Category: Arts & Entertainment

Fit Under $5

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By Hailey Tolleson

Staff Reporter

Did you tell yourself at the beginning of the year that you were going to work out more? If you didn’t keep your promise, we won’t judge. Instead we’re here to suggest fun ways to get excise for $5 or under.

  1. Lose Yourself to Dance!

Trick yourself into getting in a workout by taking a Zumba class. In class you will work on toning up. Not Beyoncé? That’s okay because bad dancing is still a workout. It’s only $5 to drop in.

 

Where: Maple Street Dance

              3215 Central Ave.NE

              Albuquerque Nm 87106

 

When: Tuesday 5:25pm-6:25pm

            Wednesday 4:30pm-5:30pm

            Thursday 4:30pm-5:30pm

           Sunday 11:00am-12pm

 

  1. Pump it up!

Are you fickle about fitness? Liberty gym allows you to drop-in for $5 a visit without worrying about monthly dues. Their facilities include aerobic equipment, exercise equipment, and free weights. If all that seems intimidating they also have personal trainers to help guide you on proper techniques.

 

Where: Liberty Gym

              2401 Jefferson St NE

              Albuquerque NM 87110

 

When: Monday-Friday 4:30am-10pm

             Saturday 6am-6pm

             Sunday 8am-6pm

 

  1. It’s Okay to be a Poser!

Does end of the semester stress have you feeling downward, dog?  Work out the tension in your muscles by taking a yoga class at Helix coffee and yoga. Most classes are offered in the morning and cost $5. If you have kids, they also have a playroom. Classes are small and are first come first serve, so get there a few minutes early.

 

Where: Helix coffee and yoga

              3612 Campus Blvd NE

              Albuquerque, NM 87106

 

When: Check out the class schedule here.

   

  1. Exercising Doesn’t Have to be a Big Dill!

Caesar Chavez Community Center has four indoor pickleball courts and equipment. Unfortunately, it has nothing to do with pickles. Pickle ball is a combination of badminton, tennis and table tennis. It’s a sport that has attracted players young and old, so grab your friends and try it out.

 

Where: Caesar Chavez Community Center

1325 Palomas Dr Se,

 Albuquerque, NM 87108

 

When: Monday 8:30-11am

             Tuesday 8:30-10:30am

             Wednesday 8:30-10:30am

             Thursday 5:30-7:30pm

Friday 8:30-10:30

 

  1. Water You Waiting For?

Summer is not quite here yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go swimming. Highland pool has indoor pools open to the public. During the day it’s open to those who want to swim laps and, in the evening,, it’s geared more towards recreation and families. Usually it costs $2.50 to swim, but if you go on Friday evening, it’s only $0.50!

 

Where: Highland Pool

 

When: Check out the schedule here. 

 

We hope you enjoy these frugal fitness activities and achieve your fitness goals!

                                         

20 Degrees

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By Nasia Jones

Staff Reporter

Students in the Art Career Concerns course at CNM are currently working on putting together their art for the upcoming art exhibition, 20 Degrees.

The exhibition is scheduled to be held from April 18 to April 27, said Fine Arts major Siv Limary.

4A preview of “Sorrows of Genesis” by S. Stearman, Fiber clay, wire, and acrylic paint.

There will also be a reception for the exhibition that will be held on Friday, April 20th from 6pm-8pm.

The exhibition will be located in the 5G North Gallery at Factory on 5th street, the address for the gallery is 1715 5th Street NW, said Limary.

The exhibition is free, but the only time that spectators can walk in and see the exhibition is on Friday April 20th during the reception, he said.

To view the art after the reception appointments must be scheduled with Staff Instructor Amy Rangel, he said.

2“Enjoying Coffee” by Siv Limary, Acrylic Paint/ Mixed media on wood.

Amy Rangel can be contacted by email at arangel2@cnm.edu

During the exhibition from April 18th through April 27th some of the student’s art work will be for sale, Limary said.  

