Words. The world of Jessica Helen Lopez is full of them.
Whether it’s the ones she weaves together to create a body of work or the ones she sees on a page of a book that spark her imagination, one thing is for sure: words matter.
The Albuquerque-based poet has made a career out of teaching and writing poetry.
She makes a pivot in 2022 by starting her own business – Luchadora Pop-Up Books.
“I’ve always wanted to own a bookstore,” Lopez enthuses. “Books contain all different types of worlds and information.”
Its first event will take place at 7 p.m. on February 14 and is called “Lenguaje de Amor”. It will be held at Founders Speakeasy, 622 Central SW.
Michelle Sena of All Chola is hosting the show, which will have music from DJ Cloudface. Poets Jasmine Sena Cuffee, Don McIver, Alejandro “Jando” Gonzales and Lopez will also perform. Lopez will also be the femcee of the event.
The idea for her pop-up bookstore was born from a bike ride in the city.
She stopped at Bike In Coffee at the farm in Old Town for a Día de los Muertos event.
“It was a beautiful day and there was this book lady there,” she said. “I bought a few titles and a good majority of the books she sold were in my own library. We talked about the poetry we had. I like talking about books with people. And being able to put books in people’s hands. She gave me this homemade business card. I thought about my own trip on the way home by bike.
After some time poking around and coming up with ideas, Luchadora Pop-Up Bookstore was born.
Lopez planned the event for a few months knowing the weather wasn’t warm enough.
This gave her time to call the community for book donations or the opportunity to purchase books to grow her inventory.
“It’s a sustainability thing for sure,” Lopez says. “These books will be filmed. I pick up the books, I sort them and I classify them. I can see how to put the books away and think about the rhythm of how often I can do the events. »
Lopez tends to gravitate toward writers of color.
“I also want books that really uplift people,” she says. “I received tons of children’s books.”
Lopez hopes to partner with the slam poetry circuit in the future.
“My motto is ‘Read a book, fight the power’,” she says. “It’s about freeing your mind and you can empower yourself through books.”
As Lopez prepares for her first pop-up event, she shares five fun facts about the reading and meaning of her business name:
1 “Lucha libre wrestlers are known as luchadores with origins as heroic masked Mexican folk figures who fight for equality and liberation for the poor and oppressed. Their costumes are colorful, sequined and daring. Luchadores are beloved champions of the people and stage elaborate, high-flying, acrobatic and dramatic wrestling matches against each other for everyone’s entertainment.
2 “One of the most famous Luchadora identified by women is Irma Morales Muñoz (born in 1936). Her career spanned more than forty years and her names were Flor Negra, Rosa Blanca, La Tirana, La Dama del Enfermero, La Will lock up and La Novia del Santo.
3 “Luchadora Used Pop-Up Books is named in honor of the brave wrestlers past and present across the Mexican and American borders.”
4 “Second-hand books are a sustainable and eco-friendly option for people who want to buy affordable reading material. Did you know that Luchadora Used Pop-Up Books will not sell any book over $5? »
5 “Did you know that reading improves brain memory, reduces stress, promotes empathy towards one another and can help you live longer? To read a book. Fight the power.”