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Listen up, Ricky Martin is speaking! The international singing sensation talks about his latest album A Quien Quiera Escuchar, fatherhood and his upcoming projects before taking the stage at Sandia Casino.
John Cuellar
NM Film Foundation
A FREE Publi cation
Stilo Ink
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TABLE OF CONTENTS PG 14
COVER STORY
Listen Up! Ricky Martin is speaking
A man who still has something to say in his music, Ricky Martin talks about fatherhood, his latest album and his legacy. ® Photography by Niño Muñoz
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PG 9
A Crack in the Wall Check out The Adobe Theater’s latest production.
Clovis Music Festival The Annual Festival brings a Tejano sensation and more.
LET US ENTERTAIN YOU
TURN IT UP
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PG 13
John Cuellar Young, Dumb, and Full of Comedy Creampie’s Cuellar brings something different.
Deep in the Darkness Angry Men Reviews gives their take.
MAKE ‘EM LAUGH
NOW SHOWING
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PG 22
Stilo Ink Take a look at Albuquerque’s hot tattoo shop that brings art to the surface.
New Mexico Film Foundation Learn more about this great organziation.
THE ART WORLD
BEHIND THE SCENES
PG 23 BETWEEN THE PAGES • PG 24 EVENTS • PG 25 SIGHTSEEING
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New Mexico Entertainment • September 2015
NME STAFF Teresa Robinson-Ewers Publisher/Editor-in-Chief info@NMEntertains.com Ariel Bisbee Photography & Mulitmedia Director Rhonda Heyns Copy Editor CONTRIBUTORS Darlene Esquibel, Winter Elise, Nadeige Severinghaus, Stephen Smith, Dave Staggs, Andy Wise 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
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LET US ENTERTAIN YOU: A CRACK IN THE WALL
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he Adobe Theater proudly presents local playwright Peter Fisk’s gripping play A Crack in the Wall from September 18th through October 11th, 2015. A Crack in the Wall is a drama about two families, one Jewish and one Catholic, in German-occupied Poland, in the weeks prior to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of April, 1943. The play highlights an unusual friendship between Ari, the son of one of the leaders of the impending Jewish revolt, and Stanislaw, the son of an angry anti-Semitic Catholic father. Ari and Stanislaw meet by pure chance through ‘a crack in the wall’ that divides the Jewish and Christian sections of the city. Though all they ever see each other’s eyes, the two boys forge a strong bond through their mutual recognition of the horrors of their environment and their refusal to become victims of its terror. More than simply the battle between idealism and realism, A Crack in the Wall is a story of trust and honor, fortitude and triumph in the face of brutal adversity. It chronicles the struggles of two families, initially at odds with each other, who decide to unite their passions toward a common enemy instead of each other.
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Director Marty Epstein worked closely with Fisk to bring A Crack in the Wall to Albuquerque theater audiences and to The Adobe. “I told him,” Epstein said, “that I’d present it to The Adobe knowing they had a history of doing new scripts by local playwrights. So, going through the proposal process we were pleasantly surprised when the theater accepted it for its September 2015 slot and here we go. Cast members include Jack Justin Brown as Young Ari, Jonathan Tyrell as Stanislaw Pazlovsky, Richard Boehler, Michelle Boehler, Ron Bronitsky, Robin Lane, Yannig Morin, Ray Orley, Ludwig Puchmayer, Kayti Robinson, Linda Sklov and Eliot Stenzel. A Crack in the Wall opens at The Adobe Theater on Friday, September 18th and runs 4 weekends through Sunday, October 11th. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm with a special ‘Pay What You Will’ performance (to benefit the cast and crew) on Thursday October 1st at 7.30pm. Tickets are $17 general admission, $15 seniors and students. Reservations 505898-9222 option 1, or online at www. adobetheater.org. NME
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TURN IT UP: CLOVIS MUSIC FESTIVAL
