Arts - The Spectrum

Among the blockbuster hits coming to theaters this month, "Star Wars" and "The Hateful 8" are set to duke it out for the top spot. Check out the best movies coming this month in our December movie guide.

ARTS

December movie guide: Upcoming films to be released this month

By Tomas Olivier | Dec. 1, 2015

As fall comes to an end and the holiday season trudges on, the primetime for end-of-year movies is ushered in. The hottest movies of the year are often premiered in December, strategically, to catch the end of the movie award season. This year, the countless movies to be released in December offer a fun and exciting way to spend the holidays with friends and family. Don’t miss out on what the season has to offer by checking out some of these upcoming films.

ARTS

The grapevine

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Dec. 1, 2015

From John Legend to Todd Rundgren, Buffalo never fails to surprise with its array of incoming talent. As the much-dreaded finals week approaches, get out of whatever study spot you are currently crying in and give yourself a much-needed reprieve. Get out to one of the many shows in the Queen City this week and let yourself relax and forget about the huge pileup of work you inevitably have been putting off.

Maggie Maloney is a burgeoning musician from Buffalo, performing as Shelly the Cat. Over the past year, Maloney has faced a number of problems, overcoming severe depression as well as a tragic death in her family. She said she has found solace in music making and using artistic expression as an outlet for her emotions.

ARTS

Shelly the Cat turns music into medicine

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Nov. 22, 2015

It was yet another crippling blow to Maloney’s emotional health after years of tribulation. Her brother’s death came during one of the lowest points in her life, after a hard-fought battle with severe depression and a nasty breakup with a longtime boyfriend. Music making, she said, has been the key in facing these problems and finding release.

A story of emotional twists and turns, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” is dark and morbid but somehow ends optimistically with Katniss’s head held high.

ARTS

The Hunger Games: The end of an era

By GIOVANNI GAGLIANESE | Nov. 22, 2015

A story of emotional twists and turns, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” is dark and morbid but somehow ends optimistically with Katniss’s head held high.

ARTS

The grapevine

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Nov. 22, 2015

The week before Thanksgiving is a little slow concert-wise, but not to worry. The shows that are coming to town are still wide-ranging, featuring a nice spread of acts, from indie up-and-comers to established artists in the industry to a power metal band. Take a look and see if any of these groups are up your alley.

The UB Smash Club is a group of gamers who bond over their love of video games. The club meets every Wednesday in the Student Union from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. to compete and improve their Smash Bros. skills.

ARTS

UB Smash Club creates brothers

By KENNETH KASHIF THOMAS | Nov. 22, 2015

Taking the best characters Nintendo has to offer and pitting them against each other in epic battles, UB’s own Smash Club comes together every week for the purpose of playing the game communally.

Papadosio will be performing at the Town Ballroom on Friday. The jam band recently released their 4th full length album Extras In A Movie, which was crowd-funded on Kickstarter. The band is currently touring the country promoting their new album.

ARTS

Prog rock band Papadosio set to play Town Ballroom

By Luke Heuskin | Nov. 19, 2015

On Friday Nov. 20, progressive rockers Papadosio will be taking the stage at Buffalo’s Town Ballroom. Originating in the college town of Athens, Ohio, Papadosio is now centered in North Carolina. Often described as “genre-bending,” they cite influences ranging from punk rock to jazz music.

ARTS

Gabriel Iglesias tours in Buffalo

By KENNETH KASHIF THOMAS | Nov. 19, 2015

Speaking on his tour career success, Iglesias also opened up about what he holds most dear during his interactions with fans and viewers.

OPINION

Justin Bieber’s purpose

By DANI GUGLIELMO | Nov. 18, 2015

Bieber released his fourth studio album Purpose on Nov. 13 as his first project of new music after a two-year break of “bad behavior” and the follow-up to his previous album Believe.

A listing of The Spectrum's favorite albums of 2015.

