New Mexico Entertainment Magazine February 2016

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FEBRUARY 2016

THE VERY THOUGHT OF NICHELLE NICHOLS

Star Trek’s own Lieutenant Uhura, Nichelle Nichols, sat down with New Mexico Entertainment Magazine to talk about Duke Ellington and the legacy she’ll leave behind.

Jasmine Guy

A FREE Publication

Boys II Men

Ailey II

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TABLE OF CONTENTS PG 17

COVER STORY

The Very Thought of Nichelle Nichols

Star Trek’s own Lieutenant Uhura, Nichelle Nichols, sat down with New Mexico Entertainment Magazine to talk about Duke Ellington and the legacy she’ll leave behind.

PG 7

PG 8

Ailey II Artistic Director, Troy Powell, tells us what makes Ailey II tick.

Boyz II Men The soulful trio makes a stop here in Albuquerque at Route 66 Casino.

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU

TURN IT UP

PG 11

PG 14

Mike Long New Mexico’s own seasoned comic talks with Winter Elise.

The Force Awakens Angry Men Reviews gives their takes on this year’s box office hit.

MAKE ‘EM LAUGH

NOW SHOWING

PG 21

PG 25

Raisin’ Jasmine Jasmine Guy talks about her latest show at Popejoy Hall.

Meow Wolf’s New Year’s Eve Bash

EXTRAS

PG 12

SPORTS CONNECTION 4I

PG 26

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FOLLOW-UP

A look back at the coolest show in Santa Fe PG 30

SIGHTSEEING

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www.NMEntertains.com

NME STAFF Teresa Robinson-Ewers Publisher/Editor-in-Chief NMEntertains@gmail.com Ariel Bisbee Photography & Mulitmedia Director Jan Baca Copy Editor CONTRIBUTORS Winter Elise NME Board Teresa Ewers Ariel Bisbee Darlene Esquibel Winter Elise Eddie Robinson SUBSCRIPTIONS New Mexico Entertainment magazine is $24 a year within the Continental United States.

Please place your order online at www.NMEntertains.com.

Please note the first issue will take 4-6 weeks.

All events submissions can be placed at NMEntEvents@gmail.com

231 Sierra Dr. SE, Ste. 11 Albuquerque, NM 87108 505.450.4706

www.NMEntertains.com

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LET US ENTERTAIN YOU: AILEY II

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dance legacy for almost 60 years is making a stop in Albuquerque. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s extension, Ailey II, presents vibrant performances and innovative community programs across the country and internationally. The spirit of Alvin Ailey continues to shine as these artists perform an exhilarating and diverse repertory, including Alvin Ailey’s timeless classics and thrilling new works by today’s outstanding emerging choreographers.

Ailey II was founded in 1974.

Under the artistic direction of Troy Powell, the company embodies Mr. Ailey’s pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. “We are different from most second companies.

We travel all over the world and it is so unheard of for a second company

to do that. We look for dancers who can reveal themselves and dancers that are hungry, passionate, and willing to work hard - dancers who love to dance.”

The talented dancers of Ailey II are renowned for captivating audiences and translating their strength and agility into powerful performances. To prepare for a show of this magnitude is no easy feat, expressed Powell. “Ailey II trains dancers at a level where most major companies are working.” Powell is excited to share this new show with audiences. “We’ll be sharing new works as well as audience favorites, so don’t miss it!”

Ailey II will be performing at Popejoy Hall on February 20th. Tickets are currently at popejoypresents. com or unmtickets.com. Come experience a dance performance that is continuing a legacy within this modern world. NME - Teresa Ewers

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TURN IT UP: BOYZ II MEN

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till going strong after almost 30 years, Boyz II Men is on tour and making a stop in the Land of Enchantment. Performing now as a trio, B2M is still giving audiences the smooth, harmonic styles they’ve come to know.

Currently on tour promoting their latest album, Collide, Shawn Stockman talked about what audiences can expect with the upcoming concert, looking back on how it first started and reflecting on what it means for them to perform on stage.

Still - almost 30 years - strong, how does it feels to still be performing together?

It is an incredible feeling to still be singing on stage together! We have been performing together for so long that we just have incredible chemistry, and with our 8I

residency now extended at The Mirage in Las Vegas through 2018, I am excited to continue being on stage with Nate and Wanya.

