Winter Travel Issue • December 20, 2013 by Local iQ Magazine

INside F E AT UR E For some winter is for the birds, which is why they choose to fly to warmer environs, both near and far

PUBLISHER

Francine Maher Hopper fran@local-iQ.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ART DIRECTOR

Kevin Hopper 505.247.1343 x21 kevin@local-iQ.com EDITOR

Mike English mike@local-iQ.com

FI L M

SALES DIRECTOR

Derek Hanley

Noted director Neil LaBute (Some Girl(s)) recently visited Albuquerque to shoot a movie, and liked what he saw

505.247.1343 x25 derek@local-iQ.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Chela Gurnee

justin@local-iQ.com PRODUCTION ASSISTANT/COPY EDITOR

Chloë Winegar-Garrett chloe@local-iQ.com

505.247.1343 x 25, calendar@local-iQ.com PHOTOGRAPHER

Former UNM basketball player Frank Willis combines food and music into a funky cool shrine to soul food

Wes Naman wes@local-iQ.com PHOTO ASSISTANT

Joy Godfrey joy@local-iQ.com

PHOTO INTERN

Josh Schaber EDITORIAL INTERNS

Blanca Duarte Jamillah Wilcox

MUSIC

CONTRIBUTORS

From the rebirth of Mazzy Star to a refocused Thom Yorke, the last 12 months saw a multitude of memorable records

A R TS Cinematic book, Sagrado, conveys a collective portrait of the Chicano spirit in the American Southwest

34 Diverse topics and deft treatments make up the best of film in 2013. Columnist Dan Gutierrez picks his 10 best

CA LE N DA R S

CO LU M N S

Arts Events..........................34 Community Events........... 38 Live Music............................30

1+1=3........................................ 11 The Curious Townie............6 First Bite................................. 8 Key Ingredient......................9 Lessons In Love ................ 13 Paw Prints............................ 12 Stir it Up................................10 Soundboard .......................33 The Gaffer............................37

F E AT UR E S Places To Be...........................4 Film Reel................................38 Book Review........................22 Smart Arts............................ 36 Crossword/Horoscope.... 39 Social iQ................................40

EDITORIAL Nelle Bauer Hakim Bellamy Judd Irish Bradley Justin De La Rosa Blanca Duarte Aaron Eckhart Eric Francis Justin Goodrum Dan Gutierrez Seth Hall Jefferey Kappel Randy Kolesky Ana Loiselle Jim & Linda Maher Jordan Mahoney Sam Melada Susan Reaber Ronnie Reynolds Steven J. Westman Jamillah Wilcox Chloë Winegar-Garrett

DISTRIBUTION

FI L M

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Justin De La Rosa

CALENDARS

F OOD

505.264.6350 chela@local-iQ.com

Kurt Laffan David Leeder Susan Lemme Kristina De Santiago Ryan Whiteside Distributech

Local iQ

P.O. Box 7490, ABQ., N.M. 87194 OFFICE 505.247.1343, FAX 888.520.9711 • local-iQ.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS are $10 for 6 bi-weekly issues within the Continental U.S. Please send a local check or money order payable to Local iQ, attention “Subscriptions” to the address above. You may also use the number above to place a credit card order. DISTRIBUTION: Find Local iQ at more than 600 locations in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and surrounding areas. If you can’t find a copy, want to suggest a new location, or want to help deliver Local iQ, please call 505.247.1343.

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LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

PLACES TO BE

2013 Gildan New Mexico Bowl Colorado State vs. Washington State

Noon, Sat., Dec. 21 University Stadium 1111 University SE, 505.277.0111

$25-$40 gildannewmexicobowl.com

olorado State and Washington State will have a tough act to follow when they represent the Mountain West and Pac-12, respectively, in the 2013 Gildan New Mexico Bowl. Last year’s edition offered one of the most exciting bowl games of the year, featuring the Arizona Wildcats’ last-minute comeback against the Nevada Wolfpack. Both CSU and WSU are back in the postseason after a long absence. Washington State went 2-1 to end the season and are looking to get their first bowl victory since 2003. Meanwhile, after a four-year absence, the Colorado State Rams return to the New Mexico Bowl for their first bowl game since their victory over the New Mexico Lobos in the same event in 2008. While this bowl game originally gained popularity because of Lobos involvement, it now attracts traveling fans and is a citywide event. The New Mexico Bowl will continue the tradition of kicking off the college bowl season. —JG

musicaltheatresw.com

ho needs Santa when Barnum is coming to town? If you thought Christmas raised cheerful spirits, then you haven’t seen anything yet. Based on the life of theatrical showman P.T. Barnum, the play invites audiences to go back in time from 1835 through 1880 to explore what transpired in America when Barnum tried to build “The Greatest Show on Earth” despite his wife’s disapproval and critics’ misguided perceptions of a circus. As the show goes on, we get introduced to some of America’s classic circus acts such as the oldest woman alive, Joice Heth, and famous Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind. Brace yourself to be amazed as the production brings together two unlikely worlds of old musical Broadway with the spectacles of sideshow wonders like clowns and trapeze artists. The 10-time Tony Award winning play is directed by Dan Yurcaitis and stars Erick Seelinger as P.T Barnum and Wendy Barker as Chairy Barnum. —BD

JAN

FRI

CELEBRATION Christmas Eve Celebration at Acoma Pueblo 7p-1a, Tue., Dec. 24 Sky City Cultural Center & Haak’u Museum Pueblo of Acoma, 800.747.0181

FREE acomaskicity.org

ere’s one way to celebrate New Mexico’s unique blend of cultures this holiday season: Acoma Pueblo is once again opening its doors to the public for its annual Christmas Eve celebration. It starts with a Mass at the Saint Esteban Church. Shortly after midnight, guests are welcomed to witness traditional dances like deer dances and Los Matachines, to name just a few. The Acoma people encourage guests to explore the rich contextual history, art and ways of life they have practiced over the past thousand years by visiting the exhibitions available and watching the informative documentary film in the Haak’u Museum. In addition, the Acoma people ask guests to voluntarily immerse themselves in the ways of their people by respecting and being open to traditions they are not usually accustomed to. —BD

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

Tickets: holdmyticket.com

DANCE

tart the New Year with a five-week movie series at the KiMo Theatre. The Edgar Allan Poe and Vincent Price Festival will showcase one film each week on the big screen, starting with an all-time classic The House of Usher. This horror movie stars Vincent Price, Myrna Fahey and Mark Damon. Known for his serio-comic performances, Price plays the role of Roderick Usher, a man who tries to marry into a family of madness and gloom. It’s a good script, with a haunting score and cool set design. The House of Usher is probably the best Vincent Price/ Roger Corman adaptation of an Edgar Allan Poe work. Poe’s classic tales of psychological terror gave the world the creeps, and that’s why many scary movies are based on his writing. Spend an evening in the mind of Poe. Other films in the Poe and Price weekly horror series will include Tales of Terror, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Raven and The Masque of the Red Death. —JW

JAN

$22, $20 sen./stu., $18 kids under 13

DEC

SPORTS

$5-$7

T UE

DEC

SAT

popejoypresents.com

KiMo Theatre 423 Central NW, 505.768.3522

African American Performing Arts Center 310 San Pedro NE, 505.265.9119

$20-$54

Poe and Vincent Price: The House of Usher 8p, Fri., Jan. 3

Barnum 7:30p, Fri.-Sat.; 4p, Sun., Dec. 20-29

Popejoy Hall On UNM Campus, 505.277.8010

he all-female Irish vocal group Cherish the Ladies returns to Popejoy by popular demand for this holiday-oriented show, with special guest Maura O’Connell joining the famed quintet that’s led by Grammy Award-winning flutist and whistle player Joanie Madden. Cherish the Ladies has won recognition from TV specials on Public Broadcasting to constant touring schedules as being the premier all-woman traditional Irish band in Celtic music today. The musical stylings of the upbeat folk songs, performed by these firstgeneration Irish American women, will have the audience dancing alongside featured performers such as Irish stepdancers. When the audience stops dancing and begins to listen, the intimacy and intricacy of the tunes by Madden, Mary Coogan, Mirella Murray, Grainne Murphy and Kathleen Boyle will reveal deeplyrooted historical stories that introduce modern Irish culture in unexpected ways. —BD

FILM

THEATER

An Irish Homecoming 8p, Fri., Dec. 20

SAT

CONCERT

DEC

S UN

DEC

FRI

The where to go and what to do from December 19-January 8

MOLODI 8p, Fri.; 2, 8p, Sat.; 6p Sun., Jan. 3-5 The Cell Theatre 700 1st NW, 505.766.9412

$15-$20 fusionabq.org molodi.net

he MOLODI experience returns to Albuquerque for this weekend series. The body percussion group delivers an intense energy of rhythm with stepping, clapping and tapping. The dancers use elements of improvisation to their performances with gumboots, beat box, hip hop dance and poetry. With their crisp choreography, MOLODI uses their bodies as instruments to create imaginative sounds of art. The intimate atmosphere of The Cell Theatre allows the dancers to bridge a gap between themselves and the audience members. MOLODI came together in 2000 with six members — all students from the University of New Mexico. The crew has grown and progressed into becoming extraordinary performers who share their vision for how rhythm has been evolving through culture and time in a theatrical and passionate way. MOLODI keeps things fresh and interesting with each innovative performance by allowing their unlimited potential to shine through. —JW

FILM 5 QUESTIONS

5 QUESTIONS: with Neil LaBute The noted film director recently visited Albuquerque to shoot a movie, and he liked it EDITOR’S NOTE: 5 Questions is

production assistants right to the top of the producing ladder). The city was also quite helpful to our shoot and that helped make my time in Albuquerque very memorable and highly unique. I’ve never had so much green chile in my life!

a new regular feature of Local iQ. We will talk to the people, local or national, who work in the thriving New Mexico film and TV industry. BY MIKE ENGLISH

n the film world, Neil LaBute is that unique double threat, a respected director who is perhaps even more highly regarded for his screenwriting. He’s directed actors ranging from Samuel L. Jackson, Nicolas Cage and Gwyneth Paltrow to Chris Rock and college friend Aaron Eckhart. His brand-new release, Some Velvet Morning (out Dec. 10 on video on demand and in theaters Dec. 13), stars Stanley Tucci and Alice Eve. Dirty Weekend, his movie that wrapped shooting in Albuquerque in November, stars Matthew Broderick and Eve (again). LaBute’s screenwriting credits include In the Company of Men, Possession and the current Some Velvet Morning, which showcases LaBute’s talent for writing character-driven stories. LaBute and the Dirty Weekend crew shared offices with Local iQ during their recent shoot, and the director/ screenwriter was kind enough to sit down and answer the following questions.

Local iQ: Dirty Weekend, the movie you just filmed in Albuquerque, stars Matthew Broderick and Alice Eve. You’ve worked with several talented actors in your films, including Stanley Tucci and Alice Eve in your current feature Some Velvet Morning. What’s important to you when you cast for your films? Neil LaBute: The most important thing in casting, outside of getting talented people in all of the roles, is having people who want to go on the journey with you. I’ve never wanted to be in a position where it felt like an actor was doing me a favor. Instead, I want passionate, gifted people bringing as much or more to the table than I do. It’s the same idea as playing sports with athletes who are more gifted than you are. It’s the quickest way to get better at what you do. I also like seeing actors try new things or stretching themselves and giving them opportunities that they might not get otherwise. In Some Velvet Morning Stanley Tucci and Alice Eve both got a chance to play a more leading role than what they had been getting recently from the bigger studio films they had been associated with, and they both jumped at the chance and created really interesting, complex characters. I

PHOTO BY AARON ECKHART

Neil LaBute made something of a splash in the movie industry as the writer and director of In the Company of Men (1998), which starred his college friend Aaron Eckhart. The screenwriter and director has gone on to write and direct several movies and TV shows. He recently visited Albuquerque to film the upcoming Matthew Broderick film Dirty Weekend.

also loved putting Matthew Broderick in a character that was more sexualized than the material he usually seems to play in; I think it was fun for both of us to push ourselves a bit in that way. In the end, it’s about collaborating with the best and most adventurous artists out there. iQ: As both a playwright and screenwriter, you’re noted for a character-focused and dialogue-centric approach, with a certain writerly rhythm to your work. Do you consider yourself more a writer or a director? Is it a challenge to wear those different hats? NL: If I was forced to choose one over the other — and I hope I never have to — I would probably say I was a writer first and a director second. I started out as a writer and I feel most comfortable with a pen in my hand. That said, I do love directing (mostly from the point of working with actors and a crew rather than feeling born to move a camera around the room). Both jobs can be hard work and take a certain amount of drive and focus. But they are certainly different “hats,” as you call them. It’s not easy to distance yourself from one to the other when you do both. So it’s important to surround yourself with people you can trust and to

ask them openly and often their opinions about the work you’re doing. Writing is a more solitary pursuit, at least the way I go about it, and it’s easy to get lost in the work and for time to pass without barely leaving the house. Being a director gets me out and amongst people every now and then, which is a good thing (at least in theory). iQ: How was your experience filming in Albuquerque? Did you find the atmosphere conducive to getting quality film work done? How did it compare to previous productions you’ve worked on? NL: Albuquerque was a great adventure — not a part of the world that I had previously spent much time in and it was very conducive to the work I needed to do on this project (in fact, we altered the script a bit to fit into the world of New Mexico rather than have the state pretend to be a place that it isn’t). The high desert is very beautiful, so on a personal level I enjoyed it a lot. And I must say that I was either extremely lucky or there are just a lot of great crew members living in your state. This was a relatively small-scale production and yet I was surrounded by really clever, hardworking people in all departments (from the

iQ: You recently branched into television with your DirectTV series Full Circle. What do you think of the trend toward streaming TV and longform storytelling? Do you foresee working in that format more in the future? NL: Yes, this past year saw two firsts for me in television. I wrote the series Full Circle (which I didn’t have anything to do with during production) and I also directed two episodes of the AMC series Hell on Wheels. From a writer’s standpoint, it was very satisfying to create something like Full Circle and to write more than one story about a given set of characters. That said, I also learned how important it is to have some control in the world of television since otherwise you just do the work and hand it over to other people. I loved the world of the western in Hell on Wheels and I hope that any future experiences I have in directing television will be even half as satisfying as those that I had working up in Canada on that wonderful AMC series. Seeing a crew in action who have worked together for three years is a really nice experience, like attending a neighbor’s barbecue where they all seem to know each other but they welcome you in and, by the end, you’ve stayed the latest and laughed the loudest. iQ: There are a lot of creative writing clichés out there — show don’t tell, let character drive story, etc. Do you have any quick tips for an aspiring screenwriter or playwright? NL: “Write.” That’s the best advice I can give. “Sit down and write, and don’t be afraid to rewrite.” You can read all kinds of books about the craft of writing and talk to various people who will steer you in any number of directions, but for my money the best thing you can do is simply put your ass down in a chair and get to work. Let the pages stack up and keep going. Get to the end and then see what you’ve got. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re a genius and believe that you’re finished when you get to the last page. At that point, you’re really just beginning. Too many people seem to hate rewriting or to feel that it’s not the really creative part of the process, but that’s exactly what it is: part of the process that needs to be done. Do it and enjoy it and you might just surprise yourself at how much wonderful stuff happens when you go back and work on something for a second or third or even tenth time. Writing is work. If you don’t like work, don’t do it. Find something easier. If you do, then welcome to the club, roll up your sleeves and get down to it. Sometimes you might create something magical, but there’s no trick to doing it — pick up a pen and get writing.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

CULTURE

Reflecting on, feeling grateful for the year past

n April 24th of this year, the moniker of The Curious Townie was given to me, along with this kick-in-thepants opportunity to share stuff with all of you every other week. It’s been a blast and an amazing rocket ride. My pal Steve Shaffer recently laughed that I’ve taken on the gauntlet passed on by George Baldwin, one of my favorite local journalists who wrote for the Albuquerque Tribune from 1934 to 1996. Baldwin had a column called By George where he filled us in on the goings-on around town with local folks. I loved it, and really liked Mr. Baldwin and his wife, Ruth. They were friends of my family, and to be mentioned in the same sentence with him is honestly one of my dreams literally come true. So, thank you Mr. Baldwin. And thanks for trusting me in this forum, Fran and Kevin and Mike (read the Local iQ masthead if you don’t know who these three are). So, as I sit here and write my last Townie for 2013, I was counting my “who’s been naughty and nice,” and “the good, the bad and the ugly.” In the end, I thought I’d recount the things that made me smile the biggest these past 12 months. I’d be remiss if I did not recount that I’ve lit too many candles for those friends and family members we lost. I’m a firm believer in

“always go to the funeral,” as it’s not about you, it’s about showing your respect and love and admiration for those left behind. Some of my sweetest and best memories have come from those gatherings after the service, where you sit and reminisce and share stories and love. I do tend to drive away at the end of these particular days with a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my soul.

New experience, new friends March of this year brought us to uPublic’s The Morning Brew with Larry Ahrens, where for eight months I popped up on Monday mornings and interviewed some brilliant guests, sitting alongside Ahrens and co-host Erin Muffoletto. Oh what fun we had, with the other days filled with iQ columnists Justin De La Rosa, Shavone Otero, Khalil Ekulona and Dan Gutierrez (and just sayin’ — Charlie Crago we miss you). I’m

appreciative to Janice, John, Rick and Dan and all the rest of the team who make this show happen. As much as I’ve come to relish the time on camera, what I am more elated about is the friends I made in Erin and Larry, and Larry’s better half, Susan. Through the five iQers becoming known as the “iQ Morning Brew Crew,” some of my favorite newfound close friendships were forged. Stoked about what we are gonna do in 2013.

Speaking of Georges I want to tip my hat to Gene Grant of New Mexico In Focus for his July 12th interview with Dr. George Fischbeck, the legendary pioneer in educational television. Those of us who grew up in this city in the 1960s must remember this APS teacher who also taught us about science on KNME, and then became one of our more treasured weathermen on KOB-TV. He had a knack for making you laugh while grabbing your interest with what he was trying to convey. We eventually lost him, professionally, to the beckoning West Coast in the ’70s, but there were New Mexico sightings of him over the years. He’s promoting his new book, Dr. George: My Life in Weather, and he sat on the NMIF set with his daughter as Grant “interviewed” him. I put the quotation marks around that word as what I witnessed was more like a love-fest, and a showing of Grants’ deep admiration and respect for this icon of a man. Dr. Fischbeck is a bit frailer these days, but his charm and wit shined through. And I sat back and marveled over this 14-minute rapport. Pure and sublime.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

Happy trails to you ... On the subject of grandparents, my Dad’s family lived in Apple Valley, Calif., and during summers we would visit them. I recall dining at the Apple Valley Inn and many times we would run into Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Needless to say, as a kid I became a fan. Still am. As an adult I’d always stop at the Roy Rogers Museum while road tripping through California, but was bummed when that museum moved to Branson, Mo., in 2003. I never made it there and the place closed down for good in 2012, with much of the contents being sold at auction by Christies. And I thought I’d never lay eyes on some of those things that tugged on my heartstrings. (Can you hear Roy singing this ballad?) Then, lo and behold, I am driving through Nob Hill and there at the Golden Eagle Trading Co. (westofsantafe.com), on the corner of Central and Carlisle, was a sign touting the Roy Rogers Museum Collection. I had to go in. First of all, this biz is cool, with great history all on its own. And what I was able to be close and personal with in regards to the Roy Rogers stuff made me more than smile. I will tell you more in my first column of the bright new year. In other words, to be continued. Alright everyone, have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light and make the Yuletide gay. I’ll be spending the day with Mom, and Grandma’s turkey dressing. Toasting faithful friends who are dear to us. And smiling. Steven J. Westman details community goings-on in each issue of Local iQ. Reach him at steven@local-iQ.com.

