WNMU Cultural Affairs

01/24/2025

Distinguished Speaker Series-Emile Nakhleh
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and US Policy
Tuesday, February 18
7pm
Light Hall Theater

Dr. Emile Nakhleh, author of A Necessary Engagement: Reinventing America’s Relations with the Muslim World, is a research professor and director of National Security Programs at the University of New Mexico. He is a retired Senior Intelligence Service Officer, a National Intelligence Council Associate and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Since his retirement from the US Government, Nakhleh has been consulting with different US government entities on national security issues, particularly Islamic radicalization, terrorism, and the Arab states of the Middle East. Nakhleh was a senior analyst and director of the Political Islam Strategic Analysis Program and of regional analysis in the Middle East. He was awarded several senior commendations and distinguished medals for his service, including the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal and the Director’s Medal. His research and publications have focused on political Islam and Muslim world engagement, Islamic radicalization and terrorism in the Middle East and the rest of the Muslim world; state formation in the Middle East; and US policy toward the Middle East and the Muslim world. and has lectured in this country and overseas for many years. He recieved his Ph.D. from the American University, Washington, D.C., in International Relations, an M.A. from Georgetown University in Political Science, and a B.A. from Saint John’s University, Minnesota, in Political Science.

You can also watch via ZOOM
https://wnmu.zoom.us/j/81279339903

01/23/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkstHF__TRc
Coming February 27 at 7pm to Light Hall Theater Tall Buildings-modern bluegrass. Bluegrass served up with a punch, attitude, grit and gravy.

Tickets are $20
17 & Under admitted free
For tickets: culture.wnmu.edu

The Barrel Sessions at Vinegrass:Damn Tall Buildings - "Words to the Song"The Boston Globe calls Damn Tall Buildings "The Carter Family for the millennial ge...

01/20/2025

Coming February 13
Nacha Mendez Trio- guitar, piano and violin
7pm at Light Hall Theater

Nacha Mendez combines storytelling, music and song on a journey through her personal experience that speaks to her Latin blood, Native American history and her experience as an artist.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at
17&Under free
culture.wnmu.edu

Filmed at Museum Hill in Santa Fe, New Mexico.Andy Primm Videographer.Angel en la Esquina de Los Pecados was produced by Nacha Mendez. Performed and Engineer...

01/16/2025

Starting off the 2025 Cultural Affairs Season, is Burkinabe musician mostly known for his balafon, Mamadou Diabaté. Thursday, January 30 at 7pm in Light Hall Theatre. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at
culture.wnmu.edu

01/15/2025

Now that the spring semester here at WNMU has started, so has the 2025 Spring Season for Cultural Affairs. We hope to see you at some or even all of the amazing events we are have on the calendar.

For more information or to get tickets;
culture.wnmu.edu

01/13/2025

Mamadou Diabate
Thursday, January 30
7pm
Light Hall Center Theatre
$20

Mamadou Diabaté was born into a traditional musician family (Sambla people) in Burkina Faso (West Africa), with a long tradition of practicing the profession of story telling and music making. At the age of 5 he started his professional training with his father Penegue Diabaté, who in his days was considered the best balafon player far beyond the borders of the Sambla culture. At 8 he began with his apprenticeship years with renowned balafonists of neighboring peoples. In 1988 and 1998 he won the first prize of the "National Culture Week" of Burkina Faso. He currently lives in Austria. With his group Percussion Mania he has won the Austrian World Music Award and the Grand Prix of the "Triangle du Balafon" Competition in Mali. For his virtuosity, he was also honored with the "Prix Alkaly Camara de la Virtuosité".

To purchase tickets
culture.wnmu.edu

01/01/2025

WNMU Spring Season -

January 30 Mamadou Diabate was born into a traditional musician family (Sambla people) in Burkina Faso, with a long tradition of practicing the profession of story telling and music making. At the age of 5 he started his professional training with his father Penegue Diabate, who in his days was con...

