By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – Roberta Ricci knows what it means to build a life through hard work, community and opportunity. As the Chief Experience Officer of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, Ricci oversees membership, marketing, convention and tourism efforts while helping connect small businesses across New Mexico with the resources they need […]
Sara Atencio-Gonzales
Sara Atencio Gonazales is a features reporter for nm.news and The Paper. She is a native of Albuquerque.
Posted inAlbuquerque
The sonic culture of Sound Baths in New Mexico
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – In a city known for its deep spiritual roots and wellness culture, sound baths are quickly becoming one of the most sought after ways to slow down. Across Albuquerque, these immersive listening experiences are popping up in cathedrals, yurts, studios and wellness spaces, drawing in people from all walks […]
Posted inFood & Drink
ABQ Food Park rolls to a new spot
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper – After recently announcing the closure of its longtime Northeast Heights location, the ABQ Food Park is preparing for a fresh start at a new home on Eubank Boulevard. Earlier this month, vendors at the food park’s former San Antonio Drive location learned they would need to vacate the property […]
Posted inJobs, Workers & Economy
STEM Educator Shelly Gruenig and her robots are a ‘force for good’
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – Shelly Gruenig did not set out to build one of New Mexico’s most impactful STEM organizations. Twenty-one years ago, she was simply a homeschool mom looking for something fun for her son to do. “I stumbled across this robotics competition, and I was like, ‘Oh, we could do that. […]
Posted inAlbuquerque
A Whirlwind of Creativity: Inside Blackout Theatre’s 24/7 Play Fest
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – In just 24 hours, anything can happen. That is the premise behind the annual 24/7 Play Fest, a fast-paced theatrical experiment hosted by Blackout Theatre Company that challenges artists to create something entirely new in a single day. With seven teams, seven plays and a strict 24-hour deadline, the […]
Posted in+Arts & Culture
Women Who Run ABQ: MMA fighter Lydia Warren Bet on Herself
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. — When Lydia Warren first walked into a jiu jitsu class, she had no plan to become a professional fighter. In fact, she had no athletic background at all. “I had a friend that wanted to go to a jiu jitsu class and I was like, ‘That sounds fun’,” says […]
Posted in+Arts & Culture
Bard Crawl returns to Albuquerque with Shakespeare, spontaneity and a pint in hand
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. — This May, Shakespeare will once again step out of the theater and into Albuquerque area breweries as the Duke City Repertory Theatre brings back its annual Bard Crawl, a production that blends classic text with an anything-can-happen atmosphere. Now in its eighth year, Bard Crawl invites audiences to experience […]
Posted inAlbuquerque
Exhibition at Consulate of Mexico brings fantastical Mexican artform north of the border
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – The Consulate of Mexico in Albuquerque will host the grand opening of Alebrijes: A Linares Family Tradition on May 5 from 5 to 7 p.m., inviting the public to experience a vibrant showcase of Mexican folk art and cultural heritage. The exhibition, presented in collaboration with the Museum of […]
Posted in+Arts & Culture, Albuquerque
Renaming and rebranding of Cesar Chavez Committee follows statewide reevaluation of now controversial figure
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper – At the Albuquerque Rail Yards on a bright, bustling Saturday morning, music, food trucks and resource tables filled the space as community members gathered for “Voces de la Comunidad / Community Voices,” the first event hosted by the newly renamed New Mexico ¡Sí Se Puede! Committee. The event, held […]