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Rhett and Link Entertain the Duke City

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By Nichole Harwood 

Self-proclaimed “Internetainers” Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal delivered their unique style of comedy to Albuquerque Wednesday, November 20th at the Kiva Auditorium. 

The dynamic comedy duo found their start as the creators and hosts of Good Mythical Morning, a popular YouTube series, before expanding and taking on other notable projects; including giving a home to the popular YouTube channel Smosh. The day after their performance in Albuquerque the comedians reached another milestone with the channel that started it all: Good Mythical Morning reached 16 million subscribers.  

The duo’s performance was opened by Neal’s cousin Britton Buchanan and runner-up of season 14 of the American talent competition The Voice. He performed an active and energetic musical segment before McLaughlin and Neal took to the stage. 

Once the two arrived on the stage the crowd cheered as they jumped into a popular song regarding the fragility of internet fame, even cracking jokes at their own expense. 

At the beginning of their performance, the two comedians introduced a plethora of new material covering Albuquerque, or rather “Albuquirky” as the duo referred to the Duke City. 

“There should be a t-shirt,” said Neal, with McLaughlin quickly agreeing stating the shirt should say, “Keep it Albuquirky.” 

It wasn’t long before the crowd’s laughter could be heard filling the auditorium as both McLaughlin and Neal launched into some of their experiences with Albuquerque, including a photo with one of Albuquerque’s statues. 

With the stage set after introductions McLaughlin and Neal began with familiar songs such as the “Nilla Wafer Top Hat Time Song” and “It’s My Belly Button,” performing them with several different props. 

Throughout the performance, both comedians engaged with a highly energetic crowd, even bringing a member of the audience on stage after scouring the crowd for an individual named Kyle. 

The audience responded enthusiastically to the engagement with the chosen audience member proving his authenticity as a man named Kyle by referring to his Monster Drink hat as the only proof he needed, earning an unexpected chuckle from the comedians themselves. 

The night’s performance reflected the popular duo’s roots from their YouTube channel well ranging from over-the-top to silly, as well as dabbling in adult and childish humor alike. 

As the end of their performance neared the two ended the night by thanking the crowd and reiterating what they love about live performances as opposed to their online YouTube presence. 

“There is sort of a different level of mythicality that we are able to experience when we are in the same physical space with a bunch of mythical beasts,” McLaughlin said. “The internet is awesome and we wouldn’t be here without that but there is just something about being together as a family and as a herd. We’re just humbled by you guys supporting us and the stupid things that we try. From eating testicles to writing novels.”

The crowd responded with cheers to McLaughlin; members of the crowd screaming their love for the duo. Neal followed up from his comedy partner’s words expressing his appreciation for all of their fan base. 

“We’re a part of your lives and it’s really an honor to hear that when life throws difficult circumstances and trials your way — we’re floored to hear that we’re part of your strength that helps to give you laughs and bring you through things,” Neal said. “We’re humbled by that. We always tell you to be your mythical best but we do want you to know that you inspire us to be our mythical best.” 
To learn more about the comedy duo Rhett and Link you can check them out on the YouTube channel that started it all: Good Mythical Morning or find them on Facebook or Instagram.

Albuquerque Community joins together to raise money for the families of asylum seekers

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By Nichole Harwood 

Albuquerque’s local nonprofit organization Medicine Drum Circle has been putting their efforts together to help the families of asylum seekers at the New Mexico and Mexican border. The group’s two recent events “Then They Came for Me,” a benefit Calavera dance, followed by an art auction the next day took place Nov. 2 and 3. The event was a powerful combination of two communities coming together for a cause. 


The group has worked tirelessly to raise funds for asylum seekers and their families, joined together on the core beliefs of building awareness in the state about the current condition of the New Mexico and Mexico border. 
The November events were a result of more than two month’s worth of labor where group members reached out to Albuquerque’s local artist community for donated pieces of art to fundraise.

