To celebrate the achievements by black Americans and to recognize the central role of African Americans in U.S. history, the South Broadway Cultural Center will host a free screening of the Academy Award winning motion picture Selma at 1pm on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Selma chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965 when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., played by David Oyelowo, led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. This film tells the real story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history.

Selma was was written by Paul Webb and directed by Ava DuVernay. It won Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song for Glory and was nominated for Best Motion Picture of the Year.

Admission and popcorn are free.

The gallery space at South Broadway Cultural Center will soon display three new exhibits of exciting and engaging artworks.

The center's annual La Guadalupana exhibit will feature the altars and art produced by local artists depicting images thematic of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This popular December exhibit is joined by paintings from American artist Carole L. Olson's Images from the Gathering of Nations and the vivid concepts of Farmas Y Colores by Catalina Salinas.

The exhibits will be displayed from December 10 through January 5th. A reception for the artists is scheduled on Dec. 10 from 6-8pm.

Carole L. Olson studied Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico where she nurtured her passion for painting. She moved to California where and kept her artistic ambitions close to her heart pursuing art studies at UCLA, and the Los Angeles Academy of Art.

Olson received extensive animation course work and training at the Los Angeles Animation Union School, and also studied figure and gesture drawing in California and in Italy with noted artist, Glenn Vilppu.

Her return to New Mexico sparked interest in the Native American culture that had always intrigued Olson. "I have worked hard toward developing into a true American artist, with a focus on the Native American dancers from the annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in Albuquerque," she states in her professional biography. "The movement of the dancers to the steady beat of Indian drums and the whirl of costumes and colors created a vibrant imagery. These images can be static as in a dance line that reflects the colors of the rainbow of costumed women waiting for their turn on the floor. It can be the fusing of colors and shapes created by spinning and twirling dancers."

Luz Maria Catalina Salinas Gamarra has been creating art in various forms throughout her life. She took art classes only as a child, so is considered a self-taught artist, learning primarily from experimentation. Catalina's work includes realistic figures, abstract and geometric art. She grew up in La Paz, Bolivia, a colorful city inspired by the surrounding Andes and their local art, full of bright colors and geometrical patterns. Much of her work has been inspired by traditional textiles called "Ahuayos".

In 2008, Catalina moved to Albuquerque and continued painting. She is a licensed architect in Bolivia and holds a Master degree in architecture from the University of New Mexico. Since 2009, has been working with a program called "Architecture and Children", which promotes art education through architecture and design concepts. She also works for the Cervantes Institute teaching Spanish and creativity.

About her art, Salinas says, "I started to create my own technique: a continuous color gradation with the use of bright colors to create optical illusions. I was then painting optical art with colorful patterns. I transferred this technique into spheres and these are part of my continued experimentation. With the influence of this visual style I started to compose with shells and spirals some abstract landscapes."

South Broadway Cultural Center will host one of the hottest groups to come out of Argentina when Bohemia Viva takes the stage of the John Lewis Theatre on Friday, October 21 at 7pm.

The vocal duet formed by Luis Lujan, who is from Cordoba, and Andrea Mottura, who is originally from Santa Fe, combine the cultures of the Latin, European, and American cultures where they have toured extensively. They perform with high energy and passion for the music they perform in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and English.

In a past interview in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where they now reside, the duo described the music of Argentina as having a long history and being very diverse, depending on the region. Internationally, the tango is one of the best-known genres, although in the interior of the nation, folk music dominates.

Domestic rock also has taken an important space in the culture since the 1960s, and from there came many other musical styles present in the nation: reggae, jazz, bolero, electronic music, cumbia and punk.

They described Mexican music as being infused with diverse influences, and a foundation of the culture of the nation, with the people conserving their musical roots; participating in musical expression in a natural way.

The mix of cultural influences on their music will have the audience cheering for more.
Don't miss the one-night-only performance of this exciting duo! Tickets are $15 per person and are available at southbroadwaytickets.com.

