Culture - The Daily Lobo

Culture

Artist promotes environmentalism through dance

Nichole Harwood | March 1

A famed environmentalist’s work will be incorporated in a flamenco performance as part of the Aliento Latino Dance Season 2018 Saturday and Sunday at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Alice Blumenfeld and Abrepaso Flamenco Dance Company will be presenting “Vacío/Void” — a show that Blumenfeld said got its start from environmentalist Rachel Carson’s book, “Silent Spring.” Blumenfeld said Carson was a childhood hero of hers because of her environmental work and writing — the imagery Carson uses inspired her choreography.

News

Lobo Day celebrates UNM's 129th birthday

Megan Holmen | February 28

The University of New Mexico turned 129 years old Wednesday, and the Associated Students of UNM Lobo Spirit celebrated with the annual Lobo Day. Lobo Day is an opportunity to meet new people and celebrate the University that brings all of us together, said Kaylie Huizenga, the executive director of ASUNM Lobo Spirit. UNM hosts Lobo Day every year on Feb. 28 to bring students together for fun activities and a commemorative photograph.

Jessica Marrello of Chi Omega was named Greek Woman of the Year during the Spring 2018 Greek Week.

News

Greek Man and Woman of the Year selected

Catherine Stringam | February 27

Aaron Ochoa and Jessica Marrello were named Greek Man and Woman of the Year at the conclusion of last week’s Greek Week. Each year, the University of New Mexico’s fraternities and sororities on campus join together for the contests, events and fundraising for a local charitable cause during Greek Week. During the annual Greek Banquet at the end of the week, the philanthropy is presented with a check. This year, over $18,000 was raised for Locker 505, an organization that helps provide school clothing for children in Bernalillo County.

Culture

Movie Review: Strong cast and hilarious plot makes “Game Night” a great comedy

Timber Mabes | February 26

From the trailer, it is difficult to tell if “Game Night” is a serious murder mystery laced with tension-relieving humor, or if the film is just a straight-up comedy. Allow me to resolve this quandary. The film is a straight-up comedy — a good one with an amazing cast.

Culture

"AMPLIFY” showcases student dancers along with faculty and guest choreographers

Ariel Lutnesky | February 26

People filed into Rodey Theatre Friday evening for the opening night of “AMPLIFY,” a dance performance by the University of New Mexico Department of Theatre and Dance. For audience member Theresa Sherman, the performance was one to remember. “It's really impressive to see students do such a quality, professional level of performance,” Sherman said.

Derek Thomas of Vista Kicks performs in the Moonlight Lounge on Feb. 17, 2018 during their Booty Shakers Ball Tour.

Music

Concert Review: Vista Kicks rock despite subpar venue

Colton Newman | February 22

Four velvet orange sport coats, three creative band picks and one annoying audience was the breakdown of Vista Kicks’ latest Albuquerque performance Saturday. The Northern California rock band Vista Kicks made a quick stop through Albuquerque on their Booty Shakers Ball Tour to play a show at the mysterious Moonlight Lounge. To warm up the venue before Vista Kicks, local bands Eugene and Treehouse Basement both performed six to seven song sets. Both groups came with something to prove — and prove it they did, creating catchy beats and a warm presence.

Music

UNM-Valencia celebrates Japanese drumming

Annie Edwards | February 22

The University of New Mexico Valencia Campus hosted a taiko Japanese drumming lecture and demonstration Monday, as part of the “Valencia Speaks” series. Dr. Julia So organized this event, inviting Anita Lee Gallegos to the Student Community Center at the Valencia campus to demonstrate traditional Japanese drumming, called taiko. Gallegos, a 2018 New Mexico Women of STEM honoree, is a physicist as well as a martial artist and founder of the Bushido Kenkyukai in Albuquerque.

News

Law professor discusses oil, environment

Megan Holmen | February 22

As part of its “Lunch and Learn Careers Lecture Series,” the University of New Mexico School of Law invited former professor Alex Ritchie to speak Monday, in a talk geared toward students interested in pursuing a career in oil and gas law, environmental law or water resources law. Ritchie, the Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, said oil and gas production involves so many steps that countless areas of expertise are needed during this process. He recently taught at UNM’s School of Law for five years, focusing on oil and gas law, property law and business law. “I am here to speak to students about the career opportunities in oil and gas law and environmental law. I am also here to encourage students to keep learning after they leave law school,” Ritchie said.

Culture

Photo Story: Chiang Mai markets showcase unique Thai qualities

Jenny Liang | February 22

I traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand over winter break and captured a few photos along the way.

A bike sits locked up on the UNM Campus on the afternoon of Feb. 21, 2018.

Culture

Alum hopes to make campus more bike-friendly

Ariel Lutnesky | February 22

If someone spends any amount of time on the University of New Mexico campus, they know there’s a big mix of cyclists, skateboarders, rollerbladers and pedestrians on the sidewalks. This mix is concerning to some, such as recent UNM graduate Channing Hofman, who said that the lack of structure between pedestrians and non-pedestrians is hazardous. “Biking around campus has always proved to be difficult at best,” Hofman said. “It's always crowded, there are no clear directions or anything and it's always frustrating getting from class to class. That's kind of what sparked the idea of getting some folks together to try to make UNM a better place to bike.”

