED lights, accompanied with captivating performances and vendors. The festival was able to offer a piece of a China to our city. New Mexicans from all over the state gathered for opening night. As the sun was beginning to set the curtains of the main stage drew back, revealing the performances for a night of cultural radiance. Plate spinners, China jar juggling, contortion, face changing and other performances were all presented to the public to enlighten the community on the elements of Chinese culture. “We have a small, but vibrant and very important part of our city that is Chinese,” said Tim Keller, mayor of Albuquerque. “What a wonderful bridge to the Chinese people of Albuquerque that is the Dragon Lights Festival, which we are so happy to have in our city.”

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Culture

Movie Review: Michael Moore's wit delivers on "Fahrenheit 11/9"

Kyle Land | October 7

Life under President Trump’s administration has been anything but boring. Every week for the past two years, it seems the news has been infested with stories about the insanity that is current American politics. If anyone was to create a documentary encapsulating this crazy period in American history, there is probably no one more controversial, zany, lauded and irreverent than Michael Moore. From his work on documentary films like “Bowling for Columbine” and “Sicko,” it’s little wonder the director from Flint, Mich. has now decided to take on President Trump and a multitude of other conservatives in his latest doc “Fahrenheit 11/9,” a play on his 2004 Palme d’Or winning film “Fahrenheit 9/11.”

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Culture

PINK bus tour stops by UNM

Macey Rose | October 7

If you were walking through campus on Oct. 4, you were sure to see the massive PINK bus in the heart of Smith Plaza. The Victoria’s Secret PINK Tour is an annual event at select universities across the nation, and the University of New Mexico happens to be one of the chosen college campuses. “I’m already a big fan of PINK, so when I saw that they came I was really excited,” said Mahira Thabata, a sophomore at UNM. “I like to see if they have new merchandise and love that they brought some (of) their winter collection to UNM.”

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Culture

"Under Milk Wood" tells unique story

Veronica Apodaca | October 3

The University of New Mexico’s theatre department opened its season on Sept. 26 with “Under Milk Wood,” a lyrical depiction of life in a small Welsh town. Originally written by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas as a radio play for the BBC, the story examines how memory and imagination impact the interactions between people in their daily lives. Unlike plays which rely on realism, Thomas’ poetic descriptions of the events in the town create a unique storytelling atmosphere, with the audience being very aware that they are witnessing a performance.

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Culture

USITT helps students with careers in theater management

Veronica Apodaca | October 3

The University of New Mexico’s chapter of United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), held its first meeting this week on Oct. 3. This is a group of students studying the technical elements of theatre, such as stagecraft, stage management and lighting and costume design. The group said that it is important for students to be prepared to enter careers after graduating, and USITT helps them gain education and form connections in their chosen fields. USITT meets every other Tuesday at 4 p.m. in UNM’s Center for the Arts. The main purpose of these meetings is to prepare for the annual USITT conference.

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Culture

SUB and Satellite offer tea tasting event for students

Luisa Pennington | October 1

The University of New Mexico’s Student Union Building, in part with Satellite Coffee, hosted a tea tasting event Friday, Sept. 28, as part of the UNM’s UNI Nights, students were invited to taste a variety of teas and eat from a selection of foods. Students with a valid ID were allowed free entry and the first 60 guests were gifted a tea mug embellished with a lobo. Upon entering, students were given a raffle ticket for chances to win a hydro flask or a hammock at the end of the night. Once students entered the SUB, they were invited to eat from a variety of hors d'oeuvre and desserts including spring rolls, quiches and scones. Before the tea, flavored water was also provided.

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Culture

TEDxABQ highlights the uniqueness of Albuquerque

Megan Holmen | September 30

Burqueños gathered for a two-day TEDxABQ event chalk full of speakers, dancers, musicians and activities at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on Sept. 28 and 29. This year marked the 9th annual TEDxABQ event. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, and TEDxABQ is a yearly independently organized event run by members of the Albuquerque community. This year was the first time TEDxABQ held a two day event. The event had 20 different speakers and focused on Albuquerque and New Mexico as a whole, delving into issues that hit close to home. Friday’s event was called “Imagine Albuquerque” and Saturday was the main event. Friday night included six speakers and multiple performers, all who focused on Albuquerque and ideas surrounding the unique heritage and the close knit community of ABQ. Speakers discussed entrepreneurship, education, history, language and teenage pregnancy — and these were just a handful of the topic touched on.

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Culture

Drag Bingo teaches LGBTQ history

Veronica Apodaca | September 30

On Sept. 26, Generation Action hosted a drag bingo night at Winning Coffee as part of Sex Week, a series of events that is held by the group every fall semester. Funded by Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico, the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood in the state, Generation Action aims to eradicate the cultural stigma around discussions on reproductive rights and the exploration of sexuality and safe sex. The group also makes sure to give a voice to victims of sexual assault, with one of their most well-known events being Survivors Stand, formerly called Take Back the Night, held every spring semester at the University of New Mexico.

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Culture

Fall bucket list for New Mexico

Macey Rose | September 30

In the midst of Albuquerque's seasonal transition, there are so many things to do with all the time the fall season has to offer. Albuquerque has a variety of fall events coming up, along with events for those who celebrate Halloween as well. The Daily Lobo has put together a list of things to check off of your bucket list before fall 2018 comes to an end.

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Culture

Five and Why: Terry Davis' favorite musicals

Yana Apostalon | September 27

Terry Davis, the marketing manager for Popejoy Hall the past 20 years, is passionate about musicals. He has been involved in the arts since the fourth grade, the beginning of a lifelong devotion sparked by playing the drums. A co-producer of the New Mexico High School Musical Theatre Awards, Davis spreads support for theatre through New Mexico high schools. He encourages students to delve into theatrical texts and enjoy the creative storylines developed with artistic flares. Here, Davis shares his top five musicals.

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Culture

Silent Night returns to UNM for homecoming

Tiffani Watteyne | September 27

On Thursday, Sept. 27 from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Silent Lights 2018 will be held on the Smith Plaza. The event is a silent disco that will feature six DJ’s throughout the evening with three DJ’s playing at a time. All of the music will be color coordinated for ease of syncing the sound to your headphones. Changing the channel on your headphones connects you to a different DJ on stage. For example, if you want to hear what the green DJ is playing simply switch channels and you’re listening to that music as your headset glows green.

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Culture

Student combines artificial intelligence and art

Shayla Cunico | September 27

Third year graduate student Zac Travis is the latest artist to occupy the John Sommers Gallery at the University of New Mexico. Travis is a student in the art department at the University of New Mexico in the photography area and is the visual artist and creator of Content Nausea. “My primary inspiration for Content Nausea resides in our persistent and almost absent minded use of technology,” Travis said. Travis utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to create text phrases calculated by an AI algorithm. Travis said he is interested in the idea of algorithmic processes and the way they are handled by corporate businesses.

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Culture

Therapy dogs come to UNM for homecoming

Megan Holmen | September 27

The University of New Mexico kicked off Wolfstock Homecoming week with “Peace, Love and Puppies” a dog kiss, furball-filled event Monday at Smith Plaza. Students could play with dogs from Southwest Corps of Canine Volunteers. There were nearly 10 dogs of all shapes and sizes, all of which were licenced therapy dogs. According to Sue MacEchan director of UNM Alumni Relations, this is the first time homecoming week has involved a dog therapy event. However, Southwest Corps of Canine Volunteers has come to UNM campus before on multiple occasions. UNM Alumni Relations is one of the groups in charge of organizing homecoming week along with other groups across campus. The idea fit in really well with the wolfstock theme too, MacEchan said.