Arts - The Spectrum

ARTS

The grapevine: Your weekly collection of Buffalo’s sonic selections

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Nov. 1, 2016

Elvis Costello & The Imposters - Shea’s Performing Arts Center Music legend Elvis Costello is taking a quick stop through Buffalo. The English singer-songwriter is most famous for new wave albums such as My Aim Is True, This Year’s Model and Armed Forces. His pioneer punk rock/new-wave status not only led to success at award shows but has also led to his worldwide appreciation.

UB students prepare for this year's Haunted Union "hotel" theme.

ARTS

Behind the scenes of UB’s Haunted Union

By Miranda Albini | Oct. 30, 2016

The Haunted Union is a transformation of our everyday space into a spooky, terrifying maze. “It was actually scarier than I thought it would be,” said Austin Nagelhout, a sophomore media study major. “I thought since it was a low-budget school event it wouldn’t be that fun, but I really enjoyed it.”

(Left) Philip Kiernan, (right) Michael Basinski. Michael Basinski is retiring after 32 years as the curator of the poetry collection. In 2015 he was named the Director of the Special Collections and will maintain that title after his retirement.

ARTS

A new generation of poets

By MAX KALNITZ | Oct. 30, 2016

After working for 32 years and personally bringing in more than two and a half million dollars in grant money, Michael Basinski, curator of UB’s poetry collection, is retiring. UB has one of the largest collections of poetry in the nation, including original manuscripts and unpublished works by some of the world’s most renowned poets.

Tanner Miller, a freshman undecided major, is transitioning from female to male. After questioning his gender earlier this year, he decided the name Tanner and masculine pronouns better suit him.

ARTS

Tackling the transition: UB student Tanner Miller starts his transition from female to male

By MAX KALNITZ | Oct. 26, 2016

Tanner Miller was always attracted to women. But he didn’t like the term “lesbian” and didn’t know why. He never felt comfortable with his sexual orientation.

The Undergraduate Society of Feminists (SoFem) meets every Thursday at 5:45 p.m. in Clemens 103. They discuss personal stories and hold discussions about modern-day feminism and the values that they support.

ARTS

'Feminism' is not a dirty word: UB Undergraduate Society of Feminists work toward equality for all

By GRACE TRIMPER | Oct. 26, 2016

The Undergraduate Society of Feminists, or Undergrad SoFem for short, began meeting weekly at the beginning of the 2016 Fall Semester. They meet at 5:45 p.m. every Thursday to discuss important and often sensitive issues surrounding feminism in our society, including consent, sex education and even religion.

ARTS

The grapevine: Your weekly collection of Buffalo’s sonic selections

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 23, 2016

Brooklyn-based indie group Lucius will be playing at Babeville this week. Singers Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, whose lo-fi pop approach is very much compelling, head Lucius. The band is touring to promote their second album Good Grief, which was released in March to moderate acclaim. The album features infectious lyrics and instrumentation on songs like “Born Again Teen” and “Gone Insane.”

Members of Impulse Dance club during a weekly class. The club offers classes for experienced dancers as well as students who may not have danced in a while or never danced at all.

ARTS

Dance dynamics: UB club offers a variety of dance classes open to anyone

By Miranda Albini | Oct. 23, 2016

Marissa Smith always had a passion for dancing, but because she is a health and human sciences major, she couldn’t take academic dance classes at UB. Academic dance classes at UB are not open to students who are not dance or theater majors.

Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” is a Halloween classic. The 1993 film has attracted a cult following and is still loved by millennials today.

ARTS

The spooky silver screen: Best Halloween movies of all time

By LINDSAY GILDER | Oct. 20, 2016

With Halloween just around the corner, many are eager to celebrate one of the nation’s most popular holidays. Some students go to parties or dress up in costumes, but for those of us who like to celebrate in a more laid-back fashion, here’s a list of great flicks to get spooky with.

Johanan Mcdowell’s project “Red” is heavily influenced by Kanye West. The Brooklyn-born filmmaker is currently part of the “Lone Star” series - a project with MFA candidate Charles Carter.