Culture

Movie Review: "Black Panther" comes just shy of greatness

Hector Valverde | February 21

Light plot-related spoilers are ahead. Oh man, Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” is almost there. Almost. The themes echoed across the piece are not just societally relevant, but universal. There couldn’t have been a more perfect director hired than Ryan Coogler of “Creed” and “Fruitvale Station” fame (and hey, Michael B. Jordan as well). And the magnificent art design of the fictional Wakanda is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

Music

Maxwell Museum hosts exhibit supporting refugees

Megan Holmen | February 21

The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology at The University of New Mexico is taking an anthropological perspective on the current political climate. Now through March 3, the museum’s open-to-the-public exhibit, “No Hate, No Fear,” will focus on immigrants and refugees in the United States. Devorah Romanek, the curator of exhibits at the Maxwell Museum, said that this particular exhibit is part of a series that addresses contemporary anthropological issues that are in the news.

News

Black History Month read-in celebrates diversity

Tasawar Shah | February 20

Project for New Mexico Graduates of Color at the University of New Mexico organized a “read-in” in honor of Black History Month. Held Thursday, the event invited readers from all walks of life to read and share with the audience any kind of publication of their choice created by African Americans. The pieces ranged from political speeches to scholarly works. PNMGC Project Assistant Glenda Lewis said she decided to host a reading event in observance of Black History Month, because it is “something that is currently not being done. It’s something that allows students to use their voice.”

News

Symposium focuses on harmful effects of oil

Donald Amble | February 18

“The Last Oil” symposium is a multidisciplinary event put on by eight on-campus departments that calls for an end to the oil industry. The event begins Wednesday at Keller Hall at 5 p.m. and continues Thursday at 8 a.m. in the Student Union Building Ballroom C and returns to Keller Hall at 5:30 p.m. The symposium ends Friday with talks in SUB Ballroom C from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and later with a lecture from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Woodward Hall.

Culture

After classes, UNM student performs comedy

Nichole Harwood | February 18

University of New Mexico graduate student, Jesse Barben, is a man of many talents — beneath the surface of this family man lies the heart of a comedian. He starred as the headliner for the comedy show at the Rio Bravo Brewing Company Friday evening. At 11:10 p.m. Barben took to the stage as he explored the variety of challenges that came with being a family man, all the while reflecting his own personal experiences as both a child and an adult, highlighting the past and present in a comedic light. The audience responded positively with laughter following the majority of Barben’s jokes.

Music

UNM Symphonic Band hosts Valentine's Day performance

Ariel Lutnesky | February 18

The UNM Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble and Saxophone Choir held a concert Wednesday evening. “There's always a few (issues while playing), but for the most part, it came together really well,” said Samantha Rice, a clarinet player in the Symphonic Band. The concert started with the Percussion Ensemble taking the stage, all holding various sizes of triangles, as the piece they played, “Escape: Sextet for Triangles” by Drew Worden, only required triangles.

Culture

Student org celebrates multilingualism

Shayla Cunico | February 18

The Bangladeshi Student Association at the University of New Mexico, celebrated International Mother Language Day Sunday in the African American Performing Arts Center. During the first part of the event, students had the opportunity to learn about International Mother Language Day and it’s importance, said Ishtiaque Anwar, director of media and communications for BSAUNM. During the second half, attendees were able learn more about the tangible and intangible heritage of Bangladesh, the traditions and the culture. The event celebrated linguistic diversity and multilingualism for sustainable development. BSAUNM invited students of all nationalities to enjoy an afternoon of culture and the promotion of multilingualism.

Culture

Monthly photo contest winners, honorable mentions

Daily Lobo Readers | February 18

During the Daily Lobo’s first monthly photo contest, we asked the community of Daily Lobo readers to send in their best portraits.

Culture

Movie Review: Excellent performances and costume design, yet repetitive storyline in “Phantom Thread”

Hector Valverde | February 16

Paul Thomas Anderson’s got a knack for writing some of the most original dramas on either side of the century. Anderson’s films always feel eerily intimate and personal with a certain manic lace running beneath the covers. From Philip Seymour Hoffman’s charismatic cultist in “The Master” to Adam Sandler’s shockingly good performance in “Punch-drunk Love,” Anderson is a master at crafting and directing character-driven films.

Culture

Movie Review: “The Greatest Showman” sanitizes history, lacks storytelling skills

Hector Valverde | February 16

The world-famous P.T. Barnum was many things, but being a respectable, handsome, well-mannered man — basically Hugh Jackman — wasn’t one of them. An ardent exploiter of people and animals, Barnum’s history of cruelty was well documented throughout the 19th century. “The Greatest Showman” is a simple-minded, sanitized take on the life of a bad man and a bad industry that has only middling results at its best.