Rice University’s Student Newspaper — Since 1916

Thursday, March 28, 2024 — Houston, TX

Arts and Entertainment


A&E 11/7/18 12:12am

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ relies too heavily on existing fandom

If you listen to music, you probably like Queen and its legendary frontman Freddie Mercury. It is this universal appeal that serves as the foundation for the new Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a film that relies too heavily on the built-in fandom of its killer soundtrack and shies away from delving into any material of profound substance.


A&E 11/7/18 12:07am

BSA Presents: Open Mic Night 2018

Friday night in the Multicultural Center lounge saw students feasting on fried chicken and Texas toast while sitting on couches, listening to the carefully polished words and songs from the center stage. The Black Student Association’s Open Mic Night featured students performing five different acts for an audience of 30. Performances ranged from songs to poetry readings and were all met with enthusiastic applause. 



A&E 11/7/18 12:04am

Menil Drawing Institute Opening

As I walk down a street lined with houses, the svelte, modern Menil Drawing Institute appears from the surrounding greenery, enticing me to discover what’s inside. The MDI, which had its grand opening this past weekend, is the first new building to be added to the Menil’s “neighborhood of art” in over 20 years. According to Director Rebecca Rabinow, the MDI is the first institute in America to be solely “dedicated to the acquisition, conservation, display, study and storage of modern and contemporary drawings.” The space reflects a commitment to exposing the community to the world of drawing through inviting architecture and providing free admission.



A&E 10/31/18 12:18am

‘Dimensions Variable’ provides another angle

The performance art show “Dimensions Variable” was held Oct. 27 in Matthew Ritchie's “The Demon in the Diagram,” a sprawling exhibition currently occupying the entirety of two galleries in the Moody Center for the Arts. The 40-minute piece, produced by the Hope Mohr Dance troupe and composer Evan Ziporyn, was intended to use dance to elaborate on the message of Ritchie's piece. 


A&E 10/31/18 12:14am

Slaying the cold: A guide to winter beauty

As November approaches and temperatures in Houston finally drop, expect cooler winds and dry air. While it’s nice not to  be drenched in sweat every time you step outside, this change in climate also transforms the texture and moisture of your hair and skin. Chilly days may leave your skin chapped and peeling, and your hair brittle and dull. Here are special winter beauty tips to combat the cold temperatures and leave you looking refreshed and vibrant. Disclaimer: Tips are based on personal experience and results can vary from person to person.


A&E 10/31/18 12:12am

Stay trendy in the colder weather with this season’s picks

While the internet’s obsession with all things “hygge” (which is Danish for a moment or experience that is particularly cozy) seems to have waned a bit, the pursuit of being cozy still seems to be very “on trend.” Whether you’re looking forward to colder temps over winter break or have difficulty toughing it out in the frozen tundra that is Herzstein Amp, you’ll find many cozy options like sherpa hoodies, boucle cardigans and extra soft chenille sweaters to keep you warm. 


A&E 10/31/18 12:11am

Celebrating Día de los Muertos in Houston: MECA Makes an Impact

A local nonprofit is involving local Houston communities in the exploration and appreciation of Latinx culture with its annual festival celebrating Día de los Muertos. Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA) hosts the annual event that boasted upwards of 10,000 visitors in 2017. The festival runs for two days in late October and offers festival-goers the chance to experience various facets of Latinx traditions, including food, music and crafts. 


A&E 10/31/18 12:09am

Perfect Imperfections: VADA and Comp Sci senior Priyanka Jain

The walls of Priyanka Jain’s studio flow with pink and purple. From a distance, her in-progress piece looks like an ocean wave made of tiny trapezoids. Up close, you’ll find that each trapezoid is slightly different from the one next to it. Jain, a Will Rice College senior studying computer science and visual and dramatic arts, says these slight imperfections are exactly what she is going for.







A&E 10/24/18 12:08am

R2’s Fall Open Mic Night: A nest of creativity

Rainbow fairy lights hung from the ceiling, enshrouding the room in a soft glow.  Artists of all crafts lounged on the blue couches of Lyle’s while munching on Thai Spice, pita chips and cookies. R2, Rice’s literary magazine, created this atmosphere for its fall Open Mic Night last Thursday at 7 p.m. in Lyle’s within the basement of Lovett College. 


A&E 10/24/18 12:06am

Get goosebumps with 'Netflix and Chills'

It’s spoopy season — a time for pumpkin carving, trick or treating and “Hocus Pocus” reruns. But, if you’re anything like me, you want more out of your October than wholesome spooks and friendly ghouls. You crave the most petrifying scares, the goriest misfortunes and the creepiest tales. 


A&E 10/24/18 12:03am

Curving Bodies: Featuring VADA and Policy Studies Senior, Miranda Morris

For McMurtry College senior Miranda Morris, art is a way to explore the human body. Her studio is a collection of portrayals of the curves and shadows formed by shoulders, arms and torsos. In one corner, a charcoal sketch of an elbow propped against a knee. In another, a golden sculpture of a foot curved against a woman’s face.


A&E 10/18/18 2:10pm

Freaky Deaky: DJs to look out for

The whole point of a music festival is to walk around and explore the acts around you to discover more artists to love. However, for festival goers looking for a sure way to enjoy themselves, these three artists are going to deliver a ticket money’s worth and then some. 


A&E 10/18/18 2:07pm

A Survival Guide for Freaky Deaky

PLURR stands for peace, love, unity, respect and responsibility and embodies the spirit of rave culture care – maybe Dean Hutch wasn’t thinking big enough when he came up with the three R’s.