FOOD

Culinary shuffling as the year ends

PHOTO BY JOSH SCHABER

In recent years, there has been an influx of soul food restaurants in the Duke City dining scene. The latest addition, Frank’s Famous Chicken & Waffles, offers all the usual cast of Southern favorites, including shrimp and cheese grits, collared greens and candied yams. Owner Frank Willis is seen holding up a plate of the restaurant’s signature dish, behind a wall of album covers. Diners are encouraged to pick out music to dine to.

Soul kitchen Former UNM basketball player Frank Willis combines his love of food and music into a funky cool shrine to soul food bathroom, are lined with old album covers. But let’s get back to that food. oul food is a tricky proposition in Albuquerque. Perhaps it is because Topping the list, of course, is the restaurant’s the city takes so much pride in its own namesake dish. Chicken and waffles here can version of soul food — red and green be ordered in a number of ways. The Famous chile — that it has all too often turned a blind Plate ($10) comes with six fried chickens wings eye to bonafide Southern soul and the Famous Double ($15) food. However, recent years has, of course, a dozen wings. have seen several new additions REVIEW The flavor and spice of these to the genre, including joints crunchy-on-the-outside, silkyFrank’s like Pepper’s Ole Fashion BBQ and-savory-on-the-inside wings and Soul Food, The Cube and is very Southern with a healthy Famous Nexus Brewery. Thankfully, amount of salt and pepper with Chicken & Albuquerque is starting to just a small kick of spice. The Waffles embrace comforting menu dish is served with syrup and 513 SAN MATEO NE, items such as collard greens, cinnamon-dusted butter, both of 505.712.5109 fried okra, catfish, cheese grits which I wished were warmed up HOURS: and (my personal favorite) fried more (the butter was cold and 11a-8p, Mon.-Sat.; chicken and waffles. syrup room temp). I could have Noon-5p, Sun. probably thrown a dozen of the The most recent player in franksfamous wings down my gullet, but then the soul food game is Frank’s chickenandwaffles.com I wouldn’t have been able to Famous Chicken & Waffles, taste all the other savory goodies located just north of Copper here. on San Mateo in a quaint spot For instance, it is absolutely a painted bright orange. Owned requisite that when you dine here (and you by former UNM Lobo basketball player Frank will, I promise) you order Shrimp and Cheese Willis (’91-’94), the restaurant started as a delivery service early this year and quickly grew Grits ($14, and well worth it). Laced with mushrooms, bacon, cayenne pepper and wisely in popularity to the point that brick and mortar topped with crunchy green onions, this is a was the obvious next step. Though Frank’s dish that made the frigidness of that day go is a small and humble spot, it is filled with away. Sinfully good and the heated up leftovers his second love — music — in many forms, were just as tasty the next day. including vinyl, CDs and even 8-tracks that customers can choose to play on any number My dining companion also ordered waffles, but instead of pairing them with chicken, her fluffy of vintage audio gear. Walls, even those in the BY KEVIN HOPPER

pillows of waffle love were wrapped around roasty beef hot links, which Frank’s calls Links in a Blanket ($8), a play off of Pigs in a Blanket but far superior. Again, hot syrup and melty butter would have made it all that much better. Links are also available as a sandwich for ($7). Sides are plentiful at Frank’s and I was able to finish the collard greens with smoked turkey, as well as the “potlikker” that is as healthy for you as it is delicious. Other sides include a gooey mac ’n’ cheese, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, candied yams and something called Sweet Twice Fried French Fries (all sides are $3), which I will investigate on a future date (there will be many). Other soul food and Southern favorites are available here as well, including a fried or blackened catfish entrée ($14) and shrimp or catfish po’ boys ($14). I’m not a huge catfish fan, but I guarantee I will be taking my pops here for a taste the next time he visits. Another curiosity Willis has on the menu is a pair of french fry bowls — Bacon and Cheese Fries and Chili Cheese Fries (as in Texas chili with an “i”) — topped with green onions and a dollop of sour cream. This, to me, looks like late night, post-club grub. I wonder if Frank would deliver at 2:30 in the morning? If you are still not convinced (maybe some of you are already in the car), take a peek at all the smiling faces on Frank’s Facebook page. It reads like a collective of soul, showing love for the most comforting food you’ll find in town (outside of the beloved red and green chile, of course).

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

hat a year it has been. We’ve seen a lot of new restaurants open and plenty of changes in the already established ones. There is plenty to look forward to in the next year as well. Peter Lukes will be opening Piattini (1403 Girard NE) where the old Brooks Grocery Emporium was. We’re also looking forward to the opening of Gravy (725 Central NE) in the spot where Milton’s was formerly located. Let’s take a look at some other changes around town. On Dec. 11, a blast from Albuquerque’s food trucks past made a special oneoff appearance at Marble. You may remember Dominic Valenzuela’s truck, Dia De Los Takos, and its outstanding fish tacos. Earlier this year he moved to San Diego, leaving us without a tako to talk about. Amy Black of the Supper Truck teamed up with Valenzuela to bring one night of Baja Fish Takos at Marble. Needless to say, it was like Christmas came early for any food truck fanatics around town. Come back soon, Dia De Los Takos. We need more! Farm & Table proudly announced their new executive chef, Sean Sinclair, at the end of November. Sinclair is a native New Mexican but came from Genoa Restaurant in Portland, Ore., where he and his culinary team worked menus inspired by local ingredients. I’ve talked to Chef Sean several times before and experienced firsthand his expansive knowledge and passion for working with food. I am excited to see what he will take from the farm and bring to the table at the locavore restaurant that is now entering its third year. Congratulations to Chef Sean and Farm & Table. MÁS Tapas y Vino recently opened in downtown Albuquerque at Hotel Andaluz in the same space where Lucia was with Chef James Campbell Caruso at the helm. Chef Caruso is the chef and owner of La Boca and Taberna (two of my favorite restaurants) in Santa Fe. MÁS features reinvented Spanish cuisine using high-quality ingredients. There will be a five-course Christmas Eve dinner prepared by Chef Caruso for $75 a person. With dishes like lump crab stuffed with piquillo pepper baked in manchego cream, it sounds like the perfect intimate holiday dinner. Now it’s time to wrap up the year and plan for your New Year’s Eve celebrations. There will be no shortage of parties and places to be. You can bet on a lively scene at any of your favorite bars in Downtown and Nob Hill, but don’t forget the hotels, too. Who doesn’t like to party at the place they’ll be sleeping that night? Have fun, and happy holidays! Justin De La Rosa writes about the local food and restaurant scene. He can be reached at justin@local-iQ.com.

FOOD

Awaken flavors with vinegar’s tartness

t’s a common misbelief that food has to be complicated to be complex. Chefs have gotten so absorbed in the excitement of manipulating food — pearling, compressing, foaming — that the most important element of a dish is often forgotten: taste. At Jennifer James 101, we hold firm to a philosophy of keeping food simple. Start with an awesome raw product and do very little to it. We have no secret ingredients, but rather judiciously use a few reliable ones to make flavors excel. Acid, in the form of fresh lemon (or lime) juice or an assortment of vinegars, is our go-to flavor boost. When Jennifer was photographed last spring along with other James Beard-nominated chefs, she was told to bring her favorite kitchen gadget. While other chefs toted expensive mandolins and Japanese cooking knives, she arrived with a simple yellow plastic cylinder with a serrated edge. It screws into a fresh lemon to create a built-in spout for fresh lemon juice on demand. When the lemon is tapped, unscrew the spout and tap a new lemon. Best. Gadget. Ever. On the line at night, we go through about six lemons’ worth of juice. Citric acid, when added at the end of a cooking process, brightens the flavors of the dish ever so slightly, just to make everything seem flavorfully more vivid. It is a universal taste amplifier. Before the advent of readily available fresh citrus (we’re talking hundreds of years ago), vinegar was used in place of fresh lemon juice. Made by fermenting ethanol, vinegar is a mild acid that can be made from anything that contains ethanol. “Mother” is the vinegar version of sourdough starter. As long as it continues to be “fed” with ethanol, it will continue to produce vinegar. At the restaurant, we nurture our mothers with red and white wine. Our warm kitchen environment is the perfect climate for acetic acid bacterial growth and we are blessed with a new batch of “SourPuss Jug Vinegar” every six weeks. Our house-made red wine vinegar is intense and flavorful and is the perfect final addition to hearty soups and stews to make heavy flavors levitate. We have also reduced the vinegar with equal parts Nob Hill honey to make an agrodolce, of sorts. The sour-sweet glaze is a simple sauce for the plainest of meats, such as roast chicken or seared duck. Commercially, vinegars are sold as either raw or pasteurized; pasteurized vinegars have been heated enough to kill the naturally occurring “mother” bacteria. Raw vinegars often contain mother — it may appear as a slimy blob hovering near the bottom of the bottle. It is completely harmless, but may continue to grow. You can slow the growth with refrigeration. The health benefits of vinegar have long been touted and raw vinegars are an essential part of certain cultures’ diets. However, in this country, the most common vinegar is distilled white

been served in upper Midwest households at holiday time, and became a staple dessert item in boarding houses and hotels. Except the pie shells, you will probably have all the ingredients on hand.

Vinegar Pie Ingredients: vinegar. Nary a household exists without a five-liter jug of the stuff. As a mild acid, it makes for a great cleaning agent, is a good odorneutralizer and is the perfect all-around vinegar to use in the kitchen. Our house pickles depend on an adequate supply of plain ol’ distilled white vinegar. It is actually a misnomer: distilled white vinegar is not actually distilled, but rather is made by fermenting distilled alcohol. In the U.S., most distilled vinegar starts with corn. Kitchen uses for vinegar range from pickling (any vinegar can be used to pickle almost anything) to vinaigrettes (emulsify a basic ratio of two parts neutral oil to one part vinegar with a pinch of salt and pepper), to leavening baked goods (vinegar and baking soda produce gas) and tenderizing meats (the acid denatures proteins). A few hundred years ago, when fresh citrus was a luxury, recipes calling for fresh lemon juice would be adapted to utilize vinegar. The tartness was a close-enough match and the finished product often satisfied the craving. This recipe for Vinegar Pie comes from the original recipe that was adapted from lemon meringue pie. The finished pie looks like lemon meringue pie, but has a distinctive vinegar taste. It would have

1-1/2 cups Apple cider vinegar 2 cups Water 4 Tbsp. unsalted Butter 1-1/2 cups, plus 2 tsp., granulated Sugar finely grated zest of 1/2 Lemon 5 Eggs, separated 3 Tbsp. all purpose Flour 2 unbaked 9-inch Pie shells

Method: Preheat the oven to 325˚ F. Heat the vinegar, one cup of the water, butter, 1-1/2 cups of sugar, and the lemon zest in a medium saucepan. Beat the egg yolks with the other cup of water and flour until smooth. As the vinegar mixture comes to a boil, whisk the egg and flour mixture into the saucepan, whisking constantly until it thickens. Pour the filling into the unbaked pie shells and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling no longer sloshes and is set. Remove the pies from the oven and beat the egg whites and two tsp. sugar until stiff. Spread over the pies. Return the pies to the oven and brown the meringue for 10 minutes. Remove, let cool. Serve cold. Nelle Bauer is co-chef/co-owner of Jennifer James 101. Even though using vinegar in the kitchen seems simple, there’s nothing basic about it. She has vinegar mother to share.

PHOTO BY WES NAMAN

Vinegar comes in a variety of flavors and has an intensity that is the perfect final addition to hearty soups and stews.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

DRINK

Holiday drink trifecta: coffee, chocolate and mint

PHOTO BY WES NAMAN

don’t know about you, but I sure love me a nice hot cup of coffee on a cold winter day. I like to sit inside one of those fancy coffee stores, turn on my laptop and pretend to agonize over my attempt to write the Great American Novel while I actually surreptitiously roster my fantasy football team and check to see if I’ve gotten any bites on Match dot com. You and I both know that what makes such an afternoon even better is when you can sneak a little nip or two into your cup o’ joe. Soon enough, after many elusive glances and sips of hot liquid courage, you get up your nerve and ask the purple-haired “coffee engineer” if they’ll come home with you and “wear that smock and nothing but that smock” around your house as you read aloud your favorite passages from Nietzsche. To get things rolling upon arrival at tu casa, I highly suggest serving up hot mugs of what I call “Mint Mocha Latte.” Now, you’ll truly impress your purplehaired house guest if you have an espresso machine taking up way too much room in your humble abode. If not, don’t fret. A French press will do. Some people I know even dump a bunch of Folgers instant coffee in a sauce pan, add water and boil. Just utilize whatever level of coffee sophistication you have available and prepare your Mint Mocha Lattes with confidence. The smock will come off.

Mint Mocha Lattes Yield: Two drinks Ingredients: 4 oz. Godiva Chocolate Liqueur .5 oz. Rumple Minze Peppermint Liqueur 4 oz. Espresso or strong coffee 6 oz. Milk or milk substitute 8 oz. Heavy cream 1 Tbsp. Powdered sugar 1 oz. Green Crème de Menthe Method: Steam or warm your milk (or milk substitute if you prefer). Pour two ounces Godiva and two ounces hot espresso/coffee into a two mugs. Stir. Add .25 ounce of Rumple Minze to each mug. You only need a touch for the minty flavor, but feel free to add more if you want the kick that a 100 proof schnapps brings. Layer on your milk (or milk substitute). Top with big fat dollops of green whipped cream.

To make the green whipped cream pour cream into a large mixing bowl and place in freezer for about 20 minutes. Next, put your favorite Christmas beating music on your sound system. Get your bowl of chilled cream and begin the beating process. Tilt the bowl slightly and use your wrist to flick your best whisk through the cream at a rate of two to four beats per second (use your Christmas beating music as a guide). Use the longest strokes your bowl will allow. After about a minute or two sprinkle in the powdered sugar and beat some more. You want to beat in as much air as possible until you make a nice fluffy cream. Right before you feel your cream is whipped to perfection, drizzle in the crème de menthe and beat until you have a nice green whipped cream.

Visit Randy Kolesky at the Artichoke Café, where he tends bar and can whip up any coffee drink you might be in the mood for.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

DRINK

Revisit a classic grape during holidays

hile you are being inundated everywhere you go with “buy this!” and “drink that!,” I thought you might just like a little refresher on an old reliable favorite. Sure it fits in at a holiday dinner, but it’s also just a great wine for cold weather foods like roasts, stews and braises. As you learn more about wine (whether you’re a novice or an expert), it’s easy to chase after what’s new and exciting, forgetting the classics. After oohing and ahhing over cool, freaky red grapes like Dornfelder, Lemberger, Mencía or Pinot Meunier, it’s worthwhile revisiting one of the “it” grapes from the last decade: Malbec.

Best supporting actress Malbec is thought to have originated in the Bordeaux region of France, where it never plays more than a supporting role in classic Bordeaux blends. It thrives further east along the Lot River in the region of Cahors, where it is blended with up to a third Tannat or Merlot to soften its tannins and acidity. If you’re curious, look for Cahors from Clos La Coutale for under $20, but I want to focus on what happens when Malbec crosses the equator and rises to 1,000 meters above sea level.

Where should we go, Your Blueness? Dateline 1852: While we were having a Gold Rush in California, and the first female public toilets opened in London, the first plantings of Malbec were happening in Argentina. No one could have foreseen what would happen with these cuttings (brought from Bordeaux), and 160 years later, Malbec has taken on a life and quality unique to that soil and altitude. There is a great deal of variety among vines throughout Argentina, and it is considerably different from its French siblings. Softer and more lush, you’ll find more tobacco, dark cocoa, crushed blueberries and plums on the nose. At the higher elevations of Mendoza in particular, this former back-up singer blossoms into a rich, full-bodied and aromatic red wine with refined tannins that can command the stage on her own. It will happily share the spotlight in your glass with the Bornarda grape.

Step right up, and don’t be shy About 10 years ago, Malbec was relatively new to Albuquerque and much of it was inexpensive (and not particularly remarkable). As demand rose, so did price and quality, but now things have leveled off again. You can get a very satisfying simple bottle for $10 from Diseño, available at Jubilation, Quarters or Whole Foods. Perfect entry point if you somehow missed the opportunity to try this grape before. While perusing the selection of over 40 Malbecs available from Jubilation last week, I found the first one I ever tried, the “Broquel” from Trapiche for $15. They are still making consistently good Malbec. With ripe, “dark purple flavors” and classic dark flowers on the nose, it is still better with a little snack (as most Malbec is). If you are a die-hard Cab or Zin drinker, it’s worthwhile to try the Gauchezco “Plata” Malbec for $24/bottle, where you will find more coffee, spice and tobacco flavors commingling with dark ripe blackberry fruit. I have a personal fondness for the wines of the Ernesto Catena. A fourth generation winemaker (and eldest son of the great Nicholas Catena), his Tikal wines are amazing. I picked up a bottle of “Patriota” for around $20 at Quarters Wyoming not long ago and opened it with some pan-seared Delmonico steaks from Keller’s Farm Stores, which I served with chimichurri. I was inspired by the writings of the great chef Francis Mallmann in his book Seven Fires: Grilling the Argentine Way. While there are as many recipes for chimichurri in the world as there are for green chile stew, I always start with Mallmann. The fresh, coarse green herbs parsley, oregano, mint and cilantro (my personal adaptation) chopped up with garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil and a basic salmuera make

any grilled steak better. What better wine to have than the “Patriota,” a blend of 60 percent Malbec with 40 percent Bonarda (the second most important grape from Argentina). If you are grilling, braising or roasting meat, you can’t go wrong with Malbec at your table. Don’t want to involve red meat in your diet? Make a savory tart with roasted mushrooms or root vegetables. Anything with earth and char to it will go happily with any of the Malbec I have mentioned. The important thing is to have fun exploring. We have great local shops with knowledgeable staff, and whether you want to spend $9 or $50, Malbec is worth revisiting this time of year. As always I welcome your comments, questions and pairing experiences at sam@local-iQ.com. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Wine columnist Sam Melada spent 15 years working in fine and not-so-fine restaurants. He believes that all palates can be enlightened to the pleasures of food and wine.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

PETS

Even pro trainers have naughty pets

Adoptions

ere’s the deal: There’s no such thing as a pet that does not present any problems. On occasion, my dogs have absconded with food off the counter, defecated in my husband’s truck and destroyed a brand new $500 area rug within 12 hours of our buying it. At least, my husband and I tell ourselves, it was three different dogs! Fellow trainer friends have bemoaned cats using the couch as a scratching post and depositing kitty packages outside of their designated litter box. Sound like your pets? Don’t be surprised that all these examples are from my pets and those of my fellow animal behavior and training colleagues. Cat and dog owners always seem to think that trainers and behaviorists have pets with no behavior issues at all. It helps to reassure clients that I, too, have been there/ done that with my furry friends and know what it feels like to face behavior concerns. How do we present the image of having problem-free pets? Our so-called “impeccably behaved pets” are probably given more supervision and structure than most people would imagine. The majority of pet owners would be surprised at what “the professionals” do on a daily basis to help keep their pets’ behavior in check. Over the 20 years my husband and I have shared our home with dogs, we too, have sometimes had considerable damage done to items in our home. We learned the hard way

that our golden retriever Elliot could grab a large cantaloupe from the kitchen counter and take it out the dog door. We knew he was the offender by the cantaloupe seeds on his face and his worse-than-usual gas. Just recently we discovered that our newest dog could get up on the dining room table in one leap. This one was pretty amazing so I took pictures before I got him off of the table. With few exceptions, we have laughed at these transgressions, in large part because we understand that they are our family and so like us they can act like knuckleheads. Here are a few examples of some the types of issues my colleagues have and how they stay on top of them. Notice I said “stay on top of,” not necessarily fix, change or cure. One of my associates had doors in her house that had the lever type of handle. Her dog, Darcy, is so tall she actually looks down on door handles. Darcy quickly learned that she could flip the lever and open any door in the house. What did my colleague do? She replaced all the lever handles in her house with the round knobs and breathed

CHACO Animal ID #31942 4 year old, male, Mastiff Cross who is incredibly sweet and caring. The Warm Hearts Network evaluated him and positively suggested that he’d be a great therapy dog candidate. Chaco is very confident and loving. He will greet people happily and with little kisses. AMELIA Animal ID #33196 1 year old, female, Short Hair Gray Tabby adventerous cat! She is smart and curious, and was the first of her litter to start crawling and exploring her surroundings. She wags her tail like a dog and loves to interact with other cats, dogs and humans!

