Culture

Movies

Review: "War for the Planet of the Apes" makes for good finale, lackluster standalone film

Hector Valverde | October 4

I wasn’t expecting much from the “Planet of the Apes” reboot back in 2011, but I vividly remember walking out of the theater thoroughly impressed. The tragic origin of the first super-intelligent ape, Caesar, left me entertained, excited, but most of all, totally emotionally wrecked. “Rise’s” sequel, “Dawn,” only increased the stakes as humanity struggled to survive alongside a growing ape population. As such, my expectations for “War” were high. “War for the Planet of the Apes” picks up two years after the fallout of “Dawn.” Following the ape attack on San Francisco led by the rogue ape, Koba, the remaining humans on the West Coast have banded together with the remnants of Koba’s ape faction for a last stand against Caesar’s tribe. A surprise attack and capture of the clan leads Caesar on a path to liberate his people while internally struggling with a thirst for revenge.

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Culture

Review: Folksy festival brings art down to earth

Hannah Eisenberg | October 1

This Sunday, Oct. 1 OFFcenter Community Arts Project opened the doors to their gallery and studio Downtown, spilling out into a colorful arts and crafts frenzy in the park across the street. Over 75 artists and vendors, many of whom collaborate with OFFcenter, filled the park for their 15th Annual Folk Art Festival. Truly, that is what it was — an art festival put on by, and for, all of us everyday “folks.” A puppet parade made its way through the center of Robinson Park, while people of all ages made crafts together in the workshop tent. Others strolled through the local artist booths, and snacked on baked goods or ate from one of the many food trucks parked nearby.

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Culture

Alumni Connection: UNM alum takes her work around the world

Nichole Harwood | September 28

A University of New Mexico alum, along with two of her colleagues, has been awarded a substantial grant to train teachers to support English language learners. An assistant professor at the University of Akron, Valerie Sartor’s career has been a full one, from her defending her dissertation in 2014 before accepting a Fulbright Fellowship as a Global TEFL scholar in Russia, to taking the position as assistant professor and Teach English Around the World specialist in the fall of 2016.

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News

Famous director hosts workshop at UNM

Johnny Viscaino | September 28

One of this year’s University of New Mexico Homecoming Week highlights was the presence of Brian Lavant, a 1974 Media Arts graduate and seasoned Hollywood veteran, whose six-week course on sitcom writing wrapped up on Tuesday. With five decades of entertainment industry experience under his belt, Lavant has been at the creative helm of some of the biggest franchises in family entertainment, the Cinematic Arts Department writes. He helped bring to life projects such as, “Happy Days” and “Mork and Mindy,” along with feature films like “The Flintstones,” starring John Goodman and “Jingle all the Way” with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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TV

Seinfeld directors visit UNM

Shubham Chadha | September 27

This week, the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of New Mexico hosted a town hall at Rodey Theatre with Emmy award-winning directors Tom Cherones and Tom Azzari, who helped make “Seinfeld” one of the best loved sitcoms of all time. Cherones is a Class of ’61 UNM alum, who studied journalism with a focus in photography. He described his initial exposure to photography at UNM as a formative element in developing his directing style. “I was a photographer for so many years at UNM, so I had a good sense of stage when I started working professionally,” Cherones said. “My style of shooting came from my photography experience and was a great influence for me. The experiences here at this University greatly solidified my interest in TV directing.”

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News

NM ranked sixth most diverse state

Nichole Harwood | September 27

New Mexico the sixth most diverse state in America, according to a recent WalletHub study. Lawrence Roybal, interim vice president for the UNM Division of Equity and Inclusion, said this is an impressive recognition and one his division is proud of. “We are extremely proud that the University of New Mexico is an important part of the tremendous diversity that we celebrate and honor throughout the Land of Enchantment,” he said. “It is important for us to continuously advance a variety of diversity, equity, and inclusion endeavors through UNM in collaboration with our many committed campus partners and community allies throughout each year.”

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News

ASUNM provides variety of events geared at UNM community

Ashish Khatri | September 25

It’s Homecoming Week at the University of New Mexico, and the Associated Students of UNM are organizing a slew of on-campus events through their subgroup UNM Lobo Spirit. 3-D chalk artist Chris Carlson will be working on a large chalk art piece at the Duck Pond under the Alumni Clock on Monday and Tuesday. On Sept. 26, Lobo Spirit and the Student Activities Center will be hosting a Neon Skate Down event from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Student Union Building Ballroom B/C. DJ music and refreshments will be available. Students, staff and faculty will be able to rent skates with their UNM ID.

