Fitz and the Tantrums and Capital Cities drew large crowds to the House of Blues on Monday night. Throughout the concert, the bands exhibited two stage presences as different as their songs.
Religion is the neglected and deluded stepchild of logic and reason, character Scott Zoellner, a news director, explains in a critical scene in Stephen Belbers The Power of Duff. A local production of the play directed by Peter DuBois for Bostons Huntington Theatre Company deftly explores the role of religion and spirituality in ostensibly secular America.
Ever since the first season of American Horror Story debuted in 2011, creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk have offered audiences an amalgam of disturbing introductions, music, characters and storylines all of which occur in equally alarming settings. American Horror Story: Coven the FX shows third installment is no exception.
An innovative and unique exhibition by artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons is currently on display at the Tufts University Art Gallery.
About 16.1 million people tuned in on Oct. 13 to see the fourth season premiere of The Walking Dead and its easy to see why. The shows successful combination of genres has made it incredibly popular, despite setbacks in storytelling during the second and third seasons.
Every now and then, a musician emerges who has the ability to create a fusion of diverse sounds with a fresh and original twist. Such is the case with producer turned solo-artist Kwes in his debut album ilp.
Every so often there is a film that critics rush to proclaim as not only an outstanding piece of work but a landmark in cinema. The buzz has been deafening for director Steve McQueens 12 Years a Slave since its screening at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in September. Having drawn numerous comparisons to Schindlers List (1993) and already being hailed as a lock for Best Picture nominee and even winner, the central question remains: does it live up to the hype?
Amid the flashy dramas and much-hyped comedies that premiered this fall, a quieter, more adult show also debuted on the small screen and though it hasnt received the same attention as other notable series like Scandal (2012-present) have, it is still very much worth watching.
In todays world of music, its getting harder and harder to be different. Whether its the uninspired layered loops of Top 40 pop or the formulaic acoustic guitar riffs of indie rock, each new song feels like a regurgitation of its predecessors albeit with a slight, nearly imperceptible twist. Now, emerging artists are faced with a twofold challenge: to deliver a praise-worthy, quality sound that also stands out amongst a crowd of clones. Novice indie-pop band Lucius has managed to achieve both.
When the remake to Brian de Palmas 1976 classic film Carrie was first announced, a slew of collective groans arose not just from critics, but also from fans of the original and of the horror genre. This second version of Carrie seemed destined to fit right in among the constant hammering of awful big-budget Hollywood remakes of classic horror movies, like the new spin on Prom Night (2008), the modern take on Halloween (2007) and a particularly poorly received The Fog (2005). However, the orginal skepticism surrounding the film began to wane as more details emerged like the fact that Kimberly Peirce, the director of the 1999 indie classic Boys Dont Cry, would be at the helm of the project. Audiences and critics felt optimistic upon learning that Chlo? Grace Moretz of Kick-Ass (2010) and Let Me In (2010) fame would star as the eponymous Carrie, with Oscar nominee Julianne Moore taking on the role of Carries fanatically religious mother.
