Arts - The Spectrum

Social House, the production duo behind Ariana Grande’s most recent number-one singles, comes to Buffalo next month for an opening slot on the “Sweetener World Tour.”

ARTS

‘thank u, next’ genre: Social House prepares for solo work

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Feb. 11, 2019

Social House is more than a social experiment. It took Scootie Anderson and Mikey Foster eight months to rack up over 65 million Spotify streams on their debut track. It took a smash hit for them to score a slot at Coachella. And it took a flight to Los Angeles for them to produce their first two number-one singles and the biggest hits of 2018 and 2019, respectively, Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” and “7 Rings.”

Broadway’s “Cats” returns from hiatus and brings its traveling show to Buffalo.

ARTS

'Cats' revival tour travels to Buffalo

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Feb. 7, 2019

Gina Smith took a bus from Oil City, Pennsylvania to see “Cats” on opening night at Shea’s Theater. She had been waiting to see the show for 32 years. “When they announced the show in Buffalo, I told my husband there was no way I was missing it. He jumped up and said he was going too. This was our Christmas gift.”

ARTS

The grapevine

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Feb. 7, 2019

February is a notoriously hard month for UB students. Classwork and bad weather return in full force, making it pretty miserable. The Buffalo music scene, despite the low morale, continues to draw in big acts for local fans. The Spectrum assembled a collection of some of the most attractive shows and events happening around the area throughout the first few weeks of classes.

From Zodiaque Dance Company to Slee Hall’s Beethoven Quartet, The Spectrum compiled a list of the best theater events happening on campus throughout the spring semester.

ARTS

UB's spring performance radar

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Feb. 7, 2019

Harsh winter weather can make traveling off campus a challenge. It can be hard to make it downtown to see a show with freezing temperatures and snow days.

Pop star MNEK talked with The Spectrum before his Velvet Underground performance this month.

ARTS

MNEK: the proud pop star you’re looking for

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Feb. 7, 2019

MNEK’s confidence is contagious. The pop star openly structures his work after his favorite albums of the past. He’s able to juggle humor and adversity in his music because he isn’t afraid of being honest. And when he puts a photo of his hero in front of him in the studio, he gets the results he wants.

Big Mouth co-star and writer John Mulaney will headline this year's SA Comedy Series on Feb. 16. Undergraduates can reserve their tickets beginning Feb. 4 at 10 a.m.

ARTS

John Mulaney to headline SA’s 18th annual Comedy Series

By BRIAN EVANS | Feb. 1, 2019

Stand-up comedian John Mulaney will be headlining the 18th annual SA Comedy Series on Feb. 16, Student Association President Gunnar Haberl announced on Friday. “After reviewing the student-wide survey this winter break, it was clear that John Mulaney was the student body’s first choice,” Haberl said. “I am thrilled that once again SA will be providing a high caliber comedian that relates directly to college students in continuing with the tradition of the series.”

Students crowd in front of the stage at last semester's Fall Fest Concert Series. The Student Association is planning this semester's Spring Fest as one show on Saturday, May 4.

ARTS

Student Association prepares for Spring Fest, decides on May 4 date

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Jan. 31, 2019

Spring Fest will feature hip-hop performers on Saturday, May 4, according to Student Association President Gunnar Haberl.

Is “Die Hard” on your Christmas movie list? Students sound off on the debate on whether the action film doubles as a true holiday season classic.

ARTS

Is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas movie?

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Dec. 6, 2018

Christmas is about focusing on what really matters –– whether the film “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie or not. Since its release in 1988, people have questioned the film’s genre. To many, the movie is considered an action film with tons of guns and explosions. But the case that “Die Hard” is actually a Christmas movie is alive and well.

ARTS

The grapevine

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Dec. 6, 2018

Winter break is a time for relaxation, but not all students travel home or leave the Buffalo area. Luckily, for those individuals, Buffalo has a thriving music scene that doesn't take any breaks. Between large venues like the KeyBank Center to smaller, more intimate venues like Town Ballroom, there is a wide range of acts throughout the next two months.

When he’s not teaching, Dean Chatham splits his time between writing, recording and performing. Chatham has opened for acts like Rae Sremmurd and Gucci Mane, and is looking to ignite a spark out of his native Buffalo.