There will be up to 20 students showcasing their artwork at the Exhibition.

There will be many different types of art such as acrylic painting, charcoal painting, sculptures, drawings, color pencil, and many more, he said.

The theme behind the art exhibition is to show that even with diversity in the world, art and a passion for being creative is what brought these 20 students together, said Limary.

Like many of the other students in the class, 20 Degrees will be Limary’s first ever art exhibition, he said.

“I am excited about it, because this exhibition is a reality check to see if your art is really presentable,” Limary said.

Picture1“Recreation of Carnage” by Jackie Montiel, water colored pencils on paper.

Each student in the class oversaw a different committee to give them a real-life experience of what it would entail to be an artist, said Limary.

The class started in January of 2018, but some students showing their work may be showing previous work, work they’ve been working on for years, or even work they’ve made just for this exhibition, he said.

“I think this is a great class because it balances the practicality of being an artist with your passion and find a more realistic view of the industry.”

For students that may be interested in the Art Career Concerns course for next semester the class code is ARTS2210.

 

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Happy Valen-Dines Day

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By Hailey Tolleson

Staff reporter

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and there are many holiday specials to take advantage of in Albuquerque. Whether you’re taken, single, or celebrating with family, the CNM Chronicle found great deals for everyone.

Melting Pot

On February 14th, Melting Pot will be offering a romantic 5-course meal and a bottle of wine for $140. The meal starts with a caprese skewer, your choice of sparkling gruyere or green chili cheddar, and wedge salad or strawberry pecan. The options for an entrée include filet, herb crusted chicken breast, shrimp, Memphis-style BBQ pork medallions, Angus sirloin and a featured pasta. Finish the evening with dark chocolate raspberry, flaming turtle, or Crème brûlèe for desert. Melting pot also offers a 4-course lunch from 12:00pm till 3:30pm that offers the same menu with exclusion of a caprese skewer and instead of a bottle of wine, you’ll receive a champagne toast for two. To make reservations, call 505-843-6358.

Tucanos

A Valentine’s Day dinner will be served at Tucanos for $29.95 per person all day on February 14th and from 3:00pm to 9:00pm on February 13th and 15th. They’ll also offer a Valentine’s Day lunch for $19.95 per person from 11:00am to 3:00pm on February 13th and 15th. Celebrating as a family? No worries! Children 6 and under eat free and children 7-11 eat for $11.95. Selections will include rosemary herb salmon, roasted rib eye, grilled shrimp (dinner only). To make reservations, call 505-246-9900.

Sauce Pizza & Wine

             Whether you’re on a budget, celebrating with friends, or pizza is your one true love, enjoy the Sweetheart deal from Sauce Pizza & Wine for $22. You get to select a pizza under $11, a salad under $9 and two glasses of wine under $7 per glass. It’s offered all day on February 14th and no reservation is required.

 

Dinner is nice but if you are feeling a little more adventurous this Valentine’s Day, Albuquerque also has an exciting variety of events.

 

That’s a-moray!

Share your love of learning with that special someone at the ABQ Biopark aquarium where they’re offering adults-only guided tours.  The tour will focus on the mating patterns of aquatic animals. Admission is $30 per person and includes admission, tour, animal touchpool, an appetizer, and one drink. For $50, you get all those things plus dinner at the shark reef café. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Albucreepy is for lovers

            Nothing says romance quite like a ghost tour so join Albucreepy where paranormal investigators unveil the haunted history of downtown. Before the tour begins, guests are treated to a cookie from Rude Boy Cookies, then head to Back Alley Draft House for a pint of beer or root beer and two slices of pizza. Afterwards, the walking tour begins. The event starts at 7:00pm and guests will meet at Albuquerque Tourism and Sightseeing Factory. Tickets can be purchased for $40 here.

Duke City Pedaler: Single and Loving It!

