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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

Sasha Cohen

Sasha Cohen, Arts Editor

Sasha Cohen is a junior studying Producing and Promotion for the Arts with a minor in Business of Entertainment, Media and Technology. She is from Chicago, but please do not ask her to choose between New York- and Chicago-style pizza. When Sasha is not working, she is often belting Broadway tunes, searching for the best pastries or checking out NYC parks. For more about Sasha, follow @_sasha.cohen_ on Instagram.

All content by Sasha Cohen
The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Weekly Radio Roundup: Sept. 7 – Sept. 14

Read about our favorite singles that were released this week.
Isabella Armus, Ana Cubas, Lexi Wolf and Claire Jones September 14, 2020

Welcome to a new semester of our Weekly Radio Roundups. A lot has changed since last May but thankfully, we had some great new music releases to get us through the summer. This...

Claire Denis’ re-write of a classic Herman Melville novel comes to life in ‘Beau Travail’ - a film about a South African troop stationed in Djibouti. The LGBT Drama showcases the love and jealousy between men in the group and how far they will go for the one they love. (Image Courtesy of Nico Chapin)

‘Beau Travail’s’ Restoration Re-animates the Beauty of Denis’s Cinematic Gem

Janus Films’ restoration of Claire Denis’s “Beau Travail” relivens the film for a new generation. Agnès Godard’s cinematography has never looked better and Denis’s style remains as remarkable as it did at the brink of the millennium.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Film Editor September 9, 2020

Sunbaked bodies bustle under the African Sun in Claire Denis’s loose re-telling of Herman Melville’s “Billy Budd.” Under Officer Galoup’s (Denis Lavant) eyes, the aptly...

Bill and Ted seek to return peace and good vibes to the future with the help of their daughters. This film marks the third collaboration between Alex Winter, Keanu Reeves, Chris Matheson, and Ed Solomon. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

‘Bill & Ted Face the Music,’ A Most Excellent Exercise in Pure Entertainment

20 years after their venture to Heaven and Hell, Bill and Ted prove they’ve still got it as they showcase an immense bout of cheesy charisma.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Film Editor September 2, 2020

“Bill & Ted Face the Music” might be the only film in history that can boast about the fact that it contains a duet between Jimi Hendrix (DazMann Still) and Wolfgang Amadeus...

Pop icon Katy Perry released her sixth studio album last week. “Smile” is a lyrical and stylistic return to the classic sound that shot her to stardom ten years ago. (Staff Illustration by Li-Chun Pan)

Katy Perry Clings To Her Past in ‘Smile’

The “Teenage Dream” artist knows how to craft a perfectly encouraging pop hit, even if it’s getting old.
Ana Cubas, Music Editor August 31, 2020

Being America’s “Teenage Dream” is hard. Katy Perry’s sixth studio album, “Smile,” is proof that it is difficult to continue to thrive in the music world when popular...

Ewurakua and Ewuradjoa Dawson-Amoah launched Melacast network, an organization aimed at bringing POC creators together eight weeks ago. The founders sought to create a space where under-represented voices are magnified and have the ability to diversity the film industry. (Image courtesy of The Melacast Network)

The Melacast Network: A Casting and Collaboration Platform for POC by POC

Melacast — recently created by NYU alumna Ewurakua Dawson-Amoah, Tisch sophomore Adrian Sobrado and Ewuradjoa Dawson-Amoah, a graduate from Rutgers University who currently works for a Fortune 500 company — aims to act as a casting and collaboration platform for creatives of color from all walks of life.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Film Editor August 30, 2020

It was celebrated Senagalese filmmaker Djibril Diop Mambéty who stated, “I am interested in marginalized people because they do more for the evolution of a community than the...

