Special Projects

NEWS 10/5/22 12:04am

BISF hosts expert panel on abortion healthcare policy

By Maria Morkas

On Sept. 29, the Baker Institute Student Forum hosted an expert panel on abortion healthcare. The panel discussed topics like abortion from a healthcare provider’s perspective, abortion advocacy and creating a culture and community of trust at the university level.

FEATURES 10/5/22 12:02am

Flying off shelves: Read these banned books

By Riya Misra

On Oct. 6, Fondren Library is collaborating with Rice’s Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality to present a Banned Books Read Out, where Rice members will read excerpts from their favorite banned or challenged books. In honor of this event, the Thresher has rounded up a list of banned books. The titles are accessible on campus or through Fondren Library’s database, in case you find yourself looking for some new reads during midterm recess.

FEATURES 10/5/22 12:01am

Going behind the counter with the GMs of Rice’s SRBs

By Allison He

Whether getting a caffeine fix, late-night dinner or their bike repaired, Rice students are no doubt familiar with many of the campus’ student-run businesses. What students often don’t see, though, is behind the scenes of SRBs — a general manager fixing the credit card machine or ensuring the oat milk supply returns.

FEATURES 10/4/22 11:58pm

Midterm recess activities worth driving for

By Sarah Bartos

After a long first few weeks of classes, students get the upcoming fall break to relax and rewind before getting back into the swing of things. If you want to go beyond the hedges this fall break after crushing your papers and exams, here are a few spots within driving distance from Rice to explore during fall break.

FEATURES 10/4/22 11:54pm

Senior Spotlight: Nida Fatima finds her calling

By Kavya Sahni

Nida Fatima was the only girl from her town who moved abroad for college in her year. She grew up in Faisalabad, Pakistan, a two-hour drive away from Lahore.

FEATURES 10/4/22 11:52pm

‘Best Golden Corral you’ve ever been to’: Students talk fanfiction

By Morgan Gage

You can check out some of the earliest fanfictions at Fondren Library — “Paradise Lost” and “Dante’s Inferno” have long been hailed as examples of literary craftsmanship, and it is no secret that they found their roots in what we would commonly call fanfiction today, stories written by a fan of another work of art featuring characters from those works. Some students at Rice may know “50 Shades of Grey,” a “Twilight” fanfiction that found its way to a publishing house. Other students, though, have found community and opportunities for artistic expression within fanfiction and fan communities.

A&E 10/4/22 11:49pm

Review: Freddie Gibbs showcases his versatility on his big-label debut ‘$oul $old $eperately’

By Jay Collura

After signing with Warner Music, Freddie Gibbs released his first album in two years last Friday, “$oul $old $eperately.” Gibbs has been a mainstay of hardcore and boom bap hip-hop over the last decade, acclaimed for his collaborative projects with legendary producers The Alchemist and Madlib. His work with the former landed him his first Grammy Award nomination with “Alfredo” in 2020, and the albums produced by the latter (“Piñata” and “Bandana”) are certainly some of the best hip-hop albums of the 2010s.

A&E 10/4/22 11:48pm

Review: ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ is a Slow Start Redeemed by a Strong Third Act

By Saswat Pati

There has perhaps been no movie in recent memory that has had as much controversy surrounding its release as “Don’t Worry Darling.” While the details could be an article within itself, I can say that this film is not nearly the catastrophe that the controversy surrounding its release would lead you to expect. In fact, “Don’t Worry Darling” has one of the strongest third acts that I’ve ever seen in a movie. If it were not for lackluster pacing in the first two acts, this would be a four star movie.

A&E 10/4/22 11:47pm

Review: Maude Latour shines bright in ‘001’

By Hadley Medlock

Recent Columbia University graduate by day and up-and-coming pop star by night Maude Latour just released her third EP titled “001.” Known for her catchy and bright tracks on heartbreak, sisterhood, love and friendship, “001” preserves her classic, upbeat style but focuses more on themes of self-discovery and personal reflection. Although I don’t know that anything can beat her 2020 song “One More Weekend,” Latour shows a new side of herself as a singer-songwriter in “001” and takes listeners through the process of finding herself.

A&E 10/4/22 11:45pm

Review: ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ is the campy end to Disney’s sequel cold streak

By Jazmine Castillo

The sequel to the 1993 cult-classic “Hocus Pocus” can only be described as a campy, 21st century ode to the original meant for new watchers and old fans alike to enjoy. With Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy reprising their roles as the three Sanderson Sisters, Disney’s cold streak with sequels and remakes seems to have finally broken.

