I fell in love with the music of indie pop duo Tennis in high school, back when my older brother’s cool girlfriend was their biggest (and it felt like only) fan. Their albums earned regular spots in my CD rotation and YouTube history — I loved that every song created an atmosphere, told a story and was infinitely listenable.
“Today is National First-Generation Day,” Dannye Carpenter ’21 said, standing outside a First Generation and Low-Income Partnership exhibition on Nov. 8. The exhibition, titled “Collective Dream: The Fearless First and Low Income Experience Through Art,” featured a projection of over 100 images submitted by FLIP members.
BY EMMA MARTIN ’20
Singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis has certainly been busy since her 2014 exit from indie band Rilo Kiley. Her 2014 solo album, “The Voyager,” was the product of five years’ work and reflection and preceded by the hit single and feminist anthem, “Just One of the Guys.” In 2016, she debuted with female rock trio “Nice as F*ck” alongside Erika Forster and Tennessee Thomas at a Bernie Sanders rally. The group released a self-titled LP of garage rock tunes that are a tougher backdrop for Lewis’ folksy twang. Lewis’ latest solo project, her album, “On the Line,” was released in late March and demonstrates that she is just as much a vanguard now as she was in 1998 as a standout lead singer and guitarist in a male-dominated genre
BY EMMA MARTIN ’20
Rain and gloom outside the windows of the Blanchard Great Room set the scene for a cozy day of jazz last Friday, March 29 at the Five College Jazz Festival. Throughout the day, a steady stream of guests enjoyed jazz styles from various regions and time periods on the Great Room stage. Free and open to the public, the festival was an all-day opportunity to hear live jazz from groups representing the Five College music community.
BY EMMA MARTIN ’20
The traveling American Ballet Theatre Studio Company performed to receptive audiences in the Kendall Studio Theater last Friday and Saturday. The 12 young dancers were met with gasps, murmurs and extended applause from the crowd in the small, dark space as they performed six stunning, diverse pieces.
BY EMMA MARTIN ’20
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning first musical “In the Heights” is about home and family in the vibrant Latinx community of New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood. This theme is more than just Broadway magic for the Holyoke Community College Theater and Music Department, whose production of the show opened last weekend, Nov. 8-10.
BY EMMA MARTIN ’20
This Sunday, Oct. 13, Sarah Cavar ’20 held a reception for the publication of their collaborative zine, “[S]PACE,” featuring student work from self-identified members of the disabled community. The event was meant to elicit new creation; Cavar shared prompts for those gathered to write and create with during the event.
BY TESS TUITOEK ’21
The use of award shows as political platforms for celebrities has been a part of Hollywood for a long time. With the advent of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, stars and activists have used the red carpet as a platform to speak up about sexual assault, wearing all black in solidarity with the Time’s Up movement at the 75th Golden Globes.
Every summer, Mount Holyoke students go off into the real world for internships and experiences that will shape them for the rest of their lives. Some of our MoHos venture into more artistic endeavors. Arts & Entertainment talked to some of these students about their summers and the work they did in their respective fields.
BY EMMA MARTIN ’20
This weekend the Mount Holyoke College theatre department presented their popular rendition of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with four performances in Rooke Theater. The show, directed by Noah Tuleja, featured strong acting against the backdrop of an extravagant, whimsical set with creative costuming and an unforgettable soundtrack.
BY EMMA MARTIN ’20
Indie group Frankie Cosmos released their new album “Vessel” through Seattle-based record company Sub Pop on March 30. “Vessel” is more experimental, more ambitious and longer — featuring an impressive 18 tracks — than the groups’ earlier records, employing new instruments and recording techniques. Band members David Maine, Lauren Martin, Luke Pyenson and Kline all contribute vocals and their unique musical perspectives to create a familiar yet distinct sound.
BY EMMA MARTIN ’20
“Do you ever think about just killing him?” Amanda (Olivia Cooke, “Me, Earl and the Dying Girl”) asks her kind-of new friend Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy, “The Witch”) in a memorable scene from psychological thriller “Thoroughbreds,” the feature debut of writer-director Corey Finley. As Amanda casually uncorks a bottle of wine, the two teens first discuss the main subject of the movie — their plan to kill Lily’s stepfather Mark (Paul Sparks, “The Greatest Showman”).
BY EMMA MARTIN ’20
“Boy, do we have a show for you tonight!” local meteorologist Brain Lapis told Chapin Auditorium while opening the first performance of the Big Broadcast Saturday afternoon. Lapis reprised his role as M.C. Fred Kelly, hosting the 12th annual recreation of a live radio broadcast on the fictional station “WJAZ.” Big Broadcast celebrates the golden age of radio with the Mount Holyoke Jazz Ensemble and other soloists performing renditions of 1940s jazz tunes.
BY EMMA MARTIN ’20
The screening room of the South Hadley Tower Theaters was buzzing last Saturday, as people gathered to see a special midnight screening of cult classic flop, “The Room,” written, directed by and starring Tommy Wiseau. As the title credits and oversweeping shots of San Francisco, it become apparent that no one in the theater was taking the movie seriously. The audience shouted and cracked jokes the entire evening.
BY EMMA MARTIN ’20
Mara Benjamin, professor and chair of the Jewish studies department, could be seen warmly greeting the steady stream of guests filing in to see Jewish folk music group, Pharaoh’s Daughter, on Friday evening in the McCulloch Auditorium. The space was packed as the group played music that incorporated sounds and languages from around the globe with percussion, flute, strings and electronica.
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