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he Clovis Music Festival originated to pay honor and tribute to the recording history in Clovis, NM. Throughout the 50’s and 60’s the Norman and Vi Petty Recording Studio housed countless artists and groups hoping to break onto the music scene. With greats such as Buddy Holly recording “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be The Day,” and dozens of others, The Clovis Sound was made infamous in music history. Each September, the Clovis community comes together, along with fans from around the world, to celebrate the magic and history of the 7th St. Studio and The Clovis Sound. This year’s artists include Lou Gramm of Foreigner and Premiere Tejano Musician Michael Selgado, with opening acts Bad Reputation, Blackwater Band and Grupo Mezcal. The Clovis Music Festival is on September 11th-12th. To learn more visit www.clovismusicfestival.net. NME
Headliners for this year’s Clovis Music Festival Tejano artist Michael Selgado and Lou Gramm of Foreigner. New Mexico Entertainment • September 2015 I 9
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MAKE ‘EM LAUGH: JOHN CUELLAR
oung, Dumb, and Full of Comedy Creampie’s, John Cuellar, has been in the Albuquerque comedy scene since 2006, when there wasn’t much of a comedy scene, but that didn’t stop John. He got into a SouthWest Laugh-Off competition in his first six months. “There is a lot of hard work that goes into being a comic,” shared Cuellar. He tried Improv for about a year, but realized it wasn’t something he liked. “With Improv you have to let it happen,” says Cuellar, “With stand-up, you’re the center and you make it happen. It would be interesting to see how many Improv people are type B (personalities) and how many stand-ups are type A.” But, for a self-admitted control freak, Cuellar’s favorite style of comedy is crowd work. “I see someone interesting and I just love to interact with them,” shared Cuellar. In his day job as a medical professional, he interacts and brings smiles to people’s faces that are having a hard day. Making people laugh and forget their troubles for a minute or two has always come naturally to this comic. “ I can’t really say I like people but, I’m interested. I try to appreciate the difference (in people) for what they are.” Cuellar runs Young, Dumb, and Full Comedy Creampie, along with AJ Martinez and Eddie Stevens at Nexus Brewery, was hard to start, but has become muscle memory. Experience makes it easier to roll with the punches and work with venues to accommodate everyone’s needs. Sometimes it’s hard to watch people take the stage and seem lost at the Open Mic, but failing is such a big part of comedy. “Eating sh*t is a big part of com-
edy,” expresses Cuellar. “You have to enjoy it - it’s overcoming the fear.” Check out John at his Open Mic on Tuesdays. If you run into him out on the town - beware - jokes will just drop out of his mouth. Good or very, very bad, this man will make you laugh.”I don’t know how many of these comics, myself included, will find any level of success monetarily. There was no comedy here in Albuquerque a few years ago after the comedy club closed. The one thing I’m proud of is that a bunch of people who wanted to do comedy got together and created an Open Mic comedy scene. It’s humbling to have been a part of it.” Since printing of this issue, this Open Mic closed down at the end of August. You can still check out John on the Potential Problems Podcast and other Open Mics around town. NME - Winter Elise
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NOW SHOWING - ANGRY MEN REVIEWS: DEEP IN THE DARKNESS
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eep in The Darkness tells the story of Dr. Michael Cayle, a successful physician and dedicated family man who leaves the chaos of Manhattan to open a private practice in the idyllic town of Ashborough, New Hampshire. Unfortunately for Dr. Cayle and his family, Ashborough is secretly run by a clan of easily enraged, cannibalistic, glowing eyed wildmen called Isolates who live in a series of cavernous tunnels beneath the town and emerge occasionally to wreak havoc. Dr. Cayle almost immediately runs afoul of The Isolates by refusing to make an animal sacrifice in their honor and the battle is on! Except, there really isn’t much of a battle at all, just a petty campaign of harassment by The Isolates who look very savage and dangerous, but are more of a nagging inconvenience.
