Arts & Culture

Have you ever been online? “[re: Click],” a joint production between the UC Davis Department of Theatre and Dance and the American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University, adapted and directed by Margaret Laurena Kemp and Roger Ellis, gave its final performance of the year on Dec. 12. It’s an experimental piece of theater—performed entirely […]

The Arts Desk’s weekly picks for movies, books, music, television shows Movie: “Happiest Season” dir. by Clea DuVall (2020) Starring Kirsten Stewart, Alison Brie and Aubrey Plaza—to name a few from the star-studded cast—“Happiest Season” is about a woman who brings her girlfriend home for the holidays to a conservative family that is clueless about […]

Arts desk writer Jacob Anderson loves the Racoon Man—and you should too Raccoon connoisseurs out there need not be reminded of James Blackwood—the elderly Nova Scotian man who made his internet bones nearly a decade ago with a bucket of sliced hot dogs and several dozen feral (but rabies-free) raccoons on his property.  Since his […]

The “Breath of the Wild” prequel offers a much needed look into the history of Hyrule “Breath of the Wild” (BOTW) is undoubtedly one of the most popular games of all time. Despite the fact that it was released over three years ago, the open world exploration keeps it playable for unlimited hours. This came […]

Why “the more is merrier” doesn’t work out in this situation

Four artists from the past and present have made their mark going against the grain Countless musicians have immortalized themselves and their work by breaking genre norms or combining elements across genres. While Complex has put together a list of sorts and the Wall Street Journal claims 2019 to be the year of Genre-bending (Insert […]

We could use a lot more people like this in society As an avid reader and Netflix binge-watcher, I have come to the conclusion that series are made by their characters. I will always stick around and finish something if I love at least one character. Don’t get me wrong, the plot is important as […]

The Arts Desk’s weekly pick of movies, tv shows, books and music Movie: “Basket Case” dir. by Frank Henenlotter (1982) Nervously patched together on a budget of only $35,000, this C movie is filled with gross, unconvincing gore and a surprising amount of charm. Henenlotter takes a naked approach to the art of cheap horror, […]

The successes and compromises that led Michelle Obama to the gilded cage of the White House In the 89-minute Netflix documentary “Becoming,” the world is given a glimpse into the statuesque, unwavering woman that stood equal to her husband, former President Barack Obama.  Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is America’s first African-American first lady, a double-Ivy […]

How the last four years will continue to shape the GOP On Jan. 20, 2021, a new President of the U.S. will be sworn into office.  At least, that is what is supposed to happen.  President Donald Trump has yet to concede to President-elect Joe Biden and accept the results of the election. Results of […]

What teen shows lack, children’s shows provide While I admit there are some good teen TV shows out there that are worth watching (“Never Have I Ever,” “One Day at a Time”), kids and tween shows are getting better than shows aimed for a teen audience because they’re trying to teach kids something. Kids are […]

Scandals, daddies and love songs define Lana Del Rey’s image, but make it hard to support both the controversial artist and her art To her fans, Lana Del Rey used to be a maiden of mystery—the personification of cigarette buds, drugs, long nails and an affinity for singing about older men. From claiming to find […]