Arts & Entertainment

A&E

Spectrum Theatre brings ‘Voices of the Class’ to life

By Mary Donnelly | September 22, 2014

“I consider my legs my most redeeming physical quality. ? If the skies are out, my thighs are out.”This fantastic line, written by a current first year in his application essay to the University, is just a glimpse into the hilarity found in Spectrum Theatre’s “Voices of the Class” during their performances this past weekend.To create this comical performance, the troupe took lines from current first years’ admission essays and transformed them into more than 20 original comedy sketches.During the summer, co-directors Cherise Pack and Lou Garcia, both third-year College students, sampled hundreds of essays to find material for the show.

---

A&E

Jeff Tweedy’s first true solo album lacks variety

By Noah Zeidman | September 22, 2014

“Sukierae” might best be described as the Jeff Tweedy fan’s ultimate Jeff Tweedy album. It is 20 tracks of Tweedy exploring his various musical styles, from the progressive rock style of his main project, Wilco, to the acoustic sound he displays at live solo shows.

---

A&E

Banks’ debut record cashes in on a promising future

By Carson Newman | September 19, 2014

Banks, a female alternative R&B artist from Los Angeles, should be pleased with herself.

---

A&E

Literary vlogs bring classic characters to life

By Mary Donnelly | September 18, 2014

Frilly dresses, dramatic scandals and endless talk of tea and suitors ? students have all encountered these themes in some capacity in high school literature classes.

---

A&E

Save room for “The Leftovers”

By Sam Henson | September 18, 2014

Without a doubt, “The Leftovers” is one of the most unique viewing experiences you will find on television.

---

A&E

Grey Gordon’s debut album hardly forgettable

By Samantha Rafalowski | September 18, 2014

The past two years have been great for Grey Gordon fans ? and perhaps even better for Grey Gordon.The Indiana indie-rocker released his first EP on No Sleep Records ? “Still At Home Here” ? early last year.

---

A&E

In Flames’ latest record lacks proper ignition

By Robert Shimshock | September 17, 2014

A few select men are generally accredited as being the founding fathers of the United States, praised as the initiators of a 238-year-old democracy.

---

A&E

Hard to “Listen” to The Kooks

By Julia Stembridge | September 17, 2014

It’s been a long time since the world has heard something new from The Kooks.Their indie rock significance came about with songs like “Naïve,” “Seaside” and “She Moves in Her Own Way” ? a throwback to when frontman Luke Pritchard first won a million girls’ hearts with his loving lyrics and strong vocal range.

---

A&E

Come party with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

By Helen Broad | September 17, 2014

The Jefferson website describes The Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue band as a “funk/rock/jazz/hip-hop band.” But even that description fails to capture the true spirit of their concert: party.The entire crowd danced to the music Thursday night — fans as young as high school students and as old as grandparents were busting a move to the New Orleans sound.

---

A&E

Robert Plant’s career isn’t rocked to sleep with new full-length

By Noah Zeidman | September 17, 2014

“I'm lost inside America / I'm turning inside out / I'm turning into someone else / I heard so much about,” Robert Plant sings on “Turn It Up,” the fifth song on his 10th solo album, “lullaby and...The Ceaseless Roar.”These lyrics embody the complexity of Plant’s 48-year-long career, during which the British singer has seemingly explored every facet of American music: psychedelic blues (with Band of Joy), early hard rock and metal (with Led Zeppelin), 1950s-throwback R&B rock (with the Honeydrippers) and stripped down folk and blues in his solo projects.

---

A&E

“Boyhood” tells the tale of the boy who did grow up

By Taylor Goodson | September 9, 2014

Twelve years. That’s how long it took Director Richard Linklater to make “Boyhood.” And it is masterpiece of a film.

---

A&E

The New Pornographers’ latest effort is scandalously experimental

By Julia Stembridge | September 9, 2014

It has been four long years since Canadian indie rock group The New Pornographers released an album — but the long wait for “Brill Bruisers” has proven definitively worth it.

---

A&E

“Gotham” definitely misses Batman

By Candace Carter | September 8, 2014

Fox’s hopeful retelling of the “Batman” story arc falls flat due in large part to the series’ misleading title, “Gotham”. Such a title holds connotations of a heroic, mysterious Batman, roaming the night in pursuit of justice.

---

A&E

Maroon 5’s fifth record puts them in the red

By Vondrae McCoy | September 8, 2014

After listening to Maroon 5’s latest studio album “V,” listeners may find themselves in an Adam Levine-induced daze. For some strange reason, Levine is still able to make us delight in his falsetto and his band’s funky tunes.

---

A&E

“My Everything” lacks nothing but consistency

By Vondrae McCoy | September 5, 2014

In the past year, Ariana Grande has gone from typical teen pop starlet to full-blown international music sensation.

---

A&E

Upcoming Spacey visit to highlight art’s importance beyond Charlottesville

By James Cassar | September 4, 2014

The second installment of the President’s Speaker Series for the Arts will bring actor Kevin Spacey to John Paul Jones Arena Oct. 18. This event follows last year’s address by University alumna Tina Fey.

---

A&E

Turning up the sounds of summer

By Will Mullany | August 27, 2014

It was a summer of waiting: waiting for the hot sun to go down, relieving us of its unapologetic rays; waiting for noon, only after which is it socially appropriate to start drinking.

---

A&E

Ain’t never had a friend like him

By Nina Lukow | August 25, 2014

“You’re only given one little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” In my first memory of Robin Williams, he can fly.

---

A&E

Exploring the Virginia Film Festival

By Charles Hancock | August 21, 2014

For almost three decades, the Virginia Film Festival has provided the Charlottesville area with the opportunity to appreciate film and learn about the artists and histories that inspired great works. As VFF enters its 27th year, it continues to expand its reach within the University and Charlottesville communities.

---

A&E

Comedy, seriously

By Madison DeLuca | August 21, 2014

The University is a serious school. Wahoos are serious about academics, social lives, and tradition. And when it comes to our selective comedy groups, we’re serious about humor.