A mixed-media piece by WSN Creative Director Charlie Dodge captured in her dorm room. The concept of art and what it means to be an artist has shifted during the course of 2020. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge, Staff Photo by Leo Sheingate)

What It Means to Be an Artist in Our New World

Artists all over the world take on a new project: reinventing what it means to be a creative during a pandemic.
Sasha Cohen, Arts Editor August 30, 2020

What does it mean to be an artist? To some, an artist has to paint a picture, sing a song or bust a move. To others, an artist has to have their name shouted by thousands of adoring...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Weekly Radio Roundup: Final Edition of the Semester

The most exciting tunes as you get ready to let loose in the summertime.

The end is near and the statement isn’t necessarily foreboding. The end suggests the completion of finals and the freedom to wander the streets freely for the first time in months....

Artist Beth Million’s cover art is a familiar look to many people these days. Million’s new song drops on Friday. (Photo courtesy of Beth Million)

Tisch Senior Beth Million Is a Beacon of Light for Foggy Times

Beth Million spoke to WSN in anticipation of her new single “Rewind” that comes out on Friday, May 1.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor April 29, 2020

The artwork for Beth Million’s latest single is all too familiar. Messy sheets, a plethora of pillows and a dressed-up body tied to the bed. It’s a portrait of everyday life...

Other Music, a record shop that used to stand on the corner of East 4th Street and Lafayette, closed its doors in 2016. Tisch alumnus Rob Hatch-Miller and co-director Puloma Basu pay tribute in a newly released documentary. (Photo by Lukas Sheehan)

Other Music, Other Times

Tisch Alumnus Rob Hatch-Miller and co-director Puloma Basu remember Other Music and the community it fostered.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor April 26, 2020

After 20 years of musical wizardry, famed record shop Other Music shut its doors in 2016. With their latest documentary, Rob Hatch-Miller and Puloma Basu memorialize its magic,...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Weekly Radio Roundup: April 17 – 24

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

Looking at this week’s releases might transport you to a different era. Chromatics, Florence + the  Machine and Jamie xx — like, seriously, what year is it? Anyways, nostalgia...

Staff Rants: Drinks

Staff Rants: Drinks

From milk to kombucha — here’s our staff’s hot takes on drinks.

On Black Coffee Helen Wajda, Deputy Opinion Editor I love coffee as much as the next person, but I will never understand how anyone can drink it black. Maybe I’m drinking...

The Saturday Night Passover Seder featuring Ben Platt among many other celebrities was a virtual event live-streamed from the Buzzfeed Tasty channel. This unconventional celebration united Jewish people worldwide while raising funds for the CDC Foundation’s Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ Pleads for a More Accepting World

After watching the Saturday Night Passover Seder live stream on Youtube, the famous song is more about struggle and perseverance than an imaginary realm.
Sasha Cohen, Performing Arts Editor April 19, 2020

Seconds before the clock struck eight, panic filled the family room as my dad struggled to set up the live stream for what would be a revolutionary event: the Saturday Night Passover...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Weekly Radio Roundup: April 10 – April 16

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

In the immortal words of ESG: “Dance!” With social distancing measures being extended throughout the world, the need for levity is imperative. As hysteria by way of isolation...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Weekly Radio Roundup: April 3 – April 9

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

Another week in isolation, another opportunity to explore great music. Here at the Music Desk, we’re celebrating the fact that this is the 10th edition of this column that hopes...

Record Store Day is an important day for sales of the vinyl medium. Originally scheduled for April 18, it has been delayed to June 20 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Record Store Day Is Rescheduled. Can It Still Survive?

Record Store Day has been moved to June 20, but the trend of social distancing suggests lower sales.
Ana Cubas, Staff Writer April 8, 2020

April is the most glorious month of the year for vinyl junkies, veterans and rookies alike. Unheard live performances, digital album giants and new singles are released in limited...

