Imagine if a 1950s diner somehow became… healthy. Now imagine if this diner burst onto the culinary scene with a vegan bakery, homemade bread and a menu comprised entirely of vegetarian diner fare. Sound too good to be true?
Since Fidel Castro's rise to power during the 1960s, Cuba has retained an allure in many American minds as a forbidden destination. Havana in particular has garnered a reputation as a city of sinister romance and exotic culture. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston's (MFA) exhibit, "Violet Isle: A Photographic Portrait of Cuba," boasts true−to−life works by Alex Webb and Rebecca Norris Webb that dramatically trump Hollywood's unrealistic portrayals of Cuban life.
Music fans have a lot to look forward to this autumn: September alone is seeing releases from several industry giants. Whether it's standard rock fare or the most daring avant−garde experiments, this coming season is primed to keep the most demanding musical tastes satisfied. Renowned artists ranging from metal/funk fusionists Primus to electronic pop rockers Neon Indian will be releasing new material to hungry fans.
Plunging into previously charted waters, "Shark Night 3D" (2011) resembles, at first glance, a hybrid of the classic "Jaws" (1975) and last summer's shockingly successful "Piranha 3D" (2010). "Jaws" delivered unadulterated fear that made beachgoers everywhere say 10 Hail Marys before wading onto a simple sandbar, whereas "Piranha 3D" embraced its intrinsic ridiculousness and carved out a niche as an excessively blood-soaked spoof/remake of a '70s B movie.
Cymbals Eat Guitars was one of 2009's most promising newcomers. Their self-released debut, "Why There Are Mountains" (2009), quickly rose to prominence for its intricately structured songs, impressive instrumentalism and versatile vocal work. The group's latest release, "Lenses Alien," continues this trend, seeing the band expand its sound to encompass darker themes and more involved production.
Living near a college campus, it's not difficult to find a pizza joint. The portion of Boston Ave. that borders Tufts' campus alone has a handful — Pizza Days, Nick's House of Pizza and Helen's Roast Beef all serve up hot, greasy slices late into the night. But while cheeseburger pizza from Pizza Days may fill the void at two in the morning, it doesn't seem quite right to order when the sun is still up.
From the mid to late 2000s, Lil Wayne represented an unstoppable force in hip-hop music. He released an extraordinary amount of material, including many critically acclaimed mixtapes and the Grammy Award-winning "Tha Carter III" (2008). No other rapper seemed as hungry or as talented as Lil Wayne.
The Monet/Lichtenstein exhibit now at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) through Sept. 25 examines the relationship between renowned Impressionist painter Claude Monet and Pop Art icon Roy Lichtenstein. The two artists belonged to different artistic generations and never met in person, but their work scales temporal difference by creating an artistic conversation that shrinks the decades separating their careers.
Struggling for speaking points with your new roommate? Try brushing up on the best and worst of this summer's flicks for the perfect icebreaker. After all, summer is synonymous with blockbusters and gut-busters.
College life has been the subject of countless films and television shows. And while no two of these campuses are ever exactly alike, some of the movies and shows do a better job than others of accurately portraying the collegiate experience. However, students who have based their expectations on film and television will be in for some surprises. For incoming freshmen, here's a breakdown of how college life on the silver and small screens compares to life on the Hill.
Coming to a new school is overwhelming, and you might be wondering: how will I get my daily dose of culture when I have so much acclimating to do? Luckily, many of Tufts' performing arts groups will make an appearance during Orientation. Catch these talented troupes at First Night Celebration and at the O-Show.
Of all the lessons I learned while on the road as a semi-professional cup stacker, it was the importance of making good memories that mattered most. I broke a lot of hearts on the Bible Belt Cup Stacking circuit, and I had mine torn up once or twice. Our hedonistic lifestyle with no regard for UTIs or the future meant we were always doing awesome stuff. And what happened when we inevitably parted ways due to the harsh realities of our paths in life? We accepted it because no good thing lasts forever and we had enough Nutella'd and handcuffed memories to keep that fire going.
I once dated a kid who listened almost entirely to ambient music. Every time I entered his car, some variation of plinking, dinging bells over a dull whir of soft noise was emanating from his speakers, creating such an intensely boring aura that it was capable of knocking me out for days. He loved those ambient tunes more than any other kind of music I threw at him; folk could not sway him, Motown made his skin crawl and twee pop actually offended his ears. He was nothing if not devoted to the genre, and I admired that sense of dedication. I would therefore humor him some and would listen to the drowsy music until consciousness failed me.
When students first arrive at Tufts, there is a common list of locations that they can expect to see at some point during their four years. The Museum of Fine Arts, Faneuil Hall and Newbury Street are just a few of the common tourist spots that Boston boasts. But there is one experience that students are unlikely to have unless they spend their summer taking classes at Tufts or interning in the city. Beginning in May each year, the SoWa Open Market takes place on Sundays throughout the summer in South Boston and gives visitors one day each week filled with music, art, crafts and food from local Boston artists and vendors.
Summer movie season is synonymous with big stars, huge action and explosive spectacles. Hollywood saves the biggest blockbusters for these upcoming months, presenting moviegoers with a swath of sequels and superheroes, and the Daily has a rundown of some of the season's most anticipated films.
If you're fortunate enough to be footloose and fancy-free for the next month (hey, it's called "funemployment" for a reason), then there's no time like the present to celebrate being young and carefree by going on a road trip. From exhibits to concerts to art festivals, there's a goldmine of artistic experiences lined up in the good old US of A. We've concocted a route that ensures the artsiest cross-country experience — and don't worry, we've spared you the International Gourd Art Festival.
Seniors, once you move back into your parents' basements, you're going to have a lot of free time on your hands. Instead of wasting it on applying for jobs (futile) or researching grad schools (why?), do something productive and check out this handful of television shows premiering over the summer:
Ah, summer. Time to dust off those books that have been sitting on your nightstand all semester and read more than three pages before passing out at 1 a.m. Whether summer means leisurely days on the beach, long international flights to glamorous places or a lengthy commute on the T, a good book is your best friend. We took a look at many of this summer's literary releases and are here to tell you how you should be spending your time when you don't have to worry about Blackboard readings or response papers.
As the sun begins to beat down on the city of Boston, why not escape the heat (and reduce your risk of developing melanoma in the future) in a cool, dark theater? This summer, Boston theater companies are tackling everything from Shakespearian classics to bold experimental pieces that promise to entertain at least as well as your favorite beach read. So hop on the T to check out what's playing — your skin and your sense of culture will thank you.
They call it Commencement because they say it's the first day of the rest of our lives. I call that the ultimate in hokey. I'll concede that it sort of makes sense that the past two decades of non-stop schooling have been something like practice, but it's totally cheesy nonetheless.
