Arts - The Spectrum

John Mayer took his The Search for Everything World Tour to Darien Lake on Sunday. Mayer performed full band sets, acoustic sets along with his world-renowned trio.

ARTS

John Mayer gives fans everything they search for

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Aug. 29, 2017

It isn’t that far of a reach to say John Mayer is one of the greatest guitarists of our generation.

ARTS

Lil Uzi Vert, New Politics headline UB Fall Fest 2017

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Aug. 16, 2017

Trap star Lil Uzi Vert and alt-rockers New Politics will bring a musical mixture to the Student Association’s annual Fall Fest on Sept. 2.

Bishop (2016, Collection of Wendi Murdoch) is an oil and acrylic painting by Joe Bradley. Bradley's often abstract and minimalist work will be on display at the Albright-Knox this summer.

ARTS

Buffalo’s Albright-Knox opens three new exhibitions this summer

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | July 7, 2017

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery will be opening a trio of new exhibits for museum-goers over the summer. The gallery is located in nearby Delaware Park and features works from artists both near & far, with its new offerings this summer being no different.

On 4:44, Jay-Z proves he's still a force in hip-hop. Tracks like "Caught Their Eyes" and "4:44" touch on a range of topics such as infidelity and black ownership.

ARTS

Jay-Z resurrects on "4:44"

June 30, 2017

Jay-Z plots against his own life and succeeds on his latest album "4:44." The old Jay-Z is no more on the album as the rapper picks apart and evaluates the last couple of years. In 2013, a year after the birth of Blue Ivy Carter, Jay dropped the forgettable Magna Carta Holy Grail hoping to remind the youngsters he never left. The following year, neo-soul queen Solange tears into him in an elevator over a certain ‘becky’ he’s involved with.

"Spider-Man: Homecoming" is one of the must-see movies being released this summer.

ARTS

Summer movie guide

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | June 30, 2017

Summer blockbuster season is upon us, which means bunches and bunches of punches will be thrown from the silver screen as the action ramps up with the temperature.

ARTS

The Grapevine: Your weekly collection of Buffalo's sonic selections

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | June 7, 2017

Beside a few geese meandering around campus, UB can seem mostly dead in the summer. There are, however places not too far from Buffalo where music is always alive. If you’re stuck in the city the next few weeks or wish to venture outside its boundaries, make sure to check out some of these upcoming shows.

"Wonder Woman," starring Gal Gadot, was released on June 2, 2017. The film is DC's first successful entry into their cinematic universe, ditching the grim tone in favor of humor and heart.

ARTS

“Wonder Woman” brings grace and much needed heart to the DCEU

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | June 6, 2017

DC Comics needed a win. “Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Suicide Squad” did very well at the box office, but both were rightfully panned by critics and any discerning fan. “Man of Steel,” the first film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), received mixed reviews at the time of release and looks worse in retrospect for establishing the grim tone of this universe and prioritizing spectacle over any sort cohesive vision or characterization.

Thundercat, a Grammy-award winning bassist, performed at Field Trip in Toronto this past weekend. Thundercat wooed fans with charming performances like "A Fan's Mail (Tron Song Suite II)" and heavy cuts like "Them Changes" from his album Drunk.

ARTS

Thundercat, The Pharcyde and more dominate Field Trip Festival

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | June 5, 2017

A historic Canadian fort transformed into a musical arsenal this past weekend as artists performed at Field Trip Music and Arts festival. Field Trip, which took place at Toronto’s Fort York site on Saturday and Sunday, failed to disappoint the thousands in attendance. The festival turned five years old this year and blessed concertgoers with the likes of rock group Phoenix, indie band Broken Social Scene, jazz-hop group BADBADNOTGOOD (BBNG) and others.

Heath Cottengim, a junior biomedical sciences major, uses wit and education in his educational raps. Cottengim, who also has a passion for performing ragtime, has tens of thousands of views on his YouTube rap videos.

ARTS

Making science fun again: UB junior Heath Cottengim educates through rap and ragtime

By MATTHEW IAN DOYLE | May 11, 2017

Cottengim, a junior biomedical sciences major, utilizes witty raps, ragtime style piano and – most importantly – educational topics. He mesmerizes on his YouTube channel and teaches viewers with his humor, catchy beats and incredible production value.