Did you see how far the group would come when you snuck backstage to audition for Michael Bivens? What was that experience like?

We had no idea that we would have made it this far! When we performed for Michael it was definitely nerve-wracking, but we saw an opportunity and had to take it.

Was music always part of your life or something you discovered with age?

We met at a performing arts school so we have always been interested in music, but when we started singing together we realized that

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the sum of our voices was greater than the individual parts.

Your latest album, Collide, offers something for everyone. What was the inspiration behind this one?

We wanted to create a different sound, which is exactly what Collide is. It is truly a collision of different sounds, styles and genres… It fuses rock, pop and funk with classic R&B. It is a landmark album for us not only because it contains some new stylistic elements, but also because it is a reflection of exactly who we are now: 20-plus year veterans still taking risks and feeling good about life.

We’re excited to see you come through Albuquerque in February. What can we expect with this show?

Fans can expect a mix of new tracks from our latest album Collide and all of the old hits that everyone knows, loves, and can sing along to. We love Albuquerque we’ve played a lot there over the years - so we’re really looking forward to coming back and seeing our fans.

What new projects can we expect to see from the group and individually?

We are excited to announce we will be a part of Grease Live on January 31st on Fox and we are also working on a Doo Wop project that will be released later this year.

What would you like your legacy to be?

I’d like for Boyz II Men to be known for creating some of the timeless soundtracks for the moments in people’s lives.

NME - Teresa Ewers (Left to right: Stockman of Boyz II Men; cover of their latest album, Collide; Boyz II Men in all their glory.)

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MAKE ‘EM LAUGH: MIKE LONG

“One thing I

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learned while going out on these tours was the need to download out in nature.”

hilosophical comedian Mike Long started on a roundabout journey beginning in Belen and is continuing in the comedy scene in Albuquerque. A young Mike Long moved out of New Mexico and into California to make a life for himself. In 2006, he wrote his first book, and a year later he formed a publishing company. The publishing company didn’t fare well, and Mike moved back to New Mexico and bringing his failing publishing company and 1,000 copies of his partner’s book with him. Somehow he didn’t manage to bring back any copies of his own book, which you can find posted in the notes on his Facebook page.

Mike moved back to New Mexico hoping to revive his pub-

lishing company when it was suggested to him to try out an open mic. He was hooked after the first one. “Rather than waiting for someone to possibly read a thought, now I can share with them and see their instant reaction.” In the last three years, Mike has taken his stand-up from hobby-to professional-level, touring the west coast and the Deep South. “One thing I learned while going out on these tours was the need to download out in nature.”

Back in Albuquerque for now, Mike is working on a new book and using his stand-up audiences to bounce ideas off. After all, thoughts are free, and with the Internet, there are many ways to share with many people. - Winter Elise NME

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THE SPORTS CONNECTION: THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

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he iconic Harlem Globetrotters® are coming to WisePies Arena, a.k.a., The Pit, in Albuquerque with their most epic tour in history, as the world famous team celebrates its 90th anniversary world tour. With a star-studded roster featuring Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard, and Cheese Chisholm – plus female standout, Sweet J Ekworomadu – the Globetrotters®’ oneof-a-kind show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment.

Every game will showcase incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy, and unequaled fan interaction. The Harlem Globetrotters® are a worldwide icon, synonymous with unique family entertainment and great basketball skills. Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters® have showcased their 12 I

iconic talents in 122 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans – among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents – over nine thrilling decades.

Sponsored by World Vision, Greyhound Lines, and Baden Sports, Harlem Globetrotters® International, Inc., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Herschend Enterprises, the largest family-owned themed entertainment company in the U.S. To purchase tickets for their February 12th show at Wisepies Arena, visit UNM Ticketing Services at https://unmtickets. entaus.com/WEBPAGES/ChooseSeatBlock.aspx NME

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NOW SHOWING: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

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ust over a month ago, Disney released its first of what is going to be a metric ton of Star Wars movies. Afterwards, there was a collective sigh of relief as Star Wars fans everywhere realized that it was actually a good movie. That sigh was soon drowned out, though, by a mass of people who said, “Hey, you know, that seemed pretty familiar.”