            Don’t let couples have all the fun! Mix with other singles as you and 9 others pedal to multiple microbreweries on the Duke City Pedaler bike. Some of the participating breweries include Marble Brewery, Red Door Brewery (downtown), and several others. People will meet at Albuquerque Tourism and Sightseeing Factory by 6:00pm. Tickets will only be sold to those twenty-one and older for $23 a person. They can be purchased at here.

We hope this helped and that you have a lovely Valentine’s day!

                 

Build a Brewery

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By Nasia Jones, Staff Reporter

CNM is currently in the visioning process of building a commercial scale brewery, said full time Brewing and Beverage management instructor, Nick Jones.

Students will be brewing batches between 50 and 150 gallons using the same equipment that would be used in a brewery that brews 1,000 or 2,000 gallon batches, Jones said.

Currently our capabilities limit us to 3-gallon batches, but we still use lots of other commercial-scale equipment wherever we can, such as our laboratory equipment and draught beer equipment, Jones said.

It will make us less dependent on other breweries around Albuquerque to host our classes, Jones said.

Currently, all of the experience that our students get on commercial-scale brewhouses has to be during field trips to breweries around town, he said.

I wouldn’t expect the project to be finished for at least another couple of years, Jones said.

CNM is already creating its own beer, but whatever doesn’t get used within the program gets dumped down the drain, he said.

There are various reasons that we currently don’t sell it in stores, but I can’t think of a single reason that would absolutely preclude selling beer in the future, he said.

I suppose that we’ll just have to wait until an entrepreneurial student taking BA 2103 takes the time to develop a business plan that overcomes all of the logistical, regulatory, and financial hurdles, Jones said.

New Statue aspires to growth and strength

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Photos by Hilary Broman

By Hailey Tolleson

Staff Reporter

CNM added a statue, named “Growth in Strength”, to the south side of the library, which was revealed on October 10th, said Karen Yank, local sculptor.

 The purpose was to commemorate CNM’s 50th anniversary but due to budgetary delays, she wasn’t able to have the project done by the exact date, but was able to get it done with in the 50th year, she said.

 “I hope in another 50 years they’re celebrating their 100th anniversary right here” said Yank.

 Mary Bates-Ulibarri, project director, was pleased with the end result and described the way every angle presents a new harmony and contrast.

 According to Yank, the focal piece of the sculpture represents strength, shown by the inclusion of the Sandia Mountains and resiliency through the robust wild flower growing out of the harsh environment.

 This piece stands 20 feet tall and the sculpture itself is made from stainless steel and corten, a type of steel that has a corrosion resistant patina, she said.

 The seats that get direct sunlight are made with aluminum and the shadier seats are made with steel, she said.

 A plaque will be added with a QR code that will direct viewers to an informative video, she said.

 She was able to use her time here to help student artists by giving them advice on presenting their portfolios as well as inviting them to the multiple stages of the project, she said.

 “Twenty-Five years in Albuquerque has not only given me a unique perspective on CNM, but has also influenced my work all over the city,” she said.

 She has done projects for Coors/I-40, UNMH and is working on projects for a safety house in Los Cruces as well as the Vista Grande community center, she said.

 

 

Balloon Fiesta 2017

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Photo Essay by Senior Reporter: Hilary Broman

 

BF 3
Two balloons fully inflated waiting to take flight.
BF 1
At the 46th Annual Balloon Fiesta the Wells Fargo Balloon ascends into the sunrise with an American flag during the National Anthem.
BF 12
The Master Yoda Balloon, also from Belgium, takes flight.
BF 8
One of the balloons begins to rise as the crowd below cheers.
BF 2
One of the many Rainbow Ryders balloons (the balloons that provide balloon rides to passangers) takes flight during the morning ascension.
BF 7
A spectator takes a photo of the festivities. The International Balloon Fiesta is one of the most photographed events in the world.
BF 5
A balloon flies into a clear sky with a view of the moon.
BF 9
The Creamland Cow Balloon, Airabelle, from British Columbia, Canada, looks down over the crowd.
BF 11
A Balloon Fiesta favorite, Darth Vader from Belgium, takes flight.
BF 6
During the Kid’s Day the at Fiesta a child plays under the balloon as it inflates.
BF 10
The Moo Crew helps Airabelle get ready for takeoff.
BF 4
A crew member stands before a balloon spread out on the ground. Balloon crews lay the balloons on the ground, then inflate them while they are still lying down, then they work together to lift the balloon to a vertical position before takeoff.