The New School is located at 72 5th Ave. Recently, Students at the New School have called for an academic strike starting April 6 in response to how the university has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo Courtesy of Mercedes Pedrero)

Photo: Students at The New School Stage Academic Strike

April 7, 2020

The New School is located at 72 5th Ave. Recently, Students at the New School have called for an academic strike starting April 6 in response to how the university has dealt with...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Weekly Radio Roundup: March 27 – April 2

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

The world’s halt has driven many creatives to fully involve themselves in their craft. Whether it be Arca taking over Twitch or Nick Hakim announcing a new album, the music world...

Playwright Terrence McNally has recently passed away due to complications from COVID-19. His award-winning work such as “Ragtime” should be celebrated and remembered, as his writing is still relevant today. (Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

Terrence McNally’s Writing Must Live On

As we say a final farewell to Terrence McNally, we must not forget his writing in “Ragtime” and how relevant its vital message remains today.
Sasha Cohen, Performing Arts Editor March 30, 2020

When I learned Terrence McNally recently died of COVID-19 complications at 81 years old, my body went numb. McNally was one of Broadway’s most talented playwrights, writing...

J Balvin’s new album “Colores” explores his unique sound through ten tracks named after colors. His reggaeton style shines through different themes in each track, creating an album meant to be experienced as a whole. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

J Balvin’s Vibrant Plea for Positivity Radiates Like A Rainbow

The reggaeton luminary solidifies his signature sound on “Colores” and creates an immersive, visceral experience for listeners.
Ana Cubas, Contributing Writer March 29, 2020

Do you ever think of colors when you listen to music? When you listen to “Colores,” shut your eyes, clear your mind and explore its spectrum of suave emotions and fruity...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week.(Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez)

Weekly Radio Roundup: March 18 – March 26

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

First and foremost, we hope everyone’s doing well. Whether you’re stuck at home or stuck in bed, we’re still devoted to covering the singles that came out over the course...

Childish Gambino just dropped his newest album "3.15.20" on March 21st. Despite the unprecedented drop, "3.15.20" failed to offer anything new or worthwhile. (Staff Illustration by Alex Tran)

Childish Gambino’s Latest Is A Full-Blown Disaster

To everyone’s surprise, Childish Gambino released his new album in the midst of a quarantine. Maybe he shouldn’t have.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor March 24, 2020

On March 21, Childish Gambino spontaneously dropped a new album. Unfortunately, the surprise factor did not arise from the fact that the drop had been unprecedented; most Gambino...

There are many streaming services available on different platforms that are accessible to people staying home. The performing arts could be enjoyed digitally from home, and that should be taken advantage of during this time. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

The Pros and Cons of Streaming Performance

As streaming services for plays, dance and other performing arts continue to surface, people must evaluate the pros and cons behind watching performance online.
Sasha Cohen, Performing Arts Editor March 23, 2020

As people wait to be admitted into a theater, nothing builds anticipation more than colorful Playbills, anxious audience members and bright flashing lights boasting a show’s...

Online gift cards, donations, live streams and more are still viable options during this time. The WSN Arts desk lists some ways you can still support independent artists from a safe social distance. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

How to Support New York’s Vibrant Independent Arts Scene

Even though New York is on pause, that doesn’t mean you still can’t support your favorite local bookstore or movie theater from home.

One week ago, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered New York City movie theaters to shut down as part of many initiatives to hopefully “flatten the curve.” Earlier in...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week.(Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez)

Weekly Radio Roundup: March 7 – March 13

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

It’s National Women’s History Month! But we’re also navigating a global pandemic and the constant presence of hovering parents at a time when we should be enjoying the blessedness...

The Richard Rodgers Theater on Broadway hosts the award-winning musical Hamilton created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Since a Broadway usher has reported testing positive for COVID-19, Broadway is now shutting down.(Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Coronavirus Closes the Curtains on Broadway

New York restricts gatherings that consist of 500 people or more, which is forcing Broadway to go dark for a month.
Sasha Cohen, Performing Arts Editor March 12, 2020

The Great White Way is going dark for the first time in 19 years since 9/11. From March 12 through April 12, Broadway will be closed as New York attempts to prevent more coronavirus...