Children all over America will have their photos taken on Oct. 31, trapped in stuffy pumpkin outfits while adults attend parties posing as pirates or witches for Halloween. While most of these costumes will be boxed away on the morning of Nov. 1 - not to be seen again for another 12 months - for Tufts cosplayers, dressing up is much more than an annual holiday tradition.For those who may not be familiar with cosplay - a term derived from the union of "costume" and "play" that originated in Japan - Tufts Anime Brigade Chief Officer Katherine Labella explains that people who cosplay (also called cosplayers), "dress up as a particular character from anime, television, books or other areas [of fictional popular culture]." For many cosplayers, the coming weeks will likely be an exciting and busy time.Halloween festivities and other fast-approaching events, including the Rhode Island Comic Con convention set to take place the first weekend of November, present Tufts cosplayers with much-anticipated opportunities to premiere new cosplays (the common term for a cosplayer's outfit, or costume) or revive old favorites. Halloween events, in particular, provide a fun way for cosplayers to test-drive new ideas, props or partially completed cosplays before introducing them in the more formal setting of a convention, where they may be subject to regulations and the high expectations of other convention attendees.However, while Halloween may be an eventful time for cosplayers, it is important to understand the difference between a cosplayer's finalized product and a typical Halloween costume. Labella, a senior, notes that specificity is a defining characteristic - or perhaps the most important element - of cosplay. Specificity of character is emphasized, and often - though not always - a single individual is selected instead of a general category. It's the difference between making a costume for Daisy Buchanan of "The Great Gatsby" versus a vague flapper-type figure.Once a character is selected, the cosplayer will work diligently to reproduce that character's iconic look as precisely as possible. Junior Leonna Hill exemplifies this exactness. Hill is in the process of creating a cosplay of Mikasa Ackerman from the manga series "Attack on Titan," which requires Mikasa's mahogany colored scarf. For Hill, neither dark red nor plain brown will do."I'm a detail-oriented person, and if I'm going to do a cosplay, I want to do it right," she said.Cosplayers also frequently seek to incorporate the personality and traits of the character into the cosplay, combining appearance with behavior to achieve something akin to role-play. Intense attention to detail and a high regard for character set cosplay apart from average Halloween apparel. In addition, of course, cosplay events are not simply restricted to Halloween weekend but occur year-round.Cosplayers often invest a great deal in the creation of a cosplay. Labella admits that "cosplay is an expensive hobby." Though "closet cosplay" - when cosplayers construct an outfit entirely from items they already own, such as the contents of their wardrobes - is popular, it is not surprising that larger projects requiring everything from an elaborate helmet to a set of fairy's wings may quickly dry up college budgets.An experienced cosplayer, Labella stresses that time management is also critical to produce a quality cosplay. The creative aspects of cosplay can consist of time-consuming processes. From the general design stage to more tedious tasks, such as learning to style and maintain a wig, cosplay requires both planning and effort. Luckily, cosplayers are generous about sharing the methods of their magic, and online message boards and manuals can often assist with even the most complicated challenges.Nevertheless, a complicated cosplay may take anywhere from months to years to construct - a sustained time commitment which can be challenging for teens and young adults, groups which have traditionally formed the core of the cosplay community. As Hill points out, young people's continuing enthusiasm for cosplay, in spite of its challenges, is telling of the dedication that so many cosplayers possess.Unfortunately, there are a few individuals in the greater cosplay community who go too far in their quest for accuracy."There's a lot of flack in the anime community," Hill said. "People [getting] offended if you're not racially in line with the character's race is the biggest thing, and after that, [it's] body type."Because many popular cosplays come from anime, which tends to feature white or light-skinned characters, people of color are left with few options for portraying characters with similar skin tones. As a result, they are forced to either confine themselves to a relatively small range of characters or potentially face criticism for having the "wrong look" for the role.As a black woman, Hill had hesitated to do cosplay in the past for this reason. However, according to Hill, the Tufts cosplay community is very open and accepting, and with the support of other Tufts Anime Brigade members, she has recently begun work on her first two cosplays. The fact that she plans to premiere Mikasa as part of a group cosplay, in which another participant will also cosplay a character of a different race, has given her confidence."If I didn't have these people to help me?I wouldn't be doing it," she said.Despite occasional biting criticism, other marginalized groups are finding ways to break into the greater cosplay community by adapting their cosplays to fit individual, cultural and physical needs. Though women who wear hijabs have been (and, in some cases, still are) criticized for not accurately portraying the hairstyles of their chosen characters, many others appreciate creative attempts to incorporate the head scarf into the cosplay itself. While cosplaying Hatsune Miku, an anime character with long, bright blue hair, a Muslim girl named Deanty M. Muchtiarsyah wore a teal head scarf that perfectly matched the color of Miku's long locks. Her example, along with others on websites like the Tumblr blog, "The Hijab Closet," provides inspiration for those who want to cosplay with the hijab.12
For bands who have had long and successful careers, there comes a point when any new albums will inevitably be compared to their earlier works. This leaves these groups with a choice - should they continue to mine the same exact sounds that made them so successful in the first place, or should they try to evolve into new territory? Thankfully, on "Lightning Bolt" - their most recent release - Pearl Jam forgoes the former option and instead leans, albeit slightly, toward the latter. While it may not be wildly experimental or a huge change from their trademark style, their 10th studio album finds Pearl Jam comfortably easing into a role - like influences Neil Young, The Who and Bruce Springsteen - as elder statesmen of rock.
