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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

Ali Zimmerman

Ali Zimmerman, Deputy Arts Editor

Ali Zimmerman is the Deputy Arts Editor for Washington Square News and a sophomore in Liberal Studies. She is from New Jersey but swears it’s not as bad as you think. In her free time she enjoys watching cartoons and making obscure “Portlanida” references, and she can probably be found people watching and pretending to do homework in her latest favorite park. Ali loves listening to music and talking about music, and will happily fangirl over Lorde with you at any time.

All content by Ali Zimmerman
Illustration by Charlie Dodge.

A Far-Flung Goodbye for NYU Shanghai Class of 2020

NYU Shanghai was the first NYU campus to delay classes and eventually shut down as part of the effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. For a graduating class that was never allowed on campus for their final semester, this meant an unsatisfying and uncertain conclusion to university life.
Ali Zimmerman, Staff Writer May 7, 2020

Clarisse Pinel was in Shanghai for just 48 hours when she got the news that NYU Shanghai was to delay its opening, and immediately packed her bags to head to New York. Kennedy...

As commuter students, Sarah Elfarra (left) and Melanie Mohsen (right), spend their time between classes on the fourth floor of G-CASL to be close to the mosque prayer space. (Photo by Ali Zimmerman)

Making Space for Religion at Secular NYU

At a secular institution like NYU, being a devout student of faith can be an isolating experience, but within religious centers, tight-knit student networks offer support and friendship.
Ali Zimmerman, Staff Writer February 3, 2020

The end of spring marks Melanie Mohsen’s favorite time of year. Beginning on April 23rd, she along with millions of other Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan. During this...

Noams and Trafton at Pride Fest in 2019. They performed a remix of Trafton’s song Hyperreal. (Photo Courtesy of Alena Spalenska)

EDM, Beyond the Festival

Electronic Dance Music has exploded around the world into a genre that is prolific, diverse and welcoming. But confined by the physical restraints of New York City, NYU EDM enthusiasts and artists have had to rethink some of its traditions.
Ali Zimmerman, Contributing Writer October 6, 2019

If you attend a DJ Kali rave, you can expect to arrive at an unassuming warehouse somewhere in Brooklyn. Enter, and you’ll find yourself thrown into a crowd of 300 college...

Will Ferrell as Buddy in "Elf," a classic Christmas film that promises to deliver laughs and holiday spirit year after year. (via facebook.com)

Staff Recs: Best Holiday Films

As November comes to an end and we recover from the pounds of turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce consumed at Thanksgiving, the holiday season begins to close in. Whether...

Poster for the third annual Chanukahstravaganza: 'Twas the Night Before Chanukah.' The event will take place at Union Hall this Saturday. (via unionhallny.com)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events this Weekend: Nov. 30 to Dec. 2

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Ali Zimmerman and Alex Cullina November 29, 2018

Temperatures are dropping and the New York City streets are getting less welcoming by the minute, but that doesn’t mean you should let the weekend pass you by. Whether you take...

The poster for Tisch Festival of the Voices. (Courtesy of NYU Tisch Institute of Performing Arts)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events this Weekend: Nov. 16 to Nov. 18

How to experience arts if you're pinching pennies.
Ali Zimmerman and Alex Cullina November 15, 2018
How to experience arts if you're pinching pennies.
Still from the Campdogzz concert.

Chicago Rock Soul Band Campdogzz Find Unlikely Companions in Punk

On tour with fellow Chicago bands Cursive and Meat Wave, Campdogzz played at Irving Plaza on Wednesday night. WSN spoke with lead singer and guitarist Jess Price about touring, recording and working with record label 15 Passenger.
Ali Zimmerman, Deputy Arts Editor November 13, 2018
On tour with fellow Chicago band Meat Wave and Nebraska native band Cursive, Campdogzz played at Irving Plaza on Wednesday night. WSN spoke with lead singer and guitarist Jess Price about touring, recording and working with record label 15 Passenger.
From left to right, clockwise: “Lush” by Snail Mail, “Sounds of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel, “Magic Potion” by The Black Keys and “Collection” by Soccer Mommy. (via spotify.com)

Staff Recs: Best Albums for Fall

“Lush” by Snail Mail Ryan Mikel, Arts Editor I am not going to lie: I fell in love with the album “Lush” when I discovered Snail Mail early last spring. I was lucky...