Max von Sydow was a Swedish actor with an extensive career in both European and American cinema. During his acting years, he was famous for not only the roles in "The Seventh Seal," "The Exorcist" and "Flash Gordon." (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

In Memory of Max von Sydow

An ode to one of the greatest actors to ever grace the silver screen.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor March 10, 2020

Two nights ago, I watched “The Seventh Seal.” In it, Max von Sydow faces Death and finds himself in a constant battle of wits with the ominous entity only to be gracefully...

Student dancers performing “cellE.K.T SocieT.Y.” Second Avenue Dance Company’s March Concert “Investigating the We” enables choreographers to shine a spotlight on prevailing issues through dance and movement. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Tisch Dance Program Students Call for Societal Change

Second Avenue Dance Company’s March concert “Investigating the WE” featured student-choreographed dances and community engagement projects.
Sasha Cohen, Performing Arts Editor March 8, 2020

Excited supporters holding bouquets of roses anxiously awaited Tisch’s Second Avenue Dance Company’s March concert to begin. The concert, “Investigating the WE,” provided...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week.(Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez)

Weekly Radio Roundup: Feb. 29 – March 6

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

The transition to March and change in weather beckons a sonic shift. Thus, this edition of Weekly Radio Roundup showcases musical experimentation on behalf of well-known artists...

Bad Bunny recently released his 2020 album “YHLQMDLG." This surprise 20-track album affirms one thing — he does what he wants and he wants to make that known. (Staff photo by Kim Rice)

Bad Bunny Does What He Wants. Are We Really Surprised?

Bad Bunny constructs an anthology of reggaeton history with scopic, global influences proving he can’t be predicted, or tamed.
Ana Cubas, Contributing Writer March 4, 2020

Bad Bunny’s surprise 20-track album affirms one thing — he does what he wants and he wants to make that known. Titled “YHLQMDLG”, an acronym for “Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da...

Famous for Nicole Kidman and Ewan Mcgregor, fearlessness, and undeniably catchy songs, “Moulin Rouge!” is a cinema classic. After finding its way to the stage of Broadway, it still managed to offer a fresh and engaging experience while remaining loyal to the film. (Staff photo by Alex Tran)

Does ‘Moulin Rouge!’ Deserve to Be on Broadway?

A classic story of star-crossed lovers set in late 19th-century France raises questions on whether the jukebox musical is necessary.
Sasha Cohen, Performing Arts Editor March 4, 2020

Imagine a burlesque night club that screams eroticism and intimacy. Lightbulbs line the edges of the theater while chandeliers and red drapes hang from the ceiling. All of the...

Live punk concerts. such as alternative band Model/Actriz's act in Brooklyn, are places that foster creative expression. Rising pop artists such as Charli XCX and Rico Nasty raise an interesting question as to whether they represent a new manifestation of pop and punk, or a new melding of the two. (Staff Photo by Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer)

The End of the World Beckons Pop’s Death

A wave of punk appears to be consuming the sounds of pop, pointing to a zeitgeist full of anxiousness manifesting itself through anarchic experimentalism in the music scene.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor March 2, 2020

Recent releases by artists rising in popularity who might’ve been considered fringe artists a mere three years ago like — Billie Eilish, Tame Impala, Rico Nasty, King Krule,...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week.(Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez)

Weekly Radio Roundup: Feb. 22 – Feb. 28

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

A wave of lovely strangeness prevails in this week’s edition of Weekly Radio Roundup. From The Weeknd’s latest late-night atmospheric melody to the airy sounds of The 1975’s...

Moses Sumney explores shades of gray in his newest album. “græ: Part I” features meaningful lyrics and powerful instrumentals.  (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Moses Sumney’s Maximalist Album Radiates With a Spectrum of Meanings

Moses Sumney’s “græ: Part I” disrupts conventionality with complex emotional profundity.
Ana Cubas, Contributing Writer February 28, 2020

Moses Sumney has seductively introduced the first half of “græ,” his potent dissertation on ambiguity, race and gender binaries, in an avant-garde brew of equally poetic lyrics...

