JULIANNA TRACEY - The Spectrum

Photo: Graphic by Matt Koons

ARTS

Is ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ a Halloween or Christmas movie?

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Oct. 30, 2019

Halloween is a time for traditions –– trick or treating, costume parties and most importantly, the decades-old argument if “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a Halloween or Christmas movie. Since its 1993 release, the holiday-bending movie has sparked the question of which holiday the movie truly belongs to.

Photo: The Spectrum

ARTS

Zodiaque prepares for ‘versatile’ fall performances

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Oct. 16, 2019

Versatility matters. Zodiaque Dance Company’s artistic director Kerry Ring know this. And she wants her students to know, too. Zodiaque, the long-running and highly praised on-campus dance company made up of 25 dance majors, is hosting its fall performance on the Center for the Arts Drama Stage from Thursday to Sunday. The company is known for its stylistic versatility and Ring wants the phrase “versatility matters” to be the main focus in every Zodiaque performance, every year.

The town square of the 1998 film, Halloweentown.

Photo: Courtesy of Flickr user Niccischu79

ARTS

'Halloweentown' hits

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Oct. 13, 2019

As spooky season descends upon us, more people have been getting in the mood for Halloween movies, with one of the most popular franchises being Disney’s “Halloweentown.” “Halloweentown” has defined many of our childhoods. But with several sequels, it is time to answer the age-old question: Which is the best “Halloweentown” movie?

Photo: The Spectrum

ARTS

Young the Giant brings high energy to indie rock Fall Fest

By JULIANNA TRACEY and REILLY MULLEN | Oct. 13, 2019

Fall Fest was Verzache’s first time performing for a live crowd. Ever. And although Young the Giant has performed at UB before, Saturday was the first time students bowed at the lead singer’s feet. The night of firsts wasn’t shaky, however, as fans and newcomers alike put on a stellar indie-themed Student Association Fall Fest at the Center for the Arts.

Albright-Knox is one of the many art galleries students can enjoy in the Buffalo area.

Photo: The Spectrum

ARTS

Art around town

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Oct. 6, 2019

Buffalo is home to some of the greatest outdoor fall activities. But you’re not really a Buffalonian if you can’t enjoy the great indoors, too. For those of us who enjoy a nice thermostat and even nicer art pieces, Buffalo offers plenty of art galleries to weather through the rainy –– and soon to be snowy –– days.

Rapper and songwriter Dom Brown opens for Nelly during his Aug. 10 performance at Canalside.

Photo: Courtesy of Chassity Monice

ARTS

Relatable raps: Rapper and former UB student Dom Brown talks about his music and family

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Sep. 29, 2019

Dom Brown was nervous the week leading up to his Canalside performance. The rapper was preparing to perform in front of 8-10,000 people at his biggest concert yet.

Photo: "Post Malone" by thecomeupshow is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

ARTS

The grapevine

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Sep. 29, 2019

The transition to fall means a lot of things for students in Buffalo. The weather is getting colder, classes are getting harder and students are getting understandably stressed. But the cooler weather doesn’t mean the Buffalo music scene is cooling down any time soon.

The UB Gospel Choir rehearses the song Perfect Praise by Walt Whitman.

Photo: The Spectrum

ARTS

Soulful sounds

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Sep. 22, 2019

Temara Cross, the vice president of UB Gospel Choir, says she believes gospel music is not exclusive to a specific race. And she doesn’t think it’s exclusive to a set of skills or someone’s faith, either.

From “Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat” to Zodiaque Dance Company, The Spectrum compiled a list of on-campus performances that students shouldn’t miss.

Photo: Courtesy of Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

ARTS

UB’s fall performance radar

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Sep. 22, 2019

At the beginning of the semester, it’s hard to know all of the entertainment opportunities the Buffalo area can offer. And for some students, it can be difficult to make it downtown to enjoy a play or musical performance. But excellent performances may be closer than students think.

Emily Quartley poses with her life-sized drawing.

Photo: Courtesy of Hoang Nguyen

ARTS

Paying for portraits

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Sep. 18, 2019

Marysia Paradis began making art as soon as she could hold a pencil. Her mother encouraged her to draw and paint and she soon found that she especially had a skill and love for drawing animals.