That sigh was soon to be drowned out thYes, both “A New Hope” and “The Force Awakens” hit pretty much the same beats. There are lost droids, hidden plans, desert planets, giant, world-destroying weapons, and trench runs in both movies at pretty much the same points in each story. In the end, it doesn’t matter, “The Force Awakens” is a pretty damn good movie.

This is because while the settings are similar, as are many plot points, the characters themselves are very different. So, I would like to take a moment to compare the characters and see which movie comes out ahead.

To keep this article from getting too long, I’m going to restrict this to 3 different characters. I could, honest14 I

ly, compare almost every major and minor character to someone from the original films, but that would take too long.

1. R2-D2 vs BB-8: The ball versus the can Right out of the gate, I’m going to piss a lot of people off and pick BB-8 here.

When we compare “A New Hope” to “The Force Awakens,” BB-8 just shines a little more than the lovable R2-D2. Filmmakers have had 3 decades to polish their skills at writing for the lovable droid sidekick, and BB-8 reaps the rewards from that.

2. Darth Vader vs Kylo Ren: The big daddy versus the fanboy Yeah, no contest here. If you take into consideration the Prequels, this gets a little closer, but if we just go “A New Hope” vs “The Force Awakens,” Darth Vader sleeping with Kylo Ren’s mother while Kylo watches, describing to him how similar she feels to Padme. All references to incest is intended, “A New Hope” Vader doesn’t care.

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3. Luke Skywalker vs Finn: I know what a lot of you are going to say. “Shouldn’t this be Luke vs Rey?” and I hate to tell you this, but you would be wrong. Who is really more like Luke in “The Force Awakens?”

Luke was a naive farm boy who was willing to join the IMPERIAL Academy to get off of Tatooine. He didn’t decide to change his course until the brutality of the Empire hit home after his aunt and uncle were murdered.

Even after that, he doubts he is that special and often has issues with self-esteem. Does that really sound like Rey to you? Nope - it sounds a lot more like Finn.

In my opinion, “The Force Awakens” and the rest of this trilogy is more like what would have happened if Leia had been” The Chosen One” instead of Luke, but that is a whole different article.

So, who was better, Luke or Finn?

Again, just going from one movie, I have to give this one to Finn. Yes, if you take all three movies into consideration, Luke has some great character development, but Finn has almost as much squeezed into him in just a 2-hour movie. Also, as much as I like Mark Hamill as an actor NOW, John Boyega can act rings around Mark Hamill’s “Corvette Summer” ass when you are talking about then.

This all added up to a more compelling character, in my opinion.

So there you have it, “The Force Awakens” is a better movie than A New…WAIT!! Seriously, how can anyone compare two movies that are made over 30 years apart and say one is better than the other? Both “A New Hope” and “The Force Awakens” are great movies that I would gladly watch instead of having to live in the real world for a couple of hours. NME - Andy Wise, Angry Men Reviews

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COVER STORY: NICHELLE NICHOLS

THE VERY THOUGHT 16 I

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’m not a Trekkie and never have been. When I watched Star Trek as a child it was because I saw someone like me.

Lieutenant Uhura, played by actress Nichelle Nichols, broke ground as one of the first, prominent, African-American characters on TV at the time (the mid- to late-sixties) who wasn’t a servant.

When I had the opportunity to interview Nichols at Albuquerque’s Comic Con this past January, she told me she knew when she took on the role of Lieutenant Uhura that the show would be something big. Now 83, Nichols was a wonder to watch as she handled her fans with poise and grace, signing autographs and listening to the stories shared by excited individuals. She made an impact on Star Trek, a sci-fi show still popular more than forty-five years after its cancellation, which I planned to talk to her about, but I started with another detail from her early career that I discovered while researching Nichols for my interview. Nichols, a then-established vocal performer, caught the eye of band leader Duke Ellington. Ellington had seen Nichols before in a club and wanted her as a singer and performer in his band. It was an experience that Nichols remembers quite

fondly. “I was just a kid starting in business and he saw me in a club. I called my mother and father because they are huge fans, and I told her, ‘Guess who I’m performing with?’ I told them who and my mother said, ‘The hell you preach!’ When we met to talk about the show [Duke] asked ‘Where’s your mother?’ thinking she was going to attend the meeting. I got her on the phone and he talked with mom for 15 minutes while I was signing autographs for people. He was a wonderful man.”