Dennis Hopper in "Blue Velvet." (via twitter.com)

Staff Recs: Best Villains

Get your watch queue ready for the baddest villains of them all.
Get your watch queue ready for the baddest villains of them all.
A photo of "Canstruction" at Brookfield Place in 2014. (via artsbrookfield.com)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: Nov. 2 to Nov. 4

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Ali Zimmerman and Alex Cullina October 31, 2018
Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez

Unpopular Opinions: Albums

Think you have a hot take on an underrated or overrated record? See how it holds up against WSN's picks in Unpopular Opinions: Albums edition.
Masked serial killer Michael Meyers in "Halloween." (via facebook.com)

Staff Recs: Scariest Horror Movies

Halloween is creeping up, so here are our picks for Scariest Horror Movies to terrify you on a dark, lonely night.
Poster of NYU Skirball's 2-week "PrepSchool: On Your Marx" festival celebrating Karl Marx's 200th birthday. (via facebook.com)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events this Weekend

Ali Zimmerman, Deputy Arts Editor October 18, 2018

Midterm season is in full swing which  means I’ll probably be spending most of my weekend hours in some corner of Bobst Library. But everyone deserves a break, and a movie,...

Unpopular Opinions: 20th Century Authors

Unpopular Opinions: 20th Century Authors

The 20th century birthed a plethora of renowned authors, some overrated and some underrated. This week, the Arts Desk tackles Unpopular Opinions: 20th Century Authors.
Greta Gerwig and Sam Levy on the set of "Lady Bird." (Courtesy of A24)

Staff Recs: Best Actors-Turned-Directors

With Bradley Cooper being the latest actor to try his hand at directing, here are our top picks for best actors turned directors.
Jesediah

Jesediah

Parable of the Prolific Son
Ali Zimmerman, Deputy Arts Editor October 11, 2018

Jesse Sgambati was drunk or stoned or both when his musical alter ego, Jesediah, was born. In his first year at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, Sgambati was...

Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly in "Chicago."

Staff Recs: Hollywood Movie Musicals

Celebrate the premiere of "A Star Is Born" with our personal picks for the best movie musicals.
PLACEHOLDERLORUMIPSUM

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: Oct. 5 to Oct. 8

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Ali Zimmerman, Deputy Arts Editor October 3, 2018
Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Unpopular Opinions: Film & TV Protagonists

Unpopular Opinions: Film & TV Protagonists

Main characters we love to hate.

When it comes to central characters in film and TV, viewers can quickly develop deep, unshakable convictions. Everyone hates Joffrey. Everyone loves Daenerys. But what if you think...

Members of boy group *NSYNC.

Staff Recs: Best Early 2000s Jams

Unabashedly indulge your bedazzled former self and rock out to these early 2000s hits.
In the Museum of Broken Windows, a man looks at a painting made from seven years of the artist’s criminal justice paperwork.

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Events This Weekend: Sept. 27 – 30

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Ali Zimmerman, Deputy Arts Editor September 26, 2018
Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Unpopular Opinions: Cinematic Classics

Unpopular Opinions: Cinematic Classics

Don't be shy about hating some of these classic films.
 Kali Uchis and Tyler, The Creator in the "Perfect" music video.

Staff Recs: Best Songs To Fall In Love To

Fall is the season when everyone wants to find in love — here are the best songs to indulge your inner romantic.
Fall is the season when everyone wants to find in love — here are the best songs to indulge your inner romantic.
Rough Trade NYC in Brooklyn. LA rockers The Buttertones  will be playing at Rough Trade NYC this Saturday night.

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Ali Zimmerman, Deputy Arts Editor September 19, 2018
Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
 Mia Goth and Dakota Johnson in a scene from "Suspiria."

Staff Recs: Our Most Anticipated Films of Fall 2018

Many of this fall's film releases are highly anticipated, but these are the ones we're looking forward to the most.
This fall's film releases are highly anticipated, but these are the ones we're looking forward to the most.
Your Hometown Needs Your Vote

Your Hometown Needs Your Vote

Ali Zimmerman, Deputy Opinion Editor April 23, 2018
Make your vote count and register to vote in your home state before the upcoming midterm elections in November.
What Cambridge Analytica Means for Elections and Your Facebook Page

What Cambridge Analytica Means for Elections and Your Facebook Page

Ali Zimmerman, Deputy Opinions Editor March 29, 2018
Don't be quick to #DeleteFacebook
Don’t Reward Sexual Violence

Don’t Reward Sexual Violence

Ali Zimmerman, Deputy Opinion Editor March 26, 2018
Everyone who commits sexual violence should be punished for their actions.