ARTS

The Spectrum Grammys: Highest rated albums of 2015

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Nov. 18, 2015

Between Future and Drake, One Direction and Justin Beiber, Taylor Swift and Carly Rae Jepson, this year’s top albums were nearly impossible to narrow down to 25 LPs, let alone 10 standout albums. But The Spectrum, we did its very best.

A Spectrum staff-wide survey of our 2015 favorites - Drake among them.

ARTS

Spectrum’s picks: Our staff’s favorite songs of 2015

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Nov. 18, 2015

Music is a subjective art form, subject to the fickle whims of listeners who don’t know what they want to hear until they hear it.

Osei Mbhaso aka Kid Rah is an artist who collaborates with friends to make music. He started in high school and learned about the art from his friends.

ARTS

UB artist Kid Rah works to become well-rounded, shine light on artist community

By KENNETH KASHIF THOMAS | Nov. 18, 2015

It can be understood that everyone has a latent potential to create – it just has to be discovered and refined. Osei Mbhaso, a senior communication majorwho goes by the artist name Kid Rah, shows the truth in this statement.

Photo illustration - The Spectrum asked UB Students to dish out their favorite albums and songs of the month. Here are some of the biggest hits from around the UB community.

ARTS

What’s in your ear?: A survey of various artist and genres UB students are listening to this week

By Tomas Olivier | Nov. 15, 2015

Everyone has their own preferences and the students of the UB community are no exception. The Spectrum went out and surveyed different students about their musical flavor of the week.

ARTS

The grapevine

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Nov. 15, 2015

This week in concerts features a slew of interesting and iconic artists – there’s something for everyone.

Black Sabbath's most recent album came following a 16-year breakup and hiatus. It was released in 2013 – two years after the band’s reformation in 2011.

ARTS

Revisiting Black Sabbath’s 13 before the band’s final tour

By BLAKE GAUTREAU | Nov. 15, 2015

The band’s most recent album is 13. Following a 16-year breakup and hiatus, 13 came as a surprise to fans. It was released in 2013 – two years after the band’s reformation in 2011 – and Rubin did not let us down. Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Brad Wilk mesh together well.

Lauded Broadway performer Colm Wilkinson, known for his performances in “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Les Misérables,” gave a charming concert on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Center for the Arts. Among his famous theatrical songs, Wilkinson even performed songs from The Beatles catalogue.

ARTS

Colm Wilkinson stops in Buffalo for his 'Broadway and Beyond' tour

By Gabriela Ortiz | Nov. 12, 2015

Colm Wilkinson is nothing short of a Broadway legend. Known for his performances in hits like “Les Misérables,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the actor has spent a little more than half of his life enthralling audiences around the world with his incredible talent.

One-Punch Man is a new satirical anime that humorously makes fun of practically every superhero and action anime in existence. The main character, Saitama, can beat any enemy with one punch. Check out the anime on Hulu.

ARTS

'One Punch Man' spoofs anime

By KENNETH KASHIF THOMAS | Nov. 11, 2015

Whether it was “Dragon Ball Z,” “Naruto” or another cult favorite running on Adult Swim during its prime, viewers have flocked to the TV to see the latest in anime. Recently aired “One Punch Man,” based off the manga of the same name, takes aspects from your favorite animes and makes it obvious how ridiculously cliché they are.

Black Student Union members protest President Satish Tripathi’s State of the University Address in October, demanding a university policy on art in public spaces. UB announced an interim policy on Thursday, which states that student artwork outside the Center for the Arts must be labeled as such.

ARTS

Pressure mounts for UB to take stance on ‘White Only’ art project

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Nov. 11, 2015

Nearly two months after the incident, in which Powell hung signs reading “White Only” and “Black Only” around campus bathrooms, benches and water fountains for a class project, tensions and discussions are still resonating across the UB community.

ARTS

Death, death and more death on 'Fargo'

By DAN MCKEON | Nov. 11, 2015

The Spectrum reviews the latest episode of Fargo.

ARTS

'Spectre' raises the bar

By TORI ROSEMAN | Nov. 11, 2015

“Spectre” was everything a spy movie should be.