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Thursday, March 26, 2026
The independent student publication of The University at Buffalo, since 1950

Arts

Joshua Grosso performs "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" in his role as Marius.
ARTS

'Les Misérables' moves through pain, redemption and range during Buffalo stop

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Dec. 11, 2019

“Les Misérables,” the classic French novel turned musical, brought both emotion and precision during its opening night Tuesday at Shea’s Performing Arts Center.  The musical, which runs downtown through Sunday, is based around the redemptive tale of prisoner-turned-mayor Jean Valjean, the heartwarming story of young lovers Cosette and Marius and a student uprising that turns deadly.

“Christmas at the Tavern” explores the semi-autobiographical struggles faced by playwright Tom Dudzick’s family in 1959 Buffalo.
ARTS

‘Christmas Over the Tavern’ brings comedy to Catholicism

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Dec. 8, 2019

Most locals think of the Pearl Street Brewery as Seneca Street’s preferred bar, but celebrated playwright Tom Dudzick prefers the memory of his father’s tavern.  Big Joe Dudzick’s Tavern, located at 770 Seneca Street, was the inspiration for Dudzick’s hit musical, “Christmas Over the Tavern.” 

ARTS

My favorite films of the decade

By JEREMY ELMKIES | Dec. 4, 2019

The 2010s saw a reinvigoration of independent cinema, pushing for new voices to be heard across the globe and the rise of streaming gave access to these works like never before.  With 2020 just around the corner, there’s no better time to reflect on some of the past decade’s great cinematic achievements. Here are some of my favorite films to have come out this decade. 

ARTS

Arts Desk 2019 album picks

By ALEX WHETHAM , JUSTIN WOODMANCY and ISABELLA FORTUNATO | Dec. 4, 2019

As 2019 comes to an end, it’s time to reflect on the year’s finest musical releases. The past 12 months have provided listeners with quality music. Pop and hip-hop continued their chart domination with notable releases from Lizzo, Ariana Grande and Tyler, the Creator, while rock and metal contributed with strong efforts from Blood Incantation, The Twilight Sad and Opeth.

Ballet dancers performing as the Flowers.
ARTS

'The Nutcracker' kicks off holiday season with charm

By ANASTASIA WILDS and ISABELLA FORTUNATO | Dec. 4, 2019

Dancing sweets, giant mice and a Nutcracker came to life –– literally –– and contributed to a magical staple of the holiday season at Shea’s Performing Arts Center on Saturday and Sunday. Locals were able to experience this popular story of “The Nutcracker” performed live in its 11th year in Buffalo, with mystical charm and astute accuracy by some of the best visual and performance artists in the area.

ARTS

Five albums to reduce your stress

By ALEX WHETHAM and JUSTIN WOODMANCY | Nov. 23, 2019

It’s the end of the semester, final papers and projects are piling up and you’re ready to pull your hair out. Mental health is just as important as physical health, stress is never good and sometimes the best thing to do is just relax. Finding a way to relax is easier said than done, but music can easily help students destress before finals and is one of the most accessible stress-relieving tools. Thanks to the advent of streaming, music for stress relief is affordable, you can listen to it while you study and it won’t force you to break a sweat like a run would.

ARTS

The six best albums of the 2010s you probably haven’t heard of

By ALEX WHETHAM | Nov. 20, 2019

There has never been a decade as hard to pin down musically as the 2010s.  Genres like trap and EDM took the mainstream world by storm as underground outsider genres like vaporwave (a genre consisting of already-existing ‘80s songs slowed down with reverb) challenged conventions of what music could be in the modern day.

Joe Cardina performs with Dogs in Stereo at Mohawk Place on Friday Nov. 15.
ARTS

A conversation with local band Dogs in Stereo frontman Joe Cardina

By JUSTIN WOODMANCY | Nov. 17, 2019

Thursday night’s concert at Mohawk Place was an eclectic showing of independent artists. Pittsburgh’s Flower Crown, Brooklyn’s Stairwell H, Ontario’s Mononegatives and Buffalo’s Alpha Hopper came together to support the show’s headlining act –– Buffalo’s indie rock band Dogs in Stereo, which was celebrating the release of its new EP “Idle” by performing it live in its entirety.

(L to R) Larry Hott, director-producer, "The Warrior Tradition;" Calen Abrams (Seneca), director-producer, "Art, Honor & Service;" DJ Vanas (Odawa) motivational storyteller; and John Grant, chief program officer WNED, "The Warrior Tradition"
ARTS

Documentaries tell indigenous military veterans’ ‘largely untold story’ during Native American Heritage Month

By JUSTIN WOODMANCY | Nov. 10, 2019

Native Americans have the highest per-capita U.S. military service rate out of any group in America.  This fact is widely unknown to the public, but WNED documentaries are highlighting the stories of indigenous people across native tribes who enlist in large numbers to fight for the government that sought to eradicate their cultures centuries ago. 

Screencap from Oct. 6 livestream where Hearthstone player Blitzchung voiced support for protests in Hong Kong.
ARTS

UB gamers show mixed feelings toward Blizzard’s Hong Kong controversy

By ALEX WHETHAM | Nov. 3, 2019

One of the gaming world’s beloved companies is facing criticism after a top gamer showed support for Hong Kong. On Oct. 8, Blizzard, creator of games like World of Warcraft and Overwatch, announced it would ban and revoke prize money from Hearthstone pro and Hong Kong native Ng Wai Chung (username Blitzchung). Chung, who won the company’s Asia-Pacific Hearthstone Grandmasters Tournament, wore a mask during an interview to show solidarity with Hong Kong natives looking to retain autonomy from maintain China.

The album cover to the band’s newest release “Hidden History of the Human Race.”
ARTS

Behind the blast beats: A conversation with Blood Incantation

By JUSTIN WOODMANCY | Oct. 27, 2019

Death metal reigned supreme in Mohawk Place Wednesday while growls, grunts and brutal riffs pulverized the audience. Denver’s Blood Incantation, one of the more innovative modern metal bands, has effortlessly blended psychedelic jams, progressive song structures and punishing riffs since its formation in 2011. The extreme metal quartet is breaking into the mainstream, earning Pitchfork’s Best New Track on Oct. 11 for “Inner Paths (To Outer Space).” 

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