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

Learn more about these and many other great pets at: ahanm.org or facebook.com/ animalhumanenm

a sigh of relief. A simple change and everyone is safe and sound. Naturally, in our new adoptions building at AHNM, this trainer’s new office has lever door handles. She can’t replace the doors here, but she does keep them locked if she has to walk away from the office. As I watch Darcy through the glass door of her office eying the door handle it reminds of the line from Jurassic Park: “They were testing the fences for weaknesses systematically. They remember.” People brag when their dogs are smart and complain when they are dumb. Be careful what you wish for. Another trainer I work with has a houseful with five dogs. She competes, shows and wins with her dogs in obedience, agility and conformation. On any given day one of her dogs is in a crate or behind a baby gate for a time out for some indiscretion. She knows that anticipating problems, being proactive and providing structure is crucial to a peaceful household. I was almost pulled off my feet when I took one of her champions, Ozzy, for a walk. Even I thought for a moment this dog is “perfect” and let my guard down. Let’s not forget all the “perfect cats” living with my fellow feline specialists. Discussions abound about cats hiding in the laundry, dragging underwear around the house, stalking the dog, stealing from the countertop and bringing half-eaten lizards into the living room for show and tell. All of these antics are not at all unusual and can be managed and monitored. Also, it is extremely helpful to have a sense of humor. So remember if you have a problem with your dog or cat please call us on the helpline or attend one of our educational seminars or workshops. We are happy to help, have lots of information, experience and resources. Ultimately we have pets just like yours and, like you and me, they are not perfect. Susan Reaber, CPDT-KA, is an Animal Humane New Mexico animal behavior specialist. She teaches puppy and adult training classes and assists pet parents through Animal Humane’s free pet behavior helpline: 505.938.7900.

RELATIONSHIPS

Making marriage last through holidays and beyond

o you want to have a happy and longlasting marriage? Sure, we all do. But statistics tell us that the odds are pretty good that you’ll fail. And the truth is that many married people just aren’t willing to learn and/or do the essential things necessary to have a successful relationship. During the holidays, our relationships can suffer, even more so, when stress can overwhelm and get the best of us. But as long as we remember to practice the strategies of a successful marriage, our holidays and beyond can be filled with joy, happiness and connection. So what are the essential behaviors of a successful relationship that will stand the test of time?

Have a no-fault zone Transforming your relationship into a No-Fault Zone has the potential to reduce conflict by 90 percent. See, an interesting thing happens when you find fault of your spouse. You actually get more of the very behavior that you say you dislike. When I find fault of my partner, he’s quite aware that I am blaming or judging him. What does he do? He judges me back! I see him as the problem, and he sees me the same way. All over the country, there are couples finding fault of each other and feeling justified in doing so. Sadly, millions feel that being “right” is more important than actually having a relationship! Finding fault with your spouse or what they do has never worked and never will. So, let me be your fairy godmother today and tell you this is NOT the solution! Believe me, it creates a lot of

it differently, change the ritual! Your boredom often speaks to your inability to find depth and meaning in everyday life and handle a long-term relationship.

3. Use the “five-to-one rule”

damage. Right now, just stop all of it! You may temporarily feel better after going off about how you have been wronged, shafted, victimized, used, manipulated, disrespected, etc. Despite your initial relief, using fault-finding is like a virus eating away any sort of happiness and responsibility in your relationship life.

For every scornful look, sarcastic comment or criticism there should be five positive acts or interactions — a hug, a wink or a compliment. In his book Why Marriages Succeed or Fail, John Gottman found that if there were at least five positive acts for every negative one, the marriage was very likely to succeed.

Successful marriages need a steady dose of kind acts, thoughts and behaviors. When you provide these to your spouse, your capacity for kindness grows along with it. How well do you employ these strategies in your marriage? Have a little fine-tuning to do? Ana Loiselle (analoiselle.com, 505.999.1179) is a relationship coach, speaker and author. As the founder of Relationship Success! Academy, she applies sensible, positive and effective strategies to help singles and couples work out their relationship challenges.

Commitment as a daily practice Couples who understand the spirit of making a constant commitment realize that it’s much more than just a decision not to divorce. It’s a commitment to do the daily work of keeping the relationship alive. It may mean turning off the TV or taking a nightly walk in order to listen to each other’s fears, concerns and worries. These simple deeds, and many more, are the stuff of commitment. They are the actions that keep a marriage vibrant, interesting and exciting. Commitment is shown in everyday acts that are repeated over and over. When these acts are forgotten or neglected, they need to be re-visited and started again. Bored? Then do

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

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lots of life in

Death story + photos by KEVIN HOPPER

Death Valley, California got its name for a reason — millions of sparse, arid and very hot acres of inescapable peaks and valleys. However, thanks to a little oasis called Furnace Creek Inn (the pool is pictured below), built in 1927, there is an lush oasis for not so extreme travelers wishing to take in ancient examples of disparate geography, as well as five star treatment. From brilliant, expansive and mostly treeless views, such as the one to the southwest just prior to entering the remarkable Titus Canyon (above), and the otherwordly Zabriskie Point (facing page, top left) to the quirky and infamous Scotty’s Castle (facing page, bottom left) and the shady date palm garden at Furnace Creek Inn (facing page, right), Death Valley has much to offer, no matter what type of traveler dares enters this dry, hot and low realm.

what better way to escape winter’s chill than a visit to the hottest place on earth?

RECENTLY FOUND MYSELF AT THE LOWEST POINT IN MY LIFE. I was standing by myself on a bed of salt that stretched far toward the horizon at an elevation of 282 feet below sea level. I was in Badwater Basin in Death Valley, Calif. Luckily, the November temperature was a perfect 81 F. If it had been just five months prior, I could have experienced what a balmy 130 F felt like. So peak season for me in Death Valley will always be a winter getaway. On the other hand, I was told during a recent four-day stay in this drastically beautiful part of the country that a fair number of European travelers plan their vacations here during the hottest months of the year. I say, good for them and good for this must-see National Park that has a somewhat unfortunate (but apt) name. To be sure, people do die in Death Valley, but only the ones who feel the need to ignore logic and trek through the brilliantly diverse canyons, peaks and valleys that spread for millions of acres without adequate water and food supplies. This is a place that attracts some of the world’s most adventurous adventurers. For instance, there is an ultra marathon that is run in the middle of July that starts at the lowly Badwater Basin and finishes 135 miles away near Mount Whitney at an elevation of more than 8,000 feet (the race originally finished at the 14,505-foot peak

PHOTO COURTESY OF FURNACE CREEK RESORT

of Mount Whitney, until the forest service disallowed it). If that seems certifiably insane to you, you are correct. And considering that some runners have gone from start to finish as much as four times, you can begin to see the types of people drawn to this place.

Desert oasis Being the not-so-adventurous, martini-and-massage type of “adventurer,” my trip was a much more relaxing affair. Home base for me was the luxurious Inn at Furnace Creek

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

(also below sea level), which is a bonafide oasis in this otherwise empty, dry, low and hot valley (apparently full of crazy people running and cycling their way to their graves). Outside of the door of my plush room was a garden of 50 or so date palms that rose about 70 feet in the air. Lazy, thin walking paths snaked through putting-green-perfect grass and bubbling streams, yuccas and desert flowers. No salt to be found here. Steps away was the naturally-heated pool, men’s and women’s saunas, outdoor fireplaces that burned fragrant tamarisk salt cedar that is native to the area and a high-end restaurant serving dishes created by a French chef. Now we are getting somewhere, you so-called Valley of Death. There is civilization here after all. For more discriminating travelers, The Inn at Furnace Creek is the only choice in terms of a little desert opulence in Death Valley — rooms start at $345 a night. Luckily, the staff here doesn’t leave one feeling the need to seek out other accommodations. I wined and dined at the Furnace Creek restaurant for most meals and enjoyed everything from a plate of earthy sweetbreads and roasted lamb to a delectable scallop dish and a nothing-short-of-amazing date bread slathered with date butter (a Furnace Creek original). Pair that with a very astute wine list, and the harsh landscape surrounding this storied inn seems very far away. Much more affordable accommodations can be found at

Furnace Creek Ranch a half mile down the road from the inn. Cabin units, RV slips and camping are available year-round. Close by is the Death Valley National Park Visitor Center, which is a necessary stop for folks who want to get a quick lesson on park features.

Extreme vacationing Furnace Creek Inn was built in 1927. Millions of years prior to that, Death Valley was an ocean. Above Badwater Basin was 500 feet of salt water that, over time and with the help of a strike-slip fault line, gave way to some of the most disparate geology in the world. On my numerous hikes (and one stellar Farabee Jeep Tour) through canyons named Mosaic, Titus and Artist’s Palette, I was floored by the sheer diversity of the landscape. Minerals abundant here are dolomite, feldspar, borax, sandstone and quartz, and geologic features range from mountain peaks as high as 11,000 feet to sand dunes. One of my favorite spots was the Devil’s Golf Course, an expansive pan of salt crystal that stretches for miles. It was here where I truly felt in awe of nature’s extremities, especially after my tour guide informed me that this nearly impassible, rocky field of salt formations extend a remarkable 9,000 feet below the earth. If salt is one day in short supply, I’m coming here to stock my cupboard. Another phenomenal site is Zabriskie Point, a hilly stretch of pale fingerlike earth that made me feel like I was not on earth at all. The most striking feature here is what is not actually there — plants. In fact, the same can be said for nearly the entirety of Death Valley. There are a lot of rocks, and the best examples of alluvial fans I have ever seen, but short on vegetation and, subsequently, shade.

Tourist traps Death Valley is, in a word, huge. In order to see all the highlights here, a five- to seven-day trip is required. I unfortunately didn’t have time to rent a jeep and make my way to the inexplicable sliding rocks of The Racetrack, nor did I get to hike to the bewilderingly tropical Darwin Falls on the western part of the park. I did, however, get to experience most of the noteworthy features, including the Ubehebe Crater to the north, a half mile-wide volcanic crater that was formed, recent evidence suggests, as little as 800 years ago. Also in the northern part of the park lies Scotty’s Castle, a remote Spanish Colonial villa built in the 1920s that comes with a strange and intriguing Old West story centered around a con man named Walter Scott, aka Death Valley Scotty, and a rich Easterner named Albert Johnson. I also slipped in a round of golf at the Furnace Creek Golf Course, located at the ranch, where I swung the sticks with a few unintimidated coyotes (a first for me). Not surprisingly, the 18-hole course is the world’s lowest course at 214 feet below sea level. Other activities in the park include horseback riding, stargazing, tennis, myriad hiking trails, nearby ghost towns and, at the inn, massage and yoga.

‘Goodbye, Death Valley’ Not knowing what to expect, I was thrilled at what this stark and severe locale offers guests, unlike the famously-quoted Lost 49ers, whose parting words gave the valley its name. While I am pretty sure I won’t be running from Badwater to Mount Whitney anytime soon, I definitely will make plans to return to Death Valley at some point. One of my traveling companions noted that this is the perfect place to lose yourself, and also find yourself. I’m pretty sure I did a little of both.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

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PHOTO COURTESY OF LOTUS B&B

PHOTO BY JOSH SCHABER

mining town

chic

charming Madrid is much more than just a drive-through, with lodging, dining and copious live music story by CHLOË WINEGAR-GARRETT

ADRID, N.M., IS A QUAINT LITTLE TOWN ALONG THE TURQUOISE TRAIL where no two buildings look alike and the people who reside there are comfortable, casual and hospitable, making it easy to slow down and relax. Before I go any further, let me correct your pronunciation of Madrid: it’s MAD-rid, not Ma-drid. This village, population of 204 according the 2010 census, has an extensive mining history and a long tradition of art creation, and this quirky pronunciation is a separator from the Spanish influence found elsewhere in New Mexico. Whenever my husband and I want to get out of Albuquerque for a couple of hours but feel like Santa

Fe is a bit too far, we go to Madrid. To get there from Albuquerque, head east on I-40 to Highway 14, then north. You can’t miss it. It’s a charming town that feels both very old and contemporary, but without a sense of pretentiousness, an easy place to stay for a coffee or a whole night. For our latest escape, we took off and left our son with his grandparents overnight for the first time, making our first getaway since … ? I can’t remember, so it has been too long, obviously. The drive is very scenic, and once mile 11 is reached on Highway 14, there is a marvelous view of all the mountain ranges and colors of the land. You gotta love these kinds of New Mexican drives. Most of Madrid takes place on Highway 14. There are

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

coffee shops, plentiful art galleries/studios, eateries and a museum/tavern, all hugging this road. Each building is adorned with colorful wood boards and ramshackle architecture hinting at its history as a mining village and current incarnation as an artist dwelling. Many local artists reside here instead of in the more touristy cities of Santa Fe and Taos, and almost every wall, building, road, nook and cranny is covered in artwork. One of the best, or perhaps unnerving, qualities of Madrid is that there is no cellphone reception (cue the scary revelation music). It’s shocking how used to technology we have become that when it came down to finding our lodging my husband and I had to depend solely on each other’s minds, common sense and the help from other people who lived in town. Needless to say, it took slightly longer to find our off-the-beaten-path bed and breakfast than it should have, but that wasn’t a huge issue. The flooding rains hit Madrid pretty hard in September, so the roads adjacent to Highway 14 can still be ragged from that destruction, but our destination was worth the effort. The Lotus, one of Madrid’s premier bed and breakfasts, is a on a hill with a view of pine trees, jagged hills and the Sangre de Cristo mountains, along with city lights from Santa Fe. The owner, Lonnie McGuinn, bought this property along with 13 acres of land in 2009 and has remodeled it into a peaceful oasis meant to heal those with stress or physical ailments (all of us, right?). I’m not going to lie: the thought of a holistic retreat made me tense up rather than relax, and I dreaded meeting people who were going to peer pressure me into aromatherapy and breathing right and shoving quinoa down my throat, but fortunately this was NOT the situation. McGuinn was warm and hospitable, clearly passionate about her business, especially when giving us a tour of all the paintings and sculptures that adorn the interior, many for sale. If I had the money to spend on artwork there were some stunning and eerily beautiful

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PHOTO COURTESY OF LOTUS B&B

Mostly a collection of retail shops and old metal-roofed buildings along Highway 14, Madrid (left) is unpretentious and charming all at the same time. And the town is not without comfortable amenities, like The Lotus Bed and Breakfast (above), where guests are able to indulge in massage (far left) and other services.

pieces I would have immediately purchased. Before we settled in for the night, we wanted to grab a bite to eat at a place called The Hollar, which resembles a makeshift shack, but is actually quite an inviting place, with many lights strung up in the trees and a cozy campfire. Two guys with strong musical talent were singing and playing guitar on the porch, but since it was chilly we headed inside. A TV was blaring sports, but people gathered here requested it be turned off so they could focus

on their conversations or simply enjoy some peace. We ordered the special of the night, a rack of lamb cooked rare with a chipotle pineapple sauce on top of parmesan mashed potatoes with haricot vert. It was perfectly seared on the outside and bright red on the inside. All of the flavors worked together wonderfully. After this pleasant dinner, we headed all the way across the street about eight feet to the Mine Shaft Tavern, a museum/bar/restaurant

where there was more live music. Madrid is a music-lover’s town for sure. The ambience is very casual at this bar, and nobody was wearing anything fancy, so as a Birkenstock girl, I felt right at home. All of the employees seemed happy to be working, and excited about the band Sherry and the Four Blues. The lead singer had an amazing voice reminiscent of Amy Winehouse, and we played a game of pool while enjoying the entertainment. While this was a fun evening, I was getting tired and felt like it was the middle of the night, although in reality it was only 7:30p. A lot of the town seemed to be winding down around that time, so I didn’t feel too lame. Back at The Lotus, we stayed in a suite with an outdoor deck that overlooks Santa Fe’s city lights. McGuinn brought up a tasty dairyand gluten-free chocolate zucchini cake and a bottle of Malbec along with a card. In the morning she made custom breakfast for us while we had a yoga session with a nice lady named Rachel, who did not push us harder than we wanted and helped us feel good for the rest of the day by incorporating breathing and stretching into our morning. Heading out, it seemed like a good time to have some more coffee before the not-so-long drive home. We stopped at Java Junction, which has some amazing coffee and huge pastries along with a variety of hot sauce bottles to purchase. I think we saw about half of the people we ran into the previous evening. Small-town living at its finest. Overall, Madrid is an excellent option to visit a place less populated and a bit funkier.

Madrid, N.M. visitmadridnm.com WHERE TO STAY:

The Lotus 12 Waldo Mesa Road, 505.273.1464

nmlotus.com WHERE TO EAT:

The Hollar 2849 State Highway 14, 505.471.4821

thehollarrestaurant.com

Java Junction Gifts & Coffee Shop 2855 State Highway 14, 505.438.2772

Jezebel Soda Fountain & Deli/Gallery 2860 State Highway 14, 505.471.3795

jezebelgallery.com WHERE TO PLAY:

Mine Shaft Tavern/Coal Mine Museum 2846 State Highway 14, 505.471.4821

themineshafttavern.com WHERE TO SHOP:

Color and Light 2850 State Highway 14, 505.424.7877

colorlightarts.com

Indigo Gallery 2854 State Highway 14, 505.438.6202

indigoartgallery.com

Johnsons of Madrid 2843 State Highway 14, 505.471.1054

collectorsguide.com

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

T R AV E L

COURTESY NEW MEXICO TOURISM

Truth or Consequences (right) is just off I-25, about two miles south of Albuquerque. Tourist bus tours to Spaceport America (above) are currently being offered from T or C until the site is fully operational. As the town gears up for the spaceport, new restaurants like Asian-fusion style Latitude 33 (far right) are opening.

from here, you can see

space

things are percolating in Truth and Consequences, where hip lodging and dining options are popping up to serve the pending Spaceport America clientele

story by STEVEN J. WESTMAN • photos by JUDD IRISH BRADLEY

FELL IN LOVE WITH TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES a couple years ago when writing a travel story for this magazine. So when I recently got an invitation for an overnight trip to the town, I jumped at the opportunity. This time around, I became even more enamored with many places — some newfound and some I missed on my last excursion. With all the chatter and expectations for Spaceport America, getting the word out on why this southern New Mexico town can be an intriguing place to visit is VERY important for New Mexicans. What I walked away with was a deeper appreciation of this town named after a game show and why it was chosen as the site for the launch of commercial space flight. My friends and I met for lunch at one of my favorite Italian cafes, BellaLuca, where I am known to wax on and on over their delectable eggplant parmesan. What a perfect way to start our engines.