Virginia Marie Racon, Co-Executive Director of Medicine Drum Circle Reverend, said the group has been planning events throughout the city to call attention to the separation of families at the border in a peaceful way. One event that has been ongoing from the group is a “Vigil for the Border Children,” when witnesses gather on, Lomas and 3rd Street in downtown Albuquerque for the children and families that are separated. 

“Rain or snow [witnesses] have been there drumming because we believe in a nonviolent approach to our work and transformative change,” Racon said.  

This non-violent approach is reflected in the name of the non-profit, which represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth. According to the group’s Facebook Page, this signifies coming together with the drums to find healing for themselves, communities and all living things. 


Each time the group gathers Racon said they try to spread out, which has resulted in more individuals hearing and listening to their message. The results have empowered the group whom Racon said have been adding more and more to each event.

Mia Spiegel, one attendee of the recent event, said she attended to help support spreading awareness in her community. 

“History repeats itself with immigration,” Spiegel said. “People feel like they own the land and that they’re supposed to be here more so than others and it’s a problem. Its always been a problem.” 

Medicine Drum Circle’s fundraising events within both the art and Albuquerque community have proven successful with each event receiving sizable donations for the group’s cause. After the Nov. 2 and 3 event, the group announced on Facebook that they had raised 3,000 dollars from their efforts to get supplies down to the border to help asylum seekers. 

“I think the most important thing is to pay attention and listen,” Racon said. “Get out and do what you can. What little you can. Whatever you can to try and get the children back together with their parents.”
To learn more about Medicine Drum Circle you can find them on Facebook @medicinedrumcircle or online at www.medicinedrumcircle.org

Featured Art Credited to Eliana Enriquez

Photo Courtesy of @medicinedrumcircle

Jokes On You: A Review into DC’s The Joker

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By Calgary Maez

Since the summer blockbuster movies have now come to a close, films during the fall and winter months start to spread thin, leaving room for some Oscar-worthy films. Joker, directed by Todd Philips and starring Joaquin Phoenix as the clown-prince-of-crime, has entered the atmosphere as one of the most uncomfortable, well-shot masterpieces to hit the silver screen.

The film centers around Arthur Fleck; a starting up comedian that tries to find some sort of happiness in the dark, crime-ridden, decaying city that is Gotham. Even though it is a comic book origin film of one of the most popular DC villains, the film absolutely does not feel like one. 

Joaquin Phoenix has put his own unique twist on the famed villain and gives one of the best performances of his entire career. Todd Philips decided to go in a direction that is more of a case study of the character and shows his slow decent into madness. 

The film is definitely a slow burn. It’s not your typical action-packed, fast-paced action flick. The film wants you to take a journey through Arthur Fleck’s deranged mind and the pay-off towards the end is worth the journey. 

The cinematography of the film stands out spectacularly and is great with visual storytelling. It is also part of the reason why the film can also make you feel uncomfortable because it’s not afraid to shy away from those graphic images. 

Even though the film may be uncomfortable to watch, it leaves you with more burning questions after you walk out of the theater. You become engrossed with the realities that Arthur faces and are left questioning certain scenarios of the film. The incredible writing of the film keeps you on your toes and always guessing Arthur’s next move. 

Joker is a tremendous masterpiece in the art of filmmaking. Joaquin Phoenix delivers an outstanding performance and is one of the best Jokers to ever hit the big screen. The overall writing, directing, cinematography, and score leaves you feeling uncomfortable, yet hungry for more as you take a deep, psychological dive into the mind of Arthur Fleck who is born into Joker. 

