Audience members were captured by dance group Pilobolus’ performance at Popejoy Hall Friday night. As the lights went down, the group opened by greeting the audience. In a more comical, light-hearted introduction, they leaped over and on each other shouting, “Hey.” Once audience members were acquainted to the group, they were completely captivated by Pilobolus’ next dance.
With “Spiderman: Homecoming,” “IT” and now capped off with “Lady Bird,” 2017 was a great year for coming-of-age films. In particular, “Lady Bird” has been receiving copious amounts of awards buzz, ranging from supporting to lead role nominations while garnering screenplay and directorial plaudits as well. It even held a 100 percent fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes for a solid while, breaking a record not matched since 1999’s “Toy Story 2.”
Discrimination can be difficult to overcome. This can be especially true for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related fields. Ph.D. student Stephanie Fox, who studies evolutionary anthropology, is the president of the University of New Mexico’s Advancing Women in Science club, which is dedicated to fighting obstacles that women in science face. “Ultimately, we’d like a world where women are unequivocally treated equally to men in STEM fields,” Fox said. “We will keep fighting for that, but until then, we will try to equip women with the skills necessary to persist in STEM.”
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of alumni profiles of former Daily Lobo contributors, as part of an effort to connect current readers and contributors to the past and present. Continue to follow the Daily Lobo for more. Photographer Rikki Reich’s most significant body of work to date is her Sept. 11 portfolio, “The Voice of the Silence,” which is included in the photographic collections in the Library of Congress Photographic Collection, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum. “The Voice of the Silence,” has never been exhibited in its entirety, she said. The work debuted at the aipad Photography Show in New York in 2012.
People of all ages and backgrounds packed the Embassy Suites Hotel this Sunday for the first annual Jewish food festival. Dubbed the ABQ Nosh Fest, the event featured over 40 different food vendors and a variety of activities for the whole family, including a photo booth, a kids’ zone and a football “playoff zone,” courtesy of Baillo’s Electronics.
University of New Mexico alum Jessica Sanchez and her family actively pursue a new entrepreneurial path as a family of travel journalists and bloggers, one that has lead to a unique opportunity. Sanchez and her family have been selected as part of the top 50 applicants considered for the Cancun Experience Officer position for Cancun.com. This position had over 6,000 applicants. Announcements on whether Sanchez and her family will rise from the top 50 to the top 10 will be made Jan. 17.
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” offers a modern twist to the original 1995 film, “Jumanji,” in which a group of kids is trapped inside a board game. Released on Dec. 20, the sequel shares a similar story with its predecessor, but instead, it follows a group of highschoolers who are trapped in a video game and must escape, before losing all their digital — and eventually real — lives. Both movies include a well-known cast. Just as the original film featured the much-loved Robin Williams, the new “Jumanji” casts the hunky Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the hilarious Jack Black and Kevin Hart, and the teenage heart-throb, Nick Jonas.
As a Mexican immigrant, Pixar’s latest offering, “Coco,” touched my roots and in many ways felt like it was made just for me. Set during El Día de los Muertos, the film provides dignified insight into the connections that bind family between life, death and all things in between. Young Anthony Gonzalez stars as Miguel, a boy who dreams of becoming a musician following in the footsteps of his hero, Ernesto de la Cruz. Unfortunately, music has become banned in his family, due to a secret long-held through generations before him. In an effort to demonstrate his passion for music, Miguel steals a guitar and is cursed to the Land of the Dead. To return to his living family, Miguel must traverse the Land of the Dead and receive his ancestors’ blessing by reminding them the value of music.
Mayor Tim Keller addressed the media Friday, on the opening day of Albuquerque Comic Con 2018, highlighting the importance the event held for city residents. “It’s very fun, it’s for all ages and it basically unites things like pop culture and media with a personal learning experience,” Keller said. Keller mentioned there were many stars who visited Albuquerque for the con, such as Danny Trejo and one of his personal favorites, Sin Quirin, who is a member of the industrial metal band Ministry.
Shyla Lavalle hopes to focus on black womanhood and awareness of black mental health in her 2018 campaign as Miss Black USA in preparation for the pageant this August. Lavalle, a third-year University of New Mexico student majoring in Public Communications and Africana Studies, received her title and crown as Miss Black New Mexico in August of 2016 and has held the position since. Her original campaign was based on the platform of promoting black womanhood and awareness of environmental distress, she said.