Lodging was at the Pelican Spa, a colorful place, for sure. Sid Bryan is the man who created this Mecca amid several blocks in the downtown area, taking older apartment buildings and transforming them into bright, colorful (VERY colorful) and affordable places to stay in T or C. Each of the various buildings, which are nestled together in close vicinity to one another, has its own character and sense of style. The latest addition is the wonderful Red Pelican, with a flavor of all things Asian from the decor to the courtyard statuary. I am a sucker for retro/cool/vintage furnishings, and Bryan has a keen eye for finding extraordinary tables, chairs, couches, lamps and artwork. Each room has its own vibrant character, and I could not have been any happier in my Persimmon Suite, filled with rich tones and funky decor. The staff at the Pelican Spa is equally friendly. They tend to make you feel like you’ve been living there for a while, all comfy and cozy. The Pelican offers private

geothermal tubs, perfect for taking a relaxing soak to clear the head, heal the soul and wash away those aches and pains. THIS is one of the main things the town is known for, so getting to use one of the tubs and then return to the privacy of your own room is a luxury all in itself. From the Pelican, you are just a hop and a skip away from so many good things. Adjoining the Pelican is the new kid in town, Latitude 33. I’m more than in love with this restaurant, and awfully fond of the owner/chef and his staff. Joseph Schmitt is the maestro at the helm, another transplant who has his own wonderful tale as to what drew him here and inspired him to open up his own version of Asian-fusion cuisine. Latitude 33 is vibrant in hues and decor, and the menu is divine — leaving me not able to pick a favorite dish from the plates I nearly licked clean. Was it the Spicy Peanut Noodles or the House Chicken Noodle Soup or the Crispy Pork Wings or the Thai Jasmine White Rice? Everything is delish.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

Down it all with a Doña Ana Thai Iced Tea. I’ll be back until I’ve tasted everything on the menu. On this tour I returned to the Geronimo Springs Museum, which holds so much history and appeal. It was, however, the Veterans Memorial Park and the Hamilton Military Museum that made me stop in my tracks and catch the lump in my throat, and shake my head at why I’d never stopped here before. Set on the hill overlooking part of the town and the Rio Grande, the park is dedicated to the memories of those who gave their lives in service to our country. Just next door is the New Mexico Veterans’ Center, where Carrie Tingley Children’s Hospital first started. It’s a collection of gorgeous buildings, partially funded with WPA funds in 1937. Another tour that ended up being fun was checking out all the other mineral soak spas in the historic district. From the Blackstone Hot Springs to the Riverbend Hot Springs to the La Paloma Hot Springs and Spa to the Sierra Grande Lodge, each locale had its own personality and levels of comfort to offer. We also had the good fortune to be in T or C for the Art Hop that is held on the second Saturday of every month from 6-9p. It’s a perfect time to stroll the galleries and shops and meet the artists who have given another layer of flavor to the town. On our evening spent in town, at Grapes Gallery, there was a book signing party for Hot Springs District 87901 New Mexico, by Michael Honack. It’s a very visual book capturing images of T or C’s people, its waters, art, architecture and region. What a lively night sponsored by the Sierra County Arts Council. And Grapes Gallery is just a great space all on its own. Another stop well worth the time is the gallery and studio of Judd Bradley

Photography. He’s currently previewing some images from his Punk Rock Bowling Portrait Project. The rest of the evening included popping into Dust & Glitter, Hot Springs Frame & Art Supply, Michael P Thompson’s ArtMonster Gallery and Rio Bravo Fine Art, just to name a few. Breakfast and coffee the next morning was found at Passion Pie Cafe on Main Street, which is always bustling and serving up yummy fresh-baked goods from 7a-3p daily. I say go for the mini pie of the day. Or order the naughtiest Elvis Waffle, topped with peanut butter sauce, banana slices and whipped cream! And I literally flew outta there with my caffeine fix Shot in Space, which is house coffee with a double shot of espresso! Bam! Now that I have mentioned space, we did take a tour to Spaceport America. The current Spaceport America Bus Tours are the only way to see the spaceport and are available for a limited time before full operations ramp up. We loaded a van in T or C and took the drive to the spaceport about 35 minutes away. You do get quite a visual, and some fun photo ops, but the best part for me was our driver. If you opt to do this, ask for Tyson to be your guide. He’s a Sierra County school

Truth or Consequences torcmainstreet.org sierracountynewmexico.info WHERE TO STAY:

Pelican Spa 306 S. Pershing, 575.894.0055

pelican-spa.com WHERE TO EAT:

Latitude 33 304 S. Pershing, 575.740.7804

facebook.com/latitude33torc

BellaLuca Cafe Italiano 303 Jones, 575.894.9866

cafebellaluca.com

teacher and football coach, and his stories and information were incredible and his enthusiasm beams brightly. After the spaceport journey we capped our whirlwind T or C tour by stopping at Sumthins Ice Cream, Treats and More, on the north edge of town. We sat and sated ourselves with tasty housemade ice cream, and reminisced about our 24 hours together. It was a kid-like comradery by now. Then we all hugged and made our goodbyes. I know I drove away with a grin and head spinning of stories to be retold. In the end, there is a lot of hot stuff to keep you occupied in T or C, a short two-hour drive from Albuquerque, if you need to warm up or just get away. Y’all know I’ll be back for more. Soon.

Passion Pie Cafe 406 Main, 575.894.0008

passionpiecafe.com

Sumthins Ice Cream, Treats and More 902 N. Date, 575.894.1040

sumthinsintorc.com WHAT TO DO:

T or C Veterans Memorial Park & Hamilton Military Museum 996 S. Broadway, 575.894.7640

torcveteransmemorial.com

Spaceport America Follow The Sun Tours 505.897.2886

ftstours.com spaceportamerica.com

Grapes Gallery 407 Main, 505.231.5295

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

NEW YEAR’S EVE NEW YEAR’S EVE

HASTA LA

2013

Celebrate the farewell to 2013 in a large variety of parties and New Year’s Eve events across the entire city

story by JAMILLAH WILCOX

here are plenty of

Hotel bashes

ways to spend your

This New Year’s Eve theme: time travel. Hotel Andaluz celebrates its 75th anniversary as a hotel by ringing in the New Year with DJs, a balloon drop and a champagne toast. Raise a glass Great Gatsby style and dress the part as Hotel Andaluz goes back to the 1920s. You can also check out the fun at the Sheraton Uptown. The festive atmosphere will carry you through the night, from the moment you walk through the door. There will be live music, a balloon drop, giveaways and a champagne toast when the clock strikes 12. And if you want to enter the New Year laughing, the Embassy Suites is hosting a Komedy Concert Gala. Hosted by Ronn Perea, the comedy lineup includes headliner Jerry Winn, Pete Christensen, Shondeen Sierra and Goldie Garcia. If you haven’t booked that room for New Year’s Eve yet, don’t wait any longer. Rooms are dwindling in availability and paying more at the door is silly.

last few moments of 2013 on New Year’s

Eve: attending local hotel parties, throwing your own lavish event, taking a trip to Times Square — or you could stay in New Mexico. We’ll be having just as much fun. If your idea of the best way to ring in 2014 includes exciting entertainment, lots of dancing and tons of laughter, then you must check out the scene around Albuquerque on Dec. 31.

20 LOCAL iQ

| ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

NEW YEAR’S EVE Casino clubbing The 1920s are popular this holiday season, as The Stage at Santa Ana Star Casino will also be throwing a Gatsby-themed bash. If you haven’t checked out this multi-level venue, which has been open for less than a year, then this is the perfect occasion for a visit. Route 66 Hotel & Casino will celebrate by paying tribute to Michael Jackson. The Moonwalker NYE brings the King of Pop back to life with the help of a live band, singers and dancers. The impersonations are faultless and you know what the music is like. The Downs Racetrack & Casino will ring in the new year by hosting a four-course gourmet dinner at its fine-dining venue The Crown Room. And for after-dinner entertainment, the casino’s First Turn Lounge will throw a party hosted by musicians Gonzalo and A.J. Martinez. At Isleta Resort & Casino the main New Year’s Eve attraction is Viaggio by Il Circo, a circus-style theatrical show featuring acrobatics and much more. If dancing into the New Year is your thing, do it with DJ Kique at Club Elevate at Sandia Resort and Casino. The former Albuquerque native said in a recent Local iQ interview that he could have celebrated the New Year anywhere else in the world, but coming home allows him to see family and friends. “I come back home because it’s home,” DJ Kique said. “Albuquerque is just a mixture of great energy and it’s a lot of fun.” Even though the music industry changes rapidly, DJ Kique said the music scene in Albuquerque is timeless. “Albuquerque

people are very old-school when it comes to their music, at least when I started,” he explained. “But ever since I started going back, I’ve notice that there’s a newer energy of younger people with a mixture of the oldschool people.”

Other standout events The New Year’s Eve Celebration with local guitarist Ryan McGarvey at Low Spirits is sure to be a rocker. McGarvey will perform between 8p-12a. There is a $15 cover at the door. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is hosting “Adult Nights at the Museum presents New Years Eve!” There will be a salsa bar, dancing and guided tours. The 21-and-over event costs $15 and will take start at 8:30p. The Cooperage is throwing “Son Como Son-Salsa for New Year’s Eve!” It’s $15 at the door, but only $10 with a purchase of a meal. The 21-and-over event starts at 9:30p.

Leonardo Dicaprio’s leading role in this year’s The Great Gatsby seems to have made an influence on party planners for this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, as three different hotel parties — Sheraton Uptown, Hotel Andaluz and The Stage at Santa Ana Star Casino — are carrying out the posh 1920s theme.

New Year’s Eve Celebration Highlights Hotel Andaluz 125 2nd NW, 505.242.9090

hotelandaluz.com

The Stage at Santa Ana Star Casino 54 Jemez Dam Road, Bernalillo, 505.867.0000

thestageatthestar.com

Sheraton Uptown 2600 Louisiana NE, 505.881.0000

sheratonalbuquerqueuptown.com

Embassy Suites 1000 Woodward NE, 505.245.7100

Isleta Resort & Casino 11000 Broadway SE, 505.724.3800

isleta.com

Sandia Resort and Casino 30 Rainbow, 505.796.7500

sandiacasino.com

Low Spirits 2823 2nd NW, 505.344.9555

llowspiritslive.com

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

embassysuites3.hilton. com

1801 Mountain NW, 505.841.2800

Route 66 Hotel & Casino

The Cooperage

14500 Central SW, 505.352.7866

rt66casino.com

nmnaturalhistory.org 7220 Lomas NE, 505.255.1657

cooperageabq.com

The Downs Racetrack & Casino 145 Louisiana NE, 505.767.7171

abqdowns.com LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

BOOKS

A concise, readable history of nuclear weapons BY JIM MAHER

ric Schlosser has done a magnificent job of chronicling the rise of nuclear weapons from the Manhattan Project that led to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki until the present day. This book is well-written, easy to read and follow and constantly challenges the reader to plunge further into the topic. Having lived through it myself, spending more than 26 years as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, I can attest that his detailed recounting of the Cold War is accurate in its chronology, the

details of nuclear incidents and accidents he describes, as well as in the general environment that people on both sides, military and civilian alike, endured during those terrible times that have since faded into history. Schlosser’s analysis of the politics surrounding the control of America’s nuclear arsenal and his assessment of the shortcomings of the command and control of that arsenal during the Cold War are both chilling and factual. I was extremely impressed by the details that he was able to include to make this book not

only a primer on nuclear weapons development and safety over the decades, but also a gripping account of such incidents as the 1980 Damascus Accident, when an airman working on a nuclear missile in an Arkansas military complex caused a fuel leak and the missile nearly exploded. It is obvious that a tremendous amount of meticulous research went into this work. I was personally aware of some of the “close calls” that occurred during those times and believe Schlosser’s portrayal of them to be spot on. At one time, I worked for one of the officers who investigated the Damascus Accident, and discussed some of the details

with him. In fact, I actually had an opportunity to examine a recovered part of that very nuclear warhead. This book is a must-read for anyone who has any interest whatsoever in the history of nuclear weapons development. It should be mandatory reading for anyone associated with nuclear weapons Command safety and the future and Control of nuclear NUCLEAR weapons WEAPONS, THE in today’s DAMASCUS ACCIDENT AND volatile and THE ILLUSION OF unstable SAFETY world. I By Eric Schlosser thoroughly Penguin Press, 2013 enjoyed every word and $19.99 commend ISBN 978-1-59420-227-8 Schlosser for a work that I am confident will become the unqualified standard reference for the nuclear aspects of the Cold War as well as nuclear safety for the foreseeable future.

James E. Maher, Colonel, USAF (retired) commanded two aircraft and munitions maintenance squadrons at a nuclear-capable unit in Europe and commanded the 3098th Aviation Depot Squadron at Manzano Base (a part of Kirtland AFB), where he helped design the Kirtland Underground Munitions Storage Complex referenced in Eric Schlosser’s book.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

— SPEC I AL AD V E RTI S I N G S E C TI O N —

How the Grinch Stole Christmas set It’s just not the holidays without a good story!

EVOO & Balsamic Vinegar Gift Set Choose from over 40 flavors of extra-virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Each box has four 200 mL bottles.

$53

$67 FIND IT AT:

ABQ Olive Oil Co.

Alamosa Books

10700 CORRALES NW, SUITE E 505.899.9293

8810 & 8850 HOLLY AVE. NE 505.797.7101

abqoliveoilco.com

alamosabooks.com

FIND IT AT:

Ceramic Buddha Head & Kimono Hair Clips Wise gifts, well-received

$49.99 BUDDHA HEAD

$16-$20 CLIPS FIND IT AT:

Out-of-Print T-Shirts High-quality, American-made apparel featuring classic book covers in sizes for men, women and children.

Beeps

$21.95-$27.95

3500 CENTRAL SE 505.262.1900

FIND IT AT:

Bookworks 4022 RIO GRANDE NW 505.344.8139

bkwrks.com

Babes and Bullies Annual Benefit Calendar Support rescued bully breeds and enjoy this fun and creative calendar, featuring local girls and their pit bulls, all year long!

$15 FIND IT AT:

Various Retailers EMAIL BABESANDBULLIES@GMAIL.COM FOR A COMPLETE LIST

Fudge

$7/slice

Receive a FREE half-pound slice of fudge, when you buy TWO slices.

FIND IT AT:

The Chocolate Dude

BUY ONLINE AT

3339 CENTRAL NE SWEET E 505.639.5502

squareup.com/market/the-babes-and-bullies

chocolatedudeabq.com

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

— S P E C I A L A D VERT I SI N G SEC T I O N —

Garmin Edge 810 The touchscreen Edge 810 is designed for the cyclist who wants it all— navigation and advanced training capibilities in one device.

Club Ride Apparel for Women & Men

$89.99

The hip alternative to lycra for that cyclist in your family that wants to pedal with the cool kids every now and again.

8110 LOUISIANA NE, 505.842.8260 RIO RANCHO 909 36TH SE, 505.896.4766

$499.99

Ties

$65-$125

Holiday Special — 20% off entire tie collection. Great stocking stuffers, perfect for holiday parties. Unique styles from Italy and Spain.

FIND IT AT:

Dressed To Kill 220 COPPER NW SUITE #100 505.242.5455

FIND IT AT:

High Desert Bicycles ALBUQUERQUE 8110 LOUISIANA NE, 505.842.8260 RIO RANCHO 909 36TH SE, 505.896.4766

highdesertbicycles.com

Farm & Table T-Shirts

Set of Dishes

Soft cotton, long and short sleeve available for men and women. Printed right here in New Mexico.

$15

and up

Farm & Table 8917 4TH STREET NW 505.503.7124

farmandtablenm.com

Felted Wool Ornaments These cute felted wool ornaments are hand-crafted by a fair-trade cooperative in Nepal.

These delicately painted “De Casa” dishes from Mexico will brighten any kitchen! Many other fantastic pieces are available.

Gift Certificate A gift of delicious, local food! A Farm & Table gift certificate! Open for dinner WednesdaySaturday and Brunch on Saturday & Sunday

Name Your Price Farm & Table 8917 4TH STREET NW 505.503.7124

farmandtablenm.com

Vintage Doggie Bank This doggie bank is one of the many unique vintage items that can be found at La Parada!

$18 FIND IT AT:

$15

and up

FIND IT AT:

La Parada 8917 4TH STREET NW 505.897.8203

shoplaparada.com

Tooled Leather Purse & Wallet She will make a statement with a beautiful and colorful tooled leather purse from Mexico and wallet from Paraguay.

La Parada 8917 4TH STREET NW 505.897.8203

shoplaparada.com

$260 PURSE

$58 $12 FIND IT AT:

La Parada 8917 4TH STREET NW 505.897.8203

shoplaparada.com

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

WALLET FIND IT AT:

La Parada 8917 4TH STREET NW 505.897.8203

shoplaparada.com

FIND IT AT:

High Desert Bicycles ALBUQUERQUE

highdesertbicycles.com

— S P E C I A L A D VERT I SI N G SEC T I O N —

Instant Attraction

The Chillsner

Stuff stockings with science-y goodies. Get these colorful magnets & other cool things to stimulate brains of all ages.

Keeps your beer cold from first sip to last. Two per pack.

$6/$10 FIND IT AT:

Ideas, the store at Explora 1701 MOUNTAIN NW, NEAR OLD TOWN 505.224.8349

explora.us

Lavender Lotion Our light body lotion rejuvenates, moisturizes and calms the scenes with a fresh lavender scent.

Mini Bar in a Box 6-pack of award-winning heirloom spirits hand crafted in New Mexico. Drink Different.

Los Poblanos Slow Cooked Housemade Caramels Made fresh every week in our kitchen and individually hand-wrapped, these caramels are a true labor of love.

$99 FIND IT AT:

KGB Spirits AVAILABLE AT YOUR FAVORITE LIQUOR STORE 505.404.6101

kgbspirits.com

$12 LARGE JAR, $24.

The Farm Shop at Los Poblanos

$29.95 FIND IT AT:

Lieber’s Luggage 6515 MENAUL NE 505.883.8991

liebers.com

Mason Cocktail Shaker Shake your drinks in style with this handy Mason jar cocktail shaker.

$34

The Farm Shop at Los Poblanos 4803 RIO GRANDE BLVD. NW 505-344-9297

lospoblanos.com

4803 RIO GRANDE BLVD. NW 505-344-9297

lospoblanos.com

$15 TO-GO SIZE, $4.