During the Harlem Renaissance, when African Americans were expressing themselves through music, dance, and art, many people in the community found that they needed to work twice as hard to prove their talent. Nichols was no different. A skilled dancer, singer, and actor, Nichols is proud of her accomplishments. “I’m an actor. I was a professional ballerina and did all kinds of dancing in shows. I was a singer – I have a two-octave range. I’m a writer. I just have fun with what I got!”

In addition to working with Duke Ellington, Nichols was nominated twice for the Sarah Siddons Award for best actress in The Blacks and Kicks and Company

OF NICHELLE NICHOLS New Mexico Entertainment • February 2016 I 17

and worked with Sammy Davis Jr. in Porgy and Bess, but it was the role of a Lieutenant on a starship that led to Nichols creating a series of first-time moments. Nichols’ role as Lieutenant Uhura was one that could have been played by an actor of any race or gender, but the decision to cast Nichols made her the first African-American to be in a role that was not the stereotypical standard, i.e. a maid, chauffeur, or servant. The cultural impact of her role in Star Trek was made apparent to Nichols when, after debating whether she should leave the show to take advantage of several opportunities to appear in other projects, Martin Luther King, Jr., met her and shared with her the importance of her staying on cast and continuing to be a strong black role model in the community.

Nichols also created another first when she locked lips with her co-star, William Shatner, on the show, making it the first interracial kiss on television. About the experience, Nichols said, “We received such a positive response when that episode aired, but the station almost did not air the episode. When we explained the importance of this episode and you could be the first to do it, they sign that con-

tract so fast that it wasn’t even funny!” When asked if she expected Star Trek to become such an iconic show, Nichols was not surprised by the response that Star Trek received and the global phenomenon it became. “If you were there during that time, there was only one thing that would stop it and that was the stations.

We were first. There was no one that looked like me on T.V., and when [Gene] threatened to take the show somewhere else, they changed their minds real quick!

I just knew this would be an incredible opportunity and experience.”

Nichols has become an icon, a warrior, and a pioneer in a time that Blacks struggled to find a place in the spotlight. When it comes to her legacy, Nichols was very clear, “I want to be remembered for all of it! I want them to say, ‘She came, she saw, she ran with it.’” As history looks back at this stunning woman, there will be no argument that she has left a lasting imprint on this world.

NME - Teresa Ewers

(Nichols made history as the first African-American to portray a positive role model on television and for the first interracial on-air kiss with costar William Shatner.)

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(Left to right: Nichols at 15 appearing in ‘The College Inn Story’ show, portraying one of Katherine Dunham’s dancers; with husband Foster Johnson, while touring with Duke Ellington, 1951; publicity photo, circa late ‘50s early ‘60s.)

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EXTRAS: JASMINE GUY

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he Harlem Renaissance is back on the stage of Popejoy Hall.

Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey, inspired by the 1923 novel, Cane, gives a glimpse into the thoughts and words that became the voice of a new generation. Between 1918 and the mid-1930s, the African American movement experienced a time of artistic expression in literature, music, and dance. Leading the charge of this powerful story (along with The Avery Sharpe Trio, who will be bringing the show to life) is an artist who is familiar to many. As a singer, dancer, actor, and director, Jasmine Guy is a quadruple threat and is still not afraid to dream and reach for her goals. She’s been this way since she was a child. Guy talks about her time with Alvin Ailey, her dream of being on Dancing with the Stars, and the challenges of working in the industry.

Where did your inspiration come from to become a performer in all forms?

I was exposed to the arts at an early age, and the one that really grabbed me was dance, although I was drawn to performance in general. I attended Atlanta’s Performing Arts High School, and there I loved it all — singing, dancing, acting. But dancing was the thing I loved the most at the time, and I was good, so I never ever considered doing anything with my

life that wasn’t entertainment.

You performed with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. What was the experience like?

It was exciting, thrilling actually. Having danced with the Atlanta Ballet was great, but what Ailey represents is something completely unique in dance, and I wanted to be a part of that. I loved it, though it was the hardest work I’ve ever done, physically.

