Culture

Culture

New Mexico museum highlights the meadow jumping mouse

Addison Fulton | September 16

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science hosted a lecture on the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse. The talk, part of the Voices in Science series, was presented by Jason Malaney, the curator of biosciences at the museum. The New Mexico jumping mouse is a member of the Zapodidae family of rodents. Jumping mice have powerful back legs and long powerful tails, allowing them to perform a huge saltatorial — or jumping — motion. The jumping mouse can jump up to four meters laterally and two meters vertically, though its body is only centimeters large. As Malaney explained, that’s the equivalent of it jumping over the museum.

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Culture

REVIEW: ‘Cemetery Boys’ is like a warm hug for the soul

Marcela Johnson | September 16

It’s almost fall, and you know what that means here in the desert Southwest: the weather drops a degree — or 20 — and then heats back up for a couple weeks. For those chilly times until the heat wave, I could not recommend the novel “Cemetery Boys” by Aiden Thomas more. “Cemetery Boys” follows Yadriel, a young brujo — a person who performs a closed practice of magic — as he works with his cousin and best friend Maritza to figure out the mystery of their cousin Miguel’s death, and help Julian Diaz — who recently became a ghost — before he goes maligno, or malignant.

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Culture

OPINION: The VMAs and the state of pop music

Elijah Ritch | September 16

For decades, MTV was a massive cultural force, continuously pushing the needle in both the music industry and pop culture at large. Beginning in 1981, the channel introduced the then-novel idea of the music video to America. The rest is history. MTV’s status as a creator of taste and culture only increased with the inception of the MTV Video Music Awards, which have aired annually in the late summer since 1984. On Sept. 11, the VMAs celebrated its 40th anniversary. As could be expected, it repeatedly reiterated its vast legacy throughout the ceremony.

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Culture

REVIEW: Guild Cinema features avant-garde jazz musician Sun Ra

Elijah Ritch | September 16

For three days starting on Sept. 10, the Guild Cinema in Nob Hill showed a double feature of films highlighting the avant-garde jazz musician Sun Ra. The double feature was composed of 1974 cult classic “Space Is the Place” and 1980 documentary “Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise.” The screenings were held in conjunction with the 18th annual New Mexico Jazz Festival, which puts on dozens of performances across New Mexico throughout September. Guild owner Keif Henley described the two films as a “natural fit for Jazz Fest.”

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Culture

Wildlife refuge hosts printing workshop for community healing

Marcela Johnson | September 13

Led by ranger Giessell Aguilar and artist Anna Rotty, the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge hosted its second botanical sun printing, or cyanotype, workshop on Saturday, Sept. 7. Cyanotypes are photographic blueprints made with objects laid on top of light-sensitive paper. The objects create shapes that are then made permanent in a chemical bath and hung to dry. The refuge’s primary purpose, according to Aguilar, is to serve its three main communities: the South Valley, Pueblo of Isleta and Mountain View. The refuge makes choices about its events in collaboration with the community.

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Culture

Sixth annual Latinx Games Fest to come to Albuquerque

Rodney Prunty | September 9

The sixth annual Latinx Games Festival will be held in Albuquerque for the first time from September 20-22. The festival — which will take place at the National Hispanic Cultural Center — will feature showcased games by Latino and Hispanic creators, an esports tournament and live speakers providing insight about game development. The event's goal is to highlight historically underrepresented Latino voices in the video game industry, according to Latinx Games Festival founder and executive director Jason Vega. He has been in the industry for the past 12 years.

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Culture

OPINION: Art imitates life: The obsession with age-gaps in film

Arly Garcia | September 9

The classic 1942 drama, “Casablanca,” featured a 16-year age gap between its romantic leads. The iconic dinosaur adventure film, “Jurassic Park,” had a 20-year age gap between love interests Alan Grant and Ellie Satler. The continued success of these beloved films suggests there’s a viable market for them, but what does that say about us?

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Culture

2024 New Mexico State Fair kicks off

Maria Fernandez | September 9

The 2024 New Mexico State Fair has officially kicked off in Albuquerque. From Sept. 5-15, the fair features familiar staples like live music in the rodeos and around the grounds, petting zoos, carnival rides and an assortment of food and drink options. Over the days, the rodeos will feature live entertainment from Brad Paisley, Cole Swindell and Josh Turner, according to the New Mexico State Fair website.

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Culture

OPINION: ‘WALL-E’ wannabe delivers food

Elizabeth Secor | September 9

Since the start of the semester, I have been observing the little robots puttering around with their flags, delivering food to people. These robots are a collaboration between University of New Mexico Food, Grubhub and Starship Technologies for a new delivery method on campus. Recently, I tested out the new venture and had a good experience.

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Culture

OPINION: Reflecting on the 100th Zozobra as a first-time attendee

Shin Thant Hlaing | September 2

This year, Zozobra — “Old Man Gloom” — turns 100. Zozobra has grown to be a 50-foot marionette, one of the largest functioning marionettes in the world, according to the Zozobra website. He represents the anxiety, hardships and regrets of the people. Every year, slips of paper with the “glooms” of attendees are stuffed into the towering effigy and Zozobra’s arch enemy, the Fire Spirit, sets it alight. Zozobra’s website refers to the burning as “an annual cleansing ritual for the entire community, offering a fresh start and a renewed hope for the coming year.”

