New Mexico Entertainment Magazine March 2014

V2 / Is3 • MARCH 2014

ALSO IN THIS

ISSUE

Dum Dum Girls

Jeff Durham

The Addams Family

George R.R. Martin The Game of Thrones creator talks about fans, his new book and what he would like his legacy to be.

TABLE OF CONTENTS PG 8 COVER STORY

George R.R. Martin The Game of Thrones creator talks about fans, his new book and what he would like his legacy to be.

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TURN IT UP

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU The Addams Family

Dum Dum Girls The “girl power” band is bringing something refreshing to the music scene.

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MAKE ‘EM LAUGH Jeff Dunham Dunham is bringing ventriloquism to a whole other level.

Popejoy brings America’s creepy, loveable family to Albuquerque.

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BEHIND THE SCENES Janessa Bouldin This single mother of three is making a name for herself in film.

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FOLLOW-UP Laidback Luke Our own Winter Flack talks with the Las Vegas resident DJ. March 2014

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EXTRAS: Strange Factory CALENDAR OF EVENTS Check out the latest events you should be going to in New Mexico.

SIGHTSEEING: Photos around the state

NME STAFF Teresa Robinson-Ewers Publisher / Editor-in-Chief info@NMEntertains.com -------------------------------------------------Eduardo Robinson Managing Editor -------------------------------------------------Ariel Bisbee Photography & Multimedia Director -------------------------------------------------Steve Fye Food Editor -------------------------------------------------Kym Fleck Copy Editor -------------------------------------------------CONTRIBUTORS Darlene Esquibel, Winter Flack, Cassandra Hernandez, Gemma Knight, Jen Reazin, Brian Reed, Nadeige Severinghaus, Stephen Smith, Samson Snell, Dave Staggs, Michel West, Mike West 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.

New Mexico Entertainment 231 Sierra Dr. SE, Suite 7 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108 505.450.4706 • NMEntertains.com

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TURN IT UP!: DUM DUM GIRLS By

By W inter Flack Flack

T

he melodic beats of “Boys and Girls Club”, off the album Too True by the Dum Dum Girls, will transport you back to the 90s - a time when girl power was everything and black eyeliner was a must. Sub Pop Records delivers this band to us. Many of you who are familiar with classic acts, like Nirvana, know that this label only chooses the grungiest, most melon collie bands to dispense to the masses, and the Dum Dum Girls deliver beautifully. The haunting vocals of singer/ song writer Dee Dee Penny (aka Kristin Welchez), induce a trance-like state some where between euphoria and wondering where it all went wrong.

The new album Too True follows the band’s Only in Dreams LP from 2011 and the End of Daze EP in 2012.

The End of Daze received best in music from Pitchfork, and the single “Lord Knows” received best new track the same year from Pitchfork. Pitchfork host two major music festivals a year -

one in Chicago Il and the other in Paris, France. They’ve also topped the list with their singles on CMJ.com. For those in the know, CMJ connects music fans with new music and offers digital discovery services.

The band’s original heartache and lo-fi style has given way to a stronger more polished vibe in the new album. If you have been looking for a new band that doesn’t sound like everyone else out there on the pop music stations, I suggest you strap on your Doc Martens and play the record loud. If your neighbors aren’t banging on the walls to stop, then you’re not doing it right.

With sold out shows across the nation, Dum Dum Girls are attracting quite a following. They will be playing locally here at Sister on March 10th.

Luckily for us in the Land of Enchantment, there are still tickets available.

Visit http://holdmyticket.com/event/153125 to buy your tickets for the show.

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LET US ENTERTAIN YOU: THE ADDAMS FAMILY By Teresa Ewers

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ou know them from their look and that snappy theme song.

Now, the Addams take the Southwest by storm. The 2013/2014 National Tour of the new musical The Addams Family, based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, will make its Albuquerque premiere as part of the La Vida Llena Broadway in New Mexico Series.

In a prolific career spanning six decades, Charles Addams created several thousand cartoons, sketches and drawings, many of which were published in The New Yorker. But it was his creation of characters, that came to be known as The Addams Family, that brought Addams his greatest acclaim.

With a unique style that combined the twisted, macabre and just plain weird with charm, wit, and enchantment, Addams’ drawings have entertained

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millions worldwide and served as the inspiration for multiple television series and motion pictures.

The Addams Family, which began performances in March 2010 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and ran through December 2011, immediately became one of Broadway’s biggest hits.

Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune described the production as “classic, full-tilt, fast paced, old-fashioned musical comedy!” and John Simon of Bloomberg News called it “uproarious!

A glitzy-gloomy musical, entirely worthy of the macabre drawings by Charles Addams.”

The Addams Family musical features a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics

by Andrew Lippa. The production is directed by Jerry Zaks with choreography by Sergio Trujillo. Production design (sets and costumes) by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch with

set adaptations by James Kronzer. The production features lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Craig Cassidy and puppetry by Basil Twist.

The musical features an original story and it's every father’s nightmare.

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. A man her parents have never met and if that weren't upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before - keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia.

Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's "normal" boyfriend and his parents.

The Addams Family will be presented on March 20-23, 2014 at Popejoy Hall. Tickets are on sale now through the Popejoy Hall website, http://www.popejoypresents.com.

COVER STORY: GEORGE R.R. MARTIN By Winter Flack • Photos by Ariel Bisbee

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any have witnessed the thrill of the HBO series Game of Thrones. But there are those who have been fans for years because of the writer, the 5'6" bearded legend we know as Martin - George R.R. Martin. Going as far back as 1971, George has been writing science fiction for the mass. He began with publishing more then fifty short stories by 1977. His first novel was published in 1977, hitting a total of four by the early eighties. The fourth novel called The Armageddon Rag was a contemporary novel set in the 1980's. It got great reviews, but it was a commercial disaster. With a black mark on his record, he couldn’t find a publisher who would touch him.

“Luckily for me when that door was closing, another door was opening in Hollywood,” shared Martin.

The book that almost ended his career was optioned for a film adaptation. Although the movie was never made, it introduced George to movie making. CBS at the time was looking to bring back The Twilight Zone. The shows producer turned to science fiction writers to create scripts for the shows, even writers with no screenwriting experience. Martin did a script for the show, followed by another, and then, before he knew it, he was on staff out in Los Angeles. He never left Santa Fe, needing a calm place to call home.

Working in Los Angeles was an amazing time and he worked with some marvelous people, but he wanted to come back and live in New Mexico.

After his time in Hollywood, he decided it was time to put his own shows in development. It was a time of learning in his life. In Hollywood, you can pour a year of your life into developing characters and a story, and, through no fault of your own, they will

kill your show idea. Martin decided, at that point, he needed an audience that he could entertain. He wanted to create things that people could enjoy, no matter what four guys in suits had to say. With this in mind, he went back to his first love - writing. He put his effort into writing Ice and Fire, which became Game of Thrones, currently playing on HBO. After five years of trying to write something that would turn into a TV show, his most long and complicated work becomes a hit.

Martin loves the way the show has turned out, being that the books are his babies. Each one is about 1500 words. These take him years to write, so he found a great team - David Benioff and D.B. Wiess - to handle the majority of the show's writing. They write about seven, out of the ten, episodes a season. He does write one script a season for the show. He wishes they could run for twelve episodes so that they could get more of the books into the show itself.

Martin continues to be an acclaimed writer and is now a theater owner. He re-opened the Jean Cocteau Theater in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2013. The theater had originally opened in the 1970's and George had watched many movies there in his time. Citing his main reasons - one of them being they had the best popcorn in all of Santa Fe - the darkened theater sitting empty made him sad. After months of wondering why someone wasn’t reopening the theater, he realized he should be the one to take on the challenge. Now, they show movies, music, and magicians in the theater. If you’re lucky, you can catch the showings of Game of Thrones. “A little piece of Santa Fe history and the Santa Fe community bought back to life," says Martin, who is involved in picking out

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what comes through the theater, but most of the decision runs through Jon who manages the theater. Jon has ties with the film community in Santa Fe and sets up great finds for everyone, of every taste, to come and enjoy at the theater. “I occasionally chime in from the owner’s box and say I want to see Red Planet,” jokes Martin. "We opened with my favorite science fiction movie and we had Robbie the Robot here.” In case there are a few of you out there who are not into theater, they also have book signings and author events from time to time at the theater. There is no excuse if you live in Santa Fe to miss out on this little theater.

When Martin has some down time, he spends it with his wife, Parris, who both offer support to The Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in New Mexico. He also does a lot of reading these days and science fiction & fantasy has been his go-to for literature.

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It started at a very young age with comic books and has just continued to grow. Nickel paperbacks to full novels, he has never been able to kick his habit. He likes to throw in a good mystery, or historical fiction, every once in a while.

