The New Mexico Ballet Company held dress rehearsals at Popejoy Hall on Nov. 25 and 27 for its performance of “The Nutcracker Ballet”. The ballet follows a young girl, Clara, played by 10-year-old Emma Cilke, whose Nutcracker comes to life and takes her on an adventure in another world.
American Ballet Theatre dancers Christine Shevchenko and Alexandre Hammoudi joined the production as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Upcoming performances are in Popejoy Hall on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m.
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PHOTO STORY: Albuquerque provides habitat for hundreds of bird species
December 2Albuquerque offers a wide range of bird habitat over a relatively small space. The Bosque ecosystem is home to riparian species, while the city provides habitat for more adaptive urban birds, and the Sandia Mountains provide a home to higher elevation species. Hundreds of resident and migratory birds settle in Albuquerque, according to the City of Albuquerque website. Albuquerque is one of 31 Urban Bird Treaty cities across the United States. UBT cities partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve birds and bird habitat, as well as provide educational and recreational opportunities in urban areas, according to the FWS website. The FWS highlights the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge as one of Albuquerque’s successes in bird conservation. The refuge is considered to be one of the “most ambitious urban conservation projects in the nation,” according to the FWS. In addition to Valle de Oro, birds can choose from many open spaces in Albuquerque that provide habitat, including the Bachechi Open Space, Rio Grande Nature Center State Park and even the University of New Mexico’s campus. The Bachechi Open Space is one of 17 Bernalillo County Open Space properties, according to the Bernalillo County website. The space offers wetland habitat, which attracts geese, ducks and herons. The Rio Grande Nature Center State Park provides habitat for over 300 species of birds, according to its website. During this time of year, sandhill cranes find food in the fields, and spotted towhee and duck species gather by feeders at the pond. UNM’s main campus hosts a total of 212 species of birds at different times throughout the year, according to Birding Hotspots. Even with the current Duck Pond renovation, trees and green space provide habitat for robins and roadrunners. Leila Chapa is the 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 X @paloma_chapa88