12/23/2024

Mamadou Diabaté
Thursday, January 30
7:00 PM
Light Hall Theater
$20

Mamadou Diabaté was born into a traditional musician family (Sambla people) in Burkina Faso (West Africa), with a long tradition of practicing the profession of story telling and music making. At the age of 5 he started his professional training with his father Penegue Diabaté, who in his days was considered the best balafon player far beyond the borders of the Sambla culture. At 8 he began with his apprenticeship years with renowned balafonists of neighboring peoples. In 1988 and 1998 he won the first prize of the "National Culture Week" of Burkina Faso. He currently lives in Austria. With his group Percussion Mania he has won the Austrian World Music Award and the Grand Prix of the "Triangle du Balafon" Competition in Mali. For his virtuosity, he was also honored with the "Prix Alkaly Camara de la Virtuosité".

To purchase tickets
culture.wnmu.edu

http://KEXP.ORG presents Mamadou Diabaté performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded October 18, 2018.Songs:KalansoMasaba KanMamaYan Yoro KawHost: DJ Rhyth...

12/20/2024

The Cultural Affairs Team would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who attended events during the Fall 2024 season. We thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you all in 2025!

--WNMU Cultural Affairs staff

culture.wnmu.edu

12/20/2024

The Cultural Affairs Team would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has participated in making the Fall 2024 season such a huge success. We couldn't do it without the help of so many individuals, in so many departments. The President’s Office, Media Services, Facilities, Venue and Event Management, Grounds, Student Life, Office of Alumni Affairs, the University Foundation, the Business Office, and Campus Police -- we are fortunate to have your support. We could not do it without YOU.

Thank you,

WNMU Cultural Affairs staff.

culture.wnmu.edu

12/17/2024

Mamadou Diabate
Thursday, January 30
7pm
Light Hall Center Theatre
$20

Mamadou Diabate was born into a family of musicians (Sambla people) in Burkina Faso, with a long tradition of practicing the profession of storytelling and music making. At the age of 5 he started his professional training with his father, Penegue Diabate, who in his day was considered the best balafon player, far beyond the borders of the Sambla culture. At 8 he began his apprenticeship years with renowned balafonists of neighboring peoples. In 1988 and 1998 he won the first prize of the "National Culture Week" of Burkina Faso. He currently lives in Austria. With his group Percussion Mania he has won the Austrian World Music Award and the Grand Prix of the "Triangle du Balafon" competition in Mali. For his virtuosity, he was also honored with the "Prix Alkaly Camara de la Virtuosité".

Join us for the remarkable performance of music and storytelling.

Tickets
culture.wnmu.edu

Mamadou Diabate, the Grammy-winning Kora player from Mali, is performs his original piece "Jamanadiara."Recorded by Teddy Denton.

12/14/2024

Tonight!
Mariachi Christmas Spectacular
Mariachi Femenil Estrella de México
Saturday, December 14
Fine Arts Center Theatre
7PM
$20 General Admission

Mariachi Femenil Estrella de México pays tribute to all the pioneering women and survivors of the first generation of female mariachis. Their performances honor these women and recognize their struggle and perseverance to perform mariachi music. WNMU is excited to host these trail blazing women from Guadalajara, Mexico for this year’s Mariachi Christmas Spectacular.

The Mariachi Christmas Spectacular will also feature Mariachi Plata de Western New Mexico University and Ballet Folklorico Paso del Norte.

Tickets will be available at the door.
Faculty/Students/Staff, 17 & Under admitted free with ticket.

culture.wnmu.edu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBZ66_MwrDs

12/12/2024

This Saturady, December 14 at the Fine Arts Center Theater, The Mariachi Christmas Spectacular presents a grand event for all with Mariachi Femenil Estrella de Mexico de Mexico all the way from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Mariachi Femenil Estrella de México pays tribute to all the pioneering women and survivors of the first generation of female mariachis. Their performances honor these women and recognize their struggle and perseverance to perform mariachi music.

WNMU's very own Mariachi Plata de Western New Mexico University will also perform. The group is the only New Mexico championship collegiate mariachi ensemble offering arts education through lectures and workshops and promoting New Mexico’s vibrant artistic, cultural and ethnic heart.