Photo Courtesy of Indiewire.com

Salt Yard East – Halloween Party photos – 10.26.19

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Salt Yard East celebrated Halloween with a huge party on Saturday, October 26th featuring a costume contest with a big cash prize. Check out all the images from the night below. Find more images from Salt Yard West right HERE

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Salt Yard West – Halloween Party photos – 10.26.19

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Salt Yard West celebrated it’s first Halloween with a huge party on Saturday, October 26th featuring a costumes, drink specials, live music and more. Check out all the images from the night below. Find more photos from Salt Yard East right HERE

[Read more…]

Last Minute Costumes of 2019

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By Madison Spratto and Nichole Harwood

Calling all procrastinators! Do you need a costume for our Haunted Halloween House Party on October 31st? Halloween is just days away, which means it’s crunch time on finding the perfect costume. But no fear, here is a list of some fun, easy last minute costumes that anybody can pull off!

Smarty Pants: While you’re at the store stock piling candy for trick-or-treaters, pick up a bag of Smarties and boom, you have a costume! If you are really tight on time and don’t have the necessary crafting skills, feel free to keep them in a wrapper. If you want to ensure your costume won’t fall off, pick up a cheap pair of jeans and grab some hot glue. Best part? At the end of the night you have a snack.

Photo Courtesy of thekitchn.com


Men in Black. This costume can go from work to party with only the addition of sunglasses. Just because it’s men in black doesn’t mean ladies can’t participate (cue Laura Vasquez), just grab a black blazer and dress pants and you have an easy, quick costume. 

Photo Courtesy of Popsugar.com

Fifty Shades of Grey. No, this isn’t what you think. Take a stroll down the paint sample section of Home Depot and you got your costume. Pick out 50 grey samples and some tape, and you have your easy costume that will ensure some laughs. Of course if you have some more time, buy a few props and you may be mistaken for Christian Grey himself.  

Photo Courtesy of Anthony Acosta/flickr

Breadwinner. If you’re big into puns, you’ll be big into this costume; all it takes is a few plastic medals, sweatband, and a couple loaves of bread.

Photo Courtesy of Minnesotababy.blogspot.com


Alien. If you have the time, becoming an alien really just takes glitter, and a lot of it. No need to get the expensive stuff, temporary hair dye and face glitter can be found in stores such as Walmart; the total costume coming to just over $30. Get a shiny shirt and some leggings to finish the look off. 

Photo Courtesy of Etsy.com

Miss Universe: Who doesn’t like getting an award? Show everyone that you are truly the center of the universe by dressing up as Miss Universe. This costume is a great excuse to not only buy a new dress, but buy flowers for the most important person in the universe. You!

Courtesy Photos by goodhousekeeping.com

Bob Ross and Art: Looking for a last minute costume idea for not just one but two? Then dive into your artistic side and dress up as Bob Ross and one of his fantastic pieces of art! As Bob Ross said “There’s nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend.”

Courtesy Photos by goodhousekeeping.com

Clown: Do you need a costume that can literally be put together with only the contents of your makeup bag? Well here you go! Everyone may not love clowns but they sure love how easy it is to dress up as one!

Courtesy photo by nomadentrepreneur.com

Inside of a Dryer: Are some of you socks missing the other pair? Put them to good use for Halloween and go as the inside of your dryer! Considering it costs nothing you literally have nothing to lose!

Courtesy Photo by www.statepress.com

Superman…kinda: Did you have your heart on being a superhero this Halloween but literally forgot about that dream until the last minute? Lucky for you Superman is the easiest superhero to pull off! Find your favorite hero’s shirt at your local Walmart and shove it under a button up shirt and your halfway to becoming the Man of Steel himself!

Courtesy Photo by Courtesy photo by nomadentrepreneur.com

Get your tickets for the Haunted Halloween House Party on Oct. 31st at Effex right here!

Reticence: A Beautiful Farewell

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By Nichole Harwood 

Saying goodbye to a favorite book series is not so different from saying farewell to a dear friend. You know there is a chance you will see each other again but you are also faced with the reality that the relationship you held dear for many years is now moving on. Gail Carriger’s Reticence, the fourth book in the Custard Protocol series and seemingly final chapter in the beautiful world that began with Soulless, was released August 6th, closing a final chapter on a world that was just as remarkably witty as it was creative. 

