"Significant Other" debuts at the studio theater (and it's pretty funny)
November 06, 2018
This past weekend the Behrend theater program debuted its Fall production, “Significant Other,” on Thursday, Nov. 1, opening night. Premiering on Broadway in 2017, the play has quickly become a widespread success, and the opening night at Behrend, save for a few faults, was no different.
Freshman Will Kuhns becomes Behrend's own "Piano Man"
November 06, 2018
For a few hours every week, Wintergarden Lobby has been filled with songs considerably more graceful than its usual passing-through chatter. Pittsburgh native and pianist William Kuhns came to Berend this fall to study Management Information Systems and Supply Chain Management but was unable to leave behind his love for the keys in the meantime.
Tracy Chapman sues Minaj for copyright infringement
October 30, 2018
Nicki Minaj is in the spotlight again, and not for a good reason. A lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles federal court by Tracy Chapman against Nicki Minaj last week alleging copyright infringement. Chapman claims Minaj used lyrics and vocal melody from her 1988 song “Baby, Can I Hold You” without permission in Minaj’s unreleased song “Sorry.”
Mick Jenkins: Pieces of a Man — A restitution of self
October 30, 2018
It is certainly a hell of a year for Chicago. Artists like Kanye West and Chance the Rapper are seemingly ever-present in the headlines but, despite the hysteria, Chicago rapper Mick Jenkins (27) has resurfaced into the spotlight with his sophomore LP, “Pieces of a Man” (PoaM).
First Man: Ordinary people don't go to the moon
October 23, 2018
Since the mark made by Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” (and growing public interest in space exploration thanks to figures like Elon Musk), a new crop of space-related films has seen the big screen in recent years. As of recent, “La La Land” and “Whiplash” director Damien Chazelle (with executive production in the hands of Steven Spielberg) delivered “First Man,” the Neil Armstrong (played by Ryan Gosling) biopic detailing his personal journey through familial tragedy towards the success of the Apollo 11 mission and landing on the moon.
Greta Van Fleet: Led Zeppelin reincarnate
October 23, 2018
Led Zeppelin has been gone since the turn of the 1980s, and maybe a couple of bands have had that level of rock-and-roll success. The band is a household name worldwide. One band from Michigan is doing what the rock-and-roll world thought they would never see again: a band is successfully (or extremely close to) mirroring Led Zeppelin.
"Dr. Who" series 11 starts off strong and sincere
October 23, 2018
“Doctor Who” is a show that has been around for decades, and with its long existence many people have taken the role of the time traveling alien know as the Doctor. However, what makes this newest season different is the fact that the Doctor is being played by Jodie Whittaker — a woman.
Street artist Banksy shreds his own $1.4 million artwork at auction
October 16, 2018
In recent news, a Banksy piece was put up for auction at Sotheby’s, an auction house located in New York, NY. The work was titled “Girl with a Balloon” and sold for 1.4 million dollars. Directly after the auction for the piece ended, the picture dropped through the frame and through a shredder.
Hands like Houses: Anon. — Fly like a butterfly, sting like a… butterfly?
October 16, 2018
Hands Like Houses are coming off a third album, “Dissonants,” which catapulted them into fame within the post-hardcore scene, which is picking up significant strength in their native Australia. Hands Like Houses hoped to live up to the hype that had built around them with their next album, “Anon.”, which was released on October 12.
Misconduct! at the Disco
October 16, 2018
On September 20th, 2018, Twitter user @donasnooze, also known as Ashley, posted a thread detailing her interactions with Harris from 2016 and onward. Ashley, sixteen and a minor at the time, was asked by Harris to send explicit photos of herself in exchange for being thrown a guitar pick at the Panic! concert that Ashley was to attend.
“Trench” brings longtime Twenty One Pilots fans into a new era
October 16, 2018
Three long years. Twenty One Pilots fans were in near ecstasy on the Friday that “Trench” was officially released. The end of the “Blurryface” era in 2015 left many listeners with an intense desire for the niche sound that the band had achieved over the last 9 years.
Behrend host brings wholesome storytelling to BVZ
October 09, 2018
In between the 2000s pop station clones and the dismal talk-radio shows, local radio scans prove unfruitful in the way of wholesome and uplifting content. Here on Behrend’s own BVZ however, Senior Communication major Mary Smith is delivering just that on her weekly program, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”
Thrice’s “Palms” — Looking in
October 09, 2018
After a five-year long hiatus, the hype was on. Thrice had returned with their first album in nearly five years, and they were better than ever. Their ninth studio album, “To Be Everywhere Is to Be Nowhere,” was released on May 25, 2016, to excellent reviews. However, what of their next effort two years later?