ARTS

Film student Johanan McDowell discusses his ambitious new project 'Red'

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | Oct. 20, 2016

For 11 months, Johanan McDowell was in an unmelodious hell of Kanye West’s design. From July 2015 to May 2016, the synth assault that opens West’s 2013 album Yeezus on the song “On Sight” was all that went through the film student’s head.

ARTS

The grapevine: Your weekly collection of Buffalo’s sonic selections

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 18, 2016

Buffalo has a bunch of concerts this week, which include John Mellencamp and The Record Company. Avoid clowning around and go hear some great music in the area.

Brendan Cox, Ryan Thompson and Evan Cox the creators of Partially Normal Clothing. They currently have hats and t-shirts for sale but plan to include hoodies in their upcoming fall lineup.

ARTS

UB student turns ambition into clothing company

By Miranda Albini | Oct. 13, 2016

Partially Normal Clothing Company started off as a joke, but soon turned into a business. UB student Brendan Cox, a junior economics major, his brother Evan Cox, and Ryan Thompson, an integrated marketing communications major at John Carroll University, were hanging out when they thought of starting their own business. The idea of starting a clothing company was a conversation over winter break that later turned into reality.

Chris Banks, also known as Young Scholar, sits outside of the Student Union.

ARTS

Buffalo rapper Young Scholar is a student of the game

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 12, 2016

Chris Banks, also known as Young Scholar, vividly remembers the boos and jeers that emerged from the crowd while he performed on tour in Philadelphia.

ARTS

Chinese surrealist author Can Xue comes to UB in latest Exhibit X series

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | Oct. 12, 2016

Can Xue was born in China in 1953, right on the cusp of the Anti-Rightist Movement. Years later, her intellectual parents and family were persecuted and she was unable to complete her education. She was alienated and the feeling of isolation is what made Xue the Chinese surrealist writer she is today.

ARTS

The Grapevine

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 9, 2016

Whether you have a taste in conscious rap or death-metal, there’s something for everyone that’s only a short drive away. Stick around Queen City and kick back with a few friends at some of these marvelous musical offerings.

Troy Andrews, better known as Trombone Shorty, rocked the CFA Monday night. He and his band Orleans Avenue played for a sold out crowd of over 1100 people.

ARTS

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue rock UB Center for the Arts

Oct. 6, 2016

It’s rare to go to a concert and be inches away from the headlining act. But Trombone Shorty is a rare experience, as he parades through the audience and gives Buffalo a taste of the Mardi Gras spirit.

The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clearance is a great day trip to take if you’re looking for fall-themed activities. There are corn mazes, pumpkin picking and other attractions.

ARTS

Fall festivities in Western New York

By LINDSAY GILDER | Oct. 6, 2016

There are many great seasonal spots to explore within an hour’s drive and The Spectrum is here to tell you about a few that won’t break the bank.

Ben Affleck returns to the big screen as Christian Wolff, a shy mathematician who makes his living by doing freelance accounting for dangerous criminals.

ARTS

October movie guide

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | Oct. 6, 2016

October is upon us, so prepare for a surge of big horror releases sure to tingle the spine and chill to the bone.

ARTS

The Grapevine: Your weekly collection of Buffalo’s sonic selections

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 2, 2016

It’s that time of year again – the turn from September to October marks the beginning of a lot of fall festivities. However, fall doesn’t mark the end of summer’s wide range of concerts to attend. This week we have rock stars, a jazz group and other multi-genre artists stopping by the Buffalo area to perform. Forget the outdoor activities for a moment and head indoors to see some great live artists.

Chicken wings and Loganberry are some delectable treats that can only be found in Buffalo.

ARTS

Buffalo exclusives: The best food and drink found only in Buffalo

By Miranda Albini | Sep. 28, 2016

The city of Buffalo and the surrounding region are very unique and packed with history. Although Buffalo may appear to be an average city, there are a variety of products that are only sold and manufactured here and talked about by the entire country.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Out of the Shadows” used Buffalo's 33 expressway in the summer of 2015 to shoot the film’s opening action sequence.

ARTS

Buffalo’s best on the big screen

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | Sep. 28, 2016

Hollywood may be miles away, but Buffalo is no stranger to the silver screen. Many film and television productions have taken advantage of the city’s unique metropolitan architecture and landmarks.