The Farm Shop at Los Poblanos 4803 RIO GRANDE BLVD. NW 505-344-9297

lospoblanos.com

$16

Marble Gift Bags Shop local with Marble’s Gift Bags: Old Windmill Dairy Cheese, Lusty Monk Mustard, Chocolate Cartel or Chocolate Smith Chocolates, Leather Koozies, Z Rod Bottle Openers, and/ or Marble Beer.

$20 FIND IT AT:

Marble Brewery 111 MARBLE AVE NW 505.243.2739

marblebrewery.com

FIND IT AT:

Shot into Space Shot Glasses Six shot glasses, eight animal pioneers. Raise a glass to the unsung heroes of space exploration!

National Museum of Nuclear Science & History 601 EUBANK SE 505.245.2137

nuclearmuseum.org

Davines Gift Sets

$58.50

The perfect gift for someone special. Gift set includes Shampoo, Conditioner and Oi Oil: Absolute Beautifying Potion.

FIND IT AT:

Moxi 503 CENTRAL NE SUITE D 505.255.1761

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

— SPEC I AL AD V E RTI S I N G S E C TI O N —

Great Gifts Exclusively at Beauchamp Jewelers Gentleman’s Watch

Two-piece, Snap-on iPhone 5 Cover

Frederique Constant offers luxury watches at affordable prices. This Gentleman’s watch, out of their Classics Collection, embodies the original Frederique Constant style with a finely decorated dial for a high-end look.

Created by Debbie Brooks. This case is hand embellished with diamond dust and glitter, encapsulated in jewelry grade acrylic, and adorned with Swarovski crystals.

$875

$48

Sterling Silver Ring Ariva’s signature silkweave texture. The luxury jewelry design team strategically placed Rock Crystal Quartz over Turquoise, making the gemstones glow.

$150

Lady’s Watch Chocolate and Roses come together deliciously in this lady’s watch by Frederique Constant. The case is surrounded with sixty white diamonds and has ten diamonds on the dial.

Padlock & Key Pendant Functioning padlockand-key pendant made in Sterling Silver with a dark patina finish by S&R Designs. The padlock has large white topaz gemstones surrounded with 18k rose gold accents and white diamond melee.

$1,970

$2,495

Pink Diamond Ring Natural Fancy Pink Marquise Cut Diamond ring with White Diamond melee set in 14K White Gold. This ring is great for stacking and is also available in Fancy Yellow and Fancy Brown colors.

$2,725

Rolex Lady Datejust Watch

Hoop Earrings Jude Frances’ beautiful hoop earrings are made in Sterling Silver with White Sapphires set in a micro-bead setting. Each stone faces forward in the hoops to give an extra-brilliant look. Perfect for holiday parties!

This 31mm Rolex Lady Datejust watch features an elegant olive-green dial with Roman Numerals and diamonds at six o’clock. It has diamonds scattered across the domed bezel and a combination steel and 18k yellow gold Jubilee bracelet.

$14,500

$690

Emerald Cut Diamond Ring Three-Stone Emerald Cut Diamond ring set in platinum. These diamonds have a very rare and beautiful icy-clearness, so you can see right into the heart of each stone. The three diamonds are all G color, and have a total weight of 2.12 cts. She deserves only the best…

$18,290

7017 Menaul NE • 505.881.8939 • bcjewelers.com 26

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

— SPEC I AL AD V E RTI S I N G S E C TI O N —

Por Vida Therapeutics Gift Packages of 3 or 5 Massage Sessions. The best gift you could get. Keep some for yourself, give some away.

ICATE

RTIF GIFT CE

_____

________

_ To:_____

_______

________

From: __

$150-$300

Local Holiday Cheer

$55

A wonderful mix of holiday cheer. Great for gifts or sampling.

FIND IT AT:

Santa Fe Spirits

Por Vida Therapeutics

AVAILABLE AT YOUR FAVORITE LIQUOR STORE 505.467.8892

505.270.1315

santafespirits.com

FIND IT AT:

porvidatherapeutics.com

$40 Olive Oil & Balsamic FIND IT AT: Vinegar Gift Sets Santa Fe Olive Oil

& Balsamic Co.

These gift sets are perfect for the foodies in your life. Over 80 flavors to choose from.

109A CARLISLE SE, 505.266.6043

santafeoliveoil.com

Tree of Life Pendant 14 karat pink gold and diamond pendant.

$805.00 FIND IT AT:

Ooh Aah 110 AMHERST SE 505.265.7170

oohaahjewelry.com

Beautiful Candles Sewing Class

$24

This year give the gift of sewing! We have kids, beginner and more advanced classes.

FIND IT AT:

AND UP

Stitchology 2400 RIO GRANDE NW, 505.242.3288

Distressed mercury finish on embossed glass. These candles are made in the US with a natural soy wax blend and burn up to 50 hours.

StitchologyABQ.com

$21 FIND IT AT:

Strive 8000 PASEO DEL NORTE NE #C-14 505.821.4999

striveabq.com

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LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

MUSIC INTERVIEW

NATIVE

SON

Eric McFadden earned his chops in an Albuquerque punk band and has been forging a high-profile rock ‘n’ roll career ever since

story by MIKE ENGLISH • photo by JEFFEREY KAPPEL PREVIEWS

Eric McFadden WITH FLOOZY

9p, Sat., Dec. 28 LOW SPIRITS 2823 2ND NW, 505.344.9555

$10 holdmyticket.com lowspiritslive.com WITH KATY P & THE BUSINESS

8p, Fri., Dec. 27 TAOS MESA BREWING 20 ABC MESA, TAOS, 575.758.1900

$10 taosmesabrewing.com

7:30p, Sun. Dec. 29  W/ MEMBERS OF TEDESCHI TRUCKS, JUNIOR MACK& GUESTS KIMO THEATRE 423 CENTRAL NW, 505.768.3522

$22-$28  kimotickets.com

Proceeds go to New Day (ndnm.org), PAPA (paparts.org) and the new McKinnon Family Tennis Center at UNM. The evening is a tribute to Sean Hopkins. weare10star.org ericmcfadden.com

ric McFadden gets animated when he talks about his formative years in Albuquerque, where he played in the punk band Angry Babies and earned his rock ‘n’ roll chops. “Those are a lot of great memories,” he told Local iQ in a recent interview. “Punk rock, man. We meant it and we felt it and we believed it.” McFadden, 44, has branched down many different musical roadways since those early years, learning flamenco guitar, playing mandolin and earning a reputation as one of the more talented rock guitarists of his generation. Few Duke City musicians have built a more high-profile career. McFadden has played with everyone from Eric Burdon and the Animals to George Clinton and P-Funk to Jackson Brown, Joe Strummer, Stewart Copeland and Bo Diddley. He’s a musician’s musician, as evidenced by a month of gigs he will be doing in Los Angeles in January, when he will take the stage with a new all-star band every week — drummer Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction, bassist Doug Wimbish of Living Colour, drummer Michael Jerome of Better Than Ezra, bassist Seth Ford Young of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. The list of collaborators seems endless. McFadden will be in New Mexico to play shows in Albuquerque Dec. 28 and at Taos Mesa Brewery Dec. 27, with a band that includes Karen Cuda of Nashville Pussy and Jeff Cohen of McFadden’s old group EMT. And sometime early in the new year McFadden will go into the studio with his new trio, T.E.N., where he will finish recording an album with fellow band members Norwood Fisher (Fishbone) and Thomas Pridgen (Mars Volta). As if his list of musical accomplishments is not enough, McFadden is also involved with the nonprofit We Are 10 Star!, an organization started

PHOTO BY JEFFEREY KAPPEL

Eric McFadden moved to Albuquerque with his parents at the age of 8, then spent nearly 20 years of his life in New Mexico, where he laid the foundation for a career in rock ‘n’ roll. The guitarist, now 44, has played with everyone from George Clinton to Eric Burdon.

by McFadden’s manager, Delphine de St. Paër Suter, which works to give at-risk kids a hand up through music and art. While he’s in town McFadden will be taking kids from Albuquerque teen refuge New Day to a recording studio. McFadden spoke with Local iQ from Germany, where he was finishing a tour as guitarist for Burdon and the Animals. Local iQ: You’ve been touring in Europe, you do these December shows in New Mexico and then you do a month residency at The Mint in Los Angeles. You’re playing with some amazing people in L.A. Eric McFadden: That’s a very cool thing. It’s a lot of work setting it up, with a show every week with a different band, so if you come to all four shows you’re not getting the same thing. There are a lot of awesome players involved. A few of the guys from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. Wally Ingram, drummer extraordinaire. Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction. Norwood Fisher will be there. The list goes on. iQ: That stands out about you. Music is a collaborative art to start with, but you always seem to be push-

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

ing in multiple directions. EM: Music is its own inspiration. It’s my passion and what I love to do, and it’s also my job and my career. I have a multitude of reasons for staying inspired and creating new things. For one, for my own personal satisfaction and enjoyment, because one of the things I love about music is discovering new things and breaking new ground. And for the fans too. I don’t want to bring the same thing gig after gig. My next record shouldn’t sound like the one before it. Music is my refuge, my savior. It’s always been there for me. It’s the one thing that’s never let me down. So I feel like I’m indebted to it. I’ve been lucky to play with a lot of talented musicians, too, and that’s always a great inspiration. iQ: I know you spent a lot of your younger years in Albuquerque. Can you talk about your feelings for Albuquerque? EM: I have a real strong connection with New Mexico. I spent most of my formative years there. New Mexico is ingrained in me. Beyond just the green chile and the mountains. The Angry Babies was my first serious band. Punk rock, man. We meant it and we felt it

MUSIC

“The Angry Babies was my first serious band. Punk rock, man. We meant it and we felt it and we believed it.” — ERIC McFADDEN and we believed it. Those are a lot of great memories. The scene was cooking. I remember playing places like Beyond Ordinary and the Dingo Bar and guys like Miguel Corrigan and Michael Goodwin, they provided a home for us when everyone else was doing top 40 and all this other shit, and we were NOT doing that. We were playing original music and not all of it exactly orthodox. The Dingo Bar and Beyond Ordinary were two very supportive venues when it came to doing that. The Launchpad was Time Out and then it became the Launchpad, and Joe Anderson has always been good. Back in the day, man, when all that was happening and the scene was thriving, there were a lot of great local bands. From Cracks in the Sidewalk to Splinter Fish to Red White and Black to the Muttz. It felt alive and a lot of great shows came through Albuquerque, thanks to guys like Joey Abbin, who gave local bands a lot of opportunities. Joey Abbin was the saint of the scene. That’s why we called him The Pope, man. He was so instrumental in helping the scene in Albuquerque thrive, and he remains to this day an incredibly important person to me. Club Rec, the shows that went on there are legendary. We even threw crazy punk rock shows at the Fat Chance on Central. The Atomic Theater was short lived but very legendary, that was Joey Abbin and Garret Whatley involved with that. They had The Pixies and Soundgarden and countless other awesome acts there. It was

The members of Eric McFadden’s new band T.E.N., which will be putting out an album in 2014, include Norwood Fisher (far left), Thomas Pridgen (far right) and McFadden (center right). Delphine de St. Paër Suter (center), a performer and McFadden’s manager, occasionally takes the stage as well.

a great time to be in Albuquerque. Things come and go, they have their ups and downs, but that was our heyday, the late ’80s into the early ’90s. iQ: Tell us about the outreach to kids you’re doing as you tour. EM: Yeah, we go into youth homes, detention centers, mental wards. Delphine de St. Paër Suter founded We Are 10 Star!, and through that we take time during any tour to do stuff like that, to reach out to kids with music. iQ: What in your own background inspires you to do something like that? EM: Without music, I fear what may have happened to me. Music has saved me. I was fortunate because I had parents who were very supportive of my interests. A lot of kids don’t have that, they come from homes that are unstable. So if there’s just a little push in the right direction, sometimes it opens a possibility,

plants an idea or a seed, and that can change the whole trajectory of your life for the better. That’s what keeps me doing that. Delphine and I have gone several times to New Day (Youth and Family Services) and places like that, and you can see when you are reaching someone. We can all use all the help we can get, all the time, no matter how well we’re doing. And some people just don’t get that. Some of these kids don’t get that chance, or that encouragement or direction. We Are 10 Star! is about reaching your own potential. It’s about helping each other, unity, community and realizing your own potential. iQ: With all the legendary people you’ve played with, what’s it like to play with Eric Burdon and George Clinton? EM: I first played with Eric Burdon years ago. I love Eric personally and musically. He’s a

tremendous guy, he’s got a great mind, a youthful attitude and he goes out there and just kicks ass like you wouldn’t know he’s 72. He still has the voice, the attitude, the stamina. With George Clinton, he also became like family. He gave me a great education, taking me on the road. George Clinton is an innovator and a legend. I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had, really. Even the shitty ones. It’s all worth something. iQ: Tell us about your new band T.E.N. It sounds like you’re going to put out an album fairly soon, is that true? EM: What happened with T.E.N., we had a plan to get an album out in the fall but a variety of things occurred. For one, we got in the studio and recorded a bunch of awesome tracks that we were all very pleased with. While we were making the record, Eric Burdon called to inform me he was releasing the record I had played on, which we had recorded a year prior. He asked if I would hit the road with him again. And that’s taken a lot of my time this year. And with T.E.N., we want to make sure proper attention is paid to this album. Thomas Pridgen our drummer received some offers, so he’s been on the road, and Norwood Fisher our bass player has been doing various things with Fishbone, and so forth. So we’re waiting until the record has been completed and released and then we’re all going to gear up and hit the road. iQ: Good to hear things are still on track. EM: T.E.N. lives, I tell you. And with someone like Norwood Fisher on bass and Thomas Pridgen on drums, pretty much anything is possible. They’re severely badass. iQ: You’ve played huge arena shows. What’s it like for you to play a teeny little club like Low Spirits? EM: I think I actually like playing the small places more, just because there’s an intimacy with the crowd. There’s a reason the Rolling Stones do these secret little shows at small clubs, because they miss that intimacy of being right there with the audience. That was the beautiful thing about punk rock, there’s no barrier between the band and the audience, we’re all in this together, it’s symbiotic. I like having less division between me and the audience. We can sweat on ‘em. It’s rock ‘n’ roll, you know? You want connection.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

MUSIC

LI V E M US I C

SUBMIT TO LO CA L iQ The next deadline is Jan. 1 for the Jan. 9 issue. SEND CALENDAR ENTRIES TO:

calendar@local-iQ.com f: 888.520.9711 a: PO Box 7490, ABQ., N.M. 87194 PLEASE USE THIS FORMAT:

Venue Band GENRE Time, Cost List events any time for free at local-iQ.com *All events subject to change. Check with individual venues before heading out

** CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE A FREE SERVICE AND MAY BE CUT DUE TO SPACE. PREFERENCE IS GIVEN TO FREE EVENTS.

THU 19 Blackbird Buvette Willy J Duo ACOUSTIC 7p KGB Club GOTH 10p, FREE

Cowgirl Santa Fe Gann Brewer FOLK SINGER 8p, FREE Imbibe DJ Malik 9p, FREE Launchpad Empty Sails/Broken Animals/ Touched by Strangers/Shade the Rose 9:30p, $5 Low Spirits Plateros/The Jir Project/Chuck Hawley Group 9p, $5 Marcello’s Chophouse Sid Fendly PIANO 6:30-9:30p, FREE Molly’s The Impalas 5:30p-close, FREE Monte Vista Fire Station Alex Maryol ACOUSTIC 7p, FREE Outpost Performance Space Mary Halvorson Quintet GUITAR 7:30p, $15-$20

Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro Jesse W. Johnson and Jacocha 9:30p, FREE

FRI 20

Low Spirits Wildewood/Brush Strokes/Peter James & his Flapping Wings 9p, $5 Marcello’s Chophouse Karl Richardson Duo PIANO 6:309:30p, FREE

Mine Shaft Tavern DJ Sass-a-Frass 5p Ashely Raines AMERICANA 8p, FREE

Molly’s Spankey Lee 1:30-5p Rudy Boy Experiment 5:30p-close, FREE Monte Vista Fire Station Felix y Los Gatos 9p, FREE Ned’s Bar & Grill Le Chat Lunatique 6p, FREE Outpost Performance Space Roust the House Teen Performance Night VARIOUS GENRES 7:30p, $3

QBar Old School House Party ’80s/’90s 9p-1:30a, FREE

Yanni’s & Lemoni Lounge Riverside Jazz Trio 7:30-10:30p, FREE

SAT 21 Blackbird Buvette “It Wasn’t Me” hosted by Jim Phillips 6p Close Contact ‘80s request dance party w/ DJ Kevan 10p, FREE

CoolWater Fusion Willy J 6-8p, FREE Cowgirl Santa Fe The BIl Herane Trio CLASSIC COUNTRY 2-5p David Borrego & Friends ROCK ‘N’ ROLL 8:30p, FREE Evangelo’s Moby Dick LED ZEPPELIN HOMAGE 9p-close, $5

Imbibe Ryan Shea & Josh Burg 10p, FREE Launchpad DJ Green Lantern 9:30p, $10 Marcello’s Chophouse Tony Rodriquez Duo PIANO 6:30-

9:30p, FREE

Mine Shaft Tavern Jim & Tim SOULFUL BLUES 3-7p Todd & the Fox 7p, FREE Molly’s Rock Bottom 1:30-5p Group Therapy 5:30p-close, FREE Monte Vista Fire Station The Rudy Boy Experiment 9p, FREE Popejoy Hall Home for the Holidays HOLIDAY POPS 6p, $20-$68

Blackbird Buvette Happy hour w/ Carlos the Tall 6p DJ Cello & Guests HIP HOP 10p, FREE Cowgirl Santa Fe The Swinging Ornaments COOL CHRISTMAS 5-7:30p Busy + The Crazy 88 HIPSTER POP 8:30p, FREE The Downs Racetrack & Casino Redneck COUNTRY 9p-1a, FREE Iconik Coffee Roasters Ballroom Blitz VARIOUS GENRES

QBar Guest DJs TOP 40 9p-1a $10 (no cover women first 2 hours) Shade Tree Customs & Cafe Los Radiators ACOUSTIC FOLK/BLUES 8-10p, FREE

Yanni’s & Lemoni Lounge Michael Anthony Trio JAZZ 7:3010:30p, FREE

Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro The Surf Lords 9:30p, FREE

8-11p, $5

SUN 22

6-9p, FREE

Blackbird Buvette Brunch w/ Sloan Armitage/ Fernando Moore/Gerald Burkhart Noon Sexy Sun. featuring Wae Fonkey 7p, FREE Chatter Sunday Copland Clarinet Concerto/Crumb Christmas Piano CLASSICAL 10:30a,

Imbibe DJ Malik 10p, FREE Launchpad Anti Christ Mas/Laughing Dog/ Largactyl/Burns Like Hell/Sorry Guero! 9p, TBD Los Cuates Los Radioators ACOUSTIC FOLK/ROCK

PHOTO BY WES NAMAN

Albuquerque hip hop crew Video Games (from left: Sam Blankenship, Chris “Sapience Christ” Erickson, Rob “DJ Ohm”Ortega, Nic “7:56” Sucre, Jason “Shoe” Sparks and Justin De La Rosa, with Nathan Candelaria not pictured) is pushing forward in multiple directions as 2014 looms. The band just released a new video, directed by Mike Henz, for the song “Scattered Seeds” (youtu.be/YWOWb60vnKg). Now the group is pushing a Kickstarter campaign to complete their first record, the EP Slow Drowning. Guest artists will include Ecid, Kent Erickson, BlesInfinite of the 2bers and Monaie of Broken Animals, and the plan is to release the record in early 2014. To help Video Games get to its goal of raising $800, visit kickstarter.com/projects/videogamesnm/video-games-slow-drowning-ep.

