Black Panthers: Varda Forever

Anti-profit cinema space screens French feminist classics for abortion fundraiser

No Name Cinema has a history with experimentation. But its benefit for the Albuquerque-based Mariposa Fund—a group working to improve abortion access for undocumented folks—draws the local collective into unexpected territory. After all, how does a “no profit organization,” a theater without hard ticket fees, put on a fundraiser? In line with the Agnès Varda feature screening at its upcoming event, No Name takes a vagabond approach.

“No one is turned away for lack of funds. I’ve never found people on the whole to be rude and stingy,” co-founder Abby Smith notes. “That said, donations alone aren’t enough to cover the cost of renting and heating the space, so we are always on the grant hustle or selling T-shirts.”

That means the double bill of Vagabond and Black Panthers isn’t looking to hit a dollar target—it’s more about highlighting the shared concerns connecting the theater, the Mariposa Fund and Varda’s onscreen subjects.

“There’s very little tolerance for transgressive behavior in our society. A woman managing her own health care is considered transgressive. With this program we’re showcasing a filmmaker and subjects that counter that narrative,” Smith continues. “I think as women, we’re constantly receiving some form of instruction, whether that’s ‘you can’t have sex with that person,’ or, ‘you can’t get drunk in your van,’ and to see someone completely reject that…is empowering.”

But while Vagabond (which opens Sunset Boulevard-style on the abandoned body of its titular nomad) is disturbingly connected to the real-life dangers the Mariposa Fund addresses, Black Panthers is the true star of the program.

For one thing, it’s ridiculously under-seen: Marvel movies have all but drowned it out in search results. But it’s also a direct call to action for the attendees on Friday night.

“By showing this film I hope our audience can understand themselves not as individuals, but as members of a community—and to take a look at what they are or could be doing to strengthen that community,” Smith concludes.

From where we sit, tossing a few bucks to your local microcinemas and reproductive health care orgs is a pretty good place to start. (Siena Sofia Bergt)

Abortion Fund Benefit Screening: Vagabond + Black Panthers: 7:30 pm, Friday, Feb. 10, $5-$15 suggested, No Name Cinema, 2013 Pinon St., nonamecinema.org

Jazz-splosion

It’s not like Santa Fe has faced some kind of jazz shortage over the years, but that doesn’t mean the faithful or the curious aren’t always on the lookout for something good. In this instance, that something good comes in the form of vocalists Jasmin Williams and Loveless Johnson III, who, along with pianist Tom Rheam, drummer Mark Clark and trumpet maestro Rodney Bowe, bring a dash of jazzy class to downtown’s Palace Prime restaurant. “We sing the best of pure, straight-ahead jazz like no other team of singers in New Mexico, let alone Santa Fe,” Johnson tells SFR. “We leave all the love and passion we have for the music on the playing field, and are committed to delivering an impeccable audience experience in every single show and song.” Your ticket comes with a three-course meal, too! (Alex De Vore)

Loveless Johnson III and Jasmin Williams: 5:30 and 8 pm Wednesday, Feb. 8 and Thursday, Feb. 9. $90. Palace Prime, 142 E Palace Ave., (505) 919-9935

Get a Job, Hippie!

Getting work over the last few years has been tough—we all know the pandemic story. But as the economy comes out of the sadsies and humankind emerges into whatever we’re now living, local and federal assistance is drying up. Still, the world keeps acting like all that stuff didn’t just happen and, we bet, you’ve got bills to pay. To that end, know that the City of Santa Fe will host a rapid hire event this weekend at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center. Once there, you’ll hear about part-time, seasonal and full-time opportunities for paint, sign and street workers as well as in parks and other outdoor spaces. Plus if you time it right, you could probably go ice skating the same day. We know it’s not easy out there, but maybe this is the start of something new for you?(ADV)

City of Santa Fe Rapid Hire Event: 10 am-noon Saturday, Feb. 11. Free. Genoveva Chavez Community Center, (505) 955-4000

As if!

Let us now consider the triumph of director Amy Heckerling’s timeless 1995 cinematic masterpiece Clueless, and how it gifted the world Alicia Silverstone. Now let it be be known the Lensic Performing Arts Center shall play it on Valentine’s Day, for free, no less. Based on Jane Austen’s Emma, the film that also launched Paul Rudd into the hearts and minds of millions tells the tale of Cher (Silverstone), a Southern California rich kid with a heart of gold who gets into the matchmaking game when a new kid shows up at her fancy high school. Conflict and laughs and Donald Faison ensue, and Cher learns a thing or two about love (which includes a big ol’ crush on her former step brother, Rudd). Make sure you reserve your spot ASAP, though, as it might just sell out, and maybe we’ll see you around—hope not sporadically. (ADV)

Clueless: 7 pm Tuesday, Feb. 14. Free. Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W San Francisco St., (505) 988-1234