When asked what he would like his legacy to be, he turned to one of his most inspired writers, J. R. R. Tolkien. "I think every writer dreams that his books will last. That's what I hope of." says Martin. “I was very flattered a number of years ago when People magazine called me the ‘American Tolkien’ because I'm a huge fan. I read him in high school.

He was the man who redefined modern fantasy. Just being mentioned in the same reference as him is a great compliment. And if my books are read 100 years after I wrote them and I can become a candidate of fantasy like Tolkien's books have, that would be enough legacy for me.” He has a goal for the theater as well. “I hope that the Jean Cocteau will last. I hope the revived Cocteau last another 22 years where people can watch movies, listen to music and eat our popcorn, which is still the best popcorn in New Mexico, with real butter!”

George R.R. Martin is a multitalented individual who puts his heart and soul into everything he does, hoping to entertain people along the way. Make sure you check out the Jean Cocteau Theater in Santa Fe and enjoy the hit series Game of Thrones on the big screen or pick up the book.

Either way, you will step into a world beyond your wildest imagination.

MAKE ‘EM L AUGH: JEFF DUNHAM B y Teresa eresa Ew Ew ers

J

eff Dunham never expected his love for ventriloquism to blow up to this amazing career. Appearing on such shows as The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman and Comedy Central presents, Dunham has become a household name, being called “America's favorite comedian”

by Slate.com.

Dunham's talent wasn't always seen as hip. As a child, he wasn't popular. He wasn't a master of sports, and girls were not lining up getting to know him, but he did have something that was catching his eye. After seeing a dummy on a store shelf and asking his parents, repeatedly, if he could have it, they presented it as a Christmas gift along with a how-to album. It lead to Dunham performing for audiences as a teenager at school, church, and a job stint at Six Flags. Durham's was voted Most Likely to Succeed and after graduating from high school, with a goal of career success in ten years, he found himself as a guest on The Tonight Show

Starring Johnny Carson.

After college, Dunham continued to perform in comedy clubs throughout the Southwest with new characters like Peanut and Jose Jalapeño, but his career choice was proving difficult among his peers, who felt a ventriloquist isn't a true comedian if he’s working behind props. Feeling his career had stalled, Dunham moved to Los Angeles. Initially, the act bombed, but after honing in and observing techniques of comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, along with guidance from friend, Bill Engvall, Dunham went from a G-rated theme to the more edgier material he performs on stage today.

Albuquerque will have the chance to see Dunham in all his vocal glory when he makes a stop here on March 15th at the Santa Ana Star Center.

Tickets are available at the venue's website http://www.santaanastarcenter.com.

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BEHIND THE SCENES: JANESSA BOULDIN B y W inter Flack Flack

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eet New Mexico’s o wn hair designer to the stars, J anessa Bouldin. Bor n and raised r ight her e in Albuquer que, Janessa has been styling hair locally for o v er 10 y ears, when she landed her first H ollywood job on Lo v e R anch as a nail tech, soon follo w ed b y a hair design gig on the television sho w C rash .

“I had no idea what I was get ting into when I first signed on to the film set," said Bouldin.

"B ut, it ’s been wild r ide. It is a close knit little community to br eak into when y ou’r e first star ting out. The hours can be long and demanding. The loca tions can be do wn the str eet or acr oss the state fr om day to day. The people behind the cameras need to kno w that they can r ely on y ou when y our in the middle of no wher e tr ying to get a scene done.”

B eing a singled mother of thr ee y oung childr en, Bouldin is grateful for the oppor tunity wor k ing on set has pr o vided her and her childr en. “ The film industr y has giv en me the chance to hone and per fect my skills

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“The key is to remain professional at all times.” without having to relocate my family.” Her children are supportive of her career and are looking to the film industry for careers of their own.

Janessa has worked on all kinds of movie and televisions shows in the last few years, each with their own challenges. The smaller indie movie sets such as Blaze You Out, shot in Espanola [New Mexico], gave her a chance to really stretch her creative muscles. She handled more work and more responsibility. “Pushing my limits is a great experience, even on the days it was difficult.” On larger movies sets, such as The Avengers, there are new and different pressures - coordinating so many people to be ready for each scene. No matter what is in production you are guaranteed to have some great moments and gain new insights.