South Broadway Cultural Center today announced the judging panel for the October 22 ABQ's Got Talent Vocal Competition Finals to be held at 7pm in the John Lewis Theatre at South Broadway.

The competition, now in its third year, brings local amateur vocalists to the stage to compete in two age categories: 6-16, and 17 and beyond. This year's competitors will perform in hopes of winning first and second prizes of $500 and $250.

Head Judge: Jackie McGehee has been a young musician benefactor who established the Jackie McGehee Young Artists' Competition sponsored by the Music Guild of New Mexico (formerly the New Mexico Symphony Guild) 25 years ago to identify and support young musicians in New Mexico. Her educational background includes a BA from UNM, Masters from New Mexico State, and doctoral studies at Colorado University in Boulder. She has presented master classes and workshops in Hawaii, Austria, England, France and Switzerland. She was Chair for the New Mexico Symphony Board of Trustees, and is a long-time member of the Music Guild of New Mexico, serving as their President and in other board positions.

When asked about the upcoming competition, she said, "Searching and rewarding talent has been one of my passions all of my life. I look forward to the Albuquerque search and hearing our future stars."

Dr. Daniel Cummings is a composer, conductor, pianist and vocalist who grew up in Albuquerque, graduating from the University of New Mexico with a BA in Composition before heading to Los Angeles, where he earned a Master's in Choral Conducting and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from UCLA. During his time in Los Angeles, he was chosen as conducting assistant to John Mauceri at the famed Hollywood Bowl, and appeared in a major film with Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. As a composer, Daniel has written film scores, concerti for piano and clarinet, choral works, songs and song cycles, and over one hundred arrangements of hymns and folk songs for various ensembles and singers. He joined the music staff at Manzano High School this fall as director of choral music.

Teresa Edens has long been active in a number of organizations in Albuquerque, bringing to the judging panel significant experience with music competitions. As a long-time member of the Music Guild of New Mexico (formerly the NM Symphony Guild), she has been one of the key players in the development and operations of the 25-year-old Jackie McGehee Young Artists' Competition. With strong knowledge in the area of presentation, she will be the critical eye that helps identify those vocalists who know how to present themselves onstage, their demeanor, personality, and their ability to not only sing well, but to "sell" the song.

Louise Loomis received BFA and MFA degrees from the University of New Mexico. Further studies included Orff Schulwerk training from Denver University, Hamline University, The University of St. Thomas, The University of Nevada - Las Vegas, and the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. She has received the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra Teacher of the Year Award, the John M. Batcheller Award for Excellence in Teaching Elementary Music and the Albuquerque Arts Alliance Bravo Award for Excellence in Arts Education. Recently retired from Manzano Day School, Louise conducts the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program's Preparatory Chorus.

Josef Scott Powdrell is an Albuquerque native who has studied voice under Kathleen Clawson, and currently studies under Marilyn Bernard, who introduced him to the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus, where he is now a member. He. performs in the Albuquerque area with various groups ranging in styles from jazz and R&B to rock, He has experience as a performing artist, recording artist, musical director, and songwriter, and was chosen to complete the judging panel as a performer who has built a career in the Albuquerque area with a strong understanding of what it takes to go from amateur to professional status. He commented on the competition, "New Mexico is really so rich in talent and culture. I'm extremely anxious to see what artist our hometown has on the horizon!"

Who will win? Plan to join us for this fun competition that may define who our next local vocal stars may be! Tickets are only $5 each and are available at southbroadwaytickets.com.

Be there for the big moment when two talented vocalists are crowned as winners!

Cardboard Playhouse and South Broadway Cultural Center present a fantasy play taken from the highly popular Roald Dahl's quirky story, James and the Giant Peach on two weekends in mid-September.

"James and the Giant Peach JR" is a "masterpeach" of a tale that features a cleverly tuneful score and witty dialog that will charm people of all ages.

Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, September 16 and 17, at 7pm, and Sunday, September 18 at 2pm. The play repeats on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 22, 23 and 24 at the same times.

