Arts - The Spectrum

Singer-songwriter Haley Reinhart released her third studio album, “What’s That Sound?” on Sept. 22 and is currently on her tour of the same name. Reinhart talked to The Spectrum about the recent release, touring the world, and having Anderson .Paak in her first band.

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A vintage soul: Q&A with Haley Reinhart

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Nov. 9, 2017

The ’60s haven’t ended yet, at least not until Haley Reinhart puts down the microphone. The “American Idol” alum and Postmodern Jukebox singer just released her third studio album, “What’s That Sound?” on Sept. 22. The record is a classy and tasteful collection of cover songs and originals, all featuring Reinhart’s golden voice. At 27 years old, Reinhart’s career is just beginning. “American Idol” gave her the tools for success in 2011, but Reinhart is embarking on her own journey to the past. The singer discussed her musical adventure, new album and touring the world in an exclusive interview with The Spectrum.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "The Future of Integration" address at Kleinhans Music Hall, 50 years ago. The address, sponsored by GSA and SA, offered the reverend's take on racial relations in the country to a crowd of over 2000 Buffalonians.

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Community reflects on Martin Luther King Jr.'s Buffalo speech

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Nov. 9, 2017

The reverend and celebrated civil rights leader delivered his “The Future of Integration” address to a sold-out crowd at Kleinhans Music Hall on Nov. 9, 1967. In his speech, sponsored by GSA and SA, King spoke on the status of race relations in America and briefly condemned the ongoing war in Vietnam.

“Murder on the Orient Express,” directed by Kenneth Branagh, is an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel and premieres Nov. 10. November will see the release of two of the year’s biggest films: “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Justice League.”

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November movie guide

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | Nov. 6, 2017

Well this one snuck up on me. November holds two of this year’s biggest releases in the first two weeks, along with a few other curiosities to fill in the back end of the month. Let’s dive right in because I can’t wait to talk about...

Music icon Janet Jackson performed a medley of hits as part of her State of The World tour in Buffalo on Saturday. Throughout, the multi-talented singer dazzled through synchronized dance and flurries of jams which pleased thousands of fans in attendance.

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Janet Jackson rouses downtown Buffalo

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Nov. 6, 2017

The Grammy-award winning music icon appeared Saturday night at the KeyBank Center, one of her stops on her ongoing State of the World tour. Jackson performed over 30 songs to a crowd of thousands downtown, impressing through a series of electric dance numbers and up-tempo pop jams.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 23: Television host and comedian Bill Maher performs at The Pearl concert theater at the Palms Casino Resort on March 23, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/WireImage)

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Q&A with Bill Maher

By BRIAN EVANS | Nov. 2, 2017

Bill Maher is no stranger to stirring the pot. The host of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” and stand-up comedian will continue his stream of political anecdotes and observations, playing downtown at Shea’s Performing Arts Center on Nov.

UB alum Mark Jansen starred in this past season of Big Brother. Jansen, shown above with fellow Big Brother 19 star Elena Davies, plans on using his newfound fame to inspire and motivate fans across the country.

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From Bull to 'Big Brother'

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Oct. 30, 2017

Some stars are born. Others are self-made. Mark Jansen, a UB alum and “Big Brother 19” contestant, was built in Alumni Gym.

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Q&A with comedian Tom Segura

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 30, 2017

Tom Segura’s comedy travels a myriad of avenues. From podcasts to multiple stand-up specials on Netflix, the Ohio-born comedian spreads jokes in any way he can. His upcoming tour, “No Teeth No Entry,” will continue to cast his line out in the comic sea, hitting the Center for the Arts (CFA) on Nov.

Author Michael Okon released his first published novel “Monsterland” on Oct. 13. The author talked to The Spectrum about the release and what inspired some of his characters for the monster theme park-based novel.

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Scare Quotes: Q&A with author Michael Okon

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 26, 2017

Michael Okon is no stranger to scares. The rapid rise from author of self-published books, to published author, to creator of a possible Hollywood film franchise would intimidate anyone.

Chastity Brown, a singer-songwriter currently based in Minneapolis, is performing at Buffalo’s Babeville on Nov. 14. Brown spoke with The Spectrum on her upcoming tour and her latest album “Silhouette of Sirens,” released this past May.

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Q&A with singer-songwriter Chastity Brown

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 26, 2017

Singer-songwriter Chastity Brown is coming to Buffalo, fresh off the release of her latest album “Silhouette of Sirens.” The artist, known for her blending of roots and folk music, will be touring the nation – stopping in Babeville on Nov.

Director Sean Durant, Regina Mason and Prof. William L. Andrews discussed the film “Gina’s Journey: The Search for William Grimes” on Thursday night. Nearly 100 people attended the screening and Q&A as Mason discussed her extensive research on William Grimes, the author of the first slave narrative and Mason’s great-great-great-grandfather.

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Regina Mason explores family’s past with “Gina’s Journey: The Search for William Grimes”

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 23, 2017

Regina Mason’s quest to discover her ancestry started as a child. Today, her journey has been transformed into an award-winning film. Mason presented a screening of “Gina’s Journey: The Search for William Grimes” on Thursday night to a crowd of nearly 100 attendees at the UB Jacobs Executive Development Center.

