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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Arts

A jazz ensemble, consisting of six musicians with different instruments, performs on a stage. On the background of a stage is a curtain that is lit blue and a white sign with the name “Blue Note” on it.

Review: NYU jazz ensembles take over Blue Note jazz club

Two of NYU’s jazz ensembles performed original songs and covers this past weekend at Greenwich Village’s Blue Note.
Jax Coopersmith, Contributing Writer December 7, 2023

Ensembles from NYU’s Jazz Studies program took Greenwich Village’s Blue Note by storm this weekend, with two sets packed with city residents eager to see the next generation...

A wide shot of a warehouse-like space. The walls and the floor are all gray. There are some large paintings leaning on stacks of gray stacks of boxes and white trees hanging off of the ceiling. There is a man in a black T-shirt and black pants riding a bike.

Review: ‘Anselm’ is an artistic exploration in 3D

Wim Wenders brings audiences a stimulating exploration of a maestro’s repertoire in his latest 3D film.
Amalia Rizos, Contributing Writer December 7, 2023

“Anselm,” a 3D documentary, charts the life and art of Anselm Kiefer — a German maverick whose canvases filled with paint, straw, clay, ash and shellac critique Germany’s...

A person in a black hat and shirt with white pants and shoes stands in a dark room on a platform in front of a large curved digital screen with a projection of a blue sky with white clouds and white ground.

WLab carries filmmakers into the future of the entertainment industry

Partnering with NYU Tandon @ The Yard, WLab provides students with access to virtual production technology in its motion capture studio.
Dani Biondi, Contributing Writer December 6, 2023

Filmmakers now have the opportunity to test out the industry’s newest technology at WLab, a virtual production studio, partnered with NYU Tandon @ The Yard. Founded by a group...

A corner of a room with white walls. There are three black and white paintings on fabric hung up. On the floor are small volcanic rocks.

Review: ‘Muriel Hasbun: Tracing Terruño’ examines the fragility of memory and identity amid displacement

The photography exhibition is on view at the International Center of Photography until Jan. 8.
Kaleo Zhu, Contributing Writer December 5, 2023

In her multimedia installation "Muriel Hasbun: Tracing Terruño," or "Tracing Native Land," the titular artist muses on the ideas of displacement and movement. Housed at the International...

Band members Georgia Hubley, Ira Kaplan and James McNew pose in front of a pier with a bridge over it.

Q&A: Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan on the challenge of playing 8 straight nights

An inside look at one of indie rock’s most beloved holiday traditions.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer December 5, 2023

Nearly every year since 2001, the band Yo La Tengo has lit up the menorah and taken the stage for eight nights of Hanukkah shows, with proceeds from each night going to a different...

A yellow trophy with multi-colored confetti on a purple background.

Staff Recs: la fin.

Join WSN’s Arts Desk in celebrating some of this year’s artistic triumphs.

The final stretch of the year is both cherished and chaotic with its never-ending festivities. Before you gorge yourself on Christmas cookies or get tipsy on spiked eggnog, though,...

Fake snow falls around a group of ballet dancers dressed in light blue costumes who stand on a stage that is designed to look like a forest covered in snow.

‘The Nutcracker’ is worth your time this December

With its timeless magic and intricate artistry, “The Nutcracker” is a ballet built to be a lasting holiday tradition.
Julia Diorio and Carmo Moniz December 4, 2023

Every time I hear the first few notes of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” some of the happiest memories from my childhood come to mind. Nights spent doing homework...

A person wearing a black bodysuit and face mask stretches their arm out, and a person standing next to them is holding their arm. A person sits to the left with a microphone and a music stand, reading a script that is on the stand.

Theater has a future, and it’s in Red Hook

Founded by NYU junior Booth McGowan, the Quick & Dirty Theatre Company offers artists a space to create within a close community.
Joe Paladino, Contributing Writer December 4, 2023

Balancing work as a theatrical director and full-time student is not easy. But, Gallatin junior Booth McGowan, co-founder and co-artistic director of the Quick & Dirty Theatre...

A small film crew stands in a cathedral with camera equipment, filming a woman in a long blue dress. A woman in a long blue dress. Behind the film crew, two people sit with cellos, and larger group of people are seated like an audience.

Review: ‘Maestro’ is a grand celebration of an American icon

Bradley Cooper’s sophomore directorial effort sees the star almost unrecognizable as Leonard Bernstein, exploring his tumultuous relationship.
Madeline Kane, Staff Writer December 4, 2023

Hollywood favorite Bradley Cooper stars as American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein in his sophomore directorial effort, “Maestro.” With career-best performances from...

Two art prints hang on a white wall. They are both mustard yellow with the print on the right having the word “Adios”

Review: MoMA honors Ed Ruscha’s creative play on words

Created to commemorate six decades of artistic endeavors, “ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN” showcases the artist’s portfolio and impact within the pop art sphere.
Eleanor Jacobs, Contributing Writer December 1, 2023

For Ed Ruscha, words are more than captions or simply stylized prints on canvases — they serve as the art themselves. Ruscha’s creativity spans mediums and decades alike, and...

Ennio Morricone sits with his eyes closed and his hands moving in front of his face.

MoMA features Ennio Morricone in upcoming film retrospective

Through these screenings highlighting the composer’s most popular projects, his iconic scores get the recognition they deserve.
Bianca Maiocchi, Contributing Writer December 1, 2023

From spaghetti westerns to classic Italian films, cinematic masterpieces are known not only for their stunning visuals, but also for their timeless musical scores. And, for many...

An iPhone screen displaying an image of Lana Del Rey on a purple background. Various artist and song names are in white text. The phone is being held by a hand over a brown wooden table.

How unlimited music is changing our listening habits

In honor of Spotify Wrapped, it’s worth taking a deep dive into how streaming services shape the ways we think about music.
Maisie McDermid, Contributing Writer November 30, 2023

Record Runner, a long, narrow record and CD shop in the West Village, houses decades worth of songs. Visitors flip through crates of record sleeves, from Otis Redding and Led Zeppelin...