Veronica Apodaca - The Daily Lobo

Culture

Grad Issue: Mother graduates alongside her daughter

Veronica Apodaca | December 10

Being a mother and a student are full-time jobs on their own, and Lori White has managed to do both at the same time during her years at the University of New Mexico. White, who is graduating with a Master’s degree in Health Administration from the School of Public Administration, is now able to share her graduation with her daughter, Alea White, as they both graduate from their respective programs this semester.

Culture

River of Lights comes back to ABQ

Veronica Apodaca | December 6

With the holiday season officially beginning, Albuquerque marked by the change of seasons with Albuquerque BioPark’s annual River of Lights display. Set up in the BioPark’s botanical gardens, the River of Lights features millions of glowing Christmas lights covering nearly every inch of the gardens. Many of the lights are arranged into the 550 sculptures designed to amaze the crowds attending.

Photo of Naima Yael Tokunow is courtesy of University Communication and Marketing.

Culture

Africana creative writing course coming to UNM

Veronica Apodaca | November 26

As the end of the semester approaches students at the University of New Mexico begin to plan their class schedules for the spring, with each semester bringing new classes for students to take advantage of. In the Africana Studies Program, a new creative writing class called Introduction to Black Creative Writing offers students the chance to explore the work of black authors as well as expand their own writing skills. Taught by Naima Yael Tokunow, the class includes not only fictional prose, but also nonfiction, poetry and drama in order to give students a well-rounded view of black authors and their work.

Culture

Art exhibit focuses on lives of Native Americans

Veronica Apodaca | November 24

Art has long been used as a form of commentary on current events, and Ricardo Caté’s “Art Through Struggle” exhibition is one local artist’s unique way of accomplishing this. Displayed in the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center until Jan. 6, “Art Through Struggle” is a depiction of Caté’s personal experiences as a Native American man in New Mexico. While the title of the exhibit gives the impression that it is a solemn experience, Caté approaches his subject matter with a sense of humor. His work as an artist also includes the comic strip “Without Reservations” that has been printed regularly in the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper, making him the only Native American artist whose work can be seen in a mainstream daily newspaper.

Stuffed bears line the edge of a bead in the House ≠ Home, Ariane Crummer's BFA Honors Thesis Exhibition.

Culture

Art student explores what makes a house a home

Veronica Apodaca | November 15

The idea of home is something that is central to the human experience, and something that Ariane Crummer explores in her Bachelor of Fine Arts honors thesis exhibition. Entitled “House ≠ Home,” the exhibit focuses on what turns a place into a home. Crummer’s inspiration for this project came from her experience moving from New York to New Mexico.

Actors from the play As You Like It dance on stage.

Culture

Shakespeare's "As You Like It" performed at Popejoy

Veronica Apodaca | November 12

The University of New Mexico theatre department opened its last show of the semester, “As You Like It,” last Thursday. The lighthearted play was brought to life by the hard work of the actors, along with the beautiful set and costumes that added even more vibrancy to the play’s atmosphere. The play centers around Rosalind, a young noblewoman who is forced to flee from her uncle’s court when he fears that she is more loyal to her banished father than to him. Accompanied by Touchstone, the court jester, and Celia, her cousin and dearest friend, she disguises herself as a man and takes refuge in the Forest of Arden. While she is there, she encounters Orlando, the young man that she fell in love with while she was still at court, who has been forced by his vengeful older brother to abandon his home and come to the forest.

Album cover courtesy of Atlantic Records.

Music

"Dirty Computer" a beautiful expression of sexuality

Veronica Apodaca | October 25

Janelle Monáe’s album “Dirty Computer,” released in April of this year, is a bold expression of her unique experiences with sexuality and self-expression, and how these experiences have been shaped by American society. Monáe, who also came out as pansexual this year, uses “Dirty Computer” as a way to give a voice to women and their sexuality, something which is often ignored. “Dirty Computer” is beautifully crafted, with the sounds of several of the songs clearly influenced by artists of the 1970s and 80s. These vintage elements are mixed in with more modern, electronic sounds evocative of the computer in the album’s title. This is particularly noticeable in the album’s second track, “Take a Byte,” in which Monáe creates an image of a herself as a sexual being who is both confident and playful.

The Wicked stage stands empty as the show prepares for their upcoming performances at Popejoy Hall.

Culture

Broadway sensation "Wicked" makes stop at Popejoy

Veronica Apodaca | October 22

Popejoy Hall, known for attracting high profile performances to New Mexico, saw the return of the national touring production of the Broadway phenomenon “Wicked” on Oct. 17. The show tells the story behind the two iconic witches of “The Wizard of Oz.” Its powerful narrative of female friendship and the far-reaching effects of oppression told through a clever script and beautiful songs has made it an international success, and Albuquerque audiences share in the enthusiasm. “Albuquerque seems to be incredibly receptive to Broadway,” said Jan Turri, the local publicist for the Broadway in New Mexico series at Popejoy. “Popejoy is one of the best houses, and it’s the perfect place for Broadway.”

Culture

Harvest Festival celebrates fall in Albuquerque

Veronica Apodaca | October 15

With the weather slowly but surely beginning to move toward cooler temperatures, the Albuquerque BioPark marked the beginning of autumn with its annual Harvest Festival on Oct. 13. Held at the Heritage Farm in the BioPark Botanic Garden, the event, previously known as the Cider Festival, has now expanded to include other aspects of local agriculture such as roasted green chile, a pumpkin patch where visitors were able to purchase and harvest their own pumpkins and a farmer’s market with flowers available for purchase. “Here at the Heritage Farm, we’re really looking to support community agriculture and sustainable agriculture,” said Pamela Dupzyk, the Botanic Gardens’ education coordinator.

Culture

Movie Review: "A Star is Born" shows Gaga at her best

Veronica Apodaca | October 9

“A Star is Born,” the latest adaptation of a story that has been told in Hollywood for decades, is a deeply affecting film showcasing the darker side of life in the spotlight. The film, which opened on Oct. 5, marks the directorial debut of Bradley Cooper, who stars alongside Lady Gaga. Cooper plays Jackson Maine, a successful country-rock musician who tries to hide his alcoholism and hearing loss from the public. After a concert which leaves him visibly drained, Jackson stops at a bar where he encounters struggling singer Ally, played by Gaga. Jackson instantly recognizes Ally’s talent and encourages her to come on tour with him. As they travel and perform together, they bond over their love of music and begin to form a romantic relationship. Although they clearly love each other, Jackson’s drinking problem and declining career continuously drive a wedge between them.