A College Friendly Guide to the Balloon Fiesta

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By Hilary Broman

Senior Staff Reporter

 

As we approach the halfway point of the fall term here at CNM, Albuquerque is approaching Balloon Fiesta season.

With the 46th annual Balloon Fiesta right around the corner students might be encountering extra stress.

While it is an exciting time it can be difficult to balance school, work, and family while trying to plan a trip to this year’s Balloon Fiesta.

To help ease the stress CNM Chronicle’s senior staff reporter, Hilary Broman, has put together an easy to read, stress free list of details about this year’s fiesta.

Find a headline that interests you and get all the details you need there.

The theme this year is Inflate your Imagination.

So, grab your favorite hoodie, a delicious cup of coffee, and Inflate your Imagination.

 

If you’re a Star Wars Fan:

Help welcome back the popular Darth Vader and Yoda balloons at this free, kid friendly event.

“Visitors will be able to encounter Darth and Yoda up close and they will also be able to meet the pilots and crew members,” according to the event Facebook page.

When: Friday, October 6th at 8:30am-11:00om

Where: Balloon Fiesta Museum

For more information, click here.

 

If you have kids:

The entire balloon fiesta is kid friendly but, Thursday, October 12th is Kid Day, presented by KOB-TV.

The morning will start off with a laser light show at 5:45 am.

Followed by dawn patrol at 6:00am and then a Special Shape rodeo at 7:00 am.

In the evening a Special Shape Glowdeo is scheduled at 6:00pm, followed by a laser light show at 7:45pm, then a firework show at 8:00pm.

*Kids 12 and under are free every day of the fiesta.

 

If you love the special shapes:

The special shape balloons are included in all of the mass ascension events, but if you are particularly fond of the special shape balloons try attending the Special Shape Rodeo and Glowdeo.

The Special Shape Rodeo is scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 12th and Friday, October 13th.

During this event, only the special shape balloons take the field and take flight.

On the evening of the 12th and 13th there will be a Special Shape Glowdeo where the special shape balloons take the field but do not take flight. Instead, they ignite the gas which creates a glowing effect across the field.

In addition to all of the old favorites, 17 new shapes will be joining the special shapes family.

Below are the new special shape balloons:

 

Balloon 1

 

Click here to see a directory of all the special shape balloons participating in this year’s event.

 

If you want to conquer your fear of heights:

If you want to catch a ride on a balloon, contact Rainbow Ryders Inc at:

Toll free: 1-800-725-2477

Phone: 505-823-1111

Email: flightinfo@rainbowryders.com

For more information, click here.

 

If you’re not a morning person:

If the 4:00am morning rush and the morning cold isn’t worth it to you, don’t worry. There are plenty of mid-day and evening events.

On Saturday, October 14th, a music fiesta is scheduled to take place from 1:00pm-5:00pm.

Artists include; The Bus Tapes, Phil Vassar, and Billy Currington.

Admission to the music fiesta is not included in the general admission price.

Click here for ticket information.

There is also an AIBF Chainsaw Carving Invitational that is scheduled to take place on many days throughout the fiesta.

Click here to see when these events are scheduled.

There are many evening events scheduled throughout the fiesta including, laser light shows, balloon glows, and firework shows.

Click here to see when these events are scheduled.