The highest praise I can give Deep in The Darkness is that I didn’t hate it and it’s only a little boring at certain moments. I mean, it is a solid effort with a very clear storyline, somewhat decent visuals and slightly above average acting, in fact, I found the whole film to be slightly above average. I do recommend giving Deep in The Darkness a chance, but don’t plan an evening around it because it is not a date night or monster movie marathon kind of film, however, it’s the kind of movie you might enjoy if you were laid up with a broken leg or a virulent case of tick fever and had literally nothing else to do. Deep in The Darkness was originally released in 2014, but didn’t get full distribution until this month. You can find it on VOD, Netflix and BluRay now. NME - Uncle Drew
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COVER STORY: RICKY MARTIN
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icky Martin, has been a household name for years now and once you hear it, many songs pop right into your head. New Mexico got to witness the power of his talent back in 2011 when he made a stop during his Música + Alma + Sexo World Tour. As Martin prepares to wow audiences again with his current tour, One World, Martin took a moment to speak with me about his love of music, life as a father of two twin boys and the inspiration behind his new album, A Quien Quiera Escuchar. Music has been in Martin’s life since he was child. When asked where that passion come from, Martin looked to his roots. “Passion for music definitely comes from the environment I was surrounded by when I grew up,” shared Martin. “In Puerto Rico, music is such a deep rooted part of the culture. It’s everywhere. Every festivity has music. Even during Christmas we go from house to house with percussion instruments celebrating.” That love and joy of music became ingrained and there was no doubt of the talent he had. Martin, after auditioning
multiple times landed a coveted spot in the all-boy Puerto Rican pop group Menudo. The experience lead to whirlwind travel and an extremely busy schedule. From what the world has witnessed with other child performers dealing with the loss of childhood for stardom, Martin knew why he didn’t fall into the pit and how he stayed grounded during these overwhelming times of fame, promoting yourself and creating music. “My family and a great team around me has always been the reason for me to stay grounded and for the last seven years. I now have two beautiful Children that are my priority. All my decisions are based on their well-being.” Although Martin was well-known for his music, he began as an actor. Martin shared, “I enjoyed my time acting, but music is my first love.” But after his time in Menudo, Martin, experiencing his new-found independence, went back to the stage in a play called Mama Ama el Rock (Mom Loves Rock). That performance led to him joining the cast of Alcazar tuna Estrella, which led to a second season, a feature-length movie, and an El
® Photographer: Niño Muñoz
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Listen Up,
Ricky Martin
is speaking.
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Full photo: ® Photographer: Niño Muñoz Right inserts: Martin as a youth and with his sons, Matteo and Valentino
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Heraldo Award. After recording three more albums (Ricky Martin (Spanish language), Me Amarás and A Medio Vivir), and a stint on two more television shows, Martin has the opportunity to play the role of Marius Pontmercy in the play Les Misérables. Martin shared the experience of going from a concert stage to the theater stage. “I loved my time on Broadway,” expressed Martin. “It was a moment in my life where I wanted to be surrounded by amazing actors and musicians and have that immediate reaction. I wanted to go back to what I loved when I was doing Les Miserables. Martin returned to the studio to record Vuelve. At that time he was contacted to record the song that would put him on the map - La Copa de la Vida (Cup of Life) and reaching #1 on music charts all around the world and rocketed Vuelve up the charts as well. The boost lead to the Puerto Rican native becoming an international sensation with his crossover album, Ricky Martin. The self-titled album became one of the top-selling albums of 1999, selling over 22 million copies and being certified platinum seven times in the United States. In 2007, after the release of four more albums and countless tour dates, Martin made the decision to focus on his private life and making the decision to become a father. Martin’s twin sons, Matteo and Valentino, were born in 2008 and forever changed his life and speaks blissfully of the experience. “My children are amazing healthy, strong, powerful, witty, really cool,” boosted Martin. “They teach me lessons of simplicity and unconditional love every day. My priority is them and the rest comes afterward, but it has never hurt my career.” The birth of his children also led to the decision of being honest and truthful to himself and his children by coming out in 2010 on his official website. While writing his memoirs, titled Me, Martin got “very close to my truth” and hiding his sexuality any longer would “indirectly diminish the glow that New Mexico Entertainment • September 2015 I 17
