To watch and watch for: Week of April 1

Do you hear that wooshing noise? That’s the sound of this semester positively flying by! As we get into the final weeks of the semester, there’s guaranteed to be more and more live events happening on campus as students come show off what they’ve been working on these past months. The live events this week are all super cool, so definitely go check them out!

You’ve probably seen the posters all over campus by now, but this week, the Program in Theatre Arts and Studies is performing their production of Galileo by Bertolt Brecht.

Another fun event happening right on campus is the Edible Books Festival, where you can go to judge students’ most creative literary-culinary concoctions (and most importantly, stuff your faces with free cake). 

Also, be sure to check out the Ébène Quartet performance at Shriver on Sunday! I had the opportunity to see them perform a few years ago, and they’re one of the best string quartets I’ve ever seen. Even if classical music isn’t your jam, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Here’s what to watch and watch for this week!

To Watch...

Wicked Little Letters, directed by Thea Sharrock — April 4

This comedic mystery movie centers on a small village in 1920s England where the residents have begun receiving anonymous hilariously profane letters. After a foul-mouthed Irish migrant is charged with the crime, the women of the town begin to investigate and realize that someone else may have been the true culprit.

Ripley, created by Steven Zaillian — April 4

This black-and-white limited series from Netflix stars Andrew Scott as Ripley, a grifter in 1960s New York whose life changes when he’s hired by a wealthy man to convince his son to return from Italy. However, once in Italy, Ripley begins to descend into a life of crime and deceit in this psychological thriller.

Monkey Man, directed by Dev Patel — April 5

This action-packed film is written, produced, directed by and stars Dev Patel as an anonymous young man seeking revenge against corrupt leaders responsible for his mother’s death, as well as the suffering of the poor and powerless.

To Read...

The Reappearance of Rachel Price, by Holly Jackson — April 2

Eighteen-year-old Bel Price is begrudgingly taking part in a documentary about her mother, Rachel Price’s, disappearance 16 years prior. However, when Rachel Price suddenly reappears with an unbelievable story about what happened, Bel must figure out what’s going on and what really happened with her mother.

Table for Two: Fictions, by Amor Towles — April 2

This short story collection is set in New York and Los Angeles, mostly around the turn of the millennium. It features stories that often pivot on a moment where two characters sit down at a table and have a conversation that changes the course of their lives.

The Husbands, by Holly Gramazio — April 2

A woman comes home to discover a husband in her flat, one who she’s never seen before, but who has apparently been married to her for years. Over the course of the novel, a never-ending stream of husbands appear and disappear in her life, showing her the different courses that any life can take.

To Listen...

Found Heaven, by Conan Gray — April 5

Indie-pop artist Conan Gray will be releasing his third studio album on Friday. It will include tracks such as “Never Ending Song,” “Alley Rose” and “Eye of the Night.”

Ohio Players, by The Black Keys — April 5

Grammy award-winning duo The Black Keys will be releasing their 12th studio album. This rollicking garage-rock group will be releasing tracks such as previously released “Beautiful People (Stay High),” and new tracks such as “This is Nowhere” and “Paper Crown.” 

Only God Was Above Us, by Vampire Weekend — April 5

Indie rock group Vampire Weekend will be releasing their fifth studio album, featuring tracks such as “Ice Cream Piano,” “Gen-X Cops” and “Mary Boone.”

Live events...

Read It & Eat It: The Sheridan Libraries’ Edible Book Festival at the Glass Pavilion — April 2 at 12:30 p.m.

Head to the Glass Pavilion and stuff yourself with cake at the Sheridan Library’s annual Edible Book Festival contest, where students have baked delicious desserts according to literary themes. Take part in judging desserts in categories such as “Best Literary Theme,” “Most Delicious Edible Book” and “Best in Show.”  It is free to attend (and there will be so much free food!)

JHU Theatre Presents Galileo at the Merrick Barn — April 3–7

The JHU Theatre department is collaborating with the Space Telescope Science Institute to tell the story of Galileo, the 16th century astronomer who bravely advocated for the heliocentric system, only to be silenced by the Inquisition. The play Galileo was originally written by dramatist Bertolt Brecht in 1938. Tickets are $5 for JHU affiliates.

Hari Kunzru reading in Krieger Hall — April 4 at 6 p.m.

As part of the President’s Series for Literature of Social Import, British novelist and journalist Hari Kunzru will be giving a reading of his upcoming novel Blue Ruin, about an artist struggling to live undocumented as a grocery delivery guy in upstate New York, until a meeting with a former lover from art school changes his life. It is free to attend.

Baltimore Jazz Futures: An Ethel’s Place Panel Discussion and Jam Session in the George Peabody Library — April 7 at 4 p.m.

As part of the Sheridan Libraries’ exhibition, Ethel’s Place, Peabody Jazz Studies chair Sean Jones will lead a discussion about Baltimore’s Jazz scene with panelists John Fowler, Charles Covington and Brinae Ali, along with Peabody sophomore Ebban Dorsey. After the panel discussion, there will be a performance of some of Ethel Ennis’s music and a jam session, accompanied by a drinks reception. The event is free to attend.

Ébène Quartet performs at Shriver Hall — April 7 at 5:30 p.m.

The Ébène Quartet will be performing in their Baltimore Debut at the Shriver Hall Concert Series. This string quartet will be performing Mozart’s “String Quartet in D major, K. 575,” Alfred Schnittke’s “String Quartet No. 3” and Edvard Grieg’s full “String Quartet in G minor, Op. 27.” Tickets are free for Hopkins students.