$5-$15

Cowgirl Santa Fe Zenobia GOSPEL Noon-3p Parker Milsap FOLK ROOTS 8p, FREE Low Spirits B Side Players/Merican Slang 9p, $12 Mine Shaft Tavern Gene Corbin AMERICANA 3-7p Gypsy Christmas show BELLYDANCING 8p,

Cowgirl Santa Fe The Kenny Skywolf Band CLASSIC BLUES 8p The Swinging Ornaments

O’Niell’s (Nob Hill) Next Three Miles FOLK AMERICANA

THU 26

FREE

4-7p, FREE

Sunshine Theater Blood on the Dance Floor/Davey Suicide/The Relapse Symphony/ Haley Rose 6:30p, $16

MON 23 Blackbird Buvette Karaoke w/ DJ Speed 9p, FREE Cowgirl Santa Fe Karaoke hosted by Michele Leidig ALL STYLES 9p, FREE

Launchpad Thy Art is Murder/Tyrants/ Inhuman Hands/Beyond my Dreams 7p, $12 Marcello’s Chophouse Open piano night 6:30-9:30p, FREE Molly’s Juz Cuz posole night 5:30p-close,

FREE

COOL CHRISTMAS 5-7:30p, FREE

Molly’s Gene Corbin 5:30p-close, FREE QBar Pete Gabaldon & Magic LATIN JAZZ 9p-1a, FREE

Blackbird Buvette Stephanie Martin 7p, FREE Cowgirl Santa Fe The Bus Tapes FRESH FUNKY ROCK ‘N’ ROLL 8p, FREE

Imbibe DJ Malik 9p, FREE Launchpad Sense & Change/Twisted Audio/ The Riddims/Daniel Snow 7:30p, TBD

Marcello’s Chophouse Karl Richardson PIANO 6:30-9:30p,

FREE

Molly’s Cowboy Scott 5:30p-close, FREE Monte Vista Fire Station Chris Dracup ACOUSTIC 7p, FREE Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro The Lost Mesa Swamp Kings 9:30p, FREE

TUE 24

FRI 27

Blackbird Buvette Try vs. Try open mic w/ Sarah Kennedy 10p, FREE

Blackbird Buvette Low Life happy hour w/ DJ Caterwaul 6p Bass-Face Ugly Sweater Party w/ Rude Behavior/ Yer Momma/Carlos B 10p, FREE

Cathedral of St. John Baroque Splendor: Handel/Bach/ Buxtehude CLASSICAL 4p, $10-$35 CoolWater Fusion Oscar Butler 6-8p, FREE Cowgirl Santa Fe Bill Hearne CLASSIC COUNTRY 5-7:30p Felix y Los Gatos RED HOT

CHILE GUMBO 8:30p, FREE

Imbibe The Woohabs 6p DJ Malik 10p, FREE Launchpad Reverend Horton Heat/Old Man Markley 9:30p, $20 Low Spirits Concepto Tambor/Reviva/Element 37/Bandwidth No Name/DJ Halcyon 9p, TBD Marcello’s Chophouse Karl Richardson DuO PIANO 6:309:30p, FREE

Mine Shaft Tavern DJ Sass-a-Frass 5p Open mic night 7-11p, FREE

Molly’s Steve Kinabrew 1:30-5p East Mountian Allstars 5:30p-close, FREE Monte Vista Fire Station Chris Dracup ACOUSTIC 7p, FREE

SAT 28 ABQ Square Dance Club Los Radiators SWING/LATIN/ COUNTRY 7-11p, $15

Blackbird Buvette Music Lab ABQ featuring Youngsville/Next Three Miles/AJ Woods 9:30p, FREE

Cooperage Tumbao SALSA 9:30p, $7 Cowgirl Santa Fe The Sean Healen Band FOLK ‘N’ ROLL 8:30p The Santa Fe CHiles DIxie Jazz Band 2-5p, FREE Imbibe Ryan Shea & Josh Burg 10p, FREE Low Spirits Eric McFadden/Floozy 9, $10 Marcello’s Chophouse Tony Rodriquez Duo PIANO 6:309:30p, FREE

Mine Shaft Tavern Mike & Bobby from The Jakes CLASSIC ROCK 2-6p CW Ayon BLUES 7p, FREE

Molly’s COAST 1:30-5p Memphis P-Tails 5:30p-close, FREE

Monte Vista Fire Station Katie P & the Business 7p, FREE QBar Guest DJs TOP 40 9p-1a $10 (no cover women first 2 hours) Taos Community Auditorium Songs & Stories 8-10p, $22-$25 Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro Rodney Bowe & Sina Soul’s Sweetlife 9:30p, FREE

SUN 29 Blackbird Buvette Brunch w/ Felix Peralta Noon Jenny Wren’s 21st birthday party 6p, FREE

Chatter Sunday Dvorak and Strauss Sextets CLASSICAL 10:30a, $5-$15

DUE TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON, this issue of Local iQ covers three weeks — December 19, 2013 to January 8, 2014. We will

return (completely recharged for 2014) with a brand new issue on January 9. Have a HAPPY & VERY SAFE NEW YEAR!!

30 LOCAL iQ

| ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

MUSIC

LIV E M USIC Cowgirl Santa Fe Zenobia GOSPEL Noon-3p, FREE Launchpad Ancient Truth/December Deceive/ Incide/3 Weeks Later/Lights on for Safety/Matt Morgan/Genocide/ So it Begins/The Damion Stalker Project/GOO-NEE-NEES 4:15p,

Molly’s Iron Chiwawa 5:30p-close, FREE Low Spirits Ryan McGarvey 8p, $15 QBar DJ Sez 9p-1a, $40 DJ Automatic

Mine Shaft Tavern The Barbwires SOULFUL BLUES 3-7p,

8p-close $45-$80

$8-$10 FREE

O’Niell’s (Nob Hill) Holy Water and Whiskey FOLK 4-7p, FREE

MON 30 Blackbird Buvette Young Readers (Oklahoma) SOLO ACOUSTIC 7p Karaoke w/ Kammo’s Karaoke 9p, FREE Cowgirl Karaoke hosted by Michele Leidig ALL STYLES 9p, FREE

Marcello’s Chophouse Open piano night 6:30-9:30p, FREE

TUE 31 Blackbird Buvette Close contact dance party w/ DJ Kevan 10p, FREE Cooperage Son Como Son SALSA 9:30p, $10-$15 Cowgirl The Bus Tapes FRESH ‘N’ FUNKY ROCK ‘N’ ROLL 8p, FREE

Imbibe Next 2 the Tracks OUTLAW ROCK BAND 7:30p Ryan Shea 10p, FREE Marcello’s Chophouse Karl Richardson Trio PIANO 7p-12:30a, FREE

9p-1a $20

Sheraton Uptown Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Affair Vernon’s Hidden Valley Steakhouse Le Chat Lunatique 6p, FREE Yanni’s & Lemoni Lounge Entourage JAZZ 8-11p, FREE Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro Wildewood 9:30p, $5

WED 1 Blackbird Buvette Open mic poetry 7p, FREE Imbibe DJ Malik 9p, FREE Monte Vista Fire Station The Memphis P-Tails BLUES 8p, FREE QBar Sina Soul & Rodney Bowe’s Sweet Life SMOOTH JAZZ 9p-1a, FREE

THU 2 Blackbird Buvette The Fabulous Martini Tones SURF ROCK 6p KGB Club GOTH 10p, FREE Launchpad Echoes of Fallen/Dischordia (OK)/ End to End/Defleshment 9p, $5 Monte Vista Fire Station Alex Maryol ACOUSTIC 7p, FREE Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro Zoltan Orkestar 9:30p, FREE

FRI 3

MON 6

TUE 7

WED 8

Blackbird Buvette Happy hour w/ Carlos the Tall Casa Esencia Guest & Celebrity DJs DANCE

Blackbird Buvette Karaoke w/ DJ Speed 9p, FREE Launchpad Moodie Black/Oddatee/Summon/ The Howlin’ Wolves/Essex the Afreakin/Cloudface 9p, $5

Blackbird Buvette Groove the Dig w/ Old School John

Blackbird Buvette Leftover Soul w/ DJ Leftovers VINYL GROOVE 9p, FREE Monte Vista Fire Station The Memphis P-Tails BLUES 8p, FREE QBar Sina Soul & Rodney Bowe’s Sweet Life SMOOTH JAZZ 9p-1a, FREE

CLUB MUSIC 9p-1:30a, $20 ($10

for women after 11p, no cover for women between 9-11p) Monte Vista Fire Station Raven & her SPP Band 7p, FREE QBar Vanilla Pop 9p-1:30a, FREE

GARAGE PUNK 10p, FREE

QBar Pete Gabaldon & Magic LATIN JAZZ 9p-1a, FREE

Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro o’Duffy’s Lament 8p, FREE

SAT 4 Blackbird Buvette Four Winds belly dance revue 7:30p The Goldsteins POP CABARET 10p, FREE

Cooperage Tumbao SALSA 9:30p, $7 Launchpad Makaylapalooza/Ballistic Batz/ The Horned God/Illumina/Sory GUero!/Throw the Temple/Friend 2 Foe/Shit Happens Inc./Banish the Omen/In the End/Fade the Sun 8p, $5 Monte Vista Fire Station Jade Masque 7p, FREE QBar Guest DJs TOP 40 9p-1a $10 (no cover women first 2 hours) Sunshine Theater Sleep/Helen Money 8p, $18 Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro Port Alice and Jacocha 9:30p, FREE

SUN 5 Blackbird Buvette Brunch with Ryan Dishen Noon, FREE Chatter Sunday Molly Barth/Melissa Penn FLUTE/

OBOE 10:30a, $5-$15

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

MUSIC

Top albums of 2013 From the rebirth of Mazzy Star to a refocused Thom Yorke, the last 12 months saw the release of a multitude of memorable records BY RONNIE REYNOLDS

he year 2013 saw a multitude of seasoned artists pushing their creative envelopes. Some newcomers showed veteran savvy, and some genres had their boundaries stretched. The following is this reviewer’s top 10 releases, in no particular order.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Specter at the Feast Bay Area garage rockers BRMC returned in 2013 with their sixth and arguably finest release. Following the 2010 death of singer/ songwriter Robert Been’s famous father, Michael (who fronted the 1980s band The Call), the band focused on their music instead of the tragedy. A little assistance from Dave Grohl and his famous soundboard certainly pushed the recording over the top. This is a beautiful collection of growling masterpieces and some slowed-down sadness.

Goldfrapp Tales Of Us Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory have been creating genre-bending electronic music since their darkly sensual debut, Felt Mountain, in 2000. The duo will at times produce some heavily mainstream dance music then follow it up with somber, slow, cinematic music. Tales Of Us is Goldfrapp’s sixth full-length release and falls into the latter category. Perfect for a cold, lonely winter evening, Tales Of Us will send a sharp shiver down your spine.

Atoms For Peace Amok Whether you love or hate Thom Yorke, it’s impossible to make the claim that the Radiohead front-man is a one-trick pony. Yorke teams up with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea for his latest project. This seemingly strange mash-up is what makes the album.

Among the top resurgent artists of the year are seminal trip hop artist Tricky (near left) as well as almost forgotten alternative folk duo Mazzy Star (not pictured). Other top artists include UK electronic vets Goldfrapp (far left) and Philadelphia solo artist Kurt Vile (above), who released Wakin On A Pretty Daze to critical acclaim.

Driven by beats and bass, and highlighted by Yorke’s trademark lyrics and wail, the result is dynamic and highly contemporary.

Camera Obscura Desire Lines Beautiful familiarity is what places Camera Obscura in our top eight of 2013. Desire Lines is the Scottish band’s fifth release and continues the formula of sweet/somber indie love songs. Consistency is a rarity in the current state of the music industry, so it’s refreshing to celebrate a band with staying power. Fans of ’80s underground artists like The Smiths and Everything But The Girl will find Camera Obscura’s music an updated version of their classic favorites.

that the duo seemingly didn’t age. It’s as if no time passed. If you are feeling a bit nostalgic for the ’90s, there was no better release this year.

Tricky False Idols

Deerhunter Monomania Bradford Cox of Deerhunter is arguably the coolest, whackiest, sassiest and most talented musician on the scene right now. Fans have witnessed Cox wear a dress and wig, riff on a 55-minute rendition of “My Sharona” and pull out pouty performances. Cox’s creative, noisy, catchy tunes on Monomania capture the raw essence and turmoil of this fiery musician.

Serengeti Saal Hip hop is redesigned and redefined by rapper/musician Dave Cohn, aka Serengeti, on his 2013 release Saal. Nods to jazz and early spoken word-style hip hop prevail. Cohn challenges what constitutes “beats” by using strings, synths and an assortment of other non-traditional hip hop back-beats, while laying down poetic lyrics that tell the story of a highly intelligent and creative musician.

Kurt Vile Wakin On A Pretty Daze There is a specific reason why the Kurt Vile performance sold out at Sister in August: Wakin On A Pretty Daze is a brilliant album. The Philadelphia native is so loved in his hometown they named Aug. 28 Kurt Vile Day and awarded him the city’s highest prize, The Liberty Bell Award. The 33 year old deserves all of the accolades he is sure to garner this year because of the hazy, brooding, neo-folk brilliance of this release.

Mazzy Star Seasons Of Your Day The return of guitarist extraordinaire David Roback and the whispery, siren-esque Hope Sandoval after a 17-year hiatus was definitely a highlight of 2013. Probably the most remarkable quality of Seasons Of Your Day is

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

Tricky and Massive Attack essentially invented the genre of trip hop in Bristol, England, in the early 1990s. Tricky’s releases have come full circle in the nearly 2 decades of his solo career. From his “Trip Hop 101” debut, Maxinquaye, to this year’s False Idols, he is simply the godfather of the genre. Heavy, slow, haunting beats and Tricky’s trademark slurring rhymes showcase the master’s comfort zone.

The National Trouble Will Find Me Brooklyn is widely considered the indie music capital of the world right now and for good reason. Band after band are making significant global contributions. Along with that, there is a certain amount of pretentiousness oozing from these Brooklyn artists. The National could certainly be labeled The Kings Of Pretension. What separates The National from many other cocky musicians is Trouble Will Find Me backs it up. Matt Berninger’s deep baritone and sharp, sad drinking songs reached their pinnacle this year.

MUSIC

Living for a good song

f you’ve been following along at home, you know the theme of Soundboard is Burque musicmakers and Burque musicmaking. However, we at Soundboard have had a particular affinity for songs about “home” the past two columns. Maybe it’s the holiday season with its contradiction of love and loneliness, family and missing home. Perhaps it’s just because the cross colors of Christmas are no coincidence, red or green? Nonetheless, this second installment of our “No Place Like Home” series (I just made that up) features singer-songwriter Prudencio “Prudy” Dimas. A Gallup, N.M., native who followed a girl to Albuquerque 17 years ago, and … well you know what they say, “Albuquerque. Come for the girl, stay for the food?” Nonetheless, Burque was a fortunate muse. And on Dimas’ brand new album love and how to live without it, the alternative-folk/country singer-songwriter proves he’s much more than just an alt-folk/ country singer-songwriter. He’s a poet. The highway, she been good to me, I’m saving her a place here in my line She’s keeping all my secrets, just to turn them into something that will shine I’m gone with out a warning, the highway only found be ‘cause I was lost I broke the road wide open tellin’ stories ‘bout the love that I have cost This song (“550”) is the last song on his album, a rearview mirror of sorts. Recently relocated to Colorado, Dimas says that this song transports him to the driver’s seat of his truck on that old familiar road many Norte-bound New Mexicans

know all too well. “Driving on that highway asking myself, ‘What the hell are you doing?’” Dimas continued, “Then I start to think about how I find myself asking myself that question often but for different reasons and will likely continue that theme as long as life continues to inspire me and I am willing to chase that inspiration.” This is essentially what love and how to live without it is all about, losing and finding at the same time. Dimas counts John Prine, Townes Van Zandt and Willie Nelson as major songwriting influences. One of the most memorable days of his youth was when he and his Gallup homies ditched school to drive to Albuquerque (to Bow Wow Records) to get Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy on vinyl, then raced back to Gallup and proceeded to smoke cigarettes in a friend’s basement while listening to the album for the rest of the day. Simply put, this guy lives for a good song. Wanna hang in the basement with Dimas this holiday season? Then, download love and how to live without it to your digital stocking by visiting prudydimas.bandcamp.com. Or better yet, throw a mistletoe in your back pocket and head down to Art Bar by Catalyst Club on Sat., Dec. 21 for his release party (featuring Wildewood, Pawn Drive and Cali Shaw) at 7p.

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

ARTS

SUBMIT TO LO C A L iQ The next deadline is Jan. 1 for the Jan. 9 issue. SEND ENTRIES TO: calendar@local-iQ.com f: 888.520.9711 a: PO Box 7490 ABQ., N.M. 87194 Name of Exhibit/Event Description of exhibit/event VENUE/GALLERY ADDRESS website List events any time @ local-iQ.com

Events are always subject to change, check with individual venues before heading out ** CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE A FREE SERVICE AND MAY BE CUT DUE TO SPACE. PREFERENCE IS GIVEN TO FREE EVENTS.

FRI 20 Give A/AWAY 4 Dinner A community-based micro-granting dinner for projects that benefit NM, with dinner and a dance party. 6p-midnight, $15-$50

ART BAR 119 GOLD SW, 505.400.3904

The visual imagery of Sagrado: A Photopoetics Across the Chicano Homeland is provided by photographer Robert Kaiser, who travels the border between Mexico and the United States, from California to Texas, and captures images of the Chicano experience.