The intelligent and slightly antisocial Percival Tunstell (“Percy” to his friends) takes the reins in the final book, giving us an interesting view of how the world Carriger built looks to one of her less sociable main characters. Unlike his charming sister Primrose and her overly charismatic best friend Prudence (a favorite of mine in the series) Percy is simply not the adventure type. His character hearkens to one that is born into extraordinary circumstances but would rather embrace the ordinary in life. 

While we are told by other main characters that Percy truly belongs among the cast on the Spotted Custard we have never really seen him embrace his place among them. This book finally allows us to see Percy embrace his place and prove that he is a truly valuable member of the Spotted Custard. 

The book begins with Dr. Arsenic Ruthven, a doctor who while brilliant has to often fight for her place among her colleagues due to her gender. The lady doctor strikes gold when she is interviewed by the crew of the Spotted Custard who immediately take a liking to her and quickly hire her as the doctor of their vessel. From the very beginning of the book, there is an attraction between Arsenic and our main character Percy, and the book does a very elegant job of portraying the relationship from both points of view. But while a romance exists in this book it would be a mistake to file the final book of this series under romance. Quite early on we are thrown into a collection of interesting and strange situations ranging from a wedding where the bride’s grandmother is promptly thrown into a fountain (don’t worry she deserved it) to a request for the crew to journey to Japan. Along the way, Carriger introduces a range of characters from past series to new faces that only seem to expand the world she built. When we actually arrive in Japan and are given the conflict of saving a dying fox shifter or not, we as readers are already well invested in the ending of the series. 

As the writing shifts from Percy to Arsenic, readers are given two very different perspectives that I believe shape this book as not just a thrilling conclusion to a beloved series, but a proper stand-alone read on it’s own. Percy serves as the eyes of seasoned readers, who know all the characters introduced, while Arsenic serves as the eyes of new readers who are being introduced to these characters for the first time. 

This book seems to serve two purposes: the first is wrapping up the entirety of the series by allowing us to say goodbye to a cast we have come to love, and the second is solidifying one of the younger cast member’s place in the series. Showing readers both old and new that there is so much more still left to explore in the world Carriger created. 

The parts of the book that stood out to me were the ones that truly dived into Percy’s character. What I really love about his character is how similar he and his mother Ivy are from a reader’s perspective. I don’t mean personality-wise, as the two could not be farther apart in attitude or character, but rather how easily overlooked they are. Ivy is introduced in the first book as the main character Alexia Tarabotti’s best friend, and Percy is the brother of this series main character Prudence’s best friend. Both Ivy and Percy are often wildly underestimated by their peers and yet both end up being integral to the plotlines of their respective series. 

There are two endings to this book: the first is Percy’s ending which gives readers hope as his last lines are perhaps one of my favorite in the book.  

“Percy realized that perhaps he hadn’t estimated properly and that they may not quite make it to Hong Kong, but he had no doubt at all, that they would make it somewhere. 

They would make it happen. 

They would make all of it happen, together. 

And it would be glorious.” (Percy, Reticence the fourth book in the Custard Protocol Series)  

The second ending is a farewell from one character that has been a constant throughout the series, Lord Akeldama. While his letter is beautiful I will admit that one line sticks out to me the most and I think it is the best line to end this review on as it encapsulates not just Carriger’s characters but also a large chunk of humanity. 

“Never discount humans. They try so very hard. Sometimes they become something wonderful.” (Lord Akeldama, Reticence the fourth book in the Custard Protocol Series) 

Banner Courtesy of @gailcarrigerllc via Facebook

It Chapter Two Terrifies Audiences A Second Time

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By Calgary Maez

As if it wasn’t terrifying enough to watch a killer clown terrorize a group of kids in a small town, you can now watch them be terrorized as adults and deal with that trauma all over again. “IT Chapter Two” is the climactic film to Stephen King’s novel “IT” and pits the Loser’s club against Pennywise. 