For Taylor Risse, a teen living with autism, comic-cons are special. “I went to the Santa Fe ComicCon a couple of months ago and had a blast,” he said. “I met a couple of movie stars, the guy who played Spike on the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Colin Baker of Dr. Who.” The eighth Annual Albuquerque Comic Con at the Albuquerque Convention Center kicked off a three-day event Friday, which included the Sensitivity Opening, which accommodated Taylor and other kids living with autism. The Sensitivity Opening was intended to give these children an opportunity to experience the fun of superheroes and comic book characters without being overwhelmed by crowds.
Old Barrel Tea Company is beginning its embark to sweep through the nation, introducing Americans to the business’ teas and products. The company began in 2015 and has multiple locations in New Mexico including one in Old Town, and is pursuing its first location outside of the state in Durango, Colorado. The business was founded by Bailey Huffmon, her sister-in-law Paola Huffmon, Dana Huffmon and Nedada Huffmon.
“The Last Jedi,” Episode VIII of the classic and beloved space opera “Star Wars” was one of the most hyped-up movies of 2017. The seventh installment, “The Force Awakens,” brought the films back to media frontlines when it was released in 2015. Since then, the Star Wars franchise has reclaimed its presence in the lives of lifelong adult fans and youths alike. “The Last Jedi” premiered on Dec. 14, and the movie’s anticipation reignited the worldwide Star Wars craze. Star Wars toys and action figures stocked the isles of supermarkets and toy stores, Star Wars clothing hit popular retail stores, such as the GAP and on opening weekend the film hit a total of $220,009,584 gross in the box office, according to IMDb’s Box Office Mojo.
Editor's Note: This profile is part of a series on DACA recipients. Continue to stay updated with the Daily Lobo for more information. Jazmin Coronel is the first Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient at the University of New Mexico to be sworn into the BAR to become a practicing attorney. This special circumstance, however, came with conditions, she said.
2018 marks the 126th anniversary of Hodgin Hall, the oldest building on the University of New Mexico’s Main Campus. Hodgin Hall has a vast history with deep ties throughout UNM and is now the home of the UNM Alumni Association. “(Hodgin Hall) keeps alive the history of the University and New Mexico,” said Alumni Association Special Events Coordinator Kathie Scott. “This building tells a story.”
Editor's Note: This profile is part of a series on DACA recipients. Continue to stay updated with the Daily Lobo for more information. Yazmin Irazoqui is a medical student at the University of New Mexico and a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient. Irazoqui and her twin sister, Jazmin Coronel, grew up in Phoenix, Arizona where they quickly learned they were expected to assimilate, she said.
Outside of the University College Advisement Center lives a little bookshelf that houses anything from novels to picture books to textbooks to grad school entry exam practice books. This shelf, known as Nancy’s Lending Library, is meant for everyone’s enjoyment, according to Nancy Diodati-Miller, the woman who created it. “I decided to start the Lending Library, because a lot of the books that I have at home are books that are left over from when I was an undergrad,” Diodati-Miller said. “I thought that maybe some of those books are still being used in some of the classes and possibly some of the students can use them.”
A holiday market, complete with local musicians, food trucks, over one hundred New Mexican vendors and a tarot card reader with a goose, made its way to the Albuquerque Rail Yards site Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Stands sold everything from knitted stuffed animals to repurposed vegetable cans to Hatch chile ristras in a rustic, abandoned rail yard site that has been recovered and paved and has walls fixed with colored glass panels. May through October, the historic site houses the Rail Yards Market every Sunday, but this special Holiday Market only takes place for two days in December.
The Albuquerque River of Lights continues to bring wonder to the hearts of adults and children alike this holiday season with over one million holiday lights. From illuminated farm tractors, Frosty the Snowman, moving dinosaurs, flying unicorns and a UFO working to abduct a strobe-lit cow, the River of Lights features over 500 light displays and light projections.
Editor's Note: As part of our graduation issue, we would also like to acknowledge the staff at the Daily Lobo who are graduating this semester. Kevin Maestas is a current staff photographer at the Daily Lobo. He has been working with our publication since the Spring 2017 semester and will be graduating this fall. We will miss his beautiful photography and excellent storytelling skills as he embarks on the next chapter in his life.
Solutions by The State News