Higher. Further. Faster.
October 02, 2018
On September 5th, 2018, actress Brie Larson took the stage as Captain Marvel on the cover of Entertainment Weekly, an American magazine which covers numerous aspects of popular culture. On September 18th, two weeks following her reveal, Marvel Studios released the first worldwide trailer for "Captain Marvel."
Sean Leon (The Death Of) — Be careful what you dream for
September 25, 2018
Sean Leon is the fully independent rising talent from Toronto, Canada, who made his way onto Apple Music curated playlists last year with his ferocious song, “Vintage,” from his album, “C.C.W.M.T.T.” (“Can’t Come With Me This Time”). This was his first exposure in the mainstream, and he has since sprinkled sporadic EP and single releases. With little to no warning.
Mozart prevents seizures (among other things)
September 25, 2018
There has been a great deal of medical research regarding the clinical uses of music, and recently, Doctors at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, Scotland have discovered a unique property of Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major.
70th Primetime Emmy Awards
September 25, 2018
For those who don't know, the Primetime Emmy Awards is an annual show recognizing accomplishments in current American television. On September 17th, the 70th annual Emmys took place, including nominations such as best program, acting, writing, and directing, some categories dividing awards by female and male identification.
ARTificial intelligence
September 18, 2018
As the jungles become more concrete and our conversations become more digital, intelligence has become more artificial and machines are being taught to learn. In 2017, the Art and Artificial Intelligence Lab at Rutgers University published their recent findings where AI-generated art gave off the impression of being human-made more often than human-made are from the Art Basel (artnet).
Troye Sivan: Take a trip into his garden
September 18, 2018
“He’ll just do whatever, do whatever he likes.” It has taken him some time to get there, but Australian pop artist, Troye Sivan, did just that. The guy who was initially recognized on YouTube who turned pop sensation released his sophomore album, Bloom, on August 31, 2018 to a sea of fans ready to ingest everything that the young, 22-year-old, gay artist had to say since releasing his first album, Blue Neighborhood, in 2015.
Kamikaze by Eminem: crashing and burning
September 10, 2018
As many are now aware, legendary rapper Eminem has released a surprise album titled “Kamikaze.” The entirety of the album, excluding the track “Venom,” is Eminem brutally attacking young rap artists, the music industry, and those who have come after him. Essentially, he is going after anyone who he perceives has wronged him.
Hollywood and its fake progressivism
September 10, 2018
For better or worse, Hollywood remains one of those longstanding institutive manufacturers of American culture. Perpetually held to cater to potential audience’s desires, fears, interests, and prejudices, the cinema is reflective of the masses’ perceptions, but not necessarily reality.
England defunding of the fine arts indicative of western trend
September 10, 2018
In the midst of the government capital budgeting process, education sometimes takes a backseat to maintaining infrastructure, Medicare, social security and defense spending. Governments have the task of determining how to best spend their resources to better their country. And often, they think of the effects on the present, not into the future
Significant Other to be performed at Behrend - auditions this week
September 04, 2018
Modern dating can be stressful. It can be a great challenge to balance maintaining friendships while looking for romance. This is what protagonist of “Significant Other,” Jordan Berman, faces as he goes through life in New York City in his late 20s.
Own (part of) Andy Wharhal for twenty dollars
September 04, 2018
In June of this year, Claude Monet’s “Coup de Vent” was purchased for $6.3 million. Now valued at $8.5 million, this appreciation rate is not typical, but it is indicative of the fine art market’s financial stability. And shortly, pending approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the ability to invest in fine works of art will be available to the public for as little as $20.
A humorous observation
September 04, 2018
Do you ever wonder what animals think of us, who made the bird bath, or why doing something is wrong in some places but normal in others? Well, Netflix just released Demitri Martin’s new stand-up special, “The Overthinker.” And as the title suggests, Demetri has had a lot to think about.
Louis CK and others return to the comedy stage
September 04, 2018
After nearly a 10-month hiatus from the comedy stage, Louis C.K. got 15 more minutes of fame in New York City’s Comedy Cellar last Monday evening. Last year, five women came forward, stating that C.K. had committed sexual misconduct towards them, including attempts to masturbate in front of them, which C.K. later admitted to.