“When it comes to getting ‘star

struck’, I have my moments, but the key is to remain professional at all times. Treating everyone on set in the same caring and respectful way will instill confidence in your work. The more confidence people have in your work the more work you will get.”

Janessa credits her family and her mother for instilling these ideas into her at a very young age. She plans to continue on the movie sets for years to come while encouraging her children to follow their dreams and use their artistic skills.

Without the opportunities bought into town by the film industry, Janessa, and many others working in that field, wouldn’t be able to provide for the families the way they are now. It’s an industry that is sure to grow and improve the lives of Native New Mexicans across the state.

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FOLLOW-UP: LAIDBACK LUKE By Winter Flack

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alentine’s Day at The Stage, inside Santa Ana Star Casino, with Laidback Luke, and I had the privilege of sitting down with him, while his wife Gina Turner opened the show.

Laidback Luke has a residency at Light this year in Vegas, moving on from his residency at Hakkasan. Working in Vegas is amazing and drastically different than playing in the festival shows. The festival shows allow you to tap in to the local vibe of an area. “My favorite for the year was EDC Vegas 2103,” says Luke. "In Vegas, you are always playing for tourists. The advantage to Vegas is that they can build or make happen what ever you can dream up." Currently Laidback Luke is in talks with Circus Soleil to create a new event.

Working on the road with his wife, Gina Turner, is proving to be a great partnership

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in many ways. She is a great crowd starter, who digs new innovated underground music, so they never clash on the musical sets. Off-stage, Gina is a certified yoga teacher, and Luke is a Kung Fu practitioner at a world level. “What people don’t know about Kung Fu is that it originate from people at the Shaolin temple, meeting a yogi who taught them about breathing and fighting,” shared Luke. "Before that, the Shaolin Monks were just monks.”

Luke and Gina are very much a power couple, in the aspects that they live clean, eat healthy, and are always planning their workouts.

Laidback Luke was always into drawing as a child. In his teenage years, his art moved to drawing on walls. It didn’t last long because he did get in trouble with the police. He now channels all his creativity into music. There are some DJs out there

that can do both and make beautiful art and music, but Luke says his heart is only in his music.

To keep the creative juices flowing he says, “The best way to beat 'Producers' Block' is to set goals, and give yourself time limits.” Currently he set himself a goal of producing twenty new tracks in twenty days. Staying focus takes work in itself.

To aspiring DJs out there he offers some advice. “Word of mouth is the best way to get your name out there, if the quality is there in your work. Grass roots movements are the best way to widen your circle and get people listening to your music. Talk, talk, talk, and be talked about.”

Opening with a strong underground set, Gina turned up the crowd for Laidback Luke to take over. The crowd was jumping. Whereever the EDM takes Laidback Luke and his wife, we certainly hope it brings them back through Albuquerque, sooner, rather than later.

CA;ENDAR OF EVENTS

March 14, 2014 LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO Check out a different side of ballet with Les Ballets where all parts are played by men! http://www.popejoypresents.com

MARCH 2014 1 I YOUTH AUDITION WORKSHOP WITH MARIE MCMASTER 10:00pm - 4:00pm Location in Albuquerque will be sent out upon confirmation What You Will Learn: How to get started in the film industry Making a role 'your own' Audition do's and don't's Nailing a 'cold read' Taking direction and the importance of doing so and most importantly for the youngsters - FOCUS! Email me at marieakohl@hotmail.com to reserve your young actors seat today!

2 I TWELFTH NIGHT 3:00pm Popejoy Hall 210 Cornell Dr NE http://www.popejoypresents.com 5 I SHPONGLE / DESERT DWELLERS 7:00pm Sunshine Theater 112 2nd Street SW http://www.sunshinetheaterlive.com/

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5 I SELF SERVE PRESENTS HERBAL APHRODISIACS: HERBS FOR LOVEMAKING 7:30pm - 9:00pm Self Serve 3904 Central Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87108 Join La Abeja Herbs + Self Serve for a sweet evening class where you will receive an intimate introduction to some of our most beloved herbal allies—those plants which help us to feel our sexiest and most full of vitality. We will discuss a few plants in great depth, taste lots of divine preparations, and discuss the most pleasurable ways, by far, to take your medicine. http://selfservetoys.com/events-calendar/ 14 I LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO 8:00pm Popejoy Hall 210 Cornell Dr NE http://www.popejoypresents.com