 

If you’re a photographer:

The Balloon Fiesta is one of the most photographed events in the world, according to Balloon Fiesta officials.

Each year a photo contest is held for the best photos taken throughout the fiesta.

This year there are 5 categories;

  • Kids at Balloon Fiesta Photo Entry
  • Dawn Patrol/Balloon Glow Photo Entry
  • Mass Ascension Photo Entry
  • Special Shape Rodeo Photo Entry
  • AfterGlow Fireworks Photo Entry

There will be a grand prize winner and a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner in each category.

Each submission costs $5.

To enter the contest or find out more, click here.

 

Transportation:

Don’t let parking stress you out. There are many options for drivers.

 

Park and Ride: There are many park and ride locations where you can pay for parking transportation, and admission into the balloon fiesta park all in one.

The park and ride locations include;

  • Cottonwood Mall
  • Intel
  • Coronado Center
  • Hoffmantown Church
  • Cliff’s Amusement Park

Click here for pricing information and to purchase tickets.

 

Parking on location:

If you decide to park on location make sure to leave extra early.

No matter what part of town you are coming from expect to be in traffic for an hour or more.

Be prepared to pay $15 cash per car.

 

Bike parking:

Beat the traffic when you ride your bike!

“Bike Valet is provided as a free service to promote bicycling to the Balloon Fiesta,” according to the balloon fiesta website.

Bike valet hours of operation:

  • Morning Sessions 5:30AM to 10:30AM
  • Evening Sessions 5:00PM to 9:00PM

For more information about the bike valet service click here.

 

If you’ve never been:

If you are from out of state or never had the chance to attend the event her are some tips that will make your first Balloon Fiesta experience enjoyable.

  • Dress warm, and in layers.
    • The morning is usually very cold but it gets warmer as the sun comes up. You may want to peel some of those layers.
  • Bring a blanket.
    • The event takes place on a grass lot. Blankets come in handy when you want to relax. You can stretch out and enjoy the fiesta from almost anywhere in the field.
  • Be prepared for a crowd.
    • The first balloon fiesta experience can be a bit overwhelming. If you are someone who doesn’t like crowds be prepared for a loud and chaotic space.
  • Use the restroom before you leave home
    • There are Porta-Potties are the balloon fiesta park but the line is always very long.
  • Buy all of your tickets in advance.
    • The more prepared you are they less hectic the experience will be. Buying admission tickets, park and ride tickets, and parking tickets in advance can help reduce stress.
  • Take a camera
    • The balloon fiesta is the most photographed event in the world. You’ll want to capture it.
  • Enjoy it
    • The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest in the world. There is nothing else like it, so take in as much as you can and enjoy it!

*All events are weather permitting

 

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All photos by Hilary Broman. 

 

ABOUT THEATRE AND STUFF: CNM Students on Stages Across Town

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Story by Layli Brown, Staff Reporter

Featured photograph provided by Heather Ashley

Sociology graduate and actor Heather Ashley, speaks of CNM’s theatre program, its top notch instructors, and the Coal Avenue Theatre.

Heather says, that even though her degree is in sociology, she did a lot of theatre courses at CNM because they have a really good program, the instructors are well known around town and they know their stuff.

Suzanne Erickson is known for writing and she’s a director as well, “being trained by her has benefitted me as an actor”, even in a class of 20 students it wasn’t generalized information it felt like a one on one class, said Heather.

Chad Brummett actor on film and television is known for the private classes he does, and we have him as an instructor at CNM. Heather said, she knows people who aren’t in any program at the college and will sign up just to take a class with him.

The teachers at CNM are really strong, the staff is not isolated to the campus, they are active in the theatre community here in Albuquerque, and are able to use that knowledge and experience to help the students, she said. Leonard Madrid is involved at Blackout company, Martin Andrews writes and direct around town.

