Culture Shock

Erin Adair-Hodges
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3 min read
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You may be experiencing an electric charge in the air. And no, it’s not from an electro-particle buildup in the ionosphere (which I’m fairly certain I heard about on a "Star Trek: TNG" episode). No, my friends, science can’t explain it for you this time because it comes from something deeper. Something called love. Love for glitzy parades, fabulous parties and more rainbows than a Lucky Charms factory in Oz. It’s Pride time!

Now, I have to be up-front about something. While I love Pride, I don’t like dance parties. Specifically, I don’t like dance parties where I’m not the boss of the music, which would consist entirely of James Brown, Michael Jackson and Erasure. I don’t like staying out past 11 p.m., glow sticks or music without words. What I do love are comfortable chairs. What’s a Pride-loving gal like me supposed to do?

Luckily, Pride is a multifaceted celebration of diversity, so members of The Finer Things Club such as myself can enjoy ourselves without unnecessary sweating. Over at Aux Dog Theatre (3011 Monte Vista NE),
Ka-HOOTZ and SolArts present the return of two shows: The Politics of Hair and VIXIN. Ka-HOOTZ’ production of The Politics of Hair is a comedic piece about the connections between hair, femininity and identity written by Lou Clark, starring Julie Nagle and directed by Becca Holmes. VIXIN, directed by Laira Morgan, is Sol Arts’ "one person a cappella opera in 24 personalities" that incorporates the vocal work and dance of star and creator Kristen Loree. The shows run this weekend only, from Thursday, June 11, through Sunday, June 14. Best of all, proceeds from the Thursday performance go to benefit Equality New Mexico. Thursday’s show will also feature ASL interpretation for The Politics of Hair. Performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday begin at 8 p.m., and the Sunday show starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15, or $10 for students, seniors and theater folk. Call to reserve tickets at 254-7716, or visit auxdog.org for more info.

And over in the Fine Arts Building at Expo New Mexico (300 San Pedro NE), get a load of the
2009 Pridefest Art Show . On Friday, June 12, from 6 to 9 p.m., prizes will be awarded to featured work, and artists will mingle and give talks. Many of the pieces are for sale, so come prepared. Works will also be shown on Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more, go to abqpride.com/artshow.html.

Now, even though we encourage active involvement in this week’s Pride happenings, don’t go and tire yourself out. The following week is our
Flash Fiction issue and party . There have been hundreds of entries to the contest, and already the dance card for the reading party on Sunday, June 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at O’Niell’s is filling up: The Pajama Men, Lisa Gill, Gwyneth Doland, authors, musicians, theater folk, my mom. How can you miss this? You can’t; so pace your partying, polish up your reading specs and save the date.
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