You have covered the spectrum when it comes to your body of work - television, movies and Broadway.

What would you say is your most rewarding and enjoyable of the three?

It’s impossible to single out one.

When I was dancing with Ailey, that was my whole world and I adored it.

However, when I realized it might not pay the bills for the long haul, I branched out, doing work on Broadway, in The Wiz and in London, in Bubbling Brown Sugar. TV and film came from that natural progression.

Now I’m still doing TV, and stage work like Chicago and Raisin’ Cane, so it comes full circle. I love working as a performer, and as a director.

You are currently performing in Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey. What can the audience expect with this show?

RAISIN’ 20 I

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JASMINE New Mexico Entertainment • February 2016 I 21

(Intro article photo: The beautiful Jasmine Guy; Left to right: Guy performing in Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey; Guy showing off her dancer side.)

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bold artistic expression were giving rise to a new African-American generation. I love how these artists were taking risks with their art, stepping out of the shadows, and saying, “We are here.” Plus, I get to reunite with Avery Sharpe, who wrote the original score for Raisin’ Cane, and who I first met when I was performing in the European tour of Bubbling Brown Sugar in 1983, so we have great history together. I love interpreting and performing this powerful material, keeping the work of these artists alive for people to experience, with all original music by Avery.

We call Raisin’ Cane a Harlem Renaissance “odyssey,” a trip through the 10-15 years following the Great War in which artistic expression in America’s Black community was exploding. Music, dance, poetry, literature - Black artists were finding their voices and were prolific in expressing their thoughts, feelings, and aspirations through their art. This show immerses the audience in that period through moving imagery, music, text, and song to celebrate these artists and their art. I get to interpret the words and works of some amazing writers; I sing; I dance. Come to the show with your ears and eyes wide open, and I think you will leave with a sense of awe for what took place back then, and what is all of our American history.

Why did you feel it was important to take part in this project?

I chose this project for many reasons. I grew up with an awareness of the period and writers and artists like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, W.E.B. Du Bois, and many of the others whose fresh ideas and

I read on your website that you have a goal to be on “Dancing with the Stars.” As a talented dancer, what is it about the show that you feel will be a challenge for you?

It’s been a long time since I danced professionally, and I never did ballroom as part of my repertoire, so the whole idea is a challenge to me, and one I would love to take on. Getting to perform those fabulous dances on live TV, with no retakes, would be very exciting.

You have been in the business for over 35 years - covering all gambits - what would you like your legacy to be?

I really don’t think it those terms. I am really about my “legacy” following the next performance I do. With Raisin’ Cane, I want people to feel I entertained them, and to be stimulated by the tremendous outpouring of art, literature, music, and more that came to us during this period in Harlem. Most of all, I hope they are ignited by our American story, and that they realize it is all of our story NME - Teresa Ewers

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FOLLOW-UP: MEOW WOLF NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH

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rtists, Ravers, Punk-Rockers and more turned up in droves for the Meow Wolf New Year’s Eve Bash at the Santa Fe Farmers market. Fake fur and stilettos were all the rage among the attendees. Set up like a Vegas nightclub, there were different areas separated by hanging pieces of designer art. Doors opened at 8:00 pm, and the party kicked off around 10:30 pm.

Techno DJs spun set at one end of the market while people played Ping-Pong near the door. A table was set up for face painting and glittering upon entering. Near the stage, acrobatic girls swung from silken ropes in mid-air yoga poses.

Duel supplied all the drinks for the event including a 2015 Goya, an imperial stout with strong coffee flavor, and 14.9%. Hair of The Wolf, an old-world style ale designed especially for the event with the help 24 I

of Meow Wolf. A bit sour with a mix of legal psychotropic herbs, it was worth the price. Food and water were readily and inexpensively available.

Warm and inviting on the inside, the garage doors of the market allowed for views of the cold and harsh outdoors and were a great place to cool down after working up a sweat on the dance-floor. Santa Fe may not have been a destination for a New Year’s before, but it will be after this. Hopefully the state will realize that and operate Public transit between Albuquerque and Santa Fe on January 1st.

