Arts

Afroman speaks on marijuana, drinking

By Ethan Timmins-Schiffman - Contributing Writer

Afroman is chill, so when he called me back for this interview – two days late – I forgave him immediately. I hear weed makes one forgetful anyway. Ethan Timmins-Schiffman (ETS): So how did you like giving the concert Saturday night? Afroman (A): It was fun, man. ETS: I only knew you as a rapper and I was surprised to see you playing the guitar for most of the show. A: What most people don’t k...»

Student written and directed ‘Staging a Rescue’ wins big laughs

By Casey Lyons - Contributing Writer

Is Walt Disney’s head really cryogenically frozen to preserve his genius forever? We might never know the truth. One legend we can debunk, however, is that theme parks are all fantasy and fun, as writer and director Meredith Gansner ’08’s new play Staging a Rescue showed this weekend. The play, produced by Cap and Bells and staged in Paresky Performance Space, chronicled the absurdities behind th...»

Matt Pond PA floods Mission with smooth tunes

By Semira Menghes - Staff Writer

Although Mission Dining Hall might be more commonly associated with all-you-can-eat brunches, not an omelet was in sight as the crowds got their fill of the soothing and lively sounds of Matt Pond PA last Friday night. The group initially gained recognition for its debut album, Deer Apartments, in CDNow’s Unheard Competition for unsigned artists. Founded by Matt Pond in Philadelphia in 1998, the ...»

Enwezor articulates meaning behind Kentridge's landscapes

By Nora Spiegel - Staff Writer

It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and Okwui Enwezor’s lecture “(Un) Civil Engineering: William Kentridge’s Allegorical Landscapes” certainly gave a voice to the work of South African artist William Kentridge, which is currently on display at the Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA). Enwezor moved to the United States from Nigeria in 1983 at the age of 20 and has since cu...»

Solo greats zealously riff at Williamstown Jazz Festival

By Daniel Yudkin - Staff Writer

Word was that pianist Robert Glasper took a wrong turn on his way to the Williamstown Jazz Festival and drove to Boston instead of Williamstown. Whatever the reason, saxophonist Joe Lovano’s quartet played first at the headline show on Saturday, going against the stated order on the program. The switch reversed the night’s energy trajectory: spirits peaked in the middle of the evening as Lovano e...»

Berkshire student soloists stand out

By Lissy Robie - Contributing Writer

Musical strains of intense personal expression and technical virtuosity echoed through Chapin Hall Friday night. The Berkshire Symphony Orchestra (BSO) concluded its season with a showcase of the 2008 BSO Student Solo Competition winners. Student soloists Christine Bowman ’11, Meng-Lun Hsieh ’08, Noah Lindquist ’08 and Katie Palmer ’10 played selections by MacDowell, Saint-Saens, Brahms and Lalo....»

‘The Band’s Visit’ is a welcome arrival

By Charlie Birns - Staff Writer

It is with great apprehension that I relate to you the logline of The Band’s Visit: a police band from Egypt travels to Israel to perform traditional Arab music. I know what you’re thinking – you’d rather be tarred and feathered. A foreign film loaded with political commentary and trite multiculturalism, right? Wrong. In fact, Israeli writer-director Eran Kolirin’s debut feature offers a subtle a...»

Kapur pushes the envelope with spicy comedy show

By Sara Harris - Arts Editor

A comedy show that begins when the comedian awkwardly asks for help over the sound system because he is unable to figure out how to get on stage might sound like a disaster in the making. In actuality, it was a precursor to the many laughs in store for the audience filled with prospective students in Paresky Performance Space on Sunday night. Despite the initial setback, comedian Vidur Kapur quic...»

Ephs get high off Afroman

By Abby Wood - Staff Writer

Two chants could be heard from the inconspicuous white tent near Poker Flats this past Saturday night – "TOGA! TOGA!" and "COLT 45! COLT 45!" These two phrases effectively captured the essence of TogaSpank, a party and concert headlined by infamous rapper Afroman. Although TogaSpank was forced to come to an early end this past Saturday night, no one can deny the awesome show that was put on befor...»