Arts - The Spectrum

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.

The Fall Fest Concert Series wrapped up on Saturday night, bringing a female-dominated performance led by Ashanti, Tinashe and Queen Naija.

ARTS

SA Fall Fest Concert Series closes out with a female-dominated performance

By JULIANNA TRACEY | Nov. 12, 2018

Many would think receiving a lap dance by an artist is just a fantasy. For four UB students, this dream became a reality. Headliner Ashanti and opener Tinashe brought audience members on stage for a special performance during the Student Association’s Fall Fest Concert Series on Saturday night. Queen Naija also performed at the concert and closed out the three-concert series.

ARTS

'Go for it': David Archuleta talks Mariah Carey advice and new album in exclusive interview

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Nov. 5, 2018

It’s been 10 years since David Archuleta hit the American Idol stage and caught an entire country’s attention with his rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” He was a gifted teenager with a budding fanbase and the vocal chops to show for it.

The Diplomats’ “Diplomatic Immunity” features hard-knocking beats and fresh, witty bars. The Harlem group’s album should be a delight to any rap fan looking for a political mix this week.

ARTS

Hip-hop incumbents

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Nov. 1, 2018

Rap music is one of the dopest, most lyrical filibusters in D.C. and beyond. Hip-hop has proven itself to be the truest form of rhythmic American poetry, with its checks coming from impressive bars and its balances from ice-cold production.

“Fiddler on the Roof” opens at Shea’s as a part of its Broadway Series. The show brings an influx of musical numbers and complex dancing, all centered around the Jewish culture.

ARTS

‘Fiddler on the Roof’ travels to Buffalo

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Nov. 1, 2018

The classic Broadway musical “Fiddler on the Roof” brought its production to Shea’s Performing Arts Center for six days of exploration into Jewish culture. The performance offered a sentimental look into family, tradition and overcoming obstacles.

Libby Walker (right) rehearses for UB Theatre and Dance’s production of “The Cherry Orchard.”

ARTS

Family and familiarity

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Nov. 1, 2018

Libby Walker has to keep her emotions ready to change at any moment.