Sacred spaces Cinematic Sagrado conveys the Chicano spirit of the American Southwest continued. “I just scribbled a few words down on a piece of paper on the way home. And when ew Mexico Centennial Poet and we got home my wife had dinner ready for us, so University of New Mexico professor we ate and then I shared the poem with Robert Levi Romero admits that some of and Spencer. It was very rough. It was nothing the poems in his new book weren’t special to me. ... It was just one of those kinds of actually supposed to be in his new book. Sagrado: poems where you scribble it down and you are A Photopoetics Across the Chicano Homeland is a never going to look at it again. Well, Robert desert delta where three rivers of took the poem and somehow they artistry and existence converge. submitted to UNM Press as part of the Romero is just one of the those Sagrado: manuscript!” rivers, running with his story in A PHOTOPOETICS As the story goes, a few weeks later verse while his co-creators, Robert ACROSS THE Romero proceeds to visit his publisher Kaiser and Spencer R. Herrera, CHICANO at UNM Press one day, and the run with their stories in picture HOMELAND publisher mentions Romero’s Anaya and prose, respectively. By Spencer R. Herrera, poem (titled “Like a Good Golden However, it was Kaiser and Herrera Robert Kaiser and Levi Drink”) in the manuscript, noting how who decided the book needed Romero differently it departs from his typical one particular poem in order to UNM Press, 2013, 142 pp. aesthetics. To which Romero replied, be complete — unbeknownst to “What poem are you talking about? I $29.95 Romero, even though he wrote it! didn’t submit that poem!” ISBN-13: 978-0-8263-5354-2 Let him explain. Romero promptly had a chat with his “There was a student in the creative partners, but after being met “Writers in the Community” Class with their adamancy that the poem be I taught with Carlos Contreras, who was doing included, he acquiesced and drafted the poem an internship with the Women in Creativity into its final form. Workshop that Dr. Shelle Sánchez was putting Just like the book, this story embodies the concept together at the National Hispanic Cultural of sagrado, a sacred place were two or more are Center,” Romero recently told Local iQ. “Through gathered in the name of community. This book is that workshop my student was engaged in a a retelling of what happens in those spaces where project where the entire class would write a poem identity is constructed, histories are inherited at exactly the same time, at sunset. And then write and discussions persist as to how “dark and another poem at exactly the same time, at sunrise. indigenous” La Virgen de Guadalupe was when This preceded our visit with Rudolfo Anaya for Sagrado, but I wanted to participate in the exercise. she revealed herself to Juan Diego. This book reads too cinematically to be shelved “So just as we’re leaving Anaya’s house, it was six with other sterilized academic accounts of the ’o clock, and the sun was going down,” Romero BY HAKIM BELLAMY

American Southwest. It does not lie on the page like a static history or past. It is alive like the process of becoming, like identity in progress and in practice. It reads like a front porch with Kaiser breaking out the photo album, while Herrera recounts a childhood story until Romero interrupts him with an impromptu poem. Then, Anaya shows up with a bottle of tequila and they all trade fours for the rest of the afternoon. Sagrado has spectacular photos, musical storytelling and poetry that smells like Dixon, N.M. (Romero’s hometown). This book traverses the kaleidoscope of the Chicano experience in the borderlands, from the religious to the profane, from the Homeland Security outside to the mythical homeland inside of us all. With a number of books to his credit, I asked Romero what was special about this project. He quoted Bo Diddley and said, “You should have heard, just what I’ve seen.” This book seats the reader at family feast, inviting us to read with our eyes, fingers, ears and nose. A different kind of “soul food,” where you can almost taste the chile. and maybe that’s just the way it’s supposed to be for guys like us a life of going upward on a downhill road climbing against impossible odds and always ascending toward the unknown against the mountain of struggles we bring upon ourselves leaving pieces of this and that along the way little crumbling reminders to guide us back to where we started, back to our kin back into the embrace of those who will welcome us as we are

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

—from “Ascension” by Levi Romero

thisisaway.org THROUGH DEC. 22: PERFORMANCE: FRI.-SUN.

The Nutcracker Ballet in the Land of Enchantment This classic ballet takes on a SW flair including Spanish dancers, snakes, sheep, fandango and a storyteller doll. 7p, $14-$47 ABQ JOURNAL THEATRE NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER, 1701 4TH SW, 505.724.4771

nhccnm.org

THROUGH DEC. 21: PERFORMANCE: FRI.-SAT.

The Santaland Diaries Experience the adventures of author David Sedaris’ gig as an elf working at Macy’s in this one-person show. 8p, $10

TRICKLOCK PERFORMANCE LABORATORY, 100 GOLD SW, SUITE 112B, 505.404.1578

theboxabqtickets.com

SAT 21 THROUGH JAN. 10: OPENING

Under a Western Sky Photographs by Craig Varjabedian showcase the beauty and mystery of the Southwestern landscape. 3-5p,

FREE

WILLIAM R. TALBOT 129 W. SAN FRANCISCO, SANTA FE, 505.982.1559 williamtalbot.com

SAT 28 PERFORMANCE

Love, Loss & What I Wore Written by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, bring everyone you know to experience this fabulous show. 2p, $15

AUX DOG THEATRE 3011 MONTE VISTA NE, 505.254.7716

auxdog.com THROUGH JAN. 5: EXHIBIT

Santa Fe’s Only Interactive Train Exhibit Bring the kids and explore how trains work and see the amazing work of collector Richard Moeller. Noon-5p, $6 SANTA FE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 1050 OLD PECOS TRAIL, SANTA FE, 505.989.8359

santafechildrensmuseum.org

ARTS

O PE NI N G S/ PER F O R M A NC E S FRI 3 THROUGH FEB. 6: RECEPTION

Stretching Savoye Mixed media paintings by Frederick Pichon reflect his personal interests in design, architecture, science, history and geometry. 5-8p, FREE

PALETTE CONTEMPORARY ARTS 7400 MONTGOMERY NE, 505.855.7777

palettecontemporary.com THROUGH JAN. 31: RECEPTION

New Year New Work Show Reg Loving’s work focuses on contemporary and abstract landscape depictions, which will be showcased alongside various other artists. 5-9p, FREE SUMNER & DENE 517 CENTRAL NW, 505.842.1400

sumnerdene.com

SAT 4 LECTURE

Arte en la Charrería Enjoy talks, music, activities and celebrating a Mexican equestrian tradition steeped in pageantry, with curator Gabriel Cabello Martínez presenting the legend of China Poblana. 2p, FREE

Prints by Santa Fe artist Karsten Creightney are the focus of a new show at Albuquerque’s Inpost Artspace, the art gallery inside Outpost Performance Space, 210 Yale SE. An opening reception will be held for Creightney’s show, called Black and White, from 5-8p on Fri., Jan. 3. The show, which highlights Creightney’s interest in minimalism and German expressionist relief prints, runs through February and the gallery is open Mon.-Fri., 2:30-5p.

ALBUQUERQUE MUSEUM 2000 MOUNTAIN NW, 505.243.7255

albuquerquemuseum.org

Ongoing THROUGH DEC. 31: EXHIBIT

Cannupa Hanska Luger: Destroying the Stereotype This show will address several preconceived notions about Native people supported by popular culture that have been invented and distorted. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY NATIVE ARTS, 108 CATHEDRAL PLACE, SANTA FE, 505.983.1666

iaia.edu/museum THROUGH DEC. 31: EXHIBIT

Cannupa Hanska Luger: Destroying the Stereotype This show will address several preconceived notions about Native people supported by invented and distorted popular culture. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY NATIVE ARTS, 108 CATHEDRAL PLACE, SANTA FE, 505.983.1666

symbols and the history of the west. 5-7p, FREE

WILLIAM R. TALBOT FINE ART 129 W. SAN FRANCISCO, SANTA FE, 505.982.1559 williamtalbot.com

THROUGH DEC. 22: PERFORMANCE, FRI.-SUN.

Faster, Santa Claus! Kill! Kill! ABQ’s premier drag ensemble, The Dolls, unload their joy to the world with a work that lovingly pokes fun at the absurdity that sometimes accompanies the holiday season.

8p, $18-$20

AUX DOG THEATRE 3011 MONTE VISTA NE, 505.254.7716

auxdog.com THROUGH DEC. 24: PERFORMANCE, TUE., FRI.-SAT.

Miracle on 34th Street Reaffirm your belief in Santa and share in the joyous holiday season with this iconic story. 7:30p, $10-$18 ABQ LITTLE THEATRE 224 SAN PASQUALE SW, 505.242.4750

iaia.edu/museum

albuquerquelittletheatre.org

THROUGH DEC. 31: EXHIBIT

THROUGH JAN. 10: EXHIBIT

Opacity and Transparency International artist Eliza M. Schmid will present her unique artwork. FACTORY ON 5TH ARTSPACE 1715 5TH NW, 505.554.3891

factoryon5.com THROUGH JAN. 2: EXHIBIT

Remembering Who We Are Kyle Zimmerman’s photographs of the real and divine feminine power. MARIPOSA GALLERY 3500 CENTRAL SE, 505.268.6828

mariposa-gallery.com THROUGH DEC. 22: PERFORMANCE, FRI.-SUN.

Best Christmas Pageant Ever A cast of 25 will perform a story of the chaos and redemption of six kids cast in a church pageant. ADOBE THEATER 9318 4TH NW, 505.898.9222

adobetheater.org THROUGH JAN. 10

Under a Western Sky: Photographs by Craig Varjabedian Witness these ephemeral pieces that combine layers of natural

Privacy and Secrets: ZBCA Annual Group Show In a world with swiftly-moving technology, our lives are growing more and more visible. Where will our personal privacy go? 5-7p, FREE

ZANE BENNETT CONTEMPORARY ART 435 S. GUADALUPE, SANTA FE, 505.982.8111, EXT. 1005

zanebennettgallery.com THROUGH JAN. 10: EXHIBIT

Privacy and Secrets: ZBCA Annual Group Show In a world with swiftly-moving technology, our lives are growing more and more visible. Where will our personal privacy go? 5-7p, FREE

ZANE BENNETT CONTEMPORARY ART 435 S. GUADALUPE, SANTA FE, 505.982.8111, EXT. 1005

zanebennettgallery.com THROUGH DEC. 29: PERFORMANCE, FRI.-SUN.

Barnum The story of Prince of Humbug, Phineas Taylor Barnum (PT Barnum) is a fascinating look at one man’s interest in the more

unique people of the world. 7:30p,

$18-$22

AFRICAN AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 310 SAN PEDRO NE, 505.265.9119

musicaltheatresw.com

FRIDAY DEC. 20, SAT. 21, FRI. 27, SAT. 28

The Show Using audience suggestions and any absurd ideas that cross their minds, improvisers create scenarios and songs that are hilarious and preposterous. 9-10p,

$8-$10

THE BOX PERFORMANCE SPACE & IMPROV THEATRE 100 GOLD SW, SUITE 112B, 505.404.1578 theboxabq.com

FRI. 20 AND SAT. 21, SUN. 22

A Very Star Wars Christmas When Darth Vader complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Forcemas season, Queen Amadela suggests that he become director of the school Forcemas pageant. Darth Vader accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. By Kathleen Miller and Doug Montoya.6-7p, $10, Fri.; 2p, $10, Sat.; 8p, $10, Sun.

THE BOX PERFORMANCE SPACE & IMPROV THEATRE 100 GOLD SW, SUITE 112B, 505.404.1578

cardboard-playhouse.org FRI. DEC. 20, SAT. 21

The Santaland Diaries The Santaland Diaries is David Sedaris’ one-man send-up of his brief, misguided career as a Macy’s elf. The show skewers our sentimental love of all things Christmas – the happy children, the spritely elves, the gifts, the good cheer. Sedaris’ character, Crumpet the Elf, shows us the other side of what it’s like to work at Santaland, and the result is bawdy and irreverent, but always fun. 8-9p, $10 THE BOX PERFORMANCE SPACE & IMPROV THEATRE 100 GOLD SW, SUITE 112B, 505.404.1578

cardboard-playhouse.org

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

smart ARTS

nyone who has read David Sedaris’ work knows that he has a highly unique and humorous voice. The Santaland Diaries is a true tale about his adventures working as an elf in Macy’s Department Store, and is a hilarious contrast between the extremely sappy sentimentality of Christmas along with the dreaded darker side of holiday cheer. His elf character is Crumpet, who has the seemingly good fortune of being directly involved with Christmas. But the flipside of Sedaris’ situation revolves around coping with bratty The Santaland Diaries children, Santa’s questionable 8p, Fri.-Sat., Dec. 20-21 moral decisions and the fanatically The Box Performance Space enthusiastic employees who work 100 Gold SW, #112B, for Macy’s. As the author of Me 505.404.1578 Talk Pretty One Day and Naked, $10 both New York Times bestsellers, Sedaris has a strange and accurate theboxabqtickets.com way of seeing humanity. This oneperson elf play will be performed by Kelsey Montoya and directed by Kristin K. Berg of The Tricklock Performance Laboratory. They will bring to life the bawdy and sardonic events of holiday shopping and the absurdity of working as an employee for the Christmas season, but with a heartwarming theme behind it all. The Santaland Diaries is an unconventional holiday story that is guaranteed to get viewers laughing and forgetting the stress of the season for an evening. —Chloë Winegar-Garrett

lbuquerque-born artist David K. NSK Thompson is returning home OPENING RECEPTION: with a two-part exhibition at the 7p, Fri., Dec. 27 newly roofed Albuquerque Press Club. Albuquerque Press Club In the gallery rooms Thompson will be 201 Highland Park, displaying some of his solo pieces, while 505.243.8476 in the main room he will be showing as FREE a member of the controversial Eastern European art collective NSK. NSK (Neue qpressclub.com Slowenische Kunst or “New Slovenian Art”) is a citizen-driven artist initiative whose creative impetuses are the Slovenian national identity and raising awareness of and protesting against totalitarian regimes. The art style is highly influenced by WWII and Soviet-era propaganda. This show will also be the first annual NSK Dacha, which will be a more intimate meeting of NSK artists and those interested in the movement with lectures, ideologues and, of course, art, music and film. Thompson has most recently shown and participated in lectures with his NSK brethren at the MOMA in New York, The Tate Modern in London, the museum of contemporary art in Karlsruhe Germany, the Collum Gallery in Seattle, as well as several locations in Eastern Europe and across the U.S. and Asia. —Seth Hall

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

f you’re looking for signs of life and talent in the Albuquerque comedy scene, not to mention skill and flair in the fields of burlesque and music, one of the best places to search in the last three years has been at the regular AnarKomedy shows at Low Spirits. That fact is cause for celebration at this anniversary staging, which will be hosted with classy sassiness by burlesque queen Daisy De’Vill. AnarKomedy founder Kevin Kennedy is one of several comedians on the performance roster, which also includes such Albuquerque talent as Sarah Kennedy, Sarah Mowrey, Black Mike, James Morrow, Jason Green, Dawn Schary, Mike Long, Davyd Roseman and Luis Powell. Musical acts to take the stage will include Blame It On Rebekkah (who, if you’re lucky, might play their song “Love is a Stolen Bowling Ball”), Youngsville and blueIV. Kevin Kennedy started AnarKomedy in 2010 as “the show I would want to see,” a sometimes chaotic blend of comedy, music and burlesque. Join in the anarchy. —Mike English

AnarKomedy 3rd Anniversary 8p-midnight, Thu., Dec. 26 Low Spirits 2823 2nd NW, 505.344.9555

$8 Tickets: holdmyticket.com lowspiritslive.com

FILM

The year’s 10 best films

he new year is upon us. It’s time for every film writer in America to make a list of the 10 best films of the year. So let’s get to it people.

Gravity One of the best sci-fi movies ever made. Alfonso Cuarón takes us beyond our atmosphere with George Clooney and Sandra Bullock as two astronauts who must work together in order to survive after an accident in space. I believe this movie is guaranteed any technical award. Bullock’s work shines, as she delicately transforms in order to survive a seemingly hopeless situation.

The Dallas Buyers Club Based on a true story, Ron Woodruff (Matthew McConaughey) is a stereotypical Texan redneck, with homophobic and racist tendencies. Woodruff contracts HIV during the height of the epidemic of the mid 1980s. At times the film feels low budget, like an Afterschool Special, but there are two knockout-Oscar-worthy performances, by Jared Leto and McConaughey. I predict a little gold man in one of their futures. My money is on Leto.

Her Having a relationship with your computer, sexual or not, is usually left for times you don’t have a physical partner. In Her, Writer/ Director Spike Jonze explores a potential “near future” where gadgets may blur the lines of intimacy. Joaquin Phoenix gives us a stellar performance as a writer who grows fond of his new OS. An unseen, Scarlett Johansson steals the show as the voice drawing his affection.

Before Midnight Before Midnight is the third part of one of the best, if not the best, trilogy ever made. The series was released in nine-year intervals. The first of the series, Before Sunrise, was released in 1995 and the second, Before Sunset, was released in 2004. This time we

catch up with Jesse and Celine in Greece as a rocky moment makes them question the future of their relationship. As viewers, their romance has become so rich and three dimensional, it feels as if we’re catchingup with old, intimate, friends. The Before series reminds us how important love and relationships are in our lives.

12 Years a Slave This movie, I believe, will walk away with the most statues this award season, including Best Picture. This movie is based on the incredible true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York who was abducted and sold into slavery. It stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northup, and holds an excellent supporting cast including Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt. I have to mention the fantastic performance by newcomer Lupita Nyong’o, who has already received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.

The Great Gatsby Though it was released earlier in the year, The Great Gatsby is still one of my favorite movies of 2013. Based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, Director Baz Luhrmann brings a modern twist to the classic story with breathtaking visuals, modern soundtrack and perfect cast. Not as powerful as some of the other movies on this list, I still have to give it credit for its ability to relate a classic story to a modern audience.

12 Years a Slave

entertaining film that also unintentionally made the comb-over cool. Though it’s sold as an intertwining story between conmen, conwomen and the FBI, I enjoyed the rich three-dimensional and quirky characters the most.

This is the End While attending a party at James Franco’s house, Seth Rogan, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson and other celebrities must do anything they can to survive the apocalypse. One of the most inventive movies in quite a while, this hilarious movie is chock full of shocking and crass humor, with hilarious surprises around every corner.

Prisoners Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal star in this intense thriller. When Keller Dover’s (Jackman) daughter goes missing with her friend and leads cool off, Dover takes matters in his own hands, and kidnaps the lead suspect. Though this movie feels about 20 minutes too long, and some plot twists are predictable, I couldn’t look away.

The Heat I loved this movie; Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy are a perfect comedy duo. Admittedly, I brushed it off after I first saw the trailer. But I had to admit my premature judgment after I saw this movie.

American Hustle David O. Russell has become one of my favorite directors. His latest picture provides an all-star cast and drops them into a highly

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

FILM

FILM REEL

C OM M U N I T Y E V E NT S BY JORDAN MAHONEY

Saving Mr. Banks DIRECTED BY JOHN LEE HANCOCK

Call for show times Century Rio 24 4901 Pan American NE, 505.343.9000 cinemark.com movies.disney.com/savingmr-banks

n accordance with the Disney® brand, frivolity conquers all in Saving Mr. Banks. Based on the rigorous making of Mary Poppins, author P.L. Travers goes head to head with Walt Disney in the culmination of a 20-year struggle to adapt her book. A cold, nononsense woman (assumed with prowess by Emma Thompson), Travers has a death grip on the rights of her famous nanny, and her inflexibility with Disney® forms a charming bitter/sweet dynamic. As they chip away at her rigid exterior, Walt and company make comically frustrating progress, and slowly dig up the tortured memories of Travers’ childhood in Australia, and her father, the obvious model of Mr. Banks’s character. One can’t help but assume that viewers are being fed a spoonful of sugar, coating some historical venom, but nonetheless, Mr. Banks is a riveting tale of a woman desperately clinging to the dignity of her father, and in extension, her art.

Ghost Phone: Phone Calls From the Dead DIRECTED BY JEFFREY F. JACKSON taoslandandfilm.com

orget telemarketers — imagine a barrage of phone calls from the insatiable dead. In the same vein as the indie cult classic Wrist Cutters: A Love Story, this Taos-produced comedy follows Will, a secular lawyer-intraining whose late fiancée’s cell phone becomes a conduit for the dead to contact the living. And as the sole medium, only he can hear what they have to say. Haunted by demands of his dead father, an old fling and others who have passed on without closure, Will is driven to commit a list of crimes, landing him in a mental hospital. The ongoing struggle to prove his sanity is muddied by suggestions of suicide from his fiancée who, even in death, is persistently clingy. Besides Will, the characters are rather one-dimensional (despite being in another dimension), but it’s not a huge bother, given the detached tone of this semi-theological comedy. A fun, conceptual flick with a few otherworldly twists. (Ghost Phone recently finished a screen run Storyteller 7 Theaters in Taos. Visit the website for upcoming screenings.)