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News

Homecoming goes beyond the dance

Aaron Cowan | September 25

Homecoming is not just for students — there are an abundance of activities for alumni as well. In fact, for almost 100 years, UNM’s Alumni Association has been putting on Homecoming events, according to Susan MacEachen, the associate director of Alumni Relations. “This is the 92nd year of Homecoming at UNM,” MacEachen said. “It’s a traditional event. Our goal is to have alumni connect back to the school.” Homecoming festivities start on Monday, Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. with a Kickoff Rally in the newly refurbished Karen A. Abraham Courtyard at Hodgin Hall Alumni Center.

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Culture

Kingsman sequel lacks plot but delivers on action

Hector Valverede | September 24

Nearing its conclusion, Matthew Vaughn’s “Kingsman: The Secret Service” ends with a controversial bit of humor — a joke about anal sex — that nearly ruins the otherwise excellent movie. In the context of the rest of the film, which lovingly lampoons the classic camp of the early Bond spy films, the joke felt too jarring and out of place. Vaughn’s follow up, “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” veers too far into that element of self-parody and greatly suffers for it. “The Golden Circle” is a lot of things at once — perhaps too many. The main story follows Eggsy, solidly reprised by Taron Egerton, tracking down the group responsible for attacking and eliminating the Kingsman spy organization.

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News

Homecoming candidates share Lobo spirit

Madison Spratto | September 24

As a part of the University of New Mexico’s Homecoming Week, ASUNM Lobo Spirit and the Elections Commission will be holding elections for the Homecoming king and queen Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the SUB and online. Before the election, all 15 candidates were given the opportunity to share something about themselves through interviews with reporter Madison Spratto. Not all candidates were interviewed, as Samuel Eze did not respond in time for this publication.

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News

Dreamstyle Arena will host Party in the Pit

Makayla Grijalva | September 24

Party in the Pit is the first student event to offer Lobos the chance to party on their stomping grounds, the newly renamed Dreamstyle Arena. ASUNM Student Special Events is teaming up with Lobo Spirit, University Communications and Marketing and the Fractal Foundation to put on the event to cap off Homecoming Week. Party in the Pit will be held on Sept. 29, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Dreamstyle Arena. The stage near the dance floor will feature DJs Berret and Jay, as well as an opening by Yak Pak. “Party in the Pit is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime, fully immersive experience,” said ASUNM SSE Promotions Director Xavier Vallejo.

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Culture

NM Fair offers exotic culinary concoctions

Christian Marquez | September 20

The New Mexico State Fair has come and gone once again, bringing various delights for the senses and leaving only memories of what you saw, or more importantly, what you ate. The food gains a presence of its own at the fair, and for some, it becomes free license to eat anything you would normally avoid. For Deliah Cottel, a junior at UNM, it was another opportunity to escape campus for a few hours of distraction away from her housemates. “Well, my roommates are vegetarian,” she said, looking at a turkey leg that was roughly the same size of her forearm. “It’s one of the few moments where I can get barbecue. So I’m getting my hands dirty.”

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Culture

Helix intertwines yoga and morning coffee

Nichole Harwood | September 20

Sometimes there is nothing better then waking up and getting a nice hot cup of coffee, and Helix Coffee and Yoga House is the new kid on the block serving up that much-needed beverage. University of New Mexico alumnus Vincent LaVolpa, owner of the now-two-month-old Helix Coffee and Yoga House originally received his Bachelor of Science degree in emergency medicine, dedicating himself as a paramedic for seven years with Albuquerque Ambulance Service, he said. After working as a paramedic, LaVolpa wasn’t sure what was next for him, but knew he always wanted to run a coffee shop, he said.

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Culture

Review: mother! a true work of artistic expression

Hector Valverde | September 20

Having gone into this film with zero knowledge or expectations, I spent the majority of the two-hour run time of “mother!” trying to piece the film’s narrative and thematic values together, for better or worse. The revelations and winding twists of Darren Aronofsky’s latest piece make it a film better experienced fresh, with no prior knowledge of the trip you’re about to take. In the most simple plot summary I can possibly give, “mother!” follows a young woman (played to a T by the ever-delivering Jennifer Lawrence) rebuilding her husband’s burned house. At the same time, her husband, played by Javier Bardem,, broods over the last remaining piece of his house, a shard of fiery glass, while trying to write his next poetic masterpiece. When a stranger meanders into their lovely pastoral home, Lawrence and Bardem’s blissful isolation takes a dark turn.