James, an English orphan, is asked by his cruel aunts with whom he lives to chop down an old fruit tree on their property, and while doing so he discovers a magic potion that grows a giant peach! He and the peach roll into the ocean and begin their fantastic voyage, which includes singing insects, sharks, and hunger, as well as courage, self-discovery, and lots of disagreements along the way.

The talented young actors performing on the stage of the John Lewis Theatre are the core of Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Company, a non-profit formed December 2004. Cardboard Playhouse prides itself on being one of the only children's theatre companies in Albuquerque that casts children on their ability to perform, not on their ability to pay. Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Company keeps itself viable by generating revenue through ticket sales and grants. Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Company was voted by the readers and editors of Albuquerque The Magazine as one of the top 5 Theatre Companies in Albuquerque.

Reserved seating tickets are $10 each and are available at southbroadwaytickets.com.

The works of five local artists will be on display in South Broadway Cultural Center's spacious gallery at Night of the Arts on Thursday, August 4 from 5-9pm.

A reception for the artists from 5-8pm with light refreshments and live music, and a documentary film screening at 8pm make the evening a don't miss event!

Entitiled "Channels," the new exhibition features the works of P.K. Williams, Lynne Laier, Rebecca Nolda, Roger Green and Jeff Laird, with music by MoonHat to energize the crowd.

From 8 - 9 p.m. the documentary "End of the Century" features the story of the punk rock band The Ramones. The 2003 film, produced and directed by Jim Fields and Michael Gramglia, follows the band's history from their start in the early 1970s through 22 years of touring, and the 1996 breakup, including the deaths of two of the four original members.

In the Gallery, "Channels" directs the visitor on a certain course, whether the direction is literal or figurative, visual or cerebral. Whether organic or geometric, the artists own journeys to their truth will inspire.

P.K. Williams earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts at the University of Texas, El Paso and has exhibited her works widely throughout the Albuquerque area and beyond. Her media consists of watercolor, acrylic and mixed media. Bold colors and the influence of nature result in an emotional expression of the ebb and flow of the journey of life.

Chicago native Lynne Laier earned a Bachelor of Arts at Western Illinois University, then traveled west to earn a Juris Doctorate at the University of San Francisco. Combining her career in law as a public defender with her growing desire to study and teach art, she has built a reputation for her interpretation of the challenges that define our lives through her paintings, fiber work and ceramics. Her work has been exhibited in numerous shows and galleries in central and northern New Mexico.

Rebecca Nolda, whose work is shown here, is a Midwesterner who attended Iowa State University, earned her Master of Science in Education from Capella University and her Master of Arts in Studio Art from the University of Minnesota. Moving to New Mexico on a "whim", she soon fell in love with the open spaces, desert and skies of our state. Nolda considers "channels" the pathways that invite us to use her works as a springboard for imagination. The concept of creating "artifacts"-a layering of the seen and the layers underneath that tell stories-evokes a bit of mystery as to what came before. Her work has been exhibited widely in New Mexico, as well as in Minnesota, the Dallas, Texas area, and at UC Berkeley.

Another artist whose roots are in the Midwest is Roger Green, whose Chicago roots included mentoring from two of the Art Institute's talented instructors. His career path included leading roles in two of the world's largest advertising agencies and led to many national and international awards for his creativity. His passion for art led him to teach graphic design at the Illinois Institute of Art, and become guest instructor at two other prominent art schools. Since moving to New Mexico he has found that the influences of his Midwestern background combine with the cultural influences of the desert southwest to create multi-layered stories of life, expressed through concealing and revealing archetypes that define our lives. His works have been shown in California, Paris, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, and, of course, a number of shows and galleries in Albuquerque and surrounds.