Evil Genius: tragedy breeds tragic documentaries
August 27, 2018
Many Erie natives have heard about, if they don’t also remember, the story of the 2003 “Pizza Bomber,” now known as the murder of Brian Wells, an unwitting participant in a botched bank robbery on Peach Street. After many more years in correspondence with Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, one of the primary conspirators of the plot, Trey Borzillieri, narrator and co-director to Barbara Schroeder, walks us through the mystery and uncertainty of the events that unfolded after the bombing in the Netflix documentary, “Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist.”
Alabama plays for adoring audience at Crawford Country Fair
August 27, 2018
On August 22, the beloved country band Alabama traveled over a thousand miles from Colorado to perform at the Crawford County fair. The band is touring in the celebration of their 50th anniversary and sharing their thanks by playing some of their most well known songs.
The rise, fall, and rise(?) of MoviePass
August 20, 2018
Founded as an experiment in 2011, MoviePass has now evolved into an increasingly common, and affordable option for visiting the theater. Recently however, the company’s financial situation has been called into question – its profits stemming from few sources – as it struggles to remain solvent.
How to: Friend, Love, Freefall by RKS
April 24, 2018
When Sam Melo and Darrick Keller founded Rainbow Kitten Surprise in their dorm rooms at Appalachian State University in 2013, the band wasn’t so eclectically named. Instead, their moniker stems from an unexpected story, both heartwarming and humorous: their close friend, after suffering from meningitis and a spinal tap, gave them the name in a drug-induced state. Now, five years later, the indie/alternative rock group just released their third studio album, “How to: Friend, Love, Freefall.”
Kacey Musgraves: Golden Hour
April 10, 2018
One artist that has continuously challenged the norms while undergoing a delicate and tasteful metamorphosis stylistically is none other than the 90’s-baby, rhinestoned cowgirl, Kacey Musgraves. Musgraves recently released her third studio album, “Golden Hour”, to a sea of fans graciously awaiting for this fresh, new sound.
Behrend gains an Angel
April 10, 2018
Penn State Behrend’s Theatre program hosted a master class and concert Thursday, March 29, where Behrend’s cast of “Rent” were provided with the professional teachings of guest Broadway superstar, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, best known for his originating role of Angel in the successful rock opera.
American Idol and its regressive sexual politics
March 20, 2018
Pop star and ‘American Idol’ judge, Katy Perry, is claimed to have stunted the growth of the hyperawareness of power dynamic in Hollywood after flirting with male contestants on the show and giving a non consensual kiss on the lips to 19-year-old singer, Benjamin Glaze.
February 27, 2018
Oscar Sunday is finally upon us. Whether you’re an award show junkie or not, we have everything you need to know when it comes to the 90th Academy Awards.
Star Wars: the sexism awakens... again
February 20, 2018
Almost three years after the release of the third-highest grossing film in history, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” in December 2015, and the opening of the Star Wars Launch Bay in Disneyland in November 2015, can fans and visitors of the park finally meet the franchises’ leading character, Rey.
Let's be frank about Netflix's "Grace and Frankie"
January 30, 2018
In a society where “ists” run rampant --ageists, racists, classists, sexists; you get the point-- it’s extremely important to represent the narratives and the truths of all people that are left at times on the margins of American society.
Farrow reveals details of childhood abuse in first television interview
January 23, 2018
Dylan Farrow joins the hundreds of women who have come forward to share their story of sexual assault in the entertainment industry as she shares the details of her sexual assault allegations against her adoptive father, actor and director, Woody Allen.
Black Mirror: the reflection of our destined future?
January 16, 2018
After the UK show, “Black Mirror,” made its successful transition to Netflix, avid watchers or new fans of the techno-paranoia have recently tuned into the newest season to experience more futuristic sci-fi anthologies that are bound to have the world questioning its universal obsession and dependency on growing technology.
Franken denies memory of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct
November 28, 2017
Minnesota senator and former Saturday Night Live cast member Al Franken has been accused of sexual misconduct by radio host Leeann Tweeden after she released a photo of him miming pretending to grope her breasts during a 2006 United States Organizations tour.
"Stranger Things" kids speak out about sexualization and harassment
November 28, 2017
With season two of the hit original Netflix series, “Stranger Things,” being released last month, the attention the supernatural thriller has gained has forced the child stars to denounce the sexualization and harassment they have received from social media and press.
Looking into Jhene Aiko's "Trip"
October 17, 2017
The most interesting and exciting part about any musical work as a whole, from the perspective of a listener with open-minded appreciation, is the fact that each and every part of a completed project is manifested through the unique mind and frame of reference of the artist who does the creating.