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Culture

Eighteen years ago, Pluto was demoted — except in New Mexico

Leila Chapa | September 2

Many remember when Pluto, the dwarf planet recognized by its heart-shaped feature, was demoted from its planetary status. On Aug. 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union voted to downgrade Pluto to a dwarf planet after it was discovered to be much smaller than originally thought, according to History. Now, Aug. 24 is recognized as Pluto Demoted Day. Despite Pluto’s demotion, the state of New Mexico recognizes Pluto’s existence as a planet.

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Culture

Bubonicon highlights local science fiction stars

Addison Fulton | September 2

From Aug. 23 to Aug. 25, the Albuquerque Marriott Uptown hosted the 55th annual Bubonicon, New Mexico’s longest-running sci-fi and fantasy convention. The name is a play-on-words on the bubonic plague, and the convention’s mascot is a rat in various larger-than-life scenarios, like battling dragons and aliens. The event featured an art gallery, a vendor’s hall where local makers showcased and sold their wares, panels featuring local authors and sci-fi juggernauts, and a mass autographing event with featured guests.

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Culture

I can make you a man (but I probably shouldn’t)

Arly Garcia | September 2

Have you ever thought about robbing graves and sewing body parts together until you have the perfect human form? Maybe not, but why would you when Victor Frankenstein already set an example for why that’s a terrible idea? Mary Shelley’s infamous mad scientist and his creature are a beloved aspect of pop culture around the world. The novel’s lasting impact and popularity even led to the creation of National Frankenstein Day, an annual celebration of Shelley and her novel that takes place on August 30, which is also Shelley’s birthday.

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Culture

BioArt exhibit unveiled at UNM Art Museum

Addison Fulton | August 30

On Friday, Aug. 23, the University of New Mexico Art Museum celebrated the new semester with a reopening reception for their new exhibit, “Hindsight Insight 5.0.” The exhibit features art that investigates human relationships with nature, history and the future. Curators selected one piece in the museum’s permanent collection to showcase: a book of microphotographs, according to Joseph McKee, coordinator of student engagement and technology at UNMAM. The exhibit also features work by four contemporary artists who are responding to the microphotographs or conversing with them, McKee said.  “We’re re-looking at our collection and looking at it through a new lens,” McKee said.

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Culture

Walkable local business spotlight: Snapdragon Tea and the ‘Dog Days of Summer’

Shin Thant Hlaing | August 26

Snapdragon Tea, a seven-minute walk from the University of New Mexico Main Campus, has a whimsical, eclectic atmosphere that matches the whimsy of its name. The establishment features a free library and a community blackboard against beige and baby-blue walls. Snapdragon Tea is regularly holding themed tea parties called the “Dog Days of Summer” through Sept. 8. An overview of the event reads, “join us in a celebration of dogs, humanity’s long-time companions of more than 30,000 years.”

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Culture

OPINION: Editor fall fashion trend predictions

Lily Alexander and Liliana Esparza / Daily Lobo | August 26

Summer 2024 fashion was brat one week, coquette the next. And with the changing season, it’s uncertain what new fashion trends will arise. Two Daily Lobo editors predicted the outfits you’ll be seeing around campus in the coming weeks.

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Culture

OPINION: Magic mirror on the wall, who’s the most profitable of them all?

Addison Fulton | August 26

At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on Aug. 11, Disney announced plans to build Villains Land as a new expansion of the Magic Kingdom section of Walt Disney World. The area will be themed around iconic Disney villains from various films. The promotional video posted to the Disney Parks Instagram teased Lady Tremaine from “Cinderella,” Gaston from “Beauty and the Beast” and the fairest of them all: the Evil Queen from “Snow White.” Disney is probably attempting to draw in more visitors and ticket sales with the announcement of Villains Land, seeing as the parks are no longer drawing in the revenue they once did. Reuters reported earlier this month that Disney's experiences segment ,that includes parks and consumer products, recorded an operating income drop of 3%.

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Culture

OPINION: A Daily Lobo photographer’s guide to New York City

Maria Fernandez | August 19

This summer, I took a trip to visit New York City. A vibrant, youthful place, “The City that Never Sleeps” is overflowing with bright lights, live music everywhere you look and some of the best food I’ve ever tasted. I visited almost every major picture-worthy and memorable spot across three of the five boroughs and these are my top picks. Brooklyn Bridge Park Brooklyn Bridge Park is by far one of the coolest sights to catch in New York City. Nestled along the western edge of Brooklyn, this park offers stunning views along the waterfront of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

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Culture

Albu-crazy Film Fest raises funds for local film

Addison Fulton | August 19

On Saturday, Aug. 10, the Guild Cinema hosted the third annual Albu-crazy Film Fest Fundraiser, a charity film festival to raise funds for local film. The New Mexico Film Foundation and the OffSet Web Series jointly presented the festival and charity auction. Tickets were $5, and raffle tickets for various prizes were an additional dollar. The OffSet was originally founded in 2017 by “G.I.” — “Good Intentions” — Joe Lonesome as a way to highlight local talent and allow newer filmmakers a chance to explore the film industry and make art and connections in a friendly, low-stakes environment.

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Culture

REVIEW: ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ might be the resurrection Marvel needed

Elizabeth Secor | August 12

“Deadpool & Wolverine,” released on July 26, was an anticipated summer blockbuster for me as a fan of the last two movies in the series. The film, directed by Shawn Levy, did not disappoint. It became one of my favorite recent Marvel Cinematic Universe-released projects, maybe even since “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021). When the Walt Disney Company — which owns Marvel — got the rights to Deadpool after acquiring 20th Century Fox in 2019, I was apprehensive of what Disney would do with the raunchy, F-bomb-dropping, R-rated antihero. However, it did not tone him down.