Drunk. DIRECTED BY PHILLIP HUGHES scottbryantheperson.com

f vodka is your vice, here’s a trigger warning: this film is soaked in it. A collaborative project from local director Phillip Hughes and funnyman Scott Bryan, Drunk. is an oddball comedy about the consecutive failings of an unapologetic alcoholic on a journey to win back his ex-girlfriend, Allison. The Drunk’s quest, due to his lack of focus and willpower, is a sidestepping stupor, one dizzy encounter after the next, resulting in a very episodic film. The structure works, but is faulted by the lack of Allison (local actress Rebekah Wiggins, who does well with her screen time). Her relationship with the Drunk is the true spine of the story. Our stumbling hero runs a comedy website, and the film is interspersed with animated digressions, narrated by the Drunk — creating a unique cocktail of goofy web humor and the surreal sadness of addiction. Support your local film scene and check out Drunk. You can buy a copy for $12.99 at createspace.com/381705.

FRI 20 Never Summer Snowboard Demo Experience this brand of snowboards and get tips on how to improve snowboarding game. 9a-2:30p, FREE

SIPAPU SKI AND SUMER RESORT HIGHWAY 518, 20 MILES SE OF TAOS, 800.587.2240

sipapunm.com

SAT 21 Santa Claus Santa will read to children and talk about the season. 10a, FREE

Raptor Rumble Go on a two-hour ramble in a refuge van to spot all the hawks, birds and raptors out in the wild. 9:30-11:30a, TBD

BOSQUE DEL APACHE 1001 NEW MEXICO 1, SAN ANTONIO, 575.838.2120

friendsofthebosque.org

nmnaturalhistory.org

MEETING

11:30a, FREE

ECKANKAR CENTER 2501 SAN PEDRO NE, SUITE 113, 505.265.7388

AND DEC. 31: CELEBRATION

Four One-Acts Author and former UNM president Richard E. Peck will discuss his plays that have been performed nationwide. Noon-3p, FREE

Light up the New Year Taos Ski Valley, Red River Ski Area and Angel Fire Resort will all have torchlight parades and fireworks to light up the snow. Enjoy a warm drink and the awesome spectacle.

FESTIVAL

18th Annual Brew Master’s Festival Enjoy an afternoon of food and beer at Taos Ski Valley. There will be fun and prizes. 4:30-7p, $25

TAOS SKI VALLEY BOX CANYON, TAOS, 575.776.1413

taosskivalley.com TOY DRIVE

No Limit Car Show Look at beautiful cars, let the kids have fun and donate to Toys for Tots or the Roadrunner Food Bank. SMITHS FOOD AND DRUG 901 CALIFORNIA, SOCORRO, 575.571.1813 socorronm.org

Merry-achi Christmas Join a variety of musicians and dancers in enjoying the season.

TUE 24

6p, FREE

VARIOUS LOCATIONS

taosskivalley.com BIKE TOUR

Lights & Luminarias Bring your own bike or rent one and experience the lights of Old Town for one hour in a whole new way without the traffic of cars and with warm beverages. Various

times, $12-$18

OLD TOWN, ABQ MOUNTAIN & RIO GRANDE, 505.933.5667

routesrentals.com

SUN 29 Prayers for World Peace Bring meaning and peace to your life by learning to cope with anger, stress and relationships. 10-11:30a, $10

7p, $10-$18

KADAMPA MEDIATION CENTER 8701 COMANCHE NE, 505.292.5293

socorronm.org

MON 30

MACEY CENTER SOCORRO, NM, 575.835.8927

SUN 22 World Snowboard Day Participate in a day of demonstrations and lessons while experiencing the beauty of Northern N.M. mountains. 9a-4p, FREE (with full-day lift/ ticket)

meditationinnewmexico.org

Winter break movie Experience an oceanic movie involving the son of Poseidon and the adventures his friends face. 1p, FREE

ESTHER BONE MEMORIAL LIBRARY 950 PINETREE SE, RIO RANCHO, 505.891.5012, EXT. 4

riorancholibraries.org

SIPAPU SKI AND SUMER RESORT HIGHWAY 518, 20 MILES SE OF TAOS, 800.587.2240 sipapunm.com

WED 1

MEDITATION

CELEBRATION

Prayers for World Peace Bring meaning and peace to your life by learning to cope with anger, stress and relationships. 10-11:30a, $10

KADAMPA MEDIATION CENTER 8701 COMANCHE NE, 505.292.5293

meditationinnewmexico.org

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

4p, $6-$10

LOCKHEED MARTIN DYNATHEATER NM MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY & SCIENCE 1801 MOUNTAIN NW, 505.841.2889

Community HU Actively explore your inner worlds, experience more divine love, peace and increased awareness. 10:30-

BOOK SIGNING

TREASURE HOUSE BOOKS & GIFTS 2012 S. PLAZA, 505.242.7204

Mysteries of the Unseen World Explore the (impolite) science of the human body in “Grossology” on the big screen and with incredible detail. 10a, noon, 2p,

MEDITATION

miraclesinyourlife.org

11a-5p, FREE

THROUGH MAY 4: THEATER EVERY SUN. THROUGH FEB.: TOUR

PAGE ONE 11018 MONTGOMERY NE, 505.294.2026

page1book.com

THU 2

FR 3 Stargazing The Rio Rancho Astronomical Society will host a public stargazing event, weather permitting. Equipment will be provided, dress warm. 7p, FREE RAINBOW OBSERVATORY 301 SOUTHERN SE, RIO RANCHO, 505.220.5492 rrastro.org

SAT 4 BOOK SIGNING

Winter of the Metal People: The Untold Story of America’s First Indian War Local author Dennis Herrick will talk about his historical novel and the circumstances revolving around the topic. 2-4p, FREE PLACITAS COMMUNITY LIBRARY 453 HIGHWAY 165, 505.867.3355

placitaslibrary.com

MON 6 BOOK TALK

Unsolved: the American Valley Ranch Murders and Other New Mexico Mysteries Author Don Bullis will talk about the mystery of murders that have never been solved in N.M. 7-8p, FREE

LOMA COLORADO MAIN LIBRARY AUDITORIUM, 755 LOMA COLORADO NE, 505, 891.5013

riorancholibaries.org

TUE 7 Welcome Coffee Join other members of the ABQ community who have lived here less than five years while talking about books and other interests. 10a, FREE

SANDIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 10704 PASEO DEL NORTE, 505.321.6970

albuquerquenewcomersclub.org

WED 8 STORY ACTIVITIES

Holiday Ceremonials Enjoy the beauty of Taos and celebrate the new year with bonfires, processions and dancing. 8a-1p, FREE

TAOS PUEBLO 120 VETERANS HIGHWAY, TAOS, 575.758.1028 taospueblo.com

KABOOK! This month’s theme is “Rocky Road” and participants will learn more about geology and stones. 3:30-4:30p, FREE

ESTHER BONE MEMORIAL LIBRARY 950 PINETREE SE, RIO RANCHO, 505.891.5012, EXT. 4

riorancholibraries.org

PLANET WAVES ARIES (MAR. 20-APR. 19)

Don’t let your idealism be used against you. You have plenty of it right now; you seem to be fully conscious that there is a future and that you are being shown what is possible. You know that you have much more potential than you’re expressing now. Others are picking up on that, and you may have noticed that your enthusiasm is contagious. You will make some genuine friends now who may co-create some beautiful things, and travel with you for quite a while. Be aware that everyone’s positive response is equally deep or meaningful. In your excitement you may be vulnerable to being taken advantage of, or being told things that you want to hear. Therefore, be discerning. Channel your positive vibes in deliberate ways, be conscious of how you allocate your resources and make sure that others back up their words with actions before you invite them in on your plans. TAURUS (APR. 19-MAY 20)

You seem to be making up your mind about something, trying to sort out your original impulses from what your past conditioning is telling you. This could be a longterm career or life-path question, though it’s connected to a deeper spiritual issue. I think it’s a good idea to consider the possibilities, especially what you would do if you could do anything at all. Then you can refine and narrow down the possibilities. While you’re doing this, be aware of the sometimes subtle shades of what you’re saying to yourself and what is being said to you from people in the past who lacked your sense of potential and moreover, your devotion to selfesteem. Those who came here before you may have been snagged in the trap that the only thing possible today is what was possible yesterday. You have other ideas. GEMINI (MAY 20-JUN. 21)

Pull in the reins on your spending. I know it’s the holiday season and you want to make an impression on people. I would count that as sincere. With gifts, it really is the thought that counts — not the thought that you did anything, but rather that you actually considered who a person is and therefore what would have real meaning. Gifts really matter, and when they are conscious, they can convey a message of acknowledgement and affirmation. And they don’t need to be expensive to do that. This also counts for the gifts you give yourself, and the way you support your own efforts. Over the next few months you’re going to learn a lot about value, finances and shared resources. Many of these will be oncein-a-lifetime learning opportunities; treat them as precious. CANCER (JUN. 21-JUL. 22)

You may feel inclined to talk, and to reveal some of your secrets; you have a lot brewing and it will feel good to let some of it out. I suggest you be aware what you’re sharing with whom. Select appropriate people when you want to open up — those who you know are most inclined to receive and appreciate you; those who you know will give you space to be yourself. If you’re going to experiment with that, start in small ways and feel the response. The thing is, the energy over the next month, as the Full Moon reaches its peak, has anything but a selective, reserved or cautious feeling to it. As the Moon aspects the chart for your sign, it lights up an inner world that you may have never considered, and the idea that you don’t need to have so many secrets, or any at all. Still, take a moment to feel the relationship into which you’re expressing yourself.

by Eric Francis • planetwaves.net you would have to stop. You might want to consider things like whether you need to get up in the morning or alternately, whether you can rearrange your schedule to accommodate your passion. The crest of the wave is from the peak of the Full Moon through a couple of weeks after. You have a rare opportunity on your hands to explore and stretch your potential; if you’ve been feeling blocked or restrained in any way, this is the time to break through to the next level. While this particular cosmic wave passes through pretty quickly, it’s tapping into much deeper forces that will be with you for a long time.

of ego game that can block you from awareness of your true strength. This is a moment when your choices have more power than you can imagine; when you have more personal influence than you’ve ever acknowledged; and when the karmic stakes are unusually high. Therefore, this is a time to think your options through and to make your choices carefully. Small decisions can lead to great things, though that’s too much power for most people to handle. CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 20) You must be bursting at the seams of your soul. You are being flooded with etheric energy, which seems to have its VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEP. 22) source deep inside you. This is opening The past is much closer than you may up what you can think of as a direct think, which means that resolving old problems and tapping into your reservoir spiritual connection to something that of experience are also closer than you seems beyond yourself — though you’re may think. You are working through a really seeing, and experiencing, what legacy that has been passed on to you by you’re made of. But...spiritual? I know, prior generations; this is true of everyone, it hardly seems like an accurate way to but it’s an especially vivid aspect of describe the diversity of strange, steamy, your life experience. Anything you have potentially socially transgressive thoughts to say to your ancestors — parents, that are coming through you. These could grandparents and beyond — say it now, whether these people are in-body or not. also be manifesting as fear, though if so, Consider the idea that some of the more that would be a sign of resistance. You might have the idea that if you let yourself messed-up people in your family line (particularly those who are deceased) are indulge just a little, you will lose control entirely (and this idea didn’t come from now aware of the problems they caused you). You are safe witnessing and feeling for you, and are willing to provide help from the ‘other side.’ You will open up to whatever is coming to the surface of that help if you remember that you are your consciousness. I suggest you not never dealt a disadvantage without some seek others for validation, but use this corresponding gift of power. It’s your occasion as a reminder that who you are choice what to emphasize. is natural, and that if freedom means LIBRA (SEP. 22-OCT. 23) anything, that would include the freedom Any sense of being emotionally stuck to know yourself. deserves a closer look. This may manifest AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 19) as feeling more complicated than usual, You’re probably aware that you have the hesitating expressing yourself, having reputation among your friends of being anxiety attacks related to your personal an advanced soul. You know what you security or feeling like your sexual energy must go through in order to maintain is blocked. What you’re feeling is starting as one thing and then as it bubbles up to your sense of balance and to resolve the the surface, expresses itself as something inner wrinkles and twists that seem so else. Do not be overly concerned with the natural to who you are. This may lead to form that any of your emotions are taking, you feeling like there is a contradiction between how others see you and who you but rather that you go deeper and see are. There are moments when you might if you can learn more about the source of the energy. One possibility is that feel like a hypocrite for not living up to the you’re feeling the extent to which you’re ideals that others perceive of you. Events dependent on others for affirmation. of the next couple of weeks will go a long That in turn may be a manifestation of way toward allaying any such fears. It is some abandonment fears that are usually your transparency that people respect the concealed below the surface. You might most; what you may not recognize is that test your perceptions against a question people close to you, and even those who of how this relates to that theme. just meet you, already understand that Remember that guilt is never what it you’re a complex individual with many seems to be; it travels incognito. inner dimensions and contradictions. SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 22) These are nothing to hide from but rather There are at least two sides to the something to embrace. People love you current intrigue, and rather than see one and you can love yourself. as right and one as wrong, try to see matters from all points of view. You will not lose anything by doing this, so you can afford not to be insecure. By seeing all sides, I mean really considering the different positions involved, giving them each the benefit of the doubt. This will help you step away from the influence of someone to whom it seems you’ve handed over your power. While that may seem frustrating, your ability to see the situation from many points of view will prove to be empowering. You may have the notion that if you exert your awareness or authority over yourself, some sensitive issue or secret is going to be used against you, though I don’t think that’s true. Just don’t remind anyone of anything you don’t want them to know.

THE AMERICAN VALUES CLUB CROSSWORD “Something Different”

By Francis Heaney edited by Ben Tausig ACROSS 1 “I say, old chap, what a simply splendid hillbilly” 16 Cover floors for Delta flights, say 17 Land transfer proffered by thirsty Chinese politicians 18 ___ problem in the bud 19 Full of juicy gossip 20 Exchange

38 Even less agin

5 “___ Haw”

39 Surrealist sculptor Jean

6 Reply to “What’s that place in the U.S. that’s not really a city or a state and there’s monuments?”

40 Grow a pair, as it were 45 Reaction to many an animal video 46 Message board scourge 48 Jay Z’s nickname 49 The Jonas Brothers, e.g.

21 “Be that ___ may ...”

50 One whose voice is being recorded

22 Partnering garden tool

51 Flightless Aussie birds

23 Business venture for a famous talking horse

52 Robot kittens created to annoy Garfield

24 Measure of whether a letter is a consonant with one right angle

55 Sign outside a restaurant run by a minority sect of hamburgerworshipers

26 “Neither rain, ___ sleet ...” 27 Kenneth for whom Tripp was an informant 28 Freshwater stream with perfect conditions for salmon-to-be

56 “Arrr, matey ... the earthenware’s already packed in preparation for the move” DOWN 1 Related to theatrical acts

31 Put feeling into a musical performance, say

2 One who hates Dirk Nowitzki’s team

35 Bad-luck woman

3 “___ square? Only in math.”

36 Hen-hunter with a haircut and clean clothes

4 Nursery rhyme character Jack and kin

7 Epidemic after a loud Iron Maiden concert televised coast-to-coast 8 Reel of very brief animated Internet clips 9 Cornucopia filled with beer, skin mags, and chicken wings 10 Command to a bottle of Jim Beam trained to stand on its hind legs 11 Scholarly org. with a style guide 12 Beach bronzing that’s so last season 13 Be acquainted with a “2001” astronaut, as Hal was

27 Check out Sirius satellite radio in action 29 Play on words 30 Medical plan option, for short 31 Cease to comprehend 32 Visit Obama’s predecessor before he’s had his shower 33 12-inch single about pincered bugs 34 “It CANNOT be goulash night again ...” 37 Get rid of the button next to vert. on an old TV 41 “Excuse me, but can you move now?” 42 Wandering Bedouin who remains a mystery 43 Soft palate muscles

14 Farm filled with landmines

44 “The DNA test is in: you’re the child of ex-Pink Floyd member Barrett.”

15 Smutty films featuring [redacted] and [redacted]

46 C-c-camping sh‑shelter that k-k‑k-keeps out the c-cold

25 One who doubts Obama’s claims to have eaten cheap Chinese chicken

47 West Yorkshire city 53 One wearing a onesie 54 Steal from

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20)

I suggest you take full advantage of the professional reputation you’ve built. You might hesitate, because to own your reputation would mean to invoke a kind of personal power, perhaps claim an entitlement or to exert influence onto others. This would only be a problem if you have some value that conflicts with it, such as the belief that it’s not right to impose your will or even your vision onto people. That would be a valid issue if you could actually do it. In truth, everyone chooses what influence they want to accept. Everyone has volition and the right to decide what works for them. Therefore, it matters not whether SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 22) you influence one person or a million You are the master of your destiny, but people; it amounts to the same thing. for that to have any meaning, you must The universe does not care whether remain in fidelity to what you know you’re mildly successful, wildly successful is right and true for you. That means or struggling to succeed — though it LEO (JUL. 22-AUG. 23) understanding your motives and setting matters considerably to you. Therefore, be You are a creative and sexual powerhouse aside anything driven by jealousy, the right now, and the more you want to be sense of being unfairly treated or thinking proud of what you’ve achieved, step into your strength and creativity, and trust that one, the more energy you will dial in. that someone else is supposed to meet your positive message (and example) will Once you get going it will be difficult to your needs. Anything of that general benefit everyone — though especially you. stop, or more likely, you will wonder why variety is a ruse or a distraction, a kind

SOLUTION ON PAGE 40

LOCAL iQ | ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014

SOCIAL iQ SIGHTS + SOUNDS AROUND TOWN

THE END OF THE YEAR ALWAYS BRINGS CHANGES, as we said a sad farewell to

two of our employees who both took new exciting steps in their careers. Jessica Hicks, who has been with us since issue #1 and Colleen Dulgle who has been with us more than a year. We wish them the best and thank them for being a part of our team!

HOTEL ANDALUZ UNVEILED Their new restaurant MAS Tapas y Vino this winter and some of the iQ staff was lucky enough to enjoy a sneak peak at a soft opening. Pictured here, iQ editor Mike English, MAS Chef James Campbell Caruso, iQ publisher Kevin Hopper and Hotel Andaluz social media & marketing manager Martin Valdez.

FILM COLUMNIST DAN GUTIERREZ, also host of the Director’s Cut Radio Hour on Reelz Channel, performed live radio recording tribute to the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special at the Albuquerque Press Club. The podcast can be found at directorscutradio.com.

THE 2013 FUNKY SWEATER GET DOWN AT SISTER BAR proved to be the largest turnout yet. Thanks to everyone who donned their funkiest sweaters, brought food and clothing to be donated to the Storehouse and all of our friends and staff who helped make this a success! A special thanks to Sister Bar and our amazing entertainment: Felonious Groove Foundation, Hakim Bellamy, Zach Freeman, DJ Flo Fader, Peanut Butter Johnson and our dear friend Santa Claus.

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40 LOCAL iQ

| ALBUQUERQUE’S INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE | DECEMBER 19, 2013-JANUARY 8, 2014