Also performing is Ballet Folklorico Paso del Norte

Join us for this exciting evening celebrating the vibrant tradition of Mariachi music, tickets are $20 and can be purchased at culture.wnmu.edu or at the door the day of the event.

For information and tickets
culture.wnmu.edu

12/11/2024

Mariachi Christmas Spectacular
Mariachi Femenil Estrella de México
Saturday, December 14
Fine Arts Center Theatre
7PM
$20 General Admission

Mariachi Femenil Estrella de Mexico pays tribute to all the pioneering women and survivors of the first generation of female mariachis. Their performances honor these women and recognize their struggle and perseverance to perform mariachi music. WNMU is excited to host these trail blazing women from Guadalajara, Mexico for this year’s Mariachi Christmas Spectacular.

The Mariachi Christmas Spectacular will also feature Mariachi Plata de Western New Mexico University and Ballet Folklorico Paso del Norte
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftBvw2NbvOk

To purchase tickets
culture.wnmu.edu

Popurrí de mi Tierra - Mariachi Femenil Estrella de Mexico Participación en el Festival Internacional Mexicana Hasta La Piel en Teatro de la Paz San Luis Po...

12/10/2024

Mariachi Christmas Spectacular
Mariachi Femenil Estrella de México
Saturday, December 14
Fine Arts Center Theatre
7PM
$20 General Admission

WNMU's Mariachi Christmas Spectacular will feature, Mariachi Femenil Estrella de Mexico, who pays tribute to all the pioneering women and survivors of the first generation of female mariachis. Their performances honor these women and recognize their struggle and perseverance to perform mariachi music. WNMU is excited to host these trail blazing women from Guadalajara, Mexico for this year’s Mariachi Christmas Spectacular.

Also featured will be WNMU's very own Mariachi Plata de Western New Mexico University , along with Ballet Folklorico Paso del Norte
For more information and tickets
culture.wnmu.edu

12/10/2024

Mariachi Christmas Spectacular
December 14
7pm
Fine Arts Center Theater
$20

Western New Mexico University presents a grand event for all, our annual Mariachi Christmas Spectacular will feature Mariachi Femenil Estrella de Mexico deMexico all the way from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Mariachi Femenil Estrella de México pays tribute to all the pioneering women and survivors of the first generation of female mariachis. Their performances honor these women and recognize their struggle and perseverance to perform mariachi music.

WNMU's very own Mariachi Plata de Western New Mexico University will also perform. The group is the only New Mexico championship collegiate mariachi ensemble offering arts education through lectures and workshops and promoting New Mexico’s vibrant artistic, cultural and ethnic heart.

Also performing is Ballet Folklorico Paso del Norte

Join us for this exciting evening celebrating the vibrant tradition of Mariachi music.
For information and tickets
culture.wnmu.edu

12/07/2024

Mariachi Christmas Spectacular
December 14
7pm
Fine Arts Center Theater
$20

Western New Mexico University presents a grand event for all, our annual Mariachi Christmas Spectacular will feature Mariachi Femenil Estrella de Mexico all the way from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Mariachi Femenil Estrella de México pays tribute to all the pioneering women and survivors of the first generation of female mariachis. Their performances honor these women and recognize their struggle and perseverance to perform mariachi music.

WNMU's very own Mariachi Plata will also perform. The group is the only New Mexico championship collegiate mariachi ensemble offering arts education through lectures and workshops and promoting New Mexico’s vibrant artistic, cultural and ethnic heart.

Also performing is Ballet Folklorico Paso del Norte

Join us for this exciting evening celebrating the vibrant tradition of Mariachi music.
For information and tickets
culture.wnmu.edu

12/05/2024

Western New Mexico University invites you to bring the family to Regents Square for Jingle & Mingle, our annual Holiday party, Friday December 6 from 5:30-8:30 PM. Come and enjoy live music from Mariachi Plata de Western New Mexico University, Angelica Padilla Music, the band and more. Children’s games and crafting activities, tasty treats, photo ops, and the annual reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by President Shepard. Wear your ugliest sweater enter the Ugly Sweater contest!

This event is outdoors and free to the public.

For more info visit
culture.wnmu.edu.