my kids here born with.” With the recent Supreme Court decision of the LGBTQ community now having the right to marriage, Martin shared his excitement in the decision. “It was amazing to see samesex marriage being embraced. It’s no longer marriage equality, but simply marriage.” Martin is currently on tour with his new album, A Quien Quiera Escuhar, which has some amazing gems - one of them being La Mordidita - a hot single. Martin shared the inspiration behind this album, “I was inspired to create a vulnerable, transparent album,” says Martin. “It’s very raw, romantic music fused with latin and global sounds. The songs reveal my cultural influences and share the experiences of my life.” Fans in Albuquerque will get to experience Martin’s raw, romantic power on September 24th when he comes out to perform at Sandia Resort Amphitheater. This will be his second appearance here in the Land of Enchantment and he is very excited to share this new tour in New Mexico. “I remember the amazing audience and the beautiful stage from my 2011 Tour. The energy was amazing and I’m hoping it will be the same. I’m bringing the best music of my career and the latest hits with an amazing band and great dancers. Get ready to dance for two hours!” Martin has gained major success with his English-speaking records. For some artists, they could have stuck with what was the most successful. For Martin, that could never be an option. “Spanish is my mother tongue, but I have been traveling the world since I was 12 years old,” expressed Martin. “I recorded in so many different languages during my career. Music is a universal language. To me, the language is not as important as the message that comes across.” Not only is Martin staying busy with his music and this current tour, but has some terrific projects he’s also working on. “I just came back from Australia where I was a coach on the 4th season of The Voice Australia and I am executive producer and Judge on Univision’s new musical competition La Banda in search of the next Latin Super Group. The show will be premiere in September.” Martin has made his mark as a pioneer in the Latin pop explosion that this country has experienced, but he’s not ready to stop any time soon. If this latest album,with its hot rhythmic, pulse-thumping beats has anything to say about what more Martin has to offer, then I say Martin has a lot more to say for those who want to listen. NME - Teresa Ewers 18 I
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THE ART WORLD: STILO INK
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rt is a subjective term. Debated for years what is great art? Stilo Ink falls into the category of a tattoo shop with a mini gallery on the walls. Not just sketches and artwork for the body, these pieces are designed to hang on the walls of your home. Drawing since his youth, Stilo received the nickname ‘Estilo’, Spanish for style, because of his interest in the arts. After years working for the UNM Radiology Department, Stilo decided to make a career out of what he loved, big dreams for a kid from Gallup. Self-taught, Stilo credits Ricardo Chavez for making him the artist he is today. Stilo prides himself on being able to work in many mediums and surfaces, but the hu-
man canvas is by far his favorite. He designs custom pieces or free-handed designs made to fit the curves. All he asks is that the canvas is 100% sure that they want to be a canvas, and they are happy with the design. On the walls you can see many of Stilo’s oil paintings and prints for sale. All his pieces have deep meaning going back to his roots. Father of two, he looks to his family for inspiration - to see the beauty of the world through his children’s eyes. Being an artist, a father and a small business owner can be a balancing act, but as Stilo states, “The family always comes out on top.” Visit stiloink.com and make an appointment. NME - Winter Flack
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BEHIND THE SCENES: NEW MEXICO FILM FOUNDATION
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ou want to make movies in New Mexico, but don’t know where to begin? One of the best places to start is the New Mexico Film Foundation (NMFF). A NotFor-Profit based in Santa Fe, NMFF is designed to help independent filmmakers move forward in their chosen profession. The Foundation helps sponsor filmmakers working on independent documentary or pieces for humanitarian causes. This gives filmmakers the ability to apply for grants without having to form a 501c3. The filmmaker does all the paperwork, but the money is paid out to the Foundation, which is then distributed to the filmmaker, allowing filmmakers to focus on the art rather than the accounting. The Foundation offers two other grants. The George R.R. Martin Grant, focusing on the sci-fi or fan-
