Arts - The Spectrum

Senior Leah Berst talks about what it takes to play a leading role in a university musical.

ARTS

Leading lady: UB senior Leah Berst juggles academics and acting

By MOLLY DIETZ | Mar. 30, 2017

Leah Berst grew up watching Julie Andrews and Audrey Hepburn play the role of Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady.” Berst, a senior music theater major, is now fulfilling the same role as two of her biggest inspirations as Doolittle in UB’s spring production of “My Fair Lady.” “I’ve watched Audrey Hepburn’s performance in the ‘My Fair Lady’ movie since I was a child,” Berst said.

Personal turmoil is a recurring theme on Phil Elverum’s most recent album. A Crow Looked at Me, released March 24, is an 11-song reflection on loss, grief and raising a daughter in the wake of tragedy.

ARTS

Phil Elverum releases his best album in almost a decade

By NICK CIERI | Mar. 30, 2017

In the midst of listening to this record, I almost began to feel wrong for reviewing it. I felt as though I learned something about someone else, something that I wasn’t supposed to know.

ARTS

The Grapevine

By NICK CIERI | Mar. 21, 2017

This coming week, most students will be packing their bags to go home for a well-deserved spring break. If you find yourself still in Buffalo this week, however, you should definitely check out these hot shows.

Comedian Jordan Peele’s directorial debut is a powerful racial statement. The movie captures white supremacy during a boyfriend's visit with his girlfriend’s family.

ARTS

‘Get Out’ finds horror in post-Obama white liberalism

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Mar. 21, 2017

Film: “Get Out” Release Date: Feb. 24 Studio: Universal Pictures Grade: A Comedian Jordan Peele came into this year with the potential to cause ripples in the movie world and he accomplishes such with his socially powerful directorial debut “Get Out”.

Brian Regan performed at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino on Saturday, March 18.

ARTS

Talking funny with Brian Regan

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | Mar. 21, 2017

Brian Regan is a comedian’s comedian. You may not have heard of him, but every comedian you do know, knows Brian. He has appeared on Marc Maron’s podcast “WTF with Marc Maron” and Jerry Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” where both legends praise Regan for his stand-up skill. Chris Rock gave Regan a cameo in his 2014 film “Top Five” where he steals the scene as a zany radio engineer.

Eileen Diih, a nursing major who graduated in May 2016 still has her picture featured on the Capen elevators despite her graduation last year. She was unaware her picture was going to be used.

ARTS

Face value: UB uses students’ images without asking

By MAX KALNITZ | Mar. 16, 2017

Matt Vanderwerf is the UB Stay Longer poster boy, smiling down at UB students from the walkway connecting Clemens Hall and Lockwood Library.

Senior Eboni Hinnant is a self-published poet and author of the recently released But God: A start. In her collection, she reflects on her own spirituality and the struggles she faces in her day-to-day life.

ARTS

Spirituality in poetry: UB senior discusses recent book 'But God: A start'

By CATHERINE CAMPBELL | Mar. 13, 2017

Eboni Hinnant is your everyday student. She hangs out with friends, goes to classes and contributes her time to a local school in Buffalo. She also has self-published a book.

The Switch is the newest game system from Nintendo, released earlier this month. It combines handheld and home console gaming with a convertible controller and a portable six-inch screen which can be connected to a TV for big-screen playability.

ARTS

Nintendo switches it up: UB student gamers take on new console

By BRENTON BLANCHET | Mar. 13, 2017

The Nintendo Switch, released on March 3, lets gamers take their favorite home console games on car rides, planes, to their jobs and classes. The hybrid console features a 6.2-inch screen, which allows portability and can be docked to hook up to a television.

“Beauty and the Beast” is a remake of Disney's 1991 animated classic and will be out on March 17.

ARTS

March movie madness: Your monthly collection of cinematic selections

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | Mar. 13, 2017

Geez, oh man – those Oscars were something else. What an embarrassing blunder on Hollywood’s biggest night. There’s plenty of jokes to be made at the industry’s expense, but honestly it’s hard to muster up the snark while looking at this month’s releases.

ARTS

Dystopian movie guide

By MOLLY DIETZ | Mar. 10, 2017

From government cover-ups to genetic experiments, these films will make you question everything you thought you knew.

