By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper โ Nicole Sterling-Bruton did not expect to become president of FemCity ABQ. โI was doing Christmas shopping in her shop,โ Sterling-Bruton says of the organizationโs former president. โAnd she said, โDo you want it?โโ Two days before Christmas, the offer was made. By the day after Christmas, Sterling-Bruton was preparing […]
Albuquerque
Waiting For Godot returns to Vortex for theaterโs 50th anniversary
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. โ At The Vortex Theatre, the road to Godot looks a little different this time around. The theatreโs newest production of Waiting for Godot, directed by Lauren Albonico, reimagines Samuel Beckettโs classic absurdist play in a contemporary setting while honoring the productionโs deep connection to the Vortexโs history. Waiting for […]
After Lindy’s collapse, Councilor Baca pushes $5,000 vacancy fines, maintenance rules for Downtown buildings
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ Residents and visitors canโt help but notice the empty buildings Downtown; the sudden structural failure of the Lindyโs building made those eyesores into a public hazard. Now, a councilor who pushed for stronger regulations on vacant and unkept properties Downtown other councilors removed from a prior bill. Sponsored by […]
After two-decade hiatus, QueerJoyFest welcomes LGBTQ+ community back for a night of joy, celebration and community
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. โ For two decades, WIMINFEST offered Albuquerqueโs lesbian community a place to gather, celebrate and feel safe being fully themselves. Now, after a 20-year absence, organizers are bringing that spirit back in a new form through QueerJoyFest, a one-night festival designed to celebrate the broader LGBTQIA2S+ community at a time […]
Sabaku Con gets animated this weekend in ABQ
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper โ Anime, cosplay, gaming and community will take center stage this weekend as Sabaku Con returns to Albuquerque for another year of fandom-focused entertainment and programming. The convention, which has been running in Albuquerque for nearly a decade, is one of the Southwestโs longest-running anime and gaming conventions. Organized by […]
Why Burqueรฑos might feel safer on buses
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ Burqueรฑos riding public transit may be feeling safer lately as new ABQ Ride data shows security calls across the transit system are dropping even while ridership continues to grow. Data reviewed by City Desk from ABQ Rideโs third-quarter report shows safety calls dropped 21% from last year, averaging 1,871 […]
Women Who Run ABQ: Roberta Ricci at Hispano Chamber of Chamber of Commerce
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. โ 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 […]
After mayor warns of budget woes, Council OK’s city’s biggest budget ever
By Jesse Jones, City Desk in The Paper. โ The City Council passed the city’s largest-ever budget, $1.5 billion, Monday night overcoming earlier warnings from the mayor that future spending would have to be cut to meet slower economic projections. The spending plan, passing 7-2, with councilors Brook Bassan and Dan Lewis voting against it, […]
Councilors will push $15 min. wage, increased tipped wage to meet affordability crisis
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ Burqueรฑos struggling to keep up with rising rent costs may soon see relief as a bloc of city councilors pushes to raise Albuquerqueโs minimum wage amid an expanding affordability crisis. The ordinance would address Burqueโs widening affordability gap, where average earnings per job are about 20% below the national […]
Caring is Punk
By Michael Hodock, The Paper. โ Thereโs a lifesaving resource that many business owners might not think about keeping on hand in case of emergencies, and it probably saved someoneโs life at one Albuquerque establishment that operates next door to a local music shop and punk rock hotspot. โThere was this little homeless guy that […]