It’s a great place to learn if you want to be on the stage or in film, but even if you want to be a veterinarian you should still take voice and movement, it’s worth your time to have that experience. It helps with having a better sense of who you are, how you use your body, and how you’re feeling inside and out, said Heather.

Taking an acting class really helps with self-confidence and public speaking.  Heather said, she recommends the program even if you’re not a theatre major, even if you’re not interested in being on stage.

This is a small program which is really nice. Heather knows most of the instructors and said they work together which makes the program more cohesive, this has been a great way for her to get more acting training, she added “I know that the money I’m paying is going back into the school and the community.”

She said, the addition of the CAT has been huge for the program because its providing a space and lighting system for students to learn how to do the technical aspects of theatre, to perform and to act in.

Heather is stage managing this summer’s play Tragedy Plus Time at the Coal Avenue Theatre (CAT), she has been in three productions there. She did stage management in high school, and is having to relearn a lot of things but again, in her own words:

“I’m in a great program amongst friends, in a space that is very supportive and allows me to take risks, I felt comfortable taking this position because I know I’m amongst people that want me to succeed.” Said Heather.

Heather said, she appreciates the CAT because it does a lot of new plays and allows a lot of play writes to use this space as was recently done with the spring production Tortilla Sun which was adapted for stage by Leonard Madrid, and shown to the community casting CNM students.

Heather has been acting since she was eleven, she went to a performing arts high school in Minnesota. Getting the lead role in CNM’s play Trojan Women was her introduction to theater here in Albuquerque back in 2015. She added, it was directed by Joanne Camp Sobel who is fantastic and of high caliber, “she worked us as if we were professional actors.”

She said, even once you’ve graduated as a former student you are still included, the space is still available to us, the teachers still know and support our work. It’s such a caring environment, the teachers are there to support the students, and the students are there to grow and learn.

The point of art is self-expression and to connect with other people on an emotional level, and the best way to do that, is to be vulnerable and have space to feel safe enough to take risks and this program does that, said Heather.

She added her favorite quote, “I don’t want my life to imitate art, I want my life to be art.”

-Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia)

Heather Ashley will be on stage again at the Vortex Theatre in the fight cast of She Kills Monsters, which opens August 25th and runs through September 10th. She said, there’s a whole cast dedicated to the fighting because it’s a dungeons and dragons show. There’s hand to hand combat and sword combat, it has 19 instances of violence; which is a lot for a stage play.

Check out:

 CNM’s Theatre Program

CNM’s Film Technology Program

And

CNM’s Film Technician Degree and Certificate

IMG_59131

 

About Theatre and Stuff: Beyond the Classroom

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Story by Layli Brown, Staff Reporter.

CNM Instructor Jason Witter, Artist/Director/Writer/Actor/

Jason Witter teaches Theatre appreciation and Acting 1, “I love the academic part of art, and I also love to feel that I’m participating in what I’m teaching outside the classroom” said Witter, CNM instructor since 2008.

What CNM has to offer, is arguably just as strong as a four-year university, in the sense that the college might not have as many classes but, the classes that CNM does offer are taught by top notch instructors who encompass many aspects of theatre with very strong acting and performance backgrounds; and strong movement and voice backgrounds, as well, Witter added.

 

The Coal Avenue Theatre, (CAT), gives students the possibility of creating shows in an on campus theatre that is open to the public. Witter says, it is a fantastic opportunity for students to have a theatre that produces shows.

 

“Theatre becomes a real sense of community and family; I fell in love with it from the beginning, due to that sense of belonging”, said Witter.

 

After receiving his master’s in theatre in dramatic writing, Witter started a sketch comedy troop called Eat Drink and be Larry with some people from UNM.  He says, we’d do parodies; horror classical comedies of the plays theatres were putting on in town. All the acting, directing, writing and producing shows in the community was a great learning experience that started at the Reptilian Lounge, part of Tricklock Theatre Company. 