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The Grapevine

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Oct. 19, 2017

The weekend before “Hallo-weekend” can be pretty lame. Nobody’s dressing up, nobody’s handing out free snacks and worst of all, nobody’s playing “Monster Mash” all night at their headache-provoking basement party. But who needs “Monster Mash” when you can listen to other songs for an hour and a half?

Cuban-born poet and educator Olga Karman read recollections of her time in Cuba to attendees at the riverrun Global Film Series. The series, in its second year, delivered propaganda films like “Soy Cuba” (I Am Cuba) to packed audiences along with a musical performance by Wendell Rivera.

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Cuban cinema takes over Burchfield Penney Art Center

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 16, 2017

From prose poems to musical performances, the 2nd annual riverrun Global Film Series escaped the big screen at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. The series focused on Cuban cinema and culture from Thursday through Saturday, bringing nearly 600 people for nights of screenings and readings.

Professor Bruce Jackson (left) chats with Jim Kweskin (right) at the 1967 Newport Folk Festival. Jackson was on the festival board from 1965 to 1968. He claims that fans didn’t boo Bob Dylan during his infamous 1965 festival performance.

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'Bob Dylan was not booed'

By BRENTON BLANCHET | Oct. 16, 2017

It’s hard to dismiss a 52-year-old story but Professor Bruce Jackson isn’t afraid to try. When Bob Dylan played his first-ever electric set at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island, legend insists that the crowd booed him. Dylan’s decision to go electric infuriated the crowd, according to this popular belief.

Students, like leads Bobby MacDonell (left) and Alex McArthur (right), are preparing for their roles in the fall production of “American Idiot.” The show opens Nov. 16 at the Center for the Arts.

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Research, rehearse and rock

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Oct. 12, 2017

Bobby MacDonell attended a narcotics anonymous meeting. The performer didn’t need help with an addiction; he went to prepare for the lead role in an upcoming musical. MacDonell, a senior music theater major, is working hard to develop his characterization for the UB Theatre and Dance production of Green Day’s “American Idiot”musical.

Actor and comedian Bill Murray took to Kleinhans Hall Wednesday night and read and performed classic pieces of American literature in "New Worlds," a literary and music show featuring a cellist and violinist.

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Bill Murray enters new territory with 'New Worlds'

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Oct. 12, 2017

It's never “Groundhog Day” for actor and comedian Bill Murray. When the legendary 67-year-old actor wakes up every day, he’s always doing something different. He’s starred in films of different genres and worked with many types of creatives, so it was no surprise when he explored new territory at Kleinhans Music Hall Wednesday.

Ta Nehisi-Coates, author and writer for The Atlantic, released his latest book “We Were Eight Years In Power” last week. The book takes a look back at essays penned during the Obama administration and includes personally-inclined notes from the author.

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Coates’ 'We Were Eight Years in Power' examines Obama presidency, his own writing

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 12, 2017

Author Ta-Nehisi Coates draws parallels between the end of the Reconstruction era and the Obama administration right off the bat. “We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy” begins when Coates quotes South Carolina congressman Thomas Miller and his 1895 address to S.C.’s constitutional convention. “We were eight years in power. ... We had reconstructed the State and placed it upon the road to prosperity,” Miller said.

Korey Green, a local filmmaker and head of Black Rose Production House, is gearing up for the release of his film “The Blackness Project.” The film, expected for a late 2017 release, looks at the breadth of the black experience and features interviews from Buffalo & around the country.

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Filmmaker Korey Green explores black experience with “The Blackness Project”

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 12, 2017

Korey Green wants to open up a racial dialogue with his latest film “The Blackness Project.” The film, slated for release later this year, takes a comprehensive look at the opinions and conversations of the black population in the United States.

Electronic R&B singer Kelela released her debut project “Take Me Apart” on Friday. The album, the first full-length cut from the singer in four years, contains a variety of upbeat breakup songs and sultry love numbers.

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Kelela forms a sonic forestry of breakups, makeups on “Take Me Apart”

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 12, 2017

Forward-thinking dance music is a hard sound to achieve, especially for a 34-year-old singer who has yet to peak. Kelela’s debut full-length project, “Take Me Apart,” makes the task look effortless. The album pushes heavy futurism in the form of R&B. It’s the first big-time record since the singer’s mixtape “Cut 4 Me” in 2013. Four years later, she takes her past work’s basic elements and builds them up to skyscraper heights.

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Demetri Martin delivers laughs and rhythm at the CFA

By HARUKA KOSUGI | Oct. 8, 2017

Martin and opener Erin Harkes performed their latest sets to a packed house Saturday evening at the Center for the Arts (CFA). The comedian performed as part of his latest stop on his ongoing “Let’s Get Awkward” tour.

UB alumnus Marcus Yam talked to faculty, students and staff about changing his career from an engineer to an award-winning photographer.

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Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Marcus Yam returns to UB

By WANLY CHEN and ALEX MOSKOWITZ | Oct. 8, 2017

Yam presented his collections in the Student Union Theater on Friday. His collection featured photos of California wildfires, mass shootings in America and the battles between the Iraqi forces and Islamic state. His work led him to win numerous awards, including an Emmy and two Pulitzer Prize-winning articles for breaking news reporting.