14-15 I 2014 NCAA MEN'S AND WOMEN'S DIVISION 1 INDOOR TRACK & FIELD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Albuquerque Convention Center 401 2nd St NW http://www.ncaa.com/sports/trackfieldindoor-women/d1

24 I GAME OF THRONES COSTUME CONTEST / MARATHON CLOSEOUT Jean Cocteau Cinema 418 Montezuma Ave Santa Fe NM 87501 http://www.jeancocteaucinema.com/even ts/

15 I MONDO VIBRATIONS ALBUM RELEASE 8:30pm Sister Bar 407 Central Avenue NW http://sisterthebar.com/

23 I SELF SERVE PRESENTS FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR INNER GODDESS 6:30pm - 8:00pm Self Serve 3904 Central Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87108 http://selfservetoys.com/events-calendar/

15-17 I MATT LAMBROS LECTURE AND EXHIBITION Jean Cocteau Cinema 418 Montezuma Ave Santa Fe NM 87501 http://www.jeancocteaucinema.com 18 I HOPSIN 7:00pm Sunshine Theater 112 2nd Street SW http://www.sunshinetheaterlive.com 20-23 I THE ADDAMS FAMILY 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 1:00pm and 2:00pm Popejoy Hall 210 Cornell Dr NE http://www.popejoypresents.com 23-25 I 25TH ANNUAL BATAAN DEATH MARCH The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging march through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives.

(575) 678-1134 www.bataanmarch.com

25 I SELF SERVE PRESENTS KEEPING IT HOT IN A LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP 7:30pm - 9:00pm Self Serve 3904 Central Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87108 Join Self Serve Co-Owner and Sexuality Educator Molly Adler for a workshop in keeping it hot, or getting there again.

Learn how to bring the sexy back (even if it's been gone awhile), how to enjoy more pleasure with your partner, discover new activities for increasing intimacy, orchestrating spontaneity & more. http://selfservetoys.com/events-calendar/ 26 I SELF SERVE PRESENTS TEASING THE SENSES: EXPLORING SENSATION PLAY 7:30pm - 9:00pm Self Serve 3904 Central Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87108 http://selfservetoys.com/events-calendar/

March 23-25, 2014 25TH ANNUAL BATAAN DEATH MARCH The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging march through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico www.bataanmarch.com

March 29, 2014 SEASON RED CARPET PREMIERE OF GAME OF THRONES George R.R. Martin and HBO invite you to a very special new season premiere, a FULL WEEK before it publicly airs! http://www.jeancocteaucinema.com /events/ 27 I SELF SERVE PRESENTS MASTERING THE BJ-INTERACTIVE SKILLS 7:30pm - 9:00pm Self Serve 3904 Central Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87108 Bulk up your blowjob resume with this hands-on (a dildo) workshop. We’ll cover male sexual response, controlling your gag reflex and techniques and tricks.

This class is for anyone who has a dick in his or her life and wants to show it some oral love! We provide sterilized dildos for practicing! http://selfservetoys.com/events-calendar/ 27 I DEAFHEAVEN 10:00pm Sister Bar 407 Central Avenue NW http://sisterthebar.com/ 29 I SPECIAL SCREENING / PREMIERE OF EPISODE 1, SEASON 4 OF GAME OF THRONES (BEFORE IT AIRS ON HBO) Jean Cocteau Cinema 418 Montezuma Ave Santa Fe NM 87501 http://www.jeancocteaucinema.com/events/

30 I SELF SERVE PRESENTS CELEBRATING YOUR BEST 6:30pm - 8:00pm Self Serve 3904 Central Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87108 You try to be the best. Best parent. Best spouse/partner/lover (and if you’re poly, please multiply here appropriately). Best worker/student/co-worker. Best community member/leader. Best neighbor. Best family member ... Best friend. But what about you to you? Stop beating yourself up! Why are you metaphorically slapping yourself silly? It’s time to talk about the gritty, dirty, hard parts of trying to please others--and forgetting (or ignoring) your own needs. http://selfservetoys.com/events-calendar/ 31 I EMMURE / VOLUMES / THY ART IS MURDER / GIDEON / SWORN IN 7:30pm Sunshine Theater 112 2nd Street SW http://www.sunshinetheaterlive.com/

30 I SHERMAN ALEXIE 3:00pm Popejoy Hall 210 Cornell Dr NE http://www.popejoypresents.com

VISIT WWW.NMENTERTAINS.COM FOR THE LATEST EVENTS 365 DAYS A YEAR!

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