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tasy genre for a feature length movie or pilot, requires screenwriters to submit a five-page sample of the script and story treatment. The second grant is the Lockheed Martin Grant. You must submit a one-page treatment for a 3-5 minute film. The subject must be space-travel related, sharing the emotional tolls and risks it brings. Both of these grants are for $5,000. Several times a year the Foundation throws fundraisers in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. An incredible opportunity to rub shoulders with like-minded creatives in the industry, which the key to moving forward in a career of independent film. Check out www.nmfilmfoundation.org for more details on how they can help network your idea and become financially stable in the film community. NME - Winter Flack
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BETWEEN THE PAGES: DAUGHTERS OF THE WEST MESA
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old through memories, mixed with real-time heartache, a mother who is missing an eldest daughter is at a loss to communicate with the youngest shares her story in Daughters of the West Mesa. Ripped from the headlines, this novel reflects how one of Albu-
querque’s darkest hours affects family bonds and a community in shock. With genuine grit, the novel tears into the heart of a dysfunctional family and the loss felt by a mother with nothing left to do but wait. The eldest daughter, a trying child from the beginning, goes out into the world, exploring her surroundings and musical talent. A loving mother and twice-divorcee moves her family to an up-and-coming neighborhood in Albuquerque. Leaving the downtrodden neighborhood of the South Valley behind her, she wants her daughters to have all the chances she didn’t. The younger sister - lost in the
mix, unsure of where she fits in and abandoned by her older sister is unable to let go of her old friends in the old neighborhood. This novel brings to light the deepest fears of a parent losing control of her children. Not for the light-hearted, this book, with its elegant descriptions and panic-ridden pacing, draws you right into the unfolding drama. Hard, if not impossible, to put down, Daughters of the West Mesa leaves you wanting more. An unsolved mystery ripped from the headlines begs the question, how could a person get away with murder for so long? NME - Winter Flack
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 FOO FIGHTERS www.isletaamphitheater.net
UNTIL SEPTEMBER 6 I 2015 MUSIC FROM ANGEL FIRE: 32ND SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL Taos Center For the Arts 133 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte Taos, NM 87571 http://www.musicfromangelfire.org/ UNTIL SEPT 13 I ARSENIC AND OLD LACE Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm, Special Thursday Performance Sept. 10 at 7:30pm Albuquerque Little Theatre will open their 86th season with the laugh-a-minute, screwball comedy ARSENIC AND OLD LACE by Joseph Kesselring. The show revolves around the Brewster family, descended from the “Mayflower,” but now composed of insane homicidal maniacs. The hero, Mortimer Brewster, is a drama critic who must deal with his crazy family and local police in Brooklyn, NY, as he debates whether to go through with his recent promise to marry the woman he loves. Albuquerque LIttle Theater 224 San Pasquale SW Albuquerque, NM 87104 www.albuquerquelittletheatre.org UNTIL SEPTEMBER 29 I ALBUQUERQUE NORTHEAST FARMERS AND ARTISANS MARKETS 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM 6400 Wyoming Boulevard North East Albuquerque, NM 87109 http://abqnemarket.org/ UNTIL OCTOBER 27 I ABQ UPTOWN GROWERS MARKETS 7:00 am - 12:00 pm Presbyterian Hospital Parking Lot 1100 Central Ave. SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 http://www.abquptowngrowersmarket.org/index.html
1 I RASCAL FLATTS, SCOTT MCCREERY & RAELYNN Isleta Amphitheater 5601 University Blvd. SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 www.isletaamphitheater.net 5-7 I NEW MEXICO WINE HARVEST FESTIVAL Celebrate New Mexico’s wine harvest with grape stomping, wine tasting, live entertainment. Festival features arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, hourly wine seminars and a great relaxed atmosphere. Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 11 miles west on I-10 exit 132. 12 noon – 6 pm each day $13 adults 21 and older, under 21 free but must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. $3 discount for active duty military on Monday. (575) 522-1232 www.wineharvestfestival.com 7 I ZAC BROWN BAND Isleta Amphitheater 5601 University Blvd. SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 www.isletaamphitheater.net 9 I FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE, THOMAS RHETT & FRANKIE BALLARD Isleta Amphitheater 5601 University Blvd. SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 www.isletaamphitheater.net 20 I JIMMY BUFFETT Isleta Amphitheater 5601 University Blvd. SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 www.isletaamphitheater.net 27 I FOO FIGHTERS Isleta Amphitheater 5601 University Blvd. SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 www.isletaamphitheater.net
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