For bands who have had long and successful careers, there comes a point when any new albums will inevitably be compared to their earlier works. This leaves these groups with a choice should they continue to mine the same exact sounds that made them so successful in the first place, or should they try to evolve into new territory? Thankfully, on Lightning Bolt their most recent release Pearl Jam forgoes the former option and instead leans, albeit slightly, toward the latter. While it may not be wildly experimental or a huge change from their trademark style, their 10th studio album finds Pearl Jam comfortably easing into a role like influences Neil Young, The Who and Bruce Springsteen as elder statesmen of rock.
Scandal is one of the hottest shows this season, and with heart-stopping plot twists and gritty, compelling characters; its no wonder why the series avid fans are hooked.
When sophomore Brian Aronow started playing saxophone in third grade, he had no idea that it was going to become a lifelong passion. Today, Brian is a dual degree student studying cognitive and brain science at Tufts and jazz at the New England Conservatory of Music , and his band Bad and Blue has a gained a significant following on campus.
Children all over America will have their photos taken on Oct. 31, trapped in stuffy pumpkin outfits while adults attend parties posing as pirates or witches for Halloween. While most of these costumes will be boxed away on the morning of Nov. 1 not to be seen again for another 12 months for Tufts cosplayers, dressing up is much more than an annual holiday tradition.For those who may not be familiar with cosplay a term derived from the union of costume and play that originated in Japan Tufts Anime Brigade Chief Officer Katherine Labella explains that people who cosplay (also called cosplayers), dress up as a particular character from anime, television, books or other areas [of fictional popular culture]. For many cosplayers, the coming weeks will likely be an exciting and busy time.Halloween festivities and other fast-approaching events, including the Rhode Island Comic Con convention set to take place the first weekend of November, present Tufts cosplayers with much-anticipated opportunities to premiere new cosplays (the common term for a cosplayers outfit, or costume) or revive old favorites. Halloween events, in particular, provide a fun way for cosplayers to test-drive new ideas, props or partially completed cosplays before introducing them in the more formal setting of a convention, where they may be subject to regulations and the high expectations of other convention attendees.However, while Halloween may be an eventful time for cosplayers, it is important to understand the difference between a cosplayers finalized product and a typical Halloween costume. Labella, a senior, notes that specificity is a defining characteristic or perhaps the most important element of cosplay. Specificity of character is emphasized, and often though not always a single individual is selected instead of a general category. Its the difference between making a costume for Daisy Buchanan of The Great Gatsby versus a vague flapper-type figure.Once a character is selected, the cosplayer will work diligently to reproduce that characters iconic look as precisely as possible. Junior Leonna Hill exemplifies this exactness. Hill is in the process of creating a cosplay of Mikasa Ackerman from the manga series Attack on Titan, which requires Mikasas mahogany colored scarf. For Hill, neither dark red nor plain brown will do.Im a detail-oriented person, and if Im going to do a cosplay, I want to do it right, she said.Cosplayers also frequently seek to incorporate the personality and traits of the character into the cosplay, combining appearance with behavior to achieve something akin to role-play. Intense attention to detail and a high regard for character set cosplay apart from average Halloween apparel. In addition, of course, cosplay events are not simply restricted to Halloween weekend but occur year-round.Cosplayers often invest a great deal in the creation of a cosplay. Labella admits that cosplay is an expensive hobby. Though closet cosplay when cosplayers construct an outfit entirely from items they already own, such as the contents of their wardrobes is popular, it is not surprising that larger projects requiring everything from an elaborate helmet to a set of fairys wings may quickly dry up college budgets.An experienced cosplayer, Labella stresses