ARTS

Seeking guidance: Academic advisers play a key role in students’ success

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | May 11, 2017

Jake Brand was failing math his sophomore year, but no one told him he should resign the class. It ended up hurting his GPA.

Yusef Burgos sits in his new clothing store The Cellar on Elmwood Avenue. The store features high-end clothing and shoes from brands like Bape, Supreme, Nike and Adidas.

ARTS

UB student opens clothing store downtown

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | May 8, 2017

Yusef Burgos got his start in the trading business by selling gum in middle school and networking with upperclassmen. He saved up enough money to start buying sneakers, which introduced him to the shoe business.

Deidree Golbourne (left) and Tavaine Whyte (right) stand outside of the Millard Fillmore Academic Center. The two question how UB represents Fillmore on campus and say more needs to be done to educate students of his history.

ARTS

Pride and shame: Millard Fillmore’s controversial legacy at UB

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | May 8, 2017

Asli Ali finds it disconcerting that she has spent a semester studying the black struggle for freedom in a building named after a man who helped persecute slaves.

The Gorillaz’ fifth studio album, Humanz, released on April 28. The song features artists including D.R.A.M., Vince Staples and Popcaan.

ARTS

Gorillaz make triumphant return with its new album

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | May 4, 2017

If the Gorillaz’ fifth studio album Humanz is the virtual band’s last, band creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett can hang their hats high. Even with a long five-year break between now and their last release “Do Ya Thing” in 2012, Albarn (the musical performer of the Gorillaz) has returned in top form.

Deshawn Henry, a senior civil engineering major, appears on a poster in Davis Hall and on UB engineering pamphlets displaying student research.

ARTS

Gray areas: UB's photo policy concerns students

By MAX KALNITZ | May 4, 2017

At UB, students don’t always know photographers have taken a photo of them since many photographers use long lenses.

UBCon spectators gathered for the Cosplay Dating Game event where people in costume attempted to woo each other while behaving like the characters they were dressed as.

ARTS

UBCon transforms SU into a battlefield

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | May 1, 2017

“When you come up those stairs, you present your colors,” barked John Turner like a grizzled marine sergeant.

Wiz Khalifa performs in Alumni Arena Friday night for this year's Spring Fest. Khalifa catered to fans old and new by playing a generous mix of his material.

ARTS

Wiz Khalifa lights up UB Spring Fest

By MAX KALNITZ AND BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Apr. 29, 2017

Wiz Khalifa, Zara Larsson and Hippie Sabotage were featured in this year’s concert failing to pack Alumni Arena Friday evening.

Models wear clothing from KOJ Designs, a line created by Keji Omoboni Jones. The designer was featured in last year's ASA fashion show and won SUNY Oswego's "Battle of the Designers" on April 7.

ARTS

UB senior emphasizes the importance of confidence in her clothing line

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Apr. 26, 2017

Keji Omoboni Jones believes everyone is royalty. Omoboni Jones, a senior sociology and business major, takes from hairstyles, prints and her Nigerian culture and transforms them into elegant, wearable pieces.

UB alumnus Rashaad Holley works on an original article of clothing. Holley recently won Best Collection at Buffalo State’s Runway 10 fashion show.

ARTS

Vingt Cinq: Buffalo-born designer stays true to his roots

By MAX KALNITZ | Apr. 26, 2017

Rashaad Holley wants the number 25 to symbolize a rebirth of black males.

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, located at 1285 Elmwood Ave, received a generous donation from French artist Marisol's estate.

ARTS

Buffalo's Albright-Knox receives historic donation

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | Apr. 26, 2017

The Albright-Knox Arts Gallery has received its largest single donation of art in its 155-year history.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter filled out a brief Q&A with a Spectrum editor. His handwritten signature below his answers have been deemed authentic by PSA/DNA.

ARTS

Spectrum Q&A with Jimmy Carter

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Apr. 26, 2017

In January, I reached out to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter via USPS. I provided the retired politician with a Q&A for The Spectrum, which he filled out and returned sometime in February.