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Arts and Entertainment

A&E 11/5/19 9:35pm

Best of the Fest: The Austin Film Festival Showcases Indie Filmmaker Talent

By Biz Rasich

More than 180 films screened at this year’s Austin Film Festival, which ran from Oct. 24 to 31. Now in its 26th year, the festival is known for its focus on screenwriting and for its solid slate of Oscar-bait films. I waited in hour-long lines and chatted with retired couples, an Airbnb “entrepreneur” and a woman who had once been Woody Harrelson’s temporary bodyguard in order to watch a half-dozen feature films in three days. Here are the indie films that rose above the rest.

A&E 11/5/19 9:31pm

Caffeinated creativity: David Buehrer talks McNair Hall’s incoming coffee shop and his own entrepreneurial history

By Ariana Engles

Nestled away in the southwest side of the McNair Hall courtyard is a room full of construction, espresso and hope. This is where I met David Buehrer this past Saturday. When I arrived, Buehrer was bustling around the room, talking with his employees and prepping for Audrey’s, the coffee shop that will open in the Jones Graduate School of Business this coming spring.

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. 

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