ARTS

A Buffalo rapper on the rise: The story of Dean Chatham

By JULIAN ROBERTS-GRMELA | Dec. 3, 2018

Dean Chatham went from a physics major to opening for Rae Sremmurd in four years. In 2014, he was still a sophomore physics major at Wake Forest University, pursuing a career in biomedical engineering. He spent his free time playing basketball, and training in Aikido and Taekwondo. He never rapped in front of strangers before.

The new film “Mary Poppins Returns” looks into the classic story of the magical nanny returning to the Banks family to help them learn the value of family.

ARTS

December movie guide

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Dec. 3, 2018

Fans don’t have to worry about an inevitable influx of holiday-themed movies because of the variety of upcoming releases this December. From lighthearted, animated films to profound dramas, The Spectrum compiled a list of what to look out for.

UB’s choir prepares for their upcoming holiday performances. The groups have been practicing since the beginning of the semester.

ARTS

Carols and classics

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Nov. 28, 2018

UB’s choral groups are growing steadily since the arrival of their new director, Professor Claudia Brown, but the music ensembles will nearly double in size for their first performance with the UB orchestra.

ARTS

‘Hamilton’ and the art of storytellin’

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Nov. 28, 2018

Cabinet battles, comedic quips and ‘70s-like pop numbers aside, it’s no question Alexander Hamilton told his — and others’ — stories last Wednesday in downtown Buffalo.

Manchester Orchestra front man Andy Hull spoke with The Spectrum about songwriting, a new album and adapting to change.

ARTS

Andy Hull reflects on ‘A Black Mile to the Surface’ and adapting to change

By BRIAN EVANS | Nov. 27, 2018

Andy Hull knew change was on its way. On Manchester Orchestra’s third album, “A Black Mile to the Surface,” Hull opted for grandiose orchestration and deeply personal lyrics. The result is a sharp turn from the indie band’s previous releases “Hope” and “Cope.” But this was all a part of the plan.

The Zodiaque Dance Company celebrated its 45th anniversary with “Celebration 45” beginning Thursday night. The program featured a multitude of styles including jazz, hip-hop and variations of modern dance providing for a diverse evening.

ARTS

'Celebration 45' illuminates the history and achievements of Zodiaque

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Nov. 19, 2018

The Theater and Dance department’s talent was on display with Zodiaque Dance Company’s “Celebration 45” performances last weekend.

Richard Deverell, a Ph.D. candidate in the history department, poses with sci-fi memorabilia before researching Stan Lee’s work at the American Heritage Center archives.

ARTS

Marveling over Marvel

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Nov. 19, 2018

Richard Deverell was an undergraduate at SUNY Brockport when his professor assigned him a paper on the “history of anything.” Most of his peers researched their family histories for the assignment.

“The Beatles” fits between the grandiose and experimental. The album showcased an established band bouncing off of a landmark album, only to push further by sharpening the band’s basics.

ARTS

Giles Martin revisits “The Beatles” with over-five-hour Super Deluxe edition

By BRIAN EVANS | Nov. 15, 2018

The question of what’s next for the Beatles arose after 1967’s “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” The Beatles etched their name into history books with an album that both expanded upon and raised the bar for innovation in the studio. “Sgt. Pepper” set a marker in the bands career, seemingly one difficult to top. The Beatles reconvened in 1968, resorting to the studio as a remedy to ailments of any kind.

ARTS

Bringing blood to brushes

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Nov. 15, 2018

Most art students go to Michael’s to pick up supplies, but Joshua Diamond goes to the local butcher. His supplies include blood –– sometimes even his own.

Acclaimed chairman of Marvel Comics has died at 95. Marvel fans look back on his legacy and contributions to the genre.

ARTS

Comic book legend Stan Lee dies at 95

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Nov. 15, 2018

Renowned graphic artist Stan Lee –– a “superhero” in his craft –– died at 95-years-old on Monday. Lee died in the hospital on Monday after becoming ill, as first reported by TMZ.

“Ralph Breaks the Internet” is one of the multiple sequels that make up November’s anticipated releases.

ARTS

November movie guide

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Nov. 12, 2018

November reminds people to be thankful for everything around us, even if that includes all the poorly-made, pre-Christmas season films that are released throughout the month.