A&E 10/4/22 11:43pm

Take a break with these artsy spots

By Sara Davidson

This upcoming fall recess is the perfect time to unwind while also exploring some of the great art that Houston has to offer right outside of the hedges. From interactive exhibits to new museum collections, Houston’s art scene has so much to offer during our extra days off. Many of the art spots listed below are just a short drive away or accessible via METRO.

A&E 10/4/22 11:41pm

Review: Lizzy McAlpine delivers at House of Blues despite vocal complications

By Michelle Gachelin

Nobody likes a secret, and Lizzy McAlpine is no longer mine. The singer-songwriter performed the Houston stop of her tour at the House of Blues last Thursday to a packed crowd, whose singing only stopped when she debuted her unreleased songs. The Philadelphia native has been consistently releasing indie-folk projects since before her college years at the Berklee School of Music, but her fame has skyrocketed since she dropped her sophomore album, “five seconds flat,” in April of this year. Although it seems only fair that an artist of McAlpine’s caliber finally receives the recognition she deserves, I’m a little disappointed that I can’t keep her all to myself.

A&E 10/4/22 11:39pm

Meet the ACL Artist: Siena Liggins on her inspiration, art and performance

By Shreya Challa

Atlanta-based musician Siena Liggins is bringing her lively, infectious brand of pop music to Austin City Limits. Her debut visual album, “Ms. Out Tonight,” explores romance and the balance between masculine and feminine themes, drawing inspiration from real life and visual art.

A&E 10/4/22 11:36pm

Beyond the hedges: LAWAH builds community for Latine artists

By Madison Barendse

Latin American Women Artists of Houston is a collective that aims to empower Latine artists by providing them with a community and opportunities to share their work. Each member contributes their unique artistic style and background to the group, but the collective’s art generally builds on themes of home, immigration and cultural identity.

A&E 10/4/22 11:35pm

Pre-Broadway premiere of ‘Miss Maude’ is changing the status quo

By Ivy Li

Playwright Martin Casella first discovered photojournalist W. Eugene Smith’s photographs of nurse-midwife Maude Callen in a museum. Incredibly moved by her story, Casella wrote the play “Miss Maude” to dramatize the meeting of Smith and Callen. Performed by the A.D. Players at the George Theater through Oct. 23, “Miss Maude” should reach Broadway by spring 2023 through the play’s projected funding, according to producer Bruce D. Long.

A&E 10/4/22 11:34pm

Houston Jazz Collective’s rise from Valhalla to 713 Music Hall

By Hugo Gerbich-Pais

Initially inspired by punk rock, the Houston Jazz Collective originated in the ‘70s from small concerts held at Valhalla and broadcast live on KTRU radio. The collective’s founders Joseph Peine and Tim Ruiz began playing shows at Rice with their friends from the Houston School for The Performing and Visual Arts. Many of their bandmates had strong connections with Rice.

SPORTS 10/4/22 11:31pm

Powderpuff becomes an intramural, future still undecided

By Morgan Gage

What happened to Miss Independent? She joined the intramural league. Starting this semester, Powderpuff hangs up its independent status and shifts from club to intramural sport. The change comes with a host of changes in rules and in how Powderpuff is organized and run as well as a name change — colleges can now expect to cheer on their women’s flag football team.

SPORTS 10/4/22 11:28pm

Football looks to be turning a corner, but real test is still ahead

By Daniel Schrager

The past few weeks have been as encouraging of a stretch as Rice football has had in a long time. First they beat the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to end what was then the longest active winning streak in college football. They then went toe-to-toe with a University of Houston team that started the season ranked No. 24. Finally, over the weekend, they beat perennial Conference USA contenders University of Alabama at Birmingham for the second straight year.

SPORTS 10/4/22 11:27pm

Late free kick sinks soccer against A&M, snaps win streak

By Pavithr Goli

The Rice soccer team lost 1-0 to Texas A&M University on Sunday night, dropping the team to 6-7 — the most losses the program has seen since head coach Brian Lee’s tenure began in 2019. Entering the game with a four-game winning streak since beginning conference play, the loss away from home rounds out the Owls’ non-conference schedule. Despite the loss, Lee was proud of the way the team fought and is optimistic about the rest of the regular season schedule.

SPORTS 10/4/22 11:25pm

Doubles duo Diae and Maria look to build on No. 16 ranking

By Reed Myers

Hailing from Casablanca, Morocco, and Bristol, United Kingdom, fifth-year Diae El Jardi and senior Maria Budin have joined forces in Houston, Texas, to become the No. 16 doubles team in the country. The duo capped off an impressive season last year with a doubles record of 14-5, earning the No. 22 doubles ranking to finish the year and making it to the NCAA Women’s Doubles Championship. According to El Jardi, their first taste of the NCAA postseason was met with some initial nerves.