Jeff Laird is an East-Coast New Jersey native who now lives in Estancia, NM. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rutgers and, courtesy of Uncle Sam, had a stint in the U.S. Army that resulted in extensive travel throughout Europe. Returning to the US, he earned a degree in Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. His earlier career was in commercial real estate while he continued his interest in art as active member of numerous art museums and foundations. His sculpture, photography and paintings have been seen in numerous galleries and exhibitions throughout the broader Albuquerque area and beyond.

Live music and a film about one of the most popular bands of the past few decades, combined with creative artistic "channels" as interpreted by talented artists will make the August Night of the Arts a very special summer event.

For more information on events and activities at SBCC, visit cabq.gov/sbcc or call 311.

John Aaron Lewis stands among the giants of modern jazz, and the talented musician, composer and educator will be honored with an evening of music and memories on Thursday, July 14 at 7pm at the South Broadway Cultural Center.

The event is co-presented by the City of Albuquerque's Cultural Services Department, South Broadway Cultural Center, the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs, the New Mexico Jazz Festival and Outpost Performance Space. The evening will feature a video production focused on Lewis' life and music interspersed with live entertainment by the Douglas Caldwell Trio, featuring Caldwell on drums, Michael Anthony on guitar, and Colin Deuble on bass. Popular local songstress Tracey Whitney will bring powerful vocals, and pianist/vocalist Daniel Cummings will perform music from the era of John's early life here in Albuquerque.

Raised by his grandmother, Edith English, after losing both of his parents as a very young child, John Lewis grew up in the South Broadway neighborhood and graduated from Albuquerque High School, then enrolled in the music program at UNM, where he studied under Dr. Walter Keller, for whom UNM's Keller Hall is named.

Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942, he served three years in Europe before returning to Albuquerque, where he was advised to move to New York City and enroll in the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. He earned his Bachelor's and Masters' degrees and later he was elected to the school's Board of Directors. John Lewis established the Lenox School of Jazz, the first school devoted exclusively to the study of jazz, at the school. The Manhattan School of Music awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in 1996. He also received an Honorary Doctorate from UNM in 1980.

John was co-founder and music director for the world-famous Modern Jazz Quartet, a prolific composer, including creating score for films, and Musical Director for the prestigious Monterrey Jazz Festival for 23 years. After MJQ ended its 22-year reign in the world of jazz, John Lewis formed the American Jazz Orchestra, performing the music of America throughout the country and celebrating the music of the man who helped inspire him to choose jazz, Duke Ellington.

Even with his worldwide touring schedule, Lewis returned often to Albuquerque to visit family. The Modern Jazz Quartet performed here several times, including a performance with the Albuquerque Symphony (later known as the New Mexico Symphony).

The celebratory event is being held as a prelude to the 2016 New Mexico Jazz Festival. Tom Guralnick, Executive Director of the Outpost Productions and organizer of the Jazz Festival said of this year's John Lewis Celebration, "What better way to kick off this year's 11th Annual New Mexico Jazz Festival than with a celebration of one of the true icons of jazz, the great John Aaron Lewis, who spent his years from childhood through college in our city. It is an honor to celebrate him as part of our festival and to do so with the music of some of Albuquerque's finest jazz musicians, the Douglas Cardwell Trio with guest vocalist, Tracey Whitney."

Guralnick added, "As an organization which has been involved in the City's John Lewis Celebrations since they began-starting with the naming of the John Lewis Theater at South Broadway Cultural Center and accompanying symposium in 2002, and then joining the City of Albuquerque as a co-producer of the inaugural celebration of John Lewis' birthday in May of 2014. Lewis was also honored with a concert by John Lewis' nephew, Eric Bibb, at the Outpost on June 1, 2015, it made complete sense this year for Outpost to roll this important 3rd Annual celebration into our two week, two-city, New Mexico Jazz Festival."

Please join us for a family-friendly evening of music and celebration. A reception honoring John Lewis will be held following the program, offering an opportunity to meet members of the Lewis family and the performers.

Tickets are $10 per person and are available online now at www.southbroadwaytickets.com.
Special pricing for groups of 10 or more are $6 each. Children 12 and under are free. For more information on the event, please visit cabq.gov/south-broadway-cultural-center.