Hope in a hopeless situation: Miley's "Younger Now"
October 10, 2017
Destiny Hope Cyrus, wrecking ball meme and Tennessee native who, after some erratic public behavior that worried parents about the role models of their children a few years ago, seems to be attempting a comeback with her new album, “Younger Now.”
"Upside Down" Shut Down
September 26, 2017
After the action-packed, Netflix-original sci-fi television show, “Stranger Things,” took the entertainment world by storm last summer, Chicago brought the dystopian town of Hawkins to life with the opening of, “The Upside Down,” a pop-up bar which Netflix is now asking to be shut down.
"Antisocialites" Alvvays a pleasure
September 19, 2017
Three years after receiving critical acclaim on their debut album, the indie dream-pop band from Toronto, Alvvays, have managed to nearly match, if not surpass, the artistic excellence of their debut with their newly released record, “Antisocialites.”
New singles: hype or hesitation?
September 12, 2017
Fall of 2017 is taking shape as one of the higher traffic release seasons for pop albums, especially from notable figures. Taylor Swift announced her sixth studio album, “Reputation,” for release on November 10, but not before others like Kelly Clarkson and Demi Lovato, who will be releasing (respectively) “Meaning of Life” on October 27, and “Tell Me You Love Me” on September 29.
Reese Witherspoon on encouraging women
September 12, 2017
On September 5th, Glamour Magazine published an article written by Reese Witherspoon concerning the ambition of women, and their lack of positions in the Hollywood film industry. Currently, Witherspoon is a part of the seventeen percent of women occupying positions in the film industry as the leader of her self-founded production business, Hello Sunshine.
"Heathers" gets made over ...again
September 05, 2017
The 1988 film Heathers, starring Winona Ryder, is undergoing a reboot and will be released as a TV show in 2018. An official trailer was published on instagram six days ago, and has been garnering comments that point out the very drastic differences between the movie and the new rendition.
Save the reefs: "Chasing Coral"
August 29, 2017
Over the summer Netflix released the documentary “Chasing Coral,” which discussed the current environmental issue of the death of coral reefs around the world. Although this documentary is science based, it also appeals to people who are interested in film and the documentation of science.
Atypical review
August 22, 2017
Netflix has continued to release their own content. Most recently, the show “Atypical” was added to their list of originally produced content. This show follows the hardships of 18-year-old Sam, as he tries to navigate the world of dating with autism. With the help of his family, friends, and therapist, Sam hilariously struggles through his own insecurities and misunderstandings.
Disney revamps the classics
August 22, 2017
If there is one company that never fails to deliver entertaining and magical products, it is Disney. In particular, the many critically-acclaimed films produced by Disney stand the test of time; even classics such as “Snow White,” “Cinderella,” and “Sleeping Beauty” are still enjoyed and cherished today.
Gaga gets called out
August 22, 2017
Several celebrities are speaking out against Saturday’s white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The protest stirred anger and frustration upon several musicians, including Dave Matthews Band, Lorde, John Legend, and Lady Gaga. Rolling Stone magazine shared with us the criticism that several of these stars are placing on Donald Trump’s refusal to condemn white supremacy.
Swift wins groping trial
August 22, 2017
The jury ruled in Taylor Swift’s favor in radio DJ David Mueller’s lawsuit claiming he was released unjustly from his position after Swift claimed he groped her during a meet-and-greet.
Swift accused Mueller of groping her at a meet-and-greet event four years ago. In her testimony, Swift described the event, stating, “"He took his hand and put it up my dress and grabbed onto my ass cheek.”
Hans Zimmer claims sexism in music film industry
April 18, 2017
The Oscar-winning film composer, Hans Zimmer, has impacted the world of cinema with his music in iconic films like “The Dark Knight,” “Gladiator,” and, “The Lion King.” However, Zimmer sees other music composers in film trapped behind the curtain, specifically women composers.
The Fate of the Furious: more action-packed nonsense
April 18, 2017
The absurdity continues on this eighth installment of the “Fast and the Furious” franchise. If you are looking for crazy action and you are not at all worried about realistic physics, then you will have a blast watching “The Fate of the Furious.”
Boss Baby is a mix of laughs and confusion
April 11, 2017
While Disney is making a comeback in both animation and live-action adaptations, and Pixar continues to pump out great films (fingers crossed for “Cars 3”), DreamWorks seems to be spewing out any sort of Luxo Jr. wannabe “light bulb” that pops into their heads.