Overall, the DJs worked the diverse crowd up into a frenzy in time for the midnight hour and kept the market rocking until 2 in the morning. Meow Wolf thought of everything to please young and old, hippie to hardcore. NME -Winter Elise

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 5, 2016

LEWIS BLACK: THE NAKED TRUTH TOUR Route 66 Casino Hotel https://www.rt66casino.com

UNTIL May 2, 2016 Turquoise, Water, Sky: The Stone and Its Meaning Museum of Indian Arts & Culture 710 Camino Lejo Santa Fe, NM 87505 Turquoise, Water, Sky: The Stone and Its Meaning highlights the Museum’s extensive collection of Southwestern turquoise jewelry and presents all aspects of the stone, from geology, mining and history, to questions of authenticity and value. https://www.newmexico.org/ event/?eid=25088&date=12/03/2015 UNTIL December 30, 2016 NOB HILL’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Nob Hill Main Street 4310 Central Ave. S.E. Albuquerque, NM 87108 Celebrate 100 years of this historic Albuquerque neighborhood with various events throughout 2016 http://www. NobHillis100.com February 1-29, 2016 NEW MEXICO BLACK HISTORY MONTH FESTIVAL New Mexico Black History month will present events that cover five focus areas: arts and culture, cuisine, education, positive youth development and health. There is something for everyone. Enjoy and celebrate with us! http://nmblackhistorymonth.com/ February 2-29, 2016 SERIES SELECTIONS - FINE ART TAPESTRIES BY DONNA LORAINE CONTRACTOR Genuine Southwest Art & Gifts 1919 Old Town Rd. N.W., Ste. 2 Albuquerque, NM 87104 http://www.genuinesouthwest.com/

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February 2, 2016 R5: SOMETIME LAST NIGHT TOUR R5 is an American pop rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2009. The band consists of Ross Lynch, Riker Lynch, Rocky Lynch, Rydel Lynch and Ellington Ratliff. In March 2010, they self-released an EP, Ready Set Rock.

Albuquerque Convention Center 401 Second St. N.W. Albuquerque, NM 87102 http://www.ticketmaster.com/R5-tickets/ artist/1790228?tm_link=edp_Artist_Name February 2, 2016 GEORGE WINSTON 7:00pm Outpost Performance Space 210 Yale SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 http://www.ampconcerts.org/ February 3, 2016 BREW & BUILD EVENT 7:00pm Tractor Brewing - Wells Park 1800 4th St NW Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102 February 3, 2016 MEDIEVAL FAIRE & FUNDRAISER FOR W21 We are doing our 2nd Annual Fundraiser to thank Warehouse 21 for providing a wonderful multi-use space for our Meetings and A&S Practices! Bake Sale, Games, Demos, Performances, Displays, and Garb Galore!!

Warehouse Twenty-One 1614 Paseo de Peralta Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 https://www.facebook.com/ events/1672700146343111/

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February 3, 2016 TUNNEL VISION SCREENING The Guild Cinema 3405 Central Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87106 http://holdmyticket.com/event/235239 http://guildcinema.com/movie/1552

February 9, 2016 SOUTHWEST WRITERS 5:00pm - 6:30pm Aux Dog Theatre 3011 Monte Vista Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87106 February 12, 2016 HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS 7:30PM WisePies Arena aka The Pit 1111 University Blvd SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 http://www.unmtickets.com/

February 4, 2016 STAND UP COMEDY THURSDAYS 6:30pm - 10:30pm The Stage at The Star 54 Jemez Dam Rd Bernalillo, NM 87004 http://www.thestageatthestar.com/

February 12, 2016 6TH ANNUAL BLACKOUT 6:00PM N’MPower Albuquerque 136 Washington St SE, Ste D Albuquerque, NM 87108 https://www.facebook.com/ events/1513950778900771/

February 5, 2016 LEWIS BLACK: THE NAKED TRUTH TOUR 8:00pm Route 66 Casino Hotel 14500 Central Ave SW Albuquerque, NM 87121 http://www.rt66casino.com/ February 5-7, 2016 RIVERDANCE The international Irish dance phenomenon is back by popular demand in Riverdance - The 20th Anniversary World Tour.

Popejoy Hall 203 Cornell Dr Albuquerque, NM 87131 http://popejoypresents.com

February 13, 2016 FRIENDS & LOVERS BALLOON RALLY 6:00AM Bring your family, a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and enjoy the view as a close-knit group of local balloon pilots launch up to 135+ hot air balloons.