 

Witter’s got into theatre after going to Wales for an exchange program, upon his return to New Mexico he found auditions going on at the Vortex and got a small part, then another small part, then got cast in Hamlet at UNM, “that was super exciting, I really fell in love with theatre, the people, the atmosphere the comradery of it, everything about it was so vibrant and exciting”, said Witter.

 

Witter did a lot with children’s theatre in grad school. He found a lot of freedom writing for a younger audience. He said, you can create worlds and characters because expectations and barriers don’t exist in kids, you can express anything that comes to mind.

 

A couple years ago Jason Witter started writing silly little poems and doing drawings for them, he said, they’re geared towards kids with a lot of stuff that adults understand and kids still dig it. I always loved Shel Silverstein, he added.

 

Witter loves monsters, he’s a horror movie fan and his take on it is to create silly poems about monsters and making them silly because it takes the fear out of them. “I love being scared but I also love being able to laugh at it, so that’s what I try to do with the poems”, Said Witter.

 

He gave himself a challenge a couple years ago, to do a poem and a drawing every day and post them on Facebook starting sept 1st until October 31st; Witter added that although he doesn’t really like social media, it worked for this. He did 60 poems and got through it.

 

By Halloween he had a rough draft for his book, friends suggested that he do a Kickstarter for it as a way to get it out to people and it blew up. The Tiniest Vampire and Other Silly Things ended up being supported and shipped out to people in Ireland, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Australia, “it was super cool!”, said Witter.

 

The following year he did the same thing and put out the Monsters Eating Ice Cream and Other Silly Things. As part of the “Silly Things” series of books, Witter plans to do one more this fall for the trilogy and then focus on something else, he said. The seed from it was loving children’s theatre.

 

Witter drew comic books growing up, his father and brothers were artists; his mother was a writer, and this is something that he wanted to revisit. He said, he feels fortunate to have been supported with that.

 

He added, “I love the arts in general and I love dabbling, they’re all an important part of our existence. I’m fascinated by every aspect of it and all the arts go hand in hand. They work together to create the humanities”.

 

Witter is working on a series of short books called Classics Kind of, where it retells the story taking the classics and putting them in very simple terms, “Kind of” geared for kids. He said, his goal with these little books is that they be fun for everybody, that’s the way he learned Shakespeare, by understanding the basic story and going from there.

 

He is doing Hamlet, The Raven, The Odyssey, Dracula, and Moby Dick in a series of 5 books he called tiny versions of the classics with silly illustrations. Witter’s undergraduate degree was in literature and naturally he’s a huge literature fan. His love for the classics and putting them in simple terms has led him to basically doing hamlet in 16 pages with drawings to go along, he said.

 

Some people might disagree with this, but according to Witter, most of Shakespeare can be summarized in a few pages. They’re fairly simple stories brilliantly written, “there’s so much meat to them” he said. It’s the language that is so broad and immense that it can be intimidating.  But when you understand the basic story you start to understand the text, he added.

 

In his off time Witter is reading and researching plays that have been around for 500 years, yet people keep doing them because they’re great stories that we like as human beings, he said he loves seeing what people do with it, Theatre being an ephemeral thing, you do it and its gone.

 

Witter added a classical quote by William Shakespeare,

 “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women are merely players: they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts.” – As you like it, Act II Scene VII

 

Witter’s is also directing a parody of Macbeth that he wrote for his Theatre Appreciation class to perform at the Reptilian Lounge Saturday June 24th

Jason Witter will be on stage at the South Broadway Cultural Center in Peter and The Star Catcher. “there are no small parts only small actors”

 

Next week About Theatre and Stuff interviews Heather Ashley CNM graduate, Actor & Stage Manager of this summer’s play Tragedy Plus Time at the Coal Avenue Theatre (CAT) 

 

CNM’s Theatre Program

JW
Between plays he’s producing or directing, classes he’s teaching, and books he’s writing and illustrating, CNM instructor Jason Witten sits down with The Chronicle. (Wade Faast/CNM Chronicle)

 

2017 Guide to Pride

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Story and Photo by Hilary Broman

Senior Staff Reporter

June 6, 2017

June is Pride Month. Cities from all over the world celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer community.