that time management is also critical to produce a quality cosplay. The creative aspects of cosplay can consist of time-consuming processes. From the general design stage to more tedious tasks, such as learning to style and maintain a wig, cosplay requires both planning and effort. Luckily, cosplayers are generous about sharing the methods of their magic, and online message boards and manuals can often assist with even the most complicated challenges.Nevertheless, a complicated cosplay may take anywhere from months to years to construct a sustained time commitment which can be challenging for teens and young adults, groups which have traditionally formed the core of the cosplay community. As Hill points out, young peoples continuing enthusiasm for cosplay, in spite of its challenges, is telling of the dedication that so many cosplayers possess.Unfortunately, there are a few individuals in the greater cosplay community who go too far in their quest for accuracy.Theres a lot of flack in the anime community, Hill said. People [getting] offended if youre not racially in line with the characters race is the biggest thing, and after that, [its] body type.Because many popular cosplays come from anime, which tends to feature white or light-skinned characters, people of color are left with few options for portraying characters with similar skin tones. As a result, they are forced to either confine themselves to a relatively small range of characters or potentially face criticism for having the wrong look for the role.As a black woman, Hill had hesitated to do cosplay in the past for this reason. However, according to Hill, the Tufts cosplay community is very open and accepting, and with the support of other Tufts Anime Brigade members, she has recently begun work on her first two cosplays. The fact that she plans to premiere Mikasa as part of a group cosplay, in which another participant will also cosplay a character of a different race, has given her confidence.If I didnt have these people to help me?I wouldnt be doing it, she said.Despite occasional biting criticism, other marginalized groups are finding ways to break into the greater cosplay community by adapting their cosplays to fit individual, cultural and physical needs. Though women who wear hijabs have been (and, in some cases, still are) criticized for not accurately portraying the hairstyles of their chosen characters, many others appreciate creative attempts to incorporate the head scarf into the cosplay itself. While cosplaying Hatsune Miku, an anime character with long, bright blue hair, a Muslim girl named Deanty M. Muchtiarsyah wore a teal head scarf that perfectly matched the color of Mikus long locks. Her example, along with others on websites like the Tumblr blog, The Hijab Closet, provides inspiration for those who want to cosplay with the hijab.12
The Paradise Rock Club hosted some of hip-hops finest lyricists this past Friday, delighting the crowd with music from The Underachievers, Ab-Soul and Joey Bada$$ and his Pro Era crew. Situated close to the Boston University campus, Paradise Rock Club was packed with countless college students and provided a lively atmosphere for both dedicated fans and casual listeners.
The dreadful summer hiatus without Supernatural is finally over. With I Think Im Gonna Like It Here, one of the shows best season openers to date, the ninth season has immediately established itself as a must-watch. Though each of the characters central conflicts is recognized, the episode still leaves room for unexpected twists and great action. From its gorgeous new title card to excellent performances from the main cast and guest stars alike, Supernatural is definitely going to be one of this years best shows.
Two new versions of Romeo and Juliet debuted this fall one on the Broadway stage and the other on the big screen. The theater edition attempts to insert some superficial novelty by casting the star-crossed lovers as an interracial couple (played by Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad). The film interpretation, on the other hand, is almost entirely lacking in originality.
The Paradise Rock Club hosted some of hip-hop's finest lyricists this past Friday, delighting the crowd with music from The Underachievers, Ab-Soul and Joey Bada$$ and his Pro Era crew. Situated close to the Boston University campus, Paradise Rock Club was packed with countless college students and provided a lively atmosphere for both dedicated fans and casual listeners.