Balloon Fiesta Park 5000 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy.

Albuquerque, NM 87113 http://www.hotairballooning.org/

February 5-6, 2016 CARNAVAL 2016: TICKET TO PARADISE National Hispanic Cultural Center 1701 Fourth St. S.W. Albuquerque, NM 87102 http://nhccnm.org/

February 14, 2016 BOYZ II MEN 8:00pm Route 66 Casino Hotel 14500 Central Ave SW Albuquerque, NM 87121 http://www.rt66casino.com/

February 8-25, 2016 2016 FILM AND MEDIA DAY New Mexico Legislature 490 Old Santa Fe Trail Santa Fe, NM 87501 https://www.facebook.com/New-MexicoFilm-Media-Day-340136652794441/

February 19, 2016 THE STARZ OF TOMORROW: A YOUTH EXTRAVAGANZA 7:00PM UNM SUB Ballroom(s) Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106 www.ABQPRIDE.com

February 19, 2016 IN THE MOOD Popejoy Hall

https://www.popejoypresents.com

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February 20, 2016

DIRTY DEEDS BURLESQUE PRESENTS PRESIDENTS OF LOVE Launchpad http://holdmyticket.com/event/235217

February 19, 2016 IN THE MOOD Talented swing dancers perform to America’s greatest hits of the 1930s and ‘40s Popejoy Hall 203 Cornell Dr Albuquerque, NM 87131 http://popejoypresents.com

February 22, 2016 BIG DADDY WEAVE 7:00pm Sagebrush Community Church 6440 Coors Blvd NW Albuquerque, New Mexico 87120 http://transparentproductions.com/events/ bigdwabq

February 19, 2016 ALBUQUERQUE’S TRIBUTE TO DAVID BOWIE 8:00PM The Tribute to Ziggy Stardust, The Thin White Duke, the Amazing David Bowie. Your favorite local bands will be performing your favorite Bowie songs.

It will be a glam filled evening. All proceeds will go to the UNM Cancer Center. Come out and honor the man that changed everything, and was always changing.

The Library - Downtown Albuquerque, NM 87102 http://holdmyticket.com/event/234259

February 25-27, 2016 MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS Men and Women representing the Mountain West Conference will compete in Track and Field events at the Indoor Track Facility, inside the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Albuquerque Convention Center 401 Second St. N.W. Albuquerque, NM 87102 http://www.themwc.com/page/championship_c-itrack

February 20, 2016 DIRTY DEEDS BURLESQUE PRESENTS PRESIDENTS OF LOVE 8:00pm A fun Sexy jam packed night with great music and amazing burlesque. he lineup up has some of our local burlesqes friends as well as some of our favorite out of town friends, Please join us in making this a night to remember!

Launchpad 618 Central Avenue Albuquerque, NM 87102 http://holdmyticket.com/event/235217 February 20, 2016 AILEY II 8:00pm Popejoy Hall 203 Cornell Dr Albuquerque, NM 87131 http://popejoypresents.com

February 26, 2016 RAISIN’ CANE - A HARLEM RENAISSANCE ODYSSEY 8:00pm Popejoy Hall 203 Cornell Dr Albuquerque, NM 87131 http://popejoypresents.com April 15, 2016 NME MOVIE NIGHT PRESENTS MARS ATTACKS 10:30pm The Guild Cinema 3405 Central Ave NE Albuquerque, NM 87106

http://www.nmentertains.com/#!nme-events/j4a7f

April 17, 2016 HIV WALK NEW MEXICO & 5K FUN RUN 12:00pm UNM North Golf Course 2201 Tucker Ave NE Albuquerque, NM 87106 http://www.abqpride.com/hivwalknm

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SIGHTSEEING: ALBUQUERQUE COMIC CON ® Darlene Esquibel

® Darlene Esquibel

® Darlene Esquibel ® Darlene Esquibel

® Darlene Esquibel

® Aaron T. Cowan

® Aaron T. Cowan

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New Mexico Entertainment • February 2016

® Darlene Esquibel

SIGHTSEEING: MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARADE: Photos by Aaron T. Cowan

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