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Culture

Guest Columnist: The challenges of living in a pueblo

Guest Columnists | September 20

Editor's Note: This story can be attributed to Humans of New Mexico contributors. This is part of our new project to help connect the Daily Lobo audience to more members of our community. Between Cultures & Pueblos My name is Bryce Townsend. I am from San Felipe Pueblo and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. I’ve lived in San Felipe most of my life, and I participate in Ohkay Owingeh as well. I kind of live in both places, you can say that.

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Culture

Photo Story: The scents, sights and experiences of the State Fair

Kevin Maestas | September 20

When the New Mexico State Fair blows into town each year, I begin to yearn for the smell of smoked turkey legs while waiting to ride roller coasters and ferris wheels in the midway. After the metallic machinery whips and whirls the summer blues away, emerges the no-brainer to bury my face into powdered sugar with a side of funnel cake. The next logical step would be to let off some steam by chucking softballs at beer bottles for a quick thrill that may result in the adoption of a cheap stuffed animal. Since 1938, Expo New Mexico has housed the yearly celebration of community artisanship, agriculture, cultural traditions and churros. Not quite sure if churros have been among the state fair’s oldest traditions, but for this 20-something-year-old mesa dweller, the annual pilgrimage to southeast Albuquerque must be accompanied by aguas frescas, fair rides and fried pastries.

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Culture

Art takes over the streets with 508 Mural Fest

Nichole Harwood | September 17

Albuquerque’s artistic side is up for show with the first 508 Mural Fest is now underway, featuring the work of over 25 muralists at 12 different locations in the city. The event began Sept. 12 and is scheduled to continue through Sept. 23. Mural Fest is produced by Warehouse 508, and its title sponsor is Maddox and Co. Realtors. The festival’s turnout has been a “beautiful” reaction to local art, said JP Eaglin, director of Warehouse 508. “People are walking by everyday, loving it,” Eaglin said. “Driving by honking their horns. There's a new energy Downtown.” 508 Mural Fest is packed with activities for audiences of all ages, including a concert on Sept. 21 featuring talents such as Wild Humans and Timewreckers.

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Culture

UNM hosts Black Cultural Conference

Johnny Vizcaino | September 17

This week, for the first time in seven years, African American Student Services will be sponsoring the Black Cultural Conference at UNM. Thematically, the conference is geared toward “Mobilizing the Black Millennial Legacy.” The 2017 Black Cultural Conference will be taking place from Thursday, Sept. 21 until Saturday, Sept. 23. The conference will kick off with a networking event on Thursday at 5 p.m. in the Ethnic Center foyer. Then, Friday will be filled with workshops and roundtables exploring topics such as leadership, health, positive self-image, social justice and the importance of developing an intergenerational strategy for mobilization. These sessions will take place in the SUB starting at 9 a.m.

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Culture

Student play explores the line between life and death

Ariel Lutnesky | September 17

Rodey Theatre’s doors will open Friday for Students Creating Really Awesome Productions (SCRAP) with “A Bench at the Edge,” written by Luigi Jannuzzi. Play Director Samuel Shoemaker-Trejo said the show revolves around two main characters. “‘A Bench at the Edge’ is about two individuals who meet at the literal representation of the metaphoric edge between life and death,” Shoemaker-Trejo said. “The physical space at the edge is actually an edge suspended over infinite abyss. In the back is life; in front is the abyss or death or eternity. It's kind of up for interpretation what the other side is.” Shoemaker-Trejo said that the first character, Man 1, is struggling between life and death, because he is strapped to a hospital bed and is unable to let himself die and yet, he cannot live. The second character, Man 2, who is a woman in this interpretation of the play, is struggling between life and death, as she is debating on ending her own life.

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Culture

New Mexicans celebrate medieval culture

Christian Marquez | September 17

Every year, for the last 10 years, El Rancho De Las Golondrinas undergoes a physical transformation from a working hacienda into a medieval village for the Santa Fe Renaissance Fair. Over the past weekend, the 200-acre farm was overtaken by hundreds of knights and ladies dressed in their best 16th century attire. The fairgoers were greeted by various forms of period-appropriate entertainment including their most dangerous sports such as jousting, rapier fighting and armored combat. However, for most of these sportsmen, their game lasts longer than just the weekend.