The one challenge that presented itself was to find actors that could successfully portray the kids as adults. This is the films strongest piece because not only do the adults act exactly like their younger counterparts, but some even look like them! It’s impressive how well the actors perform in their roles, especially Bill Hader. The only one that felt slightly off was Jessica Chastain as Beverly Marsh. It’s not that she does a bad job — she is a phenomenal actress — but refer back to the first installment, Bev was a carefree, rebellious girl, which wasn’t translated to her adult character. This is especially true when you see the kids in certain flashback scenes. 

If you loved the first film, you’ll likely leave the theater satisfied once again. 

What makes “IT Chapter Two” unique as a horror film is the comedic relief that is sprinkled among the horror and scares. There are several hilarious moments throughout the film that were done very well. Even though it’s meant to be a horror film, the comedy lets you connect with the characters more and makes you root for them. 

It’s a breath of fresh air for the horror genre because the film doesn’t rely on the cliché horror tropes that are present in most blockbuster films. But when those horrific scenes play, they leave you on the edge of your seat. The film does a better job with its horror elements than the first film and makes you fear Pennywise even more. 

Without getting too much into spoiler territory, there are some decisions made by the filmmakers that didn’t work in the film. There were a couple of twists that didn’t pay off well, and even some that probably would have been best left out. While there are some minor gripes about the film, it makes you scratch your head a bit when really thinking about it and trying to make sense of it. Not only that, but the film feels too long with the run time coming in at 2 hours and 50 minutes. The first installment is one of those films where you can just pop it in and enjoy, but this one feels like you have to set some time aside and really be in the mood to watch. 

Overall, “It Chapter Two” is a solid sequel and good conclusion to the franchise. The film has amazing acting performances, hilarious comedic and horrific scenes, good visual effects and an overall decent conclusion. Some of the lackluster twists and the long run time holds the film back a bit, but if you were to watch both the first film and this one back to back, it would be a solid story to experience. 

Poster Courtesy of @ItChapterT_wo

Toy Story 4 a New Beginning for a New Generation

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By Calgary Maez

One of the most beloved Pixar franchises has returned this summer to bring a new adventure for the beloved band of toys. However, the ending of Toy Story 3 raises the question: Was a sequel really necessary?

In many ways, Toy Story 4 feels like a new beginning in the franchise. In the newest installment, Bonnie, the child from the third movie, has the toys she received from Andy, but ultimately she cares the most for the toy she made in school, named Forky. Woody sets out to protect the plastic cutlery so that he can continue to serve his purpose to make Bonnie happy. And that’s really what Toy Story 4 focuses: What is one’s purpose throughout life?

Characters, new and old, come together with empowering, positive messages for children, resonating with parents who grew up watching the original Toy Story.

Pixar is one of the best innovators when it comes to animation. The fabric on the toys have immaculate attention to detail, and there are scenes that look as if they were shot with real cameras and animation added in later. We’ve come a long way with technology and Toy Story 4 is a great achievement in the animated film genre.

However, the film doesn’t really stand out much as a Toy Story film. Yes, the original characters are there and Woody is the obvious star of the film, but they ultimately get left on the back burner with their screen time extremely limited. It was disappointing to see Buzz Lightyear getting that same treatment when him and Woody were such an iconic duo. In previous films, the original toys had a larger role to play by adding more to the story. 
The messages and overall plot of Toy Story 4 is great for all families to enjoy. The incredible animation is stunning to look at and the voice acting is spectacular. It would have been nice to see the original toys get more screen time, or even a scene like the first three films where they were getting played with like an over-the-top action movie. While it is a good Toy Story movie, it’s not particularly the most stand out film in the franchise as it feels a little more separated from the rest.

Poster Courtesy of movieweb.com


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