South Broadway Cultural Center's monthly Night of the Arts is scheduled for Thursday, June 16 from 5-9pm. The popular free event offers a potpourri of experiences that include the opening of a new art exhibition, a reception for the artists, live music and an art-themed film.

A new exhibition, "Old Disciples, New Worshipers", features the works of a nine local artists, some of whom have been featured in earlier SBCC exhibitions, and some of whom will be featured for the first time. Artists Jon Sanchez, Jeremy Montoya, Reyes Padillia, Lalla Cola Weeks, Esteban Duran, Rocky Norton, Virginia Baich, Mario Romero and Bruce Hyde bring a wide variety of techniques and styles to the exhibition, which is open through July 22.

"Old Disciples, New Worshipers" is based on art inspired by others, be they famous artists or local artists whose works have been exhibited in previous shows at South Broadway. A reception for the artists is scheduled from 5-8pm in the South Broadway Gallery. From 5-7pm guests will enjoy the sounds of Albuquerque Funk Band Kookie Jones and the Group Thing. Light refreshments will be available.

At 8pm the film Exit Through the Gift Shop will screen in the John Lewis Theater. The film features an inside story of Street Art entangled with fame, money and vandalism. The film by street artist Banksy tells the story of Thierry Guetta, a French immigrant in Los Angeles, and his obsession with street art. The film premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and is narrated by British actor Rhys Ifans.

On Friday, April 15 from 6 to 9 pm, South Broadway Cultural Center will host Albuquerque-based The Museum of the American Military Family and Learning Center, a Vietnam War 50th Commemoration Partner, to bring a special screening of the documentary, The Stray Dog.

The screening is in honor of the upcoming 2016 Run for the Wall, a motorcycle run involving thousands of participants that travel across the U.S.A. to promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.

Returning home to the U.S. after his second tour in Vietnam, Ronnie "Stray Dog" Hall discovered what tens of thousands of Vietnam-era vets learned; they were not welcomed back with open arms, but often with hostility. His response was to do an 11-year tour in Korea, where, to his surprise, he was accepted and liked. He married, started a family and returned to the U.S. to find that life was not always smooth. Battling his demons and trying to be a good man who loves his family led to greater understanding of the forces that helped shape his life as he tries to help others.

First-time documentary director Debra Granik follows Hall through his day-to-day life as we learn what shaped him and share his joys and sorrows. The film takes a hard, firsthand look at the failings of government toward those who have fought for the United States, but it finds abundant hope in veterans like Hall and the community they have formed.

Operation Footlocker, a program of the Museum of the American Military Family that creates themed military footlockers featuring items donated by military families,is creating a very special Memorial Footlocker honoring men and women service members who have passed on. Guests are encouraged to bring mementos honoring a loved one to become a permanent part of this tribute to America's heroes.

Admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated and will be shared between MAMF and local RFTW activities.

South Broadway Cultural Center is managed by the Cultural Services Department, City of Albuquerque, Richard J. Berry, Mayor. The unique architecture and colorful design of the building's exterior is an attraction in the area. SBCC shares the facility with the South Broadway Library and collaborates with the library on a number of events and activities. There is free parking immediately adjacent to the facility.

For more information on events and activities at SBCC, visit cabq.gov/sbcc or call 311.

Albuquerque's well-known author and playwright Rudolfo Anaya's play Who Killed Don Jose?
combines comedy, political intrigue and romance in a performance that will bring smiles to the whole family.

With only three remaining performances--Friday night at 7pm, and Saturday at 2pm and 7pm--time is running out on your chance to see this playful portrayal of conspiratorial blunder and New Mexican politics featured at the South Broadway Cultural Center (1025 Broadway SE).

Tickets for the all-ages show are $12 for adults and $8 for children under 18, available at southbroadwaytickets.com

For more information on events and activities at SBCC, visit cabq.gov/sbcc or call 311.