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Arts and Entertainment

A&E 10/29/19 9:50pm

Good Eats: The Houston Black Food Truck Festival

By Varun Kukunoor

From Jamaican jerk chicken to loaded grilled cheese, the Third Annual Houston Black Food Truck Festival confirmed my belief that a happy stomach leads to a happy life. Taking place every October, the festival rallies together the greatest mobile eats of the greater Houston area. 

A&E 10/29/19 9:48pm

A night of chills and thrills in the Haunted Hall

By Rishika Chidananda

Something dark and twisted appeared on campus last Friday. While students were hiding from the cold that unexpectedly swept through the city, a large circus-like tent materialized in the Rice Memorial Center Grand Hall. Unknown creatures were heard shuffling behind the tapered sheets, murmuring in incomprehensible voices.

A&E 10/29/19 9:47pm

Rex Orange County’s “Pony” is lackluster but genuine

By Morgan Gage

With “Pony,” indie pop artist Rex Orange County makes his debut with a major label while sticking to his genre-defying roots. The overall sound of the album is nigh impossible to define as songs alternate between crooning over gentle acoustics to rap to synth-pop. Despite this, each song in the album is connected by a common thread in the utter genuinity in Rex Orange County’s delivery.

A&E 10/29/19 9:43pm

“Cats” captivates Hobby Center in single week production

By Harrison Lorenzen

“Cats,” one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous musicals, returned to Houston for one week only, wowing audiences with its elaborate dancing, stunning lighting and most of all, its cats. Running Oct. 22 to Oct. 27 at Hobby Center to a house nearly full with patrons of all ages dressed in cheetah print and cat ears, “Cats” was captivating throughout the show. 

A&E 10/22/19 10:25pm

Best and Worst of ACL 2019

By Katelyn Landry

Along with at least half of Rice’s student body, the Thresher made yet another road trip to Austin City Limits Music Festival Weekend Two over midterm break. Despite the inflated food prices and suffocating crowds, I can honestly say that this year was by far the best I have experienced in three consecutive years of attending my hometown’s festival. 

A&E 10/22/19 9:28pm

Ranking “First Day Out” songs

By Jacob Tate

Immediately after her release from prison Oct. 8, JT of the rap group City Girls released a blistering track “JT First Day Out.” In doing so, JT joins a long list of rappers who have released “first day out” songs. To celebrate a worthy addition to the genre, we’re ranking first day out songs from worst to best.

A&E 10/22/19 9:22pm

Coffee comes second in the new Espresso Yourself art gallery

By Rishika Chidananda

Campus cult-favorite Rice Coffeehouse saw slightly more patrons than usual last Thursday. Amid the frenzied typing and tides of friendly conversation, students also gathered in Coffeehouse to admire the new art installments that now grace the cafe’s left wall as part of the Espresso Yourself art gallery opening.

A&E 10/16/19 8:58pm

Paul Otremba celebrated at posthumous book launch

By Lily Wulfemeyer

Before passing away this June from cancer, Rice professor Paul Otremba got to see an early print of his third book of poetry, “Levee.” Published posthumously in early September, “Levee” received a launch and reading this past Thursday at the Menil Collection, hosted by Inprint, a local literary arts nonprofit organization. 

A&E 10/8/19 9:53pm

Review: “Joker” misses a few punchlines

By Taylor Crain

Gone are the suave, perfectly timed comedic Jokers of our childhood cartoons. The stylish, crisp and capable-of-institutionally-insane-yet-highly-intellectual-monologues Jokers are no more. There is a new Joker in town. 

A&E 10/8/19 9:49pm

Six ways to spend fall recess

By Morgan Gage

With midterm recess quickly approaching, many students plan to attend the second weekend of the Austin City Limits Music Festival or return home for the long weekend. However, the number of things to do within the city of Houston or throughout the state is as large as Texas itself.

A&E 10/8/19 9:46pm

“Hey, I’m Just Like You” oozes nostalgia

By James Karroum

Identical twin sister duo Tegan and Sara revisit their teen angst and give it a powerful voice with their new album “Hey, I’m Just Like You,” released Sept. 27. In their ninth studio album, the duo straddles the line between pop and rock genres as they revisit tracks they recorded together in high school. 

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