Staff Rants and Raves: Language

Staff Rants and Raves: Language

From the unnecessary and stupid rules to the struggles of learning and speaking, here’s what our staff has to say on languages.

Rants On Creative Use of Punctuation Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Deputy Managing Editor Dear Creative Writing student, please, pretty please (!), stop NOT putting punctuation...

Chief Keef and Roddy Ricch performed at V100's latest event. The duo filled students with fun and chaos in a uniquely cathartic concert. (Staff photo by Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer)

Chief Keef and Roddy Ricch Orchestrate Chaos for Happiness’ Sake

The Chief Keef and Roddy Ricch combination at V100 created chaos and fun for everyone.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor February 26, 2020

To mosh means to dance violently to harsh noise. Chief Keef and Roddy Ricch’s performance at V100 made students mosh. Hard. It became clear from the beginning that V100’s...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week.(Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez)

Weekly Radio Roundup: Feb. 14 – Feb. 21

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

For a week leading up to the releases of the new music from King Krule and Arca, there was also a beautiful bouquet of singles ranging from the likes of Grimes to The Strokes....

Time is a prevailing theme in "The Slow Rush," Tame Impala's newest album. Though many songs feature signature sounds from Kevin Parker, others showcase his diverse skills as a hip hop producer. (Staff photo by Alex Tran, Staff illustration by Chelsea Li)

‘The Slow Rush’ Is Tame Impala’s Most Introspective Album to Date

Tame Impala’s long-awaited album, ‘The Slow Rush,’ is a cosmic trip of understanding time and oneself, and Kevin Parker achieves it perfectly.
Ana Cubas, Contributing Writer February 18, 2020

Tame Impala’s “The Slow Rush” was a full-bodied, mind-bending, psychedelic journey that I never wanted to end. Beginning with “One More Year” and ending with “One More...

In the mood for love? WSN recommends some Valentine singles you may have missed this week.(Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez)

Staff Recs: Valentine’s Day Edition

The Arts Desk recommends the best films, music and galleries for you to enjoy this Valentine’s Day.

Ashley Wu, Deputy Arts Editor  Even though Valentine’s Day was invented by Hallmark to sell greeting cards, let’s try to forget about capitalism for a second and celebrate...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week.(Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez)

Weekly Radio Roundup: Feb. 7 – Feb. 12

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

From Sufjan Stevens to Carly Rae Jepsen, this week’s slew of singles mostly consisted of soft-spoken reflections on living in modernity. Whether it’s King Krule shrieking about...

Jackson Craig performs for Summer Love Fest at the World Cafe back in July, 2019. A year later, Jackson continued to experiment with developing a persona through his music. (Photo by Gabriela Mancini)

Clive First-Year Crushes Musical Conventionality with Charisma

Getting ready to mount his second concert in the city, Jackson Craig talks about his music and what it means to be a storyteller in today’s day and age.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor February 10, 2020

Sporting a puffy yellow jacket and an unguarded smile, Jackson Craig sits before me, ready to distill his knowledge of dad-rock and good vibes. Hot off the release of last year’s...

At Strand Bookstore, books of scripts line the shelves. Reading the script or screenplay of a production can give audience members a different perspective on the play than just viewing it in theaters. (Staff Photo by Sasha Cohen)

Here’s Why Scripts Deserve as Big of Spotlight as Books

Poems and prose are conventional materials for reading while plays are wrongfully excluded despite their many admirable qualities.
Sasha Cohen, Books and Theater Editor February 10, 2020

Who decided that books and poetry are mainstream? Seriously, I want to know who. Ever since we were young, teachers continuously shove these resources in our hands as if they are...