Pride also serves as a safe space for the LGBTIQ+ community to come together to raise awareness of issues concerning the community such as; inequality, discrimination and bigotry.

Albuquerque Pride kicks off its celebration on Wednesday, June 7th and lasts throughout the weekend. With various events including a candlelight vigil and a parade the Albuquerque LGBTIQ+ community will come together to celebrate diversity and acceptance.

The CNM Chronicle gathered information from the Albuquerque Pride website and compiled a list of events for students who are interested in participating.

1. Event: Figuratively Speaking – Art Show

When: June 7th at 5:00-9:00pm

Where: Fine Arts Building at EXPO New Mexico State Fairgrounds

Cost: Free

About: “This is a joint art show for David Zaintz and Max Woltman. The exhibition, in association with Albuquerque Pride, includes original paintings and photographs as well as collaborations by the artists. This will be a rare opportunity to see the one-of-a-kind special commissioned piece “Homogenize a la a amistad a travel de la reincarnation de Dorian Gray” (Tribute to Friendship Through the Reincarnation of Dorian Gray),” according to the event Facebook page.

2. Event: Candlelight Vigil

When: June 8th at 7:30om

Where: Morningside Park – Morningside Dr SE & Lead Ave SE

Cost: Free

About: “This year’s Candlelight Vigil will be a reflection and remembrance in solidarity through pride and a celebration of our diversity; creating a future in unity and love. Experience an evening of community, sharing and music. This is a free event where nearly 500 people gathered last year,” from the event Facebook page.

3. Event: PrideFest Free Friday

When: June 9th

Where: State Fairgrounds Expo NM

Cost: Free

About: “This is a family-friendly, FREE Friday, pre-Pride celebration including the annual Art Show, a Music Festival featuring Severo y Grupo Fuego, The MLC Band and Encantada The Band of Enchantment and the movie, Moana,” as stated on the event Facebook page.

4. Event: Albuquerque Pride Parade: Solidarity Through Pride

When: June 10th at 10:00am

Where: Along Lomas from Washington to San Pedro

Cost: Free

About: This year’s theme “Solidarity through Pride” gives the community the opportunity to reflect on the history of the LGBTIQ community in New Mexico. The Pride Parade includes floats, classic cars, motorcycles, horses, and dancers. It is the second largest parade in New Mexico. New to the Pride Parade is Park N’ Ride Service. There will be a free shuttle service running every 10 minutes from Expo New Mexico – Gate 4 (on San Pedro) to one of 3 parade route locations on Roma Ave. Service runs from 7:30am until 11:30am, as stated on the Albuquerque PrideFest Website.  Facebook page.

5. Event: PrideFest 2017

When: June 10th at 10:00am-6:30pm

Where: Expo New Mexico – Gate 3 – 300 San Pedro Dr NE
Albuquerque, NM 87108

Cost: $15.00/ Children 10 and under are free ($10 if purchased online before event-click here)

About: After the Pride Parade the celebration continues with PrideFest at Expo New Mexico. The event includes music, dance, art, local performers, radio stations and food vendors.  This annual event averages about 9,000 people and brings people from all over the Southwest. For more information click here.

6. Event: NM Resist Rally for the Equality March

When: June 11th at 12:30pm-2:00pm

Where: Robinson Park – 810 Copper Ave. NW Albuquerque, NM 87102

Cost: Free

About: Mobilizing New Mexico LGBTQ+ communities, loved ones and allies. The particular focus is on those who have been actively silenced and neglected. This is a fight to affirm and protect LGBTQ+ rights, safety and full humanity. This is a call to action; standing together for change.

“Our resistance is our existence,” as stated on the event Facebook page.