Leila Chapa

Popejoy Hall showcases Dance Theatre of Harlem

  On Saturday, May 2, Popejoy Hall invites the internationally-renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem to take the stage for a dynamic classical ballet performance. The program features “Donizetti Variations” by George Balanchine, Robert Garland’s “Higher Ground” — set to the music of Stevie Wonder — and “New Bach,” a fusion of neoclassical and modern styles, the Popejoy press release reads.

UNM Sustainability Expo showcases resilience initiatives

The University of New Mexico Cornell Mall transformed into a growers’ market as dozens of local organizations, businesses, UNM departments and student groups lined the mall with booths, displaying and highlighting sustainability initiatives at the annual campus Sustainability Expo. On Thursday, April 23, Hundreds of students passed through the expo and networked with different vendors, some leaving with plants and fresh eggs. Freshman Avah Trujillo and sophomore Taylor Alwin said it was their first time at the expo and they both enjoyed the Lobo Garden table, which was handing out fresh herbs.

Meet Gwich'in elder, caribou protector Sarah James

Albuquerque’s final annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow drew over 100,000 participants and attendees from tribes across the country to Expo New Mexico on April 24-25.  One of the attendees was Neets’aii Gwich’in elder Sarah James from Arctic Village, who came from Alaska for the Pow Wow. James is internationally-known for her efforts to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas development.  She won the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2002, and is among multiple Native women authors in the book “Worlds within Us: Wisdom and Resilience of Indigenous Women Elders.” 

Exhibit showcases students’ expressions of nature, culture

Students from two different classes, “Introduction to Art and Ecology” and “Biodiversity, Creative Practice, Justice,” explored nature journaling as a practice of visual and literary skills, culminating in a showcase beginning last week. The exhibit, titled Nature Journaling as Environmental Pedagogy, featured spreads of pages from students’ nature journals that they worked on over the semester. Subhankar Banerjee, the University of New Mexico professor of both classes and founder and  director of the Center for Environmental Arts and Humanities, said that he felt the exercise was necessary in a time where students are living in “the digital space.” 

Experts warn against permitted killing of Mexican wolves

On Feb. 24, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service released a now-expired document authorizing designated individuals in Catron county to kill a Mexican wolf on private land or “in the act of biting, killing, or wounding livestock on Federal land.” Some experts warn the permitted killings fail to save cattle and could threaten the endangered species.  The permit’s duration spanned from Feb. 19 through April 4, or until a wolf was taken, stating that it be done “as quickly and humanely as possible.” No wolves were reported to have been killed under the permit, according to New Mexico Conservation Lead for WildEarth Guardians Leia Barnett.  Senior Conservation Advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity and author of the book “Predatory Bureaucracy” Michael Robinson said persecution of the Mexican grey wolf by the federal government has historically occurred on behalf of the livestock industry. 

Popejoy welcomes Pilobolus, human movement, dance, storytelling

World renowned dance company Pilobolus, known for its storytelling through movement and human expression, will take the stage at Popejoy Hall this Saturday, April 11. Since its founding by students at Dartmouth College in 1971, Pilobolus has claimed its title in performing arts, exploring dance, physicality and the human body. The company has performed on Broadway, at the Oscars and the Olympic Games, and created over 160 dance works, according to Popejoy press release.

Students react to Albuquerque record heatwave

As Spring began, many in the Southwest experienced a heat wave, sweeping through Albuquerque, which hit daily new record high temperatures.  Temperatures in March reached 91 degrees Fahrenheit, while normally averaging with highs in the lower 60 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Extreme Weather Watch. The warm weather caused vegetation to wake from hibernation and bloom early. Some University of New Mexico students have noticed the shifting weather patterns and associated impacts.

ChatGPT to replace UNM libraries

Last week, University of New Mexico Libraries announced that the generative AI chatbot ChatGPT will be replacing all libraries on Main Campus. The change comes after the majority of books in libraries were found to be more useful for paper-eating silverfish and booklice than for students. On a single flier posted on Zimmerman, UNM Libraries announcement stated that books are now “dead weight” and by switching to ChatGPT, students have access to information in seconds rather than having to roam the stacks to find a book. UNM librarian Rita Book said replacing UNM Libraries with ChatGPT would streamline the library system and ultimately save space on campus when the libraries are demolished.  

Popejoy highlights roots in early folk and country music

Vocalists and instrumentalists Cristina Vane and Brennen Leigh will take the stage at Popejoy Hall on Sunday, March 22 with an acoustic performance showcasing the expansive music genre with their show “Women of Americana.”   Leigh is one of the lead musicians for the show, playing acoustic guitar and mandolin. Vane is a singer-songwriter; she also plays slide guitar and clawhammer banjo.  Leigh said that Americana as a genre has a deep but sometimes overlooked history.

Community voices opinions on Iran war

One week after the United States and Israel launched military strikes across Iran  on Feb. 28, Albuquerque saw two separate rallies take place on Saturday, March 7, each shining a light on the contrast of perspectives among the community. One rally occurred on Girard Boulevard and Central Avenue at the University of New Mexico monogram where demonstrators, thankful for U.S. and Israeli intervention, called for an Iranian regime change. Another rally took place at Robinson Park, where anti-war protesters rallied against the intervention. 

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Children make origami kites to honor children who have been killed in Gaza, displayed at First Unitarian Church for the Community Kite Project for Gaza Press Conference and Open House on April 28.

VIDEO STORY: Thousands in Albuquerque protest against ICE during 'National Shutdown'

Thousands of people gathered at Civic Plaza before marching in Downtown, Albuquerque to protest against the Trump Administration's immigration tactics, including the detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

VIDEO STORY: Over 1000 march to NM State Capitol during 'We Got Us' mobilization

On Tuesday Jan 20, over 1000 protesters, including several young people, marched from the Santa Fe plaza to the NM State Capitol on the opening day of the New Mexico legislative session. Leila Chapa is the photo and social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06 Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88

VIDEO STORY: Downtown Growers Market hosts furry fashion show with Dogboo costume contest

Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06

VIDEO STORY: Labubus come to ABQ Food Park

On Aug. 23, during a windy evening, the ABQ Food Park was overtaken by all kinds of Labubus, which are a form of plush doll. Vendors had booths with original Labubu dolls, others had artisan Labubu crafts made by local artists through mediums like crocheting and 3D printing. Labubu keychains, thermoses, purses, backpacks and other merchandise were everywhere on display. Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06

VIDEO STORY: Over a thousand march in ‘Albuquerque Against ICE’ protest

On Friday, June 20, approximately 2000 people marched in Downtown Albuquerque to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and call for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement The protest began at 5pm at Civic Plaza, during which mariachi performers sang and played songs, and organizers gave speeches to the crowd before the march. The protest concluded at Civic Plaza around 8:15 PM.

VIDEO STORY: Walkout during ‘Higher Education Week of Action’

April 17, 2025.

VIDEO STORY: Albuquerque youth and community march for immigrant rights

VIDEO STORY: Black History Month kicks off at UNM with Pan-African flag raising ceremony

VIDEO STORY: Actions held in Albuquerque in response to Trump's inauguration