Dan "Destroyer" Bejar moves past middle-age exhaustion in his newest album. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Destroyer Celebrates Middle-Age Despair in His Latest Album

A review of Destroyer’s latest album: “Have We Met.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor February 7, 2020

A jolly submission to the troubles of the middle age echoes in the poesy of Dan Bejar’s latest work of despair. From the droning synth work that opens the album, it seems Bejar...

Weekly Radio Roundup: Jan. 31 - Feb. 3

Weekly Radio Roundup: Jan. 31 – Feb. 3

The most exciting singles that came out over the course of the week.

In a week of wonders, Porter Robinson is back after a long hiatus and Elon Musk is now an aspiring artist? I guess if this edition of Weekly Radio Roundup proves anything, it’s...

Swedish singer Molly Nilsson captivates Brooklyn audience with synth-driven solo performance. (Staff photo by Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer)

Molly Nilsson Mystifies Market Hotel

A look at Molly Nilsson & BDX’s recent performance at The Market Hotel in Brooklyn.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor February 3, 2020

Somewhere in Brooklyn, a square room lit by a single disco ball hosts around 300 individuals as they gather to listen to the mystical synth-pop of Swedish singer Molly Nilsson....

A playbill for The Wooster Group's current performance at Skirball, a cross-media production that asks what it means for an artist to be forgotten. (Staff Photo by Sasha Cohen)

A Forgotten Spirit Haunted Audiences in ‘A Pink Chair (In Place of a Fake Antique)’

Despite minor confusion and a lack of conflict, The Wooster Group effectively paid tribute to deceased director Tadeusz Kantor through innovative storytelling.
Sasha Cohen, Books & Theater Editor February 3, 2020

The Skirball Center transformed into a theatrical time capsule for The Wooster Group’s “A Pink Chair (In Place of a Fake Antique).” Running from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2, the performance...

WSN recommends some singles you may have missed this week. (Photo by Divya Nelakonda)

Weekly Radio Roundup

Here’s the first edition of our weekly round-up of singles, meant to cover a variety of genres and artists.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor January 31, 2020

From the Spanish flair of Rosalía to the punk aesthetic of Porridge Radio, I’ve weeded out this week’s best and worst singles in an effort to shove more music down your ears....

Staff Rants and Raves: Back to School

Staff Rants and Raves: Back to School

The first week of courses always fills people with mixed emotions. Here are our staff’s takes on the subject.

Rants On Masks Alexandra Chan, Deputy Photo Editor Growing up in post-SARS Hong Kong, wearing masks is very normal to me. It blows my mind that there is an American (or...

Be on the lookout for rush ticket and take advantage of New York City's art scene. (Illustration by Min Ji Kim)

Three Ways to Take Advantage of NYC’s Lesser-Known Theater and Literary Scenes

Stop paying ridiculous Broadway prices when you can see higher quality productions and readings for less.
Sasha Cohen, Books & Theater Editor January 29, 2020

Between studying for exams, spending time with friends and taking necessary power naps, finding extra time to indulge in any sort of play or book is a luxury. Even if someone can...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week.(Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez)

Seasonal Singles Survey

An overview of singles you might have missed that came out over the break.
Henry Carr, Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer and Charles Smith January 28, 2020

Winter break has ended and as you find yourself trudging through the snow (or lack thereof) en route to your first class of the semester whilst listening to the same-old wintry...

Black Dirt Rests is Null Pattern's first album release of 2020. (Image via Instagram @null_pattern)

Tisch First-Year Says Goodbye to Youth in Debut Album

Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Music Editor January 27, 2020

Sporting a kimono and a pair of round spectacles, Tisch first-year Benji Jung, also known as Null Pattern, sits before their desk — a workstation consisting of a desktop, a myriad...

Centered in a traditional Italian home, “Angie Aquavitae Is Aggravated and She Is Going to Tell You About It” is a one-woman show that presents a family in crisis. (Image via Wikimedia)

Angie Is Aggravated and I Understand Why

Sasha Cohen, Books & Theater Editor January 27, 2020

From Jan. 16-26, “Angie Aquavitae Is Aggravated and She Is Going to Tell You About It,” written and performed by A. Aquavitae, took the stage in Pless Hall. Produced by Gallatin...