In an age dominated by online streaming vinyl has surged back into the hands of young music listeners.

ARTS

Record resurgence: Vinyl record collecting, its comeback and its appeal to UB students

By BRENTON BLANCHET | Mar. 10, 2017

We live in a digital world where consumers watch movies instantaneously with Netflix, readers fight paper cuts with E-books and listeners discover new tracks just by exploring Spotify. The vinyl record has reemerged during this time of streaming and easily accessible media into the lives and dorm rooms of college students.

Dirty Projectors has come back from the brink of breaking up to release its most recent, self titled album.

ARTS

Dirty Projectors Return with a Fresh R&B Sound

By NICK CIERI | Mar. 10, 2017

Album: Dirty Projectors Artist: Dirty Projectors Label: Domino Records Released: 2/21/17 Grade: B- As far as musical tropes are concerned, the breakup album is not unique.

Ed Sheeran’s most recent album Divide dropped Friday March 3 after its single “Shape of You” attracted a lot of attention. Divide now holds the title for highest number of first-day streams for an album with 56,727,861 streams.

ARTS

Ed Sheeran’s greatest attributes come together for new album

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Mar. 5, 2017

Ed Sheeran’s musical hiatus felt like centuries long to fans. The English singer and songwriter released a record in 2013, toured, then took some time off of social media. His time off certainly payed off.

Latin American Student Association (LASA) celebrate on stage after winning this year's International Fiesta. LASA's performance portrayed the troubles of immigration policies through zouk, Reggaeton and Rueda.

ARTS

Latin American SA crowned winners at UB's International Fiesta

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Mar. 5, 2017

This year’s International Fiesta competition brought in more than 250 performers participating in eleven different pieces in the Center for the Arts.

Trevor Noah headlined the Student Association’s annual Comedy Series in Alumni Arena Saturday night.

ARTS

Trevor Noah nails politically infused UB Comedy Series performance

By MAX KALNITZ | Mar. 5, 2017

Noah headlined the Student Association’s annual Comedy Series in Alumni Arena Saturday night, enticing fans with colorful stories of his journey from South Africa to the U.S., as well as his opinions on current events and politics.

International students have no borders when it comes to their taste in entertainment. Around the globe - students share their favorite flicks, shows and tracks from America.

ARTS

Global entertainment: International UB students discuss their favorite songs and movies

By ARTS DESK | Mar. 1, 2017

There are no borders when it comes to enjoying a good movie or song. Whether abroad or at UB, international students are buzzing about which works in the media they treasure the most.

Poha, a traditional breakfast rice dish, is common in Indian households.

ARTS

Easy international recipes anyone can make

By MOLLY DIETZ | Mar. 1, 2017

If local ethnic food options seem too corporate or expensive, consider making your own. You can expand your culinary horizons without putting a dent in your bank account. UB’s diverse student population help celebrate The Spectrum’sInternational Issue by sharing some of their favorite easy recipes.

ARTS

Dancers dynamic: UB's Zodiaque Dance Company rehearses for 43rd spring season

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Feb. 27, 2017

The Zodiaque Dance Company, presented by the Theatre and Dance Department, has been a tradition at UB where students artfully exhibit various forms of dance. The company premiers their spring season on Wednesday in the Drama Theatre but rehearsals began a week before classes started this semester.

Models pose on the runway during BSU's annual Black Explosion fashion show. The models are wearing Raishawn Washington's designs from his Fruition collection.

ARTS

BSU’s Black Explosion fashion show explores the future

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Feb. 26, 2017

The Black Student Union brought afro-futurism to the runway Saturday night. BSU presented Futura Ultra – the club’s annual Black Explosion fashion and culture show – at the Conference & Event Center in Niagara Falls.

ARTS

UB student-DJ hits over 1 million plays on Spotify

By MAX KALNITZ | Feb. 24, 2017

Femi Popoola, a junior pharmacy major who goes by the name Frank Pierce, wants his music to sound original and not just another nightclub hit. He has been making music since he was a child and has over 1 million plays on Spotify. He started off making remixes of popular songs on SoundCloud, but strayed away to focus on making his own sounds.