Released Dec. 6, In Fabric is a British horror comedy film. (Via Facebook)

‘In Fabric’: Strickland Spins the Giallo Genre Afresh for a New Generation

Director Peter Strickland blends British comedy and Italian horror in a deliciously terrifying flick.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Contributing Writer December 4, 2019

Fetishizing every single inch of the frame, Peter Strickland has crafted a loving ode to retro Euro horror that would make Italian horror legend Mario Bava exclaim “Bravo!”...

Give Me Liberty is a fast-paced film following a medical transport driver across Milwaukee. (Via Music Box Films)

‘Give Me Liberty’ Acts as a Manifesto for a New Style of Madcap American Cinema

Kirill Mikhanovsky’s pseudo-autobiographical film stars unprofessional actors in a bold new fashion for American filmmaking.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Contributing Writer December 3, 2019

“Give Me Liberty” never comes to a halt. From its title card to its final one, director Kirill Mikhanovsky doesn’t allow you to breathe, kidnapping the entirety of your being...

‘An Elephant Sitting Still’ is Hu Bo’s entire legacy condensed into his first and only film. (Via KimStim)

‘An Elephant Sitting Still’ Is a Portrait of Sadness for a Hopeless Generation

Director Hu Bo’s first and only film before he tragically took his own life ruminates on a nihilistic worldview.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Contributing Writer November 19, 2019

Richie Tenenbaum put it best: “Of course it’s dark, it’s a suicide note.” Completed shortly before he took his own life in 2017, “An Elephant Sitting Still” will forever...

Primarily set in an opera house, “Varda by Agnès,” is the renowned documentarian’s posthumous film that beautifully accounts – and transcends – her life and her career. (Photo Courtesy of Mk2 Films)

‘Varda by Agnès’: a Revolutionary Retrospective

Agnès Varda’s posthumous swan song is an inspirational love letter to the cinematic arts.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Contributing Writer November 11, 2019

Whether you remember her as a fierce documentarian, French New Wave pioneer, fervid feminist, installation-piece wizard or potato-lover, there’s no doubt AgnèsmVarda has etched...

Singer songwriter Ariel Pink seeks to redefine his previous work in a series of three installments. (Via Twitter)

‘Ariel Archives Vol. 1’: Ariel Pink Exhumes His Poltergeists in Three-Album Re-Exploration of His Career

The singer-songwriter sets out to recontextualize his Haunted Graffiti era in the modern day.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Contributing Writer November 3, 2019

Musician Ariel Pink’s fixation with having to constantly reinvent his image has always pointed to him being troubled by the potential constraints of each new persona moments...

Synonyms is a drama film directed by Nadav Lapid that was released on Oct. 25, 2019. (Via Twitter)

‘Synonyms’: A Hymn for the Idealist Emigre

Nadav Lapid’s semi-autobiographical French-Israeli co-production tracks the development of the concepts of nationhood and language from the perspective of an Israeli immigrant in Paris.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Contributing Writer October 29, 2019

Dashing through Paris in an uproarious and unpredictable fashion, Yoav (Tom Mercier) taps into the frenzy of France’s spirit as he joyously flirts with the notion of liberty...

Shintaro Sakamoto played the greatest hits from his discography in a dreamlike performance at Elsewhere. (Via Bandcamp)

Shintaro Sakamoto Dazzles a Swarm of Fanatics at Brooklyn Concert

Japanese psychedelic rock artist Shintaro Sakamoto delivered a characteristically groovy performance in Brooklyn on Sunday night.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Contributing Writer October 28, 2019

Describing Shintaro Sakamoto’s performance at Elsewhere Sunday night is as futile as attempting to reify a dream.   Sakamoto’s show was prefaced by Brazilian soul singer...